I've loved the Aston Martin marque since I was a kid in the 1960s. But I would never buy one due to the extreme maintenance and repair costs....

 

Running costs aside ... the SC inline 6 is interesting. How many XJS owners have thought about dropping a XJR/6 engine into their cars? And here it is done at the factory.

 

+1

As I said above, the DB7 is poor and should be avoided.

The V8 Vantage/DB9 era saw huge improvements, but good pre-owned examples are still too expensive for me, as I would basically be using it as a toy. Maybe in another year or two...

 

The DB7 is one of the most beautiful cars in the world. But like the xk8, it looks better in a coupe body and not red. The Aston would probably hold its value better too. I would look for a Vantage, much better than the old I6 cars

 

Parts for the DB7 cost 5 times what similar parts for the XK8 do.

 

Semi-true. The I6 cars have essentially a jag motor, really cheap to run. The v12 cars costs more to run compared to an xk8. But it's all the what your comparing it too.. XK8 parts are dirt cheap.

 

This is no exaggeration: a couple of weeks ago a client asked me to source a replacement plastic front grille for his DB7.

I called the AM factory in England and was quoted... $920 + VAT + shipping

 

I have had several Jags and Astons...I would never own another Aston.
Even my latest, Aston DB9 was rubbish compaired to my Jag XKR.
Funny as they look so much alike.

 

Interesting. Why do you say 'rubbish'? Can you be more specific? I was looking at getting a 5.0 XKR instead of a V8 Vantage - a lot more power and a lot cheaper, but I still found myself hankering after that badge & sexy bodywork...

 

Not nearly as reliable, the ride is not nearly as good, nor the handling. And as stated, parts are off the chart..IF you can get them. The dealer network in small, the fit ad finish on the Aston is not as good as the Jag.. The systems are over complicated on the Aston. Every one I have owned has leaked fluids...and thats just the easy stuff that comes to mind.

 

Strange turn of events!!
I took my xk8 to my dealer in Charlotte and they had just taken in a 2000 DB7 for trade on a new F type. It was black with black top. They made me an offer of trade for my 2002 XK8 plus 16000.00. Now, I just finished my Arden kit, new wheels, tons of upgrades and custom improvements. The DB7 was, frankly, ragged!! Seats were quite worn, interior felt sloppy. Outside not so bad but wheels were all curbed. Needed new tires. Had 120,000 miles.
I drove it and it felt so cheap compared to my XK8.
Two of the sales men said my XK8 was WAY nicer than the Aston.
I'm sure I'd have to put a ton of $ in it. There were several fluid drops under it when they pulled it out for me to drive!!

 

Not that I have any level of expertise on the matter, just general impressions, but, I think that an Aston is really for a very wealthy person who can buy a new one and have Aston responsible for whatever happens while it is under warranty. That rich guy then trades it in on some other such car when the warranty runs out.

Companies that make cars like that are not concerned with the second or third purchaser several years down the line,it is all about SELLING NEW CARS to rich guys.

As hard as it is to find independent guys who can work on Jaguars, I'd hate to try to find one who would work on an Aston, unless you were in one of our very large cities, and then you would pay a premium price on everything they did.

It seems that one of the great things about our Jags is that a lot of people can work on and repair the most common problems themselves.

 

Thats one theory, but even under warranty..there is no comparison to a decerning car guy.
Mine were under warranty and still not up to par in every aspect compaired to the Jags.

 

I recognize that ad. Seller is probably 20 minutes away from me.
If you like, I can go check it out and report back. I'm curious if the handling is more fun.

 

Thanks for the offer but I've talked to my mechanic and, even though he said he could work on it, the cost would be too high. And since finishing my body kit on my XK8, I've decided to keep it.
I drove a similar one a couple weeks ago and wasn't impressed. And side by side, my xk8 was actually more impressive. Even the dealer said my xk8 was better looking!! Indeed!!!

 

I remember being like 10 years old when my dad took his VDP to the Jaguar dealer for routine maintenance and waiting there, and seeing a BRG XKR leave the garage and being taken out for a test drive. I remember I thought I had seen an Aston, I was all giddy about it.

 

I admit to also being fond of XKR in BRG. Recognizing there are many pretty cars out there, I still am content having found the most lovely made during the last generation...






regards

david

 

I prefer the jaguar.