This has been my dream car for a while now.. 4 doors, Aston Martin, V12, daily driveable, luxurious, V12, hatchback, V12, pretty quick, V12; just really checks all the boxes for me.
I bought a 2012 Rapide in April 2021, just 13,328 miles on it. Coincidentally it’s the same color inside and outside as your test car, but different wheels. I’ve put 14k miles on it since then and it’s been an absolute joy in every way. No mechanical or electrical issues at all. It’s 11 years old and everyone says it looks like a brand new car. I’ve driven it 700 miles three times to the Tail of the Dragon in southeast Tennessee, and it is so much fun to drive on those twisties. Sounds great, looks great, rides great, and low cost of ownership. I am going to drive this thing til the wheels fall off.
Look at those instruments! This was Aston Martin before they stuffed their cars with outdated Mercedes' dusty shelf hand-up electronics and trendy displays, they used to look like luxury wrist watches. Polished aluminium knobs everywhere and that key.. oh that key
@@desimoruyesok9135 that's what's so great about the dash. It hasn't got screens everywhere! Just beautifully crafted jewel like instruments and controls. If you don't get that, don't get an Aston!
@@Audidude I'm an Aston Martin enthusiast but even I thought this older gen interior was dated and the new one was better. However, I went to the Aston Martin Heritage Festival on the 26th June and a few owners were kind enough to let me sit in their cars. How wrong I was, the older interior is utterly sublime, it isn't dated in the slightest
Man, the Rapide is a class act. Photographed one for Winding Road back in 2010 - it left an impression back then and I think it’s even cooler now 👍 bringing back the feels Tedward!
Don’t let the fall scenery fool you, NE roads are terrible. You get views like this for a few weeks a year, and potholes that could swallow a hummer year round.
Hi Ted. Update on my earlier post: I am now the proud owner of a 2013 Rapide S. Stunning car, with great handling and very connected hydraulic steering, which belie the car's near 2 tonne weight! Combined with practical useful (albeit a bit restricted) space for rear passengers and luggage, rarity, road presence, interior quality, and that drop dead gorgeous styling, this car is a total winner. The extra 80hp from a highly updated engine, extra torque right across the rev range, and other improvements, the S is well worth considering. Love it, and fulfils a long held dream of having an Aston in the stable 😊👍
@@sidelnie absolutely. Completely reliable. Just replaced rear discs, wear sensor and pads, and have front discs/sensor on gand, soon to be replaced. Expensive!!
@@Audidude how many miles are on yours? I have 14k on mine now and I am wondering when I should plan to change the brakes. I am constantly accelerating and decelerating so I am really using the brakes a lot. 😂
I think the Rapide is underrated. The sound, the styling and everything. I don't know but the fact that it has the older 6 speed auto, the shifts are there, it's not shifting 12 times with 200rpm drop between gears, somehow it make the v12 sing on a large band which is even better. I start to appreciate these big luxury sedans, must be aging, but man, spending some time in it, torque converter smoothing the load and shock in the drivetrain, can't beat that buttery feeling :D Thanks for sharing ;)
Okay, so I think these are AMAZING and I really wanna daily one. Most owners I've been able to come across have said they're as solid as a tank, with very little surprise repairs needed. Hmmmm.
@@TedwardDrives And I think Rapide's might be the best "bang for the buck" in terms of V12 Aston, being so underrated compared to its 2-door siblings. Older DB9's (2004 to 2007, I think) may be cheaper, but they had some issues and bugs that only in the later years were fixed, specially in terms of electronics.
If I were spending well over 50K on a car this would be on the very short list. I like well rounded, grand touring cars and this balances sport and luxury better than just about anything. It's not just a nicer version of something you could get for less, but something totally unique.
i love this car, one of my favorites especially from England. underrated/underappreciated imo. please drive that martini gt3rs they have for sale if you can, just saw it.
I know a guy who’s a regular at my job and he daily drives his in the spring and summer. I was talking to him about it and he bought it when it was 2 years old and had 24k miles on it.
I've spent quite a bit of time this summer biking around the roads you're on in the first part of this video, which then got me thinking... one could totally fit a bike or two in that hatch!
Wow, this car sounds better than I imagined. Being a four-door luxury sport sedan, I would expect a decent sound but nothing exotic - this is definitely more on the exotic side. Love it.
@@TedwardDrives only problem with these cars is that registration prices are high, because of that engine size and also the more luxury the car is the price is higher. At least that's how it works in my country. Also 13-19 mpg, god it drinks fuel
The nice thing about roads in the USA for this kind of car is that they are quite wide. In Spain for example we have tons of amazing roads but they are really tight so from an enthusiastic perspective it makes sense to buy an abarth or a GTI but no sense a V12 GT that scarps the guardrail.
Hi from NZ, Ted. Great review of great car. Been looking for post- 2009 DB9, but hard to find here. There are a couple of Rapide Ss though. Don’t really need 4 doors, but the Rapide sure looks great! Only downside is I’d have to sell my Z4M Coupe, as Ive run out of garage space...
I can attest to German cars not being made for northeast roads lol. Nice review as always, perfect description of an elegant yet understated vehicle with everything you could want in a practical fast car
My 2017 Hyundai Tucson has a DCT and it's odd. If I don't let the car sit for like 10 minutes before I leave when it's cold, it hates to shift gears and is very clunky (already had the software update for it too). And I definitely notice a delay between when I press the gas and when the car accelerates.
Haha, "anticlockwise" is the best way to say it. I noticed you tossed in the "got a Rapide on his bum" instead of "butt", too. Is that an American-to-British translator built in to the car's stereo, or is it a mind-altering drug they pipe through the climate control system?
I can’t help but, wonder why the divider isn’t right behind the seats instead of leaving a large area in front of it where objects can shoot forward? Either way decent boot space and there’s some ridiculously good deals on these due to depreciation !
I have a Rapide S. It weighs 4387 pounds. I drive it in the wet and dry in the winter on SUMMER tires. It never throws traction control. You can consider winter tires for this vehicle but depending where you live you might not miss AWD on this car. Good luck!
I Allways loved Aston Martin and Allways will 🔥🔥 its just if they could made a better steering wheel that would be cooler they look kinda dull. Awesome videos keep it up buddy 👊
"I live in New England - Our roads are a nightmare" -> Come and visit us in Montreal for a cars&coffee and believe me, you'll appreciate what you have back home! This looks like a war zone
I haven't driven a DB9 but you are probably right. the DB9 is about 450 pounds lighter than the Rapide. My Rapide has an 8-speed ZF gearbox so that does make it feel a little bit sportier. That weight has one very important advantage, though. The car is all about the sound and because of the weight over the rear wheels, the traction control light never comes on. I drive the car on summer tires even in the winter (in the dry) and I NEVER get traction control / stability control kicking in when I take it to the redline, which I do ALL the time. So if you are after the aural pleasure, the Rapide is weirdly a better choice. But I do agree I wish for a more connected, agile car on the highway at steady speeds. The DB9 is probably more enjoyable in such setting.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Special Thanks to The Bond Group who currently has this Rapide listed for sale
www.astonmartin-lotus.com/aston-martin/2012/2012-aston-martin-rapide-6
Not sure you why you have posted this link, as when you clock on it, you get basically didley squat.
@@frankfarago2825 Makes sense...the car was sold in the 3 weeks since I posted it. Looks like posting it was effective.
I WANT ONE
I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!
Picking up a 2012 in 3 weeks
This has been my dream car for a while now.. 4 doors, Aston Martin, V12, daily driveable, luxurious, V12, hatchback, V12, pretty quick, V12; just really checks all the boxes for me.
Has a V12 too!
@@jacobwoodbeck3231I heard it from here - 2 years later still hear the v12 going by...
Really? It has a V12? Since when? I thought it was a turbo-charged inline 4 ?
dont forget about the V12 tho
I bought a 2012 Rapide in April 2021, just 13,328 miles on it. Coincidentally it’s the same color inside and outside as your test car, but different wheels. I’ve put 14k miles on it since then and it’s been an absolute joy in every way. No mechanical or electrical issues at all. It’s 11 years old and everyone says it looks like a brand new car. I’ve driven it 700 miles three times to the Tail of the Dragon in southeast Tennessee, and it is so much fun to drive on those twisties. Sounds great, looks great, rides great, and low cost of ownership. I am going to drive this thing til the wheels fall off.
Did you hear anything about the catalytic converter problems? Did you cut it off at all?
Also how's finding maintenance from independent shops?
Look at those instruments!
This was Aston Martin before they stuffed their cars with outdated Mercedes' dusty shelf hand-up electronics and trendy displays, they used to look like luxury wrist watches.
Polished aluminium knobs everywhere and that key.. oh that key
💯. I love the dash and the layout in these older cars!
8 years later and still using the same interior.. sigh
@@desimoruyesok9135 that's what's so great about the dash. It hasn't got screens everywhere! Just beautifully crafted jewel like instruments and controls. If you don't get that, don't get an Aston!
@@Audidude I'm an Aston Martin enthusiast but even I thought this older gen interior was dated and the new one was better. However, I went to the Aston Martin Heritage Festival on the 26th June and a few owners were kind enough to let me sit in their cars. How wrong I was, the older interior is utterly sublime, it isn't dated in the slightest
@@desimoruyesok9135 there's a reason for that. Quality, tradition, character. Some of us don't like feeling were inside a phone app....
Man, the Rapide is a class act. Photographed one for Winding Road back in 2010 - it left an impression back then and I think it’s even cooler now 👍 bringing back the feels Tedward!
They might be bumpy sometimes but those East coast roads sure look beautiful to drive
Its a complicated relationship with the road quality vs scenery out here haha
Hard to find them if you live in a big city in Mass like me
@@RyanRoadReaper even in the big cities, they don’t smooth out the patches, especially when they gotta do underground work
Don’t let the fall scenery fool you, NE roads are terrible. You get views like this for a few weeks a year, and potholes that could swallow a hummer year round.
@@adamjones2299 if you only know what I see every day...
Man I love the look of this thing it’s so beautiful
It's aging really well
I remember my neighbor having one when I was 17, and man. Still one of the most gorgeous cars ever made. - id definitely own one!
I’m certain you woke up to that cold start on more than one occasion 😂
By far the most beautiful 4 doors car!
So classy, yet so sporty. And that V12 is a symphony orchestra.
Love that crystal key! Car sounds insane yet so tame.
Its imposing but never unhinged..Like a gentleman lol. I prefer the old keys to the new keys 100%
This to me is the most beautiful 4 door coupe. Nothing quite like it.
Hi Ted. Update on my earlier post:
I am now the proud owner of a 2013 Rapide S. Stunning car, with great handling and very connected hydraulic steering, which belie the car's near 2 tonne weight! Combined with practical useful (albeit a bit restricted) space for rear passengers and luggage, rarity, road presence, interior quality, and that drop dead gorgeous styling, this car is a total winner. The extra 80hp from a highly updated engine, extra torque right across the rev range, and other improvements, the S is well worth considering. Love it, and fulfils a long held dream of having an Aston in the stable 😊👍
Congrats!!! That’s awesome to hear. Hope the video helped lock in the choice
@@TedwardDrives definitely!
Agreed! I got mine a year after you. Hope you are still enjoying it!
@@sidelnie absolutely. Completely reliable. Just replaced rear discs, wear sensor and pads, and have front discs/sensor on gand, soon to be replaced. Expensive!!
@@Audidude how many miles are on yours? I have 14k on mine now and I am wondering when I should plan to change the brakes. I am constantly accelerating and decelerating so I am really using the brakes a lot. 😂
I think the Rapide is underrated. The sound, the styling and everything. I don't know but the fact that it has the older 6 speed auto, the shifts are there, it's not shifting 12 times with 200rpm drop between gears, somehow it make the v12 sing on a large band which is even better. I start to appreciate these big luxury sedans, must be aging, but man, spending some time in it, torque converter smoothing the load and shock in the drivetrain, can't beat that buttery feeling :D Thanks for sharing ;)
Okay, so I think these are AMAZING and I really wanna daily one. Most owners I've been able to come across have said they're as solid as a tank, with very little surprise repairs needed. Hmmmm.
The seats look comfy as heck
it's a great place to be. And the position is incredible. You sit so low in the car
@@TedwardDrives I WANT ONE!!!!!!
Early 2010s luxury looks like the perfect amount of electronics/screens.
My new favorite car ever.
Just negotiated to buy a 2015 Rapide S. Thank you for your helpful review! I can’t wait!
This is the most elegant looking modern car in my opinion.
Agreed
**In Tony Stark's voice**
_I need it._
😂 perfect
@@TedwardDrives And I think Rapide's might be the best "bang for the buck" in terms of V12 Aston, being so underrated compared to its 2-door siblings. Older DB9's (2004 to 2007, I think) may be cheaper, but they had some issues and bugs that only in the later years were fixed, specially in terms of electronics.
Cannot believe I've missed this video... heartbreakingly beautiful car and excellent presentation as usual... Thanx Tedward
Great vid. Lovely car, I miss the pre big screen era of car interiors. Looks so classy.
You and me both!
Exactly! I have a near new Touareg with those massive screens, which I love, but in this car that would be awful!
Legend says that leaf is still in the hood
If Bond had a family, or M’s ride. Yes a great one for long road trips with the family!!
Rapid is masterpiece! Thanks' for the great video Ted!
Definitely a car thats on the dream list!
If I were spending well over 50K on a car this would be on the very short list. I like well rounded, grand touring cars and this balances sport and luxury better than just about anything. It's not just a nicer version of something you could get for less, but something totally unique.
Perfect POV driving angle as always!
Thanks Ron!
Wow, elegance at its highest peak. And I'm 5.6 so I can happily seat in the back as well.
I believe it's the most elegant modern car.
Had this car in this paint. It was glorious.
i love this car, one of my favorites especially from England. underrated/underappreciated imo. please drive that martini gt3rs they have for sale if you can, just saw it.
I’d love to but that gt3rs only has like 800 miles! I’d be squashing the value if i took it out for a video
@@TedwardDrives ahh yes i see!
I know a guy who’s a regular at my job and he daily drives his in the spring and summer. I was talking to him about it and he bought it when it was 2 years old and had 24k miles on it.
Another good one, do more Aston Martin! :)
At idle, to me it sounds like one of those old Jeep Wranglers with the 4 liter inline 6. I love this sound!
This color and these wheels make the car!
Another awesome video. I know it just got replaced by the DBX but AM really did a fantastic job of making a 4 door look cohesive vs say a Panamera
I've spent quite a bit of time this summer biking around the roads you're on in the first part of this video, which then got me thinking... one could totally fit a bike or two in that hatch!
What a beautiful car, i love that car reminds of driver san francisco
Yayyy my favourite car on my favourite channel, so right about British roads btw haha!
Thanks Joel!
Wow, this car sounds better than I imagined. Being a four-door luxury sport sedan, I would expect a decent sound but nothing exotic - this is definitely more on the exotic side. Love it.
They are pretty rowdy from the outside too!
Great! I have DB9 Volante, and I have the same thoughts about Rapid 🙃🏁🚘
WTF man, your cars are UNREAL lately!
Thanks! Also your name makes me want to rewatch dexter
RWD is the secret sauce ☄️☄️☄️🥃🥃🥃🥃
Another fabulous video
Thanks dood!
This is the car to pull up on a first day, with a suit... She'll know at first site, she can introduce you to her parents.
I feel like cars like this go way under appreciated
Luckily for buyers! You can have these for cheap
@@TedwardDrives only problem with these cars is that registration prices are high, because of that engine size and also the more luxury the car is the price is higher. At least that's how it works in my country. Also 13-19 mpg, god it drinks fuel
The nice thing about roads in the USA for this kind of car is that they are quite wide. In Spain for example we have tons of amazing roads but they are really tight so from an enthusiastic perspective it makes sense to buy an abarth or a GTI but no sense a V12 GT that scarps the guardrail.
Yes It would be a little scary worrying about oncoming traffic on a single lane with two directions of traffic
Hi from NZ, Ted. Great review of great car. Been looking for post- 2009 DB9, but hard to find here. There are a couple of Rapide Ss though. Don’t really need 4 doors, but the Rapide sure looks great! Only downside is I’d have to sell my Z4M Coupe, as Ive run out of garage space...
I can attest to German cars not being made for northeast roads lol. Nice review as always, perfect description of an elegant yet understated vehicle with everything you could want in a practical fast car
Thank you!
Nice review
Nah bro thank YOU for making free quality entertainment
🙏
This thing just oozes class
Driving it in a hoodie and adidas sambas felt wrong. Need a suit!
Pov drive very good
The most gentle sports car ever
You can be doing 80+ on backroads and it doesn't even look offensive. crazy.
This guy is a great presenter and tells the story so well. (Clicks the subscribe button)
Coolest thing on the road ☝😎
That engine sounds great
I got a baby seat in the back of it and I think my kid had a smile as big as I did 😂
Love mine. It is so fast!
Tedward, i agree with zouČ the onlz music we need to hear is from the exhaust.
If any is thinking about 4WD then the DBX is the only way to go - plus it's excellent!!
Dbx is an incredible athlete. But we’re talking 200k instead of 60k haha
@@TedwardDrives - or even less!
Good god this thing is beautiful! I’d rather have this over the Porsche Panamera Turbo even if it’s not quite as fast.
It has aged incredibly well. While not as practical as the Porsche I think it makes pretty impressive statement
This car is not about numbers. It's an experience.
Sonorous is always a good word choice
It’s so bold and imposing that it seems appropriate here
They give you an umbrella but the rear doors are designed to flood the car if you open them in the rain. Nice.
No way! I was wondering why those roads looked familiar! You were in Concord!
Its perfect for some nice scenic New England style driving
6:20 how you were driving in neutral ? I was not expecting to see a gear change in a automatic at 90 miles per hour. XD
He pushed Drive to make it automatically shift after using the paddles
My 2017 Hyundai Tucson has a DCT and it's odd. If I don't let the car sit for like 10 minutes before I leave when it's cold, it hates to shift gears and is very clunky (already had the software update for it too). And I definitely notice a delay between when I press the gas and when the car accelerates.
Haha, "anticlockwise" is the best way to say it. I noticed you tossed in the "got a Rapide on his bum" instead of "butt", too. Is that an American-to-British translator built in to the car's stereo, or is it a mind-altering drug they pipe through the climate control system?
Is there one of these in this color still available
Gorgeous!
I can’t help but, wonder why the divider isn’t right behind the seats instead of leaving a large area in front of it where objects can shoot forward? Either way decent boot space and there’s some ridiculously good deals on these due to depreciation !
It sounds much like the old BMW 850csi. A great sounding motor. Wouldn't its competitors be the Panamera and 8 series Grand Coupe?
Those are still much more practical and built to be people and stuff carriers
What about the reliability and maintenance Any information on that
What class would you put the rapide , Panamera, Audi A7 They are sedans but they are kinda like a hatch or something ?? It is considered a crossover?
There is almost a full second delay between you pressing the pedal and it changing gear :)
Yeah they’re not racy transmissions that’s for sure
It is a beautiful car but I would rather have a panamera. I like to have the awd and being able to daily drive year round
I have a Rapide S. It weighs 4387 pounds. I drive it in the wet and dry in the winter on SUMMER tires. It never throws traction control. You can consider winter tires for this vehicle but depending where you live you might not miss AWD on this car. Good luck!
If your roads are nightmare then our roads are pre-alpha testing version
I Allways loved Aston Martin and Allways will 🔥🔥
its just if they could made a better steering wheel that would be cooler they look kinda dull.
Awesome videos keep it up buddy 👊
Is the 6 speed vs 8 speed difference big?
Yes. The 8 is muchhh more refined
I think stick shift would have been better
Dream car 💕🔥but I want the Rapide s
I have one and yes! See my post from yesterday....
Are these reliable for the long term?
Fuck... I didn't know I needed this
james bones new school runner now fits college kids lol
😂
Competitors are GT 4 door and Series 8 Gran Coupe, not S class and 7 series
Fancy, my childhood dream car. Now I dream of a model Y!
When James Bond gets trapped that's what he's gonna drive...
God is it amazing, I really want one but straight pipped
haha that would be pretty cool. It's very loud as it is from the outside. The insulation keeps it reasonable when you're inside
@@TedwardDrives that is really surprising, it sounded almost quiet when in the cabin
Man i want it
Every surface is .....
Touchable???......$poken like a true 1 percenter....
What the hell is this color?? It looks like a bronze. Then the door jams look like a blue?
Thats one sexy car. The back seats gonna be painful tho
The passengers will be so mesmerized by the engine sound they’ll forget about comfort 😂
Interior like a 2007 XC90
"I live in New England - Our roads are a nightmare" -> Come and visit us in Montreal for a cars&coffee and believe me, you'll appreciate what you have back home! This looks like a war zone
But at least in Montreal, they decide to redo some of the roads every once in a while.
Here, they just patch holes and call it a day
Someone in North Attleboro just started planting small Christmas trees in the pot holes to call attention to them lol
IMO db9 drives more sporty and feels lighter than Rapide.
I haven't driven a DB9 but you are probably right. the DB9 is about 450 pounds lighter than the Rapide. My Rapide has an 8-speed ZF gearbox so that does make it feel a little bit sportier. That weight has one very important advantage, though. The car is all about the sound and because of the weight over the rear wheels, the traction control light never comes on. I drive the car on summer tires even in the winter (in the dry) and I NEVER get traction control / stability control kicking in when I take it to the redline, which I do ALL the time. So if you are after the aural pleasure, the Rapide is weirdly a better choice. But I do agree I wish for a more connected, agile car on the highway at steady speeds. The DB9 is probably more enjoyable in such setting.
@@sidelnie thank you for the feedback! I have only driven 2012 Rapide which had a 6 speed. I’ll need to go out there and try the 8 speed.
@@beliefbesnow3810if you don't need a 4-door, get the Vanquish. I am calling shotgun! 😀
Aston Martin model S
Gee,...I wonder where Tesla got their influence
please get a haircut hahaha love your vids bro!!
😂
I WANT ONE