Should You Buy an ASTON MARTIN DB7 (Test Drive & Review V12 Vantage Volante)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
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Today I'm an Aston Martin DB7. Let's see what it's like.
#AstonMartin #DB7 #highpeakautos
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The best reason to own one of these is to be able to ask: "Shall we take the Aston?"
Jeremy Clarkson put that in sub zero on the cool wall.
I’m sure that was the Db9
@@Carrera-gp9od He put the Volanté in.
@@Carrera-gp9od Nah the DB9 had its own fridge on the side as it was cooler than sub zero
Jeremy Clarkson was and still is a plonker!
Well we won’t let that detract from the car…
Actually it is not 2 V6s welded together. Ford commissioned Porsche to design a single cylinder which could be duplicated to 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 cylinders. So in fact, the engine is Porsche designed. I have a DB9 and love the sound. The more you drive it, the more reliable it is. Merry Christmas
I also own a DB9.What a car ! Seasons Greetings.
Deepak, I would recommend you look up “Aston Martin v12 origins on design judges”. This was published on loan by the Aston Martin heritage trust.
@@AM-he6je The production engine was a stand alone v12.
Average height for males in the UK is 5’9” ; 5’11” puts you in the tall category
Hmm thats reassuring
That brings back memories. I was part of the design team for the DB7 and its great to see her again. I was a bit younger then so was Ian. Brilliant designer. Thanks.
You've got to be very proud of that - a design that's still relevant - timeless even...
The rear light's are mazda 323f arnt they
@@mattlawton4715 Yes they are but it's absolutely meaningless. It's an Aston and remains an Aston, no matter what.
I always thought the prettiest Aston of recent years.Having said that the XK8 is terrific value and also a stunning looker .
true
I once had an 02 Jaguar XKR. While it compared to the Aston Martin in performance, in every respect, it wasn't an Aston. That is now reflected in their relative values. Enough said. Thanks for sharing Matt and merry Christmas to you, Sir.
Styling-wise, the wood and trim in the dashboard are essential to me, as in the Jag XKRs in the 2000's. But then again, my preference goes to convertibles where the top is neatly tugged under a tonneau, like the elegant db9. But the db9 has a boring dashboard. Gosh, it's so difficut to have it all, unless you fork out Bentley/Rolls money!
XKR is still a handsome car though.
@@fastasfox It is, Sir and I loved driving it (for almost 100,000 miles). a
@@yves2075 a Bentley is on another level 👍
Brilliant review , you are fast becoming the modern day Clarkson with insightful and honest reviews. keep up the good work
Thanks
The db7 is gorgeous but Aston design peaked with the DB9, that’s what you call a timeless design, clean crisp un-interrupted lines same with the interior
Ive just bought a 3yr old db11 trading in a 2011 dbs. 😊 Heaven to drive
Agreed
I owned one with the Tremec 6 speed manual, the change quality was superb, I could shift it with one finger and it elevated the performance of that V12 noticably. The clutch was lighter than any 70s Ferrari , Lamborghini or Corvette I have driven. As for the old parts bin comment, all low volume makes have to source some components this way the DB7 is no exception.
Matt, I replaced the armrest on my 2002 DB7 with the (97-2006)Jaguar XK XK8 XKR Console Armrest WITH cupholders. It fits!
This is the sort of advice I’m here for
@@HighPeakAutos easy fix for you in black. My interior is ivory and navy. The ivory color is a shade off but hardly noticeable to anyone but me.
The DB7 is a gorgeous car, but that interior is horrendous. All that Ford switchgear is badly integrated and it looks cheap and nasty. Jaguar did a much better job with the interior of the XK8 IMO.
It does spoil a cool car
It looks great up to the scuttle. I remember when they came out and nothing has changed, still prefer the XK of the time.
Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with sharing parts such as switches and suspension components. Better they work and are available at a reasonable price, performance and styling are much more important to me. However, I will draw the line at the rear light clusters!
I dunno why you'd draw the line there. If they work, and they look good on this car, who cares where they originally came from?
@@StephenGraves because in my opinion light clusters that obviously came from another manufacturer spoil the look of a car and make it appear cheap and amateurish. It reminds me of something someone's put together in their shed.
Oh boy, my knees are wobbling! That's a fabulous example. I'd have a coupe, don't do floppy roofs. yeah, just look at it and use it on dry days now and again. Chuffing wonderful.
It really makes me chuckle that such a beautiful and expensive luxury car has exactly the same switch gear as my 2001 Ford Fiesta!! XD
Saw your video and I have to correct you. This is not two v’6s welded together. Not even close. That rumor was started with the Aston Martin vignale concept. This engine was designed at Ford Advanced power train. The “v6 weld together” misinformation came from the press when the Vignale concept debuted. Look up “origins of Aston Martin v12 design judges “. That’s the real story which also picture prototype 001. My brother and two of his buddies designed this engine from the ground up and we are also heavily involved with AMHT
That centre console screams jaguar from that era. Never understood the cupholder obsession - if I'm driving I'm not going to be sipping a latte. If I want a coffee I'll stop. But each to their own. Keep up the great content and have a great Christmas.
High end cars should have high end fittings, Bentley GT being a good example.
I agree
What I love and I honestly mean this you are so posotive about British cars and so you should be !! We take a bloody slating from every part of the globe but the Ass holes keep buying
our stuff which must say something ?? When we are good we are good when we are bad Well we are still good in some ways are we not ??????????????????
Previous owner probably considering self-harm seeing wet on the rear window and the Aston parked in a variety of muddy rural gateways! 😧
“It could rival Jodrell Bank” fantastic quote.
Steven Docker is one sun of a gun.. He is so so into Astons you just would not beleive new his brother well and he was the same everything has to be just right !!!!!!!!!!!!! so buy with confidence !!
I'd go with the Jaguar with a manual gear box. I think I've heard that the Jaguar is surprisingly cheap to keep on the road because of its Ford parts and also Ford were at the top of their game with regards reliability and quality at the time. I really like the interior of the Aston Martin, I think as a car dealer you probably recognise where the parts have come from but I don't think the average person would care too much as long as it feels right. I think both the Aston Martin and Jaguars are stunning cars.
Trust me, when you buy one it’s cheap to run because it’s a Ford underneath. Then when it goes wrong and the bill melts your card it’s all ‘well it is a jag though sir’. In all seriousness though although jags do use Ford parts (and other marques) there is sometimes subtle differences, thermostats that open at different temperatures, suspension parts that aren’t the same length, even though both parts are stamped with the blue oval. The trouble is people class entertainment journalism as gospel. For instance the V12 in the 2002 vanquish is not ‘two Ford v6’s bolted together’.
And I agree, manual over automatic any day, unless it’s a barge like a fat arsed Bentley or Rolls.
I do t believe the xk was ever available as a manual
There seems to me to be a lot of movement in that steering wheel whilst driving are you sure you are not in a Land rover of some kind ???? Or is it the film trick and you are really on
a trailer being pulled behind a Range Rover I need to know ?????????
A friend who had a V12 and an i6 said the V12 is wonderful but the 6 cylinder is MUCH cheaper to run. A great looking car but the coupe looks best in my view. You didn't say much about the roof - is it okay?
I owned one of these in the early 200s and it was everything I wanted it to be; responsive, solid, sexy as hell and a real head-turner; everything I wasn't. I was working in Victoria Street at the time, and every time I drove past Buckingham Palace the tourists would be clicking away. DB9s were as common as muck in London, but the DB7 was something else. Yes, it had it's issues; in my case the internal cabin light would just come on when it felt like it, and more than once that was when it was parked up for the day, and I'd return to a flat battery. Aston were unable to fix it, so in the end I just took the fuse out; problem solved. But the drive was immaculate, and an absolute joy every time. And, yes, when I first bought it, I'd drive around with the James Bond theme playing on the stereo, a huge grin on my face. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat...
Watching these videos desperately make me want to finish mine 😁
You one of the few car reviewers on youtube who do "not" review a car like your interviewing for top gear,, I enjoy these videos
i bet Steven Docker is watching this with a grin on his face :D :D :D
So, the original owner has cosseted this car for twenty years, what do you do with it? Rain, potholed lanes, muddy field entrances. They must feel sick.
Oh well, a car's meant to be driven. It'll wash 🌧
The sound of the engine is why so many of us will not entertain an electric vehicle...
spot on appraisal, definate buy for weekend use, last for years and always cool.............. I'm in love!
The aerial was off a Vauxhall Cavalier! Looks like a Hirschmann!
No other car makes you want to wear a poloneck like an Aston!
These have much mroe in common with the XJS than you'd think... The front sub frame for example that holds the engine in, suspension points & steering rack is identical & can be swapped directly between XJS/DB7.
Front subframe was reworked to allow for the lower height of the bonnet compared to the xjs.
I love the DBS (DB9 & DB11), but this is nice, too.
Seriously for a V12 the exhaust note is rubbish...
A car you buy even if it is terrible. Just look at it. Stunning.
Hi Matt you are definitely right in saying coolest brand in the world you just can’t beat an Aston Martin hope you are well best wishes ian
You seem to have found another of these lovely, low mileage, one owner gems in this car. The styling is gorgeous and with the sound of that engine I doubt that you would use the cassette player that much!! The interior is a bit low rent but I think the Aston's other qualities would more than make up for it. Loved the video another car to dream of!
That is a beautiful looking car, every time I hear of, or see an Aston Martin, I think straight away of James Bond.
Glorious and magnificent, thank you. Top trumps too for always styling the presenting attire to the reviewed motorvehicle. And before I forget, thank you very much for all
cool and entertaining car videos by High Peak Autos in season 2021, much appreciated Matt. Great ride in the Hawker Hurricane for the road. Still the business this V12 :)
Very often when you have no money is when you are at your best !!
That Ford 6v was thrown into a lot of cars with some great results. Probably a great underrated engine TBH.
I think all British petrol heads want an Aston Martin more than any other brand. I fully agree Matt that it’s the coolest car brand on the planet.
I've got to say that without a shadow of a doubt, you have the very best channel for us petrol heads and a stunning presentation style.
The V12 is a very special beast without a doubt but I think its important to just get a couple of things nailed down.
First is that aircon as its usually a dash out job to get at the condenser which was the first part down the production line - then Aston built a car around it - in other words, its not a 5 minute fix.
The other is an accurate account of its 48,000 mile service - if its relevant,
It should have had new coil packs fitted but often doesn't and they're not 50p each, (last time I looked they were £84 - each - and it needs 12) likewise plugs, they're not 50p either.
Tyre wear on the front's is a sign that its had a corner knocked off it at some point - hence tyre wear.
To me though, the best thing of all is, that its MADE IN ENGLAND...!
Don't get better than that..👍👍
Thank you! I appreciate it
“..hit my tinted quiff on the alcantara headlining” 😂😂😂😂 You proper crack me up at times Matt. Please don’t ever change. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
👍🏻
I would love an inline-6 one.
Such a beautiful car. But akin to my youtube namesake, I'm 6'5". Might not fit.
It's a great engine the AJ6 which It's based on, was one of Jaguars finest engines absolutely bombproof.
Lovely car but much preferred the lovely Bentley Continental GT , low mileage ,one owner , you had about a year ago , now that was class with a lovely interior that was not from the Ford parts bin.
Customer back in the day, he being high up in a major computer company turned up in one. He said his accounts would allow him to have company car to value of £350 a week! So he had one of these. Problem is all these DB look the same, when i looked few years back they were going for low end £18k. And now Ford have nicked the front look. (Same designer i been told).
@Capt Shiny Blatant copy. They could have used any shape but that, why not oval like a Ford badge.
Hmm, I need a little quiet time. Excuse me guys... 😁
Without doubt. A yup. Sunday car. Tho. Must own a nice dry garage have plenty of dough so not care about money in this oil painting . Perfect car. Proper looker. Guess parts bin Ford switchgear may annoy but just look at it.
I agree
My old boss has the same car. The trailing arms rot, the chassis rots. The quality of the interior is ...questionable. Its not actually that fast.....and 8 mpg running around is more like it ...??? On the subject of parts, I fitted idler bearings on the serpentine belt and was quoted the price of a small country in South America.....it turned out they were the same as a Ford Transit.....they were replaced much cheaper than AM quoted. But, they do look nice when all said and done.....(Throw your metric socket set away as most of the nuts and bolt underneath seem to be UNC or AF)
I’m with you. I see zero appeal in these. Slow, designed on a shoe-string, poorly built, old fashioned, money pits. I don’t even think they look that good. A 911 turbo from the same era looks monumentally better
@@kristoffscuba5466 The 911 Turbo and the aggressive in your face wide body .....Ahhhhhh.....its actually the screensaver on my phone whilst it was in the rollers at my MOT station :+)
Hi matt as usual you know your stuff this car would be a dream for me !
The original owner is my hero of the day.
Spent £111'000 on a brand new Aston V12 convertible and kept it for 20 years. 👍
And Matt,if it all goes tits up,you could walk into a job as a buyer for stone cold classics ,because the cars you buy for " you" are exactly what they look for ,for stock at the high end of there inventory 👍
What a beautiful vehicle despite the pick and mix parts 😀. Steady on the right foot every time you blart that accelerator that’s nearly a gallon burnt !
Another well presented video Matt, I think the shaguar xk8 shares the same Designer and many of the parts at half the price atm. If you're prepared to accept petrol prices seem to only be going in one direction then this is a timeless modern classic. Very honest (as all your videos are) to mention the mpg 🙈, looking forward to the next video.
I agree!
Very nice Matt, very nice, a very underrated car,
I had that exact xk8 as a maisto 1/18 size model car as a kid! You had any or own any now? I still have my james bond vanquish
I can just picture the previous owner’s face when he sees you out in the rain with his always-garaged, dry days only, pride and joy…hope you had a chammy to hand! 😁
😂
Hello again, 'Matt' lovely car, to keep the rust at bay have it preserved by 'KROWN' rustproofing treatment, brilliant. Regards, RichardA.
In 2005 I've started my journey here in UK as au pair.. My "boss" was driving brand new DB9... Omg that sound was just pure angels singing... I would just stand outside and could hear this car miles away... In racing green was just so beautifull... Best sounded car I've ever seen... ASTON MARTIN"s V12 sounds so sexy
The DB7 was not an Aston Martin other than in name, it was designed by TWR/Jaguarsport as a replacement for the XJS (hence all the Jag bits) and the prototype was built and styled as a Jaguar, unfortunately for Aston Martin, Jaguar rejected the car and Ford decided it could fill the requirement for a cheaper Aston, It was badly built by Jaguarsport at Bloxham in Oxfordshire rather than the Aston Martin factory in Newport Pagnell, hence the crap quality of the Jag S type style interior.
Epic video! So want a DB7 Vantage Volante V12 too now! 🤣
Keep up the good work Matt
The inner panel holding the door hinges and running rearwards to the back seats and rising up to clear the IRS is donor XJS and millimetre exact to XK8.
Matt once again a exceptional video, great content and brilliant wit. Thanks for keeping us all entertained during this pandemic and hopefully beyond. Merry Christmas .
Thanks again! Same to you
I never knew about the 323F rear lights, but now I see it, I cannot un-see it. Although, shows how beautiful the DB7 is; they can shove some ancient rear light clusters from a hatchback on it and the thing is still achingly beautiful.
Hey buddy, I just saw your car ad on your website for this car. I noticed you added the price the owner paid back in 2001, I like to think it wasn't that long ago, I was 14 back then! But it was a long time, enough time to use an inflation calculator! So he paid 111,253, in today's money using bank of England calculator that makes the price to £188,171.67! Adding these numbers makes the 40k£ seem like even more value! It's just an idea. not trying to undermine you! I couldn't sell a used gold ring.
That’s a good point actually. It’s crazy to think of the depreciation
@@HighPeakAutos That's it! It just makes the price you're asking for seem like even more of a bargain, this is what I'd personally think if I had 40k disposable income. Worst case scenario, if it doesn't sell, you'll be stuck with it, which has made me think... why on earth are you selling her? She is a classic in the making.
@@n1msu badly made on the cheap
I was at the goodwood festival of speed in 2000 and was stood next to jay kay while he was talking to the original stig (Seriously) and the topic of conversation was how he had considered a DB7 GT but was outraged that a 100 grand car had an interior full of Ford switches.
The subconscious effect of driving an Aston and inevitably wearing a turtle neck
Years ago I was doing work experience at a garage there were a few old cars lying around one of which was a DB7. Looked like it was sat there for years, I asked one of the mechanics about it. He just said it was a non runner and the owner just left it there. Remember asking him how can he leave it and the mechanic just shrugged and said something along the lines of "he's probably that well off that he doesn't care that much about it." Wonder if it's still there...
Rhetorical question. Why wouldn't you if you could? What a car. Great find, Matt - and well done to your viewer for offering it up.
it sounds great, but.. Mazda rear plus interior from Rover 75 don't convince me ;)
Matt I had to laugh at your SL etch a sketch jibe. As for the £111k price of the Aston, I vividly remember sitting in a new 1996 Mercedes SL600 V12 roadster and it was $124,600 in 1996. I really think the most undervalued sports tourer right now definitely has to be the R107 SL. The 1989 final year 560SL was $64,000 new. That same year a new Porsche 911 Carrera was $52,000 and a new Corvette was only $31,400. Right now a decent 560Sl is only about 15 grand and an immaculate one 25 grand. Those will be appreciating money in the bank very soon.
I've never felt so suave... a cross between Roger Moore and Bryan Ferry 😆😆
Bloody ell Matt..... I thought you were younger than me 🤦♂️🤦♂️
Lovely car though. Any price reduction on that Jag S type yet?
No cup holders...? You're forgetting that back in the 1990's we didn't have any coffee shops, only cups of tea, in fact I'm sure we only drank anything at dinnertime...? ;-) Lovely car for the price of a 2021 Polo.
Don't go down on the manual 6 cylinder before you have driven one! It does not the have the glorious sound and the breathtaking performance of the V12 I agree. But it is lighter (especially the pre Air-Bag models) and it handles beautifully with a light and easy to operate clutch and performance is much better than you might think (0-100km/h in 5.9sec.).I own an early i6 manual for ten years now and did not miss the V12 for one second! Go out and find a good example of a i6 manual and revue this test! Thank you.
A "Lambourgini that's been to finishing school"!!?? Ooh eck! "12 mpg" - "between Roger Moore and Brian Ferry"!! You are a one, Matt - I think I need to have a chat with your mum!! 😜
Loved it… did you release the video of this after you sold it lol…. I have a pal with an early Gallardo, he can’t use it because of the size of the speed humps they’ve put in… should have bought an Aston…
Hi Matt. Regarding the cramped position you feel, that's because it is RHD.
Because of the position of the dry sump and other bits, LHD versions have more legroom in Astons. Designed for the major market!
Evian or Perrier when driving a DB7. Every time A James Bond movie comes out, it’s time to sell one. I would buy one despite the Ford and Mazda parts. It’s used brilliant on this car. Bryan spelled with a “y” not “i”, Roxy Music and BF soundtrack for a DB7.
When car companies are no longer updating infotainment system is what I am afraid of. What do we do?
But that badge is the difference between Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kournokova or Halle Berry in 2001 - or Katie Price now.
The Jaguars got ragged by hooligans. The Astons get you laid - by girls who look like Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kournokova or Halle Berry!
You sir, look stirred but unshaken, nice motor Matt, I was looking at a DB9 the other day, and the insurance was less than an A8.
Happy Christmas 🎅 Hope your channel goes from strength to strength 🤶🎄
What about reviewing a Saab 9-5 with the true Saab petrol engine 2.0 or 2.3? They are really affordable and I would say still great runners. I am often on Autotrader but still haven't found anything knocking my 9-5 2.3 Estate over, I am still looking though.
Looked at this video of a high class motor vehicle, then got into my 1994 Mazda MX5 NA, which has been my wife's baby for more than 20 years. It has the same interior door handles! 111,000 quid, I don't think so!
Well at least the door handles won’t let you down.
True
A cross between Roger Moore and Brian Ferry? That's Brian Moore. And yes, he knew a lot about football, but you'd never say he looked suave and sophisticated would you? Everyone knows that was Dickie Davis, with his posh sports jackets and badger-lookalike hairdo!
EVIAN water !!!! You live in the High Peak Matt - call at the Buxton Water factory and do a bulk deal in exchange for a bit of product placement.....
The DB7 is not only pure style, pure performance, pure driving pleasure. It is also pure sex! (...for which you don't need cup holders, Matt.)
How very dare you compare the interior to my TVR! 😀 ADORE all Astons. Great review as always.
Come ON! Anyone who believes a classic car won't plummet in value if you get the timing wrong - is a fool!
And we know what happens to a fool and his money, don't we.............?!
Gorgeous car. V12 certainly sounds better than my xk8 but everything else ill take the Jag pls. 🥰
You should have worn a tux... BTW also you'd probably make a great James Bond. At least you'd do your own driving stunts, probably.
Aston learned that you can’t trust Ford, the front grille. The purple turtleneck is Superfresh 😉
Aston Martin was using Jaguar Ford parts and even Vauxhall bits long before Ford took ownership.
@@paulie-Gualtieri. Bits is not the same as taking major design and styling in my opinion.
Please explain why car fanatics love the sound of a noisy exhaust when all it does is annoy those people in their homes who have to suffer it as the spivs race their cars late at night?
I don’t like the sound of silly rubbish aftermarket ones that you’d find on hot hatches but the natural sound of a V8 or V12 is something else. Cannot really explain. If you don’t get it, you’re probably not a petrolhead
Would love to see a review with a older Jeep wrangler.. Gonna keep saying in every video till it happens. Keep up the good work
I want to buy one!
Same as me. They hold there value and even older ones are expensive as hell.
Shame they are unreliable money pits.
Buy a Lexus
Absolutely agree 👍
Good review, very sympathetic with a good oversight into the glorious DB7. But as per previous comment, please refrain from saying that it is two Ford Duartec V6’s welded together. That was merely a marketing tool at the press launch motor show. Please reference Anthony Musci, the designer of this outstanding engine.