RE: Aston Martin Rapide: PH Used Buying Guide

[SydneySE]

SFO said:

never understood the appeal of a Maserati, apart from the name.

the cars are nothing more than tarted up and over expensive Fiats

perhaps have a read of this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_M139_platfo...

engine wise, its Ferrari not fiat:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_F136_engine#...

I can honestly say that my Quattroporte with F1 transmission is amazing to drive (same tramsmission as used in F360, F430, F599 etc, as well as Lamborghini Murcielago- I know I work on my own Murcielago:

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features/d...

(I'm pictured with my engine out of my Murci)

The appeal of the modern Maserati is its a four door Ferrari essentially...

Ok the Ghibli platform may be used for the Alfa Giulia, but the top version of that uses a Ferrari engine too.

You can hardly call the Maserati a tarted up Fiat, just because it uses switch gear common to all FCA vehicles.

Of course you're welcome to your own opinion, but I think its a stretch to call them Fiats... unless you also call Fezzas tarted up Fiats too :-)

Edited by SydneySE on Thursday 9th August 13:36

Edited by SydneySE on Thursday 9th August 13:36

[pSyCoSiS]

I think these are very pretty cars and quite a rare sight on UK roads.

Good value at around £40k.

[HokumPokum]

porsches are tarted up VW

That's how these guys squeeze margins........
but platform sharing is beneficial to everyone and modern engineering has ensured that the cars can be engineered to create tailored driving dynamics. Witness how Porsche has generated so much success out of the Macan and cayenne. But, it's the commonality of switchgear that irks. VW knows how not to do it, why can't the rest learn? Premium products need to feel premium even if the platform really isn't

Or you can do what lotus does and keep improving the speed and dynamics. Let marketing try and convince the buyers t no/minimal switchgear is really what we want........

[cib24]

kambites said:

What on earth is taking up all that space under the boot floor? There must be a good 18 inches between the boot floor and the underside of the car!

The boot looks barely bigger than my Elises's.

Sound deadening material ;-P

[GranCab]

In this sector space is a luxury ... and that's where the Rapide falls on its arse ... and where Panameras and Quattroportes etc. score.

P.S. the proper Quattroportes had/have magnificent V8 petrol engines.

[GranCab]

P.P.S. ... for reference to which is best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmeeF9ZtkCA

[Dafuq]

SydneySE said:

SFO said:

never understood the appeal of a Maserati, apart from the name.

the cars are nothing more than tarted up and over expensive Fiats

perhaps have a read of this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_M139_platfo...

engine wise, its Ferrari not fiat:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_F136_engine#...

I can honestly say that my Quattroporte with F1 transmission is amazing to drive (same tramsmission as used in F360, F430, F599 etc, as well as Lamborghini Murcielago- I know I work on my own Murcielago:

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features/d...

(I'm pictured with my engine out of my Murci)

The appeal of the modern Maserati is its a four door Ferrari essentially...

Ok the Ghibli platform may be used for the Alfa Giulia, but the top version of that uses a Ferrari engine too.

You can hardly call the Maserati a tarted up Fiat, just because it uses switch gear common to all FCA vehicles.

Of course you're welcome to your own opinion, but I think its a stretch to call them Fiats... unless you also call Fezzas tarted up Fiats too :-)

Edited by SydneySE on Thursday 9th August 13:36

Edited by SydneySE on Thursday 9th August 13:36

Bravo Syd, 1st class retort.

This exchange pretty much sums up this website nowadays.

This used to be a place for like minded enthusiasts to exchange intelligent views and appreciation. Sadly now the realm of smart 4rses and trolls. Shame really.

[woody33]

SFO said:

never understood the appeal of a Maserati, apart from the name.

the cars are nothing more than tarted up and over expensive Fiats

I suspect there are a lot of things you don't understand.....

[anonymous-user]

SFO said:

never understood the appeal of a Maserati, apart from the name.

the cars are nothing more than tarted up and over expensive Fiats

tarted up and over expensive Chrysler, in the case of the Ghibli.

[murphyaj]

dme123 said:

SFO said:

never understood the appeal of a Maserati, apart from the name.

the cars are nothing more than tarted up and over expensive Fiats

tarted up and over expensive Chrysler, in the case of the Ghibli.

Which Chrysler is the current generation M157 Ghibli based on? Maserati seem to think it uses the architecture they developed for the latest Quattroporte. It uses some Chrysler and Fiat switch gear, which is a huge shame, but surely that makes it a tarded-down Quattroporte?

[Oilchange]

GranCab said:

In this sector space is a luxury ... and that's where the Rapide falls on its arse ... and where Panameras and Quattroportes etc. score.

P.S. the proper Quattroportes had/have magnificent V8 petrol engines.

Agreed, heard a QP the other day, ungodly noise!
That would be my choice and with the remaining £15,000 or so, I would have a few damn fine European holidays...

[RobDown]

Dafuq said:

Bravo Syd, 1st class retort.

This exchange pretty much sums up this website nowadays.

This used to be a place for like minded enthusiasts to exchange intelligent views and appreciation. Sadly now the realm of smart 4rses and trolls. Shame really.

its also become the realm of people making patronising comments it seems

[Cold]

kambites said:

What on earth is taking up all that space under the boot floor? There must be a good 18 inches between the boot floor and the underside of the car!

The boot looks barely bigger than my Elises's.

Fuel tank.

[woody33]

RobDown said:

Dafuq said:

Bravo Syd, 1st class retort.

This exchange pretty much sums up this website nowadays.

This used to be a place for like minded enthusiasts to exchange intelligent views and appreciation. Sadly now the realm of smart 4rses and trolls. Shame really.

its also become the realm of people making patronising comments it seems

Poor you feeling all patronised. Maybe you can phone the Aston Martin Fanboy support line for some reassurance. Here's a bit of advice, if you are going to slag off other makes with puerile comments then expect a bit of negative feedback.....

[belleair302]

Ever tried to get into and out of the rear seats as an adult around 6'0 ft tall. Very tricky. The sensible money always goes to an M5, or 7 series BMW, an AMG or Audi RS8. Alas Aston have been trying to fill a niche that isn't big enough to fill. Looks OK but just isn't offering anything more than a 2+2 at best.

[Dafuq]

RobDown said:

Dafuq said:

Bravo Syd, 1st class retort.

This exchange pretty much sums up this website nowadays.

This used to be a place for like minded enthusiasts to exchange intelligent views and appreciation. Sadly now the realm of smart 4rses and trolls. Shame really.

its also become the realm of people making patronising comments it seems

Not sure how a passing, and purely personal, observation (which is what it was) can be patronising. If anything, the comment I was referring to could be construed as patronising, 'tarted up Fiat', really?

Now, would you like a little hug to make it all better? Now THATS patronising. 😉

[Rufalike]

My father in law has had 2 of these and both been reliable

His latest is a Rapide s and it is an epic machine , and given Aston is low volume not “ st” in the detail .

The ride is a perfect blend of comfort and control with a surprising amount of travel when needed e.g big undulations the noise is special

It means you can take friends and children out but it feels like you are in a 2 seat sports car and special whereas a Panamera or amg s class are just fast saloons

[CSK1]

ruhall said:

I thought that the first 'S's still had the 6-speed gearbox?

Correct, the first Rapide S 's had the six speed gearbox.

[dapprman]

When these first came out I loved the look at the front and rear but felt the side view was odd, almost as if they had stretched the car and it was sagging slightly in the middle. However a number of months back I used to drive past a white one parked by a building site (by the Harvil/Ickenham Rd roundabout in Uxbridge) on a daily basis. I assume it belonged to the architect or the developer. My thoughts were it had actually aged rather badly. Still pretty from the front, but still looking odd from the side and rather dated at the back. White may not have helped it (may look better in a metalic colour).

Of course I actually like the rather brutish looks of the Panamera, but then can be forgiven as I'm also a fan of the Quattroporte.

Edit - forgot to mention the building site for new luxury apartments by the roundabout ...

Edited by dapprman on Friday 10th August 15:48

[belleair302]

If buying new an Alpina B7 would be where my money was going. If buying used around 50K an Audi S8 chipped with a decent exhaust please.