Vantage 420 to Rapide anyone?

[watchrabbit]

Thinking about trading my MY2011 V8 Vantage for a Rapide. Anyone did this before? Thoughts on that? It's not that I need this 2 seats very often, but I find the bigger Design and space and the more comfortable ride somehow appealing.

Are the running costs much higher than on a V8v. Mileage much worse?

[famoussas]

watchrabbit said:

Thinking about trading my MY2011 V8 Vantage for a Rapide. Anyone did this before? Thoughts on that? It's not that I need this 2 seats very often, but I find the bigger Design and space and the more comfortable ride somehow appealing.

Are the running costs much higher than on a V8v. Mileage much worse?

Well we have both, Vantage Roadster though... First off, the Rapide is twice the car the V8 Vantage is, in all aspects (IMO).

The Vantage is definitely rawer, firmer ride etc, but the Rapide has the ability to stiffen up when you want it to, having both a Sport button and button which dramatically stiffens the suspension.

The two seats in the back are not as useless as people suggest, but I wouldn't want to sit in the back for more than a couple of hours.

The Rapide is actually extremely good on fuel for a 6.0 V12, although it will obviously depend how you drive it, think the average mpg is about 16 with mixed driving.

Edited by famoussas on Thursday 14th July 15:17

[watchrabbit]

I hear you. I think I'll take the plunge. Right now working on a deal :-) I am sure there will be some situations, where the Vantage excells, but than again, most of the time it was to harsh...

[Murph7355]

famoussas said:

...
The two seats in the back are not as useless as people suggest, ...

Queue our resident stocky Scotty

[peterr96]

Hey, I wonder how many bikes'n'stuff I can get in the back of a Rapide?
When you get it, pop over and we'll give it a whirl. Plenty more bikes where that one came from.

[Jockman]

sMurph7355 said:

Queue our resident stocky Scotty

sMurph me old mucka, your compliments know no bounds.

I don´t think the Rapide seats are useless, I just think they are not as useful as one might imagine.

Fantastic car though, and good luck OP with the decision

[watchrabbit]

Decision taken! Rapide is it :-). It'll take about 2 weeks though...
My winter rims from Vantage will not fit though :-(
What rims does the Rapide take? Db9? Dbs?
Thanks for your valuable input! :-)

[Murph7355]

Pictures? (Am assuming you've actually bought one).

Are they not the same wheels as a DBS?

[George H]

watchrabbit said:

Decision taken! Rapide is it :-). It'll take about 2 weeks though...
My winter rims from Vantage will not fit though :-(
What rims does the Rapide take? Db9? Dbs?
Thanks for your valuable input! :-)

What spec have you gone for? Colour etc. Looking forward to pictures

I'm fairly sure the Rapide has the 20" wheels, therefore it would be the DBS wheels.

[famoussas]

Rapide wheels are unique to the car, although I have seen some pretty awful OEM wheels on the car in Europe. And yea, they're 20".

[Murph7355]

Jockman said:

sMurph me old mucka, your compliments know no bounds.

I don´t think the Rapide seats are useless, I just think they are not as useful as one might imagine.

Fantastic car though, and good luck OP with the decision

[watchrabbit]

Takes some more 2 weeks.

Decided this time against grey... It's Silver Blonde:-)

Full options, Rear Seat Entertainment, etc...

[JohnG1]

watchrabbit said:

My winter rims from Vantage will not fit though :-(

If you are selling the Vantage winter wheels please PM me.

I've got a V12V and I think they might be a good option.

[watchrabbit]

JohnG1 said:

If you are selling the Vantage winter wheels please PM me.

I've got a V12V and I think they might be a good option.

I have to sell them, that's for sure. Original 19" rims, Pirelli AM spec tyres (wonderful on snow and rain) 2000kms.
I am located in Germany, though.

[watchrabbit]

famoussas said:

First off, the Rapide is twice the car the V8 Vantage is, in all aspects (IMO).
The Vantage is definitely rawer, firmer ride etc, but the Rapide has the ability to stiffen up when you want it to, having both a Sport button and button which dramatically stiffens the suspension.
The two seats in the back are not as useless as people suggest, but I wouldn't want to sit in the back for more than a couple of hours.

I had my Rapide now for 2 days and I must admit you were spot on right! Plus the Touchtronic is in a completely different league than the Sportshift. You shift, it's there, you don't even feel it! Wonderful! Was a little afraid knowing the gear box on my 7 series BMW (same manufacturer) but this thing blows through the gears in sports mode!

Very happy with my swap! :-)

[clorenzen]

JohnG1 said:

If you are selling the Vantage winter wheels please PM me.

I've got a V12V and I think they might be a good option.

John, the 19" from the amv8 will not fit the V12V as winter wheels due to the size of the carbon brake disc. You need the special V12V winter rims.

[JohnG1]

clorenzen said:

John, the 19" from the amv8 will not fit the V12V as winter wheels due to the size of the carbon brake disc. You need the special V12V winter rims.

Thanks for the advice - very helpful for next time. I was already out as it would have been too much off a faff to get the wheels from Germany to Norf Lahndahn ;-)

[famoussas]

watchrabbit said:

I had my Rapide now for 2 days and I must admit you were spot on right! Plus the Touchtronic is in a completely different league than the Sportshift. You shift, it's there, you don't even feel it! Wonderful! Was a little afraid knowing the gear box on my 7 series BMW (same manufacturer) but this thing blows through the gears in sports mode!

Very happy with my swap! :-)

Glad you like it. Get a switch installed to open the valves in the exhaust (similar to removing fuse 22). Too loud for everyday use though!

[watchrabbit]

famoussas said:

Get a switch installed to open the valves in the exhaust (similar to removing fuse 22). Too loud for everyday use though!

Any suggestions? I took a look behind the drivers seat (left back here) and didn't even find the fuse box. :-) Don't know what remote switch would fit...

[famoussas]

watchrabbit said:

Any suggestions? I took a look behind the drivers seat (left back here) and didn't even find the fuse box. :-) Don't know what remote switch would fit...

Pretty sure the fuse box is relocated in a very awkward/inaccessible place in new Aston's to stop people removing fuse 22 or the equivalent.

Ours went to Work Service and had a switch installed on the steering column so the exhausts can be opened and closed as pleased. This may sound like a lot of work (and money) for what it is, but imo the exhausts are way too loud for everyday use when open. It's easily the loudest car on the drive when you want it to be.