Got Myself a Rapide.
Discussion
Well, after a few years of wanting, investigating, understanding and viewing I've eventually joined the Aston family. Found a 2011 Rapide in Quantum Silver with a Phantom Grey interior and 82,000km.
Originally I was looking for a DB9, but began to notice that I could get a newer Rapide with all the obvious time based improvements, as well as an extra ~25cm of Aston Martin goodness for similar money. Being in Australia the market is a lot smaller here as well and I think because of that prices are bit higher compared to the UK. Having said that I did manage to get a deal i was happy with on this one.
At some point the car was a repossession and as a consequence there is only a crystal key and the owners manual with history is missing. I did speak to the original supplying dealer interstate and they have verbally confirmed it has a full service history for the first 8 years with them with no history of damage or major faults. I also got my local AM dealership the PPI it and they didn't find anything to worry about with it. I'm hoping if I can source an owners manual the supplying dealer can restamp the service history. The guy I bought it off has it serviced by at a known indy place, so the past 4-5 years history is good. I've just put it through it's pink slip (MOT) today and nothing was found apart from some mainly dead Redbacks, so happy days.
I'll do some of the servicing and maintenance on it myself as I am aircraft engineer by trade so hopefully got the skills. A few things I need to sort such as the usual leather shrinkage on the dash and binnacle, minor sagging of the headliner, TPMS sensors are flagging up, keep an eye on a very minor timing chain cover leak (no drips on the floor after parking for a few days), but the biggest problem so far is sourcing a new valet or crystal key. The usual UK outlets all seem to be out of them with expected restock timeframe unknown....anyone know if there is a supply chain issue? Local AM want over A$4k to supply and code so may have to bite that bullet. Not sure I will keep these plates on it....007 ...not really, although DBR = David Brown Rapide??
Just wanted to say thanks as well for this forum and the input into it. The amount of knowledge out there is very reassuring. Also Steve at Aston1936 and his fantastic how to videos if you are on this forum - very much appreciated. I'll alo be looking at the NSW AMOC branch for membership.
Big plus.........Mrs 'mead likes it as well!
Originally I was looking for a DB9, but began to notice that I could get a newer Rapide with all the obvious time based improvements, as well as an extra ~25cm of Aston Martin goodness for similar money. Being in Australia the market is a lot smaller here as well and I think because of that prices are bit higher compared to the UK. Having said that I did manage to get a deal i was happy with on this one.
At some point the car was a repossession and as a consequence there is only a crystal key and the owners manual with history is missing. I did speak to the original supplying dealer interstate and they have verbally confirmed it has a full service history for the first 8 years with them with no history of damage or major faults. I also got my local AM dealership the PPI it and they didn't find anything to worry about with it. I'm hoping if I can source an owners manual the supplying dealer can restamp the service history. The guy I bought it off has it serviced by at a known indy place, so the past 4-5 years history is good. I've just put it through it's pink slip (MOT) today and nothing was found apart from some mainly dead Redbacks, so happy days.
I'll do some of the servicing and maintenance on it myself as I am aircraft engineer by trade so hopefully got the skills. A few things I need to sort such as the usual leather shrinkage on the dash and binnacle, minor sagging of the headliner, TPMS sensors are flagging up, keep an eye on a very minor timing chain cover leak (no drips on the floor after parking for a few days), but the biggest problem so far is sourcing a new valet or crystal key. The usual UK outlets all seem to be out of them with expected restock timeframe unknown....anyone know if there is a supply chain issue? Local AM want over A$4k to supply and code so may have to bite that bullet. Not sure I will keep these plates on it....007 ...not really, although DBR = David Brown Rapide??
Just wanted to say thanks as well for this forum and the input into it. The amount of knowledge out there is very reassuring. Also Steve at Aston1936 and his fantastic how to videos if you are on this forum - very much appreciated. I'll alo be looking at the NSW AMOC branch for membership.
Big plus.........Mrs 'mead likes it as well!
Edited by Watermead on Tuesday 12th May 08:14
Congratulations. Welcome to the fold. It helps if the other half likes it too.
As far as a valet key goes, Phoenix in the UK are listing one for £675 or £685, depending on frequency (they list both). I don't know if you've already contacted them to see if they have stock, or what the logistics would be in shipping down under then getting the key coded to the car.
As far as a valet key goes, Phoenix in the UK are listing one for £675 or £685, depending on frequency (they list both). I don't know if you've already contacted them to see if they have stock, or what the logistics would be in shipping down under then getting the key coded to the car.
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