Considering FF

Chrisb2015

Member
Messages
538
Unless happy to go with the less than attractive Rapide or Panamera, the Granturismo, be it Sport or Stradale, is the only one with usable rear seats. I had an FF the other day for a couple of days and realised that the rear seats are of little use to anyone over the age of 6-7. That’s unless the drives is 5’8” or less.
Hi Richard, I have seen your comments on the Rapide before, do you really look at this picture and think it looks horrible? I had a close look at one the other day and loved it. Must be a marmite car.........
media
 

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
Hi Richard, I have seen your comments on the Rapide before, do you really look at this picture and think it looks horrible? I had a close look at one the other day and loved it. Must be a marmite car.........
media
It’s better looking than a panamera- but nowhere near the lines of the vanquish or DB11. Still think the Stradale is the best looking. If only the cabin and infotainment was a bit more modern, or the newer ones weren’t offering 36% residuals!
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Hi Richard, I have seen your comments on the Rapide before, do you really look at this picture and think it looks horrible? I had a close look at one the other day and loved it. Must be a marmite car.........
media

I never liked these until I got up close to one....Pictures don't do it justice. Its really is low slung and some moan about the rear seats but as a short **** there was plenty of room......Now that blue one looks lovely.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
It’s better looking than a panamera- but nowhere near the lines of the vanquish or DB11. Still think the Stradale is the best looking. If only the cabin and infotainment was a bit more modern, or the newer ones weren’t offering 36% residuals!

Only thing is you can get these face lift ones for 70kish I believe...if not cheaper where as a Vanquish will cost you over 100K and the DB11 120K....If you don't want the face lift I saw one for sale at 45k.....Now that is a lot of car for the money.
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
Messages
7,309
I don’t think Rapides are ugly; I just don’t think they’re pretty either. It’s the same for the Panamera. They are the coupe designs with 2 ft fitted in between the wheels to ensure they have rear seats. It wasn’t designed like that, it was an adaptation of a DB9, 911. Few would argue that they’re prettier than a Granturismo.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
The Aston is not pretty that is for sure.....it has presence though especially in the right colour. The first Panamera was ugly but they seem to have got better over time with the updates. The las test one looks pretty good to be honest. The GT is still a very pretty car though...where it's as good t drive as the other two...we'll that is debatable I suppose. But then Top Gear prefer the QP GTS over the other two.
 

Chrisb2015

Member
Messages
538
I don’t think Rapides are ugly; I just don’t think they’re pretty either. It’s the same for the Panamera. They are the coupe designs with 2 ft fitted in between the wheels to ensure they have rear seats. It wasn’t designed like that, it was an adaptation of a DB9, 911. Few would argue that they’re prettier than a Granturismo.
I agree, the GT is the better looking car, possibly the most conventionally pretty car on sale. But for a 4 door car currently on sale, I can't think of anything that beats the Rapide.
 
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308
I test drove a Rapide a year ago, a new one. Stupidly flirted with the idea of buying one.

Even though I liked the looks, the rear legroom was way too small for a car of that size and the killer was the drive. It just left me “cold”. It was totally inert.

It did not sound as good as I was expecting, it wasn’t that fast (in my humble opinion) and the steering and feel through your **** was just not there.

Felt more like driving an SUV!!
 

Chrisb2015

Member
Messages
538
I test drove a Rapide a year ago, a new one. Stupidly flirted with the idea of buying one.

Even though I liked the looks, the rear legroom was way too small for a car of that size and the killer was the drive. It just left me “cold”. It was totally inert.

It did not sound as good as I was expecting, it wasn’t that fast (in my humble opinion) and the steering and feel through your **** was just not there.

Felt more like driving an SUV!!
You did well to avoid a new one, the residuals are shocking even by Maserati standards. Its so strange how people get on (or don't) with cars, by most accounts it drives better than its AM cousins, with chassis, brakes, steering feel and throttle all being picked out as a highlight. The rear is tight for the size, but still offers some degree of practicality for those who wan to combine transport for four with the AM experience. I agree it does sound subdued, is that more in keeping with the brand? Maybe an aftermarket exhaust would help.
 

Corranga

Member
Messages
1,219
I don’t think Rapides are ugly; I just don’t think they’re pretty either. It’s the same for the Panamera. They are the coupe designs with 2 ft fitted in between the wheels to ensure they have rear seats. It wasn’t designed like that, it was an adaptation of a DB9, 911. Few would argue that they’re prettier than a Granturismo.

This sums it up perfectly. Had they been designed as proper saloons, like the QP, I'm sure they'd look great, but instead, they are designed as extended coupes and look daft. I appreciate that every car is a compromise, but they trade off the wrong things imo. Coupe looks + rear doors will rarely work.
 

Louisemon1

New Member
Messages
12
I have not drove the FF, but my boyfriend owned one when it was new. I am probably the only one who thinks this but I preferred the looks of the 612 before it. I was not keen on the appearance of the FF, but as a passenger it was very comfortable, even on a long trip.
 

Andyk

Member
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61,038
Saw a 612 in the car park last weekend. First one I've seen for ages...I think its aged well and looked very elegant.
 

hoyin

Member
Messages
1,842
Very interesting thread.

I still haven’t got round to getting my replacement yet but I am swaying towards a Rapide.

2 kids all very young so the rear in the Rapide would suit them perfectly.

Feel it has more presence than the panamera I was originally interested in. Plus I could always get the panamera after the AM, but probably not the other way round due to space constraints.


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D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
Very interesting thread.

I still haven’t got round to getting my replacement yet but I am swaying towards a Rapide.

2 kids all very young so the rear in the Rapide would suit them perfectly.

Feel it has more presence than the panamera I was originally interested in. Plus I could always get the panamera after the AM, but probably not the other way round due to space constraints.

Get a QP!
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Andyk

Member
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61,038
Very interesting thread.

I still haven’t got round to getting my replacement yet but I am swaying towards a Rapide.

2 kids all very young so the rear in the Rapide would suit them perfectly.

Feel it has more presence than the panamera I was originally interested in. Plus I could always get the panamera after the AM, but probably not the other way round due to space constraints.


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PH did a buyers guide last week. Not a bad little read. They rather like it. Always loved the interior on them. Very lovely place to be. My boys loved the rear with those individual seats when they sat in there and if you get one with the TV in the rear seats keeps them occupied for hours.

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guides/aston-martin-rapide-ph-used-buying-guide/38522
 

hoyin

Member
Messages
1,842
PH did a buyers guide last week. Not a bad little read. They rather like it. Always loved the interior on them. Very lovely place to be. My boys loved the rear with those individual seats when they sat in there and if you get one with the TV in the rear seats keeps them occupied for hours.

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guides/aston-martin-rapide-ph-used-buying-guide/38522

Yes I read that. And the silly comments about the QP.

I prefer the S though especially the interior. But I haven’t sat in one. Some say the older model has a more engaging drive with the six speed box.

I need to go out and try them. But I doubt I will be in the market for a replacement till either end of this year or beginning of next.

Who knows maybe there will be a GTS then which matches my spec and I might be back in a Masser.


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Andyk

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61,038
When the S came out I wasn't a fan of that huge front grill but I really like it now. Lots of presence on the road. For me it's dated the older cars grill.
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Hi Richard, I have seen your comments on the Rapide before, do you really look at this picture and think it looks horrible? I had a close look at one the other day and loved it. Must be a marmite car.........
media
I’m actually quite taken by that, in few years when my QPV is EOL and no spares available and might go for the S, I just go tor 4 doors super-cars not bothered about marque and no interested in coupes.

Has to be better than the QP6...

Anyone any pointers to weak points, links, etc?
 

Chrisb2015

Member
Messages
538
I’m actually quite taken by that, in few years when my QPV is EOL and no spares available and might go for the S, I just go tor 4 doors super-cars not bothered about marque and no interested in coupes.

Has to be better than the QP6...

Anyone any pointers to weak points, links, etc?
Everyone who has one seems to like it. This may make you want one more if you haven’t already seen it

I wonder if they will continue to produce them in the future as it is the DB9 platform underneath and that has been replaced elsewhere. I hope they do as it is a viable alternative to the QP and the motoring world is a better place for having a V12 four door supercar available.