Should I buy a Rapide?
Discussion
Thinking of buying a Rapide (2010 car) and I’m interested to know what owners think I should look out for when buying.
Are there any ‘must have’ options I need to be aware of?
How do people find the tech in the car and are there any simple solutions for upgrading it (particularly the Sat Nav)? I’m coming out of a very modern Merc which has all the toys and I’m a little bit worried that 8-year old tech will drive me nuts!
I am not too worried about mechanicals because the one I have seen is from a main dealer so it comes with a 12-month manufacturers warranty (which I plan on maintaining as long as I have the car).
I’ve searched PH for a buyers guide but it didn’t provide any results so apologies if I’ve missed the obvious.
Thanks in advance
RD
Are there any ‘must have’ options I need to be aware of?
How do people find the tech in the car and are there any simple solutions for upgrading it (particularly the Sat Nav)? I’m coming out of a very modern Merc which has all the toys and I’m a little bit worried that 8-year old tech will drive me nuts!
I am not too worried about mechanicals because the one I have seen is from a main dealer so it comes with a 12-month manufacturers warranty (which I plan on maintaining as long as I have the car).
I’ve searched PH for a buyers guide but it didn’t provide any results so apologies if I’ve missed the obvious.
Thanks in advance
RD
RudeDog said:
How do people find the tech in the car and are there any simple solutions for upgrading it (particularly the Sat Nav)? I’m coming out of a very modern Merc which has all the toys and I’m a little bit worried that 8-year old tech will drive me nuts!
RD
I think if you're a tech hungry person then you may well find the Rapide (or any VH Aston) somewhat infuriating and a bit disappointing. Anything pre DB11 isn't ever going to give you what a modern German car will, it's just the way it is. As for upgrading it I don't think you can, well not without serious expense.RD
I have a 2013 V12 Vantage and to be frank the infotainment is s
te. The hands-free syncing with the phone is hit and miss, trying to play anything from an iPod is a nightmare if you want to actually look for something, and the Sat-Nav whilst it works isn't exactly great.However, I didn't buy it for that..........and when I look out the window at it, start it or drive it, then I couldn't give a toss if it had a gramophone and an AA Atlas in it.
Joking aside, if you want a fantastic V12 cruiser that you'll look back at every-time you park then get buying, however if you genuinely try to compare it to a big modern Merc or BMW then I think you'll find it quite a different proposition. Not necessarily a bad one, but certainly different.
Take one out and have a good play.
I agree with the above comments. I came from german tech madness to aston stone age and tbh it really doesnt bother me. The car sounds amazing, the sound system is fine but the exhaust is better 
. The nav gets you from A to B, just not with pretty maps. The bluetooth connection to my phone sometimes plays up, but as I’m not running the country the call can wait until I’m ready.
I have found with all cars the tech gets superceeded every 5 minutes, its a mugs game trying to keep up with the constant evolution that often is just reinventing the wheel and doesnt really add much value to the task at hand.
Nevertheless you need to go for a test ride and decide if the aston thing is for you. I hope you have a blast!
. The nav gets you from A to B, just not with pretty maps. The bluetooth connection to my phone sometimes plays up, but as I’m not running the country the call can wait until I’m ready.I have found with all cars the tech gets superceeded every 5 minutes, its a mugs game trying to keep up with the constant evolution that often is just reinventing the wheel and doesnt really add much value to the task at hand.
Nevertheless you need to go for a test ride and decide if the aston thing is for you. I hope you have a blast!
With rapide you will get the fantastic sounding bose system but to be honest I rarely use it as the exhaust sound is all u will want to hear, especially with fuse 3 taken out.
Sat nav does a reasonable job and includes post code search.
I terms of options not much to spec on RAPIDE, rear entertainment system would be ideal and cooled seats front and rear.
I've had my 2011 for 6 months and brings a smile to me every time i drive it and a great practical family car, my 17 and 14 year old daughters fit very comfortably in rear seats.
The number of people that complement you is a real surprise given how rare the car is on roads.
Go for it - very little comes close for looks, sound, amazing interior finish, Jeckyl and Hyde character and feel good factor.
Sat nav does a reasonable job and includes post code search.
I terms of options not much to spec on RAPIDE, rear entertainment system would be ideal and cooled seats front and rear.
I've had my 2011 for 6 months and brings a smile to me every time i drive it and a great practical family car, my 17 and 14 year old daughters fit very comfortably in rear seats.
The number of people that complement you is a real surprise given how rare the car is on roads.
Go for it - very little comes close for looks, sound, amazing interior finish, Jeckyl and Hyde character and feel good factor.
Thank you for the responses so far. I’m taking the one I’m considering for a spin on Friday.
It has the rear seat entertainment and the front/rear heated and cooled seats.
I have to say, it’s an awful lot of car. The biggest worry I have is that after a string of fairly lively cars (Cayman S followed by two C63s), am I likely to find it a bit less interesting to drive, despite the fantastic engine? I guess I’ll find out later in the week.
It has the rear seat entertainment and the front/rear heated and cooled seats.
I have to say, it’s an awful lot of car. The biggest worry I have is that after a string of fairly lively cars (Cayman S followed by two C63s), am I likely to find it a bit less interesting to drive, despite the fantastic engine? I guess I’ll find out later in the week.
Not sure you could say it's a lively car by default, it's a great GT car that if driven hard can give a great driving experience. You may feel little underwhelmed coming from Cayman.
I came from a 996 Turbo which I found too clinical and find RAPIDE gives much more driving pleasure overall.
I shortlisted the RAPIDE and Maserati GranTurismo, but in end found RAPIDE was the one for me given my driving style and overall a much more comfortable ride/suspension.
Good luck with your search
I came from a 996 Turbo which I found too clinical and find RAPIDE gives much more driving pleasure overall.
I shortlisted the RAPIDE and Maserati GranTurismo, but in end found RAPIDE was the one for me given my driving style and overall a much more comfortable ride/suspension.
Good luck with your search
I don't get the whole techhy car thing at all, and I'm someone who loves the latest tech.
- If you want a good satnav use Waze on your phone, it has up to date traffic info
- I hardly ever receive calls these days, and half of them are spam
- The V12 will sound better than any music you can stream through Bluetooth
I was really surprised at how well the Rapide handled for such a big car, it won't be at Cayman levels obviously but I don't think it would be too far off a C63 at all. Mind you, the one I drove was a 67 plate car so not sure if there have been major revisions since 2010.
- If you want a good satnav use Waze on your phone, it has up to date traffic info
- I hardly ever receive calls these days, and half of them are spam
- The V12 will sound better than any music you can stream through Bluetooth
I was really surprised at how well the Rapide handled for such a big car, it won't be at Cayman levels obviously but I don't think it would be too far off a C63 at all. Mind you, the one I drove was a 67 plate car so not sure if there have been major revisions since 2010.
kipv12 said:
Go for it, mine is a 2015 and every day I look forward to driving even if it's only up the shops to get a paper.
I am with you, but I suppose for people really into tech., their newspaper will be delivered directly to their tablet, before 3am every morning.
Mind you, if I wake up during the night, I have finished reading the daily newspaper before breakfast, so then have an uninterrupted day to enjoy driving my Aston Martin, with exhaust music and no need for a sat nav.
OP - enjoy your (first?) Aston Martin drive on Friday.
Big Ry said:
when I look out the window at it, start it or drive it, then I couldn't give a toss if it had a gramophone and an AA Atlas in it.
Best quote in ages. Have to admit I just switch off to modern Autocar type reviews which place ipod connectivity as important as the car's dynamics.Really confirming much of whats been said above. Bought a 2010 Rapide from a dealer last year and absolutely love it. All the tech is crap but just don't care and could listen to the V12 all day. I've been pleasently surprised by the handling, more fun than I hoped for although its no cayman. I would highly recommend it!
You rang? No1 fan boy here 
Still thrilled to drive mine every time - almost 4 yrs now. Still stunning, still a superb engine - especially with secondary decats
You would be astonished how far you can push it - car absolutely shrinks around you and for most spirited road driving copes superbly with its pin point accurate delicious HPAS. Just the balance of the car at 500bhp and PS4-S is so matched and superb. Mash the throttle leaving a 90 degree right junction - if clear and safe to do so - it just grips and goes. My Cayman mate is always asking how do I do that!? Adaptive damping works brilliantly with PS4-S - was always too hard and harsh with Bridgestones. Dont judge teh car on Bridgestones - esp if down to 3mm.
She has also been fabulously reliable. The only downside is she's big in an NCP - let alone getting stuck in an underground one in Lyon more designed for 2CV's!. Best to park her where people can see her. Any excuse:
Ohh and kids - did I mention kids and continental jaunts:
Not sure if mine has a wireless but the kids stream their phone music to it via a £8 Bluetooth dongle so it must! The lack of modes, menus and clutter and gizmos is half its fun.
Finally ALWAYS drive it on the paddles as auto (on 6 speeders) is too lazy/economy driven and I don't like the sport mode as it cruises in too low a gear, will hit the rev limiter rather than change up, makes the throttle very un-linear and it locks out 6th. Still it's a gizmo for the brochure I guess... Paddles!
Still thrilled to drive mine every time - almost 4 yrs now. Still stunning, still a superb engine - especially with secondary decats
You would be astonished how far you can push it - car absolutely shrinks around you and for most spirited road driving copes superbly with its pin point accurate delicious HPAS. Just the balance of the car at 500bhp and PS4-S is so matched and superb. Mash the throttle leaving a 90 degree right junction - if clear and safe to do so - it just grips and goes. My Cayman mate is always asking how do I do that!? Adaptive damping works brilliantly with PS4-S - was always too hard and harsh with Bridgestones. Dont judge teh car on Bridgestones - esp if down to 3mm.She has also been fabulously reliable. The only downside is she's big in an NCP - let alone getting stuck in an underground one in Lyon more designed for 2CV's!. Best to park her where people can see her. Any excuse:
Ohh and kids - did I mention kids and continental jaunts:
Not sure if mine has a wireless but the kids stream their phone music to it via a £8 Bluetooth dongle so it must! The lack of modes, menus and clutter and gizmos is half its fun.
Finally ALWAYS drive it on the paddles as auto (on 6 speeders) is too lazy/economy driven and I don't like the sport mode as it cruises in too low a gear, will hit the rev limiter rather than change up, makes the throttle very un-linear and it locks out 6th. Still it's a gizmo for the brochure I guess... Paddles!
Edited by Ken Figenus on Wednesday 18th April 20:23
Thank you for the continued positive replies, I am getting quite excited about the prospect of owning one. They are great looking things and so much rarer than a Vantage or a DB9.
The only Aston I have previously driven was an early DB9 and it was on a track. I was fairly underwhelmed by it but I was on one of those Supercar experience days and it was the third car I drove after a Gallardo and a 996 GT3... That was a long time ago. I am looking forward to trying the Rapide out on the road.
The only Aston I have previously driven was an early DB9 and it was on a track. I was fairly underwhelmed by it but I was on one of those Supercar experience days and it was the third car I drove after a Gallardo and a 996 GT3... That was a long time ago. I am looking forward to trying the Rapide out on the road.
Timely thread as I’m also potentially interested in a Rapide purchase so would be good to hear your views after your drive. My wife now has a RR Sport so I am looking to change from my CLS Shooting Brake to something more interesting at some point this year. Considering a 4.7 Vantage (love the look, size of it) but the extra seats in the Rapide would mean we would be able to use it a lot more as I have an 18 month son. Other car on the radar is Maserati Granturismo.
Rapides still seem to be on the decline price wise, some on Autotrader with reasonable miles at £48k now. Guess they will keep dropping but appear great value when you look at similar age DB9’s.
Hope the test drive goes well!
Rapides still seem to be on the decline price wise, some on Autotrader with reasonable miles at £48k now. Guess they will keep dropping but appear great value when you look at similar age DB9’s.
Hope the test drive goes well!
ParanoidAndroid said:
Other car on the radar is Maserati Granturismo.
I had my heart set on a Maserati Granturismo for the last two years however when I looked at them seriously, I realised that they were going to be a money pit.I was tempted by a beautiful Rosso Red 2015 car that still had the balance of the manufacturers warranty (about 4 months). I inquired about extended warranty and servicing costs:
£3,400 for a two year warranty
£1,600 for a Minor service
£3,300 for a Major service
Service interval is every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
So I figured my planned two years of ownership was going to cost me £8,300 before I had spent a penny on fuel, tyres, brakes, clutch, etc. (It being Italian I would expect a bit of this)
I know that the Rapide is not going to be cheap but the one I am looking at has a 12-month warranty already and the second year will be less than £2k. Servicing costs average £1k per year (slightly more for Major and slightly less for Minor). Its much more reasonable, even if it doesn't rival Ford.
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