RE: Maserati Gransport: Spotted
Discussion
Mike335i said:
Same reason why I wouldn't be interested in a GS, the thought of changing a clutch every 15-20k miles is just too much for me, especially if the gearbox isn't amazing to use. The manual is a safer bet I reckon, or even the Zf 6 speed automatic Quattroporte (post 2007?).
If you're not dragging it to death in traffic everyday 40k is possible on a clutch. Just don't put it in auto, sit at lights in first gear for long or reverse up hills... I also wish it had a manual but the flappy paddle is fun to use. And given the rate at which they can devour a twisty road, many's the time I have been glad to be able to keep my hands on the (really nice to hold) wheel. As for the 4200 being an alternative, I've driven a couple and they did not handle or steer nearly as nicely as the GS. They were just as fast but it felt like there was a delay between the front and rear wheels reacting to a steering input, which was really off putting. GS in contrast feel 'all of a piece' - agile, balanced and immensely confidence inspiring.
And - personal opinion - I think the GS interior is much nicer than the 4200 too. Love the carbon and aluminium.
Guvernator said:
You can buy a late model (post 2004) normal 4200 which is pretty much 95% the same as a Gransport but with a proper gearbox sort of like this.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
It's what I'd be doing.
That’s tempting. Apart from the running costs. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
It's what I'd be doing.
soad said:
Guvernator said:
You can buy a late model (post 2004) normal 4200 which is pretty much 95% the same as a Gransport but with a proper gearbox sort of like this.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
It's what I'd be doing.
That’s tempting. Apart from the running costs. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
It's what I'd be doing.
I wish I had more mechanical knowledge\DIY capabilities, I'd probably have a whole drive full of cars like this if I could fix them myself.
Guvernator said:
There seems to be quite a premium over a 4200 for a GS though, for people for whom the gearbox would be a deal breaker, which includes me, buying a 4200 and using the money saved on a GS on improving it Is very much a viable option IMO.
No really they are worth the premium, own a 4200 and go to a GS and you will see exactly what the upgrades mean. The GS turns in so much quicker, handles better, goes better, sounds better, looks better and just works so well. Please I've owned so many Maserati and know the brand like the back of my hand. cerb4.5lee said:
After realising now that this was only offered as an auto I'm not interested in them anymore and my toys are thoroughly out of my pram!! 
How can Maserati make such a lovely looking and desirable car and then hobble it with such a boring gearbox.
Really? Honestly? Have you even bothered to look at the spec and see this is a F1 derived robotised manual car? Yes there is an after thought "auto" mode but the car has paddles and is best driven in "manual" mode by pulling the paddles. There is even rev matching and blips on the down change, hard to believe in such an archaic machine I know. How can Maserati make such a lovely looking and desirable car and then hobble it with such a boring gearbox.
FFS!
Plate spinner said:
I’m sure this car is subjectivity better than the 3200... but... boomerang lights for the win!
Absolutely the 3200 is purely and aesthetically stunning. Bonnet vents, lower plenum and those boomerangs. A design icon from Giorgetto Giugiaro which is timeless.The GS takes that "Coke Bottle" design and further enhances it with side skirts and swoops. The main part of the 3200 design still embodied but just modernised. I can forgive the GS for losing the Boomerangs because it is the sums of it's parts better than the 4200 which just wasn't a worth upgrade over the 3200. I can say this as a serial trident owner and massive enthusiast for the brand. Owned them all.
Contigo said:
Crude? Have you ever owned on? If driven in auto mode they are a bit crude but in manual sport mode they give 80ms gear changes. Honestly way better than an SMG-2 box on the M5 E60 or E46 CSL.
Yes, in sport it was faster, but it was still pretty unsophisticated. Perhaps it was just our ‘box, but I found it needed a small amount of revs help on the down change to be smooth. It was great fun, and very Italian - which is s good thing.
Contigo said:
cerb4.5lee said:
After realising now that this was only offered as an auto I'm not interested in them anymore and my toys are thoroughly out of my pram!!
How can Maserati make such a lovely looking and desirable car and then hobble it with such a boring gearbox.
Really? Honestly? Have you even bothered to look at the spec and see this is a F1 derived robotised manual car? Yes there is an after thought "auto" mode but the car has paddles and is best driven in "manual" mode by pulling the paddles. There is even rev matching and blips on the down change, hard to believe in such an archaic machine I know. How can Maserati make such a lovely looking and desirable car and then hobble it with such a boring gearbox.
FFS!
For me though personally any performance car with two pedals just doesn't interest me at all(very narrow minded but that is how I feel about it), but if this had a proper three pedal manual gearbox then I would love it...but it hasn't so I don't.
Worse thing is they put that same god awful gearbox in the early GranTurismo, couldn’t believe how s
t it still was after owning an early 4200, I went for the zf auto, so much better at doing manual than the f1 (cambiocorsa) box for me and the auto side is perfect.
Incidentally, anyone in the know re skyhook? When I was sold the car I was told it didn’t have it (wanted it) and there’s no obvious way to tell (2010) really.
but I swore blind the ride was better without sport button pressed so looked under hood and there’s a pipe coming outa the top of the susp.. turret, does that mean it’s equipped with skyhook?
t it still was after owning an early 4200, I went for the zf auto, so much better at doing manual than the f1 (cambiocorsa) box for me and the auto side is perfect.Incidentally, anyone in the know re skyhook? When I was sold the car I was told it didn’t have it (wanted it) and there’s no obvious way to tell (2010) really.
but I swore blind the ride was better without sport button pressed so looked under hood and there’s a pipe coming outa the top of the susp.. turret, does that mean it’s equipped with skyhook?
Edited by Pvapour on Wednesday 26th June 20:45
I just took the plunge on a 56 plate manual facelift 4200 (officially a ‘Maserati Coupe GT’).
They’re rarer than rocking horse sh*t - 1078 manual cars sold worldwide, maybe 200 RHD and most of those pre-facelift as I understand it.
She’s higher mileage than I would have liked, but I drove some duffers beforehand and this one felt right. A thorough check at the local specialist proved me right (phew). It’s a wonderful car and the manual box is excellent if adjusted correctly - tricky and notchy with a delay if not.
She’s a daily driver and I’ll be doing 12k a year or so. Lot’s of heavy London traffic included, and she hasn’t missed a beat in the first 700 miles. I’m expecting issues (you’d be a fool not to) but have a warranty and a bork fund ready. The engine is superb and sounds amazing near the red line.
If you’re tempted just do it...
They’re rarer than rocking horse sh*t - 1078 manual cars sold worldwide, maybe 200 RHD and most of those pre-facelift as I understand it.
She’s higher mileage than I would have liked, but I drove some duffers beforehand and this one felt right. A thorough check at the local specialist proved me right (phew). It’s a wonderful car and the manual box is excellent if adjusted correctly - tricky and notchy with a delay if not.
She’s a daily driver and I’ll be doing 12k a year or so. Lot’s of heavy London traffic included, and she hasn’t missed a beat in the first 700 miles. I’m expecting issues (you’d be a fool not to) but have a warranty and a bork fund ready. The engine is superb and sounds amazing near the red line.
If you’re tempted just do it...
I really love the GS and have come close to pulling the trigger on a few cars in the past 4 years I’ve been looking. However, when it comes to the crunch a v8 M3 covers most of the GS bases just as well and would have significantly lower running costs.
Even factoring new rod bearings in the M3 (which would cost less to do than a clutch in one of these).
Maybe I should just man up and go for it...they do sound and look special
Even factoring new rod bearings in the M3 (which would cost less to do than a clutch in one of these).
Maybe I should just man up and go for it...they do sound and look special
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