Which Maserati?
Discussion
After this COVID nonsense, I'm tempted to say f
k 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?
k 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?
How important is practicality to you...and are you intending on keeping the Boxster?
Similar engine performance in each, but the GS is c200kg lighter than the GT, and 300kg lighter than the QP...the GS' wheelbase is around a foot shorter than the other two as well. Rear seats in the GS are acceptable by 2+2 coupe standards, but the GT is renowned for being able to seat four adults and the QP obviously takes it a stage further with the practicality of the four doors.
Looks wise - and this is obviously subjective - I think the QP is a very handsome machine, but would rate the GT as one of the best looking cars of the last quarter-century. I personally like the looks of the GS as well, but I've seen comments from others that they are less keen on the side skirts (versus the earlier 4200).
As such, in your position, if I was keeping the Boxster I'd probably edge towards the GT, but if it was being sold then I'd be more inclined towards the GS...unless, of course, the added practicality of the QP would make a meaningful difference!
Have fun choosing!
Similar engine performance in each, but the GS is c200kg lighter than the GT, and 300kg lighter than the QP...the GS' wheelbase is around a foot shorter than the other two as well. Rear seats in the GS are acceptable by 2+2 coupe standards, but the GT is renowned for being able to seat four adults and the QP obviously takes it a stage further with the practicality of the four doors.
Looks wise - and this is obviously subjective - I think the QP is a very handsome machine, but would rate the GT as one of the best looking cars of the last quarter-century. I personally like the looks of the GS as well, but I've seen comments from others that they are less keen on the side skirts (versus the earlier 4200).
As such, in your position, if I was keeping the Boxster I'd probably edge towards the GT, but if it was being sold then I'd be more inclined towards the GS...unless, of course, the added practicality of the QP would make a meaningful difference!
Have fun choosing!
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...
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...
Will unfortunately give you an answer here that you probably won't like:
Wait until the Bork fund can accommodate a 4.7 GTS.
Reasoning:
The granturismo is a stunning car, I owned a 2016 for a couple of years and it's a real head turner. If you like other people stopping to chat with you about it on the petrol station forecourt, when you park it anywhere etc, the granturismo is the car for you. The qp, GS and Ghibli don't have the same allure imo although I'd probably go a qp as a 2nd choice if you're less concerned about looks/size.
It's a big car and although I've never driven the 4.2, from a bit of googling it's over 5 seconds to 60. Having driven/owned plenty of over/under 5 second cars to me it feels like the reasonable definable boundary between merely quick and actually fast. Last car I just got rid of was an Audi A8 55 and having bought it thinking a 5.5 second sprint to 60 was fine I was actually quite disappointed with it after the 4.7 GTS. Now the A8 is obviously not a sports car and delivers its power very differently but nevertheless I'd probably not get another 5 second plus car myself, at least not without spending a lot more time test driving it. Even the 4.7 wasn't great at feeling fast at higher speeds but it will depend on the kind of driving you're doing, the engine likes to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck and wrung out but at lower speeds feels genuinely fast.
All that said, if you're set on getting something now I'd go the GT 4.2. It's just such an event every time you drive it. Still miss mine and as someone else said, personal opinion but it's one of the most stunning cars of the last few decades. Mine was reliable with the exception of most Italian exotics that when the battery goes it needs to go back to the garage as the computer systems need to have a factory reset to get them working properly again.
Wait until the Bork fund can accommodate a 4.7 GTS.
Reasoning:
The granturismo is a stunning car, I owned a 2016 for a couple of years and it's a real head turner. If you like other people stopping to chat with you about it on the petrol station forecourt, when you park it anywhere etc, the granturismo is the car for you. The qp, GS and Ghibli don't have the same allure imo although I'd probably go a qp as a 2nd choice if you're less concerned about looks/size.
It's a big car and although I've never driven the 4.2, from a bit of googling it's over 5 seconds to 60. Having driven/owned plenty of over/under 5 second cars to me it feels like the reasonable definable boundary between merely quick and actually fast. Last car I just got rid of was an Audi A8 55 and having bought it thinking a 5.5 second sprint to 60 was fine I was actually quite disappointed with it after the 4.7 GTS. Now the A8 is obviously not a sports car and delivers its power very differently but nevertheless I'd probably not get another 5 second plus car myself, at least not without spending a lot more time test driving it. Even the 4.7 wasn't great at feeling fast at higher speeds but it will depend on the kind of driving you're doing, the engine likes to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck and wrung out but at lower speeds feels genuinely fast.
All that said, if you're set on getting something now I'd go the GT 4.2. It's just such an event every time you drive it. Still miss mine and as someone else said, personal opinion but it's one of the most stunning cars of the last few decades. Mine was reliable with the exception of most Italian exotics that when the battery goes it needs to go back to the garage as the computer systems need to have a factory reset to get them working properly again.
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?
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?
I tried a GT, it just felt like a large, luxurious cruiser. It was the same size as my Volvo V70, but the other way around - the bonnet was the size of the boot and vicer versa.
The GS felt much more involving to drive, more lithe and agile, but also not as 'overt' and shouty.
Back then I bought a 6 or 7 year old GS, but as we also have a Z4M then out of the 2 now I'd go for the much newer GT with a proper auto box.
The GS felt much more involving to drive, more lithe and agile, but also not as 'overt' and shouty.
Back then I bought a 6 or 7 year old GS, but as we also have a Z4M then out of the 2 now I'd go for the much newer GT with a proper auto box.
Some good comments here. I have a 4.7 GT Sport and a supercharged GT86. The GT86 is hands down better for handling and involvement, but for something to use for getting you to where you want to go quickly the GranTurismo is in a different league.
I imagine it will be a similar contrast between the GT and your Boxster; if you can live without the immediacy and tactility and just enjoy using that engine then the GT is a truly great car. As already said it's probably the best looking car of this century and gets plenty of attention!
I imagine it will be a similar contrast between the GT and your Boxster; if you can live without the immediacy and tactility and just enjoy using that engine then the GT is a truly great car. As already said it's probably the best looking car of this century and gets plenty of attention!
romeodelta said:
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?
We've just got into our first Maserati. Ghibli S, 2016. Do it. 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?
It's great, so far. 28 mpg on a 320 mile round trip this weekend.
There is a thread on that on this bit of the forum.
Did I say do it? Do it.
FastEdd11e said:
We've just got into our first Maserati. Ghibli S, 2016. Do it.
It's great, so far. 28 mpg on a 320 mile round trip this weekend.
There is a thread on that on this bit of the forum.
Did I say do it? Do it.
I concur with the mpg, my GT does that on a similar trip, think I even broke into the 30's.... that said, i averaged 9mpg today after getting the car back from a 2 month sabbatical. It's great, so far. 28 mpg on a 320 mile round trip this weekend.
There is a thread on that on this bit of the forum.
Did I say do it? Do it.
romeodelta said:
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?
What do you want from the "Maserati experience"? How are you defining it?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?
What sort of car are you after as all the models you note are quite different.
I liked my GT (a facelift 4.7) but it was way too big for the roads I drive most often (they can be hustled, but you feel every inch of size and kg of weight), and whilst "practical" in a way, not actually practical enough to use with a young family with any regularity.
I will be forever glad I owned one - looked brilliant and sounded brilliant. But ownership pretty much taught me why they never really sold in big numbers. IMO they are for younger people without kids, driving mainly A and M roads and with the occasional need to take other young couples out on shorter drives to bars and restaurants. They'd be great for cruising to France, visiting the Champagne area and bringing boot fulls back. (I appreciate you're in Oz
).The QP's a nice car if you want a big saloon.
The rest of the range (MC20 excluded) is a bit...meh, IMO unfortunately. It would feel like choosing one for the sake of it rather than it being the best car in its class.
The older stuff would be too much of a worry run cost wise for me, for the benefits they might give.
I sold mine for a 997.2. Doesn't look as good. Doesn't sound as good. My GT was incredibly well spec'd (lots of alcantara, leather and carbon) so inside the 997 isn't as good either (lower spec'd ones not so much). But for the driving, it's light years ahead.
I sold an Aston V8 Vantage to get into the GT. Better in every respect apart from space (though mine did have a Tubi exhaust which brought out all the sound).
It really depends what you're after and what you're expecting from that experience
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.
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.
Mr Spoon said:
Very few said to me, oh wow Porsche.
Almost everyone says oh wow Maserati.
Enjoy
it's a really well respected brand in the uk and up there with lotus and aston in public perceptionAlmost everyone says oh wow Maserati.
Enjoy
I was looking at this mc20 near me:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12757425
WCZ said:
it's a really well respected brand in the uk and up there with lotus and aston in public perception
I was looking at this mc20 near me:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12757425
Looks crackalacking. But £270k?? Wowsers.I was looking at this mc20 near me:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12757425
romeodelta said:
....
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.....
The spec options were pretty extensive on these, so be careful when comparing cars to go and look at.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.....
Also be careful as spec can make a massive difference to how the car looks inside and out....so have a good think about what you might want (cruising, elegant GT? Sporting monster?).
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