This Aston Martin DB7 Review Did Not Go As Planned...
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 พ.ย. 2024
- CarVertical: The History Checking Service
Use this link or code "JAYEMM" for a discount!
www.carvertica...
Today, I drive an example of the early Aston Martin DB7. The car credited with saving the firm, but which today is very hazardous to your wallet. Is it worth the risk?
#AstonMartin #DB7 #supercharged
DB7 Factory "Tour"
• The history of Bloxham...
Not had enough? Check out JAYEMM & FRIENDS! My new channel
/ jayemmandfriends
**********OUR CHANNEL PARTNERS**********
LILLIAN STANLEY FINANCE
lillianstanley...
Call the special JayEmm Hotline on 08007720588
Dodo Juice - Award Winning Detailing Products
Get 10% off Dodo Juice's British Made Detailing Products with code: JAYEMM10
Shop at www.dodojuice.net
Car Profile Art - Automotive Artwork by a Genuine McLaren Formula One Engineer
/ car_profile_art
FIRE SAFETY STICK - GET A DISCOUNT WITH MY LINK
The World's Lightest and Most Compact Fire Extinguisher
firesafetystic...
***********************************************************************************
Want to see your car on the channel? Email me on talk@jayemm.com
Equipment Used:
Panasonic S1H Camera
amzn.to/3WXREcV
Panasonic S5
amzn.to/3R9C2BJ
Sennheiser AVX-ME2 Audio Kit
amzn.to/3kMUVOJ
Insta360 Action Cameras - GET A FREE ACCESSORY
www.insta360.c... - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
CarVertical: The History Checking Service
Use this link or code "JAYEMM" for a discount!
www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?b=1e4c9523&a=JayEmm&voucher=jayemm&chan=jayemm
It’s already 12 year time I’m the proud owner of a DB7 Vantage and it’s still the same pleasure for me when I fire up the engine and drive it on the countryside roads of Brittany 😃😃👌🏻
You've shattered my illusion.
Uh, did you watch the video? He hated it.
@@Beer_Dad1975 I did, and I love it (my DB7, much more than the video !!)
This car, although wonderful, always gives the impression that was just a practice run before they got it right with the XKR.
Cruel but true. 👍
They are both beautiful cars. But the Jaguar is a lot cheaper to run and service. Especially parts.
I have an '02 DB7 Vantage and an 03 XKR. I prefer darn near everything about driving the DB7, hands down.
@@branemadder nice. I prefer the DB7 to the DB9. I think it a slightly nicer looking car. But my favourite car is the DB 4 the early series before the cowled headlights.
@@branemadder is your vantage the v12 because I saw Jeremy Clarkson review it and said they really went through it and got it right.
There must be a bunch of deferred maintenance on that one. Mine drives and rides magnificently, Mr Walkinshaw got it right originally. The advantage of DB7 as I see it over DB9 is for those of us that can weild a spanner. We can avoid chunky hourly rates and source Jag and Ford spares that avoid Aston tax.
Yes agree. Suspension bushes etc on the DB7 are identical to the XJS so parts are cheap and plentiful
A DB9 is also an easy car to work on as I know from experience 😂
I have owned mine down here in Aus for about 8 years and have had some brilliant very fast runs in it a,nd can vouch for the fact that it was an extremely well sorted car to drive fast and hard when everything is in good working order.It is an extremely stable car at high speed,but now Its getting an extensive rebuild at the moment on engine and suspension . I also own A 550 Maranello so am very eager to compare both when in proper condition.in terms of their road manners ( Aston wont see which way the Ferrari went in a straight line ) .Jay maybe find a properly sorted DB7 that you can really extend properly ,love your channel !!!!!
Fuel filler cap flaps in the wind 😆
The blue tack has run out of tack 😂😂
😂
The low tolerance latching mechanism relies on spring tension to hold its placement, many Fords of the era also had loose fittings right off the showroom floor. Once the rubber bumpers degrade they can also be a bit noisy, I had a 90s SHO that I attempted to rattle chase for years. After years of annoyance I ran into someone who kept a rag between the filler cap and latch and I asked why, he said it stopped the flapping… 🤨
Along with the rear bumper...😮
1:15
I always thought DB7s were pretty cars. Purely in a visual sense, I think it was a success.
I agree 👍✨
The taillights are sooooo good
The lines and proportions are gorgeous. Some people are snobs and are more worried about peer pressure and what their sad mates will say than aesthetics.
Such people can safely be ignored. The car's a visual masterpiece.
@@simplevoicereviewssvr6418They are Mazda 323 F tail lights
That 80s V8 vantage is beyond beautiful. It's got just the right amount of muscle car and classic mustang style but with the elegance and class of an Aston. I think that may be my dream Aston Martin.
A bad maintained car is NOT the fault of the DB7, but of the owner! It’s a phantastic car! Two weeks ago, I did 800 kms, just with one refill break, on the German Autobahn, and it behaved impeccably. With up to 200km/h, it consumed only 13 litres/100km, which makes 18,09 mpg!) I love the traditional Connolly leather smell, which later cars don’t have. I have a nice exhaust, which makes it sound exactly like a DB6 (I had one in front of me through the tunnels of the Austrian Alps, and they really had the same sound frequency!) plus: I have the 520th built, a “one of one” in Aston Green, with the early seats, which are much more comfortable, than the later ones!
I piloted my ZF manual DB6 Vantage nearly 7,000 miles. The basso profundo still echoes after 30 years on...the Connolly hides aura likewise part of the four-dimension symphonic and sensory joy of a proper GT.
Maybe this one’s worth a revisit once he’s sorted the issues out. Would be nice to know the age of the tyres as well, they could make an otherwise nice car feel awful, if they’re old Supersports they have a habit of cracking and going brittle over time. I wonder if it’s been stood and has flat spotted them. Brake judder also makes a car feel awful and sorting that would restore some confidence. Personally I wouldn’t have let you drive my car if I knew it was so bad. On another note, as ever James delivers the best, honest reviews and you are my go to for pre purchase advice! 🙌👍
Gotta hand it to you, James. You give us your honest, considered and balanced opinion on all the cars you drive. Which is why I'm a subscrber and avid watcher.
Thanks Stephen
Thanks to Bart for lending the car. Something was looking strange with the steering from the start. Jay was quite brave to drive it so far. Hope it is an easy fix, all part of owning a classic.
It looks like typical, but extremely severe front brake shudder - either as Jay said, overheated rotors - though to be honest it's almost impossible to overheat vented disc rotors to the point they warp - they are more likely to crack first - or they have severe deposits on them from the pads - or, most likely, someone replaced the rotors and didn't clean up the rust on the hubs properly when they fitted the new ones. Doesn't matter if they don't look perfect, but the hubs should be completely smooth to the touch before fitting the new rotors. But yeah, probably an easy fix.
As an American, I remember seeing the DB7, when it first came out, in Car magazine . I have never sat for minutes on end simply taking in a car the way I did with that metallic gray DB7 (although I did fall very hard for the F355, very nearly as much). The Aston was so, so handsome. Time has moved on and it hasn't aged perfectly, but that doesn't lessen the memories it invokes to this day. I would like to see you review a properly sorted one, because if I had been a rock star, I would have had one and babied it all these years.
I love the styling of the DB7. Non of the sticky out bits, carbon and huge wheels. A 90s classic. Looks wise I prefer the DB7 over the DB9. I dont like the DB9 rear wings haunches. It's strange when you walk around. Also an artist and I get form.
I'm a mechanic and would not be scared by the mechanics. Ijust lack the funds 😆 I'm 6ft1 your shattering my dream. 0:02 pause and compair with a DB9 rear wings. The DB7 is gorgeous.
Totally disagree , the db7 is a good looking car . But from a design point of view you can see the jag lineage especially from the xj220 style lights (without covers ) indicators and rear 3 quarter side windows , you can see the indicated family resemblance , imagine a db7 with xj220 style grille instead of aston shaped one. The db9 took that design ethos and pumped it up to make it more.muscular and aesthetically pleasing . I know it comes down to personal taste but I think the db9 is a far more pleasing shape .
@paulthomson9014 I agree with your points. It has that old Jaguar DNA no denying. Of course as a pure Aston it's compromised and my nostalgia is clouding my judgment I still love the DB7. I don't mind the parts bin hunting. An early Xjs and a DB7 squidgy cruisers not interested in sports but good enough handling. Not going to lie I'd love to drive the DB7 in the video. As a mechanic I'd love to make it good. Alas struggling artist also 😀 in short the DB7 still has that old world vibe about it. Aston finding their feet very much post Lagonda mmmm another wedge I'd love sigh.
No denying the DB9 is allot better it just it's almost too perfect hard to describe the rear wings unless you can walkabouts in person. I saw a DB9 years ago at the highland show.
And me I think the 7 is better looking then the 9.
A shame to see this one didn't go so well. The DB7, and specifically the 3.2, is one of my dream cars and I have got a proper "lottery win task list" to do to it should it happen. One day.
To show the DB7 in the best light, select a V12 with sports exhaust (slightly longer exhaust tips) and Larini high-flow catalytic converters - this will ensure a juicy sound track. Front suspension needs to be properly sorted with refreshed rubber bushings and ideally Bilstein dampers to avoid vagueness in the steering. Ideally a 2001+ model year is selected for the upgraded interior switch gear and styling. I do wish you had passed on this work-in-progress.
The fuel cap juddering around is the perfect vignette.
Thanks for your honesty.
Brother in law bought a manual 6 pot DB7.
You should have seen his face when I described it as an old XJS in a frock.
A much better buy in my opinion is a really, really nice XJS. My god how that's matured into a glorious motor car....
My goodness there are alot of spam adult channels already.
Always enjoy the videos on a better note, one of my most respected car reviewers as far as opinion
Really appreciate your honest reviews James, and your ability to convey how a car feels as much as possible in a video
Surely one of those in good condition is a guaranteed classic and a shrewd investment. You can obviously compare it with a V12 and a DB9 but it’s the way Aston re-entered the market in the 90s and therefore has a certain appeal to my generation - it’s a very pretty car! - who seem to be the ones holding up and driving up prices of many cars from that era …
I fall under the "I want it anyway" camp regarding this car. Unfortunately, they are much more expensive here in America (worst ones are around $30,000), so way out of budget for me for now. I absolutely love the way the car looks (and I also love the way the Jaguar XK8 does as well), and I'd be perfectly happy with a supercharged I-6 and manual transmission. I like the outside better than the DB9, though I will be first to admit that the DB9 has a nicer interior.
Had my DB7 i6 Volante for over 20years,been as far south as Dubrovnik and Oslo in the North, let me down once, which is for than I can say for the Vanq. For my taste the 7 is a better looking car than the 9 but that is ,of course subjective. Love the channel James and if you want to drive a properly sorted i6 let me know
The DB7 is absolute wonderful car, as long as you are 5ft tall!
I love the look of them . Used to drive an old bosses 6 cylinder supercharged DB7 and as a young lad with Japanese turbo cars it was so disappointing . He then got the V12 vantage DB7 and it all made sense I loved driving that one
Those late XKR coupes are magnificent. I drove a 2001 db7 Vantage Volante 6-speed for a while and absolutely loved it.
Have owned both manual and auto versions back in the day. The auto is pretty uninspiring, but the manual was fun. Suffered from terrible brakes. Reminded me of a Capri 2.8i to drive inc brakes. Was thinking of getting another but rust seems to be an issue. Also daft parts prices like a few hundred for door rubbers.
Brakes: They are too small. One hard application coming off a motorway at speed will do them over. I learnt to anticipate.
Other: Indicator warning on the dash is difficult to see and so often left on. Ford Fiesta keys.
To be fair the actual "visual" condition of the car looks pretty good. Paint looks good, wheels look good with no kerb damage. My gut feeling is the discs are corrosion. I had a car once that spent time in a drive for long periods. Low mileage but judder from brakes. Took the disc off to find chunks missing from the back of them. They were so corroded that parts flaked away which left ridges. So hopefully it’s just that. The handing is probably very old, bad tyres. It is quite a heavy car so maybe it needs new shocks all round and a good check on bushings. The flexing in the chassis could be a db7 trait or maybe a bad subframe flexing? I hope not! 😊
As the previous owner of an NA Miata, I love seeing the door lock/handle in the very expensive Aston Martin. Probably the most reliable part of the car. 🤣
Very pretty a lovely design, elegant and harmonious especially in silver. We could see from the vibrations that it’s not set up right.
I love the DB7. Great history from TWR and built on the Jaguar 220 production line. The design set the tone for AM for the next 30 years. Personally, I think these are a better classic car buy then a DB9, though the DB9 is a better more modern car and probably would end up costing more, once you factor in depreciation and Appreciation of DB7?
Years back I went to the dealer to see the then-current DB7 Volante, and remember thinking the inside was parts-bin Ford and the side view was a bit Chrysler Sebring. I walked away. The badge was legendary, but after that it was a disappointment.
Thanks J! 🙏🙏. It was the car that seemed to bring Aston into the modern era at the time. Shape looked so good among other 90's cars.
I have always had a soft spot for the straight six DB7. A beautiful car. The DB9 of course, is superior and even more beautiful, but the 7 is a lovely thing with a charming interior.
Interested to know what was wrong with it! the suspension/subframes etc are all identical to the XJS so it can't be unfixable or even that expensive? Usual XJS problems of very worn steering rack bushes etc could make it handle terribly.
Hmmm, damn shame the test drive didn’t go well, I must admit when I first had the idea of owning an Aston, a DB7 Vantage was going to be my go to!
But after ages trawling the net and watching TH-cam videos from folks such as yourself, Dadcars,Bamford Rose etc, I upped my game and my budget and scored a one owner,2005 Onyx Black metallic DB9 that’s been tastefully upgraded,(front & rear parking cameras,Bluetooth capability and Apple Car Play).
It’s also been to Bamford Rose for the primary DeCat & remap that you had done & I simply love it!
Not sure a DB7 would’ve scratched my Aston itch in quite the same way!😬🤷🏻
That shirt is quite magnificent. I salute you sir!!!
"The usual suspects for a 20 odd year old...... an M235i" !!!
I was thinking more 15 plate Corsa VXR type level for a 20 year old petrol head
Nah, most 20 year old petrol heads would want to stay away from corsa vxr's. Not only because the gearboxes are made of chocolate, but they want a more "prestige" name.
Im a 30s year old and cant afford a bmw 135
@@wpjohn91that's because you spend your money elsewhere or are unemployed
I'd say they're more 19 year old than 20 odd (maybe 20 or 21 at a push)
My innocuous comment removed again by the algorithm censor
This has been an option for me, boiling the kettle to sit down and watch!
Go for it.
You owe it to yourself. 👍
Depends what you want ! I kept my db7 vantage! It’s a fantastic car
I was working at Aston Martin at Newport Pagnell, working on the real Astons when this thing was launched, we had been bussed to the Jaguarsport factory at Bloxham to see "The new baby Aston" (then called NPX) it was still in its original Jaguar styling, didn't like it then, don't like it now, really don't understand why people think it's so beautiful ........... Watching the fuel flap wobbling about in the wind speaks volumes about the abysmal build quality of this thing. Quite simply the worst car too ever wear an Aston Martin badge.
Yeah its never done a thing for me either...
My dream spec DB7: these exact wheels, coach work in burgundy red and magnolia leather interior.
Perhaps we should use the bot quotes to our advantage to write a new 'Little Book of Calm' lol. Could sell it as merch.
Thanks for this video. I've always had a fondness for the DB7, along with the XJ-S and XK8, but years ago a friend had the Vantage and it almost bankrupted him.
Always fancied getting a DB7 before they start going up too much!
They’re not going up, they will never go up. They’re stuck in some kind of unloved limbo now. You can get an early DB9 or Vantage for the same money. Both easier and cheaper cars to own.
Theres a chap who restores classic Jags & and Aston's on our office estate. He hates the original DB7 and now turns down working on them for many of the reasons you've mentioned, mainly being poor electrics and lack of part availability
My first ever car was a high-mileage old Ford Focus ( mark 1) I got very cheap.... Its wheels tending to fall off because of very bad bearings holding them that tended at first to sway , heating themselves through friction to the extreme---- then heating the wheels as much as in multiple occasions to prevent tyre explosion, I had to stop at the side of the road to pour water on them--- .. stopping like that on the highway was a frightening experience --- and all the water I was pouring on them turning to hot steam instantly
...... then as I tried to continue my way, the bearings holding the wheels tended to jam or to first make the car to sway mimicking a bad suspension --- then completely snap off ....that was its main feature... Even a new bearing I had changed, got jammed only 6 months later
Stranding me again at the side of the road --- that bad they were
.... It made The same noises and shaky ride as prime symptoms... . This Aston ride has woken in me old Ford Focus memories 😅....
So I guess this Aston may have some more Ford influences , not only the good -old dashboard buttons ( very familiar sight for me, too 😅)
Other than that, it is a very beautiful car in my opinion, this and its counterpart Jaguar XK are some of the car designs I love the most
And about "unfit " engines..... Now I drive a new diesel Jag .. all economical, lots of torque, nobody ever asked me what engines it has... If they have no problem, then there is no real problem with the engine
.....I guess the looks is all that matters for most ... . 😄
Well, I’ve got 2003 Jaguar XK8 and I love it. It’s not a sports car but it does handle very nicely. They call the grand tour but it’s not very good on open Road is short wheelbase feels everything but it is beautiful. Look at the 4.2 L V8 makes that car move very well and mine is a drop top. It is silver with dove gray interior with a black convertible top.
I bought one mid-noughties when they were still "contemporary" - the DB9 had just appeared in showrooms when I bought my pre-loved DB7. Loved the look of it and back in those days I lived in central London and the DB7 still got lots of attention believe it or not, which was fun most of the time. The build quality wasn't great though and I remember my drivers wing mirror would regularly wobble at speed and droop randomly in traffic, usually when I was back to back along the Embankment! Sad ending with a lamp post (my fault) but that's another story. Glad I owned it but I agree with you nowadays the DB9 would be the more obvious 'budget' choice for those considering one.
I had a four year old DB7 manual back in my youth. I think it was a better/sporting drive than the auto and this is now reflected in higher values.
You are correct that DB7s are money-pits. Air-conditioning awful, leaks and tge brakes get smoked when driven hard (there is a brake upgrade for that)
Chassis was fine though and a sports exhaust was lots of fun. However hard braking on uneven surfaced roads could cause alarming tramlining.
Bottom line. Too expensive to keep as a main car but everyone loved it. Always let out of junctions, and the motorway traffic would part like the Red Sea for Moses.
Would I have chosen a XK Jaaaag? No way.
One of the most beautiful cars of all time
@richardharrold9736 when new I thought it was decent looking but in my opinion it has aged terribly probably the worst of any aston design wise.
@richardharrold9736- Aww, c'mon, now, be nice. He's not bothered about snob-value, bragging rights, pedigree or what comes from where or being 'poor-shamed' for insufficient exclusivity; he just thinks it looks good. Good looks are a rare thing, these days.
Fabulous proportions and elegant lines have got nowt to do with how cheap/expensive something is. [Says she, speaking from somewhere behind a monstrous 24 lb NN-cup bosom.🤭]
As a proud owner of a 2008 DBS, I can honestly say the DB7 is fugly. Saddens me, but the truth must always be told.
I recall when the DB7 was launched. I was utterly besotted, drooling over my copy of Autocar & Motor whilst sat in my Mk3 Capri 1.6 Laser outside work one lunchtime. Such a beautiful car inside (even if the ergonomics are terrible) and out. I still find it hard to get my head around the fact it's based on the oh-so-frumpy (but getting cooler by the day XJS). I also prefer the looks of the 3.2 over the Vantage V12. And I still think it's a stunning looking car to this day. Then the DB9 was launched and I became besotted with that! Still gorgeous inside and out but actually much better developed. But, as much as I love the DB7 (and would likely put up with its foibles) I cannot understand how values have risen so much that its within touching distance of the DB9. You'd be made not to go for the '9. However, when my lottery numbers come up, a mint 3.2 DB7 will be in my collection, as well as an early DB9 "Sport Pack", a Vanquish II, a DBS "59 Edition", a DB12 (I'm currently besotted with that one, too!!) and the forthcoming Vanquish III. Oh, and an '80's V8 Vantage and a Vantage V550. I'd better do another Lottery ticket......
Sincere advice to Bart. Break out the spanners old boy. Taking that car to Bamford Rose every time it has an issue will murder your bank account. The fuel flap for example probably just needs a tighten. Brakes on all cars are essentially the same and best of luck! Great Car.
I thought the DB7 was incredibly beautiful when it was first released. But the XJS in drag thing did bother me a bit. That was all but forgotten when the V12 version came out though (apart from the continued use of that ugly Ford switchgear) Mind you the follow-up DB9 was a major step up! And to this day I think is still one of Aston’s most beautiful designs. As for the comparison with the F355 (another favorite classic of mine) why? They’re completely different cars…the Aston a classic front engined RWD 2+2 GT, the F355 a relatively small and agile mid-engined 2 seat sports car 🤷♂️
Love the car, these have aged beautifully
I do love a nice escort switch on my Aston.
The V-12 version was, and is, an excellent car. Noticeably more rigid unibody, totally different suspension geometry and driving dynamics. Also a better interior and reliable modern electrics ... along with that glorious V-12. The I-6 version is beautiful, but drives more like a 70s car than a 90s car.
Would love to see an update when the car is fixed.
love your car reviews man , been following you since you left top gear.
Memories of these in gran turismo 1 ❤
Every Aston I have tried to drive, has nearly killed me. I used to work for a used car dealership and we had a DB7 come in part ex, that had the 5.9 litre v12 and that auto gearbox isn't great for getting off the line. I have also driven a Vanquish, the one Rooney owned and that tried to do the same, and instead of it reversing smoothly, its wheel spun and nearly hit the car behind me. Even though I was simply adjusting how far back the Vanquish went.
30 years ago? You are so correct, an amazing thing, facts. But certainly not forgotten by me, wherein it holds a special place as an Aston Martin of some considerable calibre. I should add, that among the constructors of the DB7, there was always a Trevor.
I can see the Ian Callum stylistic cues, which are often demonstrated on lessor marque's, shall we say, and ones he continued to offer the hope of a reverence, or even genuflection?
the gas cap flopping around in the wind is a hilarious example of british quality
Or maintenance.
That would not have happened on a proper Aston Martin of that era, don't judge British build quality by this thing.
When Aston were owned by Ford I believe.
@@kasperkjrsgaard1447 how do you properly maintain a fuel filler cap?
@@cammyd7514 They’re not kept in place by magic powers. There’s usually a nut and bolt to keep it all in place and if tightning the nut isn’t enough, you can always shim it up with a washer.
Really not that difficult.
that 550 is the most desirable for me out of all Astons, ever made, well perhaps except that Vulcan, Victor etc...
Hi
I have an XK8 that looks pretty similar. Love driving it. Electrics are fun. It is a lottery as to which thing will fail, cruise or traction. Sometimes neither, sometimes both! Erm, let’s just call it character 😅
Hello. I'm a fellow XK8 driver, and can empathise with what you say. I finally got rid of the latest raft of warning messages by replacing a wheel speed sensor.
Got both footwell plates replaced at the same time too, just in time to stop my feet getting wet.
Oh, and just this weekend had the sagging headlining replaced.
Learned much of my car's idiosyncrasies from the "To The Garage" YT channel.
I think you just had a bad example there. I had a 2nd hand DB7, followed by 2 brand new DB7 Vantages around 1998 - 2005. All manual, I would not touch an auto. Loved them all, but the DB7 caught me out in the wet, I crashed it! I visited the factory to see my 2 new ones in the build process. I remember seeing lots of Jaguar labelled parts, but that did not bother me too much (I also had an XJ-S). The sound of the V12's was just awesome..... tunnel runs were a pleasure.
Pretty car for sure.....when i was in market, it came down to a DB9.2 or an XKR/s.....i chose the DB9.2, but the aston/ xk styling is of that era is gorgous either way....great review
As if DB7 prices were not depressed enough already!
i work on these and i really do not like them. there is so much inherit points of failure and dumb choices throughout. the jaguar suspension and k frame is a curse. every car that comes in always has the front kframe mounts splitting and the rear control arm bushes. the front shockers have foam holding onto the body and perishes and starts knocking, they use a balljoint style bush so the ride is super harsh through the shocker. the abs sensor looms love to go open circuit. and they run them down near the exhaust instead of a bit further back on the wheelwell. the windows lose a rubber stopper and lose their alignment. the inner door grab handles seem to break easy. the door skin pocket is made with the door itself so you can lose things that fall through. i hate how the front seat cannot go forward without hitting the trans tunnel, they put a stopper on the rail to limit movement. i REALLY hate that there is no glove box despite no AC components in that location. the multi part carpet never looks great, wish they just use a moulded carpet for all their models. and yes the cabin really is cramped. the back seat is absolutely useless.
working on the car, i hate how they don't label the fuse boxes. makes it so hard. the v12 egr system start to have the vacuum solenoids leak air and bring on the engine light also the rubber vac lines deteriorate really fast, so will be surprised how many globes are missing. the handbrake is a 2 part ratchet and the second part always gets slack and will not press the switch to turn the light off, and they glue the carpet down so its almost impossible to service and adjust.
my car is a 1987 mk3 toyota supra, and i feel especially compared to this 6 cyl version you get so much more car and a better quality car than the aston. my car HAS a glove box and you can actually fit someone in the rear seats if you need to. and the turbo version would be heaps of fun. i also have an st205 gt4. buy one of those even. lesser interior but a real drivers car.
and to the people who say, " its just a bad example" the low mileage cars i get in with all the faults above should never happen on a car of that price and mileage. my supra 10 years older and 250,000kms still rides very well. all the electronics work. hardly any wear on the interior pieces.
These look amazing aside from the little "bumper" lines across the side. Same with the XJ220 (its concept had no parking-lot bumper lines). Strangely enough, the Jaguar based off this, the XK, does not have these lines, almost making it look better.
How is the DBS doing? Headlight replaced?
They were a good idea but it suffered from being cobbled together from an old XJS by Ford, TWR and ex Jaguar bods of which I was one.
The early cars (1994 etc) were being built before it had been properly designed and it really was pin the tail on the donkey stuff. Add zero rustproofing and you can see why so many are just knackered.
An X150 Jaguar XKR is a much better car.
7s to me were nice but I didn’t fawn all over them like Clarkson. Now the DB9 is a different story. IMO the most beautiful piece of rolling sculpture ever designed. The 11 is too fiddly for me and I haven’t seen a 12 in the flesh yet.
The little Bond-style "...will return" coda was cool. (What wasn't cool? Watching the gas-cap cover vibrate like it would fly off at any moment.)
Some of these cars became almost too affordable. People bought them, mistreated them and skipped the maintenance. You could drive a Golf GTI MK1, 205 GTI, or even any Ferarri which was in such a sorry state and be left with the impression they're ALL bad classics. That particular DB7 clearly needed some work - but that's not the car's fault. Early i6 build quality much improved over the model's lifetime. Mike at BR's advice is sound - buy the best you can and make sure it has been looked after. DB7 was the genesis of all subsequent Aston designs. V12 engine that went into the Vantage also a legendary upgrade for the marque (not just the DB7). Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder but personally think the 7 is ageing better than the 9. Shame that one still needs some TLC.
I understood from this video that the brakes needed replacing but not sure what you were trying say about the chassis other than it's not nice ?? Was it tram-lining, oversteering, understeering, bouncing, nose diving or all of the above?
Wow that the best shirt yet !!!!!
I"ve missed them as you had bit tone down look for the last few months love jeni xxx
Back in 2003 I almost bought one for £105k , then thank god I got wind that the db9 was coming in early 2004 so waited and bought the db9 in 2004 instead , which I still own to this day 😊
Pistonheads Brave Pill for this?
Keen viewer of channel and thought I would use Car Vertical to check on potential new car. Their report told me the car was both a 2l diesel and a 3l petrol, in addition to getting the vehicle type totally wrong too! After receiving the report I cross checked the VIN on the manufacturers website so I know which one is correct. Appreciate the need for sponsors to keep the channel viable, but my experience was £24 wasted on Car Vertical as feel I cannot rely on any part of the report now. Update....They have now corrected the report and reissued it and provided a credit on my account, but still leaves a sour taste
The DB7 would’ve been more fondly remembered if not for the XK coming out just 2 years later. Basically same car but at a half the cost. Probably didn’t help that the contemporary James Bond films at the time had already tied themselves to BMW as well.
Classic World much prefered the jag XK8 than the DB7 too.
Nice car. But that fuel flap is really bugging me.
I Love the 1990s DB 007s. (smile)
Original buyer: eww, Ford parts
Owner 30 years later: phew, Ford parts 😅
Poor guy can't even offload the thing quickly now either, given it's been announced on the internet as being shonky
Personally prefer the looks of the XK8/R myself. Though I'd never own either, working on them would kinda suck. The XJ looks easier.
What a shame. Well done Bart for being interesting.
Is the fuel cap (10.14) not shut or, is that a build quality flapping around sort of thing?
Having always wanted a propper Aston i made the fatal mistake of buying a DB7
even though i bought it from a highly regarded specialist it was a dog.
Rain leaked in, it just was not a nice car to drive, plus my 5ft 11 frame was just the wrong
size and shape for it's cramped cabin with my head brushing the headlining.
So having a more practical daily driver i sold it and saved up for a Vantage V12
which i still have.
There's a strange rattle in the left rear that I just can't track down...
Better with an xk which is also much cheaper!
Are the bushes shot?
Looks good..... Jaguar XKR is better.... in fact, that seemed to be the theme in this part of the sports car market.
9:03 ...not any more now this videos out.....
It's missing it's lovely wheel trims! It should have the disc covering the spokes.
There is at least one long wheelbase estate version which Aston call a ‘shooting brake’
Keep your hands on the wheel!
I'd prefer a late XJS. Same chassis, same engine (minus the supercharger, but with 800 extra cc) and slightly less of a moneypit. I had a friend with a DB7 and his services often cost him north of £5k, closer to £10k on one occasion. The XK8 never did it for me, but the XJS is now a proper classic.
Is the tyre side wall cracking or is it an optical illusion.
For quite some time I had these on the radar. Cheapest way to the Aston badge, supercharged inline 6, looks alright. But prices have changed a lot and I also thought it was based on the XK, not the XJ-S (a car I'd never dip my feet into ownership...). So I guess that whole thought is now buried for good.
Astons sold and built seven thousand db7 models. Put it another way...7,000! By far, its their greatest sales success in the company's history.
Incidentally...the db7 lineup simply SAVED Aston Martin.
The model earned its legacy the old fashion way: in the marketplace.
At the same time, the 928 GTS nearly bankrupted the firm.
Mentioning in the video the 355 is nonsensical, just sayin...
All those problems and it kept going? a BMW will directly go into limp mode even if you farth the heated seats. I gonna take the Aston.
Very well said!