Which Maserati?

[romeodelta]

After this COVID nonsense, I'm tempted to say fk it and realise this long held dream. Just a bit of background, I'm mid 30s, located in Oz.

I've always wanted a GranTurismo. I can just about stretch to an early 08 4.2 ($60-70k), but it will be a risk, quite hard to justify, and not much left in the bork fund.

I do love the QP as well, an early 04-08 4.2 Sport GT will be around $30-40k. Will be easier to justify and bigger bork fund. Will this be a similar ownership experience and scratch the itch?

The other option is a GranSport, which I also love. An early 05 4.2 is $40-50k. This seems to fit my age better than a QP and a bit more sporty and less GT than the other options. Currently have a 987 Boxster.

I'm quite aware of most of the foibles and maintenance costs of these options. Also, I know the 4.7s are the better engine, but I can't stretch to that at the moment.

Thoughts? Is it worth the stretch or will the 'cheaper' options give me 90% of the experience?

[romeodelta]

Good points, thank you.

It will be replacing the Boxster.

Practicality not too important, my 4yo will fit in the back of the GS and we have a family car.

I agree with you looks wise, the GT is beautiful, QP handsome and the GS is kinda old school pretty, but possibly dating now. Although the GS driving experience probably fits me best. Hmm...

[romeodelta]

Still procrastinating over this

Early Ghiblis have crept into budget now as well. Much more modern (less bork potential?), but does it offer the full Maserati experience (3.0T petrol)?

Any other thoughts?

[romeodelta]

Interesting points, thank you.

I'm not sure the speed thing bothers me, I have some American V8 muscle in the garage for straight line squirts. In Australia you get put in prison for a thousand years for speeding anyway.

Which leads me to why I got my Boxster, fun handling at lower speeds. Which makes me question whether a GT is what I want, the lighter GS with shorter wheelbase is probably the best fit. But just look at the GT

I think I am going to put my Boxster up for sale and when it goes I will be forced to make a decision. Enter a marathon, then you have to train, right?

[romeodelta]

Thanks for the additional input.

I viewed a Ghibli and it's out, unfortunately. It has the same infotainment and some switchgear as my daily Jeep and a smaller engine and less cylinders. Nice car, but just not special enough for me.

To answer some of the other questions on the 'Maserati experience', I think it has to be V8 and a coupe, as explained above.

So I viewed a GT as well and it was very nice (although very poorly presented). I think this is what I really want, a GS would be a compromise on the interior front - it really is getting dated now.

So my Boxster is up for sale and the hunt for a GT in Oz begins... fun.

Thanks again for the advice.

[romeodelta]

Just to conclude this thread, this weekend I picked up a nice 4.2 GT in a perfect spec for me.

All the options in the OP are around $10k more now (thanks COVID), but glad I stretched and got what I wanted.

Thanks all for your input.