Are DB7's currently good value??

[Springbok]

Does anyone else think that DB7's are currently undervalued?

I am considering switching from a TVR (must be getting old(er)) and am seeing 2001/02 Vantage Volantes with less than 30,000 on the clock for sub £40k.

Any thoughts from peeps more knoeledgable than me on the marque.

Best

Simon

[f328nvl]

4,458 V12 Vantages were made, out of about 7000 DB7s worldwide. That's a lot for Aston Martin, but, for example, is less than twice the number of Ferrari 246 Dinos in the world (3,761 cars) and they have appreciated dramatically in the latest market cycle after a decade in the mid £50k range.

The car has lots going for it as a future classic: It's both extremely and timelessly pretty (it's a really a copy of a DB4 Zagato, so you can't go wrong) and it's important in the history of Aston Martin (they'd have gone bust without it).

In contrast I would guess that are probably already more DB9s (and shortly V8 Vantages) in existence than DB7s. Whilst the 9 might be a much better car, the DB6 is also on purely objective measures, better than the DB5, but is nowhere near as valuable, presumably due largely to the James Bond connection. Howver, for the foreseeable future the DB9 will depreciate into DB7 territory and push down the top of the DB7 market for a while yet.

The long term therefore looks promising, but the long term for cars is often a generation. As a short term punt, who knows? Many years ago I asked Nick Fry (Then Aston MD) to contrast TVR with Aston Martin. "I Don't make plastic cars" he replied disdainfully!

[Springbok]

Thanks,

Very reasoned reply

Thought I had asked a "vorboten" question, such was the deafening silence.

I'm not really looking at it as a short term punt (sorry if it came across that way) but I am astounded by what you can now get for your money.

And much as I love the shape of the Vantage, common sense has to prevail.

A move to a DB7 could well be my next, although I'll be sad to move away from TVR as for their money they offer a tremendous amount on the smile factor front and they have been fun and, for me, reliable - and I've had five.

Thanks again.

[williamp]

I'm also looking at a DB7 to replace my DBS V8. They are great cars. they may be abit elderly underneath, but there is lots of Youtube footage showing Clarkson vriving one v a 360 and preferring a 360.

As for price, well they are certainly dropping in value, an that means they wll soon be avaiallbe to people who cant (or wont) keep them properly. The result? they get a bad reputation. Buy a good one and you wont have too many issues. Buy a bad one (like any Aston) and it will be very expensive to put right.

I dont think they have finished deopping in value unless you get a DB7 Zagato. But hey, if you were looking for an investment uou would'nt buy a car, would you???

[alderley]

Springbok said:

A move to a DB7 could well be my next, although I'll be sad to move away from TVR

When I got my DB7 Vantage, I kept my TVR cerbera. They are not comparable in the real world. My wife likes to drive the Aston but has never ever wanted to drive the TVR -which says it all.

[Let's get real]

If you want something a liitle bit rarer, but still affordable go for a GT. Made in 2003. Many improvements over standard Vantage. Stratton Motor Company have a lovely car which I saw when visiting last week.

[f328nvl]

The issue with any Aston is the lumpy ownership costs. I've had mine for 6 years and it averages about £3k per annum. However, the average disguises the variations year-on-year. Mine cost £2k per annum until 2006 (2 x service per annum) when I replaced the clutch, brake disks, tyres and did various bits and pieces that periodically need doing at a cost of about £6k that year. I also used Aston Works Service who are not the cheapest, Chiltern Aston are cheaper and probably just as good at most things. Last year it cost me £2k. The car has done 40k miles, so it gets used regularly.

[Danny Hoffman]

I had a TVR and a 911, and swapped the 911 for an early DB7. I still prefer driving the TVR (can't imagine not having a TIV in the garage), but the Aston is more practical.

DB7s are amazing value at the moment.If you buy right, maintain it well (potentially expensive) & have a bit of luck - will not depreciate

[AstonZagato]

f328nvl said:

4,458 V12 Vantages were made, out of about 7000 DB7s worldwide. That's a lot for Aston Martin, but, for example, is less than twice the number of Ferrari 246 Dinos in the world (3,761 cars) and they have appreciated dramatically in the latest market cycle after a decade in the mid £50k range.

The car has lots going for it as a future classic: It's both extremely and timelessly pretty (it's a really a copy of a DB4 Zagato, so you can't go wrong) and it's important in the history of Aston Martin (they'd have gone bust without it).

In contrast I would guess that are probably already more DB9s (and shortly V8 Vantages) in existence than DB7s. Whilst the 9 might be a much better car, the DB6 is also on purely objective measures, better than the DB5, but is nowhere near as valuable, presumably due largely to the James Bond connection. Howver, for the foreseeable future the DB9 will depreciate into DB7 territory and push down the top of the DB7 market for a while yet.

The long term therefore looks promising, but the long term for cars is often a generation. As a short term punt, who knows? Many years ago I asked Nick Fry (Then Aston MD) to contrast TVR with Aston Martin. "I Don't make plastic cars" he replied disdainfully!

Very good analysis. The only thing to add is that there is a danger they drop too far and end up in the sheepskin jacket / portacabin used car lots. There is very little way back from that. DBS's are beautiful cars but many went too far down and will get scrapped. They are coming back now but most will never make it as it costs too much to bring them back. Hats off to those who have.

[tarks63]

Just to say i owned a TVR Griffiths for 8 months without a hint of trouble and fell in love with it totally.My wife would not drive it so i sold it and bought a DB7 Vantage Volante auto which i have now had for 18 months.This has done 18300 miles from newV plate) and has not missed a beat.I have it serviced at Aston Martin once a year as i cannot see the point of servicing a car that has done 2k twice in 12 months.Costs were £1000 which included £200 of air conditioning work.Cannot recommend highly enough what a good looking car they are and 100% reliable,or maybe it`s the way i treat it(Sits in my garage on carpet with a heater and cover on it.Not used if it`s wet or cold)I feel if kept in this sort of condition depreciation will be minimal over the next few years.Trouble is wife won`t drive it because she is worried what i will do if she dings it and the repair costs.Now says she wants me to sell it and get something more sensible and smaller and not worth so much.So i have shoved it on Pistonheads under threat of castration.Little does she know i have my eye on a nice little T350t.Advantage of marrying a dumb blonde.If i were you i would buy one,you won`t regret it especially in the summer,and now my bonus has just come through i may keep my Aston AND buy my T350t.Good luck anyway in your search.