Granturismo purchase advice
Discussion
I am looking to purchase my first Maserati and hopefully Granturismo. I have been doing some research online but need some real world experience/advice. It will have light usage of around 2-3k miles per annum.
Do people tend to use them over the winter? I normally prefer to use my Gallardo throughout the year providing its not raining or snowing.
I am looking at 2012+ cars, are the newer cars affected by the variator issues? Any other issues that I should be aware of?
Has anyone upgraded from a 911 and how do they compare? How are they like in the wet as my wife will also be using it.
Thank you in advance.
There are others who have more knowledge about the variator issue, but from memory 2012 is ok - but do check that out rather than take my word on it.
I've had 3 of varying flavours and drove all of them all year round. I wouldn't advise it in the snow - did it once in light snow and that was enough to know not to do it again. Otherwise I found them perfectly fine in the rain, better than a high-powered Merc by comparison (which is just a complete handful).
Go for it - they're great! They're Italian so can be a little tempremental but mine NEVER let me down. They'd develop odd minor issues, half of which weren't there the next day, and the other half always proved to be simple fixes, and they were overall very modest in number. One of the most reliable cars I've ever had, counter to the Italian reputation perhaps.
I've had 3 of varying flavours and drove all of them all year round. I wouldn't advise it in the snow - did it once in light snow and that was enough to know not to do it again. Otherwise I found them perfectly fine in the rain, better than a high-powered Merc by comparison (which is just a complete handful).
Go for it - they're great! They're Italian so can be a little tempremental but mine NEVER let me down. They'd develop odd minor issues, half of which weren't there the next day, and the other half always proved to be simple fixes, and they were overall very modest in number. One of the most reliable cars I've ever had, counter to the Italian reputation perhaps.
Your best bet is to head along to sportsmaserati.com for greater insight and recommendations on well looked after cars, trustworthy dealers, alternative parts (without 'Maserati-tax') and independent servicing recommendations.
It's a much bigger and heavier car than a 911. Very much a grand tourer rather than a sports car. However, with the NA V8 engine every journey can be an occasion even without necessarily doing great speed.
There's a particular engine number after which the variator issue was fixed - a search on the above site should quickly get you that info (ETA: Engine number <148697 is exposed). Big decisions to make are whether you want the ZF auto or the automated manual / regular car or (rarer) Stradale.
I've had mine for just over a year now. Only minor problem was battery-related, but did turn traction control, ABS and parking brake off when my wife was driving - which put her off for a while. All now resolved, and was excellent on a recent Italian road trip. Performance in the wet is somewhat tyre dependent. My car has the Pirelli Corsa tyres and can squirm a bit on a cold damp road or when crossing white lines - but a great in warmer or dry conditions. Forum members who have moved to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S say they are much better.
It's a much bigger and heavier car than a 911. Very much a grand tourer rather than a sports car. However, with the NA V8 engine every journey can be an occasion even without necessarily doing great speed.
There's a particular engine number after which the variator issue was fixed - a search on the above site should quickly get you that info (ETA: Engine number <148697 is exposed). Big decisions to make are whether you want the ZF auto or the automated manual / regular car or (rarer) Stradale.
I've had mine for just over a year now. Only minor problem was battery-related, but did turn traction control, ABS and parking brake off when my wife was driving - which put her off for a while. All now resolved, and was excellent on a recent Italian road trip. Performance in the wet is somewhat tyre dependent. My car has the Pirelli Corsa tyres and can squirm a bit on a cold damp road or when crossing white lines - but a great in warmer or dry conditions. Forum members who have moved to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S say they are much better.
Edited by tokyo_mb on Friday 18th October 14:07
ElanS said:
I am looking to purchase my first Maserati and hopefully Granturismo. I have been doing some research online but need some real world experience/advice. It will have light usage of around 2-3k miles per annum.
Do people tend to use them over the winter? I normally prefer to use my Gallardo throughout the year providing its not raining or snowing.
I am looking at 2012+ cars, are the newer cars affected by the variator issues? Any other issues that I should be aware of?
Has anyone upgraded from a 911 and how do they compare? How are they like in the wet as my wife will also be using it.
Thank you in advance.
Hi, I ran a Granturismo 4.2 for 2 years directly after a 997 C4S for 4 years so am hopefully qualified to comment Do people tend to use them over the winter? I normally prefer to use my Gallardo throughout the year providing its not raining or snowing.
I am looking at 2012+ cars, are the newer cars affected by the variator issues? Any other issues that I should be aware of?
Has anyone upgraded from a 911 and how do they compare? How are they like in the wet as my wife will also be using it.
Thank you in advance.
I used mine year round - seemed fine. ABsolutely fine in the wet - very controllable oversteer if you feel like it, if not you just drive it like a normal car
2012 is free of variator issues
Compared to my 911 it is more special and more of an event to drive and own. The sound track, brand and appearance are on a different planet. Get a larini x pipe centre section for £300 it is all the car needs
The tech inside is really terrible and a bit of a pain to redo, I spent about £4k revamping the stereo but it was a huge improvement
I didn't find it as good as a day-to-day car as the 911 in that it is huge and therefore I didn't like leaving it at the station, it is also very low and grounds out on even moderate ramps so going up in the local Waitrose was challenging
It has 2 full size rear seats that adults can use, and a good size boot
Not particularly bad on fuel although I have heard the 4.7 is quite a bit worse. Was actually comparable to my 997 C4S believe it or not
It doesn't handle or accelerate as well but it is a much more refined vehicle and has more than enough poke. I replaced the PZeros with MPS4S and it was a massive improvement
Maintenance - they are reliable and well built but parts are expensive. I had discs, pads, handbrake replaced and read bumper painted, £2.5k all with non Maserati parts - EBC Yellow pads and eurospares pattern discs - all worked fine
I honestly loved it and if I won the lottery and had 5-6 cars would have one with an auto box as my daily to use for when I couldn't be bothered with a manual and knew I wouldn't have to fight for a parking space.
The soundtrack is honestly the best out there - flat plane crank version of the 430 V8 with some funky firing sequence.
jakesmith said:
The tech inside is really terrible and a bit of a pain to redo, I spent about £4k revamping the stereo but it was a huge improvement.
Don't disagree with this. However, I don't think you need to spend as much as that. Through SportsMaserati, I have added Android Auto / Apple CarPlay and a touch screen overlay for much less than £1k (including installation). That said, I haven't used it for anything other than Waze, as the soundtrack from the car is all I need.tokyo_mb said:
jakesmith said:
The tech inside is really terrible and a bit of a pain to redo, I spent about £4k revamping the stereo but it was a huge improvement.
Don't disagree with this. However, I don't think you need to spend as much as that. Through SportsMaserati, I have added Android Auto / Apple CarPlay and a touch screen overlay for much less than £1k (including installation). That said, I haven't used it for anything other than Waze, as the soundtrack from the car is all I need.Went from a 996 TT to a MC.
The Masser is an event to drive - sounds glorious. Large though, handles ok, gets a move on once in the revs. Lots of space inside (larger than a 911).
Reliable, but consumables are expensive as noted above.
Avoid Pirelli’s at all cost, Michelin’s MUCH better.
The Masser is an event to drive - sounds glorious. Large though, handles ok, gets a move on once in the revs. Lots of space inside (larger than a 911).
Reliable, but consumables are expensive as noted above.
Avoid Pirelli’s at all cost, Michelin’s MUCH better.
I've got a 4.7 auto gt which I've had almost 4 years and love it to bits. Also have a 997.1 c2s which I've modified a little to make it more ex citing.
Cars are chalk & cheese in my opinion. Maser is a proper grand tourer whilst the porker is a sports car.
Master is much more of an event each time you open the garage door & would be the keeper if one had to go.
only downside as others have said is tendency for front number plate to catch on anything resembling a slope.
Cars are chalk & cheese in my opinion. Maser is a proper grand tourer whilst the porker is a sports car.
Master is much more of an event each time you open the garage door & would be the keeper if one had to go.
only downside as others have said is tendency for front number plate to catch on anything resembling a slope.
Thanks for sharing your experience/advice guys, I have taken the plunge and bought a facelift GTS MC shift. I was really taken to the dark blue colour and the report on the inspection. I am loving the sound track so far. A completely different experience to a manual 911 turbo or a manual LP560!
ElanS said:
Thanks for sharing your experience/advice guys, I have taken the plunge and bought a facelift GTS MC shift. I was really taken to the dark blue colour and the report on the inspection. I am loving the sound track so far. A completely different experience to a manual 911 turbo or a manual LP560!
PICS PLEASE
jakesmith said:
I want one! Used to own one and miss it. Bought a Smart as my runabout Instead. The Smart is great on tax and fuel and parking but the GT was better in every other way
Lots around. Like many V8 engined cars, prices have taken a hit. I have a 2011 4.7 auto and it's now not worth a lot but it is still great to drive.
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