Gransport - Good & Bad???
Discussion
Hi All
Can anybody here give me an insight into Gransport ownership?
I currently drive a GT3RS as my fun car - mainly used for track days. Should I decide to stop doing track days I would change the RS for a more road going 997 or maybe a Gransport as the alternative choice.
I recently drove a GS at Millbrook and was fairly impressed with the overall package.
I am keen to here from people that own (or have owned) a GS. Any experiences - good or bad would be welcome.
Running costs.
Buy new or used.
Preferred colour/spec combinations.
Depreciation.
Good dealers.
I know this is not very specific, but any info would be welcome.
Cheers Jonathan
>> Edited by jcosh on Saturday 22 October 10:56
Can anybody here give me an insight into Gransport ownership?
I currently drive a GT3RS as my fun car - mainly used for track days. Should I decide to stop doing track days I would change the RS for a more road going 997 or maybe a Gransport as the alternative choice.
I recently drove a GS at Millbrook and was fairly impressed with the overall package.
I am keen to here from people that own (or have owned) a GS. Any experiences - good or bad would be welcome.
Running costs.
Buy new or used.
Preferred colour/spec combinations.
Depreciation.
Good dealers.
I know this is not very specific, but any info would be welcome.
Cheers Jonathan
>> Edited by jcosh on Saturday 22 October 10:56
There are a few owners on here, but Mosi on Stuttgartnines's business partner bought one. Read this thread:
www.stuttgartnines.co.uk/upload/showthread.php?t=1683
Interesting insight
www.stuttgartnines.co.uk/upload/showthread.php?t=1683
Interesting insight
rico said:
There are a few owners on here, but Mosi on Stuttgartnines's business partner bought one. Read this thread:
www.stuttgartnines.co.uk/upload/showthread.php?t=1683
Interesting insight
Not that I've been in a Gransport, but you have to be careful with threads like that (no one has any idea how that particualr car was used in its 7.5lk mile total history).
The Gransport is meant to be a lovely car, but residuals are not its strong point.
The lesson to be learnt from it is careful who you buy from, know your car (and its residuals - buy very wisely) and no matter who you buy from, get one independently inspected!
Applies equally to all cars from the Ferrari/Maser stable.
As a 4200 coupe owner, I've had a couple of test drives in the GC and it really is an excellent cat. Much more sporting focussed, weather you like the different interior to the Coupe is entirely subjective.
With regards to residuals, it'll do better than the Coupe and worse than a Porsche!
However you can get (with a bit of haggling) a 6 month old GS for £10k below list which pretty much protects you against the worst of the initial falls.
With regards to residuals, it'll do better than the Coupe and worse than a Porsche!
However you can get (with a bit of haggling) a 6 month old GS for £10k below list which pretty much protects you against the worst of the initial falls.
Murph7355 said:
Not that I've been in a Gransport, but you have to be careful with threads like that (no one has any idea how that particualr car was used in its 7.5lk mile total history).
Oh I agree. If anything, that thread highlights the service level of the dealership, not so much the qualities/problems with the car.
Thanks for replies so far.
The link to other forum all sounds a bit doom and gloom, but I'm sure there are some positive tales to be told. It would be great to hear from an actual owner directly. I'm sure there must be some on this forum.
I always thought that going down the used route would be the best protection against the dreaded depreciation game. It would also a seem that these cars are very thirsty.
Looking forward to some further replies.
Cheers Jonathan
The link to other forum all sounds a bit doom and gloom, but I'm sure there are some positive tales to be told. It would be great to hear from an actual owner directly. I'm sure there must be some on this forum.
I always thought that going down the used route would be the best protection against the dreaded depreciation game. It would also a seem that these cars are very thirsty.
Looking forward to some further replies.
Cheers Jonathan
jcob
you could maybe post on www.maseratiforum.net also ... 'theBimbo', a regular poster, has owned a 3200, 4200 and a GranSport so should be able to give you a fairly balanced review of his experience. He may even have written some reviews of his experience already, I guess try a quick search first ...
you could maybe post on www.maseratiforum.net also ... 'theBimbo', a regular poster, has owned a 3200, 4200 and a GranSport so should be able to give you a fairly balanced review of his experience. He may even have written some reviews of his experience already, I guess try a quick search first ...
Definitely good!
The stuttgartnines thread was hilarious, and I think a little biased.
Mosi would no doubt be delighted to hear that my 996 Turbo threw its oil at 600 miles, and it took three months to resolve that little dispute.
Despite it all, Porsche probably make the best car in the world right now - if you don't mind being driven by a robot, and often bored out of your mind.
The GranSport asks more of its driver, and great fun it is too. Mine was new in March and hasn't developed a single fault (touch wood)! Yes, it uses petrol, but you don't buy that sort of thing if you're looking for economy. 20 mpg on motorways, and 15 mpg overall (bearing in mind that I live in the countryside, and can use the performance on quiet roads).
If I did nothing but city driving I'd go for Porsche or BMW, but I'm lucky - I live in relatively traffic-free territory. Horses for courses as usual, but speaking personally I rate the Maser among the ten most enjoyable driving experiences I've ever had.
Any specific questions gladly answered.
The stuttgartnines thread was hilarious, and I think a little biased.
Mosi would no doubt be delighted to hear that my 996 Turbo threw its oil at 600 miles, and it took three months to resolve that little dispute.
Despite it all, Porsche probably make the best car in the world right now - if you don't mind being driven by a robot, and often bored out of your mind.
The GranSport asks more of its driver, and great fun it is too. Mine was new in March and hasn't developed a single fault (touch wood)! Yes, it uses petrol, but you don't buy that sort of thing if you're looking for economy. 20 mpg on motorways, and 15 mpg overall (bearing in mind that I live in the countryside, and can use the performance on quiet roads).
If I did nothing but city driving I'd go for Porsche or BMW, but I'm lucky - I live in relatively traffic-free territory. Horses for courses as usual, but speaking personally I rate the Maser among the ten most enjoyable driving experiences I've ever had.
Any specific questions gladly answered.
McNab said:
Definitely good!
The stuttgartnines thread was hilarious, and I think a little biased.
Mosi would no doubt be delighted to hear that my 996 Turbo threw its oil at 600 miles, and it took three months to resolve that little dispute.
Despite it all, Porsche probably make the best car in the world right now - if you don't mind being driven by a robot, and often bored out of your mind.
The GranSport asks more of its driver, and great fun it is too. Mine was new in March and hasn't developed a single fault (touch wood)! Yes, it uses petrol, but you don't buy that sort of thing if you're looking for economy. 20 mpg on motorways, and 15 mpg overall (bearing in mind that I live in the countryside, and can use the performance on quiet roads).
If I did nothing but city driving I'd go for Porsche or BMW, but I'm lucky - I live in relatively traffic-free territory. Horses for courses as usual, but speaking personally I rate the Maser among the ten most enjoyable driving experiences I've ever had.
Any specific questions gladly answered.
Well assuming the chap turns up with money in the morning I have sold my GT3RS. Wow what a car and what a great time I have had with it, but it's time to move on. I would like to replace it with a more road based sports car and still feel that a 'normal' 911 is to easy an option. So I'm still interested in a GS, but have a few reservations. I will only use the car for 'fun' and I like the idea of being able to share it with the wife and kids on family days out - never an option with the RS.
So my biggest question is where do I go to find good ones for sale. I want to buy second hand as my biggest ownership fear is the dreaded depreciation. I may well wait until the New Year to buy as I think that they may loose a lttle in value in the next few months. Technical cloth - I'm not a big fan. I understand that more recent cars had the option to replace the T/Cloth with full leather? Have many cars had this as an option and am I likely to find a used one?
Cheers Jonathan
jcosh said:
So my biggest question is where do I go to find good ones for sale. I want to buy second hand as my biggest ownership fear is the dreaded depreciation. I may well wait until the New Year to buy as I think that they may loose a lttle in value in the next few months. Technical cloth - I'm not a big fan. I understand that more recent cars had the option to replace the T/Cloth with full leather? Have many cars had this as an option and am I likely to find a used one?
Used ones still mainly in the hands of main dealers and priced accordingly. Probably not much change until March 2006.
Agreed full leather down to personal preference. I only know of one delivered to a customer so far, but there must be a few others. The full leather option was unavailable when the early orders were taken, hence the shortage. You would be lucky to locate a used one.
The Maserati website now has a "Design your own GS" section, but it only mentions full leather and alternative colours - it has no illustrations of either. It says no extra cost, but the "leather" car I know of cost its owner around £3000 extra. Maybe this has changed now - best to ask a dealer (and confront him with the website).
mal said:
Full leather is now listed at £1680.00 and the current 'car configurator on the website shows all the colour options in leather.
Mea culpa - of course you're right, it does. Incidentally, the car I mentioned also had the full leather headlining, plus other goodies, adding up to around £3,000 extra.
I would be surprised if the dealers were offering significant discounts, partly because of the uncertainty over the replacement models everyone expected, and partly because they don't seem to have cars in stock.
There are a number of ex-demonstrators on offer, but the prices aren't low. That's why I think the used market will look more attractive in March - dealers will be unloading another batch of demonsrators, and this should ease used prices a bit.
I don't think the GranSport will depreciate as violently as its predecessors because it's a better car, but what do I know?
!! Yes Marki I think it's that good, but I'm just me and we all have different opinions/likes/dislikes...
>> Edited by McNab on Friday 21st October 22:07
Thanks for replies.
Looking around the main dealers there seem to be a few used cars knocking around and some are just under 60K. Mostly '04 cars, but some '05 cars at this price as well. Working on the basis that a dealer will want at least 5k out of these cars I would say that depreciation is starting to have an effect. I guess the trade would be offering low to mid 50's depending on mileage etc on these cars. Having said that I understand that there only 100 or so cars currently in UK so I'm sure, as others have said, it will not be as drastic as the other Masser models. There is still a waiting time for new stock and Meridian have a new black car available that looks loverly and it has full beige leather. This would be my ideal find on the used market in a few months time.
Cheers Jonathan
Looking around the main dealers there seem to be a few used cars knocking around and some are just under 60K. Mostly '04 cars, but some '05 cars at this price as well. Working on the basis that a dealer will want at least 5k out of these cars I would say that depreciation is starting to have an effect. I guess the trade would be offering low to mid 50's depending on mileage etc on these cars. Having said that I understand that there only 100 or so cars currently in UK so I'm sure, as others have said, it will not be as drastic as the other Masser models. There is still a waiting time for new stock and Meridian have a new black car available that looks loverly and it has full beige leather. This would be my ideal find on the used market in a few months time.
Cheers Jonathan
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