Looking for a GC

John Ed

Junior Member
Messages
79
Hello, new to the forum and new to Maserati.

Looking for a GC as a fun family weekend/holiday car. Hope to have a look at these two at the weekend all going well:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...ancabrio/maserati-grancabrio--2010-10/7890647

and

https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...abrio/maserati-grancabrio-4-7-v8-auto/7865517

Prefer the spec of the second, but the first has fewer owners and on the face of it a more reputable dealer. Does anyone know either of these cars or have experience of the dealers.

I would also be looking to get an inspection as a matter of course. Looking at recommendations on this forum Autoffinica are very local to me (Teddington), but do give the impression of being more sales orientated. Any experience of these guys? Live the look of AV engineering, but way too far the other side of London for me.

Thanks
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
Both lovely cars.

Note your 'use' for family holidays...Check out the boot as it is tiny and may limit your excursions.
 

JonW

Member
Messages
3,259
Hi John

Welcome - I’m fairly local to you (in Ashtead), and Autofficina are my local specialist. I have used them a couple of times for little things (problem with rear lights, faulty parking sensor), and have been impressed with them. Nice people, straightforward, and seem to know their stuff.

I know others on here have also used Autofficina for a bit longer, so they may weigh in. To be honest, I haven’t completely decided yet whether they will do the servicing on my car, as I’m toying with trying AV engineering as they are just over an hours drive from me.
 

hilts uk

Member
Messages
945
Hello, new to the forum and new to Maserati.

Looking for a GC as a fun family weekend/holiday car. Hope to have a look at these two at the weekend all going well:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...ancabrio/maserati-grancabrio--2010-10/7890647

and

https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...abrio/maserati-grancabrio-4-7-v8-auto/7865517

Prefer the spec of the second, but the first has fewer owners and on the face of it a more reputable dealer. Does anyone know either of these cars or have experience of the dealers.

I would also be looking to get an inspection as a matter of course. Looking at recommendations on this forum Autoffinica are very local to me (Teddington), but do give the impression of being more sales orientated. Any experience of these guys? Live the look of AV engineering, but way too far the other side of London for me.

Thanks
Hi
They have been brilliant with me. Car sales are secondary to working on customer cars. They are all car people. They look after my MCV, classic Ghibli and 8C.
Mike
 

John Ed

Junior Member
Messages
79
Thanks for the advice. Looks like Ill give Autofficina a try. still waiting to hear back from one of the dealers on weekend viewings.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
A big warm welcome to the forum. They are two lovely examples....If you could stretch to the GC Sport it would be worth it. They are a better drive and that house even more addictive....Think they start around 60k with the odd one dipping under but like the ones you are looking at rare Maserati's.
 

John Ed

Junior Member
Messages
79
A big warm welcome to the forum. They are two lovely examples....If you could stretch to the GC Sport it would be worth it. They are a better drive and that house even more addictive....Think they start around 60k with the odd one dipping under but like the ones you are looking at rare Maserati's.

Unfortunatley a Sport is out of my budget, although this one does look very nice: https://www.pistonheads.com/classif.../maserati-grancabrio-sport-auto-13-13/7803654

Suspect the vanilla GC will be plenty as a family away day car. have a VX220 in the garage for track day fun, GC will be for touring. Although take the earlier point on limited boot space. will size up when viewing tomorrow.
 

JonW

Member
Messages
3,259
‘Tis a real pity Maserati don’t do a hard top convertible... they look lovely with the top down, but I really don’t like canvas hoods on those days when you can’t take the roof down...
 

O37

Member
Messages
101
Oh I don't know, always preferred slimmer behinds ;)

slim_behinds.jpg

With regards the GC, you won't regret it, not much to worry about but look out for disc depth/lipped, suspension and wheel bearing noise on test drive, any rips to roof and more car general signs such as re-spray, tyre depth, rear exhaust condition, but from my experience they are generally pretty bullet proof. Would recommend you buy a CTEK battery charger as many a electrical question here is due to poor battery charge, note the genuine one is just rebranded CTEK version, also recommend a car cover to keep it warm when you can't drive it!

I'd recommend the sport (uprated suspension and gear change times) but understand the budget, you could try a cheeky offer for this, after all it is nearly winter!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...dius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2

Good review by Harry of the sport..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj0J5F0DbHM

and more recently this youngster...which I can nearly relate to when not in the Cinque Terre but on my local trip to the post office...!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6-BRuEGIg0&t=524s
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
Oh I don't know, always preferred slimmer behinds ;)

View attachment 45990

With regards the GC, you won't regret it, not much to worry about but look out for disc depth/lipped, suspension and wheel bearing noise on test drive, any rips to roof and more car general signs such as re-spray, tyre depth, rear exhaust condition, but from my experience they are generally pretty bullet proof. Would recommend you buy a CTEK battery charger as many a electrical question here is due to poor battery charge, note the genuine one is just rebranded CTEK version, also recommend a car cover to keep it warm when you can't drive it!

I'd recommend the sport (uprated suspension and gear change times) but understand the budget, you could try a cheeky offer for this, after all it is nearly winter!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...dius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2

Good review by Harry of the sport..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj0J5F0DbHM

and more recently this youngster...which I can nearly relate to when not in the Cinque Terre but on my local trip to the post office...!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6-BRuEGIg0&t=524s

Love these cars but the depreciation kills it for me.
Suicidal buy New unless you plan to keep for 5+ years.
 

O37

Member
Messages
101
Agree. Lets be honest if you can 'afford' to buy new you aren't concerned with depreciation, my one owner car was a well known company director and the original receipt shows the true cost, especially with an extended factory warranty. As a shrewd (or substitute tight) investor/purchaser I really do appreciate those that place these fabulous cars prematurely (in my view) on the open market for the next enthusiast. Nearly all modern cars, and Maserati are no exception, can still look factory fresh after 3/5 or even 7 years, if lucky you get the right mileage and even get a whiff of leather, its worked for me so far.

So IMHO the sport or MC are worth sounding out. Just frustrating that 3K miles a year is so easily achieved, roll on May!
 

John Ed

Junior Member
Messages
79
Well, I did it. First one I went to see. Loved the spec, didn't see anything that would make me run away and seemed to drive nicely.

Going in for an inspection and service and agreed that items would be picked up by the dealer. Its got more previous owners that I would consider ideal, but looks like its bounced around within a family.

Only thing I noticed was the fuel light came on with a quarter tank still left. Ill mention to the inspector, but is this normal?
 

O37

Member
Messages
101
Congratulations, with regards the fuel light that is normal, just don't sit down and work out the consumption :)
 

John Ed

Junior Member
Messages
79
So, inspection done, nothing serious picked up. List of smaller items have been carried out, insurance arranged and Im picking up on Sunday. Amazingly I have managed to get a multi policy through A Plan for both the GC and the family 124 wagon for less than the GC on its own. So, this purchase is saving the family money! Unlikely to be a common ocurance.

One question, it appears not to have mats. Agreed that Id cover this cost, so where is he best place to source OEM? may be a daft question, as clearly main dealer is first port of call, but do I have any other options?

Thanks
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
So, inspection done, nothing serious picked up. List of smaller items have been carried out, insurance arranged and Im picking up on Sunday. Amazingly I have managed to get a multi policy through A Plan for both the GC and the family 124 wagon for less than the GC on its own. So, this purchase is saving the family money! Unlikely to be a common ocurance.

One question, it appears not to have mats. Agreed that Id cover this cost, so where is he best place to source OEM? may be a daft question, as clearly main dealer is first port of call, but do I have any other options?

Thanks

OEM only, eBay stuff is rubbish. Give Ross a call at Meriden Modena parts in Lyndhurst, mention the forum and a 10% discount will be granted.
 

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
Autostyle is an option for custom made ones. 80 pounds for 4 - including a trident logo...