2003 Aston Martin DB7 GT Review - Misunderstood Masterpiece or Jumped Up Jaguar?
In today's video I look at the Aston Martin DB7 GT. A runout version of the incredibly important DB7, the GT was aimed at a more sporting customer. However, with underpinnings from a 1970s Jaguar and an engine cobbled together from old Mondeo bits, can the DB7 justify its asking price?
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My memory of the Aston Martin DB7 was its appearance in the first Johnny English film in 2003.
Me too! My heart always stopped a second when it's hanging in the air. XD
Me too, was 3 or 4 back then
Goldeneye made its debut and it was and still is gorgeouss!
Same haha.
A friend of the family used to edit a magazine and was given a DB7 Vantage Volante press car for the weekend when I was about 12. He took me for a drive. One of the highlights of my childhood. Fabulous thing.
The first proper DB7 GT review since the early 2000s. I'm in love.
Having all those Ford parts is a good thing; it's much easier to find parts that are not insanely priced. Plus, unlike earlier cars, the engineering isn't from outer space 100 years ago
Yep. Well said. The Ford parts WORK. Snobs who demand exclusivity and custom knobs and switches should go and play elsewhere.
And Jaguar produced the veneered sets for that model.
I remember seeing a brand new one of these in Manchester Airport for a competition prize in the early 2000's and thinking how iffy the finish was on the paintwork,but also being baffled as to why the list price was so incredibly high.
Only 84 RHD DB7 GT's were made, first Aston to have a twin plate clutch, larger brakes 100mph to 0 in 5 secs, Vanquish brake assist,, 20% stiffer suspension, 50% more down force, short throw gear linkage, active exhaust, over the standard DB7 Vantage V12. Engine produces 460bhp (measured on dyno) the DB7 GT out performed the more expensive Vanquish so the published figures were reduced so not to upset Vanquish owners who had paid another £60k on top of the DB7 GT for a slower Aston.
I’m biased but the Xkr is better looking. The front of the DB7 is perfect though.
Drooling over this car, magnificent
Oh I could listen to that V12 wailing away all day every day, and never get bored of it.
It is a masterpiece
Visually yes .. takes more than that though
Always been intrigued by the DB7, if Iyou ignore the Mazda 323 tail lights I think it looks brilliant and has aged very well, there is one in the same colour as this that lives down the road from me. Looks as good as it did back in the early 2000's. That one is a straight 6 though. I'd definitely have the GT model 😊
has that blobvy look though
Love these, the v12 noise is gorgeous in person
I’ve just found this video after commenting on another one that you should review a DB7!😂 The DB7 is my absolute favourite car, I’ve seen plenty around my way but never managed to have a really good look at one. Such a gorgeous car. Great video 👍
Great review James. I've owned a manual db7 v12 for a while now and love it. Great value for money.
The best looking Aston in my opinion. The 90s/ early 2000s interiors of luxury cars are just gorgeous. They don't make then like that anymore!
DB9, Vanquish gen 1&2, DBS V12, Rapide, Vantage, DBS Superleggera would like to differ from your assessment.
I think the DB7 has aged really badly and the interior isnt great and far to cramped.
Ian Callum saved Aston. I remember Victor Gauntlet & for a pure British handbuilt V8 machine that drinks too, I have soft spot for the old school Osca India, last of the true Aston’s in my view. Thankyou J & always entertaining watching your vids!
What an excellent review of such a wonderful car. I have to agree with you on those NA V12s. My dad’s friend had an xj-s which he let me drive like I stole it, even though I had only just gotten my driver’s license. By today’s standards not a powerful car, and even then I found the gearbox to be dreadfully sluggish, but I just loved the way that engine delivered its power, and even today I still long for the sound of that engine as I took it all the way to the redline..
James, the way you describe cars is brilliant. "Wallet busting" etc...
Thankyou - appreciate it :)
I remember these, sick cars!! One of my favorites of the mid 90's through early 2000's era.. These and the Maserati 3200 are two of my very favorite cars! Great memories of seeing these everywhere back in those days. Very elegant beautiful cars I always thought they both were :)
The straight 6 supercharged engine was actually a slant 6 - it was the AJ6 from Jaguar. I remember back in 1989-90 blasting a hacked together XJ40 with that prototype engine crammed in the front. 0-60 in 4 and a bit seconds which when you're wearing a crash helmet really hurts.
Beautiful. I always felt the comparison with the XK8 was always somewhat as an attempted slight. In truth, that's like saying "oh you have a 18Ct white gold ring? That's just based on an 18Ct Yellow gold one really". Neither are a bad thing, and it feels slightly snobbish and bitter to try and pull down the Aston by using something, which in isolation is lovely, as a negative. Cosworth still even now build some of the best engines to grace the tarmac of the world, after all, this is the self same Cosworth who gave us the almighty DVF. If anybody can take the already excellent ford V6 and combine it into a sonorous V12, I would trust Cosworth over almost anyone. After all, nobody beats down the Bugatti Veyron or the Bentley Continental for "basically being cobbled together Golf VR6 engines" even though the comparison is a like-for-like as done here.
Hi Jay. You've driven a vast amount of cars since you started this channel. Any chance of a top 10 best cars you've ever driven?
I absolutely hate top 10 nonsense... But I'd absolutely watch this
I should do that shouldn't I?
@@JayEmmOnCars Please do
What would it be based on though? Engagement? Comfort? Ownership prospect? Feel good factor ? Or could do a scorecard of all categories and add them up 🤔. Definitely a video I'd watch though 👍
@@JayEmmOnCars please do. Also do categories like best steering feel, best sound, best chassis, etc etc
Always love to see actual colors - like this (almost) white and blue in the interior. 💙🤍 Lovely. 💙🤍
It is such a striking car that DB7 GT, I do agree on the lower lights a bit too big. A bit like the Nissan Juke’s 👀 if I may extend. But the looks and the pace alone propels it well ahead 😎 Keep up the great content James!✌🏼
The driving experience contrast between this and a 3 speed automatic XJS is incredible...same platform!
Love these cars properly underrated
Great review. There's a hidden reason for those rear seats in the DB7 and Jaguar XK. Infact many manufacturers do it, silly impractical rear seats fit for carrying hardly anyone are common. The reason is the insurance premium is cheaper on a four seater. A two seater GT would be classed as an out and out sports model, pushing the car into even higher categories.
Great review! The diff noise is more than likely the diff output shaft bearings going bad. With the way the Jaguar IRS is made, a good part of the weight of the rear of the car is put on these 2 bearings. I have this issue in my XJ40 and I'll have to replace them.
Only Aston Martin I drove was a a then new DB7 Convertible. Was a quick run around am industrial estate. Was something to always remember. Love Aston Martins since..
Great video as always, have a quick question, where are you getting these prices from? A quick browse through auto trader shows you can expect to pay between 25-30 for a good standard DB7 and then about 35 or so for a GT, wondering if I’ve gone mad 😂
I was about 14 when the DB7 was introduced, and it was the first car I ever truly fell in love with. I think it was also the car that made me into a petrolhead. Alas, life took me down a path incompatible with Aston ownership, but the want one factor is still very much there. Would I chose one over a DB9? Abso-bleeding-lutely.
Great vid. I had no idea that the underpinnings for these derived from xjs… learn something new 👍
Before DB9 comes out I thought nothing can peak the look of DB7, but then DB9 blew it out of the water.
At the time, I would have agreed with you. Now though, I'm not so sure. I think time has been more kind to the DB7, and it's definitely the one I'd choose if I could. The DB9 is a better car, but for me, it's nowhere near as good.
Always have prefered the DB7 over the DB9. To each their own I guess
@@matthewgodwin3050 Maybe I'm blind, but I think the original DB9 is one of the prettiest cars I've ever seen.
DB7>DB9 Idk why people love the DB9 I don’t see it
@S K It's just a shame the DB11 doesn't have an N/A V12.
Iconic car but i'd still have the XKR : All right not an Aston but i'm not a badge snob. The ride is sublime, every day usability is much better, looks better IMO... oh and that V8 supercharged whine is so addictive
Smart man.
This is still my dream car, unfortunately here in Singapore, road tax annually could get me a Hublot.
And 90KPH (55MPH) speed limit, congested motorways and no fun urban roads to enjoy. Still would not want the Hublot, Maybe a boat?
Always thought these were stunning!
Love these cars I remember jeremy clarkson driving a manual one on top gear
I looked at the DB7 over the XKR but I went for the Jaguar instead because I figured it would be cheaper to maintain and repair. They are also cheaper. I also liked the interior of the XK8/R more. Plus fuel economy is much better in the XKR comapred to the V12 DB7. I don't think I regret buying the Jag over the Aston, it's jus tmore practical with very similar performance.
I think the golfer Padraig Harrington has one of these. Classy guy classy car.
Those looks with V12 and manual sounds like a combination that's tough to beat. I've read the original Jaguar version had the same frame, but was going to have similar front and rear as the XJ220.
When DB7 Vantage came out, there were already Ferrari 360 & Porsche 996 Turbo on the market. Remember Aston was the most expensive with around 247.000 German Marks, Turbo was 235K and the Ferrari the cheapest with 222K for the Modena Coupé in Germany. Good old days 😌
Hi Jay. I think that you are giving here a review of a traditional DB7 while you are driving a GT. Exept for a few cosmetic differences (wheels, louvres, instruments, spoiler)and a slight difference in power, I have to point out that the GT and GTA (automatic version) have a completely different suspension than a regular DB7 (see previous review from TOP Gear). In addition, the GT and GTA were produced in very limited numbers... +/- 200 examples....
Hopefully one day I may be able to drive the regular version to see how it compares
It's a beautiful car and with the V12 it's got the right engine. The Aston V12 is a gem, it's powered some truly jaw dropping and iconic cars in the Aston lineage. Love the colour combination... But surprised by the small cabin.
Thanks J!
Interesting but very subjective comments. Most people forget that common parts policy was and is common among all major manufacturers. And quality: Nobody wants to seriously claim that, for example, the quality of the interior of a Porsche 996, equipped with the cheapest plastic switches and plenty of plastic in the cockpit, is even a touch better than that of the DB7. And the Ferraris weren't the highlights of quality either. Not to mention the dissolving soft-touch surfaces in the BMW and Mercedes in the late 90s and early 2000s, which today look like sunburned skin. And think about which other Gran Tourismo there were with a V12 and manual transmission at the end of the 90s. There aren't many competitors left. That is why the prices for the DB7 are rising rapidly here in Germany For me, the DB7 and the XKR are timeless design beauties, but that's again subjective.
Man that interior is shockingly nice though. You still can’t go wrong with loads of high quality leather on every surface imho
My old boss had one to replace the 6 cyl supercharged. That was crap but the v12 was old school brilliance I love it
One of my favourite all re cars is the Subaru STi bugeye. Please do a review of that
The V12 engine is not two Ford V6s stuck together, that story phony has long been discounted by the actual designers of the engine. There is a great video by the AMOC on the topic. It was initiated as an unique engine initially started at Ford with finishing touches by TWR and Cosworth. It is in no way two Duratek engines welded together.
Had a 2000 V12 Vantage with the early auto gearbox, bought it for an absolute bargain, did spend most of my time fixing annoying faults, more to do with trim than anything major. Also spent a lot of time at the local Shell petrol station ⛽. I'm 6ft 3 and can agree it was a little 'cramped' and it certainly wouldn't have driven as well as the GT you're reviewing. But ended up holding on to it for 3 years, which isn't bad, considering it was going to be a quick summer flip. Definitely not the easiest car to sell mind even, even after I'd ironed out most of the niggly faults!
a friend of mine had the manual and spent a lot of time frustrated with various faults It was a manual convertible, but the electrics were a headache; the door fits very poor, the alarm malfunctioned and performance and interior appointments - only average. Into auction hammer price under £20 bags
One of the last truly pretty cars along with the 355. Always makes me smile when I see the Mazda 323 rear lights, and on earlier models mk1 mx5 interior door handles on the DB7 and how well they worked with what they had. (Mind you, the xj220 had 1989 Rover 200 tail lights)
would love to watch your review of a 330i e91 272 bhp one day
Nice. DB7s suddenly looked old when the DB9 came out but now I think the 7s have aged much better. Elegance that's missing from modern designs.
I complimented the shirt you were wearing in your video yesterday and asked a question that I was genuinely curious about and get a response I’d expect from a knob
What was the question? Edit, found it and my reply. Not sure why you'd take offence at it - I thought it was a reasonable response to your question?
@@JayEmmOnCars is baseball a popular sport over in the UK
@@charlie1832 Not really. Nowhere near like it is in the USA. NFL getting popular though.
Lmao wtf
Hi James, how does the V12 DB7 compare to your 550?
Jaguar XK had cruise control feature which ment it was better at grand touring. I would love to drive DB7 on the weekends and XKR on a long journey.
Morning everyone 🌻
Oh dear, Victor; I do hope you're not going to be doing any cheerful whistling. 💤 😁
JayM. Astons are always superior sir ! Love to see you behind the wheel of a 'Grand Tourer' that suits your style ? V.
This is my car that i used to own! loved driving it
its mine, I use it almost daily; still find the clutch a bugger, did you?
@@maxnicholls7254 yup , particularly in 4th gear, it would catch which was a problem. Still i loved driving the car & the roar of the 6 litre V12 never got old!!
15:27 The flashing sign explains exactly why this sort of car is now completely pointless if you do not live near an Autobahn.
I love that the front of my Fiat Punto Evo does actually resemble the front of the DB7 XD
Tom Walkinshaw (a bit of a character ha ha oh yes) I was at Le Mans in ‘88, nuff said. Took us 3 days to get back home to Blighty, French beer eh?
Beautiful exterior, interior reminds me of an early 2000s fast ford
Was going to ask about the taller driver. Not much chance of getting my 6ft6 frame in comfortably then :)
You almost make it sound like the DB7 and XK8 were the same car, they shared the same underpinning that was all, As you say the car was originally designed by TWR/JaguarSport as a replacement for the XJS You can see the JaguarSport (XJ220) styling cues all over the DB7, Headlamp shape, Side rear window shape and especially the wheels on the early cars, When we first saw the car it was a Jag, Jag Grill and Bonnet and front wings all in one a la E-Type with black tape applied to show the proposed "Aston" styling, Because of that and because the Cars never came close to Newport Pagnell they were never accepted as a proper Aston by the guys there, Walter Hayes (Motor industry royalty and a really nice guy) got together with TW (Bit of an arse) and did the deal and project NPX was born, As you stated the V12 was (at prototype stage) literally 2 Mondeo V6s welded together, The engineering for the V12 was done at Newport so that was slightly more acceptable (but still a Jag in drag) The relays in the DB7 USM have Aston Martin stickers on them, If you peel these off it says "Jaguar" underneath :-) I think I'm the only person alive who thinks the DB7 is a very unbalanced looking car, I never liked it, But I have to say Ian Callum's later work is fabulous, The F-Type is probably the most perfectly styled car ever (Until the recent facelift)
granturismo mc stradale? would live to see a review of that
Miss my '97 xk
Hard to believe that at the time this car came out they had James Bond driving a BMW! The DB7 was the real successor to the E-Type.
I was just reading about these last night. Are you stalking me, JayEmm??
My lady passed away on August 8th after very long illness. One-time trying to cheer her up I said that an Aston Martin would make me a far more attentive husband and a better man. To be sure she would still have to go back and forth to hospitals and doctors appointments but would it not be far more enjoyable in an Aston than an ambulance or our own car which is a 2002 Toyota Corolla? I showed her pictures online of the db7. She said it's so pretty I love it how much did they run for? and I told her. She of course said no. But but did say it would be a lovely car for us to go for long drives together. I wish we had had the funds and picked one up. Although I'm 6 feet tall it would probably be rather cramped. But I'm certain that the drive would have been far more enjoyable with Samantha by my side.. perhaps someday.. even if it was one with a blown motor and a dropped transmission I'd sit in the driveway make vroom vroom sounds and have what rather one-sided conversation.. never been so sad. Finally get the last word. Lovely car.
Crack on racking those miles I know another rare car that’s getting the same daily treatment 😁
It's the XJS this is very similar to - not the XK. The DB7/XJS share loads of stuff underneath - floorpans, subframes, all suspension etc are interchangeable.
Like that intro
Way back when I tried a few DB7s and ended up buying an x100 XKR for half the price, the DB7 was the better car, price and cost of ownership meant that the x100 was just a better option for me and my wallet, a few months back I looked at DB9 and V8 vantage and ended up with an x150 XKR, the DB9 and especially V8 Vantage is the better car, but I was surprised to learn about all the issues with DB9 and Vantage, bodywork, the clutch, light clusters and just general build quality, the reserves you would need to hold back to fix potential problems put me off, I got a low mileage XKR in good condition for less than half the price of an AM with double the miles, I like it, but I still keep looking at used AMs.
Do you own a Ferrari 550 ? I think you may of mentioned it once or twice 😁
I prefer the lines of the Jag but then you couldn’t have the XK8/R with without the DB7 :)
I'm pretty sure the i6 DB7 was £69.950 at launch in 1994 and the V12 was £84K at launch in 2002..... I can still remember being late for School after watching Chris Evans driving very briefly the new DB7 on the Big Breakfast show....... those were the days - showing my age now but what an Amazing sight the DB7 was back then in 1994 to 14 year old me.
I nearly bought one of these for £20k but chose a 996 instead. Watching this has made me realise that was a terrible financial decision
great vid. still waiting on ohlins s2000 update!
They're on the car! Just trying to find the time to film. Might get lucky and do some tomorrow
@@JayEmmOnCars top man. 👍
A 90s gem!
Both new versions of the XJS were good, I prefer the DB7 looks but the XK8 price was better and had a V8 (but not the 4ltr). Aston servicing was much more too.
Ah one day! Another good one Jay, cheers mate 👍
Perhaps the most gorgeous car ever built.
Despite how relatively common they are I still think the Vantage is a better proportioned car.
@@Rhowhat That's a fair assumption :)
@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X 1977 V8 Vantage over this anyday.
@@DuBstep115 That's another beauty!
@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X Only proper European "muscle" car.
What's your opinion of Lotus future plans?
Love it, soo much Jonny English vibes
Would love to see a 991.2s with a remap on here.
Which version? 4 GTS 4S Carrera Carrera 4 GTS Carrera 4S Carrera GTS Carrera S Carrera T GT2 RS GT3 GT3 RS R Speedster Turbo Turbo S Bwhahahahah.. Porsche
@@CathodeRayNipplez he said S so clearly means the 991.2 Carrera S
@@gregmayled OH YES OF COURSE! How stupid of me. The lower case must have thrown me as it's not like Porsche naming convention is retarded or anything. Now for clarification.. Which 'S' variant exactly does he want to see as that now narrows it down to four. There's three others aside the Carrera S there Greg . Porsche... Bwhahahahah..
@@CathodeRayNipplez The 911 Carrera S is commonly referred to as the 911S
@@CathodeRayNipplez 991.2s is the same as carrera s ?
There is a 98 Volante for sale in Switzerland with guaranteed 4'600 km on the clock for $ 50'000. The car is basically new. I think it is a great car at that price and 12 cyl. are becoming an endangered species.
Hello Jay! Man , I enjoy your channel but I get concerned about you! You just get bigger and bigger.. Take care of yourself!
This kind of comment is not helpful
@@JayEmmOnCars Ok, sorry if it sounds wrong, we're just the same age, with a similar problem.. I have it under control for the moment! I wish you all the best!
My mate had one of these. Same colour also. I though it was a great car. He got rid of it for an Alpina B6 convertible which i thought was an inferior car.
Can get a DB7 Coupe in Au for £40,000 GBP (A Convertible starts at £75,000 GBP) Never seen a GT here let alone a manual. You asked.. "Can the DB7 justify its asking price?" Simple answer is NO. (Re:" underpinnings from a 1970s Jaguar and an engine cobbled together from old Mondeo bits") An investment in breakdowns and hassles.
There was only 1 imported into Australia.
The engine was a new design. Only the model of the engine shown off at a motor show was 2 ford V6s. The final one was not cobbled together.
Parts bin special The tail lights came from the Mazda 323 F, the Chrome door handles came from the Mazda 323 Estate, the turn signals came from the Mazda MX-5 and the interior door mirror switches came from the Ford Scorpio....high quality car lol
Beautiful car
I'd love one but I'd be worried about reliability.
The engine was hardly 'cobbled together from old Mondeo bits'. The Cosworth built V12 was based on the Ford Duratec V6 to put it more accurately.
And the Duratec V6 went in the Mondeo?
@@JayEmmOnCars yes it did. But 'cobbled' together is abit of an insult to Cosworth, it obviously wasn't as crude as that.
@@ahemgee9542 Architecturally fused I think would be the most accurate description
@Bugattisti apparently Porsche designed the original engine before selling the plans to Ford who had it further developed by Cosworth .
@Bugattisti yeah that's what I said above
I love this aston
For me the Most real AM will always be the DB5 welcome Mr Bond you still our best agent why we supply you with the Best car on earth, my choice
What happened with BMW video? Why it's deleted?
Most of us would want a build quality like the Aston's for a 2021 car.
In my humble opinion this is the most beautiful car Aston has ever made.
Fun fact: Jaguar was going to introduce an XKRR but it was dropped for this