2Many Cars

I just got a thorough look at the new Aston Rapide in the flesh. I have to say that after seeing it and the Panamera in Monterey that Porsche has an uphill battle on its hands. IMHO the Rapide is just a stunning car in the flesh with an interior that feels as much like a sports car as a GT. The Panamera just doesn't come close looks wise. You won't find me queuing up for either car, they're just too big, but if I had a hankering to buy one the Rapide would be the very easy choice.

FGL28

Sorry but it looks like the lovechild between the Lexus 460 and an Accord.

I too saw and drove the Panamera in Monterey and saw one driving around Pasadena as well as driving it again last week. It grew on me. It does not look like a Japanese car. Like the Rapide or the new Jag. Wifey calls the new jag the British Accord.

goofballdeluxe

A rash also "grows on you", but I doubt I'd want one!

I recall you sell Porsches, so I know you may have a bias, but you really must be drinking the Kool-Aid if you think the Panamera is anywhere near as good looking as the Rapide.

If the Rapide is a lovechild of a Lexus 460 and an Accord, then the Panamera is the lovechild of a dung beetle and Rosie O'Donnell.

Cult of personality aside, the Panamera is the ugliest looking car ever made that lists north of $100K. Period.

FGL28

Silly boy,

I have NEVER SOLD PORSCHES. I do not work for PCNA or any dealers.

Have you driven one?

If I did not like the car I would say it. I really hate the Baby Diarrhea color and because I am tall the seat is hard to get into wearing a helmet.

The only thing nice about a Rapide is that it looks better than a Karma which looks like a clown car with that grill. If it ever gets made.

I make a comment about the Rapide and you attack me? This aint off topic.

My opinion that the Rapide looks like a Lexus accord love child is just my opinion. Take a pill and chill.

Tango635

Wow Goofball, tell us how you really feel. Why the tongue so sharp? There are some people that think all 911 look like bugs. I don't agree, but you know what they say about beauty. Why so difficult to accept?

I saw a Panamera, dark blue, last week. It looks much better in person as they say.

2Many Cars

I don't think the Panamera is an ugly car but it's not great looking car either, especially the rear end view which is never going to grow on me, sorry. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder but I totally disagree about the Rapide. The overall shape is far better balanced than the Panamera. Many say the Panamera looks better in the flesh than in photos (which I would agree with by the way), I found the Rapide looks great in photos and doesn't disappoint in person - but that's just me. FGL if you haven't actually seen the Rapide then you may change your mind when you do, just like you did with the Panamera. Porsche will sell loads of Panameras, I'm sure, but to me the Aston is still a much better looking car and I'm sure will poach more than a few buyers from the Panamera.

Martin S.

a Panamera at Pacific Porsche in Torrance...damn stunning.

goofballdeluxe

Oh, my sincere apologies. My mistake; I thought you were the car dealer who sold Porsches. Sorry if you felt I was attacking you.

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you think the Panamera is better looking than the Rapide, or even the Karma, so be it. I'm sure there are those who think Rosie O'Donnell is better looking than Cindy Crawford too.

2Many Cars

I think most people like Rosie for her nice personality.

VNTGSPD

Isn't the Rapide about double the price of the Panamera? Kind of makes comparing them in the context of which to buy a bit irrelevant.

Sure, the Rapide is better looking (subjectively) and I bet the Pana is better performing/driving, but I doubt there will really be much cross-shopping going on here.

FGL28

Yes I have, but like so many of the luxury cars out there it looks the same as the others. The Rolls Royce, the Bentley, the Maserati all look different and like they have a personality. I had a great dinner cnversation with a former auto publishing executive and, like me, he felt that a lot of the new cars have lost their personality and look like they were designed by committiee. Like the "Banana Slugesque" BMW X6.

As for the Karma, the front end looks like it came from a BMW Z4 and give the car a "cartoonish" look. The grill reminds me of a mouth full of braces.

While the back end of the Panamera is not my favorite; if you don't like the view drive faster.

You ruined your post with that crack. Again this is not OFF TOPIC. YOUR BACKHANDED SNIPE, WHILE FUNNY LIKE A FART JOKE HAS NO PLACE HERE.

Flying Finn

This is such clear non brainer that I can't even remember when was a last time I saw another as clear.

From design point of view, no matter what your bias is, your personal taste etc. etc or even if you like Rosie O'Donnel more than Cindy Craford or whatever, Panamera is nowhere near of Aston. Not even in a same ballpark.

Below are two comparison photos and the Panamera photo is the best angle of that you can ever get, still there is no contest which looks way better.

I'm a big Porsche nut, work in design and I'm sorry to say, but from design point of view, I'm ashamed of Porsche's latest offering.

neunneundrei

+1

2Many Cars

According to the dealer the Rapide will cost about $50K more than a comparably equipped Panamera. While that's certainly not a trivial difference, I suspect for many buyers in this price range it won't be a deal killer either. Aston also says they'll make far fewer Rapides so presumably the buyer is getting some additional exclusivity, for what little that may be worth.

Edward

Anyone know how Cayenne sales are doing? As we (the porsche aficionados, at large) had lamented, scorned, loathed the Cayenne since its first production photos even popped up, no one can argue now that it had helped the company's solvency. Not to mention looks it "better" as we have grown accustomed to pounding the pavement over these years.

Now that said Pepper has been around and become part of the mainstay, the same is being said about the Panam. I wonder how long it will take for the public, and porschephiles, to embrace this latest offering to the masses?

...and FWIW, I prefer the looks of the Aston. But the Panam ain't "ugly" ...and I'd rather have the Porsche than the Aston from an engineering design/execution standpoint.

Edward