Aston Martin
DB7
Ferrari
F355
Aston Martin DB7 vs Ferrari F355: 2003 Comparison
The short answer
Based on available data, the Aston Martin DB7 comes out ahead of the Ferrari F355 on power. Check the specs table and owner sentiment below for the full comparison before deciding between the two. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
DB7
Overall
Sentiment is mixed, with a clear divide between aesthetic admiration and practical ownership concerns. The DB7 is consistently praised for its exceptional beauty and iconic design, often described as one of the most beautiful cars of its era. It is recognized as a significant model that revived the Aston Martin brand.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus "best" version. Discussions mention both the early inline-6 (I6) and later V12 Vantage models.
Known issues
- ⚠Structural rust: Very frequent and cited as the primary, deal-breaking issue. Requires extensive and expensive repair.
F355
Overall
Extremely positive sentiment regarding the car's design, driving experience, and emotional appeal, but this is heavily tempered by a very strong and consistent consensus on prohibitively high and complex maintenance costs. The F355 is widely praised as one of the most beautiful and elegant Ferraris ever made, with its V8 engine sound frequently cited as one of the greatest of all time. It is described as the "best analog Ferrari ever," offering a visceral, rewarding, and nimble driving experience, particularly with the gated manual transmission.
Best version to buy
Manual Transmission (Gated) models are strongly preferred over the F1 electro-hydraulic semi-automatic transmission, with the manual cited as a key part of the pure, analog driving experience. The Berlinetta (coupe) and GTS (targa) are both highly regarded, with the Spider (convertible) sometimes mentioned as the least desirable body type, especially in undesirable colors.
Known issues
- ⚠Prohibitively expensive maintenance: Engine-out service required for timing belt replacement, cited as costing $15,000-$20,000+. Very frequent.
The verdict
The Aston Martin DB7 is the better choice for most buyers.
It has more power on its best-equipped version than the Ferrari F355, based on the data above. If efficiency matters more to you than outright power, the Ferrari F355 is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Aston Martin DB7 or the Ferrari F355?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Aston Martin DB7 and the Ferrari F355. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Aston Martin DB7 or the Ferrari F355?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Aston Martin DB7 is classed as a Coupe, the Ferrari F355 as a Cabriolet, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Aston Martin DB7 or the Ferrari F355?
Fuel consumption data is limited for one or both models. Check the specs table above for the figures available on each catalogued version.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Aston Martin DB7 or the Ferrari F355?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Aston Martin DB7 than the Ferrari F355. See the known issues comparison above.