Maserati Gransport? Any good? Advice appreciated?

[lambo_xx]

Now, I've always liked the look of these cars, but I've never actually driven one. Currently I've got a F430, which is great. The problem is I bought it to use as an "everyday" car and although it's comfy and very usable it isn't a practical everyday car. For example I'm always extremely conscious where I park it.

I've just got a couple questions that I was hoping you lot might be able to answer:
Firstly, what's it like to drive?
My biggest concern is the gearbox? I've heard some people say it's great and others say it's appalling? My F430 is F1, how does it compare?
What's the room in the back seats like? I had a 911 before the 430, how do they compare to them?
What sort of size is the boot?
What's the reliability like?
How often does it need serviced? What are the approx costs?

I know I need to drive one, but the closest one for sale is 200 odd miles away.

Any help appreciated. Thanks

[birdcage]

I owned one of these bought in the teeth of the recession, it was low mileage with a year and a half left on the warranty for piece of mind, I didn't lose much at all and could have got my money back privately as the market recovered.

That said, nothing went wrong at all, it was a fast car that sounds brilliant and got three of us to the Nurburgring without any complaints from the back seat.

I came out of a CSL which is to my mind a decent gearbox and found the Mazza to have a slightly different feeling but not equally good paddle shift, easy to put into neutral at the lights too using the paddles.

The sports button is a hoot and always fun to turn on when the engine is warm

I actually went back to a CSL afterwards but that's only because I like a bit of track driving and the CSL is lighter but for day to day and trips to Europe etc the Gransport was excellent.

The prices are pretty good for these but I can't be dealing with services and clutches and the like so I always try to buy one with a decent clutch reading and a fresh service.

I am about to buy something more akin to your own 430 but for what you describe the GranSport is a great car. all late cars have the LE (I think thats it) spec as well that makes them easier to sell.

Mine was black with grey wheels, and personally I don't think they look as good in light colours with unpainted wheels...

If I had one thing I would say it is a very comfortable sports version so feels odd when you are really pushing it, but thats not everyones cup of tea anyway...

[Mario149]

It's a Maserati 4200 with all the bad bits fixed! Well, except fuel consumption

On a serious note though, I owned a 4200 CC and enjoyed it despite its flaws, so would jump on a Gransport. As another suggestion though, have you considered a Ferrari 456(M)? (I had a test drive in one not so long ago, and while not massively impressed just after getting out of it, it's kinda grown on me in the meantime....). It basically does the same thing. More expensive to run, but less depreciation (although I'm guessing if you have a 430 you have the readies for either option)

[R555WRS]

I must say that I have been very happy with my Gransport over the past 5 years. Never let me down and had a massive amount of space for the type of car. I got it from new and the positive experience was such that I am p/x the GS next weekend for a new Granturismo S. I can not think of better cars that combine looks, space, opulence, performance and handling (remember it's still a GT and not a supercar in that respect) in such a package. It will be a shame to see it go but have a new Maser to look forward to.

Stu

[lambo_xx]

birdcage said:

I came out of a CSL which is to my mind a decent gearbox and found the Mazza to have a slightly different feeling but not equally good paddle shift, easy to put into neutral at the lights too using the paddles.

The first "flappy paddle" car I drove was an M5 (same gearbox as the one in the CSL), which I was considering buying at the time and I thought it was very good car with an absolutely appalling gearbox. I just found the gear changes slow and jerky. Now, since then I've driven several flappy paddles and have learnt to lift off etc while changing gear so perhaps If I had done that the M5 gearbox would have been ok.

I definitely think I need to drive one to see what I think, but it's just getting the time to do so. So overall you think the CSL has a better box but the Gransport is still ok?

Also, I've heard some Gransport owner's drive constantly with the sport button on, did you do that and does it make a big difference to the gear changes?

Thanks again

[birdcage]

I actually cocked that bit up, I meant to say equally good gearbox! Different but definitely okay.

I suppose I was careful with it as think it felt less robust than the CSL but that was probably me being overtly conscientiousness, great for the new owner!

That said my last decent car was a 355 F1 which I also found fine, to my delight you could use the throttle whilst you had the paddles pulled in very quickly..

I had nothing but good experiences from my GranSport but I really like the service intervals on the Beemer..Plus it felt more solid but that's only a 'feeling'

[WZC1]

I use mine everyday and have no issues with it at all. I happily park it in the street without worry. Space wise you can get two adults in the back, it is much bigger than it looks are certainly useable space compared to the 911. The boot is big enough to take a suitcase.

I am ok on the reliabilty front with nothing major on mine ( 50k+ miles ) just the usual servicing and tyres that are not too deadly. The gearchange is fine for me. Smooth enough in normal mode but a little more aggresive in sport. I drive in sport all the time and around town you can easily manage the changes so there are smooth.

Nick

[lambo_xx]

Thanks for the help so far. Just a couple more questions, what's the noise like? I've seen all the youtube videos but what's it actually like to live with?

Also, what's the servicing like? How often does it need serviced? I'm guessing it'll be about the same sort of cost as the 430?

Thanks again.

[Mario149]

lambo_xx said:

Thanks for the help so far. Just a couple more questions, what's the noise like? I've seen all the youtube videos but what's it actually like to live with?

Also, what's the servicing like? How often does it need serviced? I'm guessing it'll be about the same sort of cost as the 430?

Thanks again.

for servicing see http://www.verdi-ferrari.com/ferrari_servicing.php for a rough guide. If memory serves the engine in the 4200 and Gransport have cam chains so don't need cambelt changes

[ditomaso]

we've just published (Friday pm) franchise prices which look to be very competitive for servicing costs - check it out http://www.supercarhub.com/Exclusive-Franchise-Pri...

very reasonable - hope that helps

[lambo_xx]

Ok great thanks again. Something else just dawned on me, what's the ride height like? Will it fit in multi story car parks? For example my 911 would, where as the 430 I know wouldn't.

[maser_spyder]

lambo_xx said:

Ok great thanks again. Something else just dawned on me, what's the ride height like? Will it fit in multi story car parks? For example my 911 would, where as the 430 I know wouldn't.

Not a problem.

Just don't nudge up to high kerbs. Radiators are right at the front and quite expensive.

[mr_spock]

I've had mine for a few months - just my opinion, but here you go:

• Firstly, what's it like to drive?

Lovely. Ride in non-sport isn't quite as smooth as a 911 C2, but pretty good on a smooth road. Seats are great, lots of adjustment, as is the steering wheel. Steering is fab, pretty quick but not too heavy. Perhaps a little light if anything, but feels just right for me. Controls are well located mostly, I can now find most of the centre console buttons without looking.

• My biggest concern is the gearbox? I've heard some people say it's great and others say it's appalling? My F430 is F1, how does it compare?

I've not driven a 430, but I find it OK. Occasionally reverse can behave oddly with a cold gearbox, and going from reverse to first isn't going to win an autotest, but it's no big deal. I keep it in sport mode most of the time to save the clutch - I can always lift off a bit between gears to soften the change for my wife On a fast A road it's great, on a motorway likewise (actually, I use it in Auto/Sport on motorways and turn on the cruise control).

• What's the room in the back seats like? I had a 911 before the 430, how do they compare to them?

Much better than a 911, which is one reason I bought the GS. My 8 and 11 year old kids have lots of room and the seat backs aren't as upright as the 911. My last car was a 928 and they were getting a bit big for that. I think a medium sized adult would be quite comfy in the back, for a while anyway.

• What sort of size is the boot?

Decent. I can't get a guitar in a case in, but I can get a small amp, kit bag, clothes, guitar and amp stand and still have a fair bit of room. With no spare wheel as standard there's space under the boot floor. Plenty for a week away for two, a week's shopping for 4 will go in.

• What's the reliability like?

No problems yet. Forums suggest driving it is the best maintenance! Problems seem to be well known and fixable, but compared to a 911 you shouldn't have any surprises.

HTH

[Colossus]

I would echo the above, although ran a 4200 not a GS for 2 years as my daily driver. No real issues and the engine and sound are amazing with the GS being even better than my old 4200.

In terms of servicing, if you are a main dealer should be noticeably cheaper than a 430, at an independant, probably not such a difference although if parts are needed the F-car parts can be significantly more, or so I am told.

I took mine to the South of France several times with my two daughters in the back (8 & 6) and they had heaps of room and we had luggage for the 4 of us for 2 weeks and my wife does not travel "light"!

I can out of an E39 M5 and the Maser was literally like a breath of fresh air, it never failed to bring a smile to my face. I think they are massively under rated cars, quite exclusive and offer one of the best compromises between having a sports car and something that is also practical to live with on a day to day basis. If you buy wisely you should have no real reliability issues (I hade no problems in 2 years) and a car that will depreciate at much slower rate than a 430. Best of luck in your search.

[ModenaMagic]

Would agree with most of the above. Had the GS for 3 years, has never missed a beat and is so much better than a 996, plus exclusivity is a major bonus.