DB7 owners.

[gadgit]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 27 September 2010 at 21:07

[RichB]

What? You're not going to buy the car you want simply because you didn't get a response to a thread on Pistonheads? Perhaps you should have titled it 'Advice on DB7 required' or something...

[paddy328]

Mate, the guys on the aston forum seem to me to be a decent bunch, but although i dont own an aston, i might be able to give some small advice.

As i work mainly on astons, both privately and for a local dealer, one thing i have noticed is that a proper service history is very important, be it from a specialist or main dealer. When you come to sell the car on and it doesnt have a full history, because youve done some of the work yourself, alot of people (mainly dealer) wont touch your car.

If you can only stretch to a 6cl db7 (still no small amount of money), i would save a couple of quid extra and stick a v12 front bumper on it, which imo makes it look much better.

Service history is important unless you are never going to sell the car.

Personally, the db7 is a bit small inside for me and my head touches the roof when im in it, but they, like all aston, look sexy.

Francis

[paddy328]

def not an auto.

[V8LM]

gadgit said:

Due to what appears to be a 'no go area' concerning a question about the DB7 ?@$%&*"£$%

There's no way I'm buying one now with the lack of support for all marques of Aston Martin.

............Although it might not be the greatest of cars, the DB7 saved Aston Martin from total collapse, from what I've read, but the interest in it seems really small.

Its the only one I can afford, and i'm dissappointed. I also think that some of you just could have taken the time to explain why the DB7 seems so hated on here?

If this was a TVR Forum question, even in the general area, I would have had a dozon replies during the evening.

This attitude was just the same in the Porsche section.
Its dissapointing but perhaps I expected just a little to much?

I expect if I bought a DB9 you would be all over me like a rash!!

Thanks, maybe in some ways you stopped me buying a lemon, but no one was man enough to tell me!

Gadgit.

Have you asked on the AMOC forum?

DB7's a great cars. The straight six is smooth and free-reving, and with a manual 'box nicely suited to the car. Various upgrades (remap, smaller supercharger pulley, better cooling) can easily give it the poke that some poeple think it should have. Brakes are the poor part and worth investing in an upgrade.

Things to watch for, especially with an early car like this, are rust (bulkhead if the windscreen scuttle has been tampered with or the windscreen replaced badly, chassis rails, floor-pan (there is a steel plate welded under the pan beneath both seats that they attached the trolly wheels to move the chassis around the factory which can trap water), and rear wheel arch), front suspension is a problem (upper mounts) and bushes need replacing often, watch for out-of-round front wheels and poor front steering geometry.

I had a very early car (number 9) and it was great. OK, I spent more on the car than I did for the car, but that is Aston ownership. Everything is relative - a service on my lemon cost more than I sold it for.

Try (lots) before you buy. See how you like the seats (early 'series 1' had better leg room but some find the seat back push against the sholders).

I bought mine from at Chiltern (www.db7centre.co.uk). Ask for Dom.

[oblio]

I loved my DB7 Vantage Volante - great car.

The only problem we had with it was the flippin' tonneau and having to put it on and take it off when ever it started to rain. Trading up to a db9 Volante saves us that hassle.

Would echo the comments re Chiltern Aston and Dom.

[brianjone5]

gadgit said:

Due to what appears to be a 'no go area' concerning a question about the DB7 ?@$%&*"£$%

There's no way I'm buying one now with the lack of support for all marques of Aston Martin.

............Although it might not be the greatest of cars, the DB7 saved Aston Martin from total collapse, from what I've read, but the interest in it seems really small.

Its the only one I can afford, and i'm dissappointed. I also think that some of you just could have taken the time to explain why the DB7 seems so hated on here?

If this was a TVR Forum question, even in the general area, I would have had a dozon replies during the evening.

This attitude was just the same in the Porsche section.
Its dissapointing but perhaps I expected just a little to much?

I expect if I bought a DB9 you would be all over me like a rash!!

Thanks, maybe in some ways you stopped me buying a lemon, but no one was man enough to tell me!

Gadgit.

Gadgit,

No-one man enough to tell you? Yeah, right. We're all poised on our keyboards for the weekend, in case you post something? Lack of support for the marque, based on a few responses to your post? Ridiculous: Lack of support for Gadgit, maybe.

If you really wanted to know about the Marque, you'd have found www.amoc.org

There is a lot of information there and truthfully, you don't have a question that someone hasn't already asked, so read. Search and read.

And then Gadgit, be man enough to make up your own mind.

[RichB]

Gadgit, perhaps you just have an unfortunate manner about you but you seem to have an odd way of going about getting replies from other Aston owners Anyway as has been said, why haven't you visited the AMOC forum? Especially as you are so concerned about the image of the car among other Aston owners. Anyway I've just had a look for you and the Bloxham section has by far the most posts with approaching 13,000 in 866 topics. The next nearest is 9,000 posts in the Newport Pagnell section so I don't think you need worry.

[brianjone5]

gadgit said:

Got you all going then???

Sometimes it just takes a little bit of spice to get people talking, and now the bait has been taken I am going to ask a few awkward questions for which i need solid replies.
I hasen to add that I am genuine in my intentions, and not here to offend!

Just spoken to a Classic car dealer who said that the DB7 was built in the Ford factory, and that there was some reluctance to allow it into the AMOC? I didn't Know that. Any truth to this?
Part of the enjoyment of ownership (and I've owned a lot of classics) is in having respect from others for the car. I had a problem with a Porsche 944 S2 Cab which was not excepted by all the other 911's etc. This did my head in as it was imaculate, but the lack of respect from other Porsche owners got to me in the end! It just had to go.

Is this going to happen to me again with a DB7 because of other Aston owners?
There's nothing worse than spending all week cleaning and polishing and then finding DB9 ownwers ignoring me.

The thing is, all the Ferrari owners talk to each other, and this is part of the fun of owning a car.
TVR is probably the best for this. No matter what the car, A TVR is a TVR and everyone is interested.

I would like to thank everyone who has now entered this debate, but its pleasing at the is stage that no one has mentioned the DB7 not really being a proper Aston Martin.
I do want to here other Aston owners perspective of the DB7, what do you really think of it.
Is it a ford / Jag in disguise ??????

I'm still interested !! and still looking

Point taken about the servicing costs, and yes i would take it to a specialist to keep the stamps up.

Gadgit.

It is built on an XJS chassis, prone to rust. The engine is assembled from Ford Mondeo comonents. The dash switches are all from Ford's Fiesta. Other bits are Mazda, like door handles, some lights. Plugs, coils and condenser mean major service bills. You may hear people giggle when you show up.

I have a DB7 Vantage Volante. I love it. To me, what I think is what matters, not what others think. You'd better stick to a TVR.

[LordBretSinclair]

Gadgit, I have just this minute returned from a very pleasant lunch out with Area 20 of the AMOC (photo attached). Where do you get all your ideas about "snobbery" and some owners not talking to others because of which model they drive? We are all enthusiasts and I have not met one AMOC member who has not been welcoming and positive about my DB7 Vantage Volante. Anyone who knows Astons should in fact be very positive about the DB7 as it was the popularity of this model which "saved" AM at a time when it was in trouble. Don't worry about perceived views of other people, just buy the Aston which is right for you and enjoy it and the company of fellow owners.

[DB7 pilot]

brianjone5 said:

gadgit said:

Got you all going then??? & stuff.

Gadgit.

I have a DB7 Vantage Volante. I love it. To me, what I think is what matters, not what others think. You'd better stick to a TVR.

Here. Here.

Wouldn't be without mine and they are great cars, but they're also a test of character. You're going to need a little more than you figure for servicing and upkeep. As for the 'Jag in drag' comments, you will get 'em, but the car's worth it on every level.

By the way, I bought mine from Runnymede and I had no complaints. I dealt with Malcolm, straight talking chap who knew his product....but he is a dealer, do your homework.

[tuscaneer]

gadjit, very strange way of engaging people about the cars in question.however,i will humour you.had a db7 for a year after several tvr`s and before my v8v.gorgous to look at,however a little too gt and not enough sports car for me at the time hence the change to a v8v.mine was the 6 litre v12 and servicing costs are a bit rich(every 6 months).

sorry i wasn`t hovering over the keyboard all weekend in anticipation of your question but might i suggest you buy the car you want rather than the one you think will make you more friends??
i`ll be right on the edge of my seat anxiously waiting for your decision!!

[XlBilbo]

paddy328 said:

If you can only stretch to a 6cl db7 (still no small amount of money), i would save a couple of quid extra and stick a v12 front bumper on it, which imo makes it look much better.

Well, I've read some bollards in my life, but to call that advice is pushing the limits of credibility.
Just because you may prefer the look of something is hardly a reason to suggest doing it to someone else.
That is the sort of intellectual standard I expect on Youtube.

I think I'd like to elucidate. Firstly, the differences are quite small between the i6 and Vantage front end. Not really noticeable, even with the cars side by side, apart from the larger sidelights in the later car and the very slightly larger grille area.
So what about the cost of this little mod:
"a couple of quid" - unquote.

I reckon a Vantage front end would cost in the region of £600 if you could find a decent one for sale. Having it prepared and sprayed, the i6 front end removed and the Vantage one fitted would lift the price to about £2000.
If Mk2i6/Vantage headlights were to be fitted, they are £600 a side and the larger indicators/side lights from the Vantage; let's say £100 if you're lucky.
To finish it off you would need a Vantage upper grille, £380 and a lower grille £150.
All for nobody to notice the difference. Nice one.

Now, DB9 style rear lights (later clear lenses). That's a different matter. I really think that would be worth a bit of investigation.

Edited by XlBilbo on Tuesday 7th September 10:26

Edited by XlBilbo on Tuesday 7th September 10:30