DB9 - Granturismo - Bentley gt
Discussion
So ive whittled down my list to these three for various reasons but cant really decide between them..
Mainly touring but with occasional spirtited drive, have had most of the lairy sports cars and im a bit older now and have fallen in love with the ride, comfort and silence of my XF so want more of the same but with some added straight line thrill when needed
DB9 would be 05 > 07. concerns are, ac rumoured to be a bit inadequate, reliability seems ok on older cars if low cared for miles but build quality compared to say 09 facelift im not sure on?
Granturismo 4.7 08 > more space in rear (only for dogs occasionaly, would modify db9 seats) love looks as much as db9 but in a far less gentlemanly way, (less descreet than db9 which im not sure about) bit of younger raucous image, active exhaust tho, anyone know how quiet in fully silenced mode? (Test driving one saturday) dont like the interior thatbmuch and its said the seats arent that comfy which is a big one for me, anyone comment on that one? Were there choices when new?
Bentley 05 > 07 not a bad image where i am but still feel maybe its a bit to pompass for me, the luxury though! and that wafting, cocooned ability really appeals, really bad reputation for repair costs but some vw stuff available, reliable from what ive read though so could well be zero repairs and just servicing, all the space one needs really, have always loved the bloated haunches look, front, side, rear, i like them all and love the old fashioned interior look, W12 has got to be a bucket list engine at this point in auto history.
Discounted: M6 GC, CLS63 (tested), XJR (got ipace arriving) XFR (too similar)
Am tempted by another (owned some years agoj SL55 low milier pristine 2006, 20k cheaper and still one of the best looking cars ever made imo, reliability was an issue on our 05 car mind, later ones were better apparently..
Any thoughts?
Mainly touring but with occasional spirtited drive, have had most of the lairy sports cars and im a bit older now and have fallen in love with the ride, comfort and silence of my XF so want more of the same but with some added straight line thrill when needed
DB9 would be 05 > 07. concerns are, ac rumoured to be a bit inadequate, reliability seems ok on older cars if low cared for miles but build quality compared to say 09 facelift im not sure on?
Granturismo 4.7 08 > more space in rear (only for dogs occasionaly, would modify db9 seats) love looks as much as db9 but in a far less gentlemanly way, (less descreet than db9 which im not sure about) bit of younger raucous image, active exhaust tho, anyone know how quiet in fully silenced mode? (Test driving one saturday) dont like the interior thatbmuch and its said the seats arent that comfy which is a big one for me, anyone comment on that one? Were there choices when new?
Bentley 05 > 07 not a bad image where i am but still feel maybe its a bit to pompass for me, the luxury though! and that wafting, cocooned ability really appeals, really bad reputation for repair costs but some vw stuff available, reliable from what ive read though so could well be zero repairs and just servicing, all the space one needs really, have always loved the bloated haunches look, front, side, rear, i like them all and love the old fashioned interior look, W12 has got to be a bucket list engine at this point in auto history.
Discounted: M6 GC, CLS63 (tested), XJR (got ipace arriving) XFR (too similar)
Am tempted by another (owned some years agoj SL55 low milier pristine 2006, 20k cheaper and still one of the best looking cars ever made imo, reliability was an issue on our 05 car mind, later ones were better apparently..
Any thoughts?
I've had both a DB9 & 4.7 GT Sportline I found the Maserati the better car in terms of practicality & feeling a bit special, it didn't help that I couldn't fit in the DB9 (I'm 6'7) comfortably but as an overall the Maserati was easily the better & the exhaust note is one of the (the Larini Cat Back helped with this) best I've had.
I agree on the sound as i had the 4200 with a tubi, but this means ive been there on that level..
Did yours have the active exhaust zx10? If so, How muted was it in comfort mode? I think having a quiet car most of the time is more important to me now but would love to hear it at will.
Were the seats comfy? I cant say in comparison to the db9 obviously
im lucky to be 5’10 so fitting shouldnt be a problem, love the styling in and out of both but agree the sense of occasion in a maserati is pretty hard to beat, though i like subtlety to which thenaston does well.
Testing tomorrow which is always revealing but would like as much insight as possible.
No mention of bentley? Have you driven one zx10?
Did yours have the active exhaust zx10? If so, How muted was it in comfort mode? I think having a quiet car most of the time is more important to me now but would love to hear it at will.
Were the seats comfy? I cant say in comparison to the db9 obviously
im lucky to be 5’10 so fitting shouldnt be a problem, love the styling in and out of both but agree the sense of occasion in a maserati is pretty hard to beat, though i like subtlety to which thenaston does well.Testing tomorrow which is always revealing but would like as much insight as possible.
No mention of bentley? Have you driven one zx10?
The Bentley will be the worse to drive but for touring it’s pretty much unbeatable. Have done 80,000 miles in mine from new going all over Europe it eats countries up for fun. 4 seats big boot has done everything I need.
Flowing road the speed you can keep up is impressive. Probably the worst looking of the 3 though. Can also throw up some big bills but from what I have heard from friends so can the others.
Flowing road the speed you can keep up is impressive. Probably the worst looking of the 3 though. Can also throw up some big bills but from what I have heard from friends so can the others.
ntiz said:
The Bentley will be the worse to drive but for touring it’s pretty much unbeatable. Have done 80,000 miles in mine from new going all over Europe it eats countries up for fun. 4 seats big boot has done everything I need.
Flowing road the speed you can keep up is impressive. Probably the worst looking of the 3 though. Can also throw up some big bills but from what I have heard from friends so can the others.
Thanks ntiz, its main job will be long hauls round erope so good to hear your encounters.. also worth me tioning and inhadnt thought of is the 4wd, with occasinal mountain trips at crimbo this will be handy if shod with some winters..Flowing road the speed you can keep up is impressive. Probably the worst looking of the 3 though. Can also throw up some big bills but from what I have heard from friends so can the others.
Looks are always subjective but ive always loved the bentley, i love the uggly in some others to, equally i love hansome (db9) and sexy (Maserati)
On interiors though the Bentley has it for relaxing and oppulence, i’m really drawn this direction but yet to drive, if its too wooley then the db9 mightbbe the perfect comprimise between the maserat and bentley
Hows your reliability been? What year is yours as im wandering wether to go top of budget and get the facelift 08 car, cant find to much info on it tho, if the entertainment system and reliability was that much better it could be worth the extra
Edited by Pvapour on Friday 19th April 16:00
Pvapour said:
ntiz said:
The Bentley will be the worse to drive but for touring it’s pretty much unbeatable. Have done 80,000 miles in mine from new going all over Europe it eats countries up for fun. 4 seats big boot has done everything I need.
Flowing road the speed you can keep up is impressive. Probably the worst looking of the 3 though. Can also throw up some big bills but from what I have heard from friends so can the others.
Thanks ntiz, its main job will be long hauls round erope so good to hear your encounters.. also worth me tioning and inhadnt thought of is the 4wd, with occasinal mountain trips at crimbo this will be handy if shod with some winters..Flowing road the speed you can keep up is impressive. Probably the worst looking of the 3 though. Can also throw up some big bills but from what I have heard from friends so can the others.
Looks are always subjective but ive always loved the bentley, i love the uggly in some others to, equally i love hansome (db9) and sexy (Maserati)
On interiors though the Bentley has it for relaxing and oppulence, i’m really drawn this direction but yet to drive, if its too wooley then the db9 mightbbe the perfect comprimise between the maserat and bentley
Hows your reliability been? What year is yours as im wandering wether to go top of budget and get the facelift 08 car, cant find to much info on it tho, if the entertainment system and reliability was that much better it could be worth the extra
Edited by Pvapour on Friday 19th April 16:00
To drive it feels what it is 2.5 tons with a lot of technology making it do things it shouldn’t. You will either like that or you won’t. It’s more impressive than inspiring I would say.
Ours was actually a complete disaster for the first year it let me down several times to the point it had to go back to the factory because there was something just inherently wrong with electronics. I fell out big time with my local dealer, but since then hasn’t missed a beat other than normal stuff wearing out.
I have tried the face lifted one the big improvement is the paddle gear changes are much sharper because they use the same software and the super sport. The suspension is a little sportier set up as well. I don’t know about you but one of the things I miss in mine that later ones obviously have is Bluetooth phone connection. I find it dates my car quite a lot not being able to pick up the phone whilst driving.
They are all damn good cars though can’t really go wrong.
I should add that I have extended the warranty on mine every time.
Pvapour said:
I agree on the sound as i had the 4200 with a tubi, but this means ive been there on that level..
Did yours have the active exhaust zx10? If so, How muted was it in comfort mode? I think having a quiet car most of the time is more important to me now but would love to hear it at will.
Were the seats comfy? I cant say in comparison to the db9 obviously im lucky to be 5’10 so fitting shouldnt be a problem, love the styling in and out of both but agree the sense of occasion in a maserati is pretty hard to beat, though i like subtlety to which thenaston does well.
Testing tomorrow which is always revealing but would like as much insight as possible.
No mention of bentley? Have you driven one zx10?
Yes mine had the active exhaust in comfort mode it was slightly louder than standard, the seats were very comfortable as I said i loved mine, unlike my DB9.Did yours have the active exhaust zx10? If so, How muted was it in comfort mode? I think having a quiet car most of the time is more important to me now but would love to hear it at will.
Were the seats comfy? I cant say in comparison to the db9 obviously
im lucky to be 5’10 so fitting shouldnt be a problem, love the styling in and out of both but agree the sense of occasion in a maserati is pretty hard to beat, though i like subtlety to which thenaston does well.Testing tomorrow which is always revealing but would like as much insight as possible.
No mention of bentley? Have you driven one zx10?
The Bentley is a car I respect more than I like, they drive well but for me they don't compare to the other two & then there's the running costs which can be very stiff.
In all honesty I'd take a CL500/63 over the Bentley every time & I find them more of an occasion but that my personal opinion, I've sourced a fair few for people & they're happy enough with them so I'd suggest a test drive.
Very revealing day..
DB9 was most dissapointing apart from go and sound, ergonomicaly uncomfortable just didnt gell with either of us, poor arm rest, sharp edges to everything, seats were ok but nowhere near jag comfort (was 2009 facelift so seats were meant to be better) interior felt like a proffesional kitchen, not cosseting or welcoming, back seats are basball gloves not seats! Why didnt they just create a handy shelf to put things on rathernthan pretend they wre seats, a joke.
Maserat - tested auto and the cambiocorsa box, the latter no better than my old 4200 (nuff said) but the auto in manula was pretty good and the active exhaust with skyhook was good enough for it to be classed as a comfortable gt, back seats were good, front seats were good apart from the lumbar was quite prenounced and couldnt see a way of adjusting? Loved the sound and was deadened just right in comfort mode. That dash facia is so dated though for a 2012 car! Ive found an alicantara shod one on line tho which eleviates that so would put that on list of wants, quite quick, same as aston but nothing incredible after driving Teslas
Bentley - sat in it and we both laughed ffs! We couldnt get past making jokes about where does the bureau draw pull out and where the ink well, never even bothered taking it out as it wouldnt matter how good it was, i could never sit in a place like that.
So far.. a 4.7 auto sport (2012 facelift) In Bianco white? (Pearl white) with a cream or light grey interior, skyhook (think it was std after facelift) and facia trimmed in alacantara (could get trimmed localy)
I did go and sit in an late XJR supersport though, same money, more power, more modern, more toys, more comfort, equal on looks in rigth colour (for me) and an interior to die for!
I would buy a GranTurismo but i’m not all ‘i cant wait to get one’
Cant ignore a look at the xkr now.. ordering an ipace now so maymstartblooking at 2 seater options as well, f type maybe..
Eta: dont know why this car hasnt been on my radar.. late XKR-S with the led running lights
DB9 was most dissapointing apart from go and sound, ergonomicaly uncomfortable just didnt gell with either of us, poor arm rest, sharp edges to everything, seats were ok but nowhere near jag comfort (was 2009 facelift so seats were meant to be better) interior felt like a proffesional kitchen, not cosseting or welcoming, back seats are basball gloves not seats! Why didnt they just create a handy shelf to put things on rathernthan pretend they wre seats, a joke.
Maserat - tested auto and the cambiocorsa box, the latter no better than my old 4200 (nuff said) but the auto in manula was pretty good and the active exhaust with skyhook was good enough for it to be classed as a comfortable gt, back seats were good, front seats were good apart from the lumbar was quite prenounced and couldnt see a way of adjusting? Loved the sound and was deadened just right in comfort mode. That dash facia is so dated though for a 2012 car! Ive found an alicantara shod one on line tho which eleviates that so would put that on list of wants, quite quick, same as aston but nothing incredible after driving Teslas
Bentley - sat in it and we both laughed ffs! We couldnt get past making jokes about where does the bureau draw pull out and where the ink well, never even bothered taking it out as it wouldnt matter how good it was, i could never sit in a place like that.
So far.. a 4.7 auto sport (2012 facelift) In Bianco white? (Pearl white) with a cream or light grey interior, skyhook (think it was std after facelift) and facia trimmed in alacantara (could get trimmed localy)
I did go and sit in an late XJR supersport though, same money, more power, more modern, more toys, more comfort, equal on looks in rigth colour (for me) and an interior to die for!
I would buy a GranTurismo but i’m not all ‘i cant wait to get one’
Cant ignore a look at the xkr now.. ordering an ipace now so maymstartblooking at 2 seater options as well, f type maybe..
Eta: dont know why this car hasnt been on my radar.. late XKR-S with the led running lights
Edited by Pvapour on Sunday 21st April 08:45
Pvapour said:
Very revealing day..
DB9 was most dissapointing apart from go and sound, ergonomicaly uncomfortable just didnt gell with either of us, poor arm rest, sharp edges to everything, seats were ok but nowhere near jag comfort (was 2009 facelift so seats were meant to be better) interior felt like a proffesional kitchen, not cosseting or welcoming, back seats are basball gloves not seats! Why didnt they just create a handy shelf to put things on rathernthan pretend they wre seats, a joke.
Maserat - tested auto and the cambiocorsa box, the latter no better than my old 4200 (nuff said) but the auto in manula was pretty good and the active exhaust with skyhook was good enough for it to be classed as a comfortable gt, back seats were good, front seats were good apart from the lumbar was quite prenounced and couldnt see a way of adjusting? Loved the sound and was deadened just right in comfort mode. That dash facia is so dated though for a 2012 car! Ive found an alicantara shod one on line tho which eleviates that so would put that on list of wants, quite quick, same as aston but nothing incredible after driving Teslas
Bentley - sat in it and we both laughed ffs! We couldnt get past making jokes about where does the bureau draw pull out and where the ink well, never even bothered taking it out as it wouldnt matter how good it was, i could never sit in a place like that.
So far.. a 4.7 auto sport (2012 facelift) In Bianco white? (Pearl white) with a cream or light grey interior, skyhook (think it was std after facelift) and facia trimmed in alacantara (could get trimmed localy)
I did go and sit in an late XJR supersport though, same money, more power, more modern, more toys, more comfort, equal on looks in rigth colour (for me) and an interior to die for!
I would buy a GranTurismo but i’m not all ‘i cant wait to get one’
Cant ignore a look at the xkr now.. ordering an ipace now so maymstartblooking at 2 seater options as well, f type maybe..
Eta: dont know why this car hasnt been on my radar.. late XKR-S with the led running lights
If the Bentley had a wooden dash, look for one in black piano wood or a different facia, they were bespoke so lots to choose fromDB9 was most dissapointing apart from go and sound, ergonomicaly uncomfortable just didnt gell with either of us, poor arm rest, sharp edges to everything, seats were ok but nowhere near jag comfort (was 2009 facelift so seats were meant to be better) interior felt like a proffesional kitchen, not cosseting or welcoming, back seats are basball gloves not seats! Why didnt they just create a handy shelf to put things on rathernthan pretend they wre seats, a joke.
Maserat - tested auto and the cambiocorsa box, the latter no better than my old 4200 (nuff said) but the auto in manula was pretty good and the active exhaust with skyhook was good enough for it to be classed as a comfortable gt, back seats were good, front seats were good apart from the lumbar was quite prenounced and couldnt see a way of adjusting? Loved the sound and was deadened just right in comfort mode. That dash facia is so dated though for a 2012 car! Ive found an alicantara shod one on line tho which eleviates that so would put that on list of wants, quite quick, same as aston but nothing incredible after driving Teslas
Bentley - sat in it and we both laughed ffs! We couldnt get past making jokes about where does the bureau draw pull out and where the ink well, never even bothered taking it out as it wouldnt matter how good it was, i could never sit in a place like that.
So far.. a 4.7 auto sport (2012 facelift) In Bianco white? (Pearl white) with a cream or light grey interior, skyhook (think it was std after facelift) and facia trimmed in alacantara (could get trimmed localy)
I did go and sit in an late XJR supersport though, same money, more power, more modern, more toys, more comfort, equal on looks in rigth colour (for me) and an interior to die for!
I would buy a GranTurismo but i’m not all ‘i cant wait to get one’
Cant ignore a look at the xkr now.. ordering an ipace now so maymstartblooking at 2 seater options as well, f type maybe..
Eta: dont know why this car hasnt been on my radar.. late XKR-S with the led running lights
Edited by Pvapour on Sunday 21st April 08:45
POORCARDEALER said:
If the Bentley had a wooden dash, look for one in black piano wood or a different facia, they were bespoke so lots to choose from
Agreed it would make it better but that slab in front of the passenger? Even in piano it would be like looking at a brick wall, we didnt think the design was right at all, well screwed together and definitely higher grade than the aston but not for us, interior is more important to us than the exterior i think, didnt think it was till viewing these tbh so a very productive day. ZX10R NIN said:
In all honesty I'd take a CL500/63 over the Bentley every time & I find them more of an occasion but that my personal opinion, I've sourced a fair few for people & they're happy enough with them so I'd suggest a test drive.
I did look at them on your suggestion when I got the XF but i just cant quite get past that rear end looking like the rover, id be on the s500 coupe in a flash right now but an early 2014 LHD is minimum 60k here in europe no matter where i look, dont want to go above 50kThat's crazy as over here you can land an S500 coupe from 38k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
and it happens to be THE car that i want, hey ho.. they do a 400 here but its not the same thing at all, i fell in love with the designo seats in the 500 i tested and wouldnt have one without.Will do, as it goes.. a pretty rare inerior colour for here in europe, light grey, i detest black interiors and its one of the reasons i travelled so far, the other reason was price differential which means a profit or at the very least, cost free ownership for a year..
Had to dash to uk tho but defo pics on my return for the album, it really is gorgeous looking.
Had to dash to uk tho but defo pics on my return for the album, it really is gorgeous looking.
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