DB9 / Maserati Granturismo / 996T

[clarkmagpie]

After 4 years with a Ghibli S I am starting to get itchy feet and thinking about a change.

15 mile commute
Parked outside (private parking area)
Not afraid of a big bill, although would rather not have them! (prev C5 RS6 and Merc SL500)
Need 4 seats as we have a little girl who is 8
Economy isnt really an issue as wifes car is M3P Tesla so longer trips will use that,

Budget £30k

Looking for Pro / Cons

996 Turbo - ive considered C2 & C4 variants numerous times but always held off, however the Turbo is now in budget, thats different.
DB9 - amazing looking cars, took one out 8 years ago, couldn't justify then and now thinking that they might be a little dated.
GT - love the looks and the sound, Would be older then the Ghibli though and that feels old compared to the Tesla.

Has anyone experienced all 3?
Any left field suggestions?
Not a fan of BMW or Audi

Many thanks

[vanman1936]

I have had the 996TT and the Masser

996TT
Insanely fast, even by todays standards (mine was an X50 with a DMS remap, 500bhp)
Great handling and gear change
Engine lacked character
100% reliable / 2 year servicing
A very capable car
Do I miss it - 6-7 out of 10

Masser
Quick, frenetic at the top end
Amazing engine, the sound
Far poorer damping so more crash / felt like tires were over inflated / poorer handling
Expensive consumables (brakes / suspension) but reliable
Annual servicing
Do I miss it 8 out of 10

[-Cappo-]

Unless you're under 5ft yourself, you won't get an 8 year old in the back seats of a DB9 (and you may not even if you are!).

[Silvanus]

Nissan GT-R would be a different take on it.

[enzo_ferrari]

My 8yo goes in the back of the GT just fine (if anything, he needs to grow a bit more to see out of the side window better).

There are options available to update the infotainment and address the sticky buttons, which are the main things that make the interior feel dated.

I’m struggling to come up with a suitable replacement, so will be reading here with interest

[nobrakes]

CL?

C63 will offer space for the bairn for a few years, too.

[4Q]

Aston Martin Rapide would be in your budget.

[davek_964]

I had a 996 turbo for about 5 years / did about 40k in it. For 95% of that time, I found it utterly dull. Quick, yes - but really not interesting.

Not the same as your list, but I changed it for a V8 Vantage. Much slower and I'm sure the Porsche would win in most categories of top trumps. I had no regrets - I'd have another Aston, there is very little chance I'd have another 911.

[fflump]

clarkmagpie said:

996 Turbo - ive considered C2 & C4 variants numerous times but always held off, however the Turbo is now in budget, thats different.
DB9 - amazing looking cars, took one out 8 years ago, couldn't justify then and now thinking that they might be a little dated.
GT - love the looks and the sound, Would be older then the Ghibli though and that feels old compared to the Tesla.

Did your Ghibli have the updated interior (approx 2016) with touch screen centre display (doing away with the buttons on either side of the screen)?

If it didn't then I doubt the Granturismo will seem much older. Your budget gets you into a Granturismo Sport (2013 on) which has an updated interior compared to the original 4.2 and 4.7S.

As noted above I would also be considering a Rapide although good examples tend to be a bit higher than £30k. Mind you a £30k 996 Turbo is going to be quite leggy too.

Edited by fflump on Friday 29th November 10:08

[ZX10R NIN]

clarkmagpie said:

After 4 years with a Ghibli S I am starting to get itchy feet and thinking about a change.

15 mile commute
Parked outside (private parking area)
Not afraid of a big bill, although would rather not have them! (prev C5 RS6 and Merc SL500)
Need 4 seats as we have a little girl who is 8
Economy isnt really an issue as wifes car is M3P Tesla so longer trips will use that,

Budget £30k

Looking for Pro / Cons

996 Turbo - ive considered C2 & C4 variants numerous times but always held off, however the Turbo is now in budget, thats different.
DB9 - amazing looking cars, took one out 8 years ago, couldn't justify then and now thinking that they might be a little dated.
GT - love the looks and the sound, Would be older then the Ghibli though and that feels old compared to the Tesla.

Has anyone experienced all 3?
Any left field suggestions?
Not a fan of BMW or Audi

Many thanks

The Granturismo is the pick (the DB9 has no actual rear space) the Maserati is an event at both low & high speed mine had a Novitec exhaust which just added to the whole experience.

I personally preferred the MC Shift (it made me engage with it more) but the auto is better suited if most of your driving is more town based.

The Sport model is the one to go for:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407081...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409254...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 30th November 16:51

[paddy1970]

I previously owned a Maserati GranTurismo, which was an exceptional motorway cruiser. It offered superb comfort, with the capacity to transport four adults with ease, and the engine note was truly impressive. However, its handling dynamics left much to be desired, making it unsuitable for spirited drives on winding B-roads.

Another potential option is the BMW i8. The striking design and unique doors are certainly appealing, although rear space might be a bit limited.

[Patrick Bateman]

I am biased but what about saving an absolute ton of cash and going XKR? Incredible value compared to most things, look great, sound great and will be cheaper to run than all of them.

Rear seats are small but I assume some children could sit in them...will surely be the same story with DB9 and 996 though.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Friday 29th November 21:03

[fflump]

Patrick Bateman said:

I am biased but what about saving an absolute ton of cash and going XKR? Incredible value compared to most things, look great, sound great and will be cheaper to run than all of them.

Rear seats are small but I assume some children could sit in them...

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Friday 29th November 20:17

On a number of levels an XKR certainly makes more sense than a DB9 as they are a very similar package

[Stick Legs]

fflump said:

Patrick Bateman said:

I am biased but what about saving an absolute ton of cash and going XKR? Incredible value compared to most things, look great, sound great and will be cheaper to run than all of them.

Rear seats are small but I assume some children could sit in them...

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Friday 29th November 20:17

On a number of levels an XKR certainly makes more sense than a DB9 as they are a very similar package

I have driven both recently as part of my car buying quest.

IMHO the X150 5.0 XKR is a far superior car to the 450bhp DB9 in every respect.

On my budget on ~£25k the DB9 has dated tech, a less involving drive, bigger bork factor (and if you believe the internet bork factor of 100% of the purchase price if primary cat ingestion occurs, or maybe only 75% of purchase price if 'only' the Tick).
The same amount of money gets you into your pick of XKR.
A later car, better to drive, faster, much better economy, arguably a better noise but certainly just as much theatre.

The recent Jag advert may actually have helped values as any good V8 Jaguar is not likely to depreciate anymore as there's obviously loads of love for the brand and no more ICE Jaguars ever to come.

DB9 fans will rightly point out that the equivalent DB9 to the 5.0 XKR has the gen2 revisions and is a much more sorted car...

...but they aren't £25k.

Another suggestion is the (X351) XJR or XFR. All of the above apply but with backseats and 4 doors.
I would struggle to justify an XKR over an XJR as the XJR drives so well for a big car it really shrinks around you and feels hilarious to woosh about in something so luxurious. Fit a Quaife mechanical LSD to any of the above and it will be fabulous.

I am only not buying one because I am keeping my Range Rover so don't need any practicality at all and want something analogue so am going for a TVR Griffith. If I was losing the Range Rover & needed one car it would be the X351 XJR.

[clarkmagpie]

Some excellent points, thanks everyone that has posted.

A couple of points...

Not really that keen on the newer shape XKR, prefered the older model but that is now to old,
And not keen on 4 doors!

The i8 is an interesting one.
Looks challanging in certain colours, would need to be dark i think.

And the red maserati posted above....

Also, keep having a look at the DB9 Volante. Not sure that is a great idea with the Cumbrian rain!

[Stick Legs]

Lotus Evora is a 2+2...

Now that is an involving drive!

[clarkmagpie]

Had an S2 Elise for several years, loved it.
Missus HATED it. she might require some persuading to get back in a Lotus again.
Great shout though!

[paddy1970]

Another possibility is the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8

[fflump]

clarkmagpie said:

And the red maserati posted above....

Rosso Trionfale metallic was an expensive option (about £8k IIRC) but is an awesome paint (also used on Alfas) and probably my favourite colour for a Granturismo.

[LayZ]

S class coupe?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411276...

I would very much like one of these in the right spec.