Vanquish rear seats

[Kapitan Plastic Fantastic]

First post, and know little about Astons, so go easy - please!

Looking at a Vanquish Volante Mk2.

I have run, for several years, a 370Z soft top as my daily driver, but went over to EVs a few years back for day to day stuff and the 370 became a weekend toy.

However, I rarely get to use it, as we have a disabled lad at home with us permanently. He's non-verbal, but mobile. But being that there are 3 of us at home at weekends, the 370 simply doesn't get used.

So....

Am going to look at a Vanquish in a few days.

I know the rear seats are tiny, with little leg room, but as my chap, despite being 22, is the size of a 12-13 year old (at least his clothes are VAT free), I am hoping he'll squeeze in back there.

We wouldn't be doing long road trips - more popping over the moors to a tea shop, or National Trust property - maybe the occasional foray across into the Borders (we're in Northumberland) - basically, less than an hour at a time in the car.

I know a Maserati GranCabrio, or a Bentley GTC, would be 'easier', given they have full size rear seats - but would really like an Aston, if we can cope with the rear seat issue. My wife is also petite, so she'd be able to have her seat pretty well forward.

Am I barking up the wrong tree?

I intend going for a look see anyway - would just like a touch of reassurance beforehand if that's possible.

TIA

[Simpo Two]

I think it could work as your wife is small so could move her seat well forwards. The better option for rear seats is of course the Rapide (and it has four doors for easier access).

[Longy00000]

I've got a gen 2 vanq s but not the volante and im not sure he would get into rhe back. It's really that tight !

Im in south East Northumberland and would happily meet up for you to 'test the back seat ' with him if you're still interested after your viewing.

I've never tried to get anyone in the back of mine but I would guess its probably only good for kids upto 7 or 8 years old??? But im just guessing there.

They are great cars though and I love mine.

[LooneyTunes]

I used to use mine for the school run and, as the kids grew, the front seat being forward to give a bit of space in the back did mean that you could fit two in but it quite seriously compromised visibility.

FWIW, we also had a GTC: very different feeling to the Aston, felt more solid, but it was very expensive indeed to run (the three year service was double the cost of the same service on the Vanquish).

The Rapide suggestion is well worth looking into.

[LTP]

The rear seats in the Volantes tend to be even more compromised than the coupe due to the hood stowage compromise. I obviously don't know your budget, but a DB11 was engineered to have more room in the back seats

[Simpo Two]

NB If you need more info but can't get it here, there's a Vanquish group on Facebook that's quite active and probably has more owners on it than PH: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404946806352184

[nickv12]

We sized up one of these when my son was 11 ro 12. He's now small, but at that point I thought it may be do-able.

Not a chance. Plus, by the time the electric front seat crawled forward, we could have got to our destination on a unicycle.

It's just not practical, apart from absolute "emergency" use.

[Vinocasino]

+1 for Rapide. I looked at Vanquish and DBS (and 911) went with Rapide. FF / GTC Lusso also an option if you want a V12 with read seats, but different price league

[AstonV12V]

Visiting 13yo, 11yo and 8yo fit just fine. I'm 5'9" and the seat position wasn't too compromised for the driver.
Kids loved it and happily travelled 35mins each way

[Simpo Two]

Vinocasino said:

+1 for Rapide. I looked at Vanquish and DBS (and 911) went with Rapide.

For practicality definitely, but if the OP wants to get the roof off there are no Rapide Volantes unfortunately.

[AMV8Stuart]

Just got my 2016 Vanquish (coupe) and for a laugh my wife tried out the rear seats - she's 4'10". We put the passenger seat as far forwards as possible and got in. Her head was touching the roof and whilst the seat back could return upright she said it was very claustrophobic and would not entertain any journey in it, so possibly ok for small children and/or absolute emergency. We'll use it for additional luggage space. Having come from a Vantage, the additional space in the cabin and boot in the Vanquish is appreciated especially as we'll be mostly using it for tours.

[Simpo Two]

AMV8Stuart said:

Just got my 2016 Vanquish (coupe) and for a laugh my wife tried out the rear seats...

Rear seats were actually factory options! I've had three '2+2's and without exception the rear seats were ridiculous. However they have to put something there because otherwise the car would look too short

[Kapitan Plastic Fantastic]

Thanks everyone,

Lots to think about - we've never actually measured my son, but he just about comes up to my shoulder, which would make him somewhere around 5' - 5'01" - about an inch shorter than my wife.

I'll take a look on Monday.

I know room-wise, a Maserati GC, or the Bentley GTC would be more sensible - but we're in this section for a reason!

[Kapitan Plastic Fantastic]

Longy00000 said:

I've got a gen 2 vanq s but not the volante and im not sure he would get into rhe back. It's really that tight !

Im in south East Northumberland and would happily meet up for you to 'test the back seat ' with him if you're still interested after your viewing.

I've never tried to get anyone in the back of mine but I would guess its probably only good for kids upto 7 or 8 years old??? But im just guessing there.

They are great cars though and I love mine.

That's very kind - we're a few miles South of Hexham, so not too far away. We may take you up on your kind offer, though it may be that we take him to the dealership, as it's not too far from friends of ours (a Vantage owner that has done nothing to dissuade me from this madness)!

[Kapitan Plastic Fantastic]

AstonV12V said:

Visiting 13yo, 11yo and 8yo fit just fine. I'm 5'9" and the seat position wasn't too compromised for the driver.
Kids loved it and happily travelled 35mins each way

Well this gives me hope, as my son doesn't look significantly larger, if at all, than any of your mini people!

[Kapitan Plastic Fantastic]

LTP said:

The rear seats in the Volantes tend to be even more compromised than the coupe due to the hood stowage compromise. I obviously don't know your budget, but a DB11 was engineered to have more room in the back seats

Interesting - pretty sure they have a DB11 in too - will take a look at that.

Budget tops out at a £100K - hopefully a touch less. Spending my pension before Reeves gets her mitts on it!

[AMVSVNick]

AMV8Stuart said:

Just got my 2016 Vanquish (coupe) and for a laugh my wife tried out the rear seats - she's 4'10". We put the passenger seat as far forwards as possible and got in. Her head was touching the roof and whilst the seat back could return upright she said it was very claustrophobic and would not entertain any journey in it, so possibly ok for small children and/or absolute emergency. We'll use it for additional luggage space. Having come from a Vantage, the additional space in the cabin and boot in the Vanquish is appreciated especially as we'll be mostly using it for tours.

Problem with the ladies is they don't like sitting with their legs wide open which makes life a whole load easier in the back.

[M1AGM]

Kapitan Plastic Fantastic said:

LTP said:

The rear seats in the Volantes tend to be even more compromised than the coupe due to the hood stowage compromise. I obviously don't know your budget, but a DB11 was engineered to have more room in the back seats

Interesting - pretty sure they have a DB11 in too - will take a look at that.

Budget tops out at a £100K - hopefully a touch less. Spending my pension before Reeves gets her mitts on it!

Just FYI its worth checking out the rear seats in the DB11 because the space difference compared to the VH2 cars is notable as LTP has posted. I had a late model 9 (same platform as the vanquish) and the rear seats were almost unusable unless a toddler in the back whereas the 11 will take my teenage kids without much fuss.

If you go to AM Newcastle they are a helpful friendly team. Also Aston Workshop might be worth a look too. Enjoy.

[Simpo Two]

M1AGM said:

I had a late model 9 (same platform as the vanquish) and the rear seats were almost unusable unless a toddler in the back whereas the 11 will take my teenage kids without much fuss.

Grant Neal notes that compared to the DBS (and therefore presumably the DB9), Vanquish doors are 50mm longer, legroom is +37mm, knee room +50mm, shoulder room +25mm and elbow room +87mm, and the dashboard is 20mm further forwards. But still far from a four seater of course!

OP - how important is the Volante bit?

[Kapitan Plastic Fantastic]

Simpo Two said:

Grant Neal notes that compared to the DBS (and therefore presumably the DB9), Vanquish doors are 50mm longer, legroom is +37mm, knee room +50mm, shoulder room +25mm and elbow room +87mm, and the dashboard is 20mm further forwards. But still far from a four seater of course!

OP - how important is the Volante bit?

The Volante bit is the essence of the car for me. I know it's contentious, but a 'sports car' can only be a real sports car if you can get rid of the roof. It's the theatre of the thing, and the enjoyment of a country road. Cocoon me in a tin top, and I may as well be driving my daily EV! If it's dry, the roof is down!