Fast Facts

• Best model: V12 GT
• Worst model: Anything tatty
• Budget buy: DB7 Auto (six)
• OK for unleaded?: Yes
• Will it fit in the garage? (mm): mm L 4620 x W 1820
• Spares situation: Sadly patchy
• DIY ease?: No, not really!
• Club support: Usual AMOC levels
• Appreciating asset?: Starting usual DB climb

Magazine Subscription

Subscribe to Classic Motoring Magazine and save over 20%

Subscribe NOW

Available at all good newsagents including WHSmith

Great affordable and adroit Aston that’s more Johnny English than Connery’s classic. Superb looks almost matched by its performance but you need to take care when buying

OH, OH SEVEN

Put bluntly, Jaguar’s first aborted F-type project was turned into the DB7 and as a result became the car which saved Aston Martin. Small wonder then that some decry the ‘modern DB4’ (as it was hoped to be), as basically little more than a sexed-up old XJS under that DBs delightful skin. But when the outer wrapping was as good as this, did we actually care? Now 20 years since its eagerly anticipated launch, DB7s are probably the best value Aston most of us can realistically afford these days. If you get the chance, don’t let the opportunity pass you buy as values are already rising.

HISTORY

1994 The DB7 (I6) is finally launched after being shown a year before based upon an aborted F Type Jaguar project that was passed over by owner Ford to Aston and initially earmarked as the new DB4 to form a more affordable entry level AM that was aimed at a wider market – which included women. Based upon the XJ-S platform, painted by Rolls-Royce and developed by Jaguar Le Mans winning team TWR, it was initially available as a (Jaguar XJR-derived) 335bhp supercharged straight-six coupé. 1996 The drophead Volante appears, complete with a powered roof, naturally. Also 1997 model year cars gained raft of much needed improvements as well as better build quality.

1999 A V12-engined DB7 was always on the cards because the XJ-S was designed for such an engine. Called the Vantage, this 6-litre 420bhp all Aston unit quickly replaces the widely liked ‘six’ and is also offered in both coupé and Volante forms. 2002 Run-out DB7 on sale, called the GT; there was also an automatic edition available, wearing GTA badges. In the same year, the DB7 Zagato also made its début, but none were delivered until 2003 and only 99 examples were made.

2003 The final flourish came when the Zagato-bodied Vantage Volante was unveiled; the DB AR1. Just 99 were made, aimed at the US market, although eight European cars were produced. The final DB7s (10th anniversary models) were also built just before the DB9 came along.

DRIVING AND PRESS COMMENTS

Did the DB7 sell more on its looks than ability because it was no 911. It’s generally agreed that as nice as they looked, the first generation cars offered pace but build quality and braking were below par for the 80 grand asked. As a result, the Series 2 cars, unveiled for the 1997 model year in 1996, were a big improvement.

It wasn’t until the V12-engined Vantage of 1999 that the DB7 finally came of age although there are those who feel that the supercharged six gave the DB7 a more thoroughbred feel and could hit almost 160mph, passing the 60 mark in under six.

What let the car down was the auto of which the majority were as it took the edge off things notably.

If you think this sounds negative, best to bear in mind that for the typical drivers – especially those who now buy a DB7 as a toy for occasional fun use – the car, even as a six automatic, is just fine.

Enthusiasts will find that the stiffer shelled coupés handle better than the convertibles which ride on a softer suspension and lack a rear anti roll bar. But a DB7 handles well and feels much more modern than any previous Aston, which you can say is hardly difficult.

What did the press think? Well it was a mixed bag really. Everybody wanted the DB7 to be a success and initially wrote very favourably, Car calling it “Jag in drag but a great car (automatic excepted)”. However, opinions started to change somewhat when the much cheaper Jaguar XK8 came along.

In a twin test against a Merc SL600, the ‘six’ DB7 Volante beat the German without the need for a penalty shoot out even though Car magazine criticised the Brit for some fit and finishings such as the hood’s exposed framework (“A bit like buying a Roller with rubber mats”), its weight which was a hefty 150kg over the fixedhead but preferred the auto instead of the “heavy, clunky change of the five-speed manual”, finishing by saying what it needs is a V12.

That same mag was less complimentary a couple of years later when the Aston placed against the XK8, especially the XKR. Another group test, against the usual Germans, same result, but it was the Jag playing a sole Geoff Hurst role because the DB7 was regarded as being sadly outdated just four years after its welcome launch. Thankfully the V12 came along…

As you can see the DB7 is good but no game changer. What still does it are those looks. “It’s, sleek, sexy and rare… With the hood folded it looks sensational and with the top raised, the hood blends in perfectly”, said one love-struck road tester.

IMPROVEMENTS

Best improvement is to have a thorough service and geometry reset done by a good AM specialist. It’s best to stick to the Bridgestone Expedias (S01 on DB7 and S02 on Vantage) originally specified by the factory; they suit the DB7’s chassis better than anything else available, they add. Chiltern Aston says customised cars are reverted to standard before retailing because wheel offset is that critical.

Bringing up the brakes on a DB7 to V12 spec is a wise policy while performance on the 335bhp 3.2 engine can be upped by 50bhp with better charge cooling as well as a faster-spinning supercharger pulley. We know of DB7s which have been converted to the lesser Jag AJ6 power unit to save on major repair costs. Take care when buying such a car; it’s like buying an earlier DB with an XK engine. It does the job but hurts values.

Three Of A Kind

JAGUAR XK8

Developed, and launched, in tandem with the Aston using the same DB7-based chassis, some regard the Jag as the better car and it certainly matches the Aston for power and pace. Compared to the DB7, the rival Jaguar looks absurdly cheap and you should test drive both to confirm to yourself if the Aston is worth double the dosh. The Jag has a far more widespread specialist network into the bargain.

ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE

If you hanker for a bargain old school Aston then it has to be the Virage, which is cheaper to buy, if not to run than a DB7 and build was iffy. Early cars were never liked but Aston got the car back on track with the redesigned Vantage, which is a much better GT. Excellent value all round on all and that stalwart V8 always goes well in uprated 32-valve tune. As Astons go it’s a bit of a marmite model.

MERCEDES-BENZ R129

A real bargain GT, the R129 is the more modern replacement to the well respected R107 range and amazingly cheap to buy. Hugely accomplished and built, it comes with a wide range of powerplants, from straight six to V12, meaning there’s an SL to suit most pockets; rare SL600 is a nailed-on future classic. Excellent independent repair base means servicing and repairs are surprisingly containable.