Saw a Maserati GT this afternoon
Discussion
polar8 said:
Er... Yes. Read Clarkson's Sunday Times review of it. Will confirm your doubts. Sounds good though.
Oh dear yes, it sounds like it's not very good. Cannot agree about the looks though - photos of the car don't do it justice.Looks like I'll be staying with Porsche for a while longer then...
Manks said:
polar8 said:
Er... Yes. Read Clarkson's Sunday Times review of it. Will confirm your doubts. Sounds good though.
Oh dear yes, it sounds like it's not very good. Cannot agree about the looks though - photos of the car don't do it justice.Looks like I'll be staying with Porsche for a while longer then...
If you want a different opinion, ask people who own and live with these cars day to day. Take a look on www.maseratiforum.co.uk,www.sportsmaserati.co.uk or, if you'd prefer a US perspective, www.maseratilife.com.
Pork said:
an not agree with his opinion on the looks but you still think you'll agree with his overall opinion of the car?
If you want a different opinion, ask people who own and live with these cars day to day. Take a look on www.maseratiforum.co.uk,www.sportsmaserati.co.uk or, if you'd prefer a US perspective, www.maseratilife.com.
I will take a look. If you want a different opinion, ask people who own and live with these cars day to day. Take a look on www.maseratiforum.co.uk,www.sportsmaserati.co.uk or, if you'd prefer a US perspective, www.maseratilife.com.
However, I think the worst people to comment on a car are often people that own them! I have never been sure whether it's out of a sense of loyalty or not wanting to admit to having bought something troublesome.
I TEND to find that if you read between the lines, Clarkson is often on the money. Even with the Porsche 911 he takes the mick but grudgingly admits that it's good.
Aye, fair observation.
I'm sure you'll find guys on there (and on here) that have or have contemplated moving from Porsche to a GT.
From what I've read about the GT, the earlier ones are precisely that - a GT - and are not the focused car that perhaps your 911 is. However, the GT-S is supposed to be a more focused car if thats what you're after.
For me personally, I dont think a GT would tempt me, but a GT-S is definately on the wish list.
Ask the question on one of the first two sites and I'm, sure you'll get some good replies.
I'm sure you'll find guys on there (and on here) that have or have contemplated moving from Porsche to a GT.
From what I've read about the GT, the earlier ones are precisely that - a GT - and are not the focused car that perhaps your 911 is. However, the GT-S is supposed to be a more focused car if thats what you're after.
For me personally, I dont think a GT would tempt me, but a GT-S is definately on the wish list.
Ask the question on one of the first two sites and I'm, sure you'll get some good replies.
Pork said:
Aye, fair observation.
I'm sure you'll find guys on there (and on here) that have or have contemplated moving from Porsche to a GT.
From what I've read about the GT, the earlier ones are precisely that - a GT - and are not the focused car that perhaps your 911 is. However, the GT-S is supposed to be a more focused car if thats what you're after.
For me personally, I dont think a GT would tempt me, but a GT-S is definately on the wish list.
Ask the question on one of the first two sites and I'm, sure you'll get some good replies.
To be honest I am not sure whether the car was a GT or a GT-S (I am guessing the former) because it had these wheels:I'm sure you'll find guys on there (and on here) that have or have contemplated moving from Porsche to a GT.
From what I've read about the GT, the earlier ones are precisely that - a GT - and are not the focused car that perhaps your 911 is. However, the GT-S is supposed to be a more focused car if thats what you're after.
For me personally, I dont think a GT would tempt me, but a GT-S is definately on the wish list.
Ask the question on one of the first two sites and I'm, sure you'll get some good replies.
Maserati has never been on my radar, they have always appeared a lttle "slick" and I could imagine someone driving one wearing a cravat. It just caught my eye and when I looked closely I realised what a fabulous looking car it was. It was black with red leather and flappy paddles.
Manks said:
To be honest I am not sure whether the car was a GT or a GT-S (I am guessing the former) because it had these wheels:
Maserati has never been on my radar, they have always appeared a lttle "slick" and I could imagine someone driving one wearing a cravat. It just caught my eye and when I looked closely I realised what a fabulous looking car it was. It was black with red leather and flappy paddles.
The above is a GT. GT-S has slightly different looks externally, and has a 4.7 V8 versus the GT's 4.2. Maserati has never been on my radar, they have always appeared a lttle "slick" and I could imagine someone driving one wearing a cravat. It just caught my eye and when I looked closely I realised what a fabulous looking car it was. It was black with red leather and flappy paddles.
Re the cravat, within a couple of minutes on either of the above, you'll not think that anymore - commoners, the lot of 'em!
I would read several reviews before completely deciding to be honest. Clarkson looks for specific things in cars and also has turned into a caricature of himself with the need to make funny resemblance quips every 3 lines of text. He has "a" view but its not the only one.
Read the one from car magazine and autocar too. They see it slighlty differently. In any case, if you use your car as a weekend sports and fun machine the GT seems not for you. If you use it every day it might be different. No harm in asking to have a go at a dealer also.
Read the one from car magazine and autocar too. They see it slighlty differently. In any case, if you use your car as a weekend sports and fun machine the GT seems not for you. If you use it every day it might be different. No harm in asking to have a go at a dealer also.
andrew.delamare said:
I would read several reviews before completely deciding to be honest. Clarkson looks for specific things in cars and also has turned into a caricature of himself with the need to make funny resemblance quips every 3 lines of text. He has "a" view but its not the only one.
Read the one from car magazine and autocar too. They see it slighlty differently. In any case, if you use your car as a weekend sports and fun machine the GT seems not for you. If you use it every day it might be different. No harm in asking to have a go at a dealer also.
I use my 911 as a second car, but it performs the role of sports car more than a business motor or tourer.Read the one from car magazine and autocar too. They see it slighlty differently. In any case, if you use your car as a weekend sports and fun machine the GT seems not for you. If you use it every day it might be different. No harm in asking to have a go at a dealer also.
ks. 
Look, this is really simple, you either listen to the view of some journos who may or may not have some kind of agenda but often only drive the car a few hours and often not in the most flattering or circumstances, or you can listen to the experiences of those who actually own and use their cars every day. For my part, it did not worry me that the GT-S did not compare as favourably as a 911 in extremis, that is not how most people drive their cars most of the time. It has bucket loads more character, has a much greater sense of occasion, has on of the truly great exhaust systems and rings a smile to my face every time I get in it. It can also do a pretty good job of keeping up with a 911 in the corners and is faster in the straights, as one of my mates can testify. It is also my 3rd Maserati and without exception they have all been far more reliable than the M series Bimmers I used to run.
Is it perfect, no of course not, the seats could offer more support, the stereo is not that good and the iPod interface is tempramental, but that other than that it is a truly stunning car. it may not be hardcore enough for some, in which case I would suggest a F430, but if you are after something half practical, it ticks most of the boxes. It is even reasonable to service and maintain with 2 years or 12,000 miles servicing intervals which even a couple of years ago was unheard of for Italian exotica. It is your choice but for me a 911 does not even come close to the ownership experience I get from my GT-S. If I was you I wouldn"t just take my word for it, I would drive one before writing them off.
Is it perfect, no of course not, the seats could offer more support, the stereo is not that good and the iPod interface is tempramental, but that other than that it is a truly stunning car. it may not be hardcore enough for some, in which case I would suggest a F430, but if you are after something half practical, it ticks most of the boxes. It is even reasonable to service and maintain with 2 years or 12,000 miles servicing intervals which even a couple of years ago was unheard of for Italian exotica. It is your choice but for me a 911 does not even come close to the ownership experience I get from my GT-S. If I was you I wouldn"t just take my word for it, I would drive one before writing them off.
I have a 911 and also had my head turned by the looks of a GranTurismo.
So I had a go in one a couple of weeks ago (not the S), about 25 miles around roads I know well.
They are different cars and its not fair to try to make a like for like comparison. 911 is quicker, sharper, more responsive and more involving. GT is more comfortable, more luxurious, bigger, makes a different noise (the V8 noise). I think the GT looks better than the 911 (but not by much).
Both are great cars and I could happily have either. Thinking about the driving I do, I really could do with both! The 911 for about half the journies I do and the GT for the other half.
I wouldn't swap the 911 for the GT if I was looking to buy another sports car. But I would swap to the GT if I wanted a Grand Tourer. For me, the GT wants comparing to something else: the Merc CL for instance.
So I had a go in one a couple of weeks ago (not the S), about 25 miles around roads I know well.
They are different cars and its not fair to try to make a like for like comparison. 911 is quicker, sharper, more responsive and more involving. GT is more comfortable, more luxurious, bigger, makes a different noise (the V8 noise). I think the GT looks better than the 911 (but not by much).
Both are great cars and I could happily have either. Thinking about the driving I do, I really could do with both! The 911 for about half the journies I do and the GT for the other half.
I wouldn't swap the 911 for the GT if I was looking to buy another sports car. But I would swap to the GT if I wanted a Grand Tourer. For me, the GT wants comparing to something else: the Merc CL for instance.
JPJPJP said:
I have a 911 and also had my head turned by the looks of a GranTurismo.
So I had a go in one a couple of weeks ago (not the S), about 25 miles around roads I know well.
They are different cars and its not fair to try to make a like for like comparison. 911 is quicker, sharper, more responsive and more involving. GT is more comfortable, more luxurious, bigger, makes a different noise (the V8 noise). I think the GT looks better than the 911 (but not by much).
Both are great cars and I could happily have either. Thinking about the driving I do, I really could do with both! The 911 for about half the journies I do and the GT for the other half.
I wouldn't swap the 911 for the GT if I was looking to buy another sports car. But I would swap to the GT if I wanted a Grand Tourer. For me, the GT wants comparing to something else: the Merc CL for instance.
Intelligent response.So I had a go in one a couple of weeks ago (not the S), about 25 miles around roads I know well.
They are different cars and its not fair to try to make a like for like comparison. 911 is quicker, sharper, more responsive and more involving. GT is more comfortable, more luxurious, bigger, makes a different noise (the V8 noise). I think the GT looks better than the 911 (but not by much).
Both are great cars and I could happily have either. Thinking about the driving I do, I really could do with both! The 911 for about half the journies I do and the GT for the other half.
I wouldn't swap the 911 for the GT if I was looking to buy another sports car. But I would swap to the GT if I wanted a Grand Tourer. For me, the GT wants comparing to something else: the Merc CL for instance.
The thing I like most about my 911 is the turn in, the lack of roll and the solidity. I would not trade it for a car that was less in any of these areas. But if I could afford to keep the 911 and go for something a bit more GT I might be tempted. But then I would have to balance the GT against an R8 cab, which also tempts me at the moment.
I think I need to increase my fleet budget...
Read this
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2222...
A slightly more " intelligent" review.
Plus go test an S but make sure it's an MC Shift. Then tell us what you think.
Sorry to be angry but you really shouldn't be judging a car by anything that man says.
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2222...
A slightly more " intelligent" review.
Plus go test an S but make sure it's an MC Shift. Then tell us what you think.
Sorry to be angry but you really shouldn't be judging a car by anything that man says.
ghiblicup said:
Sorry to be angry but you really shouldn't be judging a car by anything that man says.
If I bought a GT would I become all angry and defensive too? 
The Evo article is more complimentary for sure. Mind you the body roll in photo 4 looks fairly pronounced.
But then, perhaps the 911 vs GT(or S) is not a relevant comparison?
I have taken the view that until I am 50 my weekend car will probably be more sports orientated, but when I am 50+ something bigger with a higher GT quotient will be the way to go. I have always been a bit Porschey and can probably imagine remaining that way. But given the budget I would certainly have a Maserati, even if it was just for ornament.
Edited by Manks on Saturday 12th February 22:53
Having owned a variety of 997's and a Maserati GT and GT S I'd say that trying to compare these two cars is like looking at chalk and cheese. The 997 is a sports car, pure and simple, with a short wheelbase, lighter weight, totally different centre of gravity.... etc. The Gran Turismo is effectively built on the floorpan of the Quattroporte four door saloon with a similar wheelbase and is much heavier than the Porsche. It is never going to give you the same driving experience so if you are looking for a fun, nimble sportscar it's not going to satisfy you IMHO. The GT S is much sharper than the GT with better torque and a more involving gearbox with the MC shift option but it is still not a sports car. It's a fast, comfortable mile muncher and an incredibly stylish way to travel. If Porsche ever build a two door 2+2 Panamera based 928 successor then that would be a fairer model to compare to the GranTurismo.
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