Coming out of a Porsche for a Maserati...am I mad?
Discussion
After years of owning German sports saloons from BMW e92 M3, BMW M6 and 2 C63 AMG's, I decided a few months ago to get myself a Gen2 Porsche 997 Turbo.
The performance of the Porsche is frankly stunning....its the 500bhp one so for straight line speed it's nigh-on unbeatable. It also has a lovely 'feel' when driving it in, the suspension is exceptionally well damped and a form of getting from A to B I can't think how anything could do it quicker.
Yet despite all this I've really struggled to get on with it....it's a bit of a blunt instrument TBH and despite being technically inferior and slower, I had more fun driving the C63. It also sounds pretty dire in comparison to the spitfire-like AMG and in general there just seems (for me) to be a lack of sense of occasion. The nail in the coffin is that it's been riddled with niggles such as various rattles and last week it broke down with the electrics failing (it's only 1 year old BTW).
Then, earlier this week with my car at Porsche the guy who owns the security company that loos after my workplace turns up with his Maserati Granturismo, sees how pissed off I am and throws me the keys to his car to have a play. Immediately after starting the car it dawns on me just how crap the Porsche sounds and whilst the Maserati is monumentally slower, I actually prefer driving it just for the special way it feels.
On the back of this I started looking for some examples to look at and yesterday went to see a 4.7S MC Shift which was up for £70k with just 7k miles. Well, what a nice car...it's got a bit more go than the 4.2 but is still way off the Porsche for performance but in every other respect I preferred the slower Maser. It looks fabulous, it sounds incredible (especially with the sport exhaust activated), its refined without being too quiet and it's extremely well built....indeed, in relation to this last point, as theres not a single rattle, buzz or squeak I reckon it's better made than any if the German stuff I've owned.
For the first time in my life I actually felt that i had no need for something as quick as the Porsche as the Maserati offered so much more satisfaction and I was that impressed I bought it and I pick it up next weekend!
So, am I mad to swap one of the worlds best regarded spurts cars for this Italian GT and as anyone else bitten the bullet and moved from Porsche to Maserati?
The performance of the Porsche is frankly stunning....its the 500bhp one so for straight line speed it's nigh-on unbeatable. It also has a lovely 'feel' when driving it in, the suspension is exceptionally well damped and a form of getting from A to B I can't think how anything could do it quicker.
Yet despite all this I've really struggled to get on with it....it's a bit of a blunt instrument TBH and despite being technically inferior and slower, I had more fun driving the C63. It also sounds pretty dire in comparison to the spitfire-like AMG and in general there just seems (for me) to be a lack of sense of occasion. The nail in the coffin is that it's been riddled with niggles such as various rattles and last week it broke down with the electrics failing (it's only 1 year old BTW).
Then, earlier this week with my car at Porsche the guy who owns the security company that loos after my workplace turns up with his Maserati Granturismo, sees how pissed off I am and throws me the keys to his car to have a play. Immediately after starting the car it dawns on me just how crap the Porsche sounds and whilst the Maserati is monumentally slower, I actually prefer driving it just for the special way it feels.
On the back of this I started looking for some examples to look at and yesterday went to see a 4.7S MC Shift which was up for £70k with just 7k miles. Well, what a nice car...it's got a bit more go than the 4.2 but is still way off the Porsche for performance but in every other respect I preferred the slower Maser. It looks fabulous, it sounds incredible (especially with the sport exhaust activated), its refined without being too quiet and it's extremely well built....indeed, in relation to this last point, as theres not a single rattle, buzz or squeak I reckon it's better made than any if the German stuff I've owned.
For the first time in my life I actually felt that i had no need for something as quick as the Porsche as the Maserati offered so much more satisfaction and I was that impressed I bought it and I pick it up next weekend!
So, am I mad to swap one of the worlds best regarded spurts cars for this Italian GT and as anyone else bitten the bullet and moved from Porsche to Maserati?
I can see the appeal of both.
I ran a 996 a few years back, and like you, while it was an incredible car, it left me a bit cold. I was living in London and was amazed at how 'common' a car the 911 was considering the price. It's competence and durability cleared up why they're such a popular choice.
I've not driven a GT-S but from what I understand, the MC Shift is the one to have. The sound is certainly very special.
I drive a 2007 GranSport and I chose that over a 911/M3/SL for the reasons you say. While I suspect my GS is interior in terms of performance, build quality etc, its not so much so that you'd notice. The interior of the car is lovely, the sounds is superb and I love the fact that you don't see too many of them around.
When I do come to replace the GS, the GT-S would be top of the list for me.
Good luck in the search. If you have more specific questions or want to read up on the GT, then spend some time on www.maseratiforum.co.uk or www.sportsmaserati.co.uk - both have a good bunch of guys on there but they're biased towards Maserati's so if you want to be put off, go elsewhere!
I ran a 996 a few years back, and like you, while it was an incredible car, it left me a bit cold. I was living in London and was amazed at how 'common' a car the 911 was considering the price. It's competence and durability cleared up why they're such a popular choice.
I've not driven a GT-S but from what I understand, the MC Shift is the one to have. The sound is certainly very special.
I drive a 2007 GranSport and I chose that over a 911/M3/SL for the reasons you say. While I suspect my GS is interior in terms of performance, build quality etc, its not so much so that you'd notice. The interior of the car is lovely, the sounds is superb and I love the fact that you don't see too many of them around.
When I do come to replace the GS, the GT-S would be top of the list for me.
Good luck in the search. If you have more specific questions or want to read up on the GT, then spend some time on www.maseratiforum.co.uk or www.sportsmaserati.co.uk - both have a good bunch of guys on there but they're biased towards Maserati's so if you want to be put off, go elsewhere!
I am a Porsche driver and really like Maseratis. I test drove a 4200 CC for the gf last week and really enjoyed it. Although a lovely car, it didn't push my buttons as a sports car. I imagine a GranSport would address these issues probably being slightly more sports biased than GT.
Although I think the 4200 would be great for herself, she prefers manuals.
I think you will be very happy with the new car. A friend has one and I think it looks amazing and has a sound to die for. They are a big car though.
Although I think the 4200 would be great for herself, she prefers manuals.
I think you will be very happy with the new car. A friend has one and I think it looks amazing and has a sound to die for. They are a big car though.
I'm biased, of course, but for a regular drive, I'd rather have something that I love to be in than something technically superior.
Splitting it down in to the capital cities of the countries they come from;
Berlin - Ordered, wide boulevard type roads, quiet for a large city, efficient and reliable public transport, inexpensive, everything you could want from a large city. But could you live there?
Rome - Chaos, strikes, noise, hustle, bustle, organised crime, corrupt politicians, useless police. But what a place to be!
I talked to a guy about changing my Maser for a GT3, all he could say about it was how I would blow everybody else away on track days, and away from the lights, etc. When I explained I wasn't really interested in doing that, he just couldn't understand why not?
Anyway, you've now heard the noise they make, so you must be smitten (it's impossible not to be).
They may not be the best sports car, but they're comfortable, generally reliable, oodles of character, exclusive, and make just about the best noise of any road car on the market.
And yes, you do have to be a leeeetle bit clazy to buy one with real money.
Splitting it down in to the capital cities of the countries they come from;
Berlin - Ordered, wide boulevard type roads, quiet for a large city, efficient and reliable public transport, inexpensive, everything you could want from a large city. But could you live there?
Rome - Chaos, strikes, noise, hustle, bustle, organised crime, corrupt politicians, useless police. But what a place to be!
I talked to a guy about changing my Maser for a GT3, all he could say about it was how I would blow everybody else away on track days, and away from the lights, etc. When I explained I wasn't really interested in doing that, he just couldn't understand why not?
Anyway, you've now heard the noise they make, so you must be smitten (it's impossible not to be).
They may not be the best sports car, but they're comfortable, generally reliable, oodles of character, exclusive, and make just about the best noise of any road car on the market.
And yes, you do have to be a leeeetle bit clazy to buy one with real money.
I am thinking of making a similar change at the low end of the scale: come out of a 997.1 Carrera into a GranTurismo 4.2
Very different cars, both special in their own way but, for normal roads point to point driving, I am thinking a GT may be the nicer way to do it than the pork
Ideally would keep the pork for runs out just for fun etc. but its hard to justify having them both in the garage really
Very different cars, both special in their own way but, for normal roads point to point driving, I am thinking a GT may be the nicer way to do it than the pork
Ideally would keep the pork for runs out just for fun etc. but its hard to justify having them both in the garage really
Thanks for the responses chaps...some very interesting perspectives, particularly comparing them to cities lol!
Well, the deed is done and the GT-S will be on my drive in a week. Here are some (very) small pics of the one I've bought...
The interior won't be to everyones taste but I love something a bit different hence this car is right up my street! I wonder if I can keep this one for more than the handful of months (barely 15 weeks actually) that I had the Porsche?
By the way....the car is 30 months old so has a few months of warranty left. Does anyone know if it came with 3 years breakdown cover or will I have to sort that (not that I expect to use it but even the Porsche broke down so anything is possible)? I'm not buying from a main dealer so won't get any of those feee niceties thrown in (but then I'm not paying for them either!).
Well, the deed is done and the GT-S will be on my drive in a week. Here are some (very) small pics of the one I've bought...
The interior won't be to everyones taste but I love something a bit different hence this car is right up my street! I wonder if I can keep this one for more than the handful of months (barely 15 weeks actually) that I had the Porsche?
By the way....the car is 30 months old so has a few months of warranty left. Does anyone know if it came with 3 years breakdown cover or will I have to sort that (not that I expect to use it but even the Porsche broke down so anything is possible)? I'm not buying from a main dealer so won't get any of those feee niceties thrown in (but then I'm not paying for them either!).
Lol - my original post wasn't very clear but I actually bought it yesterday so was even quicker than that! Doesn't take me long to make my mind up....although I was thinking about it for most of the week.
It is Mcgurks car and it is in incredible condition, well priced and the colour combo is right up my street.
It is Mcgurks car and it is in incredible condition, well priced and the colour combo is right up my street.
I've had a 993 targa for nearly two years and love it, however the better 1/2 gets claustrophobic in it. The gt would be for a 'natural' change, is the cabin much bigger with the maser?
I've also been told not to buy one unless you live within an hour of a main dealer, are they that unreliable?
Cheers.
PS Before anyone says go try one, I live a ferry ride and six hours drive from the nearest available car.
I've also been told not to buy one unless you live within an hour of a main dealer, are they that unreliable?
Cheers.
PS Before anyone says go try one, I live a ferry ride and six hours drive from the nearest available car.
aaak said:
I've had a 993 targa for nearly two years and love it, however the better 1/2 gets claustrophobic in it. The gt would be for a 'natural' change, is the cabin much bigger with the maser?
I've also been told not to buy one unless you live within an hour of a main dealer, are they that unreliable?
Cheers.
PS Before anyone says go try one, I live a ferry ride and six hours drive from the nearest available car.
And I guess you've been told that by your milkmans brothers uncles step fathers pet dog because he used to have one in the seventies. I've also been told not to buy one unless you live within an hour of a main dealer, are they that unreliable?
Cheers.
PS Before anyone says go try one, I live a ferry ride and six hours drive from the nearest available car.
It's BS. True, they used to be bad (everything was at the time, it's the era of the TR7), but anything built by Maserati past about 2000 has been generally very good indeed.
This rubbish about Maserati being unreliable is something that's just stuck from the Bi-Turbo era.
They're expensive to run, but they're certainly not unreliable.
aaak said:
I've had a 993 targa for nearly two years and love it, however the better 1/2 gets claustrophobic in it. The gt would be for a 'natural' change, is the cabin much bigger with the maser?
I've also been told not to buy one unless you live within an hour of a main dealer, are they that unreliable?
Cheers.
PS Before anyone says go try one, I live a ferry ride and six hours drive from the nearest available car.
I believe these Maserati's are incredibly reliable - i.e. according to JD Power in the States they get less than one reported fault per car so far (not sure how that compares with other makes but I do know that my Porsche had more than that on 4 months!). Not to worry, it;s still under warranty and Graypaul Nottingham is all but 20 minutes away from me!I've also been told not to buy one unless you live within an hour of a main dealer, are they that unreliable?
Cheers.
PS Before anyone says go try one, I live a ferry ride and six hours drive from the nearest available car.
Yes, the interior is bigger (in the back)....two adults can sit in the back in proper, comfortable seats. Up front it my not actually be more spacious but it seems it as the dash is lower and of a more raked design so it appears less upright and in your face.
Congratulations on your purchase, looks stunning. I may be alone in thinking this but I actually don't think they cost much to run at all, not for an Italian exotic. They don't need to be serviced for 2 years or 12k miles whichever if first. I have had my GT-S for 18 months and the only expense has been petrol and insurance and I have 8.5k on the clock. I do also use it and as you rightly say it has been so much more reliable than any of the so called premium German cars I used to own. No it is not the last word in performance and handling round a track but on normal roads it is properly fast and handles well. Yes a GT3 would blow it into the weeds but that is missing the point, these cars offer so much more than simply raw speed and ultimate road holding. I love mine to bits and suspect you will to, enjoy it!
It's an interesting dilemma.
I felt something similar when I was running a 993: fab car to drive - still one of the best cars I've ever driven, and that includes a F430 Spider - but left me feeling a bit underwhelmed in the 'sense of occasion' department.
I swapped to an Aston DB7 which has occasion in spades - but now I want that efficiency, that technical superiority - and that drivability and performance - back. So I'm swapping back to a 997. Hope it's the right move.
So good luck with the Maser...
I felt something similar when I was running a 993: fab car to drive - still one of the best cars I've ever driven, and that includes a F430 Spider - but left me feeling a bit underwhelmed in the 'sense of occasion' department.
I swapped to an Aston DB7 which has occasion in spades - but now I want that efficiency, that technical superiority - and that drivability and performance - back. So I'm swapping back to a 997. Hope it's the right move.
So good luck with the Maser...
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff