Is the Aston Martin DB7 the vantage(12 cylinder) or the 6cylinder supercharged DB7. I too was shocked at how poorly they hold their value. I would imagine the Vantage would hold it's value a bit better and at 20k off sticker you are probably ahead of the game. In any case it's a beautiful car! Post pics if you get it please.
Bill
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As far as the car itself...the DB7 Vantage is one of the most beautiful cars in the world. I actually prefer its lines to the Vanquish and proposed Zagato version. However, the DB7 GT is coming out soon and has slightly revised styling cues in the nose, more aggressive looking wheels and a little more punch (435hp). Maybe this is why the dealer is looking to give a $20k discount. The DB7 GT has increased power only with the 6 speed manual transmission. I believe that in the U.S. very few Vantage's are sold with a manual. It seems that their clientele prefer the automatics.
I would me remissed if I didn't mention something about the one Aston Martin I drove in about 18 years ago. My father's patient had a black Aston Martin with the 5.3 liter V-8. I remember seeing it parked outside my father's office. I had only read about this exotic beast. My father knew I was a car nut (at 12 years old) and had mentioned it to his patient how much I liked his car. The gentleman offered to take me for a ride sometime. The next week he stopped by my parents house and took me for a short ride. I instantly fell in love. The Connelly leather...the grunt of the v-8 ..the exquisite paint job. It was an amazing experience especially in my car enthusiast infancy.
Best of luck with your decision. If you are in the NY area I would love to see it sometime.
from an investment standpoint, I dont know enough about AMs to say, but my generic thoughts are: its a car, it will depreciate. If it brings you smiles, then those are your dividends, and with the state of the economy, your investment might depreciate less than stocks! I can tell you that when you find a car you "love" and if you can afford it, it is totally worth it and I have been very happy with my "Z8 dividends program"
one thing about this though, please share some pics!
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All the best,
Jerry 00 Z8 Jet Black/Red Sport / some others
Here in Pennsylvania, through my entire 25 years of existance on this beautiful planet, I've only seen 1 Aston Martin DB7.
It occurred a few weeks ago, on the way home. I was stopped at a red light looking toward the parking lot of an small home-style hotel on the other side of the street. That's when I saw the white Aston Martin DB7. At first, I thought that it was a Z8 from the front-side view, then I saw the grill. I thought .... "What kind of car is that?". As the light turned green and I finally realized what I was looking at, needless to say, I pulled into the parking lot and just galked at it for the longest time.
in conclusion, if you are looking for a vehicle that's "out of the norm", you've made the right decision!
People,
Thanks very much for your generous encouragements. Your opinions I value highly. Now that all you car guys have given the 'go ahead', I feel really good about buying this A-M at such price. I've talked to non-car people as well, and they also like it just for its beauty.
I forgot to mention the price of the car, originally MSRP with options is around $155,000 to $170,000 but this particular car is not that well-optioned, so it's around $155,000.
The only thing that it has is unique interior color and premium audio. So, this dealer offered the car at $135,000. Since I was in the market for a 996TT, it is within tolerance range.
Klint:
I am not going to use the car everyday, I have a four door for that. So I imagine around 5,000 miles a year. I don't know about DB8, where did you hear about this?
bgomez:
It's the V-12 version, not the V6 or V8.
TomC:
DB7 GT is not that much different from outside. It has bootlid spoiler and crome surrounding fog lights and grilles. It costs $5,000 more (that's dealer say), but I doubt there will be discount. They will only produce this car for year 2003, so it will be very unique. 60% buyer choose automatic (another dealer claim). I don't live in New York area, but I can post pictures.
MEnthusiast:
I agree with you on this, they all depreciate. It's only car. The happiness of our soul is the most important thing in our life. If we worry too much about money, then we become a slave of money. I am glad that you're happy with your Z8. I will post pics
Silverstreak:
I haven't driven it, I will though this weekend. I may not be cramped, Im only medium height, less than 6'.
automatic?!!! nooooo!!!! j/k- if you want auto, then get it.
the time I spend in the Z8 is by far my best alone time. but this does not compare to time spent with wife and daughter- unless one or both is mad at me (very rare), then I have an excellent escape pod!
Because Henrik Fisker, the father of the BMW Z8 and Vanquish, told me so.
He is designed the DB8 and told me that it is FAR better than the DB7, and will be light years ahead of the Z8 as well. He says that it will be a truly exciting car worth waiting for-- it will be even better than the current Vanquish.
Straight from the man himself, no bullshit.
I had the opportunity to talk with him after I basically tormented him through the Santa Monica Mountains with a 740i Sport, giving chase on his tail while he was in a DB7 Vantage Volante company car. I had no problems keeping up with him, and trust me, he is a very good driver!
Too bad BMW lost such a genius. Now we are stuck with a tasteless American running the joint, while Ford has hired away some of the more brilliant Germans. Irony, eh?
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Last edited by Hamann7; 1st November 2002 at 20:54.
Originally posted by Hamann7 I say wait for the DB8...
Too bad BMW lost such a genius. Now we are stuck with a tasteless American running the joint, while Ford has hired away some of the more brilliant Germans. Irony, eh?
Surely hope they fix up the interior of Ford's luxury brand models a bit. Albeit some very classy designs, the interior switchgear of some of the AM's look like they came straight from the regular Ford parts bin.
I can tell you that when you find a car you "love" and if you can afford it, it is totally worth it and I have been very happy with my "Z8 dividends program" 
Kevin
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