Aston Martin DB7 vs Jaguar XK8 - Review & Comparison (1997)
Join John Stanley as he delves into the world of British luxury sports cars, pitting the power-packed Aston Martin DB7 against the sleek Jaguar XK8.
Testing their performance, handling, and practicality, witness the clash of the 370bhp XK8 with its monstrous 4.0L Supercharged V8, and the elegant DB7 boasting a 3.2L Supercharged V8 churning out 335bhp.
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss a video!
------------------
Enjoyed this video? Don't forget to LIKE and SHARE the video and get involved with our community by leaving a COMMENT below the video!
Check out what else our channel has to offer and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Men & Motors for more classic car and motorbike content! Why not? It is free after all!
Men & Motors Channel: / menandmotors
Subscribe to Men & Motors: kzhead.info...
Our website: menandmotors.com/
-------------------------------------- Social Media --------------------------------------
Facebook: / menandmotors
Instagram: @menandmotorstv
Twitter: @menandmotorstv
If you have any questions, e-mail us at talk@menandmotors.com
© Men and Motors - One Media iP 2023
It's been my dream to own a jaguar xk8, and last Friday I bought one! it's stunning, it's ridiculously fast,;and I just can't stop looking at it. such a beautiful car.
Same for me always wanted and just bought a 2000 coupe in blue less than a week ago No doubt their stunning cars
Nice one! Mines also a 2000 coupe, but in silver. My other car isn't getting a look in at the moment! Lol. Looking forward to taking it to the car shows this year.
+Andy M congratulations!
+KayScotts congratulations!
Bought myself this week a xkr, black on black with dark brown wood, 94k kilimeters from the second owner. It drives like a limo or as a potent sportscar. Just looking at it gives me a hard on..
The xk8 was so underappreciated it was criminal. It had a great mix of style, luxury and everyday drivability.
Most jaguars are underrated At least here in the US
Agreed
Mechanically they're a failure
Santana T. Wouldnt say that In the past, yes indeed But the modern ones arent really bad
Just out of curiosity, at what year do you consider the modern Jaguars starting? I want one but don't want to get one with issues. I heard it was approximately 2003. Thanks.
What a refreshing change from the contemporary, manic, wise cracking, superficial TV style!
two of the best looking cars of the 90's!
And f355 and e39 5er great era for some cars stylewise. Others less so
Give me a hell yeah.
The XK8 still looks good, and even though the Aston badge has more prestige I'd rather have the Jag parked outside.
I was somewhat pleased to learn the XK8 was originally going to be called F-Type. Growing up I was always fond of the Jag & today am fortunate enough to have owned 2; an F-Type & F-Type R.
My dad had a purple 1998 Jaguar XK8 for 14 years. Full engine replacement after 8 years, BUT! Asides from that was such a beauty to behold growing up. Needless to say I'll be getting one in the near future. :)
i love my jaguar 1997 xk8 convertible. best car
I remember when I was a little boy seeing for the first time the xj models and falling in love with that awesome style. I own a xjr got at at a good deal and slowly bringing her back to its former glory. love my jag.
The valet mode button is to limit access to certain part of the car. Boot, fuel flap and in a Mercedes the glove box.
The Jag XK8 has aged much better than the Aston. It was always better looking. Pay less, get more.
They are both stunning aston less so at the rear
No, the DB7 didn't have a 3.2L V8. It was a 3.2L inline-6. And you've definitely had time to correct the description. :P
I love the xk8 it's such a beautiful car.
I love driving my 97 XK8 convertible!
Wonderful presentation. I'd take the DB7 but only as a Coupe and with the V12 and of course with a manual stick shift. In some years the prices of those will skyrocket.
Both cars are truly works of art! BUT, i think the Jag gets my vote. Aside from the 'cache' of the Aston Martin badges, engine, and style elements, it really doesn't have that much on the XK8. Additionally, for few more thousand, you could get an XKR with nearly 400hp which would blow the doors off of that DB7. I was ounce told by a senior Jag and Aston service technician that the DB7 wasn't really much more than a "hand made" XK8 with a different body and mechanical components. Most Jags are incredibly beautiful cars that stand the test of time, with regards to styling. They have also 'always' looked different/unique and stood out from all the other cars!
The "hand made" DB7 is also fully covered of Connoly's leather (except the roof in Alcantara). While the Jaguar is full of Skaï (imitation leather) on the side and bottom of seats and plastics are widly used (top of dashboard, door trims...). For me this makes a big difference, I hate Skaï.
Both cars used Connolly Leather until they went out of business The DB7 then used Bridge of Weir leather while Jaguar used Pasubio leather from Italy The entry XK8 had WRdle Storey PVC on non touch areas of the seats but most trim levels had full Pasubio Highline leather on the seats. Never heard of Skai
Oh, I forgot to add that the veneer dash and door panels on the Aston were made in the Jaguar Veneer Centre in Browns Lane using mahogany or walnut curls ( not burls)
The Jag is beautiful but it doesn't match the DB7 as a Coupe. Also, the Jag can't keep up with the DB7 as a V12. The DB7 V12 Coupe is the better car in every aspect.
@@v10cylinder The performance difference is marginal when driving on the public highway. Is the DB 100% better to go with its price tag?
I love the Xk8 series, with the silky smooth lines. I had to buy an XKR in 2013 and it is amazing. I remember going out to the garage just to look at it . Never loved a car before, but the way it handles, looks and takes off with 5.2 liters, 510hp and 467 #s tk , well it just checks all the boxes....
4.2 litres and 370 Bhp actually.
I love this guy’s presentation.. and with that suit he looks like a missing cast member from Miami Vice!
I have a 2005 XKR x100. and just spent 14,000 usd on a refinish of motor car, brakes tires , BBS wheels, hubs, trim rings, all new LED lights, redyed the top, reupholstered the Recaros with proper UK Hyde Co. Connely leather, (new top end w/titanium valves and port & polished heads, etc. for 9.4 K usd earlier). Why? That is how good this car is. It is gorgeous, constant head turner, fast- great on the road and the track, and a babe magnet that has to be seen to be believed. Driving this car is the most fun I have ever had with my clothes on.
I just don't get how Aston justifies double the price of the Jag. With the Jag, you get all the beautiful styling, luxury interior, strong engine, and British charm of the Aston...for half the price. The Aston is more of a sports car, but the Jag has plenty of power and handles well, too. The Jag is the easy choice.
Both beautiful cars but it would be the jag for me, loved everyone I have owned from way back in my youth in 1959 and I must add never from new always second hand.
These cars are so cheap now. I can find an XK8 for around 6k usd & the DB7 around 25k usd this year 2018. I'm definitely going to buy one, so affordable for the average joe
the aston looks far more dated than the xk. not to say it looks bad but the xk8 is beautiful
They aren't based on XKS it was an XJ-S or XJS
Correct. I thought it may have been a slip of the tongue but he said it twice.
If you are watching this and are as in love with these cars as I am, go for it. These two cars are a bargain now a days! $40,000 USD will get you a spotless xk8 or a near perfect XKR. Or go for a V12 DB7 (supercharged inline 6's are rare in the US). I know XKR owners who love their cars and many times got their parts from the local Ford dealerships (basically the same engine as the Lincoln LS).
***** I am talking about pristine low mileage cars that are as good as when they came off of the showroom floor. You have to pay a premium for those.
Just seen an 02 db7 for 30k and and a 10 XKR for same about.
@@flyingphoenix113 "Pristine low mileage" on an XK means "pay more for a car that still needs all its hoses and belts replaces, probably new tires as well, chains and tensioners and thermostat housing too. And the plastic octopus hose connectors. They break down with age" to be honest an adult owned 80-100k mile XK8 that has all servicing up to date, new hoses and the upgraded chains/tensioners, and has been used regularly is probably a better car than a 10k mile garage queen.
'Valet mode allows the vehicle to be driven and locked by a parking attendant, without giving access to the luggage compartment. Valet mode also prevents operation of the touchscreen, to prevent access to phone numbers or navigation addresses.' I've just bought a red '99 XKR in from Japan. It'll owe me NZ8K landed. Can't wait.
During this period, 90’s-mid 00’s, Aston Martin and Jaguar were basically the same company owned by Ford, and there were plenty of shared parts between them and specially between Aston Martin and other cars. Between the two of them, being honest and objective (and speaking as an AM fan) the Jaguar XK8 is far the better car over the AM DB7. PS. I wish the Jag came with a manual transmission, tho.
You could get an XK for £3-4K now and the Aston £15-20K
The DB7 is beautiful but ridiculously priced.
late 90s 2 doors are the best!
The 2003 DB7 and up to 2006 XK8 don't look much different than these 2 cars. Yes, they look amazing. I prefer the 2001 XKR silver stone and the V12 DB7 2000-2003.
Pug 406 coupe anybody
And c70 volvo
I'd have the XK. The DB7 is also good looking but the XK doesn't look as dated! Also, the DB7's taillights look like they came from a Japanese car, for some reason! And I've never before heard of that 3.2 Supercharged engine! What is it, an I6? A V6? A V8?
I dont get Aston Martin's price policy to this day because you get a beautiful car, ok, but with the reliability and quality of a shitty kit car and they depreciate like hell. Overall I think Jaguar is the better option at any point.
You're paying a premium for the badge.
Now that's what I call a wizard's haircut. He should do a hairstyle comparison with a mullet, and put that on KZhead for his next video.
XKS? That's a new one to me. Thought the XK8 was platformed off of the XJS.
The Jaguar is just exquisite. The Aston is nothing less either.
I'm on my 5th DB7 and love it!! The Jaguar is beautiful...don't get me wrong. But the Aston will always hold more value. It's a matter of production numbers.....About 90K Jaguar XK8s were made.......and around only 7K Aston DB7s! Rarity. In the US......the Jaguar XK8s now can be purchased for under $6K USD all day long across the country. Even running examples I've looked at for under $3K. Still love them both....but only in coupe version.
It's the end of 2023 and I just got a 05 XKR, the AM is not as appealing, and it's rear end looks like it should be on a 4dr sedan.
I have an XK8 in Gulf colours (Google it - ok, Marmite...) A superb, long-legged car. A bit thirsty as a daily - about 14mpg. On a run - 28-30. I've had it 5 years and won't part with it.
is yours a daily driver if it is how does it handle on a day to day basis
Yes, I use the car every day. Mostly short town stuff, hence the low mpg figure. Recently used it for a couple of weekend breaks of a couple of hundred miles each. A real pleasure. Very relaxed cruiser. Quiet (silent) comfy, silky smooth. You can use it a simple shopping car and it behaves impeccably. I also have a Jaguar XF which is amazing but the XK beats it on smoothness, speed and 'wow'. They are now creeping up in price. If you go for one, look for one with a full history that's clearly been looked after. The cheaper 'bargain' could cost mortgage money to put right. Also - get a warranty on it. Worth the expense for peace of mind.
thanks
The Dashpod of the XK8 is modelled after the shape of the wings of the Spitfires which were built at Browns Lane during WW2. That is History that the Aston Martin cannot match.
Spits were built at the Castle Brom plant, over 12,000 of the 22,000 total
Why didn't they use the XKR? Thats odd
launched in1998' this is before that.
angi733 oooh gotcha. thanks
Yes. The XK8 with V8 vantage and XKR with DB7/DB9.
In the Bond films, villains always drive a Jag, whereas Aston Martin is a gentleman's car.
There is a story that the XK8 ended up with the design originally meant for the DB7.
This guy looks so 90s! cool
Its the aston martin for me
Cannot help but wonder how Aston Martin would have evolved under Ford without the presence of Jaguar, the DB7 itself was largely derived from an abandoned Jaguar project along with the supercharged engine.
Awesome. Really.
Give me the Aston and "Cue the bond!"
2:45 - I'm not sure she'd like that.
Ahhhhh what nice style they are beautiful
gunslinger444
gunslinger444
I don't give a ripping fuck about the snobby British Aston Martin. I've been in love with the Jaguar since I first laid eyes on one in my 6th grade art teachers 1966 champagne colored coupe. I've coveted one, of any model, any style since.
LMAO!! A "RIPPING "??? Seriously, I was the same since the XJ introduced the then " new " body style in 1995. The 04 body is just a modern version of the 95 and I've owned 2 of them.
So, you prefer the snobby British Jaguar over the other snobby British car?
Valet mode allows the vehicle to be driven and locked by a parking attendant, without giving access to the luggage compartment. Valet mode also prevents operation of the touchscreen, to prevent access to phone numbers or navigation addresses.
this guy should have been on top gear
Adam Othman yeah of course 😂😂
Which was gonna called f-type good that they finally have the f type out!
Buchhalter007
Buchhalter007 - huh? Those were all words but made no sense in the order you put them. 😮
if you put the aston on a ramp you will see all jaguar mechanicals front suspension rear suspension diff the lot it's built on xjs platform. oh the engine is the old jaguar xjr prepared by tom walkingshaw.
Exactly. You are buying basically just the Aston badge. It's a Jaguar in drag and the Jaguar actually looks nicer.
I Love it
The XK8 is much more beautiful, has aged much better, the interior still looks great while the DB7's looks very dated, and the XK8 is the overall better car too. Not to mention despite the automatic transmission only, since the XK8 is lighter it is not really slower than the 6 cyl. DB7. The XK8 also looks more like a sports car today while the DB7 looks more like an old man GT, even though both are GTs.
Didn't Ford own Aston Martin and Jaguar back in 1997. .
Was that the all knowing John 'Denture' Stanley with the loose teeth dentures we sat at his knee whilst he pontificated..
That suit is so 90s
back day ford own Aston Martin &jaguar is cool right
JAGUAR!
still a great car
Me brother from another mother !!!!!
how much does that Aston cost now days
celonman Lowest price I seen on auto trader was like twenty thousand for the 3.2
celonman Lowest price I seen on auto trader was like twenty thousand for the 3.2
The XK8 has a much nicer interior
Valet is for when you get someone to park your car at the beach club. They cant steal it seemenly
both use jaguar engines....the 3.2 aston engine is an AJ16 jaguar designed engine...surprisingly the 3.2 variant and not the 4.0 ....in line 6 cylinder double overhead cam 24 valve as used in the X300 XJ series....the XK8 uses the V8 that replaced the AJ16....what is the better engine....the AJ16 without doubt - if it had been properly developed but did Aston do what could be done with the AJ16....sadly not....awful cast iron exhaust manifolds are identical to jag X300 ....camshaft selection was poor.....valve design was poor go buy an X300 4.0 jaguar XJR of 95/96 and you have (in 5 speed manua form) a faster car than the DB7 for a fraction of the price
Oh no....another stately home. The presenter must have borrowed that suit from a much larger friend
that jaguar omg...
Not sure my other half would appreciate being put in the boot. Oh, you didn't mean that.
The DB7 has a 3.2 Supercharged Inline-6...Not a V8.
whoohaaXL And the XK8 did not have a 4.0 Supercharged engine ... The supercharger was only fitted on the 4.2L XKR
You're right, I forgot about the limited edition.
Nowadays the suit would be two sizes two to small with visible socks.
So these two cars are powered by Ford engines?
Ford saved both these brands. Thank them
Nope. Common misconception. The Jaguar AJ16 (6 cylinder engine from various Jag saloons as well as the XKS and which was developed by TWR for use in the DB7) and the AJ-V8 that was launched in the XK8 and went on to see service in numerous Jaguar and Range Rovers were both designed by Jag trained and Browns Lane based engineer, Trevor Crisp and his team. When design options for the XK8 were being considered, Ford who had recently bought Jaguar, searched across its portfolio for a suitable motor with the specific outputs required and came up short. The AJ-V8 had been in development at Jag for some time prior to Ford’s takeover, so they agreed to the completion of the design and the unit went on to be developed and used in various cars for over 2 decades, only recently production.
And Ford US took the desig, shortened the stroke and reduced capacity to 3.9 litres and used it in the Lincoln LS. They also bought their veneer trim components from the Browns Lane veneer centre, and used Bridge of Weir leather, a Jaguar supplier.@@gerardbooth40
Too!
What’s he talking about.....tacky....what a wanker..!!..there is nothing tacky about an xk8..!!...it’s an extremely brilliant car..!!
The one huge difference which is not mentioned is that the body and frame of an Aston is aluminium, which is not going to rust. The Jaguar is steel, and we all have seen what happens to that. I realize that aluminium can be made to corrode by scraping the paint off and immersing it in salty water on a regular basis which will form aluminium oxide, but who does that?
Wrong , the AM has a Jaguar XJS platform. It is a steel monocoque chassis with composite nose cone and bonnet.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. If you want to be happy every day, buy an XK-8, I have two, needless to say I'm a very happy man.
I know this is an old video but this guy it talking absolute bollocks, What is an XK-S ?? It's XJ-S, As for Ian Callum taking his design cues from a DB4, Total and utter bollocks, the DB7 was originally designed to be an XJ-S replacement by Jaguarsport (TWR) The original prototype was in the form of a Jaguar, I know I saw it when we (Aston Martin employees) were taken to Bloxham to see it, It was then very slightly restyled to be an Aston ................ Sorry but if you are going to make videos about cars at least get your facts straight.
Xks.??? Xjs.
XKS? I think he means XJS. And XK13? Nope. It's XJ13.
The XJ was a saloon, the XK name was given to the Coupes before the F-Type
Tim Cansiz Google "Jaguar XJ13", "Jaguar XJS", "Jaguar XJR-15", and "Jaguar XJ220". There are others but, you'll find that the "XJ" moniker was used on a number of non-saloon Jaguar models.
"XJ" stands for Experimental Jaguar.
2:29 What the fuck is a XKS ?
This guy is CLUELESS. The Jag is an all new car, new engine, new chassis. The DB7 is a re-skinned 1995 XJS. They are NOT related in anyway and the presenter seems to suggest they are derivatives of each other. The share almost NO parts.
I know, where was he getting his information? More likely just making it up because it was a more neat presentation that way. But as far as I know the only thing they share is the floorpan.
And here I thought it was common knowledge that both the DB7 and the XK8 platforms were developed from the XJ-S platform. You might want to look that up, John Rock. Also, calling the DB7 a re-skinned XJ-S means you don't know much about the history of any of these two cars. Also of interest, Jaguar developed a new V8 for the XK8, but in the Aston in this clip there's an inline 6 that's based on Jaguars AJ6 engine. Nothing wrong with that, it's a great engine and with TWR's modifications I can only assume it's a nice little beast to drive.
@@C64SX Actually the aston was born from the Jaguar XJ41 which was supposed to be the F type back in the early 90s
Yep, clueless and has all the screen presence of a scaffolding plank to boot.
Stylistically-wise, arguably, the Jag wins. The Aston Martin is just a phantom 'James Bond' fantasy fallacy.
The Aston isn't as pretty as the jag.
That Aston is miles better than that Jag
@@CarringtonHollister Underneath, the Aston IS a Jag'. By the time they launched the DB7 Aston had lost their engineering capabilities. They built the DB7 on the previous generation Jaguar XJs from the 1970s! It used the then ancient Jaguar straight six, later there was a version with a Jaguar V12. The XK on the other hand was an entirely new platform and drivetrain. If you've driven both you know that the Jag is a far superior car. Styling is a matter of opinion, both look very similar.
@@mrc7966, you are talking silly things: XK (X100) has the same chassis as DB7 which is an evolution of XJS, they have a reason to have the same underpinnings since at that time both brands were owned by Ford and they didn't want to invest into completely new models for both brands and Jaguar was quite far into the development of XJS successor which was to be named F-type but dropped it due to monstrosity that XJ220 as a project was and TWR that raced XJSs before took all the pieces came to Ford approved the project and then completed it with Aston Martin (DB7 is the original car and XK8 its co-platformer) and released it with I6 and later with FORD V12, not a Jaguar V12 that was significantly outdated. So then DB7 is pretty much both Jaguar, TWR, Aston Martin and Ford while XK8 is DB7 with a different body and a V8 for some reason (though, due to your logic they should've used their own V12)
And alot of sex on the road? Or success...
Why do they state that the XK8 is supercharged - it isn't The XK8 is the wheezy old 4.0, the XKR has the blower and is the one to choose.
Those xk8s are dirt cheap now
aston all the way
In this case the Jag is way nicer.
The DB7 is based on the XJS platform (complete with knee cracker doors) and uses a Jaguar engine with Aston heads. The Aston uses all Ford and Mazda fittings (air vents, switches, locks, column stalks, door handles, lights etc.) The XK8 was an all new platform and shares nothing with the XJS and all fittings are bespoke to Jaguar. Having experienced both, the XK8 is superior in every respect - except snob value. Buy an Aston if you must but when you tire of it, you’ll buy a Jaguar.
A presenter with a shpeech immediment.. shish. 😂😂
Thumb Down 4 covering the video in pop up self promoting adds! Shut it of right then
get your hair cut!
This video is so wrong...
that was awful and would it kill him to find a suit that fits
oh ffs please stop calling them "motor" cars
Jags can't compare with Gaydon built Aston Martins. Not even close.
I thought the guy said there clearly wasn't a winner. But seriously, if you were to ask 100 petrol heads which car they would prefer.....which do you think they would go for? Jags nice for the money, but the Aston Martin DB7 is a much cooler car. In my opinion of course......
+Sparta Prague cool is different from whats good. I agree the Aston is COOL... really cool... but the jag will be far easier to live with.
Can't wipe the smile of my face when I get into my DB9. Wouldn't swap it for any Jag and I've owned 2 lovely Jags previously.
Aside from the nicer headlights and grill the DB7 doesn't seem like it's aged as well style wise as the XK8? I think so at least
+Sparta Prague-Depends in what regard. If you're talking about suspension and driving dynamics then the DB7 wins. We can't compare engines here because both cars are powered by Jaguar units. The Jaguar shines in the interior, it's Rolls-Royce level. Between these two I'd personally pick the Aston even though I am a life long Jaguar aficionado. Reason being is a Jag AJ6 would be amazing to drive with a manual gear box.
Jaguar better jaguar top 👍👍👍👍👍
Why does this guy call Astons 'Astins'.? He is really irritating. I am a Jaguar man, but to criticize a car because of the coin holder just about sums up this review.
That’s the ‘English’ pronunciation I recall.
wow that lisp is irritating
I don't own a jagdpanther, nor do I own a jaguar, never had any experience in one. That being said, it's the worst driving car ever. I know for a fact it's bad because I think it's bad. I don't need facts and experience, only my emotions
_ You’re an emotional person it seems