Wagons-Lits
Member
- Messages
- 250
Hi guys,
My name is Jon and I'm the owner of a 2011 QP Sport GT S, my first Maserati; I believe my car previously belonged to another forum member (Charlysparrow). I've been a member of this site for a number of years now but never got around to posting, though plenty of reading and I figured it was about time (and I finally have some) to introduce myself and give you an update on the car.
I purchased the car in Oct. 2016 and have put 6.1k or thereabouts miles on it (now at 29,9xx); I purchased it from JCT Leeds with 23,800 or so after it had been sitting there c.18 months on a PX (the 612 that Charlysparrow bought?). Combined with the (insert joke) red interior, I got (what felt like at the time, haha) an amazing deal. I like to find an arbitrage when buying cars and whilst I know it's not to everyone's liking I absolutely love it. It's our family car and I can't think of anything else at the £30-40k price point I'd rather have or that could top it; from here - and it's certainly some years down the line - I think an FF/GTC Lusso is the only possible, and substantial, upgrade.
The car is doing well and I think is mechanically tip-top; living in London I'm not that bothered by various dings/scratches/kerbed alloys that might kill other people. Same with cleaning, I typically don't bother although come spring I'm going to give it good once over. This is not to say I don't stay on top of my cars: since I've had it, I think c. £8k+ has been spent (thankfully the bulk under warranty):
- 2 yr service at Joe Macari
- broken EPB (damaging the wheel hubs both sides plus broken shoes); this was my big drama, the EPB somehow stayed on while the car was driving costing £4.5k to rectify. Fortunately after a month of fighting with the dealer Warranty co (who initially denied the claim) they agreed to pay in full and I now have an (almost) entirely new rear suspension. Joe Macari and JCT sales/service were super helpful but it was an annoying battle.
- new dash cluster (JCT did before delivery)
- bushes refreshed
- new Conti Sport Contact 6s all around
- new AGM battery
- various odds and ends
To be honest the best part of buying a Maser has been the people: I've got to give special thanks to Richard Grace (who I met back in 2016 and almost bought a QP S from - before I realised I was trying to "build" a Sport GT S though wheels/grille upgrades etc.) who was very kind and patient. I would absolutely buy a car from him. Aldous Voice (and Harvey) - they have been looking after the car and helping me address/rectify/stay on top of everything; Aldous is always just a phone call away (even over the holidays - sorry Aldous) and I feel bad for anyone who can't take their car to AV or get to know them. The Joe Macari people (Adam et al) have also been great and a pleasure to deal with; I like to have my service book stamped by a main dealer hence working with both Macaris and Aldous.
I've been to Brittany and around the UK including the Brecon Beacons in Nov; with a preschooler it's hard to convince my wife to take long road trips but hopefully in the next year or two I can do some proper trips.
About me? I'm an American and have lived here for over 10 years, currently in Dulwich (London) with a 3 year old and another on the way later this year.
You have one of the best forums and it really is an invaluable resource for anyone remotely interested in the marque. And now having gotten my first post in, I'm off to the Ace Cafe! Look forward to meeting some of you in person
My name is Jon and I'm the owner of a 2011 QP Sport GT S, my first Maserati; I believe my car previously belonged to another forum member (Charlysparrow). I've been a member of this site for a number of years now but never got around to posting, though plenty of reading and I figured it was about time (and I finally have some) to introduce myself and give you an update on the car.
I purchased the car in Oct. 2016 and have put 6.1k or thereabouts miles on it (now at 29,9xx); I purchased it from JCT Leeds with 23,800 or so after it had been sitting there c.18 months on a PX (the 612 that Charlysparrow bought?). Combined with the (insert joke) red interior, I got (what felt like at the time, haha) an amazing deal. I like to find an arbitrage when buying cars and whilst I know it's not to everyone's liking I absolutely love it. It's our family car and I can't think of anything else at the £30-40k price point I'd rather have or that could top it; from here - and it's certainly some years down the line - I think an FF/GTC Lusso is the only possible, and substantial, upgrade.
The car is doing well and I think is mechanically tip-top; living in London I'm not that bothered by various dings/scratches/kerbed alloys that might kill other people. Same with cleaning, I typically don't bother although come spring I'm going to give it good once over. This is not to say I don't stay on top of my cars: since I've had it, I think c. £8k+ has been spent (thankfully the bulk under warranty):
- 2 yr service at Joe Macari
- broken EPB (damaging the wheel hubs both sides plus broken shoes); this was my big drama, the EPB somehow stayed on while the car was driving costing £4.5k to rectify. Fortunately after a month of fighting with the dealer Warranty co (who initially denied the claim) they agreed to pay in full and I now have an (almost) entirely new rear suspension. Joe Macari and JCT sales/service were super helpful but it was an annoying battle.
- new dash cluster (JCT did before delivery)
- bushes refreshed
- new Conti Sport Contact 6s all around
- new AGM battery
- various odds and ends
To be honest the best part of buying a Maser has been the people: I've got to give special thanks to Richard Grace (who I met back in 2016 and almost bought a QP S from - before I realised I was trying to "build" a Sport GT S though wheels/grille upgrades etc.) who was very kind and patient. I would absolutely buy a car from him. Aldous Voice (and Harvey) - they have been looking after the car and helping me address/rectify/stay on top of everything; Aldous is always just a phone call away (even over the holidays - sorry Aldous) and I feel bad for anyone who can't take their car to AV or get to know them. The Joe Macari people (Adam et al) have also been great and a pleasure to deal with; I like to have my service book stamped by a main dealer hence working with both Macaris and Aldous.
I've been to Brittany and around the UK including the Brecon Beacons in Nov; with a preschooler it's hard to convince my wife to take long road trips but hopefully in the next year or two I can do some proper trips.
About me? I'm an American and have lived here for over 10 years, currently in Dulwich (London) with a 3 year old and another on the way later this year.
You have one of the best forums and it really is an invaluable resource for anyone remotely interested in the marque. And now having gotten my first post in, I'm off to the Ace Cafe! Look forward to meeting some of you in person