Discussion
Hi Folks,
I was wondering if there is anybody on here with any experience of owning/driving these two cars?
I currently drive a Boxster (quiet at the back there
) which I think is a great little roadster, but I was recently lent a Jaguar XKR for a week and it reminded me of the Jag XJR-S I used to own. The comfort, style and power was very nice although it did lack the handling and feel of the Boxster.
Anyway, to get to the point. I am considering an early DB7 for my next car. Mainly on the grounds that it is one of the best looking cars ever made and it has the mechanical simplicity of the XJS.
I'd be grateful if anyone give me some insight into the ownership/driving experience.Perhaps compared to the XK8 which is a similar proposition.
Many thanks,
Bob.
I was wondering if there is anybody on here with any experience of owning/driving these two cars?
I currently drive a Boxster (quiet at the back there
) which I think is a great little roadster, but I was recently lent a Jaguar XKR for a week and it reminded me of the Jag XJR-S I used to own. The comfort, style and power was very nice although it did lack the handling and feel of the Boxster.Anyway, to get to the point. I am considering an early DB7 for my next car. Mainly on the grounds that it is one of the best looking cars ever made and it has the mechanical simplicity of the XJS.
I'd be grateful if anyone give me some insight into the ownership/driving experience.Perhaps compared to the XK8 which is a similar proposition.
Many thanks,
Bob.
Tis has been discussed before- worth doing a search for what was said last time.
The more I think baout it, the more I say to everyone "just buy something". Even if your children will be allowed to enjoy these cars, your grandchildren wont, and you can say "yes, I DID own an Astn/Jaguar, and I did enjoy it, and I did drive it before speed limiters, and I did drive it wherever I wanted to go, without filling in the XP1100Y on-line day-trip request form beforehand...
I have a horrible feeling that all this will happen in our lifetimes. Enjoy them while you can!
The more I think baout it, the more I say to everyone "just buy something". Even if your children will be allowed to enjoy these cars, your grandchildren wont, and you can say "yes, I DID own an Astn/Jaguar, and I did enjoy it, and I did drive it before speed limiters, and I did drive it wherever I wanted to go, without filling in the XP1100Y on-line day-trip request form beforehand...
I have a horrible feeling that all this will happen in our lifetimes. Enjoy them while you can!
I used to have an XKR and now have a DB7 Vantage. Lying in the driver footwell of the Aston (installing a Parrot bluetooth kit) you do notice a lot of Jaguar labels on the wires/gumpf behind the centre console. They are undoubtedly sister cars, albeit that the DB7 underpinnings are based on the XJS, not the XK series.
The XKR is a cracking car, but IMO it's too wallowy in the bends and the steering just too vague. I had the suspension changed by Racing Green which made it much better. The nail in my XKR coffin was a blown head gasket, which was very expensive. Not something I believe has EVER happened to an Aston V12 engine, as they have the proven reputation of being bullet-proof.
The current Aston is fantastic. The suspension firm but not harsh, the power much better than the XKR, plus of course it's an Aston... which makes you feel great when you drive it
Do expect higher servicing costs, but a decent independent can help here.
Having owned both, my vote would be for the Aston every time.
The XKR is a cracking car, but IMO it's too wallowy in the bends and the steering just too vague. I had the suspension changed by Racing Green which made it much better. The nail in my XKR coffin was a blown head gasket, which was very expensive. Not something I believe has EVER happened to an Aston V12 engine, as they have the proven reputation of being bullet-proof.
The current Aston is fantastic. The suspension firm but not harsh, the power much better than the XKR, plus of course it's an Aston... which makes you feel great when you drive it
Do expect higher servicing costs, but a decent independent can help here.Having owned both, my vote would be for the Aston every time.
goodlife said:
The XKR is a cracking car, but IMO it's too wallowy in the bends and the steering just too vague.
Great input guys.Goodlife. I think your quote sums up exactly my feelings after driving the XKR. It's good to know the DB7 improves on this. Can the same be said of the basic straight six engined car?
I for one have no misgivings about the Aston's Jag/XJS ancestry. My old XJR-S proved more robust and cheaper to maintain than my current German steed.
Thanks again!
Bob.
bobfrance said:
Goodlife. I think your quote sums up exactly my feelings after driving the XKR. It's good to know the DB7 improves on this. Can the same be said of the basic straight six engined car?
I've not driven the I-6, so cannot comment I'm afraid. You need a Vantage though, just because it's a V12 and sounds the business 
t now is it? 
bobfrance said:
goodlife said:
The XKR is a cracking car, but IMO it's too wallowy in the bends and the steering just too vague.
Great input guys.Goodlife. I think your quote sums up exactly my feelings after driving the XKR. It's good to know the DB7 improves on this. Can the same be said of the basic straight six engined car?
I for one have no misgivings about the Aston's Jag/XJS ancestry. My old XJR-S proved more robust and cheaper to maintain than my current German steed.
Thanks again!
Bob.
LEVEL ONE, By reengineering the way the supercharger operates, and altering the software accordingly, we can get rid of those annoying flat spots and hesitations for good! and you get an extra 30BHP! The work is visually undetectable and servicing etc, stays the same, cost £995, allow 6 hours to complete the work, while you wait!
LEVEL TWO, We transform the engine, from a very sluggish fuel guzzling 330BHP to a stunning 400BHP, by increasing the efficiency of the supercharger unit and other detailed changes to the ECU software. We achieve a whacking 70BHP increase in power, with an incredible increase of 90+ LB FT of midrange torque. The conversion is visually undetectable, and service intervals remain as standard, owners report general fuel consumption is very much improved.
Cost for this conversion is just £2995 fitted inc labour (please allow 3 working days).
I have heard a lot of good things about these conversions. (not connected with them in any way, but when I get my DB7 I will be paying them a visit)
Also, you can get uprated brake and suspension packages- the factory did a "GTS" package which does wonders for the handling and brakes (you can also get styling enhancements, which are a matter of taste). Talk to the DB7 centre (www.db7centre.co.uk) as well, and they can advise you what can be done and for how much (again, I have no connection, but I have done my research)
But then, they are not a V12. You pays your money....
I went from an XK8 to a DB7 Vantage (and I was lent an XKR for a couple of weeks). The DB7 is much more planted. The XK8 (with the adaptive suspension) was limo smooth over most roads but when one was pushing on with purpose felt "floaty". The DB7 seems to combine the Xk's waftablity with and ability to hunker down and get on with business.
An the DB7 has it beaten hands down for occasion and beauty (though not for cost).
An the DB7 has it beaten hands down for occasion and beauty (though not for cost).
williamp said:
bobfrance said:
goodlife said:
The XKR is a cracking car, but IMO it's too wallowy in the bends and the steering just too vague.
Great input guys.Goodlife. I think your quote sums up exactly my feelings after driving the XKR. It's good to know the DB7 improves on this. Can the same be said of the basic straight six engined car?
I for one have no misgivings about the Aston's Jag/XJS ancestry. My old XJR-S proved more robust and cheaper to maintain than my current German steed.
Thanks again!
Bob.
LEVEL ONE, By reengineering the way the supercharger operates, and altering the software accordingly, we can get rid of those annoying flat spots and hesitations for good! and you get an extra 30BHP! The work is visually undetectable and servicing etc, stays the same, cost £995, allow 6 hours to complete the work, while you wait!
LEVEL TWO, We transform the engine, from a very sluggish fuel guzzling 330BHP to a stunning 400BHP, by increasing the efficiency of the supercharger unit and other detailed changes to the ECU software. We achieve a whacking 70BHP increase in power, with an incredible increase of 90+ LB FT of midrange torque. The conversion is visually undetectable, and service intervals remain as standard, owners report general fuel consumption is very much improved.
Cost for this conversion is just £2995 fitted inc labour (please allow 3 working days).
I have heard a lot of good things about these conversions. (not connected with them in any way, but when I get my DB7 I will be paying them a visit)
Also, you can get uprated brake and suspension packages- the factory did a "GTS" package which does wonders for the handling and brakes (you can also get styling enhancements, which are a matter of taste). Talk to the DB7 centre (www.db7centre.co.uk) as well, and they can advise you what can be done and for how much (again, I have no connection, but I have done my research)
But then, they are not a V12. You pays your money....
williamp said:
bobfrance said:
goodlife said:
The XKR is a cracking car, but IMO it's too wallowy in the bends and the steering just too vague.
Great input guys.Goodlife. I think your quote sums up exactly my feelings after driving the XKR. It's good to know the DB7 improves on this. Can the same be said of the basic straight six engined car?
I for one have no misgivings about the Aston's Jag/XJS ancestry. My old XJR-S proved more robust and cheaper to maintain than my current German steed.
Thanks again!
Bob.
LEVEL ONE, By reengineering the way the supercharger operates, and altering the software accordingly, we can get rid of those annoying flat spots and hesitations for good! and you get an extra 30BHP! The work is visually undetectable and servicing etc, stays the same, cost £995, allow 6 hours to complete the work, while you wait!
LEVEL TWO, We transform the engine, from a very sluggish fuel guzzling 330BHP to a stunning 400BHP, by increasing the efficiency of the supercharger unit and other detailed changes to the ECU software. We achieve a whacking 70BHP increase in power, with an incredible increase of 90+ LB FT of midrange torque. The conversion is visually undetectable, and service intervals remain as standard, owners report general fuel consumption is very much improved.
Cost for this conversion is just £2995 fitted inc labour (please allow 3 working days).
I have heard a lot of good things about these conversions. (not connected with them in any way, but when I get my DB7 I will be paying them a visit)
Also, you can get uprated brake and suspension packages- the factory did a "GTS" package which does wonders for the handling and brakes (you can also get styling enhancements, which are a matter of taste). Talk to the DB7 centre (www.db7centre.co.uk) as well, and they can advise you what can be done and for how much (again, I have no connection, but I have done my research)
But then, they are not a V12. You pays your money....
If you can afford either, then it has to be an DB7. Even if all things were equal, one is an Aston Martin.
manek said:
The level 2 BBR conversion bumps up the power of the six to a claimed 400bhp - and it doesn't have to carry the weight of a V12 around. You figure it out... .
Look at the torque and power curves (if you can get a copy) and you'll really figure out the difference - As St Clarkson of the Cotswolds famously demonstrated, you can drive the V12 from standstill to 135mph on the limiter in 4th gear. The V12 pulls at every rpm right to the red-line. a 400bhp 6 cylinder simply won't do that, that's pretty much why they built the V12 and put it in the thing. The rest is really just Top Trumps..williamp said:
Yep the V12 engine is an absolute peach. Oh and the noise....
And the seats are better in the V12. At the time, road testers compared it to the Ferrari 550, which was then and is now a lot more money.
I had a both a Ferrari 550 and my DB7 for a few years - The comparison is a bit of a stretch: F550 is much more powerful and geared to be more brutal. However, my time with both of them proved 1 thing: Aston Martins are faster on motorways than Ferraris because people get out of the way of an Aston, but sit glaring in their rear view mirrors as they block the progress of Ferraris.And the seats are better in the V12. At the time, road testers compared it to the Ferrari 550, which was then and is now a lot more money.
Incidently, the depreciation to date on a 550 is more than the list price of a new DB7.
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