Former AMG owner on a QP scouting mission...

[dickygrace]

All duo selects do this, less so on an auto.

 

[rs48635]

All duo selects do this, less so on an auto.

^^^^ What he said.
I think it just adds drama to the delicious entry to Maserati world, sit down leave door open, turn key, select neutral before starting. Annnnddd relax, smile, close door bauble away.

To anyone looking at QP V, keep an open mind about duo select versus ZF.
The drop select can be driven by anyone, and IS best enjoyed in manual mode using the paddles. This is a pure joy, and will prolong clutch life. The car does default to auto mode though, so when distracted I often arrive at my destination to notice I have not touched the paddles. Would not be an issue for a wife / partner or me when tooling through town.

As Drew already said, the handling is unsurpassed for a car in this class. It really does dive like a much smaller, sportier car. In particular the turn in is sublime and steering feel just perfect. The car flatters any drive, feeling secure even when really pressing on. In normal driving it reallyiq a top class limo, with decent sounds and kit as standard. Not sure how much of the handling is down to the transaxle, but 150+kg over the rear wheels seems logical.

The duo cars have two models with "all the kit" the Exec GT and Sport GT. All of the sun cars have the dry-sumped engine (red cam covers). Think the ZF model only had the Sport GTS. All are wet sump with blue cam covers (query variation issue)
Compare this to my 3200 GT AC which tries to kill me on every bend (in a good way).

I have no qualms recommending cars from forum members. I would be buying the black QP in Aberdeen, if someone would buy mine first. Those TUBIs
Think it will take 20K+ to get into ZF model

 

[dickygrace]

I have a ZF model currently having work to pass inspection and other minor preparation. It is an 07 Auto model in Nero/Avorio. It has been looked after for a long time at Autoshield. It has done 76000 miles but will be a bargain at £18k; cars with a clean bill of health don't often come round at this money. If the OP is interested, don't hesitate to call, it will be ready in two-three weeks as we are waiting on a few parts at present.

 

[daverichardson]

That is a good colour combination.
An excellent price
Don't let the miles put you off, these cars can handle
The Auto box is superb

How do you do it Dicky?

 

[dickygrace]

That is a good colour combination.
An excellent price
Don't let the miles put you off, these cars can handle
The Auto box is superb

How do you do it Dicky?

This car came in part exchange from a gentleman we know, against a Granturismo.

 

[Andyk]

I have a ZF model currently having work to pass inspection and other minor preparation. It is an 07 Auto model in Nero/Avorio. It has been looked after for a long time at Autoshield. It has done 76000 miles but will be a bargain at £18k; cars with a clean bill of health don't often come round at this money. If the OP is interested, don't hesitate to call, it will be ready in two-three weeks as we are waiting on a few parts at present.

This had to be worth a look at that price..Sounds like a great buy Dicky.

 

[SPX]

To anyone looking at QP V, keep an open mind about duo select versus ZF.

As much as I've flip-flopped between them, my mind has been made up today after a very good conversation with Paul about his QP for sale; it will be a DS I buy but I'm probably going to wait now until spring to buy one because it would have been the main family car (with a three year old Passat DIEsel as back up) but I just don't think it'll work out. A QP needs to be my plaything, not something driven everyday.

I have no qualms recommending cars from forum members. I would be buying the black QP in Aberdeen, if someone would buy mine first. Those TUBIs

It's my perfect car combo, and the exhaust upgrade is the icing on the cake and if it's still for sale I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[SPX]

After a long conversation with Paul this morning I've decided to defer buying one until the spring because even though I could buy a ZF now so the wife can drive it, it feels like a bit of a cop-out not going for the DS; I'm a risk-taker at heart and an early-ish QP with the DS 'box fitted to the back of the car is what I really want. I want to go into the purchase feet first and not worry about any aspect of Maserati ownership and if I do that now it will always be at the back of my mind.

I would like to thank all of you for your encouragement, help and advice in my search and I'll certainly be back in spring/summer time to jog my memory and pick your brains.

Thanks again.

 

[Ewan]

Good decision. The DS is the drivers choice, the risk takers choice, the Maserati choice. After all, this is his how Maserati intended the car to be - it was only the Americans that forced them to soften it and fit the auto box. If you're going to use it as a weekend fun car, the DS is definitely the way to go.

 

[Contigo]

Lower slung rear manual box with perfect weight distribution versus Lardy heavy front mounted auto box affecting handling hmmm let me see!

 

[Andyk]

Hmmmm....the car regarded as the best of the Sporty QP range is the Sport GTS and this has the auto box. The press have always said its the best handling of the bunch. Not driven one so cannot say if that's true against a DS but have driven many DS QP's and they are loads of fun for their size.

This still looks the best value QP currently for sale.....now at £20500..WHen you consider a dealer has one for sale at 32k and OK it has very low miles against this one this still looks very good value on the face of it.......Sport GTS's still command 25k plus. I am surprised a dealer has not snapped this up. Must be worth a look if you are in the market.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classi...ksearch=true&search-target=usedcars&logcode=p

 

[StuartW]

Your AT links are playing up again Andy but from your description, that does sound excellent value

 

[Andyk]

What the feck is wrong with the links I post...

Anyway...can you see it now...Bottom page black Sport GTS £20500

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/search...ad/used,nearlynew,new/quicksearch/true/page/2

 

[StuartW]

Yes, it does look excellent

 

[Andyk]

Just think at 20k is there something there that needs attention...but on the face of it a great buy. Only two 4.2 Sport GTS for sale one alt 32k and this one at 20k,,,

 

[Ebenezer]

Quite happy with my "Lardy heavy front mounted auto box affecting handling" with "imperfect" 49%/51% front/rear weight distribution vs. Lower slung rear manual box with "perfect" 47%/53% front/rear weight distribution
Eb

 

[dickygrace]

There is a difference in the way they drive, and the front is slightly heavier on an auto than a DS. Personally I don't think it's an issue at all, only noticeable when really pushing on. The DS will corner flatter, handling is a little more assured and gear change sharper but the minus is that the Auto is far better in traffic. The auto will never need a clutch replacement either....

 

[rs48635]

Hmmmm....the car regarded as the best of the Sporty QP range is the Sport GTS and this has the auto box. The press have always said its the best handling of the bunch. Not driven one so cannot say if that's true against a DS but have driven many DS QP's and they are loads of fun for their size.

This still looks the best value QP currently for sale.....now at £20500..WHen you consider a dealer has one for sale at 32k and OK it has very low miles against this one this still looks very good value on the face of it.......Sport GTS's still command 25k plus. I am surprised a dealer has not snapped this up. Must be worth a look if you are in the market.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510318317843?radius=1500&page=2&sort=default&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&postcode=ts117el&model=quattroporte&make=maserati&quicksearch=true&search-target=usedcars&logcode=p

I did drive them all back to back when new,by invitation of Graypaul (Nottingham) and can confirm that one model was noticeably the best riding car there. Seem to recall the model was the (ZF) Sport GTS, which significantly omitted the adaptive damping (skyhook system) in favour of conventional rising rate coilovers.
The only thing I would change on my Duo-Select is to have sport mode for powertrain only (throttle response, higher ev limit, quicker cog swap), not suspension. It is artificially firm which makes it jiggly on the straights, but does corner nice and flat.

 

[daverichardson]

Just think at 20k is there something there that needs attention...but on the face of it a great buy. Only two 4.2 Sport GTS for sale one alt 32k and this one at 20k,,,

Still not sure about the two tone seats
Maybe the look better in the flesh

 

[daverichardson]

Just think at 20k is there something there that needs attention...but on the face of it a great buy. Only two 4.2 Sport GTS for sale one alt 32k and this one at 20k,,,

Still not sure about the two tone seats
Maybe the look better in the flesh