So..are DB7's really as bad as ppl say?

[misterp]

Hi folks,

Im not a regular poster, but I finally have an opportunity to get into AM ownership by means of buying an Aston DB7 V12 Vantage.

Now, I should say that Im a regular garage type of person having a Jensen Interceptor, TR6 and Dolomite Sprint in the shed(s) so general and even reasonably difficult jobs I can do.

Im 100% not in this for the $$, but naturally I want to make sure I dont throw good money after bad, and want some return to negate the cost of maintaining and owning it when and if I ever decide to move it on.
Ive read all the posts on here and other forums and whilst alot of good info, it tends to be very subjective opinions, often from ppl who haven't owned nor even driven one.
Personally, I love the shape of the DB7, and even prefer it over its sister the XK8 so Im sold on the car itself and having driven a V12 and the V8 supercharges XK8R, the feeling of driving the Aston over the Jag is 2nd to none.
So...open to opinions, stories etc. but Id appreciate any info I can get so when I go looking at the cars, I know what to look for and what to check.

Im currently aware of things like A/C Evaporators giving up (dash out) and suspension bushes going soft and brakes, and apart from the general bodywork and engine checks, are there any specific places to look for (up-on-ramp-boreoscope type of check?).

Thanks

Andrew

[RobDown]

I would really strongly suggest posting on the AMOC forums (you can access nearly all of it as a guest).

Much as I love PH, the reality is this site almost exclusively caters for the Gaydon era Aston’s (albeit most of us love the pre-Gaydon era too).

In contrast AMOC is as useful as a chocolate fire- guard for Gaydon cars, hit as a huge pool of knowledge on two cars in particular; the DB7 and the original NP Vanquish. It will be by far and away your best resource for what to look for, finding the “original” parts (ie the Ford/Volvo version not the marked-up AM one).

They’re beautiful cars- so good luck with it!

[misterp]

Thanks Rob,

I`ll copy/paste/add the same post over on the AMOC forums.

Still appreciate anyone here chipping in though...more information cannot be a bad thing!

Cheers
Andrew

Edit...

HMM..seems they may have changed their policy as most of the forum is hidden to non-members and its 135 quid to join!

Edited by misterp on Thursday 22 November 00:53

[DB531]

This may help

https://forum.amoc.org/?forum=605507

As far as I am aware only some info on the AMOC site is for members only

[cadman]

I owned a 2002 DB7 V12 Vantage, for 3 years ,loved the car.it had 40thou miles on it when purchased
at 45thou i replaced the plugs, coils,not hard to do if you are mechanically inclined.save a lot of money in labour,
the car was running fine but replaced them as recommended in the A.M maint schedule.the original coilpacks
were known to go bad,so when looking it would be good to know if they have been replaced already.(mine had not been done)
other than regular oil change air filters it was a great runner. i traded it in for a 2007 V8 Vantage 3yrs ago
DB7 was a lot quicker obviously with the v12. would love to have kept it , but can only afford one toy at a time, lol

Edited by cadman on Saturday 24th November 11:08

[LordBretSinclair]

I ran a V12 Vantage DB7 for nearly 8 years and it was a lovely car.
As has been mentioned make sure the coils and plugs (all of them) have been recently replaced. Other service items are much the same as other cars and parts are readily available and reasonable price if you shop around.
Only real expense I had was replacing the fuel pumps which are "buried" in the tank which needs removing to get to anything.
Prices seem to be on the rise and they are lovely cars so my advice would be to go for it. I miss mine

[baconsarney]

Some years back (late nineties) a female friend had an i6 coupe, and I first saw it in the carport from the rear.... most stunning thing I'd seen since the 246 Dino in the early seventies... then some years later a work colleague bought an i6 Volante, and whilst it was a beautiful car, the thing I remember about it most was the scuttle shake when driving over less than smooth tarmac.... very noticeable, in fact the last time I had experienced scuttle shake was shooting through Vauxhall cross in a very early Morgan which I was convinced was about to fall apart