Maserati Gran Turismo advise please

[michael gould]

Considering selling my 55 plate DB9 and replacing it with a Gran Turismo........Can any owners let me know the pitfalls......servicing costs I'm assuming a similar to my Aston.......I have owned a 3200gt and a 4200 Spyder previously......also what's the score with the gearbox....is the ZF standard ? I don't fancy a CC due to the cost of clutch replacment.........mant thanks for any advise

[TJB69]

Im also looking at choping my V8 Vantage in for a Granturismo so any info on the running costs would be great.

Vantage is a cracking car but really need the four seats.

My biggest fear is the dreaded depreciation.

[RevHappy]

The Maser GT is only a 2+2, so short runs and kids. But its a big improvement on the DB9 which is a 2 + 1.1 at best.

[doodlebug]

RevHappy said:

The Maser GT is only a 2+2, so short runs and kids. But its a big improvement on the DB9 which is a 2 + 1.1 at best.

Really? I've had 4 adults in my 4200GT for 100+ mile trips without complaints. I'm amazed that the GranTurismo doesn't have more space in the rear because it is based on the considerably bigger Quattroporte platform.

[crostonian]

I would say they are a four seater rather than a 2+2 so long as everyone is average shaped!

I currently have a QP, not for much longer, and have chatted to my friendly specialist about the Gran Turismo. He says that he never sees them between services and that they are pretty much bullet proof, the services are far apart aswell.

They would be a lot cheaper to run than the Aston and far more reliable.

[phib]

I had a 57 plate 4.2, really loved it, it was a good 2+2, was 100% reliable about £750 forr an annual service.

Used it from Cambridge to chobham every day and it did about 26mpg really fantastic car, and got my money back on when sold after six months.

Now its probably worth 38k, not sure what how low they will go but it would probably be my choice over the bd9

Phib

[RevHappy]

doodlebug said:

Really? I've had 4 adults in my 4200GT for 100+ mile trips without complaints. I'm amazed that the GranTurismo doesn't have more space in the rear because it is based on the considerably bigger Quattroporte platform.

How tall and polite were the folks in the back?
The roof line which looks great from the outside equals head skimming the roof liner.

[doodlebug]

RevHappy said:

How tall and polite were the folks in the back?
The roof line which looks great from the outside equals head skimming the roof liner.

I'm 6ft tall and there is a lot of headroom in the back. More than there is in the front, probably, although the fronts are adjustable for height. My mate is 6ft 6 and finds it a bit cramped. As I said,I'm amazed the GT is smaller.

[RevHappy]

doodlebug said:

I'm 6ft tall and there is a lot of headroom in the back. More than there is in the front, probably, although the fronts are adjustable for height. My mate is 6ft 6 and finds it a bit cramped. As I said,I'm amazed the GT is smaller.

Maybe it's the bigger boot and engine layout, more room up front has compromised the rear seats in the GT.
IIRC the grand sport boot wasn't that big.

[doodlebug]

RevHappy said:

Maybe it's the bigger boot and engine layout, more room up front has compromised the rear seats in the GT.
IIRC the grand sport boot wasn't that big.

Looking at photos on the net of the GT, it looks like there is much more legroom in the back than there is in the 4200. Seriously, the GT is massive compared to the 4200 which IMO is a proper 4 seater, not a 2 plus 2.

[A what?]

Plenty of room in the back of the GT. Definitely a 4 seater and not just a 2 plus 2.
I would test drive both the auto and AMT before you commit to an Auto, they are a Completely different drive. Not that I have had the clutch changed in mine yet to comment on replacement cost, but having driven both I much prefer the AMT, much more involving.

[SLacKer]

I to have a DB9 and Lady S wants a GT for herself. I can describe the DB9 as a 2 + 2 shopping bags, the GT however sitting in the back is not bad at all although I am 6'2" and touch the roof. Liked the way they drive and it seems plenty quick enough even in 4.2 guise. The colour combination is important to her however so waiting to find the 'one'.

The servicing is every 2 years or 12K miles is it not? So for our use it is a 2 year service so half the DB9 schedule which IMHO is designed more for the dealership network than needed by the cars. There was a mega factories on the Gran Cabrio and how they now build the GT which was very impressive and I haven't read a single negative comment on them regarding reliability.

Short write up here suggests the 25k service can cost £1757. Are there any other big service points?

Edited by SLacKer on Sunday 4th December 20:51

[Mosi]

I've had two 4.2's, loved them both, completely faultless they were too (sold the first one in 07 for the same price I paid for it...but it was one of the very first) - running costs were no more than a 997 Porsche and the mpg was around 20-21.

Recently bought a GT 'S' (MC Shift) which is the best sounding car sub 40mph that I have ever owned (check my profile, I've owned some nice sounding cars!), FAR more involving to drive than the Auto's in the 4.2's, alas considerably more thirsty at 15mpg (you've got to have it in Sport mode all the time, its the rules!) 17-18mpg if you arent going for the full on popping banging blips option (non Sport button). The MC Shift runs fine in Auto mode too (I am in London quite often and its fine in London traffic)

£60k gets you into a nice 09 GT 'S' with all the trimmings.

Without doubt one of the most achingly gorgeous shapes on the road today (mine gets more attention than the Scud!)

Recommended.

[Andyt25]

RevHappy said:

The Maser GT is only a 2+2, so short runs and kids. But its a big improvement on the DB9 which is a 2 + 1.1 at best.

GT is a 4 seater no doubt about that...I know as I have been in tye back......Massive compared to the DB9....

[300zxtt]

The Granturismos are beautifully built and in the trade their reliability is well known.
My 4.2 is now 3 years old and NOTHING has ever gone wrong apart for rusty wheel nuts changed under warranty.....yes they only have to be serviced every 2 years /12500 miles, recent Supercar Hub main dealer quotes ranged from £900-£1300 so these cars really do not break your wallet. Tyres are £250 a corner though..........

[SLacKer]

This has the american voice over but is the Maserati episode http://www.streetfire.net/video/maserati-ultimate-...

[Colossus]

As has been said above there is loads of room in the back, much more so than my old 4200. I have taken the family to the South of France and also Italy for 2 weeks at a time and there was enough (just!!) luggage space and no complaints from the kids in the back (11 and 9 years). It is probably one of the very best all rounders you can buy and will be somewhat cheaper to run than the Aston.

I would not dismiss the MC Shift GT-S as it is a very very good system and copes incredibly well with London life and traffic. It does not slip unduly (unlike the old 4200) and my dealer says the clutches appear to be lasting very well so there should be little to worry about in that area. Then there is the noise of the GT-S in Sport, simply awesome, you will be hooked I guarantee it!!

[sherbert90]

Another one for the room in the back.

I did a 200 mile round trip sat in the back and I was perfectly comfortable. My mate (6ft, reasonably built) was fine too.

Plus they look absolutely fantastic, especially in blue

[yeti]

crostonian said:

They would be a lot cheaper to run than the Aston and far more reliable.

Hmm, I think that's what they call 'nonsense'

Comonly held wisdom suggests that to go from a V12 to a V8, divide by 12 and multiply by 8... so yes a bit cheaper to run. Just my tuppence worth but I wouldn't run one for 2 years without an oil change, but that's just me. Lots of great indies though!

But the DB9 is famously reliable these days. Lots of discussions on the AM section here, my extended warranty is up in a month and doubt I'll renew. Nothing breaks! Gone are AM's days of wierd build techniques and questioinable assembly. I'd put them up there with Porsche havinbg owned a couple of 911s and still having one.

The 4200 was an adequate 4 seater (if 5'7' women in the back) and the GT has a much longer platform. It really is a 4 seater and when you see it parked next to other cars in it's class, it's VERY tall as well hence the headroom.

I think after the DB9 you'll find the 4.2 lacking torque and punch. A 4.7 GT-S would seem to be the recipe for success and I would go back to Maserati in a heartbeat, they rival Aston for class and presence every time. The GranCabrio is a car in my future if the almost-inevitable brats make an appearance...

The forum won't be the same without you Michael!

[crostonian]

Just going off my own personal experience with Maseratis and the view of my fellow colleagues in the trade, most of whom wouldn't touch a used Aston but would welcome a Maser with open arms.