2007 Gransport - now £25995

Bestie

New Member
Messages
22
I bought this car for my 12 cars youtube channel and it will be back up for sale so thought I would mention it here first..

I spoke Matthew at Giallo before I bought it in September and he said it was a fantastic car that literally needed nothing. It went through their pre-sales checks and Bestie spend a large sum on everything Giallo wanted doing for it to qualify as one of their used cars.
It is a great example of a GS. Anyone who is interested please PM me. Price is firm at £25,750 which is what I paid for it (Bestie was a fearsome negotiator). I am aware this is the wrong time of year and it might take a while to sell but am in no hurry... If you or anyone you know is looking this a brilliant GS!

Jack, best of luck with the sale. I enjoyed owning it - a great car. Does this mean a Ferrari is coming soon? Great vids btw.
 

whereskeith

Member
Messages
821
After watching the 12 cars vid of the GS VS 911 I am not surprised he is selling the car so quick.
Obv doesn't like the car , I would say have a look for yourself but that would just up viewership numbers.
 

jayblue

Member
Messages
452
I watched the video and he does pick out what some of us would agree are the main faults with the GS - crashy ride, slow gearchange etc. In those respects I would imagine the Porsche is better and as a day to day proposition I would quickly become less satisfied with the GS.

But having a read of the comments pretty much summed up why I have a GS in the garage. For high days and summer days usage the GS has a much more special feel. It looks better, sounds better (even before any exhaust mods) turns more heads, is rarer and despite all of its flaws makes me look back at it when I park it up. It is also more practical, having usable rear seats and a bigger boot. I can appreciate all the points he makes in the video but even acknowledging all of them there is no way I would change my GS for that 997.
 

whereskeith

Member
Messages
821
I don't think you should use a 997 for comparison, a 996 yes as they are the same generation IMO.
The gearchage is slow compared to a modern version but I do not consider it slow as such. It is workable and useable unless in traffic so if your on Uk roads is suspect it's more hassle. My car is smooth it does not jerk about on change down so maybe his clutch is not set up properly ??
I have just been out in the Spanish countryside for a blast and tbh the car is great out there.
I know most Maserati's are not perfect we accept their odd flaws but as a package for what it costs , the GS is great value and while everyone has an opinion which is valid I do not agree with his views.
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
You have to ask yourself if this is a fair comparison. One is a mass produced German sports car built for everyday use and the other is an exclusive bespoke hand built Italian coupe with the space to fit 4 in real comfort. The comparisons are few and far between really.

Interior

Drab black and minimal upright cabin with very little in the way of stunning leather or individual styling. Really uninspiring place to be but this is a German trait.

The GS interior is a work of art even harking back to the 3200 interior after the ugly 4200 centre console with NIT was ruined. The usual trident clock and sports seats are aesthetically pleasing.

Exterior

The 997 911 is about the 6th incarnation of the same styling from Porsche. It's a lazy engineering exercise imo and despite quite a difference from the 912 and first 911 of the 60's it still looks very much the same car as it's predecessors.

The GS style from the same Giugiario design of the 3200 is a timeless design taken further with bigger alloys, side skirts and rear spoiler. Despite losing the boomerangs from the 3200 car it is still achingly beautiful.

Engine and powertrain.

The Porsche has a strong boxer engine but it has its pitfalls (IMS, cylinder scoring) and compared to the bullet proof Mezger engines fitted to the Turbo cars (except gen2) it's really nothing special. Torque converted auto box not really as involving as the Robotic Manual in the GS. Granted the PDK Twin clutch box is better than the earlier cars.

The sound of that Ferrari derived V8 is just stunning and makes you feel special every time you get in it.

Ferrari derived box fitted to the GS is plenty quick enough and those blips on the downshift!!!

I think you just have to ask which one makes you feel better? It's not all about how well planted it is, some of the best cars in the World have flaws (name me one which doesn't?) and you learn to live with most of these idiosyncrasies.
 

jack.pe

New Member
Messages
65
Yep. But buying at summer selling just before New year!

Just because I've owned it for 4 months and put on just over 1000 miles I should sell it for less? These cars have stopped depreciating. I replaced the passenger door lock but aside from that I've not done anything to the car. The way I see it GranSports of this quality go for £26K, don't really see why I should sell it for less. it is a bad time to sell but I'm prepared to wait, to be honest as with any sale it's just about right timing and finding someone who wants one. For now I'm more than happy to hold on to it for a few months if need be, won't advertise till end feb I think but in the meantime thought I'd mention it on this forum!
 

jack.pe

New Member
Messages
65
After watching the 12 cars vid of the GS VS 911 I am not surprised he is selling the car so quick.
Obv doesn't like the car , I would say have a look for yourself but that would just up viewership numbers.

I do like the car but as the tile of the videos suggests and as I make clear in every video this is part of 12 cars! This is car number 8 in my wish list of cars I have always wanted to own, generally keep each one for 2-3 months, make a few videos and move on...
 

jack.pe

New Member
Messages
65
I watched the video and he does pick out what some of us would agree are the main faults with the GS - crashy ride, slow gearchange etc. In those respects I would imagine the Porsche is better and as a day to day proposition I would quickly become less satisfied with the GS.

But having a read of the comments pretty much summed up why I have a GS in the garage. For high days and summer days usage the GS has a much more special feel. It looks better, sounds better (even before any exhaust mods) turns more heads, is rarer and despite all of its flaws makes me look back at it when I park it up. It is also more practical, having usable rear seats and a bigger boot. I can appreciate all the points he makes in the video but even acknowledging all of them there is no way I would change my GS for that 997.

Good points well made, I would agree with them!
 

jack.pe

New Member
Messages
65
Jack, I really enjoyed your Youtube postings - I like your honesty, based on actual ownership experiences. As a long time Esprit fan I was interested to hear about your experiences with that car. Your views on the Lancia were very interesting too
Keep up the good work!!
MM

Thanks dude!
 

jack.pe

New Member
Messages
65
Just to be clear, I said the 997 is the better car and objectively it is. that does not mean that many of us would not rather trade some of that all round ability for a car which is distinctive, with a super charismatic engine (my favourite part) and is an occasion every time you drive it.
I'm really happy I bought the GS and I do like it, it is not my favourite of the 12 cars so far but probably a close second. The videos have to be interesting and although I am no expert I try and give my opinions as honestly as I can.. whatever they are worth!!

So car now has 53,300 miles if memory serves. As mentioned previously it was for sale at Giallo for £31K for a while but Bestie took it back and I bought it privately from him. However it had been through all the checks to be Giallo approved car, I spoke to Matthew and he said it was a brilliant example with nothing needing doing so no point getting him to do a PPi. Matthew got Steve to spend close to £2K to make sure it was in A1 condition, replacing some bushes and other minor stuff. It has a full history with yearly services from main dealers, independents aside from 2013 when the then owner did the minor service himself with receipts from Meridien for the parts.
 

jack.pe

New Member
Messages
65
You have to ask yourself if this is a fair comparison. One is a mass produced German sports car built for everyday use and the other is an exclusive bespoke hand built Italian coupe with the space to fit 4 in real comfort. The comparisons are few and far between really.

I think you just have to ask which one makes you feel better? It's not all about how well planted it is, some of the best cars in the World have flaws (name me one which doesn't?) and you learn to live with most of these idiosyncrasies.

Hey Phil, fully agree with your last statement.
As for comparisons.. the cars are roughly the same price now and are genuine alternatives for someone looking for a practical(ish) coupe. Plus as a hobbyist youtuber I have to make do with the cars available to me for comparison. I agree they are very different, if I had to have either one long term I'm not 100% sure which one I would go for. I like them both in different ways. If I did go for a 997 it would be a manual though. As much as the Maser system has it's flaws I still prefer it to a torque converter auto like the 997 unit.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
I think the car is very well priced so good luck with the sale.

In relation to the vids and comments; It reminds me of the way some parents view their kids as fault less cherubs.
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
Hey Phil, fully agree with your last statement.
As for comparisons.. the cars are roughly the same price now and are genuine alternatives for someone looking for a practical(ish) coupe. Plus as a hobbyist youtuber I have to make do with the cars available to me for comparison. I agree they are very different, if I had to have either one long term I'm not 100% sure which one I would go for. I like them both in different ways. If I did go for a 997 it would be a manual though. As much as the Maser system has it's flaws I still prefer it to a torque converter auto like the 997 unit.


So why not convey that message in the video? It appears that for some reason you don't want to love the GS with its slow gear change and crashy ride but want to love the mass produced euro box with 5 speed auto torque converter.

Have you ever visited Bologna or Modena? The race heritage and quality of these engines shared with Ferrari are absolutely ******* insane. That noise you enjoy now with the modified boxes is honed by specialists and testament to the racing heritage of the Maserati brand. I honestly cannot see how anyone would choose a 996/7 over a GS.... each to their own and I wish you luck with the youtube channel.
 

Merak Memories

New Member
Messages
42
So why not convey that message in the video? It appears that for some reason you don't want to love the GS with its slow gear change and crashy ride but want to love the mass produced euro box with 5 speed auto torque converter.

Have you ever visited Bologna or Modena? The race heritage and quality of these engines shared with Ferrari are absolutely ******* insane. That noise you enjoy now with the modified boxes is honed by specialists and testament to the racing heritage of the Maserati brand. I honestly cannot see how anyone would choose a 996/7 over a GS.... each to their own and I wish you luck with the youtube channel.

I have seen the 911 described in lots of different ways over the years, but never before as a "mass produced euro box" !!

I have a 997 (although a gen II) manual C2 coupe.

I have also had a number of Lancias, Alfas and the 3200 assetto corsa and have been to Modena and completely "get" the Italian character thing and there is no doubt that simply seeing an Italian sports car is (for me) an uplifting event.

But from my experience, the Porsches I have had (older and newer models) just do all the key things so well, making them very difficult to beat in car reviews (and therefore the cars are so popular as people generally like to be associated with the "best of breed").

I can understand why Jack reaches the conclusions he does.

For some (and many of us on this forum) factors such as racing heritage (although I think I read somewhere that Porsche have a bit of that too) engine design and exhaust notes are enough to make up for other design flaws, but we are probably in the minority.

And that is the decision buyers make, is the individuality and special character of a car like a Maserati enough to make it more appealing than a highly capable all rounder (i.e the mass produced euro box !!)
As you say, ultimately its each to their own.
MM
 
Messages
1,117
^^^ Well said! I have a Turbo in manual with the factory X50 upgrade. By far and away the best sports car out there at the price point, totally reliable as a daily or a weekend car and very reasonable maintenance and servicing costs. The 6th generation as referred is not laziness, its evolution making each generation better than the prior one.

The 991 Turbo and Turbo S are stunning daily drivers as is the GT3, the car people drive down to Spa, track and drive it back.home again without it falling apart. That's the German thoroughbreed in the DNA, and certainly no Euro Box.

I love my GS. It is visually stunning in a different way to the Turbo. It has its subtle qualities in different things and a different driving experience. That is why I am fortunate to have both and its not either or for me.

Porsche get a lot of things right and that's why they score so well in test comparisons. They also hold and climb in value - mine has more than doubled in 5 years of ownership and apart from spending money on work revealed in a PPI it has been clockwork in reliability and no surprises with huge bills in-between services.

The GS flew through its first service under my ownership through Autoshield. So I guess I must have bought two very good examples to have such an ownership experience.

Jack will have no problem off-loading his GD but his overall verdict v 911 is his experience and we are all very different.