Maserati GranSport: PH Carpool
If you need four seats in your sports car then 911 isn't the only way...
Car: 2006 Maserati GranSport
Owned since: February 2016
How could you not turn back for a look?
"I'd reached a time in my life when I could finally justify laying out the cash for something more exotic than my SEAT Leon Cupra. But I'd also reached a time in my life where I had two small children. So I needed something that had back seats, and a boot that could swallow a stroller. 911s, GT-Rs and XKRs were all obvious contenders. I'd read about the Maserati 4200 back in the day, but remembered the criticisms regarding the handling and clunky Cambiocorsa gearbox. Then I revisited the period road tests for the GranSport, which suggested that the lower ride height and larger wheels transformed the handling (and the standard 4200 actually benefitted from a number of tweaks in the 2003 and 2005 model years). It seemed like a good compromise between the softer Jag and the smaller Porsche. So I joined a well known specialist forum, started browsing the classifieds and bought the car you see in the pictures. I'd never even seen one in the metal, but I trusted the photos, the mag reviews and the guy I sent to do an inspection on it."
What I wish I'd known:
"The GS is a very capable GT. But with that high-revving naturally aspirated engine, it can also be a very frustrating one, because I want to give it the beans at all times. So, although it can accommodate three passengers with ease, I often take it out alone so that I can enjoy a spirited drive without cries of 'slow down' from the person to my left, or worrying that I might wipe out the next generation of my family if I forget that I don't have six-piston calipers up front."
Things I love:
"Well, the engine, obviously. It is a 4.2-litre V8 with input from Maranello and sounds spectacular with an angry roar at the top end. The car is pretty handy on a B-road and devastating on a smooth A-road. And I always thought the driving experience was everything, but just look at it. I get to see that every day when I leave for work and return in the evening. Oh, and the Cambiocorsa 'box is also something that owners often grow to love. Maybe it's a bit clunky in town, but then I don't use it for trundling around Knightsbridge. Taking the engine to the redline in second, third and fourth (on a private road of course), snapping thorough the gears, is certainly addictive. And the paddleshift helps you keep the revvy engine on the boil and make very rapid progress."
And it's not even been too expensive to run...
"It's not the car's fault that it's kept outside and I feel that, as the custodian of a beautiful machine, I have to clean it a lot. Er, what else? The rubbery coating on the back of the front seats is easily scratched and scuffed by little feet and these cars suffer from the 'sticky buttons' problem that afflicts other Italian exotica from the same period. And the brakes aren't eye-poppingly strong, but a set of stainless steel hoses and Ferodo DS2500 pads has made a big improvement. I also sometimes forget to put the car in sport mode when I start it up, then spend a few minutes wondering why the handling has lost its edge and the gear changes are so sloppy..."
Costs:
"I melted the tyres at Brands. A new set of four Goodyear F1s can be had for not much more than £500 if you shop around and they're better than the standard fit Pirellis. I just had it serviced and a couple of well known issues cropped up - leaky cam covers and some worn suspension components (it's quite a heavy car). But I budgeted £2-3K a year for running costs so it's been in line with expectations. And that's what I pay each year to lease a Mazda 6 estate... Maserati parts are notoriously expensive, but there are pattern components available and the forums have discovered numerous ways to save money. Ferrari 550M discs fit (and are actually cheaper) and the £900 F1 gearbox pump is exactly the same as a £300 Alfa Selespeed pump."
Where I've been:
"As well as a track evening at Brands Hatch, I treated myself to a mid-week road trip last October. After putting the kids to bed, I drove up to Wrexham and spent the next day taking in the Evo triangle, the A44 from Aberystwyth to Llangurig and the B4520 from Builth Wells to Brecon. The GS is a great road trip car - fast and exciting on these roads, but the excellent seats meant 10 hours in the seat caused no aches and pains."
Wales trup a particular ownership highlight
"A lot of GranSport and GranTurismo owners complain that there's nothing at a similar price that looks, sounds and drives as well as these cars while being a genuine four-seater. If I had the garage space and cash, I'd need two cars to replace this, perhaps a Quattroporte GTS and something mid-engined. But for now its all-round abilities and feel-good factor mean it's a keeper. It could do with a respray, as well as sports cats and a remap to free up a few extra horses and decibels (I've already swapped the standard centre section for an H pipe, as many owners do). There'll be some more UK road trips this year and hopefully some longer ones across the Channel at some point. And a lot more gazing at the body and taking it to the redline whenever I get the chance!"
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
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