Aston Martin Rapide or Maserati Quattroporte ....

[nick08]

.... which of these has the most rear legroom? Or which would be more comfortable for 2 adults in the rear? Journey time to the venue will be about 1hr 15mins.

I am looking to hire either of these for a wedding car but havent seen either in the flesh. The hire company have both but their depot is a couple of hours drive away.

I am hoping someone here who has experience of both cars may be able to advise.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by nick08 on Sunday 15th April 12:22

[pincher]

Not the greatest pic in the world but this is the back of my mate's Rapide - he is about 5' 8" so the driver's seat is a fair way forward. I guess a lot would depend on how tall your driver is and also how tall the passengers are. I certainly wouldn't want to do a trans-Europe jaunt in the back but I reckon an hour or so would probably be OK(ish).

Edited by pincher on Sunday 15th April 12:25

[pincher]

And for comparison, here is the position of the driver's seat taken at the same time - as you can see, it is set quite forward;

[DanInBow]

My Dad has a Rapide and I would say the rear seats (Bucket like) are very small, however i am 6'3. They are quiet akward to get in and out of.

I have never travelled in the Maserati so cannot comment.

Dan

[sparks_E39]

The Maserati every time.

[nick08]

Thanks for the pictures Pincher , I am 5ft6 but I do need to keep my seat for medical reasons.

I have looked at many pictures and that is the feeling I get, the Rapide looks a bit squashed in the back and Maserati looks as if it has more room and would be more comfortable as the seats are not bucket style.

If anyone has any pictures of the back of the Maserati and a picture showing the position of the drivers seat like the above that would be a great help.

Thanks.

Edited by nick08 on Sunday 15th April 12:44

[williamp]

If you want an Aston, then try and find a 70s/80s V8 as there is a surprising amount of room in the back. On mine, with the front seat seat for 5ft 10", I could sit behind "me" with knee room. Headroom isnt brilliant though.

Or how about a Lagonda?

Another option might be the new Jaguar Xj. A stunning interior

[nick08]

Thanks, the Jaguar was actually the 2nd choice car if we didnt go for the above.

[V8LM]

Rapide is comical to get in to and out of. QP is better inside. I'd go with the new XJ.

[Wills2]

quick google:

[PaulB81]

Im sure if you went into a dealer for either manufacturer and explained your reasoning they would let you sit in one and see how it looks space wise. My local Maser dealership also look after lotus so I take the Elise there for servicing. They are always more than happy for me to poke about the cars in the showroom even though I'm unlikely to ever buy one.

[anonymous-user]

Loads more room in the Maser

The Rapide has more bucket like seats and some wedding dresses wouldn't fit

[nick08]

Thanks for all the replies. Like I mentioned earlier I have looked at pictures of both on the internet but it is hard to gauge just how much room there really is from a picture and also how far forward the drivers seat is in the picture.

I have been searching to see which local dealers have one at their dealership so will ring ask if they mind us coming to sit in one.

Edited by nick08 on Sunday 15th April 20:35

[mr_tony]

QP if you want adults to be able to sit in the back.

[nayf]

Congratulations to the couple.

On a side note I'd hate this on my wedding. I'd be stuck in the back with my sphincter chomping leather while some other lucky git gets to drive an Aston/Maserati on 'my' special day.

As for the original question, I'd go for the Maserati as I still have all my limbs

[AREA]

williamp said:

If you want an Aston, then try and find a 70s/80s V8 as there is a surprising amount of room in the back. On mine, with the front seat seat for 5ft 10", I could sit behind "me" with knee room. Headroom isnt brilliant though.

Or how about a Lagonda?

Another option might be the new Jaguar Xj. A stunning interior

I agree with view on the Aston (in fact just had similar discussion at pub this evening) but sorry, the new XJ interior is just naff and vulgar (or perhaps designed for the American market).

QP is the right choice.

[V8LM]

For the happy couple, if they are who you are transporting, why subject them to a cramped journey. Fantastic idea to use a Rapide - a huge transmission tunnel between the seats would be very much welcomed. For them, it isn't about what car they want to be seen in, it is about them. Hire a Phantom.

[AmitG]

V8LM said:

Rapide is comical to get in to and out of. QP is better inside. I'd go with the new XJ.

I agree.

I've sat in all three. The Rapide is in my view beautiful on the outside but rear accommodation is cramped to the point of feeling claustrophobic. It is difficult to make a graceful exit from the back of a Rapide, which may be significant considering your intended use.

The Maserati is better, but my choice would be the new XJ in LWB form

[nick08]

Thanks all. It is for my sisters civil registry, the car choice is hers, she prefers the Rapide but I have explanied the issues with the rear room and shown her the pictures and she agrees the Maserati would be better.

She will have a Rolls or Bentley for her asian wedding.

[anonymous-user]

PaulB81 said:

Im sure if you went into a dealer for either manufacturer and explained your reasoning they would let you sit in one and see how it looks space wise. My local Maser dealership also look after lotus so I take the Elise there for servicing. They are always more than happy for me to poke about the cars in the showroom even though I'm unlikely to ever buy one.

Off topic, but that sounds like an expensive way to care for a relatively un-complex car like an Elise. Do you not have any independent Lotus buffs near you?