The Aston Martin Rapide is somewhat of a conundrum. What exactly is it? Since it is an Aston Martin if you’ve never seen one you likely suspect it should be a cool car. If you’ve never witnessed one in person but have seen their more noted DB model you are probably thinking it’s got to be good looking. It’s British heritage and secret agent affiliation (James Bond 007) also comes to mind and last but certainly not least it’s “exotic”. I am of the belief that they aren’t exotic enough despite their beauty but if you define “exotic” based on limited production numbers, sexiness and priced in the stratosphere an Aston certainly qualifies. Many refer to its understated elegance and they aren’t wrong.
So what is a Rapide or what is the Rapide? It’s a four-door sedan that is produced in limited numbers. So limited if it weren’t for Google search there are some people that might never see one. Yes it’s that rare. But why you ask? Aston Martin builds what amounts to four cars. Starting from the bottom, there’s the Vantage. This car is an eight cylinder (optional twelve cylinder) two seater available in coupe or convertible form. Then up next is the newest offering from Aston Martin the DB11 that replaced the DB9 that had been around since the 2005 model year. The top of the food chain sports GT is the Vanquish and like all their coupes there are also convertible versions. Aston convertibles are known as a Volante. But we started at the bottom and now we are here, the Rapide. I think to describe it as a stretched out DB9 is fair as it clearly bares family resemblance just a little longer and add two more doors.
Exotic and four-door sedans don’t typically go hand in hand but the Rapide changes that without question. As a teen you yearned for a sports car and as you grew to an adult maybe it was a GT because the sports car dream might not have been practical in your life. You typically never dreamed about a four-door sedan exotic until now. Yes to be clear there are certainly a handful of high performance sedans ranging from domestic beasts like the Dodge Charger Hellcat but aside from the luxury of power it delivers you aren’t salivating on it’s looks but it’s not a bad looking car. Then there are some iconic import sedans like the M5 or a Mercedes AMG in E or S Class form. At best they are handsome despite delivering power and performance like a Mike Tyson right hook. For those not familiar with Mikey’s power do a search on YouTube and you will get the reference. Then last but certainly not least there is the slogan “no other substitute” created as part of Porsche’s advertising campaign in the eighties that is still in use. They launched a sedan, which after seeing it many wished for a substitute, as it was no looker. It had a presence and unquestionably performed but sexy it wasn’t. We started from the bottom and now we are here. The Aston Martin Rapide!
Now that you have the history lets circle back to the fact that this is an exotic car. That reason alone means limited production so it makes sense that you don’t see them often. It’s sexy and the four doors offer practicality unlike any exotic so why so few? One word, price! This sedan has an MSRP of about $206,000.00. Most people looking to spend that type of money aren’t looking for four doors. They usually want something closer to a toy like a sports car or GT. The ones with that type of money looking for a sedan are likely getting driven around and sit in the back seat. Bentley and Rolls Royce do well with those types but Aston’s Rapide is more of a driver’s car. It’s got what amounts to bucket seats for back seats.
This car’s first model year was 2010 and since that time there has only been one real evolutionary change to the car’s aesthetics and that subtle change was the front grill. Now in 2017 this means eight model years for the Rapide and like ninety nine percent of all cars produced even exotics, they depreciate. Depreciation is your friend here and because of that there are early model Rapide’s with asking prices starting at $70,000.00. Many of these cars have really low miles that are in line with their exotic nature. The Rapide can actually be driven daily but buyer beware as their annual maintenance if done by an authorized Aston dealer is somewhere between $1,800.00 - $2,200.00. That doesn’t include wear and tear items like brakes and tires nor does it account for something going wrong. Like exotics these cars can be expensive to live with.
The point I think that is worth noting is because they’ve become more attainable and are now within reach for so many more we will likely see them more. It’s sort of like the guy who has an interest in that girl but doesn’t want to admit she’s out of his league so he doesn’t say nice things about her or just dismisses the thought. His rationale for not pursuing her is he is not interested for whatever reason but then he finds out she might be interested. Now all of a sudden she’s one of the best women on the planet. Why? Now he has a chance to get with her. A pre-owned Rapide uses the same train of thought. A $200,000.00 car will be dismissed by probably ninety nine percent of us “poor guys” so you aren’t paying attention but something within reach like $75,000.00 might get a look. So if you are looking for a weekend toy or possible a sedan that won’t require being a workhorse daily driver that piles up miles a Rapide might be the answer. It’s different and has a great presence along with curb appeal and it’s luxury. It’s got four doors yet runs with almost any sports car and can seat four adults. What’s not to like? Whether you’ve been watching this car’s price fall like a celebrity stalker or happen to stumble upon one in a used car lot I think people will start to get the Aston Martin Rapide mainly because they can afford one now. I get it because I can get it now! This has worked brilliantly for Porsche as they have generations of cars that are still on the street with price points in some cases in the teens all the way to seven figures.
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