Maserati Ghibli

[culverwood]

I've had the car a few months now but am new to PistonHeads.









Previous cars include Phaeton, 928 and 7 series.

[anonymous-user]

I do like these a lot! Which version do you have? They have had a bit of a lukewarm reception in the motoring press and would love to know what they are actually like in the real world.

[Remagel2507]

Liking the colour combo not seen that many around these parts so would be interested to hear how what its like. Nice choice of previous cars as well, any pics/details on them?

[culverwood]

I have the diesel. It is great value and I find the criticism about its ride/handling to be on the basis that it is a sports car, it is not one. I went to this from a 7 series and the handling and ride are far superior in the Ghibli. It is a beautiful car from the front and front 3/4 not so beautiful from the rear. The interior is very comfortable and the rear legroom is adequate but not generous (I have a baby seat fitted). The boot is enormous. The diesel is plenty fast enough for me and the sport button makes quite a difference aurally and to the steering, gearing and throttle which was not the case on the BMW.

The heating takes an age to warm up and the gear-stick is tricky when you first use the car which may put test drivers off.

[culverwood]

Remagel2507 said:

Liking the colour combo not seen that many around these parts so would be interested to hear how what its like. Nice choice of previous cars as well, any pics/details on them?

I get plenty of positive feedback about the colour even after 6 months on the Ghibli.


The Phaeton was a great car which I kept for twice as long as I normally do.



Here it is being made at Dresden where I went to see it being assembled




The 928 was a fun car but for weekends

[guitarcarfanatic]

culverwood said:

I get plenty of positive feedback about the colour even after 6 months on the Ghibli.


The Phaeton was a great car which I kept for twice as long as I normally do.



Here it is being made at Dresden where I went to see it being assembled




The 928 was a fun car but for weekends

That Phaeton pic of it on the assembly line is awesome! Got any more?!

[culverwood]

guitarcarfanatic said:

That Phaeton pic of it on the assembly line is awesome! Got any more?!

Transparent Factory


Customer Lounge


My Engine and Transmission


Dash


The Line


Body and Engine/Transmission before joining


Fixing Transmission to Body


Phaeton Tower


Bentley on the line

Edited by culverwood on Thursday 8th January 11:12

[guitarcarfanatic]

Thats so cool!

The Maserati looks great btw. Would love one, a car that is a bit different than the crowd!

[Otispunkmeyer]

culverwood said:

I have the diesel. It is great value and I find the criticism about its ride/handling to be on the basis that it is a sports car, it is not one. I went to this from a 7 series and the handling and ride are far superior in the Ghibli. It is a beautiful car from the front and front 3/4 not so beautiful from the rear. The interior is very comfortable and the rear legroom is adequate but not generous (I have a baby seat fitted). The boot is enormous. The diesel is plenty fast enough for me and the sport button makes quite a difference aurally and to the steering, gearing and throttle which was not the case on the BMW.

The heating takes an age to warm up and the gear-stick is tricky when you first use the car which may put test drivers off.

I did wonder if these came in derv. One of the parents at the swimming club I go to has a black one and I couldn't really work out if it was petrol or diesel. It sounds rather fruity when he leans on the pedal a bit accelerating round the car park. It was a toss up between diesel and a turbo muffled petrol.

[Usget]

Probably not the intention but this thread has made me want a Phaeton even more. That production line looks like a posh office!

[Erudite geezer]

culverwood Sir, may I take this opportunity to congratulate you on a most discerning purchase.

One encounters 5 series frequently, A6s ubiquitously and E classes by the hundreds. But the Ghibli is an elusive existence on our homogeneous roads.

[AB]

The Ghibli is so dependant upon wheel choice. I'm yet to see one with wheels that do it justice.

I like the car... it just seems to be lacking something.

[burpface]

AB said:

The Ghibli is so dependant upon wheel choice. I'm yet to see one with wheels that do it justice.

I like the car... it just seems to be lacking something.

I

A big howling V8?

[Jimmy No Hands]

Very nice, was fortunate enough to work for a Maserati dealer for a spell (very recently) and always had a soft spot for these. Quite impressive noise in sport (however it does come from a speaker..) and plenty fast enough. Always thought the V6 petrols sounded a bit flat.

The V8 QP however..

[AB]

burpface said:

I

A big howling V8?

That and...

[CMYKguru]

House down the road from me bought one in Champagne beige.

They had a 911 Turbo before that.

[Jonny_]

That's stunning. Absolutely stunning.

[STW2010]

AB said:

The Ghibli is so dependant upon wheel choice. I'm yet to see one with wheels that do it justice.

I like the car... it just seems to be lacking something.

I agree on the wheels- it needs bigger rims/lower profiles, but that's down to personal choice.

OP- love the car! I didn't realise they did a diesel version. I am impressed at the overall performance specs too, which makes the car a very useable daily driver.

[culverwood]

As an old fogey I do not understand the rubber band wheels that many sports orientated cars have, Thompson or was it Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre to provide a cushion of air which I am happy to have and the 19" wheels also make it easier to buy winter tyres at a reasonable price.

[LordGrover]

^^
Hopefully it's just a fashion thing - I too appreciate comfort over skinny tyres.