I'm afraid I'm going.

[Ryandoc]

I like the size of the GT, yeah it's huge but with the looks and noise it gives it its presence on the road, wouldn't want to go any bigger though

 

[CatmanV2]

I like the size of the GT, yeah it's huge but with the looks and noise it gives it its presence on the road, wouldn't want to go any bigger though

I have to say, I think it's huge. Yes, it doesn't feel *that* big, but it doesn't exactly feel small either. And then you put it in a parking space, and it's apparent just how big it is!

C

 

[Ryandoc]

Parking can be a pain never had any real issues but your definitely conscious of the front!

Plus I **** myself going in the garage, my technique is front wheels in then wing mirrors folded and gently drive the rest in, she just fits

 

[CatmanV2]

Parking can be a pain never had any real issues but your definitely conscious of the front!

Plus I **** myself going in the garage, my technique is front wheels in then wing mirrors folded and gently drive the rest in

Front is tricky indeed. Seriously considering getting a camera.

C

 

[bigbob]

Ah, IPO, soz had to Google it.

Sorry, American acronym too!

 

[bigbob]

Not that you'd notice, 4cm shorter and 3cm thinner.

That said the Ghibli only feels its size on a narrow country lane with something coming the other way and nowhere to go. I'd imagine the GT feels the same.

Given the lack of new model could we get another facelift with the new V8 from the QP GTS? Also I'd expect a Ghibli refresh next year with all of the toys from the Levante, including the plastic Trident on the grill

Mention has been made about the lack of tech on the Maserati range. What sort of tech are we talking about? Star Trek screens like the new Audis? Radar cruise control, blind spot warnings, lane change warnings? Does that stuff really matter except on a spec sheet? Isn't it more about how the car drives?

I'm like Euan in that the tech does not appreciably interest me as long as the maps and BT work but the market wants all this stuff and even a 320d these days feels so cohesive from the driver's seat. As a Maserati fan I enjoy driving the Ghibli loan cars I get but many people will not get past the test drive when they can't do a three point turn with the guess what gear you are in selector. Maserati just seems to shoot itself in the foot time after time by doing 80-90% of a job and then stopping.

As for the size I was just pointing out the obvious. Most cars these days fail on 'sportiness'. Only Lotus and Porsche seem to understand that cars only handle really, really well when they are light (ish).

 

[bigbob]

As you say, it sounds gorgeous with looks to die for.
And for me, either would be enough reason to buy the Maser.
I have no interest in tech. There are features in my Rangie, on my phone, etc, that I'll never touch (or even know about!). I really don't see the need for tech in a car, hence I enjoy driving my old Merc, Ferrari, Venturi etc - tech-free cars that are beautiful.
I believe in a World where Maserati can survive (just) simply on looks, sound, style and heritage. But this will only happen if they get back to building cars that fulfill that brief.

We all make choices that others struggle to understand. For example, why Range Rover rather than Discovery?

 

[CatmanV2]

I like *some* of the tech. Stupid stuff like the screen in the binnacle and digital odometer. The sat nav I rarely use as I can load my addresses into my phone.

I'll pay to add BT integration and DAB similarly.

There are a couple of things I miss from the A8. Cameras, auto dipping headlamps were cool. The lock button in the trunk lid as well

C

 

[w5pwr]

Interesting post, I sold my last Maserati in 2012 a GT S and moved to a new F10 M5 which was full of technology and very fast, but suffered with poor traction from the line. Next up was a new 991 GTS which was great fun, again had all the technology made a great noise but I got a chance to upgrade to the GT 3 Club Sport which I couldn't resist... I kept that for just over a year, again for a track focused car, it had great technology was very quick and handled extremely well, perhaps too well for regular use on public roads!

Putting too many miles on damages the value of the GT3 and for me (6' 6") getting in and out of the bucket seats and coupled with limited useable space made it too much of a compromise to use it as a daily drive....

I looked very closely at the AMG GTS a couple of times and had extended drives, but for me the car although quick was quite large with very limited internal space for my height and I just couldn't get comfortable so was not for me.

I have always kept a close eye on Maserati's knowing that I always wanted to own a Stradale, My last three cars were brimming with technology and double clutch gearbox's etc, but perhaps lacked a bit in the personality department?

Most of the time I use Google Maps when driving as it's so much more accurate than any in-car sat nav I have used for traffic updates and routing, I also stream all my music through the phone, so using a plug bluetooth adopter again the Maserati works. For me the Stradale may not be as quick as my previous cars but its much more rewarding to drive at sensible speeds and I enjoy being involved in getting a smooth gear change

Hopefully the love affair will last......

 

[Contigo]

Interesting post, I sold my last Maserati in 2012 a GT S and moved to a new F10 M5 which was full of technology and very fast, but suffered with poor traction from the line. Next up was a new 991 GTS which was great fun, again had all the technology made a great noise but I got a chance to upgrade to the GT 3 Club Sport which I couldn't resist... I kept that for just over a year, again for a track focused car, it had great technology was very quick and handled extremely well, perhaps too well for regular use on public roads!

Putting too many miles on damages the value of the GT3 and for me (6' 6") getting in and out of the bucket seats and coupled with limited useable space made it too much of a compromise to use it as a daily drive....

I looked very closely at the AMG GTS a couple of times and had extended drives, but for me the car although quick was quite large with very limited internal space for my height and I just couldn't get comfortable so was not for me.

I have always kept a close eye on Maserati's knowing that I always wanted to own a Stradale, My last three cars were brimming with technology and double clutch gearbox's etc, but perhaps lacked a bit in the personality department?

Most of the time I use Google Maps when driving as it's so much more accurate than any in-car sat nav I have used for traffic updates and routing, I also stream all my music through the phone, so using a plug bluetooth adopter again the Maserati works. For me the Stradale may not be as quick as my previous cars but its much more rewarding to drive at sensible speeds and I enjoy being involved in getting a smooth gear change

Hopefully the love affair will last......

Close thread.

 

[MrMickS]

I like *some* of the tech. Stupid stuff like the screen in the binnacle and digital odometer. The sat nav I rarely use as I can load my addresses into my phone.

I'll pay to add BT integration and DAB similarly.

There are a couple of things I miss from the A8. Cameras, auto dipping headlamps were cool. The lock button in the trunk lid as well

C

I've got BT integration, DAB, rear camera, and the random auto-dipping headlights. I would guess these are on the QP and Levante as well. GT needs a refresh

 

[rivarama]

Not that you'd notice, 4cm shorter and 3cm thinner.

Thats what I keep telling her...

Sorry I had to!

 

[CatmanV2]

I've got BT integration, DAB, rear camera, and the random auto-dipping headlights. I would guess these are on the QP and Levante as well. GT needs a refresh

Oh they are on the later GT's just not the early ones (camera probably excepted)

C

 

[urquattrogus]

I did watch the Motor Trend review of the GT from 2013 by Carlos Lagos last night - worth watch, he says you find yourself making all kinds of excuses for liking the GT - it's just full of character etc.

 

[EXCF350]

I agree with pretty much all that has been said. I sold my GTS last September and have been on a constant lookout for the next car but just can't find anything to replace it with. The AMG GT has got the closest but I just can't justify £110K on "just a Merc".
I've tried some very nice cars but mostly they are soulless and too efficient. They may be fast and comfortable but just too boring to drive. I've had to put the search on hold because of a new house purchase but suspect I'll be back in a Maserati as there seems little else

 

[conaero]

I agree with pretty much all that has been said. I sold my GTS last September and have been on a constant lookout for the next car but just can't find anything to replace it with. The AMG GT has got the closest but I just can't justify £110K on "just a Merc".
I've tried some very nice cars but mostly they are soulless and too efficient. They may be fast and comfortable but just too boring to drive. I've had to put the search on hold because of a new house purchase but suspect I'll be back in a Maserati as there seems little else

GranSport and bank the rest of the cash!

 

[EXCF350]

GranSport and bank the rest of the cash!

I have been looking at those!

 

[Felonious Crud]

I agree with pretty much all that has been said. I sold my GTS last September and have been on a constant lookout for the next car but just can't find anything to replace it with. The AMG GT has got the closest but I just can't justify £110K on "just a Merc".

You could have a Macca 12C for that. Or, as Matt wisely pointed out, a perfectly gorgeous GS and £80k in the bank.

 

[rockits]

Seems bonkers that they never ever directly replaced the 3200/4200/GS line. A perfect package/size for me. The GT is too big for a midsize Sports GT. It may drive smaller but so does my XJ. The size means too much weight & we all know weight is not a sports cars best friend.

When you look at the advancement of competitors Maserati are a long way behind. There has been good solid investment by AM, Mercedes & others for many years now in recent times. I can't see how Maserati make up the gap that is being created. The only saving grace may be that if they sell enough units of off-piste models such as the Ghibli & Levante that it could create the cash needed to get a mid-size sports car with the iconic Trident badge back on it.

A replacement to the 4200/GS should have happened day one in 2007. The GT should have been an additional model. Funny that the 4200 & GS ran alongside each other for a couple of years before being ceased. Then neither directly replaced with the bigger GT taking over.

If the Alfieri was out it would sell well. If they could offer a N/A V8 Alfieri with manual & dual clutch boxes it would sell in very decent numbers.

Very frustrating that they have not been able to get their act together and get it right.

 

[allandwf]

^ Agree. The GT is just too big for me, a stunning shape, and I know everyone says it drives small, but that's no good if it wont physically fit in my garage!