Lagonda badge
to an Aston Martin has brought the idea of a four-door Aston back into focus. We're even back discussing the 'old' Lagonda saloon for heaven's sake. And yet the Rapide continues a little unnoticed. Furthermore with a
V12 Vantage S Roadster
on the way, plus great excitement around the
AMG engine collaboration
, it doesn't look like being the centre of attention again any time soon.
Probably a lot more affordable than Lagonda
'Compromise' was perhaps the Rapide's biggest issue. At its price point the four-door rivals were and are more conventional saloons, the Bentley Flying Spur, Maserati Quattroporte and suchlike. For rear seat occupants the Aston couldn't match those cars, more cramped and not quite making the passenger's experience as lounge-like as perhaps they expected.
But then the Rapide was of course a more absorbing and enjoyable drive than its contemporaries, owing to its status as Aston's four-door sports car. Then the point is raised that those after a sports car probably wouldn't want more than two doors. Aston already does a fairly decent range of those after all.
As a slightly more practical GT then, the Rapide excels. A narrow remit you'll probably agree but at least humans can fit in the rear seats, unlike the +2 items found elsewhere in the Aston range. Then you have everything that's so enjoyable (and admittedly frustrating) about an Aston GT with space for children as well.
Not a child friendly leather colour
Perhaps the early Rapides suffered too for the arrival of the
Rapide S
last year too. Faster and further honed than the original (but possibly uglier), the 550hp car remains for sale at £146,035.
There are actually a choice of 470hp Rapides for sale at under £70K, this car with a single owner and 36K miles at £69,950. Yes, you could have a Flying Spur that's probably faster and definitely more capacious, but that isn't an Aston. Let's talk about depreciation and running costs another time.
ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE
Price: £69,950
Why you should: A superb Aston sports car with four seats
Why you shouldn't: Other big four doors better at being a saloon
See the original advert here.