V8 Vantage v Maserati Gran Turismo

[maybe someday]

V8 Vantage v Maserati Gran Turismo.

Hey everyone,

My first post on here since I've been a member and looking over all the various posts so please be gentle

I've been reading over various threads on here and also have devoured Grants book on the Aston Martin and was wondering if anyone had similar thoughts to the ones I'm having here?

Having not owned any of the two above, but have driven both, they certainly put a smile on my face. I'm in no rush at all at the moment but will probably be looking at a budget of up to 40k in time, hopefully not too long though

I know that the two cars I have mentioned are 2 and 4 seater's (well maybe a 2+2) and that's not going to be a overly huge factor in my eventual choice, but what would those who have looked at both of these great cars suggest? It would be used as a weekend/days off driver and not one that would be used daily. It would be kept in the driveway and not garaged and am aware that the Aston would more than likely require a trickle feed charger.

1. How would both fare being kept outdoors and not garaged?
2. Is one more reliable than the other, in general terms?
3. Would I be right and say that the Aston would benefit from a stronger residual value?
4. Both have a very strong 'feel good factor' although the Aston may just pip the Maserati on that front.
5. Has anyone moved to/from these cars with any views?
6. I am pretty meticulous in looking after my cars and know that full SH on both is essential as well as condition, but what one from the two generally costs more to maintain?
7. I would look to finance some of it, can anyone recommend a good company for that aspect?
8. Ideally this would be for at least a couple of years and not a brief affair

I look forward to hearing your thoughts

Edited by maybe someday on Saturday 25th July 18:35

[maybe someday]

rog007 said:

Had same dilemma; ruled Masser out due to Mondeo rear lights! Very happy with the Aston.

Ah well, my daily runner when required will be a Mondeo Did you buy private or via a specialist or main dealer if you don't mind me asking?

[maybe someday]

Little Donkey said:

Had both in various guises. A Maserati IS NOT an Aston Martin. Not even close.

So you would suggest the Aston over the Maserati then? I'm not suggesting that they are similar at all, but merely two choices that I am considering.

As I mentioned both had the 'feel good' factor when I drove them, but how did you find them reliability wise and the cost to maintain. Don't get me wrong, I will make sure that I have a slush fund in place, but curious to get real time feedback.

[maybe someday]

Jon39 said:

You may not have a great number of replies, because there are probably very few on here, who have owned both an Aston Martin and a Maserati.

The other point of course being, that we like our Astons, and on the Maserati forum ( if there is one), they would prefer their Maseratis.

I thought this might be the case, but nothing ventured and all that

The more I read the more I just have to get the Aston, it's a scratch that definitely needs itched! I don't see a dedicated Maserati forum, which for me tells me a lot of the Aston community and the whole experience of ownership as well.

Taking away the comparison of the two, I take it you have had, or have, an Aston, V8?

[maybe someday]

Jon39 said:

maybe someday said:

Taking away the comparison of the two, I take it you have had, or have, an Aston, V8?

Yes.

Such a beautiful and exciting car.
It can be quiet and comfortable, but then floor the throttle and KERPOW.

Learn about the specifications, decide what you would like, then wait for it to appear on sale. If you can stretch to the 4.7, it is well regarded. Look for a car in 'as new' condition. Many are really well cared for.

I drove one a couple of years ago and it was simply a stunning place to be. It's probably the very first car that I got in and sat admiring the interior rather than just firing it up straight away and then when I did, wow

I read Grants book on holiday and have a very accurate idea of what I'll be looking for and as you say, the one thing that strikes me about the Aston Martin is that the owners take meticulous care of their cars and there are plenty out there in fantastic condition. It's the one recommendation that keeps being mentioned, buy on condition with complete SH and don't always go for garage queens, these cars take mileage well

Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 26th July 05:51

[maybe someday]

Little Donkey said:

maybe someday said:

V8 Vantage v Maserati Gran Turismo.

Hey everyone,

My first post on here since I've been a member and looking over all the various posts so please be gentle

I've been reading over various threads on here and also have devoured Grants book on the Aston Martin and was wondering if anyone had similar thoughts to the ones I'm having here?

Having not owned any of the two above, but have driven both, they certainly put a smile on my face. I'm in no rush at all at the moment but will probably be looking at a budget of up to 40k in time, hopefully not too long though

I know that the two cars I have mentioned are 2 and 4 seater's (well maybe a 2+2) and that's not going to be a overly huge factor in my eventual choice, but what would those who have looked at both of these great cars suggest? It would be used as a weekend/days off driver and not one that would be used daily. It would be kept in the driveway and not garaged and am aware that the Aston would more than likely require a trickle feed charger.

1. How would both fare being kept outdoors and not garaged?
2. Is one more reliable than the other, in general terms?
3. Would I be right and say that the Aston would benefit from a stronger residual value?
4. Both have a very strong 'feel good factor' although the Aston may just pip the Maserati on that front.
5. Has anyone moved to/from these cars with any views?
6. I am pretty meticulous in looking after my cars and know that full SH on both is essential as well as condition, but what one from the two generally costs more to maintain?
7. I would look to finance some of it, can anyone recommend a good company for that aspect?
8. Ideally this would be for at least a couple of years and not a brief affair

I look forward to hearing your thoughts

Edited by maybe someday on Saturday 25th July 18:35

OK - lil do my best to cover all your points.......

The Maserati will require a trickle charger - two weeks left unattended and you'll be searching for the Jump leads.

1. No issues with either - but a battery conditioner is essential for long periods of time.
2. Both my Mazza's were mechanically were mechanically reliable, but both had electrical gremlins. Having said that, I only covered around 4000 miles in both cars combined, so not a great benchmark.
3. Yes. The depreciation on a new(er) Maserati is on the same level as a Rolf Harris painting. I've sold three Gaydon era cars and was pleasantly surprised with all of them when it came to resale time.
4. For me, the Maserati always had that "poor mans Ferrari" whiff about it. When it comes to how a car makes you feel, that's very subjective. But owning an Aston Martin goes way beyond just sitting behind a wheel - see Ed's Just Jane thread to get a favour of what I mean.
5. Had a Gran Turismo for 2k miles then a Gran Turismo S for 2k miles. Had a two year break from silly boys stuff and have owned a Vantage V8, Vantage V12, DBS and now a Vanquish. Have done 2.5k miles in the Vanq since April. And the Aston is far from being my daily drive. Says it all really.
6. Good question - service wise, probably about the same.
7. speak to a dealer. Where are you based?, may be able to help with that one.
8. If you go the Maserati route, it'll be more like a one night stand. The Aston Martin - be prepared for marriage.

And one last thing - the Maserati is more akin to a DB9. A Vantage will be much more point to point than a Maserati - very different cars.

Good luck with your search.

LD

Hi LD,

Thanks for some great feedback there

You have certainly enjoyed the Aston range and there are some that say, once you buy a V8 Vantage be prepared to start saving for a DBS!

The electrical gremlin issue with the Maserati is one that would concern me to be honest and being on the west coast of Scotland there is no immediate back up, other than through in Edinburgh.

Mind you I could say the same for the Aston with having no immediate back up but from what I'm reading, the problems are few and far between and I don't mind travelling to have a car well looked after (would also give me an excuse to get out in it, although I doubt that I'd need one , it'll prove harder to let it sit for any length of time!)

I'm not one for a one night stand car LD, when I buy one it's to be enjoyed for a few years and that's why I have to admit that it will be an Aston that I'll get. Even since posting this and with reading more, the Maserati is an emotive badge, but the Aston really does go way beyond that.

I can be very patient and will only buy one that ticks all the boxes, colour/manual/full AMSH/spec etc. I do think that I'd go safe with the colour or meteorite grey with me being a little more open to the colour of the interior.

I had read that someone had posted that they had the paint film protection put on the bonnet, wings and rear arches, is this a recommendation that a lot of Aston owners carry through?

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated LD

Andy

[maybe someday]

V8V Pete said:

I would highly recommend paint protection film. My previous MY2009 V8V had done 27,000 miles and didn't have a single significant stone chip on it. My new 63 plate V8VS only has the minimalist factory film on and has quite a few chips which need sorting before I have full frontal and sill Paintshield film applied ASAP. On another subject, if you like your music then look for a car with Premium Audio as it is very good and much better than the standard one.

Sounds as though that'll be a no brainer then I take it unless you look really close you don't notice it then and what sort of cost is involved with getting it done?

Agree as well re premuim sound, that's on my wish list. Mind you with fuse 22 out, that'll be an awesome soundtrack

[maybe someday]

DAVIDOXE said:

Loved my Maser unfortunately so did the dealer they had it for 7 of the 12 months i owned it for!

Ah, that doesn't sound too good at all! Helps make my mind up that's for sure

[maybe someday]

V8V Pete said:

Quote available via their website http://www.paintshield.co.uk

My last car had the "Standard Kit" which clearly protected the car well but there is a line a third of the way up the bonnet which is visible when you look for it. I've still not quite made my mind up what I'm going to put on the new car but I'm thinking I will go for "full front" plus sills and leading aspect of rear wings. The "full front kit" is virtually invisible.

I would advise getting a 3-way exhaust switch fitted so you have the all the options available.

I reckon that the paint protection will be a dead certainty for me then The exhaust switch is the first I have heard of that though

[maybe someday]

AMDBSNick said:

Your budget may well bring cars that have been serviced by an Indy into the equation. So long as it's been done by one of the highly respected ones, BR, McGurks, Trinity et al, don't let that put you off.

From what I've seen some of the cars for sale at the Indy's are extremely well looked after examples. McGurk's is a name that's been recommended, but never heard of Trinity yet.

Question is would you always request that any pre purchase inspection was done by a main dealer, or use an Indy?

[maybe someday]

V8 Vantage GT said:

Since it's an occasional car and you don't need a back seat, the choice is simple get the Aston. And invest in a good car cover.

Yeh I think you've pretty much stated exactly what I'm thinking

Car cover would be a requirement I reckon for the off season as well.

[maybe someday]

barbuckle said:

Jon39 said:

You may not have a great number of replies, because there are probably very few on here, who have owned both an Aston Martin and a Maserati.
The other point of course being, that we like our Astons, and on the Maserati forum ( if there is one), they would prefer their Maseratis.

Up until this year I ran Maserati 4200s for ten years (55K miles). Needless to say I think they are great value. You can anticipate a few maintenance items on these so warranty is worth consideration. Their replacement (GranTurismo) is a different prospect - bigger, heavier and less sporty than the 4200 GranSport - oh yes and considerably more expensive to purchase. Having tested the Granturismo sport (automatic) I felt it lacked driver feedback - more of a cruiser than a sporting tourer. (You could always look at the MC Stradale if you wanted something more "interesting".)

I always wanted to try a V12 and this year I decided the time was right. Only two cars were on the list - 599 Ferrari or Aston Vantage. (BTW I am a fan of the automated manual/F1/sequential gearboxes ... pick a name?). So I have now acquired a V12VS (did originally buy a 599 ... but that is another story).

I am delighted with the Aston - in terms of exterior design, interior finish and of course that incredible engine. The Maserati and Aston have one thing in common - lower red-line (certainly than the 599). I actually see the Maserati and Aston as being more simialr in nature than say the Maserati and Ferrari - they feel more like road cars rather than track cars. Also the reaction of people to the Maserati or Aston marques is more positive (for some reason).

Oh and regarding paint protection - I think it is a good idea if you intend "using" the vehicle. If you are near the Glasgow area I can recommend Robert at "Incredible Detail" in Hillington. He did paint correction and applied Xpel Ultimate film to my V12VS and did a great job. I did the whole front end, and sills/rear arches - the original "extended" film applied by Aston was rather meagre.

Thanks for your perspective Barbuckle and strangely enough I did look at a 4200s just under a couple of years ago, but something stopped me. I ended up playing safe with a new car and have been hammered with depreciation, but that's another story

In time I may well go for a V12, but going to go for a V8 to start with. Totally get what you mean regarding the feel of the Aston being more of a road car than track car, although I know that they can take track use. I've driven several Ferrari's 348, 360, FF and 458 and as much as I love them, I'm not comfortable with getting one, not yet at least

That's brilliant to have a recommendation so close to home (I'm around 30 minutes from Hillington) for the film application and also for a detailer as well. That would almost certainly be a requirement in keeping the car for a period of time. I'm very careful in maintaining my cars, but swirl marks will always appear at times. Can I be cheeky and enquire what kind of cost roughly would be involved for a film protection and of not, no worries I'll speak to Robert and get an idea.

Looking at car cover, film application and a solar battery conditioner to start with and would be looking to have all funds in place to get set up straight away.

Thanks very much for your comments

[maybe someday]

AMDBSNick said:

maybe someday said:

From what I've seen some of the cars for sale at the Indy's are extremely well looked after examples. McGurk's is a name that's been recommended, but never heard of Trinity yet.

Question is would you always request that any pre purchase inspection was done by a main dealer, or use an Indy?

Morning Andy,

I have had a car from McGurks (DB9V) and it has been fantastic. It has had one service from BR and had the seat recall done by Works Service. Both commented on what a brilliant example it is.

I would always use an Indy for pre purchase inspection. MD will simply do the 140 check which is not enough IMHO.

Nick

Good morning Nick,

It's great to get recommendations from guys who have used Indy's and with being north of the border, I guess that I'll need to put funds in place to have either an Indy travel to inspect a car, or source a car in close proximity to them, or one of their stock.

I'm not aware of any Indy's north of the border, but I do know someone who can source for me and they carry out very thorough checks of the history etc, but a pre purchase check would be a definite requirement in my opinion.

Thanks for your comments Nick

[maybe someday]

barbuckle said:

As you are probably aware the cost of paint treatment and protection will vary depending on what materials are used, how much coverage and how capable the tradesman is applies it. You really need to discuss what you want with the detailer to arrive at a price which suits you. You also have to be prepared to leave your car with them for a period if you want a decent job done.

All noted and totally with you on this. To be honest, just to know that there is a recommended film applicator and detailer in close proximity to me is a huge plus

More than happy to leave the car to have a great job done as well, not one for rushing people to get the car back, would far rather it was done right.

On the subject of support in the fairly local area, do you know of any Indy's that you would recommend or do you get your work done through in Edinburgh at Murray motors?

Thanks

[maybe someday]

V8V Pete said:

maybe someday said:

and a solar battery conditioner

What use is that going to be in the West of Scotland?

You have a point there V8V

I might try and invent a trickle charger that works using rainfall and wind then

[maybe someday]

barbuckle said:

Well... only acquired the car recently and since it is not three years old yet I plan on trying the official dealer (for now).

Are you aware of any highly recommended Indy's north of the border Barbuckle?

[maybe someday]

barbuckle said:

I know of two with good reputations but have never actually used either:
George Morrison Motors, Rutherglen, Glasgow
PK Supercars, Elphinstone, East Lothian

Anyone have experience of these shops - or know any others?

PK Supercars, that used to be MP Supercars Barbuckle?

[maybe someday]

downr said:

There's an old post on the AMOC forums where some people highly recommend Mulsanne Motors on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Looks officially like a Bentley place but they had/have an ex Murray Motors guy

Thanks for that info downr

[maybe someday]

barbuckle said:

Yes - the original partners parted company

Thanks Barbuckle

[maybe someday]

Thanks for your comments guys, looking it'll be the Aston for me when I'm ready then