XKR (old shape) Vs DB7 Vantage

[yeti]

I currently have a 2004 XKR convertible, the last of the breed with the 4.2 engine and the 6spd box. It's a great car and does exactly what I want, providing a great foil for the other cars I have (4200GT, Marcos, Esprit). It drives incredibly well, far better than I was led to believe.

I have owned it 6-7 months, and it that time it hasn't depreciated much - however, DB7 Vantage Volantes have gone from £40k to £25k and at that price I am finding it very hard to resist...

What are they like as a comparison? Just how wobbly is the XJS derived chassis in the DB7 or was it beefed up for the Vantage? I know the bodies/looks are similar but is that about it? How does the V12 compare to the supercharged 4.2 (which goes like hell in sport mode I must say!)? Better to have auto or manual? Did all autos come with the tiptronic buttons on the wheel?

I just want an Aston V12, I always have but will not pay DB9 money at the moment unless I have to go down to 1 or 2 cars and that is not right now thankfully!

Thanks for any help!

[f328nvl]

Firstly £25k won't get you a good vantage volante, adding a bit more will make the world open up before you.

Comparing and XKR and a DB7 has been done many times in the car magazines. The differences are legion but boil down to:

1. The V12 is not only much more powerful than the Jag V8, it is, more importantly, available almost all the time in any gear. For example, see Clarkson going 0-135mph without changing gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGJ4L6iCoaI

2. Look at it. Look at other people looking at it. Call it badge, call it charisma or design or whatever you like, nobody will look at or react to an XKR the way they do to an Aston Martin.

And finally, I bought my DB7 Vantage over 7 years ago when it was still a proper new super car and DB9s and V8Vs weren't all over the place. One of my partner's bought an XKR at the same time and told me I had wasted £XXk (a large number). I never saw the rear of his car when moving. Today I still have my DB7. He sold his XKR years ago and now owns a DB9. He seems happier, but I may be wrong.

[yeti]

I have actually upped my budget for a particular car I like, plus I was offered a very civilised trade-in on the Jag. Looking at a car for £32k now and it's a beaut - we'll see if it's there next week when I can start looking in earnest.

Otherwise there seem to be a few around the £28k mark, plenty in Mendip blue which i don't like particularly, would prefer green or silver. I would like to avoid the wood if at all possible - what's involved in changing out to the aluminium trim? Wanted to go this route with the XKR and it just wasn't feasible...

Any tips on where to look?

So far been on here, Autotrader and the AMOC site. Anywhere else they tend to lurk?

[sjc]

Try here. Dominic at www.db7centre.co.uk

[varsas]

f328nvl said:

1. The V12 is not only much more powerful than the Jag V8, it is, more importantly, available almost all the time in any gear. For example, see Clarkson going 0-135mph without changing gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGJ4L6iCoaI

The spec sheets disagree with you. 400bhp (XKR) vs 420bhp (Aston) isn't 'much much more'. As for 'power available all the time' the Jaguar engine is supercharged, which should give a flatter torque curve then a normally aspirated engine of similar power. In fact the Jaguar produces more torque, and at lower revs.

I believe that '0-150 in one gear' thing was, ironically, originally attributed to the V12 XJ-S (can't find referance to it now though)

Edited by varsas on Wednesday 17th June 13:18

[Cerbman]

varsas said:

f328nvl said:

1. The V12 is not only much more powerful than the Jag V8, it is, more importantly, available almost all the time in any gear. For example, see Clarkson going 0-135mph without changing gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGJ4L6iCoaI

The spec sheets disagree with you. 400bhp (XKR) vs 420bhp (Aston) isn't 'much much more'. As for 'power available all the time' the Jaguar engine is supercharged, which should give a flatter torque curve then a normally aspirated engine of similar power. In fact the Jaguar produces more torque, and at lower revs.

I believe that '0-150 in one gear' thing was, ironically, originally attributed to the V12 XJ-S (can't find referance to it now though)

Edited by varsas on Wednesday 17th June 13:18

No, but close, the party trick of the original V12 XJS was to have the engine switched off, put it in top gear, then start the engine, don't touch the clutch, it will then go on to its top spped if required in one gear.

[yeti]

varsas said:

400bhp (XKR) vs 420bhp (Aston) isn't 'much much more'. As for 'power available all the time' the Jaguar engine is supercharged, which should give a flatter torque curve then a normally aspirated engine of similar power. In fact the Jaguar produces more torque, and at lower revs.

That is absolutely true, the Jag does go like the clappers, any speed - but can't really assess the torque as it always kicks down to accelerate. My 4200GT makes about 430bhp, you wouldn't guess it putting your foot down in 5th at 40mph... Decent torque for a 4.2, but not like a supercharged car. I am hoping the N/A V12 will be a good compromise

Driving a Vantage Volante tomorrow, leggy example, auto without tiptronic at about £28k. Next week I hope to try out 2 x £32-£33k cars both with tiptronic, 19" Aston wheels and lower miles.

Strangely I do not expect it to be 1) As good as my Jag to drive (older chassis) 2) As well built as my Jag (it's handmade and I do not have a problem with that. But I do expect it to 1) Sound better 2) Be at least as fast in a straight line.

[f328nvl]

Jaguar XKR
Maximum horsepower BHP @ rev/min 370 @ 6,150
Maximum torque lb ft @ rev/min 387 @ 3,600
source: http://www.jag-lovers.org/xk8/performance.html

DB7 Vantage
Maximum power 414.0 bhp (+12%)@ 6000 rpm (-2%)
Maximum torque 400 ft·lb (+3%)@ 5000 rpm (+39%)
source: http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/...

[yeti]

f328nvl said:

Jaguar XKR
Maximum horsepower BHP @ rev/min 370 @ 6,150
Maximum torque lb ft @ rev/min 387 @ 3,600
source: http://www.jag-lovers.org/xk8/performance.html

DB7 Vantage
Maximum power 414.0 bhp (+12%)@ 6000 rpm (-2%)
Maximum torque 400 ft·lb (+3%)@ 5000 rpm (+39%)
source: http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/...

The Jaguar figures are for the 4 litre car, mine is a 4.2 - power increased to 400bhp even. Makes quite a difference with the 6spd box...

[cardigankid]

But there are no pictures of your Jag on your profile you mean rotter!

[jeremyc]

DB7 gives you the option of a manual (though rare) if that is important to you. You also have options other than "tree" for the interior.

Buy an Aston - it's difficult to describe the sensation of owning one - you just have to try it.

[yeti]

Well I took the plunge and pick up my DB7 Vantage Volante tomorrow! 2002 car, 31k miles, titanium with oxblood hide. Job one is to replace the wood with alloy trim and change as much of the switchgear as possible to upgraded items from Chiltern DB7 centre.

One last drive in the XKR from Bristol to Harrogate tomorrow then, fingers crossed for a dry day, 500 miles with the rooves down - should be a good comparison

Thanks for the opinions and yes, it came down to a sense of occasion. At the speeds I drive any flaws in the chassis were not exposed, I simply enjoyed being in an Aston Martin. As beautiful as the Jag was/is I never felt that. I will miss it though, maybe a cheap XK coupe might be a useable car somewhere along the line...

[sjc]

yeti said:

Well I took the plunge and pick up my DB7 Vantage Volante tomorrow! 2002 car, 31k miles, titanium with oxblood hide. Job one is to replace the wood with alloy trim and change as much of the switchgear as possible to upgraded items from Chiltern DB7 centre.

One last drive in the XKR from Bristol to Harrogate tomorrow then, fingers crossed for a dry day, 500 miles with the rooves down - should be a good comparison

Thanks for the opinions and yes, it came down to a sense of occasion. At the speeds I drive any flaws in the chassis were not exposed, I simply enjoyed being in an Aston Martin. As beautiful as the Jag was/is I never felt that. I will miss it though, maybe a cheap XK coupe might be a useable car somewhere along the line...

Congrats, have a look at the carbon dash bits as well!

Edited by sjc on Wednesday 8th July 08:38

[lambo_xx]

Congratulations! Remember, post some pictures when you get it.

[yeti]

Dealear pics, it's outside my house now but no camera

Opinions - the wood is going, but to be replaced by piano black trim or some sort of brushed alloy/gunmetal?

[sjc]

Carbon!

[yeti]

Carbon is too modern in a DB7 - it's more like a classic inside. I think piano black is the way to go but I'll see what's out there, maybe a dark grey finish on the wood but still showing the grain... It'll be my current dash material painted/refinished so the options are limitless.