RE: Maserati GranSport | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
I think these look fantastic and ooze charm, but I'd struggle to drop 20k + on one of these instead of a newer, faster 5.0 SC XKR. I'd hazard a guess that the Jag would have fewer issues, and probably be a little cheaper if something did go pop... And it has a normal auto gearbox. Would be a close call though. That said, I could imagine this being a great third or fourth car - just for the style alone.
urquattroGus said:
I am in the process of buying one. I’ve been to look at 5 in the last two weeks, but not sure I’ve found the “one” yet.
I’ve already owned a 3200 Asetto Corsa so the Gransport feels like a walk in the park compared to that as long as I check things out properly. I also have a couple of Alfa’s to sit alongside.
I’ve driven two recently and they are good fun once you get used to the gearbox.
For about 2 weeks I was considering a 996 Carrera 2 but then came to my senses two fold, firstly a 911 (or at least any that I can afford) is not very me, and second, the engine bork factor of both the 996 and 997 are very high compared to the Gransport.
If anyone is about to sell their Gransport please do message me
I too took a while to find a good one, then had Marios of Auto shield inspect it thoroughly. I rejected three cars - some have been run on a shoestring.I’ve already owned a 3200 Asetto Corsa so the Gransport feels like a walk in the park compared to that as long as I check things out properly. I also have a couple of Alfa’s to sit alongside.
I’ve driven two recently and they are good fun once you get used to the gearbox.
For about 2 weeks I was considering a 996 Carrera 2 but then came to my senses two fold, firstly a 911 (or at least any that I can afford) is not very me, and second, the engine bork factor of both the 996 and 997 are very high compared to the Gransport.
If anyone is about to sell their Gransport please do message me
Mines been dry stored and is overdue a service due to me waiting to get it out this year, so that's next.
That said, I don't drive it enough and a check of all fluids etc meant it's good for a run or two before it goes in. So it is cleaned, and ready for a blast this afternoon.
Hope these pics help you to a decision!
It's a very special car, and for the money, extraordinary. Far more so than the GT that replaced it.
Harry Flashman said:
I too took a while to find a good one, then had Marios of Auto shield inspect it thoroughly. I rejected three cars - some have been run on a shoestring.
Mines been dry stored and is overdue a service due to me waiting to get it out this year, so that's next.
That said, I don't drive it enough and a check of all fluids etc meant it's good for a run or two before it goes in. So it is cleaned, and ready for a blast this afternoon.
Hope these pics help you to a decision!
It's a very special car, and for the money, extraordinary. Far more so than the GT that replaced it.
That looks like a lovely example, which blue is that?? I’ve seen med blue and anniversary blue in the flesh, but that is a darker shade?? I like it. Mines been dry stored and is overdue a service due to me waiting to get it out this year, so that's next.
That said, I don't drive it enough and a check of all fluids etc meant it's good for a run or two before it goes in. So it is cleaned, and ready for a blast this afternoon.
Hope these pics help you to a decision!
It's a very special car, and for the money, extraordinary. Far more so than the GT that replaced it.
One car I was unsure about so I did get a PPI on, I knew there were a few issues but it turned out some pretty awful stuff so I have walked away. Don’t mind a bit of a project but sometimes things are too far gone.
urquattroGus said:
That looks like a lovely example, which blue is that?? I’ve seen med blue and anniversary blue in the flesh, but that is a darker shade?? I like it.
One car I was unsure about so I did get a PPI on, I knew there were a few issues but it turned out some pretty awful stuff so I have walked away. Don’t mind a bit of a project but sometimes things are too far gone.
Be interested to hear what was brought up on the inspections. When they are this cheap they can be just used / not really cared for One car I was unsure about so I did get a PPI on, I knew there were a few issues but it turned out some pretty awful stuff so I have walked away. Don’t mind a bit of a project but sometimes things are too far gone.
dunnoreally said:
I’m well aware I can sound like a broken record, but ph just seems so out-of-touch on these things sometimes. Yeah given the state of the market right now, these Maseratis are good value compared to a lot of stuff, especially given how special they are. However, that’s very much not the same as being “cheap”. Fact is, if you’re able to buy and run one you’re a lot better off than most.
Out of touch?Look at the other stories up there - a £50k Jimny, Aston works parts for a DB5, and aqurater of a million quid electric Range Rover.
But also, a sub £2k volvo, a £7k Porshce, and a load of sub £10k hot hatches. Or perhaps £10k is too much as well? Perhaps you won't be happy until every journo who has ever reviewed a supercar is taken out and publicly flogged?
Sure, £18k is a lot of money to some, but £18 is a lot of money to some, and I don't see them on here whinging about there being nothing on sub £200 cars any more.
This is a site for car enthusiasts, not a "how to get to work in something boring on a shoestring.com", if you want the latter, then bugger off over to Martin Lewis' forums.
Not sure what rear tie rod bearing is correct as I don’t think it has rear wheel steering (Suspension control arms, especially the lower fronts, were given to cracking. Rear tie-rod bearings went. These problems were usually flagged up by vibrations through the steering wheel. Even with unworn suspension the Spyder suffered quite badly from ‘mobile steering column’ on poor roads.)
I've just bought a 2006 Gransport and absolutely love it. Just come back from a family weekend away with a 4 hour round trip and it was a pleasure.
I've also got a 2003 Porsche 911 C4S which is far better engineered and put together car, but doesn't match the passion of the Maserati and the wonderful sound it makes. It certainly gets a lot more attention than the Porsche to. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I am.
phil-zucfg said:
I've just bought a 2006 Gransport and absolutely love it. Just come back from a family weekend away with a 4 hour round trip and it was a pleasure.
I've also got a 2003 Porsche 911 C4S which is far better engineered and put together car, but doesn't match the passion of the Maserati and the wonderful sound it makes. It certainly gets a lot more attention than the Porsche to. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I am.
Lovely Having owned my Gransport for a couple of years now, I too have not been afflicted with huge unexpected bills or numerous faults. I will say the build quality is not up the German marques but this doesn’t necessarily seem to translate into a making ownership a painful experience.
The joy of opening the garage to one these and listening to that great engine doing its thing is worth the Italian car foibles if and when they occur, pound for pound there isn’t much out there imo that touches these for looks, performance and feel good factor.
Ditch the primary cats for some Larini sport cats and fit a H or X pipe and enjoy!
Yellow ones are obviously the fastest.
The joy of opening the garage to one these and listening to that great engine doing its thing is worth the Italian car foibles if and when they occur, pound for pound there isn’t much out there imo that touches these for looks, performance and feel good factor.
Ditch the primary cats for some Larini sport cats and fit a H or X pipe and enjoy!
Yellow ones are obviously the fastest.
See, as I live in London, I like not having a clutch! I also find the box fine - you just drive around it, and use Sport mode, although that does make the suspension rock hard.
There's a mod you can do that uses the gearbox in Sport, but keeps suspension in normal. Anyone know about that?
There's a mod you can do that uses the gearbox in Sport, but keeps suspension in normal. Anyone know about that?
I really wanted one of these about 10 years ago. Sounded amazing on the test drive, turned a lot of heads, looked lovely, sort of practical, but for me felt quite sluggish and unresponsive and the 8mpg it returned on the test drive put me off. Ended up buying a Z4M which felt much more alive in comparison.
Still probably a lovely car to drive to the south of France in or pop to the shops.
Still probably a lovely car to drive to the south of France in or pop to the shops.
As far as I can see the GranSport has 3 problems.
1. The base 4200 - cheaper with all the style
2. The GranTourisimo - can be had for similar money and much newer.
3. The 5.0 jag xkr - similar money, better gearbox, quicker, cheaper to run and better built.
The above must seriously limit the market for the gransports
1. The base 4200 - cheaper with all the style
2. The GranTourisimo - can be had for similar money and much newer.
3. The 5.0 jag xkr - similar money, better gearbox, quicker, cheaper to run and better built.
The above must seriously limit the market for the gransports
4200 isn't significantly cheaper with depressed GS prices. 3 or 4 grand.
GranTurismo 4.2 is slower and heavier than a GS. You need a 4.7 to match the performance. GT is also imho, too big for B road hard driving. It is based on the Quattroporte so a large platform. Great looking GT but I want something to thread up a country road. They look and sound great though.
XKR is good value no doubt, I'm sure they're cheaper to run but much less exclusive. Engine shared with Land Rover, not Ferrari!
GranTurismo 4.2 is slower and heavier than a GS. You need a 4.7 to match the performance. GT is also imho, too big for B road hard driving. It is based on the Quattroporte so a large platform. Great looking GT but I want something to thread up a country road. They look and sound great though.
XKR is good value no doubt, I'm sure they're cheaper to run but much less exclusive. Engine shared with Land Rover, not Ferrari!
Would agree with point 1. I had a Spyder for 3 years with absolutely no issues, 2 services at around £800, tyres and one coil pack. And a friend had the coupe up to 76k miles.
As for point 2, another friend has had 2. Great cars but much bigger in every dimension, especially in length. Sound fantastic but possibly not an exact replacement.
As for point 3, I am now looking for a 5 litre XKR so may find out.
Anyway here is a gratuitous pic of mine in mediterrano blue:
Tbh, having just sold the Griff, if I could find another facelift Spyder, I’d consider owing another.
As for point 2, another friend has had 2. Great cars but much bigger in every dimension, especially in length. Sound fantastic but possibly not an exact replacement.
As for point 3, I am now looking for a 5 litre XKR so may find out.
Anyway here is a gratuitous pic of mine in mediterrano blue:
Tbh, having just sold the Griff, if I could find another facelift Spyder, I’d consider owing another.
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