GTS advice - please!

[rpgk]

Hi guys,

I am seriously thinking about moving into a GTS, it would be my first experience of a maserati so was looking for some advice/guidance.

I have to admit, apart from thinking the car looks amazing, i don't know an awful lot about them...the questions i have are:

- are they reliable?
- would be doing 8-10k miles a year - is it realistic to expect this to be trouble free?
- is it really a four seater? I have two 7 year olds, i am 6-1 - could i realistically get kids in back on a 3-4 hour journey - they would need to be on boosters!
- have there been many/any model year variations? If so what MY changes were made?
- whilst i understand the manual is the preferred option, i drive in and out of town everyday, often in traffic, so have normally always opted for an auto version of any car i have gone for - is the auto really a different car?
- realistic prices? - briefly searching through autotrader there are 2010 cars offered at similar prices as 2008 cars! what could i realistically expect to achieve for 60-70K
- are there any known issues that i need to look for/avoid?


Many thanks in advance for any opinions offered, apologies for just jumping straight into forum and asking questions!!

Paul

[bigdr]

Hi Paul

Having owned a 2008 Gran Turismo S since August of last year, my input, for what its worth is:-

- 9 months and 5000 miles in I have had no issues.
- I bought mine as a daily driver and have not been disappointed
- Should be ok. I am 6 foot 6 and can carry four adults - although they may not want to be in the back for 3-4 hours the way I drive!
- Probably some subtle changes but I am not aware of anything significant.
- I have the "F1" transmission and find no issue alternating between auto and manual (it spends most of the time in the latter)
- Prices? I paid just under 70k last year so would have thought you should be able to pick up a low mileage 09 for mid 60's.
- not as far as I am aware, but I am sure that there are more knowledgeable people on the form who could commet.

Hope that helps.

[sjn2004]

This thread has a lot of info for you.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[rpgk]

Thank you for the input so far - getting more and more convinced!

[EC2]

You can get the 'GTS' with the F1 gearbox from 58 plate onwards and the full ZF auto 'GTS Auto' from an 09 plate. The first thing you need to decide is which gearbox you want. If you have experience of cars like the M5 and old SMG M3 then the F1 gearbox is like those. Key thing is to drive both and decide. Both cars have a 4.7 litre engine.

If you want the full auto then that gearbox was also available as a 'GT' with a 4.2 litre engine from a 57 plate onwards.

[EC2]

PS Model year changes are tiny but any car older than about an 09 will have no phone or a sim card reader phone. Later cars have bluetooth.

[Colossus]

Had mine for nearly 2 years and no real issues. I live in central London and have the F1 gearbox and although I was concerned about how it would cope with London traffic on a daily basis, I shouldn't have, it is easily the best I have driven and works extremely well. A full auto would certainly be better in traffic but on the open road there is no comparison for me, F1 box all the way. You should try both.

Mileage is not a problem for the cars they are really some of the best built cars around and your kids will have no issue at all, there is heaps of space in the back for kids and as said above even adults can fit without too much of a problem.

Minor changes made over the years but really nothing to get excited about, but bluetooth is nice and works well. The only area where the car is really sub-standard is the audio system which is frankly a disgrace, especially if you paid a premium for the Bose system, it really isn't worth the money but is still better than the standard set up. You should also know that if going for a leter model because of iPod integration, don't! Whilst it does hook in it is somewhat tempermental about how it controls the iPod, sometimes it will sometimes it won't! Not a deal breaker but still shouldn't happen to a car at this price point. Having said that, the first time you press the Sport button and hear the exhaust in all its glory you will be hooked, you have been warned!

[Palmball]

EC2 said:

PS Model year changes are tiny but any car older than about an 09 will have no phone or a sim card reader phone. Later cars have bluetooth.

This isn't correct - mine is an '08 and has the sim card reader and, crucially, Bluetooth. Bluetooth was a cost option back then so just need to check yours has it if you want that facility.

I've had mine for a couple of months having come out of a 997 Turbo and so far have been very impressed - nowhere near the performance of the Porsche but a more satisfying ownership experience in other areas...in particular sound, aesthetics and quality (yup...quality!). It is quite a heavy car and as such isn't the nimblest but having said that, I took it on a wet handling day last weekend at Rockingham where I felt it was one of the best balanced cars I've owned (even compared to my previous M3, M6 and 997).

Most of my thoughts on the car are well captured in this thread http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

In answer to your q's....

- are they reliable?
Yes, in my experience so far. Although I have had little niggles, nothing has been serious but beware, the parts are VERY expensive so if you're getting an early one, ensure to get a Maserati warranty!

- would be doing 8-10k miles a year - is it realistic to expect this to be trouble free?
I've whacked on 2k miles in 2 months....and there are some high milers out there which indicates they take miles just fine

- is it really a four seater? I have two 7 year olds, i am 6-1 - could i realistically get kids in back on a 3-4 hour journey - they would need to be on boosters!
Yes, it's a very spacious car for one of this type. It's practically palatial in the back compared the back of the 997 and BMW M6 (the M6 was very poorly packaged). The rear seats are also reasonably comfy too! It is based on the Quattroporte so it is a very big car...much bigger than it looks which is especially felt when parking where it struggles to fit lengthways in some bays (hell, it's as wide a tanker too!)

- have there been many/any model year variations? If so what MY changes were made?
I don't believe a lot has changed other than minor trim and spec adjustments - certainly nothing technical.


- whilst i understand the manual is the preferred option, i drive in and out of town everyday, often in traffic, so have normally always opted for an auto version of any car i have gone for - is the auto really a different car?
Someone mentioned that the manual is similar to BMW's SMG box. Whilst the principle is the same, the execution is very different and much, much better in the Maserati. It's the 'box out of the Ferrari 599 AND is rather better developed than the SMG - in auto, it behave in a very well mannered auto way in that its quite smooth and judges the ratios well. In manual, the changes are quicker yet still smooth and above 5.5k in sport mode, you get MC shift changes which are quite abrupt but super quick (80 milliseconds I believe). You also get a better exhaust note in the manual as in sport mode, the silencers are permanently bypassed for what can only be described as a very obscene noise!

- realistic prices? - briefly searching through autotrader there are 2010 cars offered at similar prices as 2008 cars! what could i realistically expect to achieve for 60-70K
They haven't lost a lot in the last year or so...you're looking at high £60k's for an '08 and anything mid £70k's upwards for an '09 or newer. There is a very cheap one a Graypaul Nottingham at present at well under £60k but it's got (relatively) mega-miles.

- are there any known issues that i need to look for/avoid?
Rear light units tend to go so check the lights work, the Bluetooth needs a (free) software upgrade on 08/09's to work with the latest devices seamlessly and just check all electrical items as you would with any Italian car (although funnily enough it was my 2010 997 Turbo that broke down on me due to electrical failure!).

HTH's!

Edited by Palmball on Monday 23 May 23:33

[rpgk]

Guys, thank you so much for taking the time to respond and information you have provided.

I guess my search starts in earnest - time to get rid of my car now - being the impatient person i am, i will likely part-ex - i can already feel my pants being tugged on!!!

I am sure i will be back on soon once i have shortlisted some cars and have some further questions...

Thanks again

Paul

[EC2]

Should have expanded further. Bluetooth was/is standard on all GranTurismo from September 09 build onwards. Before that a 4.2 auto (autumn 07 launch) would have had the sim card reader as an option or nothing as standard.

All GTS Autos (spring 09 launch) had bluetooth from launch. For the GTS (the one with the F1 box, autumn 08 launch) the situation on pre-September 09 build cars was unclear in my mind so it is good for Palmball to correct it. Best to check any car though!