Maserati Granturismo or Audi R8 or Another? 50k-ish

[Technoholic]

Had my heart set on a Granturismo Sport after looking for something to replace my M6 Competition. I do love GT type cars and certainly the Maser is a car I want to own at some point but looking at my budget I realised a R8 is well within reach. Obviously, my ideal would be a V10 Manual gen 1 Coupe but that's probably not going to be in the budget for a half decent on (unless anyone knows of one), so looking at a good V8 instead.

Very different cars I know, but I can see them serving the same purpose for me - not daily drivers, continental road trips etc. The Maser might have 2 more seats that you can fit adults in but it has a comically small boot so that all that useful, at least not any more useful than the R8 for long trips.

Something though is pushing me towards a proper 2 seat sports car like the Audi. So on that note, is there anything else you'd suggest considering for the money?

Thanks

[James-gbg1e]

I'd go and sit in a GranCabrio, the interior and switch gear is straight from the 80's.

[Technoholic]

It’s not quite THAT bad! With the digital climate and replacement stereo systems available the look at lot better. Unless you mean the GranCabrio is different to the GranTurismo?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Granturismo is the winner out of it and a V8 R8 it's the more special out of the two especially as your budget will get you an MC Stradale:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324682411154?hash=item4...

The V8 R8 is a (the RS5 has the more special V8) great car but the MC Stradale edges it:

If you can live with LHD then the C7 Corvette is a great shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103140...

BUT the C6 Z06 is a peach of a car with one very special V8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108015...

Here's the thing though, you can get a V10 for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108055...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106284...

I'd also say you should test drive the Lexus LC 500 it's a properly special car that'll get under your skin the longer you own it & it has a lovely V8 that adds to the theatre, I class it as a modern Granturismo.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106214...

If you want a proper 4 seater GT then the A Coupe 63/500 really is a good pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105253...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105102...

Or the S500

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104091...

[anonymous-user]

Can I ask what you don't like about the M6C?

[Technoholic]

Nothing particularly, I love it in fact, especially the one I have, but I get bored easily, I’ve had it a year, that’s usually when I get the itch for something new

[reapercushions]

I've been through this recently and ended up with a Jaguar F-Type.

Your budget will get one much newer than the other ideas you've suggested. Probably one still with a warranty.

[Technoholic]

Brother in law has one so that’s an immediate no!

[paddy1970]

I had both R8 and GT. The GT handles like a boat compared to the R8. However, the GT is supreme on the motorway and get 10 times more positive reaction than the R8.

[anonymous-user]

Technoholic said:

Nothing particularly, I love it in fact, especially the one I have, but I get bored easily, I’ve had it a year, that’s usually when I get the itch for something new

I know the feeling, much to the external annoyance of my missus!

I was thinking of getting an M6GC, but have some reservations about how special it feels, or otherwise!

[Technoholic]

It does feel special, maybe not as much as some but still special. But personally the GC might be the overall more sensible but I prefer the coupe as. I think it suits the car better

[Technoholic]

paddy1970 said:

I had both R8 and GT. The GT handles like a boat compared to the R8. However, the GT is supreme on the motorway and get 10 times more positive reaction than the R8.

Appreciate the comment and good to know but made my decision twice as hard!

[Technoholic]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Granturismo is the winner out of it and a V8 R8 it's the more special out of the two especially as your budget will get you an MC Stradale:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324682411154?hash=item4...

The V8 R8 is a (the RS5 has the more special V8) great car but the MC Stradale edges it:

If you can live with LHD then the C7 Corvette is a great shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103140...

BUT the C6 Z06 is a peach of a car with one very special V8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108015...

Here's the thing though, you can get a V10 for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108055...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106284...

I'd also say you should test drive the Lexus LC 500 it's a properly special car that'll get under your skin the longer you own it & it has a lovely V8 that adds to the theatre, I class it as a modern Granturismo.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106214...

If you want a proper 4 seater GT then the A Coupe 63/500 really is a good pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105253...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105102...

Or the S500

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104091...

Thanks for that. I'm seeing the blue R8 on Saturday. I don't know much about Romans of St Albans, heard mixed things. Car doesn't have the carbon pack so that might be a dealbreaker but then I can't be too picky at this price for a V10.

The Lexus does look amazing, might have to investigate that a bit more

[Technoholic]

There aren't many Ferraris I like, but the 360 is one of them, and I had no idea they would start in this price bracket...

[georgeyboy12345]

Audi R8 V8 with a manual gearbox
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107235...


Bentley Continental GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105222...


Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...


Ferrari 360 Modena F1
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106153...


Ferrari 456 GTA
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011136...


Maserati Granturismo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105062...


Nissan GT-R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108045...


Porsche 997 Turbo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107054...

997 Turbo with a manual gearbox
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...


TVR Tuscan and 20 grand spare to fix it
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...

[Technoholic]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Audi R8 V8 with a manual gearbox
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107235...


Bentley Continental GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105222...


Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...


Ferrari 360 Modena F1
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106153...


Ferrari 456 GTA
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011136...


Maserati Granturismo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105062...


Nissan GT-R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108045...


Porsche 997 Turbo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107054...

997 Turbo with a manual gearbox
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...


TVR Tuscan and 20 grand spare to fix it
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...

Good suggestions thanks. Already had a Tuscan so been there done that but the others are definitely worth a look

[paddy1970]

Technoholic said:

paddy1970 said:

I had both R8 and GT. The GT handles like a boat compared to the R8. However, the GT is supreme on the motorway and get 10 times more positive reaction than the R8.

Appreciate the comment and good to know but made my decision twice as hard!

?? .. another thing to consider is reliability...the GT turned out to be more reliable than the R8 ... altough neither were super reliable ... budget £1k-2k on repair per 10,000 miles...the dealer network was really good for Maserati. However I found the indie quite poor but cheaper...for audi, the franchised dealer will treat you the same than if you had an A1... I still miss the GT when I go for a long trip but I have decided to keep only 1 special car...and it is the R8 (actually my second R8...)

Edited by paddy1970 on Friday 13th August 07:17

[Technoholic]

It's actually a really difficult choice but I think I'm being swayed to something 2 seater, so the R8. Or possibly some of the others above. There are a couple of AMG GTSs that aren't far above my budget, that's very tempting too

[anonymous-user]

Whilst I'm no longer a big fan of Mercs, and have had a lot of experience with the 4.0l V8, which I don't think is all that it's made out to be.

I have to say the AMG GT is absolutely phenomenal. Something about its proportions, with the wide stance and the long nose, and the cabin layout make it far more special than it looks on paper.

Highly recommend you get out and try one. If it's brilliant blue or sunbeam yellow even better. I also think it's rarer and more special (despite being a merc) than both the R8 and the Maser.

[cerb4.5lee]

ExcitableBoy said:

I have to say the AMG GT is absolutely phenomenal. Something about its proportions, with the wide stance and the long nose, and the cabin layout make it far more special than it looks on paper.

Highly recommend you get out and try one. If it's brilliant blue or sunbeam yellow even better. I also think it's rarer and more special (despite being a merc) than both the R8 and the Maser.

The AMG GT is the direction I'd go in as well. I've wanted one ever since they first came out, they look awesome to my eyes.