4.5 LW or AM DB7?

[M6 CUK]

Hi, Currently i've got a Tamora, but i'm looking at trading it in for a 2001/Y Cerbera 4.5LW, or a 03 4.2 but looking at Topmarques around the same price a Aston Martin DB7 1996/7. I've read a couple of posts that the DB7 is crap to drive, but i really like the idea of having a AM parked on the drive. I'm going for a test drive next weekend in the DB7.
I've had a test drive of a 4.5LW for a day and thourually enjoyed it, so i know i won't be dissapionted with that choice. But what do you guys think is the best to go for? in regards to reliability, and fun. Cost to run shouldn't be far off the Tamora.
Thanks for your comments in advance.

[funkyboogalooo]

erhaps too simplistic a view but I'm a reckoning I would rather be chamois leathering an Aston on a Sunday than a TVR.

[M6 CUK]

funkyboogalooo said: erhaps too simplistic a view but I'm a reckoning I would rather be chamois leathering an Aston on a Sunday than a TVR.

Yes that's what i'm thinking too!

[donatien]

I suppose for image the Aston will win over. But then it is only a Ford after all and the Cerbie will easily beat it for performance.

I suspect in a few years the Aston will have a better residual too.

Personally, I'd still pick the Cerbie; a far more involving drive.

Dave

[Thom]

Sad to say but you may lose much less money on resale value with the Aston.

Not sure I would enjoy chamoix leathering more than driving though...

[Pvapour]

Aston is more jewellery like IMO, depends on which is more important to you:

i) The drive, go for the Cerby
ii) The Image, go for the Aston (although you also get image with the Tyv)

Mark

[donatien]

I've just worked it out.

If you buy the Cerbie get some brown trousers.

If you buy the Aston get some brown slippers.

I still find it hard to shake off the image of the Aston as an old man's car. Not that I've ever been priveleged to drive one. I have driven a couple of Mondeo V6s though and that is essentially a V12 Vanquish!

[GregE240]

Yeah, but on the basis of that argument then so is a Noble.

And heck, [irony] I'd sooner have an ST220 over a DB7 any day!! [/irony]

Nice conumdrum to be in though. Great cars, whichever you choose.

EDITED to turn "grat" into "great".

>> Edited by GregE240 on Sunday 9th March 17:42

[MikeJ]

I think the problem that you will have is that you are "comparing apples with oranges". Aston is classy, gourgeous to look at and probably a reasonable drive. Cerbera is lightning fast, expensive to keep in top condition, and less "classy".

If you just want looks and "class" go for the Aston, if you want a more intimate (and probably more expensive), but much faster experience go for the Cerbera.

[M6 CUK]

I'm not sure, the Aston is going to be just as expensive if not more to run than the Cerb, true the aston is more "classy", but the cerb is classy in its own right. Yes they are completely different cars, but their in the same price range as each other. and on paper there the same: 2+2 coupe err....thats about it, but you know what i mean!

[tuscansix]

A 1996/7 model Aston will be the Super/Turbocharged V6, not regarded as a good engine, nor does that model handle well. It wasn't until the V12 came along in 1999 that the model could be recommended and as the current reviews of the GT say, the car is now finally dynamically a match for its looks.

Even so, as JC once stated there's something wonderful about the phrase, 'Shall we take the Aston'?

[donatien]

[irony] I'd sooner have an ST220 over a DB7 any day!! [/irony]

???

I'd love to buy you a madras mate but maybe we'll start with the Ford Korma

[RUF 3]

In my experience they are both fairly flawed, and having owned one and had several test drives in the other (trying to believe the last was a bad car), I would not thank you for either of them !!

[alan_driver]

Sounds to me like you have made your mind up on the AMDB7.
Advantages:
'what car do you drive',
:"an ASTON MARTIN"

OK, so if you said a TVR, it might not have the same effect, but does that bother you? If image is the most important thing then maybe you should go for the aston, but remember that advert 'Aston martin, **nny magnet.....for people with a small p****s
If I was in your situation I would go for the cerb, the aston is nice but like mentioned earlier, a bit of an old mans car, which might not be a problem as I have no idea how old you are.
Either way, your very lucky to be in this position, good luck with the car and whatever you choose, i doubt you would be dissapointed.

[bennno]

what must be considered is that a DB7 is physically a XJS in drag with a supercharged engine. It was designed by jag but made in to an Aston at the last minute.

whats put me off in the past is the dire condition of the earlier cars with worn leather and misted windows indicating condensation and water leaks.

If you want to go the ford with a badge route then despite it being less exclusive the XK-R has 100bhp more and you would get a 6 month - year old one for the price of a potentially rough DB7. The Jag is much better built, better engine etc

The Aston will cost a fortune to service, probably about the most expensive car to service out there, they certainly rival Ferrari.

If you are set on a DB7 then good luck, but its worth finding enough to buy a decent one rather than buying one on price, perhaps even a Vantage if you can stretch to it.

I would be temtped by the DB7 but would probably go take a look at a 996c2 or the superlative (and now sub 30k) Maser 3200GT if I needed a 4 seat sportscar.

Bennno