Urgent Buying Advice on GTS MC Shift

[thelovecrumb]

All - Would appreciate some advice from the experts here....I am on verge of securing a 2009/09 GTS MC Shift for £50k. It is black on black Alcantra with 26k miles has just been serviced and has nearly a full 12 months warranty. It has a few key options missing which I am concerned about and wondered if this would make it harder to sell in future - Namely; No Skyhook, Bose, Front Sensors or Ipod connectivity - Should this concern me or is it such a good deal I should bite their hand off?

I have been looking for a while and there seems to be deals about around £52k for 08/58 plates with approx 20k miles but some with slightly stronger spec.....Not sure if I should put the extra in?

Also I have been told that balck on black or black on cream sells best....Any truth?

Thanks Darren

 

[dickygrace]

I understand those options are pretty sought after. All cars eventually sell as long as they're not a disastrous colour scheme. £50k is very cheap for an '09 car but they're more mileage focused than age. Conaero has his for sale with half the miles you're talking of, there's another forum member, Starmonkey, who also has his for sale, and I too have one for sale, but mine is obviously a bit dearer as it's not a private sale.

At £50k it's certainly not overpriced and I wouldn't discourage you from going ahead but options are important when resale comes.

 

[fcz360]

Welcome

Mines black on Black but colour is so personal, its what you like. When I bought mine I thought about resale - I don’t now as I can’t imagine getting rid.

I was lucky mine was a demo so had all the options, but in my opinion the ipod doesn’t work well (does it have a USB - which does), and have you listened to that exhaust yet!!! Stereo is very good but same comment - sensors have saved me a couple of times as it is a big old nose, but you can retro fit that look as good as OE.

The most important things for me buying a high value car is - if its private or a dealer - do you trust who your buying from and do you have any doubts about the car. If you do walk and look at another.

Otherwise do it... they are fab cars albeit Italian and with a personality, oh and stay on the forum as its the friendliest one around.

Lots of us are at the Ace Cafe tonight, if your local come along and have a chat.

 

[bigbob]

If the car is right for you then go for it. As they get older, options become less relevant IMHO.

Skyhook or not on the MC Shift is not an issue - some do and some don't - Bose is not relevant and the iPod connection is a weak piece of kit. I have front parking sensors and really like them as the nose is long.

How is the clutch?

 

[bigbob]

Oh and on colour, the market prefers dark outside and light inside but black on black cars always sell.

I feel prices of the GranTurismo will take a step down over the winter as residuals have been very strong to date - over 50% discounted retail to private at four years old - that they are looking a bit rich IMHO.

 

[Colossus]

Colour should not represent a problem come resale and the alcantara is nice to have, not many do. As for skyhook, my view is that they are better without it, that is how the car was originally designed but some people prefer the skyhook. Inessence there are two camps and by not having it you should not have a major problem come resale.

I have the Bose system and it is a total pile of steaming Cr*p, especially given what it cost. On paper a nice to have but seriously not woirth the money when you actually listen to it.

Front sensors are the only thing that would be good to have out of your list but as said before a Maser dealer can get these retro fitted so that they look OEM and don't think it is horrifically expensive either.

£50k is a good price for an '09 MC Shift but do check if the clutch has been replaced, if not factor in a change soon and do get it inspected, although if you still have the balance of the Maserati extended warranty then you should not have too many worries. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[thelovecrumb]

Thanks all for your quick and friendly replies - Some good advice.

regarding the clutch - What do I need to look for or ask - I have only driven a few of the MC Shifts so do not have much by way of comparison. Also servicing costs - I am setting aside around £1200 pa - About right?

PS - Where is the Ace cafe - I live in Fleet Hampshire?

 

[dickygrace]

The clutch reading is a % worn/remaining. You need it to be above 50% at least. Servicing costs are about that, biannual or 12000 miles, specialists, such as Robert's Aersopace in Fareham would be around half that. Ace Cafe is in London.

 

[GeorgeGranTurismo]

Stick with an Auto , you will get fed up of the MC shift ( oh and did I tell you I was selling an auto ???)

 

[Felonious Crud]

Welcome. The MC box is spectacular. I love it. The best choice for you comes down to how you drive and how much you like the sound of that engine. The blisteringly fast gear changes above 4k rpm and with the throttle over 85% open are addictive, too.

I agree re the Bose. Personally I prefer to listen to the exhaust... Front sensors are essential as is a good warranty and an independent inspection.

Good luck!

/Adam

 

[Wattie]

Welcome. The MC box is spectacular. I love it. The best choice for you comes down to how you drive and how much you like the sound of that engine. The blisteringly fast gear changes above 4k rpm and with the throttle over 85% open are addictive, too.

I agree re the Bose. Personally I prefer to listen to the exhaust... Front sensors are essential as is a good warranty and an independent inspection.

Good luck!

/Adam

Me too Adam, frankly the only box to own as far as i'm concerned. I find the Bose perfectly good....but love the exhaust note too.

Personally speaking, if i were in the market again, i wouldn't touch a car without the essential extras....Skyhook,Ipod, Bose, Comfort pack....resale will be a NIGHTMARE.
It's cheap cos it ain't got em...so it's false economy!
Cheers Wattie

 

[bigbob]

Don't believe what anyone tells you about gearbox choice as you need to work out what is best for you. As a simple rule if its a daily driver look more at the auto and if its a weekend warrior then look more at the MC. Make you own mind up though!

I agree on the comfort pack being great but that's because mine is a daily driver and I want heated seats. Again if its to be a weekend halo car then less of an issue.

You will get a better price if you wait 3 months. The car you are looking at is cheap versus many others but they will all drop £4-5k by Christmas IMHO (including mine but I'm keeping it a few years!).

 

[Felonious Crud]

The car you are looking at is cheap versus many others but they will all drop £4-5k by Christmas IMHO (including mine but I'm keeping it a few years!).

Is it a seasonal pattern, Bob? I mean, do you expect prices to recover when the snow melts, the grease, grit and muck is cleared from the roads and the sun considers making an appearance?

/Adam

 

[bigbob]

You are right in that these sort of cars move in step changes price wise due to the seasons. That said, I feel that GranTurismo prices have been artifically high this summer (residuals are best in class) but the design is now five years, the GranTurismo Sport looks a bit different and is now coming through but the big thing will be the impact of the new QP as information leaks out ahead of/at Detroit. I suspect that it will make the old QP/GranTurismo interior look a bit past it. GranTurismo is still stunning externally IMHO and is the best looking car on sale but prices need to move down a bit - retail on 57 plate 4.2s into the low thirties and retail on 58 plate 4.7s into the high forties. Just my view though!!

 

[thelovecrumb]

Thanks all - Sadly looks like I will remain a Porsche owner for the foresable future as my buyer has just pulled out at late notice. Thankfully the dealer where I placed my deposit was happy (ish) to refund. Tried to look at P/X but the hit was too much.....Will keep looking and hope I sell my car quickly and their Masser sticks! Cheers All

 

[Wattie]

Disappointing but Good luck with the private sale....the Maserati experience is worth waiting for.

cheers wattie

 

[S99ANE]

Im also looking at the Granturismo as my next car.

My heart tells me MC Shift all the way but my head says Auto as I've been told clutch replacement is ££££££££

What real world advice can you guys give me? What is the cluch life like on one of these and cost to replace?

Can would do approx 6k miles per year mix of city and country blasts.

I really like the mc shift in the classifieds but it's already had a cluch and only done 11k miles. This may have been warranty I don't know but as a potential owner it's a tad off putting.

My head says 4.7 auto but I'm seduced by the styling of the 4.7 GTS MC shift car.

Oh and the noise of course of the MC shift is pure sex wee. :0. Does the 4.2 or 4.7 auto cars sound as good?

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BennyD]

Shane mate, have a word with Marios at Autoshield. He might even have the odd GTS around for you to have a look at. Also, have a word with Dickie Grace and pick his brains. Both are very close to you, good to talk to and are very knowledgable. Good luck with the search!

 

[dem maser]

4.2 dont sound as good as 4.7!
Dont know if theres an exhaust to make it good, did larini do it?
On the 4.7 larini never bothered

 

[fcz360]

4.7 MC all the way, noise is so much better. Ive just been in Gray Paul today (MOT time) and looked at the new sport and im not sure if its worth a swap. But they offered over 50 for mine..... if i PX'd it for a California that is.