2 weeks, 3000 miles, zero breakdowns!

[andymadmak]

OK, so it's the kind of thing I would take for granted in my Jag, but this was in my Maserati Spyder and my route took in France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Lots of mountain passes, and 38degree heat in the cities.
The Maser proved surprisingly usable, comfortable and able to cover the distance with little effort. Even managed around 20mpg despite being loaded to the gunnals and all those lovely mountain passes
One upside is that lots of high speed running really cleared the old girls throat, and she is now even quicker and more glorious sounding than ever.. Anyone who says these cars can't do the miles is wrong imho.
I shall now sit back and await the arrival of two french speeding tickets..

[Pork]

I took my GranSport down to Italy last September and was really impressed with it, all round. Comfortable, reliable, and a joy on the mountain passes. Plenty of room for the gump needed for a couple of weeks on the road too.

I dont know if it made it drive better, but then I've always believed in using it. I've done something like 18k in it in 18 months....and long may it continue!

Biased, I know, but I think they're great cars and, certainly the later models, dont deserve the repuation they seem to have.

[Cipo]

Sounds like you had a great trip, can you share the route you took with us?

[Anjum]

I would be very interested in the route that you took.

I intend to take the GrandTourisomo S to Italy in a couple of weeks. I need to head to Pisa (to pick someone up - a la Rendezvous!!!) from central London, then be in Florence to stay for a week. I then want to head back over a cople of days.

The hotel in Florence is booked - and looks lovely - but I would like to take in the scenary and stop off overnight somewhere nice. Any suggestions?

A

[andymadmak]

I will get the map book out tonight and retrace my route!

I stayed here whilst in Italy : http://www.borgopianello.eu/it/

It was lovely! Quiet, in the mountains, great roads to it, good restaurants a short drive away. An hour from Florence / Modena /Pisa.

[wineman02]

I am not sure if it is any help but may I suggest going France - Belgium - Luxembourg - Alsace and then onward via Switzerland maybe. The reason being that petrol in Luxembourg is about 95p per litre at the moment. Gets you off most of the French Tolls and is arguably a prettier route.

[StuStu]

[Anjum]

Need to get there quickly - so in a day - but have much more time on the way back....

will be staying here....

http://www.baglionihotels.com/en/destinations/flor...

A

[Dblue]

Good to see them being used , nowhere near enough miles done in the average UK Maserati/Ferrari/Lambo.
Such a waste.
But really as you say why should you be surprised that it gets 3000 miles without breaking.

And don't worry about getting speeding fines in the post from France if you got flashed, no cross-border prosecution so if you didnt get stopped there and then forget it.

[JazzyO]

Great stuff that you're driving it, but the zero breakdowns in 3000 miles are hardly something to be proud of. I've done almost 4k miles in my 458 in the first month and I would have been horrified if the thing had broken down. We are not in the dark ages anymore, I own 5 Ferraris built between 1966 and 2012 and if properly maintained they are all perfectly fine and start everytime.

We need to get away from this stereotype - these cars are no worse than the German equivalent.


Onno

[Anjum]

JazzyO said:

Great stuff that you're driving it, but the zero breakdowns in 3000 miles are hardly something to be proud of. I've done almost 4k miles in my 458 in the first month and I would have been horrified if the thing had broken down. We are not in the dark ages anymore, I own 5 Ferraris built between 1966 and 2012 and if properly maintained they are all perfectly fine and start everytime.

We need to get away from this stereotype - these cars are no worse than the German equivalent.


Onno

I think you'll find that a number of either own or have owned a number of italian cars - and put on real mileage either on the roads on on track days. If you use them and look after them - they work well and have done for many years now.....I think we can thank the Honda NSX for that.....

A

[madbadger]

Good stuff. Just done the same - 5000Km mostly around Italy. No issues and a fab trip. You sometimes wonder if people actually use their cars.

[JazzyO]

Anjum said:

I think we can thank the Honda NSX for that.....

A

My 330GTC is perfectly reliable, so is my 365 Boxer - all built before the NSX was even a glint in Senna's eye. The only thing older Ferraris do not like is standing still. You need to use them often, and you can't skimp on maintenance. And you need the right specialist, my Boxer was a mess after it was restored by some famous people in the SW.


Onno

[andymadmak]

Sorry for the wait for a pic guys

Here's my spyder outside the Maserati factory

[Mario149]

andymadmak said:

Sorry for the wait for a pic guys

Here's my spyder outside the Maserati factory

You're making me miss my 4200!

[dudlow]

I agree re the older models, I have just got back from 1500 miles in a week doing a loop from the UK to the Loire Valley, using only the little D back roads in France, in my 40 year old Dino.
Apart from running out of fuel (dont trust the reserve light on a Dino, it ran out after 1km of coming on ! which was no hassle due to 5L in the boot)the car ran like clockwork. It was great exploring the cart like handling around deserted roads amid wonderful scenery. The locals love old cars of any tipo, but really took a shine to the yellow GTS, chatting at every stop.

Use it or loose it !

[Not Ideal]

andymadmak said:

One upside is that lots of high speed running really cleared the old girls throat, and she is now even quicker and more glorious sounding than ever..

I am a big fan of 'Italian tune-ups' - they definitely work!