Thinking about a Maserati

Thinking about a Maserati

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james S

Original Poster:

1,615 posts

244 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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Evening Italian collective.

Following a long history of German cars with a few Brits thrown in, I think it might be time for something Italian. I originally thought of a Ghibli or Quatroporte, but GranTurismos just keep catching my eye.

I am used to having a big saloon as an everyday car but think I could probably get away with a two door for a year or so. So I popped into a dealer at the weekend, and was slightly surprised to find that whilst the service costs of the Ghibli was about £500, I was told to budget nearly £2,000 for a basic service on the GranTurismo and I am not sure of the service interval. Does this sound about right?

The 4.7 looks like its a considerable premium over the 4.2, which I guess is also age related. Is the 4.7 really that much better? I am not so worried about the purchase price, but want to avoid losing too much if I keep it a year. Is there any particular model which holds its value particularly well.

Finally anything else I need to consider - thanks all

James

sealtt

3,091 posts

157 months

Tuesday 4th November 2014
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I never considered buying the Maserati GT as, despite the glorious noise, they are not particularly quick and I found the lack of power to be too much of an issue for me to get one. But it depends how you are buying it, as an exciting sports car that can also do a bit of cruising this might be an issue, however as a very sexy & exotic alternative to a 5 series/e class/etc probably not. But just something to think about... from what I hear the 4.7 version was a notable improvement (performance wise) over the 4.2, so maybe these feel better to drive. But it might be worth trying out the 4.2 and then seeing if you feel you need more power or not.

If you buy the older 4.2 it will be further along the depreciation curve so less £ for it to lose anyway, though I'd certainly rather the 4.7 myself if your budget could swing it, seems worth the extra cash even if it probably will depreciate a little more.

Those servicing costs sound very high... but maybe it's possible, I'd be surprised if that's a regular service costing that much?


I can't add much more as I never bought one, just looked at them for a bit, and those were my main thoughts. Also, I think the brand new ones (2013 onwards) have a somewhat improved/modernised interior, though I doubt that is worth considering too much if you want to buy one as a decent value purchase since newer ones have a long way to fall!

Just make sure you get main dealer warranty to avoid any unexpected costs which would ruin the whole good value purchase idea.

Colossus

333 posts

213 months

Tuesday 4th November 2014
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I too had a series of M model Bimmers before I got my first Maserati and my only regret was not changing sooner! They are fabulous cars to own, they look amazing, they drive incredibly well and with the GT there is what is surely one of the best soundtracks of any car out there.

There is a very big difference between the 4.2 and the 4.7, so much so that you should really focus on the 4.7 particularly if you are only going to keep it a year or so. Values of the 4.7 are much stronger than the 4.2 and mine (now 5 years old) has really not depreciated much if any over the last 12 to 18 months.

RE service costs £2000 is somewhat high for a standard main service. The intervals are every 12,500 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first and costs about £1,100 to £1,300 at a main dealer depending on who you go to. Given that most will be on an every 2 year cycle I do not consider that too bad. I anything else needs to be done over and above the costs will start to rise quickly, brakes in particular are very expensive, but appear to last reasonably well. Clutches on the MC Shift version are another thing to check for wear but again appear to hold up reasonably well if driven with consideration. The dealer can check this and give you an approximate indication of wear.

These are incredibly practical car for what they are, we have been on family trips to the South of France and Italy in it with enough room for luggage for 4 (just!) for 2 weeks, a well as being well up to a daily commute. They also do a pretty good job of being a fun sport car when the mood takes you. They ultimately do not have the control a 911 or a Fezza have but do the other stuff so much better that the few occasions you do want greater precision and control are quickly forgotten.

Hope the above helps. I never intended to hang on to mine for this long but cannot think of anything I would rather have that gives me the performance, looks and practicality that the GT does. Then there is the sound, fire one up and you WILL be hooked!

james S

Original Poster:

1,615 posts

244 months

Tuesday 4th November 2014
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Thanks Colossus - v helpful

DougieMc

1,794 posts

220 months

Tuesday 4th November 2014
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Do it
Ive had a couple of TVR's a 996 Turbo and this is the best all rounder Ive owned.
They are mega
Ive had mine since 1st march
They are an awesome piece of kit
Just does everything so well.
We are just back from 2500miles Eurotrip to Monza F1, Maserati and Ferrari factorys was a pleasure to do it in this

dafydd2008

454 posts

183 months

Tuesday 4th November 2014
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Hi James,

I have had a MC Shift for the last year and one of the best 2+2 cars on the market in my view.
I am currently upgrading to a 458 and selling my mint Cabrio if your interested:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Dafydd

NarrinRad

151 posts

174 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
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James,

Ive very recently looked into the Ghibli, test driving both the Diesel and V6 Turbo. Both were great, the Ghibli to me is a very pretty car, interior is up to date and although lots of bits from the other brands it is very functional, but light years away from Merc and BMW. The ride was smooth even on our pot holed roads, I wouldnt bother with Skyhook, the V6 is extremley quick and has a lovely exhaust note

A few niggly bits for me, the auto gear box selector is very close together, I put it in Park when trying to find drive quite a few times, and the seats needed to get used too. With the right wheels and colour they look fantastic and a real alternative to the german brigade.

however....

I also test drove the 2014 GT-S MC Auto Shift and after a quick e-mail exchange with Dougie MC that was that ! . Acheingly beautiful, interior shared with Alfa but I really dont care, everything works and is funtional drives fantastic and really suits the 6 speed box which is a delight and they have changed the seats, they are extremely comfortable. so far its the best car ive owned and ive had a few.

And there is the noise....oh my lord that noise !!

If you go for a GT-S new or Second hand try and get the Carbon Steering wheel, its stunning and great to use. I think BOSE and USB are standard now, both nice to have. The Sat Nav is very old but it works, then again with a car like that who really cares..

Best of luck, Maserati sales are up over 700% PM if you want to know my dealer, he was very helpful with extended test drives and info, he is also dedicated and not shared with Ferrari.

Also YouTube - Life On Unleaded by Louis Karsenbarg, he has done a great 2nd hand overview and is also a top lad, contact him via Twitter.

Let us know what you decide, but imagine telling people " I drive a Maserati " ....

james S

Original Poster:

1,615 posts

244 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
Thanks all.

I will probably wait until after the worst of the winter now, but will keep an eye on cars moving through. I think if I go GT then I'll keep my A8, which is next to worthless now anyway. I'll probably get rid of my Caterham to make some room. Oddly I love driving the Caterham in winter when teh day si clear dry and free of ice

Hardly a priority, but I'd be interested to hear what the mpg you are achieving in mixed driving. Its never going to be good, but its its much less than the published number then I'm going to be filling up rather more frequently than I like

DougieMc

1,794 posts

220 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
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I seem to be getting 19 everywhere I go what ever I do.
Road trip was 19 average and now reset for UK getting 19 using it too and from work.

EC2

1,447 posts

252 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
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21 mpg on mine - 4.7 auto. Can do 13 to 26.

DevonPaul

1,169 posts

136 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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NarrinRad said:
James,

Let us know what you decide, but imagine telling people " I drive a Maserati " ....
That.

People's reaction is really quite odd sometimes - they suddenly imagine you to be more interesting, exotic, wealthy, and sexually desirable than if you had a Merc AMG or M-Beemer.

OK, I might have made 1 of those up, and TBH I'd probably be wealthier if I'd bought an M3 :|

james S

Original Poster:

1,615 posts

244 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Oddly the perceived flashiness is one of the things that's kept me away from Italian exotica. I prefer things a bit understated, but I have to admit a growing keenness for Maserati!

HIS LM

1,279 posts

258 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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james S said:
Oddly the perceived flashiness is one of the things that's kept me away from Italian exotica. I prefer things a bit understated, but I have to admit a growing keenness for Maserati!
Upon realising it was my QP in the underground car park one of the girls in the office said "much classier than a Ferrari they are way too obvious"

Made my day that did cool

DougieMc

1,794 posts

220 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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Its just different
Its not the Norm
Thats why it works
Yes there is faster out there but nothing sounds or looks like it does at walking pace.

NarrinRad

151 posts

174 months

Friday 7th November 2014
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Hitting around 19.1 mpg, ive had 21 mpg driving like Miss Daisy with the ICE button pressed.

Take one out and let us know your thoughts


AndrewCrown

2,280 posts

113 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
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James

I would firmly go for the GT. I tried the 4.2, 4.7 and the mc shift....to be honest I couldn't separate the 4.2 and 4.7...the mc shift for me anyway was clunky especially round town.

The most difficult thing when buying a used one was finding the right colour /interior/ wheel combination. When new there were so many different choices a buyer could make.. And everyone has different taste....
So I was agnostic on engine and just kept looking until I found the right combination and to be honest the right seller . This took about 4 months. I bought a 4.2.

Over summer I took it on its first proper granturismo round Europe...2600'miles and it didn't miss a beat. On autoroutes I was seeing 25-28mpg (cruise control on).

Everyone loves the car and it feels very special indeed.

Do it

A




EC2

1,447 posts

252 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
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Nothing wrong with the 4.2 auto but the 4.7 auto offers bigger front brakes, more power and a manual mode which is indeed manual as opposed to the bizarre software on the 4.2.

Personally I find the 4.7 MC very clunky but those who love that box are very defensive and will tell you it's the best you can get. Only a test drive will tell you what is right for you.

AndrewCrown

2,280 posts

113 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
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Hi EC
Just a question...
The 4.2 Auto and the 4.7 Auto share the same gearbox: ZF 6-speed automatic transmission
Which one do you have?

Cheers
A

EC2

1,447 posts

252 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
quotequote all
I have the 4.7 Auto, hence the bias!

The 4.2 and 4.7 Auto do have the same gearbox but the software is different. Ditto QP 4.2 vs 4.7.

AndrewCrown

2,280 posts

113 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
quotequote all
Thanks EC2 I didn't know about the software, I learn something new everyday....
Maybe a 4.7 next....
Cheers
A