Maserati but not Aston Martin?

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Not at all important but I am bored out of my tree and the forum isn't very active.
Why is Maserati included in the supercar section but Aston Martin is not?

[FezSpider]

There should be a special section for Audi R8s and Aston Martin's.
I hear that R8s are not a supercar either ( trolling)

[Lee Jones Jnr]

WELL....
I personally don't consider an R8 to be a supercar, but I don't really care that some people do and I wouldn't bother getting into an internet argument about it (would happily discuss but people on the internet rarely discuss when an argument would do).
It just seems to me that Maserati and Aston Martin are very much comparable marques and either Maserati doesn't make the cut or Aston Martin does.

[Pioneer]

Personally I wouldn't say either are but maybe the insane running costs of older Maseratis help qualify them? We need a section for 'nicer than your normal high-end sports car but not quite exotica' A lot of cars inc. R8's, Conti's etc would sit nicely there.

[FezSpider]

I actually agree, surly Astons are supercars, they certainly preformed far better than most supercars listed, mine included. Mainly due to advancement in technology.
However, I think there is a difference between an exotic and a supercar. How so? That's some thing I cant put my finger on.

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Pioneer said:

Personally I wouldn't say either are but maybe the insane running costs of older Maseratis help qualify them? We need a section for 'nicer than your normal high-end sports car but not quite exotica' A lot of cars inc. R8's, Conti's etc would sit nicely there.

Not more sections, there are already too many that’s why they are so quiet.

[AstonExige]

I've often wondered this. So what are the key criteria a car must possess to be categorised as a "Supercar" ?

Engine position?
Power?
Seating configuration?
MRP?
Drivetrain?

Maybe a list that a car has to tick so many of?

[Lee Jones Jnr]

AstonExige said:

I've often wondered this. So what are the key criteria a car must possess to be categorised as a "Supercar" ?

Engine position?
Power?
Seating configuration?
MRP?
Drivetrain?

Maybe a list that a car has to tick so many of?

It’s too subjective.
Marque is a really tricky one, for example I can’t consider an R8 or an NSX to be a supercar because they are from brands that primarily make family saloons BUT to contradict myself, XJ220 is 100% supercar.

[PrancingHorses]

I have owned both - the Maserati is simply special and does have supercar appeal whereas the Aston although oozing style and substance was just not special enough - not that I am saying "being special" counts as being a supercar but something that makes you smile every time you fire it up! The Maserati did but the Aston did not.

[Lee Jones Jnr]

PrancingHorses said:

I have owned both - the Maserati is simply special and does have supercar appeal whereas the Aston although oozing style and substance was just not special enough - not that I am saying "being special" counts as being a supercar but something that makes you smile every time you fire it up! The Maserati did but the Aston did not.

Which Maserati did you have?
I had a GranTurismo and it was a lovely car but it was absolutely not a supercar. I would consider a DB9 a 100% sideways move which would be an argument in favour of them being equal on here, be that supercar or not, HOWEVER the GT is the top Maserati claim to being a supercar. Aston Martin has a few rungs higher on their ladder.

[davek_964]

Every so often on the AM section, there's a discussion about whether it's OK to have AM in the "Other" section, or whether it should be it's own major heading, and then sub-headings under that.

I'm not sure that moving AM from "Other" to "Supercar" would be a big step forward

[Lee Jones Jnr]

I suppose that my solution to this ‘not a problem anyway’ would be to get rid of the ‘Supercar’ section, leave each marque with its own heading and keep ‘General Supercar’

[toasty]

Maybe it's just down to what the manufacturer predominantly makes as they're all diversifying.

Ferrari = Supercars
Lamborghini = Supercars
Pagani = Supercars

Aston Martin = Sportscars and GTs (Valkyrie is an exception)
Maserati = Sports saloons and GTs (MC12 exception)
Porsche = SUVs and sportscars (918 exception)

[cgt2]

Interesting question. Although nominally a GT car, with an all carbon body, big V12 and very fast gearshift (in 8 speed version) the late model Vanquish has absolutely got Supercar performance and handling in excess of a few traditional supercars I've had. I found it more fun to drive than an Aventador (though of course not the sense of occasion).

[PrancingHorses]

Lee Jones Jnr said:

Which Maserati did you have?
I had a GranTurismo and it was a lovely car but it was absolutely not a supercar. I would consider a DB9 a 100% sideways move which would be an argument in favour of them being equal on here, be that supercar or not, HOWEVER the GT is the top Maserati claim to being a supercar. Aston Martin has a few rungs higher on their ladder.

I had a 4.7 MC Shift and a Stradale - nothing sounds like them...best sounding cars ever. You could hear them a mile away!

[Penrhyn]

toasty said:

Maybe it's just down to what the manufacturer predominantly makes as they're all diversifying.

Ferrari = Supercars
Lamborghini = Supercars
Pagani = Supercars

Aston Martin = Sportscars and GTs (Valkyrie is an exception)
Maserati = Sports saloons and GTs (MC12 exception)
Porsche = SUVs and sportscars (918 exception)

You missed the best maker of supercars Mclaren ☺

[Lee Jones Jnr]

toasty said:

Maybe it's just down to what the manufacturer predominantly makes as they're all diversifying.

Ferrari = Supercars
Lamborghini = Supercars
Pagani = Supercars

Aston Martin = Sportscars and GTs (Valkyrie is an exception)
Maserati = Sports saloons and GTs (MC12 exception)
Porsche = SUVs and sportscars (918 exception)

Even the manufacturers can’t be trusted!
I don’t know but I’d guess that if I went to my local Audi dealership they would tell me that an R8 is a supercar. Stranger still, if I went to McManchester they would tell me that a 570s is not a supercar. I think McLaren are the only people that think that.

[The Surveyor]

Its because Maserati is Italian, I wouldn't think it's any more subjective than that.

If any further thoughts are needed then I would say that Maserati used to be a top-league supercar manufacturer, a status which has been eroded due to decades of under-investment and mediocre products at best. Look back in their history at such epic cars like the 5000GT, original Ghibli and the Shamal, all proper period supercars.

Why not Aston Martin.... no idea

[PrancingHorses]

If the R8 is a supercar then so is the BMW M8 and Mercedes AMG GT...where does it end...

[Lee Jones Jnr]

PrancingHorses said:

If the R8 is a supercar then so is the BMW M8 and Mercedes AMG GT...where does it end...

The next thread down from this one (at time of writing) is all about AMG GT.
Again, I don’t care enough to argue with strangers but I’d consider an AMG GT to have the same status as an R8/911/NSX etc, whatever one may think that is.