Any tips for buying a DB7 volante convertible?

[sangenig]

I'm going to view a 2003 (30k miles) DB7 Volante auto convertible this weekend and want to know what I should be looking out for such as know faults etc.

Any suggestions or advice greatfully received.

Nigel

[yeti]

The biggest thing is to check the service history, if it isn't flawless walk away or get a damn good reason why something isn't there and negotiate with it. Check if the coil pack has been done. If not, you can expect misfires and a £2000 bill pretty soon (12 cylinders, 12 coils). They may tell you it only needs doing at 45k milkes but some go after 20k miles, but generally it seems to be about 7 years.

Otherwise check all the electrics, does the hood go up and down smoothly, windows down when they should, that kind of thing. Is the code with the stereo, tonneau bag with the tonneau cover, tool kit all present. Have a good long test drive, there should be no rattles, no bumps, they ride beautifully even on 19" wheels. Noise from the suspension could mean bushes need doing, £££.

I have just bought a similar car to what you are looking at and didn't test it nearly enough as I was in such a hurry to get away as I had a 5hr drive in pouring rain to look forward to and I took the dealer's wprd the car had been thouroughly inspected. Got home, weather dried out so I tried the roof - it was very slow and needed me to push it (hydraulics), one window wouldn't come down (motor), stereo/nav wouldn't take the code and so on. Depressing, but will all be sorted next week under warranty and 100% my own fault - buyer beware.

If you can, get an independent pre-purchase inspection, I wish I had before making the journey. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

And see the AMOC forum for a detailed article on the DB7.

[LordBretSinclair]

Check the wear on the tyres, especially the fronts. The tracking is very susceptible to knocks from speed bumps etc causing excess wear on the inside of the fronts. If you do get a good one though you will not regret it. I have just returned from France doing 2435 trouble free miles (hood down all 3 weeks) and the smile on my face (and on the locals that we met) will be there for a long long time
regards

[sangenig]

Thanks for your comments yeti/lordbretsinclair. Before buying (it was a private sale) I spoke to the guys at Lancaster AM Cambridge who had serviced the car over the past 3 years and they were very helpful, talking me through the recent service history and generally reassuring me that the car was in good condition.

Having not viewed an AM previously, the amount of room in the boot was an unexpected bonus. My golf clubs fit in comfortably with room to spare and so I am already planning a golf/road trip into France!

Cheers