Question about The rapide

[josh bear]

Hi all,

Had my second vantage for a few months now and wondering about a switch to a rapide. After owning a vantage from march 2009 through feb 2011 I restarted looking at AM by viewing a rapide. At the time the misses and I were strongly considering having a third child and if that had happened then family days out in the rapide would have become impossible so I bought a new vantage instead.

Now we know a third child is not to be and the vantage has only done 900 miles in just over 4 months. (partly due to a shoulder injury that has meant the automatic RRS has been the car of choice for me). So the thought is, if I switch to a rapide we will use it as a family.

Here's my questions are the rapide owners on this board happy with their choice? Did you come from a vantage and if so what will I miss?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Josh

[Jockman]

Rapide is seriously in the mix for my next Aston - fantastic cars.

McGurks have just acquired a decent one Josh

[josh bear]

thanks Jockman. Will have a look.

Josh

[sjp63]

I went for the Rapide because I felt it was the best driving car having tested DB9 and Virage. Having kids meant that really the 2+2 configuration (DB9/Virage) was out because the rear seats are compromised.

I absolutely loved the Rapide, it's looks the ride, the noise etc is fantastic. If I had any criticism (and this is really picky) the visibility is slightly poor through the highly raked windscreen and low roof line. That means driving though narrow roads can be a bit fraught. Through Europe though, you arrive after 7 - 8 hours of driving not a bit tired as its a really comfortable drive.

Dead quiet cruising or an animal accelerating in sport.

Edited by sjp63 on Sunday 5th August 14:11

[Jockman]

Perhaps the most competitively-priced Aston at the moment ???

[michael gould]

They are seriously good value......but I think prices will weaken further

[brakedwell]

michael gould said:

They are seriously good value......but I think prices will weaken further

Predicted 4 year value £58498.

[Jockman]

brakedwell said:

Predicted 4 year value £58498.

Any idea why ??

[cheddar]

brakedwell said:

Predicted 4 year value £58498.

[brakedwell]

Jockman said:

Any idea why ??

The figure came from the What Car Depreciation Index

[DB9 Ian P]

Interesting - just looked at the calculator for the V12V and at three years old it is said to be valued at £58k - would be good if you could get one for that (if you were a buyer) but I think you'll be looking for a while. My 2008 DB9V which has just gone to a dealer makes the dealers offer extremely generous Perhaps the calculator is a tad pessimistic.

Edited by DB9 Ian P on Monday 6th August 07:48

Edited by DB9 Ian P on Monday 6th August 07:49

[brakedwell]

I think they might be quoting trade in values.

[michael gould]

Jockman said:

brakedwell said:

Predicted 4 year value £58498.

Any idea why ??

they are not selling

[Jockman]

michael gould said:

they are not selling

But a prediction is about a future event Mr G.

How do they know they won't be seling in 4 years time

[michael gould]

Jockman said:

michael gould said:

they are not selling

But a prediction is about a future event Mr G.

How do they know they won't be seling in 4 years time

because thats how the motor trade works......if they are not selling now, then future valus are soft......probably because the trade knows that if the lack of sales continues, then Aston will start dumping cars onto the market........if however sales improve then future values will harden

[Jockman]

michael gould said:

because thats how the motor trade works......if they are not selling now, then future valus are soft......probably because the trade knows that if the lack of sales continues, then Aston will start dumping cars onto the market........if however sales improve then future values will harden

Sort of makes sense......If they were to go to £58k in 4 years I think you and I should get a couple

[michael gould]

Jockman said:

michael gould said:

because thats how the motor trade works......if they are not selling now, then future valus are soft......probably because the trade knows that if the lack of sales continues, then Aston will start dumping cars onto the market........if however sales improve then future values will harden

Sort of makes sense......If they were to go to £58k in 4 years I think you and I should get a couple

sounds like a deal

[Grant3]

It's a shame the Rapide hasn't hit the spot, but a combination of its bullish pricing, restricted rear/boot space and Aston's price sensitivity to mileage have reduced its appeal. On one side you have pretty decent 4-seater drivers cars like the Panamera, Quattroporte, AMG's or M5/6 which are WAY cheaper and then you move up to the Bentley Continental class and Aston even elected to price the Rapide well above what is a very prestigious and more practical competitor, although it is the better driver's car.

The Rapide is pretty much as good to drive as the DB9, but much more practical and the used prices are the icing on the cake. While these will certainly dip further (particularly when the new facelift model surfaces)you have to say that nearly new cars are offering awesome value. Just look at this as a random example - only just over a year old with only 5k miles , but around 70k-ish off list
https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...
Not cheap I know, but a lot of car for the money !

[josh bear]

thanks all. Have started looking at what is available.

Bets regards

Josh