Man seeks GranSport for tempestuous relationship
- Thread starter MikeyMaser
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MikeyMaser
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Nah... not interested in a 4200. Don't think I could stand the dated interior. GS is bad enough coming from German metal!
You hear that benny??
BennyD
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I did Dem. He could always stay with German metal if it is such an issue. I much prefer my 'dated' 4200 interior to the soulless boxes the Germans churn out. It seems strange then that everybody I have taken out in mine have commented what a lovely interior it has. Perhaps just buying a Maserati to 'tick a box' is the wrong reason for buying one if he can't appreciate the style it has. Time will tell whether it's going to be an expensive mistake for him. Watch this space.
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Andyk
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Not sure you can say all German cars have souless interiors...Lots are boring agree but I was in the very ugly porsche Panamera 4 door the other day and the interior was stunning and certainly didn't feel souless...More clinical than a 4200 yes but a very nece place to be all the same...Shame the outside is so ugly though..........
Must say Mike you. are one of the first I heard to say the 4200 interior feels dated.......I think it has standed the test of time very well....But hey, we all see somthing different in a car
Must say Mike you. are one of the first I heard to say the 4200 interior feels dated.......I think it has standed the test of time very well....But hey, we all see somthing different in a car
BennyD
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Andy, the whole tone of Mikes last post was fairly negative. if he doesn't like the interiors, and he obviously doesn't, then then perhaps buying a Maserati would be a mistake because thats where you spend a lot of the time as a driver. German cars are extremely competent and generally well made but, to me, they have no character. Some people prefer German cars and might well be better off sticking with them as Maseratis, as we know, can, at times, be unforgiving mistresses. IMO, buying one with such a negative attitude could be the start of a very unhappy relationship. I personally wouldn't buy a car if I didn't like the interior. Why would anyone?
lozcb
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German metal as you call it has its purposes and does them rather well more liken to a tin of Ronseal ,( does exactly what it says on the tin ) , but real style, kudos and excitement certainly dont enter into the germanic equation one of the reasons Audi have left the Italian design dept alone at Lamborghini , they know their limitations, for three years i had both the a GS and a 4200 , and altho as you say the 4200 was slightly older in design interior wise it was a much more comfortable place to be compared to the GS , altho i love my GS for different reasons not just cos its got a bit of carbon fibre splashed about here and there ,
With 2 lumps of German metal stuck on the drive purely for work purposes which they do rather well at , they cant even begin to enter the weekend pleasure drome arena which the Italians do so well its horses for course , i'd stick to the Audi TT /Porsche boxster if i was you Mikey
regards loz
MikeyMaser
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Guy guys guys... didn't mean to upset you all!
I guess "dated" is a bad choice of word... I just feel some of the switchgear you get in both the 4200 and GS doesn't have that "hewn from granite" feel that comparable German machinery has. However, from the point-of-view of style, panache and character of the interior, the Mazzer easily trumps the Germans. It's all about sense of occasion and (for example) a 911 doesn't really give you that... though it does give you an incisive driving machine!
I do like the interior of the GS with the LE pack. IMHO, a GS without the LE pack doesn't seem much more special inside than an Alfa GTV V6. I previously owned a lovely one with a cream leather interior so I'm well aware of the emotional rollercoaster owning an Italian car can bring. And, believe me, that car did break my heart... but I still hankered after another one after I'd sold it!
I guess "dated" is a bad choice of word... I just feel some of the switchgear you get in both the 4200 and GS doesn't have that "hewn from granite" feel that comparable German machinery has. However, from the point-of-view of style, panache and character of the interior, the Mazzer easily trumps the Germans. It's all about sense of occasion and (for example) a 911 doesn't really give you that... though it does give you an incisive driving machine!
I do like the interior of the GS with the LE pack. IMHO, a GS without the LE pack doesn't seem much more special inside than an Alfa GTV V6. I previously owned a lovely one with a cream leather interior so I'm well aware of the emotional rollercoaster owning an Italian car can bring. And, believe me, that car did break my heart... but I still hankered after another one after I'd sold it!
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dickygrace
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Thought that's what you'd meant Mikey, a Porsche may be a bit more tightly screwed together but lacks the drama and sense of occasion. A good non-LE is also a good place to be too though.
MikeyMaser
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Well, having seen a non-LE car:
http://www.alexandersprestige.co.uk/maserati-gran-sport-42-v8-coupe-auto
and a LE one:
http://www.alexandersprestige.co.uk/maserati-gransport-42-v8-le-auto
I thought the LE one looked loads better with the leather headlining and full leather seats instead of that "tech fabric" stuff which I don't get on with.
ETTO - don't mean to upset anyone!
lozcb
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all tongue in cheek Mikey , no one really gets upset on here altho i do try my best at times to provoke , but were all a special breed here, its all about what floats your boat best of luck in the search regards loz
Andyk
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Full leather was available on non LE cars as well....Right about the tech cloth though...Not a nice as leather...LE cars were made to shift the last remaining GS's at the end of the production run ....Most GS's have leather its the early cars that don't so 2004 and a few in 2005 ......
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Maser Sod
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Hey Mikey,
Don't worry about LE or non-LE, I've had both. After a week you won't care about the difference. It's more about condition and driving experience. A taut GS is a great place to be.
I've just had my car's geometry re-done and had it lowered a tad too - it makes a lot of difference.
A car that seemingly doesn't drive so well may simply need re-alignment. I clipped a curb hard back in April, thereafter the steering had a slight judder. Now gone. Car drives as if it is laser guided.
I sympathize to an extent with you on the interior. I'm so anal that I have just had two central console switches replaced as they were showing signs of wear.
Anyway, good luck with the hunt, and take your time. It took me three months and six months respectively to find the right GranSports for me. Still miss my copper one, it was special in every way, but at least a forum owner now has it!
MS
Don't worry about LE or non-LE, I've had both. After a week you won't care about the difference. It's more about condition and driving experience. A taut GS is a great place to be.
I've just had my car's geometry re-done and had it lowered a tad too - it makes a lot of difference.
A car that seemingly doesn't drive so well may simply need re-alignment. I clipped a curb hard back in April, thereafter the steering had a slight judder. Now gone. Car drives as if it is laser guided.
I sympathize to an extent with you on the interior. I'm so anal that I have just had two central console switches replaced as they were showing signs of wear.
Anyway, good luck with the hunt, and take your time. It took me three months and six months respectively to find the right GranSports for me. Still miss my copper one, it was special in every way, but at least a forum owner now has it!
MS
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BennyD
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Mikey, as long as you enter this 'relationship' with your eyes open, all will be well. I was a bit strong with my initial comments because none of us want people to join us, have a bad experience and then slag off the cars to all and sundry because the car they bought wasnt really what they wanted. If you felt a bit 'set upon' then I will take this opportunity to apologise and we look forward to hearing about your experiences/adventures as they unfold. Good luck with your search. BTW, if you can, go and have a look at the blue GS Dicky has, it really is a beauty. Regards.
MikeyMaser
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No hard feelings... I know you chaps are passionate about your cars which is a good thing! I don't want to see the blue one Dicky has because I know it's a good 'un *but* it's outside my budget!
lozcb
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Budgetry controls are a must in this game, stretch yourself too much now and it could have affects later on in ownership ,wise decision Mikey, shame most of europe never followed your thinking a few years back then there would be a fair chance we would'nt all be in the pooo were in
regards loz
hodroyd
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Interior choice is an important factor in a Maserati, but only for a few minutes after getting in. Once you do the checks and start her up, slip her in to gear and move off, then the interior is not really noticed much. Warm the car up and then open the throttle full and who cares about what the inside looks like, YAHOOOO!!!!