Early Rapide yes or no?

[JohnBRG]

Anyone run a Rapide? Thinking of getting back into an Aston after a few 911s, kids have got a bit big for the back of those. At c.40K the early cars have got to be getting close to the bottom of their depreciation curve.....any views or comments would be welcome.

Also, how do you fix a typo in the thread title?!

[CeramicMX5ND2]

JohnBRG said:

Also, how do you fix a typo in the thread title?!

Click on the report button and notify a moderator.

[JohnBRG]

CeramicMX5ND2 said:

Click on the report button and notify a moderator.

Thanks.....

[GreatGranny]

Risk of big bills would put me off if I was ever in the market for a £40k 4 seater even if it's fantastic to look at.

And those rear seats look cramped



How about a Panamera?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102018...

M6 GC

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011306...

ETA However I've just listed cars with potential for big bills so go for it

[fflump]

The Rapide is a good looking car (especially next to a 6 series or a gen1 Panamera). Also there is likely a floor on prices around 25-30k that will take them a long time (if ever) to crash through, as long as its a good example well maintained. 6 series and panameras will probably depreciate to nothing.

That said, running costs will be high, even if there is nothing serious wrong, but provided not too many miles are put on it, there's unlikely to be much depreciation.

Seats look snug but TBH he's coming from a 911 so I presume all he needs is 'usable' for the kids.

Thorough specialist inspection prior to purchase plus FAMSH mitigates risk.

[Squareroot]

Bamford Rose youtube vid on the Rapide may be useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR9-UEYjF5E&t=...

[ZX10R NIN]

They're actually pretty decent, anything that was originally in this cars price bracket new will not be cheap to run.
Speak to an independent about the servicing if the costs are something you can live with then I say go for it.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101288...

For the same money you can buy this:

A car that feels special & will still cost to maintain but not quite as special:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102239...

Flying Spur

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010074...

Arnage

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102259...

[OverSteery]

ZX10R NIN said:

They're actually pretty decent, anything that was originally in this cars price bracket new will not be cheap to run.
Speak to an independent about the servicing if the costs are something you can live with then I say go for it.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101288...

7 owners.

[WhiskyDisco]

I would be less put off by mileage than owners. These engines are made to run. This advert caught my eye
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101087...

55k miles is proper miles for a 2012 - shows that it has been enjoyed. This car has had a replacement engine, which is a positive as it has been even more "fettled".

Steer clear of Khan alloys and "personal" interior options and you'll be OK.

[fflump]

Good thing about the early Rapide is that the front is IMO a lot nice than the later Rapide S which gained a rather large vulgar front grille

If you're dropping £40k on a 2+2 V12 its worth thinking about a 456 or (with a little budget creep) a 612?

[ZX10R NIN]

WhiskyDisco said:

I would be less put off by mileage than owners. These engines are made to run. This advert caught my eye
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101087...

55k miles is proper miles for a 2012 - shows that it has been enjoyed. This car has had a replacement engine, which is a positive as it has been even more "fettled".

Steer clear of Khan alloys and "personal" interior options and you'll be OK.

Now for me the Khan alloys look better than the standard alloys, the one you linked to would look better with the Khan alloys but I agree the interior is nicer in the one above.

[JohnBRG]

ZX10R NIN said:

They're actually pretty decent, anything that was originally in this cars price bracket new will not be cheap to run.
Speak to an independent about the servicing if the costs are something you can live with then I say go for it.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101288...

For the same money you can buy this:

A car that feels special & will still cost to maintain but not quite as special:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102239...

Flying Spur

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010074...

Arnage

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102259...

Have looked at those other options..... quite like the Maser, Bentley a bit excessive, drawn to the Aston as I loved my old one (2006 V8V).

[JohnBRG]

Squareroot said:

Bamford Rose youtube vid on the Rapide may be useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR9-UEYjF5E&t=...

Thanks for this, very helpful.

[JohnBRG]

fflump said:

Good thing about the early Rapide is that the front is IMO a lot nice than the later Rapide S which gained a rather large vulgar front grille

If you're dropping £40k on a 2+2 V12 its worth thinking about a 456 or (with a little budget creep) a 612?

I love both.....but the potential bills are surely in a different league from the Aston?

[MDL111]

My business partner runs one as his daily (although I think he doesn’t drive anywhere daily). He would have told me of something went wrong with it, so seems to be doing ok.
I think they look great and sound amazing even at very low revs
Good luck

[fflump]

JohnBRG said:

I love both.....but the potential bills are surely in a different league from the Aston?

I have no idea, but my independent mechanic who works mainly on Ferrari/Maserati, Porsches, and AMs reckoned it would be cheaper to run a 456 than a DB9 (the 2 toys I was/am considering). I'd only go for a manual though.

[JohnBRG]

fflump said:

I have no idea, but my independent mechanic who works mainly on Ferrari/Maserati, Porsches, and AMs reckoned it would be cheaper to run a 456 than a DB9 (the 2 toys I was/am considering). I'd only go for a manual though.

I'm just not brave enough to go Ferrari.....good luck if you do it!

[fflump]

Cheers. If I did I'd get rid of the Ghibli and buy some soot-chucking German shed for family use.

However, for £40k on a 10 year old 2+2 with style, exclusivity and usable seats the Rapide is a great choice. Also a proper modern car unlike the 456.

[EC2]

Actually they are spacious enough in the back once you are in but ingress/egress are hard due to short sill length.

There is something really interesting about them even though they don't really make sense. If you want four seats then they make a lot of sense, if not then get a DB9.

[fflump]

Style/prestige at that price with usable 4 seats not that common
Rules out 911, DB9, XK.

Style/image issues may rule out Panamera and the Conti GT, but that's personal choice.

Other than a Rapide, another option is the GranTurismo Sport (2012 onwards) which many regard as the car the GranTurismo should have been all along. Upgraded power plant, redesigned front, excellent sports seats. £31k upwards on AT. Different image to the AM, but plenty of man-points with both models IMO.