what's wrong with the Rapide?
 

I finally found a house and can now begin to fill my generous garage space with cars. First addition is a nice 4 door. Obviously, there is not a sedan out there that is on the same level sport/lux-wise as the PTT or PTTS. However, my wife and I (mainly just her) keep getting sucked in to the beauty and uniqueness (is that a word?) of the Rapide. AM has recently slashed production of the Rapide because they cannot sell them, and you can find slightly used and even new $220k Rapides in the $160-70s. I have yet to drive one, but there must be something that rubbed you PTT/S owners the wrong way about it. Also very concerned about depreciation on a car that is selling for $50k less than MSRP. Your input is greatly appreciated.

i think the Rapide is sexy but it´s not unique enough.
it looks like a stretched DB9.
The Porsche offers much more bang for the buck, is technically superior while having its own presence on the road.

u can find some opinions here too:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...low-sales.html

The backseat of the Rapide is very confining - the sound though is amazing

I agree with you. The Rapide is a gorgeous car with a wonderful exhaust note, but the Rapide's backseat is really just two tub-like seating sections... its really claustrophobic. By contrast, the Panamera is roomy and more utilitarian.

I think that the Rapide's build quality and long term reliability, will never be as good as the Porsche's..

Sometimes all it takes is for 1 or 2 people to purchase a car then rave about how great it is all over the net. Next thing you know, the word gets around and cars begin to sell.
If you like it don't worry about all the reasons not to get it. Car buying is emotional. Obviously you like it. Do it man!

u are right about the emotions when purchasing a car but there is more to it and i am not too sure about "words being spread over the internet" and a car suddenly sells. both cars came out pretty much at the same time and i remember how the majority of car fanatics round the world said, that the Rapide is so gorgeous, that nothing beats a V12 and that it will definetely outsell the Panamera with its strange looking roofline and back.
the opposite has happened. emotions are one thing but there is also the practicality and reliability that counts a lot.

I understand and agree, I was just trying to be supportive.
I also like the look of the Rapide in and out.
I believe the Pan sells better because it is a better drivers' car, has a sweet interior and costs less. It's shape is all Porshe but so unique.
The Rapide is so beautiful though. I'd check into it if I wanted a car of that type.

This is a huge reason, the Pan is going to be a real usable daily driver, that you can depend on.

I would be very hesitant to buy a Aston as a daily driver. While the British make beautiful looking vehicles(Jag, Range Rover, RR etc...)their history of reliability leaves a lot to be desired.

What's the old joke? Why don't the British make a watch?

Because they haven't found a way to make it leak oil!

thumbs up! the Rapide is worth checking out for sure. but there is a reason why most people return to Porsche no matter what brand they have tried in the past. it´s the overall satifscation level that u get from a Porsche.

The PTT is simply the king of the road in its league. In speed the Rapide cant touch it. See top gear episode drag race. Then there is the new car price, the PTT was alot cheaper and had more space. I dont like the looks of the rapide, it looks too much like all the rest aston martins. It is a cool car, but I think the PTT is the best mix of speed + everyday luxury. Good luck on your hunt. In Finland there is no Aston repair shop, so that makes them very rare too, the unreliability doesnt help too. Oh, and in my mind a car of this caliber should be AWD!

if i get a sports 4 door sedan, it'd be a Bentley or AMG CLS.

rapide is so tiny inside. as far as looks, it's looks like a DB9 limo.

panamera looks fugly from behind.

when you spend that much money, get something that you like. i just can't imagine myself in either.

Rockin' quote!
yes, the Brits are known for other things than reliability...and that's why I've always wanted, but never purchased, a British auto.

Remember what Sterling (Rover) did to the Acura Legend? The company I worked for owned one... it was great, until it broke down!!!hilarious

Not picking a fight here, but Bentleys and the new CLS arent exactly what one would call beutiful. Flashy they are and in comparison the Panny is a more stelthy car. But performancewise the PTTS is the king of the road and it is extremely sporty and comfortable at the same time. And for me thats all that matters.

How can you call the Pan a "stealthy" car? It has major road presence. When it's there you notice it, you feel it. It's large, it's different and it's a Porsche. With a nice set of 22's it completely dominates the area (unless the wheels are all blacked-out). It looks luxurious but at the same time powerful and sporty. It's definitely not stealthy.

+1, Panny is not stealthy as any owner will tell you. It gets way to much attention IMO and from my own experience. So much so that I have started stealing my wife's Cayenne.