Considering a Vanquish
Discussion
I’ve ummed and ahhed over an AM for a few years, but I think 2023 is the year I actually have to buy one. I’ve got a new Taycan 4S ST but I’m just not getting on with it.
I’m thinking of either a Vanquish or late Rapide S. I have two kids under 10 so need usable rear seats (although to be honest I’m hoping to use it for some nice weekends away with just the Mrs.
I’m thinking a Vanquish post 2015 so it has the Touchtronic III gearbox and all the extra improvements associated with a later model. Definitely will be buying from a main dealer as I want the warranty for peace of mind for at least the first year. I’m hoping I’ll find one in either Skyfall or Hammerhead silver with the one-77 interior.
Hints and tips welcome on what I should look out for and if the rear is suitable for little ones (they will be in booster seats). Otherwise I think a Rapide S will be the way I go.
I’m thinking of either a Vanquish or late Rapide S. I have two kids under 10 so need usable rear seats (although to be honest I’m hoping to use it for some nice weekends away with just the Mrs.
I’m thinking a Vanquish post 2015 so it has the Touchtronic III gearbox and all the extra improvements associated with a later model. Definitely will be buying from a main dealer as I want the warranty for peace of mind for at least the first year. I’m hoping I’ll find one in either Skyfall or Hammerhead silver with the one-77 interior.
Hints and tips welcome on what I should look out for and if the rear is suitable for little ones (they will be in booster seats). Otherwise I think a Rapide S will be the way I go.
I'd take the kids along to a dealer that has a Vanquish in stock and ask to sit them in the back, then set your driving position. This, coupled with how tall your family tend to be and how long you think you'll keep the car may push the decision towards a Rapide, as it is a genuine 4-seater.
I bought a 2015 Vanquish with Touchtronic III back in April this year from an AM Main Dealer - I have a 10 year old boy who fits in the back seat nicely, he doesn't use a booster, although I have to put the front passenger seat all the way forward. We've done nearly 2 hour trips and he's been fine, so has the Mrs in the passenger seat. Although the last few months he's had a bit of a growth spurt and now he prefers to take his shoes off when he gets in the back, so he has more room. So I guess if they are under 8 or so, you'll have a good few years of them fitting easily in the back. I think after 10 it starts getting harder.
I am actually thinking of selling mine in the new year, can't believe I am even thinking of it but might look for something a bit more practical. That v12 though is a gem, it's a beautiful vehicle.
I am actually thinking of selling mine in the new year, can't believe I am even thinking of it but might look for something a bit more practical. That v12 though is a gem, it's a beautiful vehicle.
I was in a similar position to you in 2021, my kids simply wouldn’t fit into the Vanq or DB11 rear, so I ended up with a Rapide. But completely understand why you’ve fallen for the Vanquish! If you can squeeze in the little ones, you won’t regret it, however if they don’t fit - then a Rapide won’t short change you. Full V12 experience with adequate rear accommodation.
We have a Vanquish S (Volante) and a Taycan 4S as part of our family fleet. Personally I don't really like the Taycan much, but it's my wife's daily so I don't have to drive it often.
The Vanquish is great but at 6'1 you can forget about it being a 2+2. More like a 1 + 2 (driver plus on in passenger seat, one behind passenger)... and if it works now, the kids will grow and refuse to go in either of the back seats.
What will then happen is you'll get frustrated about not being able to do the school run/go out as a family and need another car. So if the game plan is that you actually want both a Vanquish and a Rapide, definitely buy a Vanquish ASAP. If however you're limited to one of them, the Rapide is probably a better proposition.
If you do go down the Vanquish route, very compact inflatable travel booster seats (there used to be some that had the necessary approvals) are the easiest to get in.
The Vanquish is great but at 6'1 you can forget about it being a 2+2. More like a 1 + 2 (driver plus on in passenger seat, one behind passenger)... and if it works now, the kids will grow and refuse to go in either of the back seats.
What will then happen is you'll get frustrated about not being able to do the school run/go out as a family and need another car. So if the game plan is that you actually want both a Vanquish and a Rapide, definitely buy a Vanquish ASAP. If however you're limited to one of them, the Rapide is probably a better proposition.
If you do go down the Vanquish route, very compact inflatable travel booster seats (there used to be some that had the necessary approvals) are the easiest to get in.
The Vanq offers a more special proposition but is compromised as a family car. Yes you could squeeze a couple of kids in it on an occasional basis but I don't see it as a good proposition for daily duties with kids.
The rapide does offer the space without doubt but I don't see it as the same special proposition, though if value comes into the equation then that's another story. Some 4 doors offer great value in the used market but how low they go in future with depreciation is anyone's guess.
The vanqs have held firm all year from what I've seen and that could be a positive going forward.
Yes you need a kater car with the 8bspeed box many dealers have told me they sell much better than the 6 speed cars. Better performance and better fuel economy can't be too bad.
Fully carbon fibre body shell and if specced well a lovely interior will always find an appreciative audience hence that specialness I referred to. However the back seats have always really been extra packing space or somewhere for my dog to travel but the grandkids can fit in but its just not the practical car the Rapide is.
So do you want practical or special (not that rhe rapide isn't, its just imo not AS special as the Vanquish)
The rapide does offer the space without doubt but I don't see it as the same special proposition, though if value comes into the equation then that's another story. Some 4 doors offer great value in the used market but how low they go in future with depreciation is anyone's guess.
The vanqs have held firm all year from what I've seen and that could be a positive going forward.
Yes you need a kater car with the 8bspeed box many dealers have told me they sell much better than the 6 speed cars. Better performance and better fuel economy can't be too bad.
Fully carbon fibre body shell and if specced well a lovely interior will always find an appreciative audience hence that specialness I referred to. However the back seats have always really been extra packing space or somewhere for my dog to travel but the grandkids can fit in but its just not the practical car the Rapide is.
So do you want practical or special (not that rhe rapide isn't, its just imo not AS special as the Vanquish)
LooneyTunes said:
We have a Vanquish S (Volante) and a Taycan 4S as part of our family fleet. Personally I don't really like the Taycan much, but it's my wife's daily so I don't have to drive it often.
The Vanquish is great but at 6'1 you can forget about it being a 2+2. More like a 1 + 2 (driver plus on in passenger seat, one behind passenger)... and if it works now, the kids will grow and refuse to go in either of the back seats.
What will then happen is you'll get frustrated about not being able to do the school run/go out as a family and need another car. So if the game plan is that you actually want both a Vanquish and a Rapide, definitely buy a Vanquish ASAP. If however you're limited to one of them, the Rapide is probably a better proposition.
If you do go down the Vanquish route, very compact inflatable travel booster seats (there used to be some that had the necessary approvals) are the easiest to get in.
Really interested to hear I’m not alone in being a little disappointed by the Taycan 4S, I was beginning to think I was alone and losing it! I loved my RWD but I just can’t bond with this one.The Vanquish is great but at 6'1 you can forget about it being a 2+2. More like a 1 + 2 (driver plus on in passenger seat, one behind passenger)... and if it works now, the kids will grow and refuse to go in either of the back seats.
What will then happen is you'll get frustrated about not being able to do the school run/go out as a family and need another car. So if the game plan is that you actually want both a Vanquish and a Rapide, definitely buy a Vanquish ASAP. If however you're limited to one of them, the Rapide is probably a better proposition.
If you do go down the Vanquish route, very compact inflatable travel booster seats (there used to be some that had the necessary approvals) are the easiest to get in.
I’ll have to pop to a dealership that has both and see how cosy they are. A friend mentioned that the DB11 is more generous on rear space but I’m just not sure about the design - to my eyes they just look a bit like they’ve come from Japan!
Two in the back were 7 & 8 at the time. Now 10 & 11 and not possible. If you can get away with it now I’d give it a go as VS is a wonderful car.
I posted this elsewhere yesterday from a journalist.
Sums it up for me.
“Calling the Vanquish S a car is unfitting; it is a bespoke rolling work of art that deserves a descriptor of more than one syllable. Most likely its successor will be faster, lighter and even better handling. Sure, the current engine is an aging design that has been around for two decades, but with the next generation’s exhaust gasses routed through twin turbines, which are a necessity if the V12 configuration is to meet increasingly stringent emissions, it’s unlikely it will emit the aurally delightful bellow of this, the final chapter in Aston Martin’s naturally aspirated V12 adventure novel”
I posted this elsewhere yesterday from a journalist.
Sums it up for me.
“Calling the Vanquish S a car is unfitting; it is a bespoke rolling work of art that deserves a descriptor of more than one syllable. Most likely its successor will be faster, lighter and even better handling. Sure, the current engine is an aging design that has been around for two decades, but with the next generation’s exhaust gasses routed through twin turbines, which are a necessity if the V12 configuration is to meet increasingly stringent emissions, it’s unlikely it will emit the aurally delightful bellow of this, the final chapter in Aston Martin’s naturally aspirated V12 adventure novel”
If you need real useable rear seats then the Rapide is the only choice really. Vanq and all other model rear seats are very vert small indeed.
Have you considered a Rapide AMR ? It has the Vanquish S 595bhp engine and so much more over a standard Rapide S, it could be the ideal car to tick both boxes!
A little bit more expensive than a regular Rapide S of course but wprth every penny imho! Absolutely love ours!
Have you considered a Rapide AMR ? It has the Vanquish S 595bhp engine and so much more over a standard Rapide S, it could be the ideal car to tick both boxes!
A little bit more expensive than a regular Rapide S of course but wprth every penny imho! Absolutely love ours!
AdamV12V said:
If you need real useable rear seats then the Rapide is the only choice really. Vanq and all other model rear seats are very vert small indeed.
Have you considered a Rapide AMR ? It has the Vanquish S 595bhp engine and so much more over a standard Rapide S, it could be the ideal car to tick both boxes!
A little bit more expensive than a regular Rapide S of course but wprth every penny imho! Absolutely love ours!
100%. But if you could have a Vanquish S for a couple of years I would. Rapide of no use to me as I have three kids Have you considered a Rapide AMR ? It has the Vanquish S 595bhp engine and so much more over a standard Rapide S, it could be the ideal car to tick both boxes!
A little bit more expensive than a regular Rapide S of course but wprth every penny imho! Absolutely love ours!
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff