"Practical" she says...
Discussion
Last year I traded the V12V in for a current model Vanquish and I absolutely adore the car - obviously it's the same unit under the bonnet but it's just that extra bit special to look at.
The back seats, however, are absolutely useless if you have legs and are more than 5ft tall. Ever since we've had a new addition to the family, I haven't had much of an opportunity to drive it - we've had a couple of outings in the car where the baby has travelled up front (car seat simply doesn't fit in the back) and the wife's forced to sit in the back but this only gave rise to an increased use of curse words, the audacity to blaspheme the Aston name, and cries to get something a little more, and I hate this word, "practical".
I really don't want to sell because that would mean leaving the brand which I so love (the Rapide doesn't fit the bill) but alas that's starting to feel like an inevitability. The other problem of course is I can't think of a car that is "special" and at the same time "practical" i.e. has four proper seats, can fit baby's car seat, a pram and the shopping, etc.
Help!
The back seats, however, are absolutely useless if you have legs and are more than 5ft tall. Ever since we've had a new addition to the family, I haven't had much of an opportunity to drive it - we've had a couple of outings in the car where the baby has travelled up front (car seat simply doesn't fit in the back) and the wife's forced to sit in the back but this only gave rise to an increased use of curse words, the audacity to blaspheme the Aston name, and cries to get something a little more, and I hate this word, "practical".
I really don't want to sell because that would mean leaving the brand which I so love (the Rapide doesn't fit the bill) but alas that's starting to feel like an inevitability. The other problem of course is I can't think of a car that is "special" and at the same time "practical" i.e. has four proper seats, can fit baby's car seat, a pram and the shopping, etc.
Help!
Phil74891 said:
Buy an extra car - and let your wife choose it. Sorted.
I should have mentioned that oddly where we live we've got a maximum of one car per property on our lease with no on-street parking nearby so need to try and solve for a one car solution... or move house but that's another issue altogether!Idea :
Are the lightweight seats thinner ?
See :
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Are the lightweight seats thinner ?
See :
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Pete posts a "problem" that has been discussed several times before.
Nothing wrong with the Rapide but if you want a volante it's not the one for you.
I love my DB9V but it's so frustrating that it doesn't have that little bit extra leg room that would accomadate an adult,as I'm told the Masi does.
Why doesn't AM try to address this as surely it would address a market that does exist ?
Nothing wrong with the Rapide but if you want a volante it's not the one for you.
I love my DB9V but it's so frustrating that it doesn't have that little bit extra leg room that would accomadate an adult,as I'm told the Masi does.
Why doesn't AM try to address this as surely it would address a market that does exist ?
Edited by avinalarf on Tuesday 17th July 17:02
I have two children, 3.5 & 5 that both fit in the back happily with their booster seats, but there's no way you'll get an infant in the back, especially with the laws requiring rear facing seats.
The DB11 does have fractionally more room in the rear, though less comfortable, you might be able to get a rear facing seat in there but it'd be a disaster trying to get in and out.
The only thing I can suggest is sell the Vanquish and buy one again once your child is over the age of three, ideally four. In my opinion the perfect age range of children for a Vanquish owner is 4 to 11 when they can comfortably fit in the back.
As for alternatives, I've been considering my eventual successor to my Vanquish, as the kids get bigger. I've been eyeing up two that'd have room for a rear facing seat if needed:
Ferrari FF, big back seats, four wheel drive, V12, I've often dismissed the FF but people who run them seem to love them
Bentley Continental GT, if I was getting one I'd look at the new model based on the Panamera platform, I've had a good look round one and I'm very impressed.
The DB11 does have fractionally more room in the rear, though less comfortable, you might be able to get a rear facing seat in there but it'd be a disaster trying to get in and out.
The only thing I can suggest is sell the Vanquish and buy one again once your child is over the age of three, ideally four. In my opinion the perfect age range of children for a Vanquish owner is 4 to 11 when they can comfortably fit in the back.
As for alternatives, I've been considering my eventual successor to my Vanquish, as the kids get bigger. I've been eyeing up two that'd have room for a rear facing seat if needed:
Ferrari FF, big back seats, four wheel drive, V12, I've often dismissed the FF but people who run them seem to love them
Bentley Continental GT, if I was getting one I'd look at the new model based on the Panamera platform, I've had a good look round one and I'm very impressed.
Edited by PantsFire on Tuesday 17th July 16:58
Phil57DBS said:
Idea :
Are the lightweight seats thinner ?
See :
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Nice idea but the lightweight seats do not tilt, hence when fitted at the factory (and allegedly only 9 Vanquish had this option) you can only have the 2+0 configuration.Are the lightweight seats thinner ?
See :
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
So, no
An unfortunate predicament Peter.
It is the first time that I have heard of a property lease, with a condition of one car per residence.
Perhaps not surprising though, where space is restricted. It would certainly spoil my car collecting hobby.
Your wife is I am sure, very charming when she stops blaspheming, but I afraid that I must agree with her, that car baby seats are sizeable contraptions now, and not really practical for any two door car. Imagine trying to lift a one year old child into the rear facing baby seat of a two door car. I suppose during such an attempt there is always the risk, that further additions to the family might become impossible.
If I were you, I think I would temporarily give up Aston Martins, but continue to look forward to returning later on, when circumstances have changed. Hopefully they won't all be electric by then. The wording of your lease might not prohibit, an Aston Martin Volante Vision. Just a thought.
I am also unable to drive my Aston as much as I would like to, although my reason is not due to child seats, but often travelling with excess luggage. However, I can appreciate your difficulties, because when I cannot be at the wheel, I do still have the satisfying feeling, that it is always available waiting under the dust cover.
Jon39 said:
I am also unable to drive my Aston as much as I would like to, although my reason is not due to child seats, but often travelling with excess luggage. However, I can appreciate your difficulties, because when I cannot be at the wheel, I do still have the satisfying feeling, that it is always available waiting under the dust cover.
https://www.seasucker.com/collections/all-products...
http://www.56nord.com/
https://youtu.be/Q3lSM0YxGdY?t=16m
Edited by PantsFire on Tuesday 17th July 17:32
PantsFire said:
Ferrari FF, big back seats, four wheel drive, V12, I've often dismissed the FF but people who run them seem to love them
I have sat in the rear of one of those and you're absolutely right the leg room in the back is actually quite generous for a sports car 
I don't know if I'm ready to be a Ferrari owner though... not sure I could handle the abuse
Edited by Pete675 on Tuesday 17th July 18:22
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