Andrew Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 A good friend of mine, recently promoted to captain on a European airline, is thinking about buying a DB7. He has seen 8 year old examples for about 45k and he is thinking perhaps of keeping it for special occassions, so not his daily driver. One of the directors here at work going to buy one of the 90s Vantages but was put off due to small service intervals and massive servicing costs. Does anyone know what my friend should look out for, or even if buying one is such a good idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Has he driven one? I found it ummnn not so good. I did a review in the Review section. There are better cars for the money out there, m advise would be to simply stay away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Here you go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Has he driven one? I found it ummnn not so good. I did a review in the Review section. There are better cars for the money out there, m advise would be to simply stay away [/ QUOTE ] Totaly agree, stay well away, very expensive to service/insure/run. NOT the best performer/or ride, much better options out there for that money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I remember reading that and thought it was a good review. However, if you look at xspence's comments they probably reflect where my friend is coming from. Less of the "perfect driving experience" and more of the way it makes you feel driving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Audijohn: any rough figures for the "very expensive to service/insure/run" comment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Yeah sure, fully understand. It takes all sorts and people obviously forgive its shortfalls to be part of the Aston club. Still think its worth him taking a drive in one first. Then maybe try a second hand SL55 too and see which he wants then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 You can get better prices than that, but just an idea... http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/car...rch_full=SEARCH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 In three words, don't do it! I had a colleague who had a 2002 (I think) DB7 Vantage Convertible. IN the 9 months he had it it was at Aston Martin 37 times. He only lived 10 miles from our office so a 20 mile per day commute. The Aston dealer told him it wasn't a car you should use every day. If you leave it more than three days without turning over, the battery dies, if you drive it every day a combination of electrics / clutch / throttle system fail. Plus it's cramped, not very well put together and expensive on service costs as mentioned previously. Unless you get one of the very last DB7's produced in either GT or Zagatto form they're not worth the hassle IMO. Would an SL not be a decent alternative? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] In the 9 months he had it it was at Aston Martin 37 times. [/ QUOTE ] ...not much more you can say than that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichTT Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 My brother law had a few-always going wrong-terrible build quality,get a Porsche instead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Blimey, a fairly damning consensus. I'll mention the SL to him and also perhaps a 355? I don't think a Porsche is "special" or "evocative" enough, that said I don't think the SL will be either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Someone who lives just down the road works at Gaydon, and he says Aston's are not worth the money for the way they are put together on the production line. Also some of the materials used are very cheap in feel and are a sod to fit without damaging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] He only lived 10 miles from our office so a 20 mile per day commute. The Aston dealer told him it wasn't a car you should use every day. If you leave it more than three days without turning over, the battery dies, if you drive it every day a combination of electrics / clutch / throttle system fail. [/ QUOTE ] So .... it's not for use every day, but if not regularly used it will suffer. Have I understood right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Spot on! Previous to this he was a big Aston fan and had an original Virage and Vantage but they were absolute beasts, hence he moved to the DB7 Vantage. Now driving a Mini Cooper Works beacuse of the Aston 'experience'. I gather they are a lot better now though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Things haven't improved with the DB9. A friend of mine has one and its always back in the dealers for one thing or another. My mate complained and the service manager said: " Sir, you have bought an Aston martin, they have their foibles." For £109k I'd want a bloody perfect motor. Oh, and it gives him backache as the seats are crap!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Oh dear. Still, he only intends to keep the car for a year. All said and done though I'd still have one of the 90s Vantages at the drop of a hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I'd still like a DB9. But maybe that's because I've never had one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Yea Hows this for the V12, engine out for new spark-plugs!!!!!! You can guess the price for that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Blimey. an engineering c0ck-up (or profiting masterclass) if ever I heard of one! Several thousand I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Yea Hows this for the V12, engine out for new spark-plugs!!!!!! You can guess the price for that one. [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the fact that one of the very last DB7's made in DB7 GT guise was rated by many experts as the best Aston Martin made in decades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I think someone did in an earlier post. However, not sure one can be picked up for £45k so not an option as far as my query goes sadly. If he was captain on a better airline, perhaps ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the fact that one of the very last DB7's made in DB7 GT guise was rated by many experts as the best Aston Martin made in decades. [/ QUOTE ] I did say that about the GT and Zagatto, however by the original post by Andrew I think it would be out of budget range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the fact that one of the very last DB7's made in DB7 GT guise was rated by many experts as the best Aston Martin made in decades. [/ QUOTE ] Well I must be no expert, because the GT that I drove was the most disapointing car I have ever driven. The engine was all noise and no go. The chassis felt loose and inert, with dreadful steering (and I am used to Audis remember). I needed medical assistance to get in and out. It looked fantastic, and the guy that owned it was awaiting his DB9 so he wasnt put off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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