rapide and a possible return to the marque

[tuscaneer]

as per the title really chaps.

it's only a possibility at the moment as although I am well aquainted with aston martin having had a db7 and a v8 vantage my current infatuation with all things Ferrari is still raging.

the problem I have is two fold.f430's are vocal at the best of times(in a good way) but perhaps too vocal for the neighbours at 5am(in a bad way).

also,i only get 2 seats to go between me,the wife and 2 kids.the rangey deals spectacularly with all things family but it does seem a shame that it's only really me that can enjoy the donkey.

whilst on my way to the Ferrari dealership the other day I popped into stratstone aston and the rapide(having passed me by on launch if i'm honest)caught my eye in a way I wasn't expecting.
what a glorious place to sit and much better looking in the flesh than in photos.and the whole family can come with me on the cat food run.

I've noticed there aren't many about(a good thing in my eyes) but would appreciate comments from anyone who has experience of the rapide.cheers in advance chaps

[Jon39]

Really - four and a half hours and no one replies to you.


Great to hear that you may be coming back to the Aston Martin fold.

Rapide - a beautiful design, and a good way to have a British sports car, that has room for four.

Not sure whether you buy new or 'pre (viously) owned', but there was a thread here a while back, about initial depreciation. So, there might be some young cars about at very attractive prices. As you say very rare, so probably the majority of this model are export market cars.

I think there was an early problem, with the nut that holds on to the steering wheel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvHxqYDWe6M
He should try looking further ahead. Sure that won't happen to you. ()

I see that there are 3 Rapide owners shown on this forum. Perhaps they will reply to you.

[Neilc123]

I think the problem with the 4door Aston is it is competing against other 4doors which are better in so many ways. Saying that you don't the "specialness" of the Aston which does count for something. I am just saying that is why they are often harder to shift and now they are doing the S version which is how a Rapide should have been but better late then never. On the road people prefer the 2+2 (although I have to say the rear seats are only good for kids or shopping). However if you have a genuine need for 4 seats you can't go wrong as the Rapide, is a very nice place to be with all the leather and it is a TRUE 4 seater with space even for all of your shopping

Welcome back!

Neil

[GlynV8]

I think the best way to think of the Rapide is as a 4 door coupe rather than a 4 door saloon. It is not really a competitor for other "Sports Saloons" but offers something different and definitely Aston Martin - niche marketing especially for someone like you.
The best review of the Rapide in my opinion is this one by Harry Metcalfe who seems to get the measure of the car:
click for link

[Lunablack]

Me and Mikey watched a fella struggle like hell to squeeze himself into the back seat of a Rapide at Shellsley Walsh on Sunday

Its probably a nice place to be for the driver and front seat passenger though

[tuscaneer]

thanks for the replies fellas.

that Metcalf piece was good thanks for that.

as for buying new......never again!! my vantage was new in 2007 and I've never taken such a large slap in depreciation before!!
I like the idea of a car being 140k a couple of years ago and me getting in for not much more than half that as the depreciation curve must surely have flattened out to near horizontal at that point.

as to the back being a bit cramped, it doesn't really bother me because the back is for the kids.win win.

[michael gould]

funny ive been thinking the same thing about the Rapide..... they are seriously good value with examples getting close to 70k....but I think they will dip closer to 65k over the winter....however.... like you I have a Ferrari itch at the moment

[Grant3]

Early used Rapide are offering excellent value and they are great cars. It is actually torsionally stiffer than the DB9 and modifications to the rear subframe and suspension set-up mean that it is also a good drivers car ( for a big GT) with updated brakes to match. It may be heavier than a 9 (190kg) but it doesn't really feel it and adds a nice chunk of extra practicality. The spec is also excellent with Bi-xenon's, 20-inch wheels and B&O stereo (etc) standard. Try and get one with the rear screen entertainment system fitted (useful for resale appeal) and negotiate hard.... There is a strong argument for getting a nice Vantage Rodster for the weekend blast and keeping the RR for family trips, but I know where you are coming from and the Rapide will give you that special Aston feel more of the time and the family can share that - now book that test drive

[mikey k]

Lunablack said:

Me and Mikey watched a fella struggle like hell to squeeze himself into the back seat of a Rapide at Shelsley Walsh on Sunday

Its probably a nice place to be for the driver and front seat passenger though

I was very surprised how hard he had to try to get in.
The driver wasn't tall so it wasn't like the seat was a long way back and he wasn't too tall either
Your typical Rapide passenger?

[Neil1300R]

Lunablack said:

Me and Mikey watched a fella struggle like hell to squeeze himself into the back seat of a Rapide at Shellsley Walsh on Sunday

Its probably a nice place to be for the driver and front seat passenger though

Sat in one at Gaydon - didn't have any problems and was surprised how much room there was in it, after all the press reports. Wouldn't want to be in thew back on a trans continental drive, but as much or more room than most 4 door cars these days. The door opening / gap is a little small which is the real problem.

No I am not short, but quite slim(ish). Possibly! On a good day!

[tuscaneer]

michael gould said:

funny ive been thinking the same thing about the Rapide..... they are seriously good value with examples getting close to 70k....but I think they will dip closer to 65k over the winter....however.... like you I have a Ferrari itch at the moment

i'm liking the look of the lightning silver one at stratstones up for 80k at the moment with all the whistles and bells!.....the conundrum for me is that I have really loved both my 430's and if it wasn't for the ridiculous noise levels of a morning I would be putting up with the 2 seat scenario....

but IF I am going to change I may as well kill two birds with one stone.This could be a perfect stop gap for a couple/few years until 458's come closer to 100k and then the whole problem will start all over again!

[tuscaneer]

Grant3 said:

Early used Rapide are offering excellent value and they are great cars. It is actually torsionally stiffer than the DB9 and modifications to the rear subframe and suspension set-up mean that it is also a good drivers car ( for a big GT) with updated brakes to match. It may be heavier than a 9 (190kg) but it doesn't really feel it and adds a nice chunk of extra practicality. The spec is also excellent with Bi-xenon's, 20-inch wheels and B&O stereo (etc) standard. Try and get one with the rear screen entertainment system fitted (useful for resale appeal) and negotiate hard.... There is a strong argument for getting a nice Vantage Rodster for the weekend blast and keeping the RR for family trips, but I know where you are coming from and the Rapide will give you that special Aston feel more of the time and the family can share that - now book that test drive

good info cheers, I love the fact that so much depreciation has already happened but worry myself that they aren't shifting.where will they end up in 3 years time??? but then as you say....negotiate hard now!!

[George29]

michael gould said:

however.... like you I have a Ferrari itch at the moment

All your great taste in watches etc, and you want a Ferrari? Oh dear Mr G, you've gone down in my estimations!

[Xav AM 97]

We've taken ours down to the alps twice with no problems (once with all the skiing gear). Although not as quick as the 2 doors its still very brisk for a four door and definitely sounds, handles and looks the part. Even after 18 months I'm still amazed by the little touches on the interior and incredible craftsmanship that make it such a great place to be. Find one specced with the rear entertainment and reversing camera as they are both really useful. Also at around 80K they are incredible value.

[tuscaneer]

Xav AM 97 said:

We've taken ours down to the alps twice with no problems (once with all the skiing gear). Although not as quick as the 2 doors its still very brisk for a four door and definitely sounds, handles and looks the part. Even after 18 months I'm still amazed by the little touches on the interior and incredible craftsmanship that make it such a great place to be. Find one specced with the rear entertainment and reversing camera as they are both really useful. Also at around 80K they are incredible value.

good to know you still take joy in ownership after 18 months!! agree they seem fantastic value at 80k

[tuscaneer]

George29 said:

All your great taste in watches etc, and you want a Ferrari? Oh dear Mr G, you've gone down in my estimations!

oh George you do make me laugh with your continued crusade against the boys from maranello!!! gaydon aren't going to pay you royalties for your constant schoolyard championing of aston martin you know

[George29]

tuscaneer said:

oh George you do make me laugh with your continued crusade against the boys from maranello!!! gaydon aren't going to pay you royalties for your constant schoolyard championing of aston martin you know

I'm not "championing Aston Martin". I just have an extreme dislike of Ferraris (post 355). They should perhaps take some time off from branding hair driers and other bits of crap and try actually designing a good looking car again.

[michael gould]

George29 said:

michael gould said:

however.... like you I have a Ferrari itch at the moment

All your great taste in watches etc, and you want a Ferrari? Oh dear Mr G, you've gone down in my estimations!

George stop being silly .....a 599 GTB is a wondrous thing to behold even if it is a little vulgar

[tuscaneer]

George29 said:

I'm not "championing Aston Martin". I just have an extreme dislike of Ferraris (post 355). They should perhaps take some time off from branding hair driers and other bits of crap and try actually designing a good looking car again.

you continue to amuse me my friend.i must have stumbled across you in half a dozen other threads bemoaning Ferrari.i am bemused at the levels of anger and hate that well up in you whenever the name is mentioned.cool down fella, they're only cars.i really don't like anything about a good few marques but not sufficiently to jump on every >insert manufacturer here< thread spilling my vitriol.

and as I said to you in the north west thread a few months ago, i'm sure the chaps round the boardroom table at maranello are chewing their fingers to the bone in emergency meetings over the topic of "does george29 approve of our latest offerings"

pathetic really

[George29]

michael gould said:

George stop being silly .....a 599 GTB is a wondrous thing to behold even if it is a little vulgar

It might be wonderous to drive (don't know, never tried one), but it certainly is vulgar. And ugly. And far too big.

Make sure to get the standard issue Ferrari owner attire (Ferrari cap, Ferrari polo shirt and Ferrari trainers) if you do get one.