8 wonderful years of Rapides...

[Ken Figenus]

...but like all things they come to an end.

Both the Rapides I had from my gorgeous Midnight Blue (now owned by a new friend)



and the morning Frost Rapide S



have been so solidly reliable and a pleasure to drive and own.

I put aside £150 a month for 6 years after ditching warranties and was able to put that £10k pot towards my new car - thanks Aston!

Met some great 'similarly afflicted' people who will be mates for life and enjoyed many a Continental Road trip (as long as I sort it all out and swear at the Sat Nav when there ).



To anyone considering a Rapide - do it - 6 or 8 speed or auto wipers and no DAB it so doesn't matter. Stunningly beautiful and with more charisma than most marques could ever dream of. Ohh and will be worth as much as a DB5 in 30 years it being one of a thousand and the last of the NA V12's - call me out in 2053 if you don't believe me...

I'll still dip in here now and again and thanks for all the help, advice, friendship and banter.

Its been awesome.

Diolch - thanks

Dewi

[Dewi 2]

Ken Figenus said:

...but like all things they come to an end.

I'll still dip in here now and again and thanks for all the help, advice, friendship and banter.

Its been awesome.

Diolch - thanks

Dewi

A great story. Glad that the reliability was so good.

Do I guess that your replacement car might be all electric ?

From one Dewi (first generation to be born on the wrong side of the border) to another, I wish you all the best.
Iechyd da.

[Mr.Tremlini]

Great times watching you punt the Battlestar Galactica around the track! I never got to see Moby Dick but that Morning Frost is the best white by miles. All the best with your continued motoring, Dewi!

[Ken Figenus]

Dewi 2 said:

Do I guess that your replacement car might be all electric ?

Thanks for your kind wishes Dew'!

I have an EV estate for family and work - its such a good car on so many levels and absolutely fabulous to drive. The kids grew up though and a 2 seater supercar was in order for the weekend so have got one and long may any arthritis keep at bay as it has high sills

Here's a pic inc yours where we met:

[Dewi 2]

Ken Figenus said:

Thanks for your kind wishes Dew'!

... Here's a pic inc yours where we met:

Photographers with your skill compose pictures. My own shots tend to only be photos.

You have captured my V8V (right) with its (1 of 7 in the UK) Ferrari paintwork, sparkling in the sunshine.
A car that I treasure. It was always intended to be a keeper. Just ticked over 20,000 mles a couple of weeks ago.
Now has the usual clutch, cat and tyre mods, to make it even more fun to drive.
What a design they created. It still seems to be considered a beautiful shape, 20 years after the unveiling in January 2003.

[drt30]

Supposing one was to trade in a beloved v8v for a rapide, what might you expect to notice? (Don't say 4 doors and a v12...)
I've always ruled out V12 due to potential cost implications - but are the running costs/consumables/service costs that much more than my 4.7 V8?

Just asking 'for a friend'...

[dbs2000]

Hmm, high sills and supercar.... 570s? 720s?

[Ken Figenus]

drt30 said:

Supposing one was to trade in a beloved v8v for a rapide, what might you expect to notice? (Don't say 4 doors and a v12...)
I've always ruled out V12 due to potential cost implications - but are the running costs/consumables/service costs that much more than my 4.7 V8?

Just asking 'for a friend'...

Ride is a lot more supple than a Vantage, but you can still really hustle them though. They are a beautifully balanced, grippy and very stable car.

I don't think there will be anything much in the running costs - other than brakes as you cant get the Brembo OEM without the huge Aston Tax - and I think that V12 by 2010 is pretty sorted and bombproof. The S version adds quite a lot more bhp but the non S 6 speed is perfectly enjoyable too. Such fabulous looking cars:



David you are very warm as now definitely have more of a carbon obsession than Just Stop Oil

[paulbirkin]

I had a very early 2010 Rapide, which I bought as a Timeless Aston Martin from HWM with only 6000 miles on the clock when I bought it in May 2018.
I drove it for 10000 more miles, without a single problem over 36 months ( put it away every winter) and regretted selling it ever since. They are really fantastic cars and extremely practical. 3 of us went on a golf trip 170 miles away and everyone enjoyed the experience of an AM. There are no prizes for being the wealthiest man in the graveyard. Afterwards I bought a 2016 Bentley Continental GT V8S , which was no where near as enjoyable to drive.