Market Watch - Is it the time to buy a DB7?

Between 1994 and 2004, Aston Martin built over 7000 DB7s, making it one of the most successful Aston Martin cars ever built. The DB7 is available in either coupe or convertible models, powered by a 3.2l. AJ6 Supercharged I6 or a 5.9l. V12.

27 years since the DB7 hit the road the price and demand have fluctuated, but in recent years the value has plateaued and could be on its way up. Thanks to the affectionate lens of nostalgia, you can look past the loaned components and enjoy the luxury of the leather interior, sitting comfortably in a cabin that feels almost classic in its analogue simplicity.

There are always slight risks when purchasing an Aston Martin DB7. Being almost 30 years old since it rolled into production you are expecting to find problems. Take those issues with a pinch of salt and you might have bagged yourself a future classic for under £35,000.

From our experience, the most popular DB7s are the late 90s and earlier 2000s DB7 Vantage Volante finished in Antrim Blue, Dark Green, and Silver. However, there are some DB7s you should try and avoid as the high mileage, early edition models maybe prone to more issues. Our advice is to thoroughly inspect the DB7 in question and understand its history. Most people that want a DB7 won't be put off by these slight problems, they understandably want a beautiful Aston Martin for under £35,000.

The key selling point of a DB7 is its looks, designed by Ian Callum and Keith Helfet and engineered in conjunction with Tom Walkinshaw's TWR Group. The aggressive low body and the iconic front grille created a timeless beautiful Aston Martin.

In the current market, the DB7 can be valued from £16,000 for a high mileage 3.2 model up to £60,000 for a restored or almost new GT(A) Volante. However, in 2005 a good used standard DB7 was worth £25,000 to £30,000. In 2018 the number of UK-registered non-Vantage DB7 manuals went up meaning they are getting imported or the ones that are already here are being restored. Either way, these are signs of growing interest – and that should mean soon-to-be-growing values.

The trick is identifying when the price curve is starting to head back up and buying something good before it does.

Should I buy a DB7?

There are several areas you need to look at to find a quality DB7. The DB7 in question needs to have low mileage, extensive history files, matching numbers, and bodywork in good condition.

In the current market, purchasing a good quality DB7 and then restoring it to a brand new condition could yield more reward. Upon evaluation, there are very limited numbers of completely restored DB7s, which would make your vehicle rare and desirable.

You may ask yourself why should I buy from an Aston Martin specialist? Preserving and restoring a DB7 requires a specialist eye. At Aston Workshop we have decades of experience restoring and repairing Aston Martins. A prime example is rust, we will remove the rust and repair the problem whereas a garage may only plate over the area or farm it out to a specialist. We can transport your DB7 to and from our workshop, as well as completing a thorough service on the car. As an Aston Martin specialist, we have the capabilities and the expertise to buy, sell, repair, and restore modern and classic Aston Martins. This reassures the customer that their Aston Martin is in capable hands.

At Aston Workshop we will be able to part or fully restore your DB7 depending on its condition and your requirements.

To conclude we do feel like it is the right time to buy a DB7 because we expect to see a modest increase in value as the rarity of desirable models continues. This year we anticipate that a cherished DB7 is to become a prime example of a sought-after Aston Martin.  

In our showroom, we currently have two DB7s for sale, a 2003 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage V12 Volante and a 2003 Aston Martin DB7 V12 Vantage Coupe. Both have done under 45,000 miles and they are a great example of an emerging classic Aston Martin that won't break the bank.