DB7 V12 Vantage, ownership query...

[KingRichard]

With a bit of hard work, my toy fund could be up to around £20k in the early part of next year.

Is £20-25k going to get me a decent Vantage? I don't really want a 3.2 car, purely because it's not the quick one.

I already share a Chimaera with the old man, and if I went the next step and got into an Aston (as I have long dreamed of doing) I would want it to be very much the full package and would feel short changed if I pussied out and went for the less exotic alternative

I followed one today through Canterbury and just looking at that three quarter view over the haunch gave me a trouser crisis...

What does one need to know about these fine machines?

[LordBretSinclair]

Service history is all important. If mileage is approaching 40k check that last major service included changing all the coils/plugs etc. Check front tyre wear - supension is prone to being "out of shape"
Good luck, if you get a good one you won't regret it

[KingRichard]

40k seems quite low mileage for the age. Are they okay with semi-daily use?

No point buying one if it isn't going to get driven

[V8LM]

Three quarter view was Callum's favourite of the most beautiful car in the world (talking about the i6, not the Vantage).

20k will be at the bottom end of the pile. Advice is always buy the best you can afford, and the you can never just afford an Aston.

DB7V is a lot more expensive to run. I would be cautious of running a 20k Vantage on a budget. Try lots. The i6 is the purest, and prettiest DB7. Try a few; early ones are easier to fit in.

[KingRichard]

I'm 5'6"... I don't have a problem getting in pedal cars

[steve_amv8]

I would strongly recommend taking a look on the DB7 section of the AMOC forum ...
http://www.amoc.org/forum/index.php?board=9.0#head...

There is a also a link on there to what appears to be a collection of previous "advice on buying a DB7" type threads:
http://www.amoc.org/forum/index.php?topic=132.0

I believe both of these are accessible for non-members.

[Jon1982]

I bought a DB7 Vantage a couple of months back with 45k, buckets of history, and the GT suspension and brakes. I paid just shy of £28k. I would say that if you're not bothered about the GT upgrades then you ought to be able to get a good one for £25k.

Contrary to popular belief I don't believe these cars are the headaches they're purported to be. Or maybe I just bought a good one Mechanically they are very tough and quite simple. If you're a bit of a DIY mechanic then changing fluids / pads etc isn't out of the question.

Edited by Jon1982 on Monday 2nd August 00:08

[sparks_E39]

I would rather a great condition 3.2 for £20k over a shabby V12. For £3k approx Aston will turn the 3.2 into a different car....

[michael gould]

KingRichard said:

With a bit of hard work, my toy fund could be up to around £20k in the early part of next year.

Is £20-25k going to get me a decent Vantage? I don't really want a 3.2 car, purely because it's not the quick one.

I already share a Chimaera with the old man, and if I went the next step and got into an Aston (as I have long dreamed of doing) I would want it to be very much the full package and would feel short changed if I pussied out and went for the less exotic alternative

I followed one today through Canterbury and just looking at that three quarter view over the haunch gave me a trouser crisis...

What does one need to know about these fine machines?

I nice DB7 Vantage is going to cost 25-30k........you might pick one up at auction for 20k but remember coil/plug change is over £1000 so best pick one up with a good history and pay a little more

[KingRichard]

sparks_E39 said:

I would rather a great condition 3.2 for £20k over a shabby V12. For £3k approx Aston will turn the 3.2 into a different car....

Explain?

[KingRichard]

michael gould said:

I nice DB7 Vantage is going to cost 25-30k........you might pick one up at auction for 20k but remember coil/plug change is over £1000 so best pick one up with a good history and pay a little more

Surely that's only the price at an Aston main dealer?

[sparks_E39]

KingRichard said:

sparks_E39 said:

I would rather a great condition 3.2 for £20k over a shabby V12. For £3k approx Aston will turn the 3.2 into a different car....

Explain?

Well I'm not quite sure what they do but I heard they increase the power, fiddle around with the suspension etc to make it a much better car.

One thing I hate about the DB7 Vantage and Vanquish for that matter is those stupid huge fog lights, if I had a DB7 Vantage I would be half tempted to have an I6 bumper fitted if possible. I also think the wheels on the older DB7 are nicer than the Vantage wheels, although the GT style wheels are very nice.

[michael gould]

KingRichard said:

michael gould said:

I nice DB7 Vantage is going to cost 25-30k........you might pick one up at auction for 20k but remember coil/plug change is over £1000 so best pick one up with a good history and pay a little more

Surely that's only the price at an Aston main dealer?

I think you better start looking at adds if you think you going to pick up a decent 7Vantage for 20k..........

[GTDB7]

The on to go for if you want a car for Driving would be the GT.. however few and far between with only 190 worldwide.

Approx 80 within the UK.

The fastest and best handling DB7's produced though some don't like the more aggressive styling of which I imagine sharing a TVR you might like.

I prefer the larger fog lights, my only gripe is on the GT model why Aston didn't update the ageing rear lights with a better unit.

The problem is as the cars get older a lot of owners start to do the simple servicing themselves or at independent garages that are not Aston specialists, this in itself is not a problem, though the book doesn't get stamped.

As for resale value it only takes a few services to offset any losses taken through lack of stamps in the book.

I'd suggest getting the major ones done at the dealer or approved service centre, but all the mundane in between oil and filter changes, do yourself.

[f328nvl]

Jon1982 said:

I bought a DB7 Vantage a couple of months back with 45k, buckets of history, and the GT suspension and brakes. I paid just shy of £28k. I would say that if you're not bothered about the GT upgrades then you ought to be able to get a good one for £25k.

Contrary to popular belief I don't believe these cars are the headaches they're purported to be. Or maybe I just bought a good one Mechanically they are very tough and quite simple. If you're a bit of a DIY mechanic then changing fluids / pads etc isn't out of the question.

Edited by Jon1982 on Monday 2nd August 00:08

Hey, I wondered when you'd turn up. How's the Muddy car going?

[M@H]

KingRichard said:

I'm 5'6"... I don't have a problem getting in pedal cars

You won't be after one with a clutch pedal then!

KingRichard said:

Is £20-25k going to get me a decent Vantage?

£20k - No definately not decent and problably not one at all unless cat D etc.
£25k - perhaps

Edited by M@H on Monday 9th August 17:28

[verminator]

You will need very deep pockets indeed if you intend to run a vantage as a daily driver. Madness in my opinion. Remember, to change the plugs, coils and oil is going to set you back £1300. The petrol consumption is horendous, and yes i did buy one (vantage volante manual). In my humble opinion and after a good look at the market, i would be very suprised if you could find a vantage for 20k, and if you did it is almost bound to be a pile of poo. For that money as said before you would be much better finding a nice i6. Even more so if you intend to use it every day. Although i have a vv, the i6 is the purer car and a great car in its own right. I think it should be seen and treated as a classic car. I also own a TVR Cerbera which is a lot quicker than the Aston and a little cheaper to run, but i would'nt dream of using it as a daily driver.