To Rapide or not to Rapide?
Discussion
Morning all,
Over the years I've run a DB7, DB9 and currently a V12V, but as I'm now the proud father of a 6 week old son, I find myself asking when will I have utility for a 2 seat car? The occasional dinner or weekend away when we get a babysitter, dropping off / picking up from school in the future?
Going out for a drive by one's self is all well and fun from time to time, but is somewhat selfish.
I've had Aston with me for so long it is difficult to imagine life without one. The thought occurred to switch roles, and use the Aston as a daily (when I'm usually alone), but familiarity breeds contempt and I found with cars in the past that using them every day eventually takes the shine off them and they cease to be 'special'.
Hence my looking at the Rapide - residuals seem to have firmed up a little, although I have no doubt they will continue to slowly slide over the next few years, and it seems to answer my 2+1 problem. I have even considered the Continental GT Speed
So, my question to you all - is there an option I've missed? I'm loath to turn away from Aston and my teeth aren't white enough for a Bentley. Good people of PH, can you help?
Over the years I've run a DB7, DB9 and currently a V12V, but as I'm now the proud father of a 6 week old son, I find myself asking when will I have utility for a 2 seat car? The occasional dinner or weekend away when we get a babysitter, dropping off / picking up from school in the future?
Going out for a drive by one's self is all well and fun from time to time, but is somewhat selfish.
I've had Aston with me for so long it is difficult to imagine life without one. The thought occurred to switch roles, and use the Aston as a daily (when I'm usually alone), but familiarity breeds contempt and I found with cars in the past that using them every day eventually takes the shine off them and they cease to be 'special'.
Hence my looking at the Rapide - residuals seem to have firmed up a little, although I have no doubt they will continue to slowly slide over the next few years, and it seems to answer my 2+1 problem. I have even considered the Continental GT Speed
So, my question to you all - is there an option I've missed? I'm loath to turn away from Aston and my teeth aren't white enough for a Bentley. Good people of PH, can you help?
I am in exactly the same position with my DB9 and my 11 month old daughter - Bentley GT's as nice as they are just 'miss' that special something, the Porsche Panamararararara just doesn't float my boat and the Ferrari FF is a bit out of the financial budget.
I've even considered a Maserati but the reliability is still a major issue...
I've already got the big 4x4 as a family bus but its just not a great place to be when compared to V12 fun.
Interesting to see what other people think but I'm verging on the edge of a Rapide purchase for the end of 2015 as it looks like the only option.
I've even considered a Maserati but the reliability is still a major issue...
I've already got the big 4x4 as a family bus but its just not a great place to be when compared to V12 fun.
Interesting to see what other people think but I'm verging on the edge of a Rapide purchase for the end of 2015 as it looks like the only option.
Hi all.
I took the Rapide route. I had done the Vantage and DB9 before that, and was at that point of change when I saw the Rapide and thought it looked a stunning bit of four door ‘kit’. It’s a big car, with a lot of presence, and the in-car rear-screen entertainment added something for the family. Like others we have 4x4 for the main family outings but the Rapide gave us that additional option. Having said that rear space is limited. which for such a big car is a surprise.
There’s so few Rapide’s around, during the factory tour and I think they said that 80% are exported, so there’s some nice exclusivity if you like that.
I did look at the Bentley, but not seriously…it’s not me if that makes sense.
The bad news is that with four doors I have now been seconded into ‘Prom’ runs…
I took the Rapide route. I had done the Vantage and DB9 before that, and was at that point of change when I saw the Rapide and thought it looked a stunning bit of four door ‘kit’. It’s a big car, with a lot of presence, and the in-car rear-screen entertainment added something for the family. Like others we have 4x4 for the main family outings but the Rapide gave us that additional option. Having said that rear space is limited. which for such a big car is a surprise.
There’s so few Rapide’s around, during the factory tour and I think they said that 80% are exported, so there’s some nice exclusivity if you like that.
I did look at the Bentley, but not seriously…it’s not me if that makes sense.
The bad news is that with four doors I have now been seconded into ‘Prom’ runs…
Sunray3006 said:
I am in exactly the same position with my DB9 and my 11 month old daughter - Bentley GT's as nice as they are just 'miss' that special something, the Porsche Panamararararara just doesn't float my boat and the Ferrari FF is a bit out of the financial budget.
I've even considered a Maserati but the reliability is still a major issue...
I've already got the big 4x4 as a family bus but its just not a great place to be when compared to V12 fun.
Interesting to see what other people think but I'm verging on the edge of a Rapide purchase for the end of 2015 as it looks like the only option.
I too looked at the Grand Turismo - I think it is up there amongst the most gorgeous cars on the market today. However, when I went to look at one I felt a little disappointed by the interior fittings, and the paint outside was terrible. One of those things that look glorious from a few feet away but doesn't really stand up to close scrutiny…I've even considered a Maserati but the reliability is still a major issue...
I've already got the big 4x4 as a family bus but its just not a great place to be when compared to V12 fun.
Interesting to see what other people think but I'm verging on the edge of a Rapide purchase for the end of 2015 as it looks like the only option.
I'm testing a Rapide on Wednesday, so will be interested to see how it goes. I'll also be interested to see what the dealer's offer on the v12v will be!
Another vote for the rapide from me. Got mine just over a year ago after owning both Vantage and DB9.2. Love it. Here is the link to my original thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
josh bear said:
Another vote for the rapide from me. Got mine just over a year ago after owning both Vantage and DB9.2. Love it. Here is the link to my original thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Thanks JB, I will see how my test drive goes and what the dealers are prepared to do on the V12V!http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
RE the DB9 - the problem you will have though with one so young is that their backward facing babyseat would need to go in the front passenger seat, which would then leave your wife in the rear passenger seat (or at home). So not ideal.
The DB9 works better with slightly older children, easy to fit a Britax booster seat behind the passenger seat.
So my vote would be either for the Rapide or look at a classic DBS or V8 from the 1970s
The DB9 works better with slightly older children, easy to fit a Britax booster seat behind the passenger seat.
So my vote would be either for the Rapide or look at a classic DBS or V8 from the 1970s
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