[jungathart]

Hi guys,
Just happened to be scanning Aston Martin ads recently, and I was surprised to see V-6 cars from '94,95,96,97 to be in the $40K asking prices. I never knew an AM could be this affordable, but what do you know about the quality or durability of the non-8 or 12 cylinder motors?

 

[Andrew]

The Aston Martin is not as reliable as your Ferrari. That is why the price of Aston Martin's take such a big hit in depreciation.

 

[dave paant]

I disagree completely. the inline six car is quite reliable. It is also less expensive to operate with considerably better fuel needs and maintance costs. With 335hp it's not a match with the V12 cars, but the 6 is more in keeping with the DB series in total. Looks, and appointments, it's a match, and the cars are rarer as fewer were produced. It is also arguably the most important car ever produced, as if it had failed, Aston would have as well. I have both V12, and I6 cars and love them both. Every one I know with a Ferrari complains of maintance costs and problems.

 

[Andrew]

Dave,

Welcome to the site. I agree, cost of maintaining a V12 Ferrari is high. Cost of maintaining any of the V8s up to the F355 are not (except for labor on the 355 engine you are fine) higher than an Aston Martin IMHO. I had a bad experience with a Virage, granted it was not a I6.

I always thought the DB7 shared some parts with Jaguar and had general reliability issues.

 

[Jags]

Hello,

I agree with Dave, the DB7 6 in line is the most affordable AM ever.
I sell second hands Jaguars range 87 tiil today and AM DB7 6 cylinder only (1995-2000). They share a hudge amount of parts from Jaguar and repairs are not this expensive at our place.
The engine is the AJ6 3248 cc with coshworth pistons but otherwise completly Jaguar. They put an compressor on it and gave the pistons oil cooling. We buid up these engine near AM specifications starting from a nude Jaguar block.
Supension front and rear are Jaguar, so is the main electronics.

I drive one of the last 6 cyl versions from 2000 and i love it more than a XK8.

I agree the V12 is another price tag.

For the DB7 6L lovers we have a lot of pictures at our website:

Eddy

 

[Andrew]

Eddy,

Thanks for the clarifications and great info.

Cheers