About the Aston Martin DB7
The DB7 marked a turning point for Aston Martin, becoming the company's most successful model at the time with over 7,000 units built. Early cars (1994-1999) featured a supercharged 3.2-litre straight-six engine producing 335bhp, whilst the later DB7 Vantage (1999-2004) received a 420bhp 6.0-litre V12. Both engines were paired with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox.
Available as a coupe or Volante (convertible), the DB7 combined traditional Aston Martin elegance with modern build quality courtesy of its development alongside Jaguar components. The car delivered genuine 165mph performance in Vantage form, with the V12 models particularly sought after. Special editions include the GT, GTA and limited-run Zagato variants, all commanding premium prices.
What Affects the Price
V12 Vantage models command significantly higher prices than the supercharged six-cylinder cars, often £15,000-£30,000 more for equivalent examples. Manual gearboxes are rarer and typically add £5,000-£10,000 to values compared with automatics. Coupes generally cost less than Volante convertibles, with a £10,000-£15,000 gap between body styles.
Mileage impacts value considerably, with sub-50,000-mile examples attracting premiums of 20-30% over higher-mileage cars. Full service history, particularly from Aston Martin specialists or main dealers, is essential for strong values. Desirable colours like Racing Green, Mendip Blue and classic silvers hold value better than unusual shades. Special editions, especially the Zagato and GT models, can exceed £150,000 in exceptional condition.
Buying Tips
Inspect thoroughly for corrosion around wheelarches, sills and door bottoms, as rust can be expensive to repair properly. Check the supercharger on six-cylinder models for bearing noise and ensure the V12's timing chains have been serviced at recommended intervals. Test the electrics comprehensively, including windows, mirrors, seats and air conditioning, as faults can be costly to diagnose and fix.
Ensure the clutch operates smoothly on manual cars, as replacement is a gearbox-out job costing several thousand pounds. Verify that all service history is present and check for evidence of recent major maintenance like cambelt changes on the six-cylinder or timing chain work on V12s. Budget £2,000-£3,000 annually for maintenance plus repairs. An independent pre-purchase inspection from an Aston Martin specialist is highly recommended given the potential costs of rectification work.