Leaving a Maserati Granturismo S - what next?
Discussion
Hello all,
Long time lurker, first time poster! I am here to call on the collective wisdom of the forum before making a purchase - a friend of mine did so and bought a car he wasn't even considering before numerous kind folks made the suggestion (McLaren 12c as it happens).
My current situation is as follows:
I have a Maserati GranTurismo S, and am looking to upgrade it. The GTS is a fantastic car, great looking, amazing noise (mine is an MC Shift) and turns heads everywhere it goes.
On the downside, it is my second one and like an ex girlfriend I probably shouldn't have gone back - it just isn't quite as good as first time round. I think second time I can see the flaws that people see in this car that I was blind to before - the gearbox isnt great, it isn't a blisteringly quick car, it could do with a few more horse power, it feels a little dated perhaps (I am in a 2009 plate) etc. Again this isn't to take anything away from a great vehicle, especially at the prices they can be attained for which make them hugely accesible, but half a year into my second one it is time for a change.
Now here is the dilemma - budget isn't particularly an issue, however I live in a house with no garage that is on a road just off a main road. Whilst the GTS doesn't look out of place here at all (it is in a reasonable area etc), a Ferrari would! If I had a garage I would no doubt get a 458 at this point in time but it isn't sensible all things considered.
So I am looking for a supercar (or close to a supercar) which isn't going to look ridiculously out of place, and as such I have ruled out the Bentley Continental, any form of Lambo, any form of Ferrari.
I seem to have whittled down my choices to 2 fairly different cars, a Vanquish (on a 13/14 plate) or a 911 (991) Turbo (brand new) or Turbo S (12-18 months old).
Does anyone have any other suggestions on anything I could be considering as a "below the radar" option? I would also be keen to hear from anyone who may have made the transition from Maserati to Porsche - I am aware I will be sacrificing "exotic" but hoping "practical" along with a big upgrade in terms of modern tech will make up for it......
Would welcome any thoughts, thanks in advance!
Long time lurker, first time poster! I am here to call on the collective wisdom of the forum before making a purchase - a friend of mine did so and bought a car he wasn't even considering before numerous kind folks made the suggestion (McLaren 12c as it happens).
My current situation is as follows:
I have a Maserati GranTurismo S, and am looking to upgrade it. The GTS is a fantastic car, great looking, amazing noise (mine is an MC Shift) and turns heads everywhere it goes.
On the downside, it is my second one and like an ex girlfriend I probably shouldn't have gone back - it just isn't quite as good as first time round. I think second time I can see the flaws that people see in this car that I was blind to before - the gearbox isnt great, it isn't a blisteringly quick car, it could do with a few more horse power, it feels a little dated perhaps (I am in a 2009 plate) etc. Again this isn't to take anything away from a great vehicle, especially at the prices they can be attained for which make them hugely accesible, but half a year into my second one it is time for a change.
Now here is the dilemma - budget isn't particularly an issue, however I live in a house with no garage that is on a road just off a main road. Whilst the GTS doesn't look out of place here at all (it is in a reasonable area etc), a Ferrari would! If I had a garage I would no doubt get a 458 at this point in time but it isn't sensible all things considered.
So I am looking for a supercar (or close to a supercar) which isn't going to look ridiculously out of place, and as such I have ruled out the Bentley Continental, any form of Lambo, any form of Ferrari.
I seem to have whittled down my choices to 2 fairly different cars, a Vanquish (on a 13/14 plate) or a 911 (991) Turbo (brand new) or Turbo S (12-18 months old).
Does anyone have any other suggestions on anything I could be considering as a "below the radar" option? I would also be keen to hear from anyone who may have made the transition from Maserati to Porsche - I am aware I will be sacrificing "exotic" but hoping "practical" along with a big upgrade in terms of modern tech will make up for it......
Would welcome any thoughts, thanks in advance!
Hello chaps,
Sorry for the delay replying to the helpful comments thus far, was actually down at Porsche followed by Aston Martin this AM which was a helpful experience.
Apologies for any lack of clarity, the best way to describe it is as someone has helpfully put, I want a supercar or close to a supercar that isnt going to make people think "knob" haha. Not of course that a Lambo or Ferrari makes someone a knob, but you know what people are like.....I dont want any "unwanted" attention that a Ferrari, Lambo or Bentley could bring.
The Maserati has been fine, no unwanted attention at all. I think they are a bit below the radar, they are "cool" in a way some others aren't perceived as. The Stradale did cross my mind, the extra few bhp would make a huge difference to this car, but thinking it might be too close to what I am leaving!
I have had M3's, 335's, 640's in the past and of course the 2 x Granturismos - I am kind of thinking I don't want to go back to a Merc or BMW (particularly given something like a Ferrari 458 is in fact affordable, it is just a choice that I don't feel now is the time to buy one, so I think an M4/M6/C63 etc wouldn't keep me interested for too long), and I don't think that would feel a step up from a Maserati. Good shout on the G Wagon though, thought did cross my mind! Also briefly considered an SLS, as again the Merc badge helps it go a little under the radar, but I don't particularly want a 2010 plate without main dealer warranty, which is where the budget would take me. I also think the cabin would feel a bit dated despite the car being an outrageous vehicle......
2 seats or 4 doesn't really matter, with the only caveats being I am 29 and I am 6 foot 4 - referenced solely so as to avoid anything that could be deemed "old man" or anything too small that would look strange clambering in and out of.
Appreciate the brief is a little challenging here! There is a bit of me that thinks by process of elimination I have the 911 Turbo, any of the Astons and the R8 as pretty much the only choices??
I saw the 911 and a Vanquish this morning, both feasible financially. I have to say the Vanquish left me underwhelmed. I think it was the spec I saw it in, it was a convertible without the more aggressive wheels and just looked a bit meh. In the spec it was in it looked a bit old man, didnt excite me overly and it felt as if it would just be a better/newer version of what I have already got but with the ability to hit 60 in about a second quicker. I am sure someone will come along and tell me I am massively underestimating it, and I am in fact hoping to drive it during the week to see if it stirs any emotion.
The 911 Turbo - wow. I have never been overly into Porsches until this gen 911 came out and the turbo I saw this morning was the first one I have seen in the flesh. White with the black sunroof, the Turbo S alloys etc. It is beautiful and looked a huge huge step up from the Granturismo. It looks like it is from a different era altogether, uber modern both outside and in the cabin. It is also massive compared to pictures and my previous perception of the size. Furthermore it takes me from the world of grand tourers into the world of sports cars, but without being insanely impractical (service intervals, service costs, everyday usability etc).
Not saying game over quite yet but struggling to see what is going to come up and blow the 911 out unless someone is going to pull something out the bag :-D
Sorry for the delay replying to the helpful comments thus far, was actually down at Porsche followed by Aston Martin this AM which was a helpful experience.
Apologies for any lack of clarity, the best way to describe it is as someone has helpfully put, I want a supercar or close to a supercar that isnt going to make people think "knob" haha. Not of course that a Lambo or Ferrari makes someone a knob, but you know what people are like.....I dont want any "unwanted" attention that a Ferrari, Lambo or Bentley could bring.
The Maserati has been fine, no unwanted attention at all. I think they are a bit below the radar, they are "cool" in a way some others aren't perceived as. The Stradale did cross my mind, the extra few bhp would make a huge difference to this car, but thinking it might be too close to what I am leaving!
I have had M3's, 335's, 640's in the past and of course the 2 x Granturismos - I am kind of thinking I don't want to go back to a Merc or BMW (particularly given something like a Ferrari 458 is in fact affordable, it is just a choice that I don't feel now is the time to buy one, so I think an M4/M6/C63 etc wouldn't keep me interested for too long), and I don't think that would feel a step up from a Maserati. Good shout on the G Wagon though, thought did cross my mind! Also briefly considered an SLS, as again the Merc badge helps it go a little under the radar, but I don't particularly want a 2010 plate without main dealer warranty, which is where the budget would take me. I also think the cabin would feel a bit dated despite the car being an outrageous vehicle......
2 seats or 4 doesn't really matter, with the only caveats being I am 29 and I am 6 foot 4 - referenced solely so as to avoid anything that could be deemed "old man" or anything too small that would look strange clambering in and out of.
Appreciate the brief is a little challenging here! There is a bit of me that thinks by process of elimination I have the 911 Turbo, any of the Astons and the R8 as pretty much the only choices??
I saw the 911 and a Vanquish this morning, both feasible financially. I have to say the Vanquish left me underwhelmed. I think it was the spec I saw it in, it was a convertible without the more aggressive wheels and just looked a bit meh. In the spec it was in it looked a bit old man, didnt excite me overly and it felt as if it would just be a better/newer version of what I have already got but with the ability to hit 60 in about a second quicker. I am sure someone will come along and tell me I am massively underestimating it, and I am in fact hoping to drive it during the week to see if it stirs any emotion.
The 911 Turbo - wow. I have never been overly into Porsches until this gen 911 came out and the turbo I saw this morning was the first one I have seen in the flesh. White with the black sunroof, the Turbo S alloys etc. It is beautiful and looked a huge huge step up from the Granturismo. It looks like it is from a different era altogether, uber modern both outside and in the cabin. It is also massive compared to pictures and my previous perception of the size. Furthermore it takes me from the world of grand tourers into the world of sports cars, but without being insanely impractical (service intervals, service costs, everyday usability etc).
Not saying game over quite yet but struggling to see what is going to come up and blow the 911 out unless someone is going to pull something out the bag :-D
Devonboy - thanks for the comment, I imagine the FF must feel like a huge step up from the Maserati? The pace of that thing is incredible. I must say having not been a "Porsche Man" before I would have thought I would prefer the Vanquish but I felt they were incomparable, in favour of the 911! An upgrade from the FF is a tough task, dont envy you when the time comes to consider such a thing!
rog - the Maser is easy to fit a couple of normal sized humans in the back, it will definitely tick that box. And I don't worry about leaving it anywhere, I just don't think they are viewed with any form of disdain whatsoever. It gets compliments wherever it goes, people taking pictures, recording videos on their phones etc etc. Haven't heard a bad word said about it, and it is an absolute beauty. I am sure you will enjoy it! If you are interested in white, mine is on autotrader and in my opinion very competitively priced at mid 40's. Let me know if you haven't got one lined up :-)
rog - the Maser is easy to fit a couple of normal sized humans in the back, it will definitely tick that box. And I don't worry about leaving it anywhere, I just don't think they are viewed with any form of disdain whatsoever. It gets compliments wherever it goes, people taking pictures, recording videos on their phones etc etc. Haven't heard a bad word said about it, and it is an absolute beauty. I am sure you will enjoy it! If you are interested in white, mine is on autotrader and in my opinion very competitively priced at mid 40's. Let me know if you haven't got one lined up :-)
Thanks for the suggestions chaps, R8 and i8 were definitely 2 cars I really strongly considered as close rivals to the 911. Having driven the 911 turbo today, I was blown away! The performance was just something I haven't experienced before, definitely the fastest thing I have been in! The R8 is the closest rival in terms of performance, ticking the box of not being too ostentatious etc etc out of the other suggestions, but the 911 did it for me and I pick it up on Friday. Counting down the days now, the 991 is a truly outstanding bit of kit. I probably had made my mind up before the thread in hindsight haha, but was keen to see if my mind could be changed! The fact it couldn't suggests to me I have made the right choice. Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions, some compelling rivals and as someone rightly said a good problem to have. Cheers!
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