New Quattroporte - thoughts?
Discussion
I've fallen in love with the look of the Quattroporte and my dealer is giving me a drive this afternoon. I've presently got C32 as a daily driver and have been thinking about an E55. Now I've got the Italian bug.
Am I mad? I know the downside (depreciation, crap Auto mode on gearbox, hard ride), but I like paddle shifts (got it on Gallardo now) and the AMGs aren't a soft ride anyway. We already have a sensible car in the family (E500 Wagon).
Are there any owners here, or anyone who has done some decent driving in the QP? Any comments welcome (please!)
Am I mad? I know the downside (depreciation, crap Auto mode on gearbox, hard ride), but I like paddle shifts (got it on Gallardo now) and the AMGs aren't a soft ride anyway. We already have a sensible car in the family (E500 Wagon).
Are there any owners here, or anyone who has done some decent driving in the QP? Any comments welcome (please!)
Just drove it. Smooth engine, but you can't hear it with the window up - a shame. Hard ride on the 19" wheels and sports suspension the demo car had. Flat handling, and nice steering if a little light. Didn't mind the auto shift pattern but I thought the manual gears were too slow to respond to the paddle.
But hell, it looks good!
To sum up, doesn't drive as well as an E55 (at least at the low speeds we were going) but it kills it on interior and exterior style.
Dealer is quoting a 6 months wait. The only way I would buy one is off the showroom floor when I can negotiate on price. Since the don't have a colour I like, it probably won't happen.
But hell, it looks good!
To sum up, doesn't drive as well as an E55 (at least at the low speeds we were going) but it kills it on interior and exterior style.
Dealer is quoting a 6 months wait. The only way I would buy one is off the showroom floor when I can negotiate on price. Since the don't have a colour I like, it probably won't happen.
Utterly stunning. There is a gorgeous blue one near me which I followed to Bristol down the M4 a few weeks ago. Utterly stunning from every angle.
The first time I saw it it was parked nect to a Merc CL55 AMG and the Merc looked so plain and dull it wasnt true. It virtually disapeared next to the Maser.
Would definately get my vote over a Merc / BM any day even if it isnt quite such an accomplished package
The first time I saw it it was parked nect to a Merc CL55 AMG and the Merc looked so plain and dull it wasnt true. It virtually disapeared next to the Maser.
Would definately get my vote over a Merc / BM any day even if it isnt quite such an accomplished package
I think it is a fabulous car.
You mention the capabilities versus an E55 and, indeed, you are probably very very right, HOWEVER, be hoenst with yourself and say how much would you use the TRUE extent of the E55's capabilities (that it has over and above the Quattroporte's)? I say this especially having just seen you have a Gallardo in the garage!
If you had a Quattroporte, everytime you walk away from it I'm sure you'd turn around and smile (probably like you do with the Gallardo). If you had an E55, perhaps you wouldn't?!
Good luck in your choice!
You mention the capabilities versus an E55 and, indeed, you are probably very very right, HOWEVER, be hoenst with yourself and say how much would you use the TRUE extent of the E55's capabilities (that it has over and above the Quattroporte's)? I say this especially having just seen you have a Gallardo in the garage!
If you had a Quattroporte, everytime you walk away from it I'm sure you'd turn around and smile (probably like you do with the Gallardo). If you had an E55, perhaps you wouldn't?!
Good luck in your choice!
Saw it at MPH04 with a few other PHers and we all loved it. It's got a real sense of style about it, compared to the soul-less Mercs and Beemers that are all over the place.
If you 'just' want a drivers car, get the E55. If you want an interesting car with something special about it, get the Maser.
edit - seen a few cars around London roads too. They've got real road presence and look stunning!
>> Edited by rico on Tuesday 22 February 15:12
If you 'just' want a drivers car, get the E55. If you want an interesting car with something special about it, get the Maser.
edit - seen a few cars around London roads too. They've got real road presence and look stunning!
>> Edited by rico on Tuesday 22 February 15:12
Ive seen a couple around London and love them - they sound great too!
Get one in black and you'll have small businesses throwing protection money at you left, right and centre so should offset the cost
Great car - shame about the probable residual - but if you can live with that GO FOR IT!
Get one in black and you'll have small businesses throwing protection money at you left, right and centre so should offset the cost
Great car - shame about the probable residual - but if you can live with that GO FOR IT!
I've test driven one - kids in the back with my wife, dealer rep in the front. 5 up the car flew. I was very impressed and will buy one....once the price has settled down a bit.
The gear change was superb and much better than I experienced with the 355F1. I would happily have one with the cambiocorsa.
To my knowledge (having spoken with friends at the factory) there is no standard automatic on the cards for the forseeable future. IMHO, you don't need it - the F1 change suits the car perfectly.
regards from snowy Spain!!
The gear change was superb and much better than I experienced with the 355F1. I would happily have one with the cambiocorsa.
To my knowledge (having spoken with friends at the factory) there is no standard automatic on the cards for the forseeable future. IMHO, you don't need it - the F1 change suits the car perfectly.
regards from snowy Spain!!
A beautiful, magnificent car.
Disregard practicality, don't worry about waiting 6 months, just go onto the Maserati website, telephone around dealers and find one you want. Maybe an ex-demo.
Don't be deflected. Its a gorgeous car and unique.
>> Edited by toppstuff on Tuesday 22 February 20:40
Disregard practicality, don't worry about waiting 6 months, just go onto the Maserati website, telephone around dealers and find one you want. Maybe an ex-demo.
Don't be deflected. Its a gorgeous car and unique.
>> Edited by toppstuff on Tuesday 22 February 20:40
Its so pretty you could cry.....
The German will never let you down, the Italian will cost you a fortune but you will have more fun.
I always end up going with the Italian option, somedays you really regret it. The other weekend good example, Maserati Spyder, battery flat (expected that one) got it started, tyres all low (it hasnt been run for 6 weeks so expected that), pumped tyres up, cleaned it, put it on the street (looked great) girlfriend got in it to drive down to Brighton... Electric drivers seat packed up..... didnt expect that one, if we had bought the SL it wouldnt have happended.
However, on the other hand.... its so pretty, it sounds amazing, its goes like stink and another 5 arent parked in the pub carpark.
The German will never let you down, the Italian will cost you a fortune but you will have more fun.
I always end up going with the Italian option, somedays you really regret it. The other weekend good example, Maserati Spyder, battery flat (expected that one) got it started, tyres all low (it hasnt been run for 6 weeks so expected that), pumped tyres up, cleaned it, put it on the street (looked great) girlfriend got in it to drive down to Brighton... Electric drivers seat packed up..... didnt expect that one, if we had bought the SL it wouldnt have happended.
However, on the other hand.... its so pretty, it sounds amazing, its goes like stink and another 5 arent parked in the pub carpark.
I must be the only one that doesn't like the Quattroporte then? I have not driven one but I have seen a couple in the showroom and I think the front end is quite ugly and the back a bit bland (reminds me of a non-descript Lancia). Not keen on the interior design either.
What is really worrying is whether Maserati will follow the design direction of the QP for the next generation coupe. If so, I doubt I'll be upgrading...
What is really worrying is whether Maserati will follow the design direction of the QP for the next generation coupe. If so, I doubt I'll be upgrading...
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