Rapide vs. Rapide S
Discussion
I’m after a weekend genuine 2+2 and the Rapide appeals. Used Rapides tend to have been looked after and have full main dealer history compared to my other alternative the Granturismo Sport.
Looking at Rapide vs early Rapide S there is about a £10k difference. I wonder if anyone has experienced one or both that could offer an opinion as to whether it’s worth going for the S. I prefer the nose of the earlier Rapide but appreciate the S is more powerful and a slightly lower centre of gravity. Are there any other big improvements? I rarely drive above 8/10ths so not certain the power alone is worth it.
Looking at Rapide vs early Rapide S there is about a £10k difference. I wonder if anyone has experienced one or both that could offer an opinion as to whether it’s worth going for the S. I prefer the nose of the earlier Rapide but appreciate the S is more powerful and a slightly lower centre of gravity. Are there any other big improvements? I rarely drive above 8/10ths so not certain the power alone is worth it.
Be careful: Touchtronic II (6-speed) was installed in the Rapide until MY15 and after then the Touchtronic III! So there are Rapide S with the older gearbox!
I think the driving experience is not so different but there are a lot of smaller improvements (mpg, reversing camera, interiour styling like glass switches or ski slope, AMi III, ...).
In the 'book' the differences over time are neatly listed.
My advice: take a look at different models in real and test drive them (in Sport mode and a time long only with paddles).
Have fun and good hunting
I think the driving experience is not so different but there are a lot of smaller improvements (mpg, reversing camera, interiour styling like glass switches or ski slope, AMi III, ...).
In the 'book' the differences over time are neatly listed.
My advice: take a look at different models in real and test drive them (in Sport mode and a time long only with paddles).
Have fun and good hunting
Edited by Mr.X on Monday 30th January 14:41
Mr.X said:
Be careful: Touchtronic II (6-speed) was installed in the Rapide until MY15 and after then the Touchtronic III! So there are Rapide S with the older gearbox!
I think the driving experience is not so different but there are a lot of smaller improvements (mpg, reversing camera, interiour styling like glass switches or ski slope, AMi III, ...).
In the 'book' the differences over time are neatly listed.
My advice: take a look at different models in real and test drive them (in Sport mode and a time long only with paddles).
Have fun and good hunting
Thanks to you both for your replies. I have driven a Rapide only so need to drive an S, and also a ZF8 S to compare.I think the driving experience is not so different but there are a lot of smaller improvements (mpg, reversing camera, interiour styling like glass switches or ski slope, AMi III, ...).
In the 'book' the differences over time are neatly listed.
My advice: take a look at different models in real and test drive them (in Sport mode and a time long only with paddles).
Have fun and good hunting
Edited by Mr.X on Monday 30th January 14:41
Thanks for that info on the gearbox change dates. I believe the Granturismo used essentially the same gearbox as the original Rapide right up to 2019!
What is the 'book' to which you refer? Sorry if if that is a noob question..
No sorry for questions! Nobody knows everything.
'The book' is the 'The DEFINITIVE GUIDE to new Gaydon era ASTON MARTIN' 'a BUYERS and CAR ENTHUSIASTS GUIDE'
As ebook available: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Definitive-Guide-Gaydon-A...
More infos: https://aston1936.com/2021/04/25/the-definitive-gu...
https://www.pistonheads.com/search#gsc.tab=0&g... if you need additional buying advice.
'The book' is the 'The DEFINITIVE GUIDE to new Gaydon era ASTON MARTIN' 'a BUYERS and CAR ENTHUSIASTS GUIDE'
As ebook available: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Definitive-Guide-Gaydon-A...
More infos: https://aston1936.com/2021/04/25/the-definitive-gu...
https://www.pistonheads.com/search#gsc.tab=0&g... if you need additional buying advice.
Another endorsement for "the book" - the holy grail for each of my 3 AM purchases. Going S or non-S is really down to what your budget allows, better to buy a great non-S than an "ok" S.
I would recommend looking in detail at the prep if at a dealer, brakes (discs and pads) are bespoke to the rapide and thus mega bucks (£3k+ in parts alone) - so know where they are at in their wear cycle and budget accordingly.
Other than that - very robust cars - mines been a daily for 2 years, after 2 Vantages I also used as dailies. My only observation having looked at many AM's is that those closer to average mileage are far better than those with low mileage, they don't like sitting about. You also benefit from it reflecting in the sale price too. Happy shopping!
I would recommend looking in detail at the prep if at a dealer, brakes (discs and pads) are bespoke to the rapide and thus mega bucks (£3k+ in parts alone) - so know where they are at in their wear cycle and budget accordingly.
Other than that - very robust cars - mines been a daily for 2 years, after 2 Vantages I also used as dailies. My only observation having looked at many AM's is that those closer to average mileage are far better than those with low mileage, they don't like sitting about. You also benefit from it reflecting in the sale price too. Happy shopping!
I thought to restart the debate about Rapide / Rapide S as having had Aston Martins previously (including MY 2015 Vanquish and 2021 DB11 AMR), I think this is one of the brand's less cherished models but it makes an utterly fantastic car and a very solid used buy if you can source a well maintained vehicle. That seems to me to be getting harder to do...
Aston Martin did not make or sell many and there are not many good ones left for sale. They are being bought up fast or kept as the value differences for like-for-like period cars dont seem to make much sense.
The V12 installation in this model, I understand, is also the most robust for the NA "6.0 V12" Aston.
I find the Rapide S to feel like a very special car indeed and actually a better steer if you're OK to drive at 7 tenths which is pretty much all you can do in any 200mph car in UK. Who wants to drive a Vanquish flat out anyway so better for have the less expensive and more comfortable car in my view. On bad road surfaces, the Rapide S flows beautifully. It feels like a British muscle car and , for the price, is incredible value for something that looks, sounds and smells like a proper Aston Martin.
(To mention I have also had 996, 997, 991, 4.7 Mazzer, V12 AMG, etc etc after starting out with Alfa Romeo, twice).
Aston Martin did not make or sell many and there are not many good ones left for sale. They are being bought up fast or kept as the value differences for like-for-like period cars dont seem to make much sense.
The V12 installation in this model, I understand, is also the most robust for the NA "6.0 V12" Aston.
I find the Rapide S to feel like a very special car indeed and actually a better steer if you're OK to drive at 7 tenths which is pretty much all you can do in any 200mph car in UK. Who wants to drive a Vanquish flat out anyway so better for have the less expensive and more comfortable car in my view. On bad road surfaces, the Rapide S flows beautifully. It feels like a British muscle car and , for the price, is incredible value for something that looks, sounds and smells like a proper Aston Martin.
(To mention I have also had 996, 997, 991, 4.7 Mazzer, V12 AMG, etc etc after starting out with Alfa Romeo, twice).
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff