Rapide or DBS?

[4leks]

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Edited by 4leks on Sunday 23 September 21:29

[paddy328]

I would go for the DBS. Just for the way it looks etc. I've not seen a child seat in the back of one though to be honest.

I imagine you could get a good deal on a rapide though. Customer cars are rare, so there is probably a deal to be had.

Get either in black and you'll be laughing.

[4leks]

paddy328 said:

I would go for the DBS. Just for the way it looks etc. I've not seen a child seat in the back of one though to be honest.

Thank you. I also much prefer the look of DBS but I just don't want to be in position when I wouldn't be able to use it for long journeys. I'm pretty sure that the child seat would fit OK and it is enough room for short journeys but I really have no idea about long trips. Also this is not something I can find out during test drive

[Paxto]

There is a discussion on DB9 backseats on this thread - and I very much doubt the DBS back seats are any bigger as its basically the same frame.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=108...

Hope it helps.

[Steve*B]

Alex, FWIW, I'd forget the DBS. Even with your wife being so petite you'll feel like you're in the back seat when you look over at her as she'll have the seat so far forward.

It's a real shame but, imho, the Rapide's looks are compromised in order to accommodate 4 people so my advice would be to sell the 360, get a DBS and then have another think.

[andyxxx]

I have a 6 year old and lanky 10 y old.
Either can sit in the back of a DB9 (which I believe is the same sixe as DBS) with the passenger seat forward, but I would not say comfortably. The seats have no padding - like sitting on leather clad wood.

I certainly wouldn't attempt a journey over an hour or so.

Get the DBS, the rapide is odd looking and not nice (IMHO)

[B4rnst4ble]

Hi
I have 8 and 4 year old both can get in the back ( db9 ) for short journeys but anything over an hour would be too long, as it has been previously said the rear seats are leathered planks of wood, As long as I bribe the kids they will say it is comfy in the back,, I have to do this as I bought the car after telling the wife it was a 4 seater family car!!

[Steve*B]

And the above two posters should be done for (understandable) child cruelty

[brakedwell]

I would opt for a Rapide. The rear seats in a DB9/S are only suitably for medium to longish journeys if you are rearing a pair of young Hobbits.

Edited by brakedwell on Monday 12th December 12:52

[Zod]

Done the DB9 thing. Managed short journeys, but wouldn't have tried anything that long. Now I have a V12V and an X5, but I have three kids. With two, I'd be sorely tempted to get a Rapide. I don't think its looks are compromised. I think it works very well. My concern would be luggage space.

[yeti]

I think the Rapide is a thing of beauty, yes it's not *quite* a DBS but the barred upper and lower grille and interesting front wing detail make it almost as good and differentiate it from a DB9 enough. Sounds like the car for you if you don't need a Volante, I'd probably have one over a DB9/Virage coupe as it has the looks/charm appeal of the DB9 but extra tricks up its sleeve. DBS is a little hardcore to ferry kids about as agreed by most on here it seems.

OR a Maserati Quattroporte is very hard to ignore for a lot less money... The 4.7 really shifts quite well

For the money of either of your choices, a very nice DB9/Vantage could be had WITH a QP. Lovely brace that would be

[Jockman]

DBS + kids = oxymoron.

Why would you ? Indeed, why have those rear seats in such a brute of a car anyway.

Methinks AM realised this mistake so gave you a 'compromise' option of 2+0 - ok so now you can package the kids and put them on the parcel shelf instead ??

At least the V12V shows a bit of joined up thinking, as does the Rapide. Neither give out mixed messages

[George H]

yeti said:

OR a Maserati Quattroporte is very hard to ignore for a lot less money... The 4.7 really shifts quite well

For the money of either of your choices, a very nice DB9/Vantage could be had WITH a QP. Lovely brace that would be

Or a GranTurismo, they're the same chassis but with a coupe body aren't they? I know they're renound as the best sporty 4 seater anyway.

The DBS might be ok for a short while, but if you're planning on keeping it for any length of time then the seats will soon become too small.

[yeti]

George H said:

Or a GranTurismo, they're the same chassis but with a coupe body aren't they?

Good point - tempted our very own Michael Gould from his DB9 due to child-freighting issues. Very practical car and with a road presence to rival an Aston.

[BA]

4leks

The DBS ain't going to cut it as a four seater. Best test, take the whole family to your local AM dealer and let the kids climb all over the back seats of a DBS & Rapide. They will give you a great deal just to get out.

Just swapping my DB9 for exactly this reason, you will be able to convince yourself that it looks OK but the kids will soon tell you otherwise, as will the wife who will not enjoy Journeys with the seat pushed into the dash.

With regards to the Rapide, feedback from little BA was that it was very loud in the back and also the seats are very low compared to the window line which meant he had trouble seeing out. He liked the video screens though!!

[peterr96]

BA said:

4leks

With regards to the Rapide, feedback from little BA was that it was very loud in the back and also the seats are very low compared to the window line which meant he had trouble seeing out. He liked the video screens though!!

So; forward facing camera, with feeds to the rear screens. Simples!

[4leks]

Thank you very much for input guys. Looks like it has to be a Rapide then.

[Knights of Aston]

The Rapide is an awesome car. You won't be disappointed. Drives and handles really well.