Hi and welcome to the forum
Just for clarification (as it may help wrt your future purchase), the GranTurismo S has been replaced by the GranTurismo Sport, and whilst the base GT is still available to order new, only 3 were sold in the UK last year* (and for good reasons).
* ref. How many Granturismo s out there
Have to say that I agree with Andy's comments above.
I used to own a base 4.2 GranTurismo and I would (in addition to Andy's comments) say that the brakes are very poor, especially for such a heavy car. This often left me resulting in a few near misses with a car in front!!!
Although different variants of the 4.7l GranTurismos have different brakes, they are all a
vast improvement over the base GT. So if you're looking to buy new, then I would avoid the base GT for aforementioned reasons. It is also worth thinking about resale (should you ever want to part with your new love) - If you're buying a new/newer GT, then when (if) you come to sell it, people would rather buy the S/Sport/MC Stradale over the base GT. Hence you may well lose less c/w a base GT (unless of course you're buying an early, high mileage, car, which will be at rock bottom prices, and hence not have as much value to lose c/w a newer, lower mileage GT.
As you've already mentioned the gearbox as a concern, it may be worth me pointing out that the following variations are available in the UK:-
GranTurismo - 6 speed ZF Automatic transmission only. (I've heard people describe these as 'slush boxes' due to lack of responsiveness and slow gear changes, and I'd say they're probably not far wrong TBH).
GranTurismo S (built 2008-2012) - The 'MC Shift' is a 6 speed, sequential automatic
manual transmission, i.e. manual gearbox but with paddles and an auto facility. The traditional 6 speed ZF Automatic transmission is also available, but these were made in fewer numbers, hence you'll see more GT 'S' cars with MC Shift transmission than with the Auto box.
GranTurismo Sport (built 2012-present day) - A 6 speed ZF Automatic gearbox is offered as standard, but it is with the much-improved 'MC
Auto Shift', making gear changes more like a dual clutch gearbox (i.e. smooth yet fast gear changes). The 'MC Shift' 6 speed, sequential automatic manual transmission that's on the GT 'S' is available on new cars, but it is a +£3,330 cost option.
The
MC Stradale is (in the UK at least) only available with the MC Shift transmission. But this is in keeping with the racier set-up the MC variants have. (Although, it's worth noticing that the GranCabrio MC, only comes with the MC Auto Shift transmission instead.)
On the Stradale front, as Andy says, the original MC Stradale (2011-2013) had only 2 seats (which is the one Jeremy Clarkson reviewed on Top Gear).
However from 2013-present day, the 'New Stradale' has 4 seats as per the GranTurismo Sport. (N.B. The GranCabrio MC, available from 2013-present day is only available with 4 seats).
Furthermore, the suspension (amongst other things) is different. Whilst Skyhook (adaptive suspension) on paper seems like the best way to go (i.e. supposedly giving you the best of both worlds - comfort and stability) that is not necessarily the case...
If you want your GranTurismo just to be a grand tourer, then Skyhook makes more sense, but if you want to take it out for more spirited drives, then you may prefer the sports suspension. The MC sports suspension (on the GT MC Stradale and the GC MC) for example feels a lot more 'planted', leaving you feeling more reassured about how the car will handle, and hence gives you more confidence to push the car harder. Even on regular driving it is more stable. Personally I prefer the MC suspension over even the latest generation of Skyhook (Maserati have changed it over the years).
I could waffle on for ages about the differences (as the guys on here well know LOL), but I won't throw too much info. at you, it was your first post after all LOL.
Instead, I will just suggest that you consider what you intend to use the car for, and then test drive them (and have a great time doing so
), taking into account budget, etc. obviously.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask any Qs etc.
Cheers,
T