GT Car wanted

[MrVert]

Looking to add a more relaxing GT type car to the fold and have narrowed the field down to the following:

Maserati GranTurismo 2012
Aston Martin DB9 2008/09
Aston Martin V8 Vantage 2011/12

Will mostly be used for long trips, Euro hoons etc (when we can again)...

Budget is around £40k, it won't be a daily but will be used during the week for some short journeys from time to time.

Hoping to hear from anyone who has driven the above cars and can give an indication on how they compare to drive, servicing costs etc. Don't mind using an Indy for servicing, based in the Midlands.

Also, what are the must have options on the cars.

Steering towards the DB9, just for that V12, however the Maserati sounds wonderful as well.

Edited by MrVert on Saturday 20th June 18:50

[Lee Jones Jnr]

I had a GranTurismo about 5 years ago. They are exactly what you would expect, nice looking, comfortable, spacious interior (in the front) and great sounding engine.
I’ve only driven a DB9 a. Purple of times so can’t give a very reliable comparison but from memory I think that it felt better bolted together with nicer quality interior trim. Again lovely place to travel for the occupants of the front seats, not so much the rear.

[Ray_MV]

I haven’t owned either of the Aston’s but owned a Granturismo for 5 years (2013 MY facelift MC Sport) and would definitely recommend- they are fantastic cars! I did 25k miles in mine and apart from a new clutch and brakes (both very expensive so make sure you check the life in both), I had no problems or running costs whatsoever. I still miss that V8 sound!

Shiltech in Loughborough are great indys but as service intervals are only every 2yrs/12k miles I used main dealers. Graypaul in Nottingham are excellent.

[Pooh]

I had a Maserati GranTurismo S for two years and 12k miles, I loved it, it always felt special to drive, handled well (mine had the MC suspension), had very spacious back seats and sounded awesome. I drove a DB9 and I was not very impressed.

Edited by Pooh on Sunday 21st June 08:38

[xcentric]

I may be wrong, but I think Masser servicing is more expensive than the Aston.

Not a Masser expert, but had a Vantage for a very short while (long story) - great car. GT rather than a sports car, but less GT than a DB, in my view. Has a bit more vim and keener to change direction and respond to inputs, but the DB cruises all day with no hassles. DB has rear seats (= more luggage space, really). All are pretty (Astons, Masser).

Me, I'd go for the Vantage if there's only 2 (or 1) of you. If you were doing loooong jouneys then maybe the DB.

[anonymous-user]

As a curve ball, have you considered one of these? Soundtrack is epic, V Fast and comfortable, but also practical due to large boot and rear hatch door. They look stunning in French Racing Blue. I had one for 4 years.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 21st June 23:47

[cgt2]

MAC 720S said:

As a curve ball, have you considered one of these? Soundtrack is epic, V Fast and comfortable, but also practical due to large boot and rear hatch door. They look stunning in French Racing Blue. I had one for 4 years.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by MAC 720S on Sunday 21st June 23:47

I agree, I had one too. What completely surprised me was the level of build quality. Not a squeak, rattle or any issue whatsoever over a year of ownership.

[MrVert]

That XKR-S is a lovely thing, however for what I want a car for it's probably a bit too much of a brute (never thought I'd be typing such nonsense obviously)!

I'm leaning towards the DB9, however went out open my bike earlier and followed a Granturismo through town.....what a noise! I could easily be seduced....

Someone mentioned the build quality of the cabin, that is a consideration, I had a V6 Ghibli for a week a couple of years ago and it definitely wasn't up to Porsche / Audi / BMW standards and did feel a tad flimsy.

How are the GT's faring on the robustness of the cabin? As I'd be looking at 7/8 year old cars with 20-30k miles, are they holding up well?

For the DB9, it does worry me somewhat that the earliest car I've seen within budget is a 2008 model, so 12 years old and not getting any younger. Assuming full AMSH, what are the big items to look out for on these that hopefully would have already been sorted by previous owner?

[Zippee]

A little over budget but if you do get the Maser these guys are fantastic to deal with;
https://www.johnhollandsales.co.uk/used-cars/11165...

[MrVert]

That's very nice, but as this is adding to an already busy driveway.. I really have to stick to a budget! º




ºAt the moment

[BigR]

Zippee said:

A little over budget but if you do get the Maser these guys are fantastic to deal with;
https://www.johnhollandsales.co.uk/used-cars/11165...

Stop! Don't tempt me to start looking...

I've had 3:

1) 4.2 - bought blindly and fortunately everything worked out well. Never missed a beat and was my first 'special' car.
2) 4.7 MC Cabrio - this was immense and also my first ever convertible. Again nothing ever went wrong
3) 4.7 Sport - ditto, great car, reliable as

And why do I mention reliability? Because of course its assumed they're not, but honestly they were all great and nothing notable ever happened with them. As to the interior quality, its probably not quite up to Aston standards, but its by no means bad. Mine never suffered from rattles or squeaks and it always felt like a nice place to be.

Two things to consider, however, are:

1) the interior is going to be a little dated - the central screen is well, a bit limited in its capability in these. But you can retro fit an alternative I believe if it worries you
2) the rear legroom is fine for children, and 'ok-ish' for adults for a short period. It is often said how roomy it is - it's really not that roomy, other than to say I guess that its better than you'd expect in this kind of car - and certainly better than its equivalents.

And the boot is surprisingly practical (unless you get a convertible, and then you're down to a bag of carrots pretty much).

[MrVert]

Thanks, that's good info.

Any idea on current service intervals on the GT & rough cost?

Cheers

[Zippee]

MrVert said:

That's very nice, but as this is adding to an already busy driveway.. I really have to stick to a budget! º




ºAt the moment

Well you did say your budget was 'around' 40k
Couple of grand negotiated off as well gets you even closer
Or to keep with your user name they have a lovely deep red convertible which is cheaper... you know you want to

[BigR]

MrVert said:

Thanks, that's good info.

Any idea on current service intervals on the GT & rough cost?

Cheers

Service intervals are 12500 miles (as I recall) or 2 years for them. I have to say I forget the costs, but there are quite a lot of independents around that have a good reputation - maybe give the odd one a call and ask for some guidance on what to expect price wise.

I'd also suggest looking up the sportmaserati forum as there's a hell of a lot of knowledge from the people there - and they're helpful, rather than cliquey.

[AndyC_123]

What sort of Bentley Continental can you get for £40k?

I've never owned one but have traveled in a few, they're great for wafting along.

[MrVert]

GT as in Maserati GranTurismo... a Bentley would be a tad to woofle-tastic for me