JerryW
4004
Rear seats
The rear seats are much more functional since the introduction of the 2012 model, the backs of the front seats were redesigned to allow for another 1.5 inches of leg room. Af far as the trunk goes the space is good unless you purchase the optional Naim stereo, the control units is quite large and restricts the height of the trunk.
Having owned a 07 GTC for 42,000 miles and now a 12 GT for 11,000 mile I find the 2012 model has been refined in many ways. I also found the 07 GTC to be a very good car, only having to visit the dealer for its annual service. When I originally purchased the 07 GTC I also owned a 07 335ic, not only did it have more rear seat room with easier access the trunk was also much larger. This seemed a little strange since the BMW looked so much smaller.
Back to the rear seats, I wish Bentley would make a smaller 2 seat version.
JerryW
Quick Looks - 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8
Pros:Surprisingly lithe and agile for a 5000lb+ behemoth; Great acceleration, nice drive train sounds, smooth yet quick transmission Planted handling, well calibrated and appropriate for the vehicle - not too stiff, yet doesn't "waft" and wallow so much i...
Are the rear seats and trunk usable?
One of the major advantages of the Mercedes CL (besides the handsome but understated styling) is the fact that the rear seat and trunk are incredibly usable. One can truly seat four adults for long trips in the back with relatively little complaint. Can t...
Good question, Patrick. The CL has more useable trunk space
but the rear seat space is comparable. But the dropping tail gate on the Bentley GT V8 is Uber cool. (space comments eyeball subjective; I haven't compared the cubic space measurements, but as anyone who has actually used a car knows, cubic space measurem...
Trunk space...
Have an 06 and not too much changed per se. Rear seats are usable yet not elegant to enter/exit. Trunk is extremely usable is real life and fits quite a bit. Agree with review about her hiding her weight well. What impresses is usability over specs/number...
Thanks for sharing ownership POV!
"What impresses is usability over specs/number game" - precisely. Well said! Cheers, TM
Rear seats
The rear seats are much more functional since the introduction of the 2012 model, the backs of the front seats were redesigned to allow for another 1.5 inches of leg room. Af far as the trunk goes the space is good unless you purchase the optional Naim st...
Thanks, Jerry, for the clarification! Always nice to have an owner perspective...
and a two time, returning owner at that! I've always heard the early examples "driove and rode like a truck" - for sure the 2013 GT V8 didn't! Any thoughts on this? TM
My thoughts
The 07 GTC was great on the highway but a little rough riding around town, not quite like a truck. May have needed a little suspension work at 42K miles to tighten things up. The 12 GT does have a much smoother ride around town than the 07. JerryW
Which rims and suspension mode...
Jerry, what mode was the suspension set at and what rims were being used? i find that many people seem to like the 21 and higher rims, which can do harm to the handling such as you described. Of course suspension mode can change the feel quite a bit, too....
Good to know Jerry!
I always thought the BMW 3-series coupe was a fantastic car. The interior materials were very good. The car drove extremely well, the handling was sublime. I've only driven the 328i coupe, and I can't say I loved the brakes on that car, but otherwise the ...
Who are these 'masses'?
There are an awful lot of us to sum up our positions on those marques in a single paragraph.
You want me to name each and every one of them?
:-) Yeah, I agree, the inherent nature of generalizations and "image" no? I'd love to explore the issue in another thread - every generalization, no matter how well founded (eg, "Italians" as if all Italians were homogeneous...) has powerful exceptions. S...
Love the Bentley.
So far it's the only car tat doesn't make my back aches while driving. Really looking to get back to it in a few years, possibly the V8.
Actually - a big fan of Bentley and what VW have brought
to the marque. The designers (and we know one them) have brought with them an understanding of what Bentley always was, and now is again. Exceptionally engineered and designed "world's fastest bus". And that is meant as a compliment. W.O. was quite the br...
Really?
Engineered as Phaetons... rebodied as Bentleys. What ties have been left uncut?
You make it sound...
like the Phaeton would drive like the Bentley GT. I've tried both; they don't. :-)
As have I.
And I prefer the Phaeton :-) But both bow down before the sheer presence of a Continental T. But wasn't asserting that the cars are the same, just challenging the idea that Bentley has been brought closer to its roots (whatever they are) under VW.
Again you raise some very interesting points.
Hi, BDLJ, Interestingly, you prefer the Phaeton, I prefer the Continental GT (wait a minute, why are we comparing a smallish large sedan with a large coupe?) - just goes to show that, assuming we "experienced" the same thing - taut if civilized ride, hand...
I have a bit of a soft spot...
...for the Phaeton. One, because it is a bit of an automotive orphan and two, I was fortunate enough to drive a very early production version in Germany a decade ago. But it also comes down to what I expect of big sedans. I'm after comfort and ride with c...
god I miss these discussions!
Hi, BDLJ, "...for the Phaeton. One, because it is a bit of an automotive orphan" I'm a softie for orphans underdogs (not the same) too; I actively try to filter for this personal bias when I evaluate something but of course it weights strongly in my final...
:-)
At the risk of boring everyone, I'll continue :-) I understand what appeals about the Frankencars or Q-cars. And the E39 epitomises that, but I'm getting boring in my old age and am unsure whether the handling gains outweigh the ride losses. (refering to ...