2001 Aston Martin DB7 VANTAGE - Manual

We are delighted to be able to offer you this sensational manual Aston Martin DB7 Vantage. With just four previous owners and only 70,000 miles on the clock, it has a full service history and an almost unblemished MOT history across the past dozen years.

With near flawless paintwork and one of the best interiors we’ve seen for a very long time, it was last serviced in October 2018. We’ve tested it ourselves, and can confirm that it drives better than any DB7 Vantage we’ve ever driven, feeling tight and powerful and displaying none of the looseness that betrays a poorly maintained and neglected car.

God it’s pretty, isn’t it? Svelte, muscular and with just a hint of restrained aggression, it reminds us more of Jason Statham than Daniel Craig. Millimetre perfect shut lines (just look at some of the close-up photos!), straight flanks, and absolutely no dings or damage mark this out as an Aston Martin that has been treasured rather than abused.

The headlight covers are bright and clear, and the frameless doors fit snugly and seal effectively. The alloy wheels are unmarked, and shod with matching Bridgestone tyres – and you can raise your eyebrows all you like, but if you know of a better indicator of a mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount of money on his high-performance supercar then we’d like to hear your suggestions.

White-on-black brake calipers peek out from between the spokes and clasp vented front discs – and we only mention those because there is so little to write about otherwise. Long descriptions are all very well but when you see one there is usually a story behind it - and a story is the last thing you want to hear when you’ve just bought yourself a V12 Aston Martin…

So, we’ll cut to the chase and list the problems: there is a small scratch on the front valance - probably sustained when negotiating a speed bump – and a minor blemish on the edge of the driver’s door. Neither is really noticeable and could easily be left as they are. That’s it. Not bad for a car that’s within spitting distance of its 20th birthday, is it?

The black leather interior might be sombre but then that’s good, isn’t it? After all, there are plenty of vulgar examples out there if you’re looking for something that a Huddersfield carpet warehouse owner specc’d at the start of his mid-life crisis.

It’s in fine fettle too, and looks almost new. The seats are still virtually as firm and supportive as the day they left the showroom and they show almost no creasing and certainly nothing so vulgar as damage, scuffs, or rips. There is a small worn section on the edge of the driver’s seat but to call it anything worse than wear would be too strong because the colour has just rubbed away on the piped edge and this could almost certainly be recoloured very easily and cheaply.

Beautifully stitched black leather covers almost everything that isn’t wooden, sweeping and swooping its way around the cabin in a way that is almost organic.

Speaking of organic, the walnut veneer is lovely and in very good condition; no-one does veneer like the Brits and this is one of the finest expressions we’ve seen on a modern car for a long time.

And yet, for all the leather and wood, it’s small things that turn a good car into a great one and the Vantage is full of jewels like the Vantage plaque that is screwed to the sills beside the two front seats, the embossed Aston Martin logo on the seats, and the short-throw stubby gear lever.

And let’s not forget the white-on-black instruments, which look sensational; in fact, we’re struggling to name a better-looking modern dashboard. Nothing, in our opinion, nothing comes close for either clarity or simplicity, all backed up by an nonchalant, minimalistic design that is the epitome high-end cool.

The carpets are in good shape bar a small area of wear next to the clutch pedal; please see the photo for details. The boot is clean and tidy, and plays home to a CD multi-changer, the tool kit and the warning triangle.

The engine bay is stuffed full of V12 gorgeousness. Hand-built in the UK and subjected to a final inspection by Kevin Wild, engine number 01500 is up-to-date with its servicing, running beautifully, and in need of nothing other than a tank of premium fuel.

And, if more power than anyone really needs along with the best-sounding engine this side of a Le Mans racer isn’t enough, the Vantage is fitted with the sort of little details that would make ownership a pleasure. Things like the alloy oil and fuel filler caps, the exposed intake manifolds, and the body-coloured centre section. It really is a sight to behold, and if it doesn’t make your heart beat just a little faster then well, there’s no hope, is there?

Which brings us to how it drives. We’ve driven a few over the years and this might just be the best we’ve experienced. It feels taut and is free of rattles, squeaks, and almost any sort of NVH. It pulls strongly, brakes quickly and in a straight line, and the steering is sublime. In other words, it drives exactly as it should.

The online MOT history shows nothing of concern whatsoever, and the Aston hasn’t drawn any advisory items in the past three years. In fact, it has only attracted the MOT tester’s attention once since 2007, and that was for an inefficient handbrake in 2006.

The mileage rises steadily, and we think it can be taken as read that it is correct. The MOT certificate itself expires in July 2020.

The car comes with a number of expired MOT certificates plus a thick sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it. These comprise a series of 20 service stamps and receipts from Aston Martin dealers and independent specialists over the years.

It also has the owner’s guide, which is still in the original Aston Martin wallet.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to the very highest standard.

The price of Aston Martin DB7s has been static for a while now, something we are struggling to explain because they’re achingly pretty, mechanically robust, and bloomin’ fantastic to drive. They also swept Aston Martin into the modern era, so are historically important too.

So, when we say that we think this one has a guide price of only £22,000 to £25,000, you’ll understand that this is a reflection of the market rather than the vehicle; we simply can’t believe how much performance and style you get for your money when you’re looking at something DB7-shaped.

And this is, remember, an almost unblemished, well maintained, low-mileage Aston Martin with a V12 engine under the bonnet for way less than the cost of a top-end Ford Focus.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen at The Market's HQ in Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing or give a call. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive. 

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.