Hello! Looking at buying a GranTurismo, is it right for me?

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
Having owned a early 4200 (2004MY) a later 2006 4200 and a GS I can say that each one is very different and neither is 'better'.

My first was far rawer and the most reliable.

The face lift was the best around car.

The GS the most sporty.

Each cost £23k at the time and If I could have just one... it would be my 2003 classic 4200.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,114
That's interesting Peter as many people slate the Classic but I agree with you totally as I loved the rawness of the transmission too.
 

Corranga

Member
Messages
1,219
A GS is what the 4200 should have been from the start, look for the Top Gear review, the interior of the gs is much nicer (imho) and more up to date, one thing to bare in mind is that the 19" GS wheels are made of cheese, so probably not a good idea with your pot holed roads, Get out and drive both and see what you think.

I’m going to start by saying as a face lift 4200 owner, I’m biased..
The motoring press were not that kind to the 4200 and ignored the facelift. To say the GS is the car the 4200 should have been demonstrates this pretty clearly.
The car is virtually identical spec wise, 10hp down and no valved exhausts. 1 inch smaller wheels but the same suspension upgrades suspension/handling bits elsewhere, though they side slightly higher and different set up, which can be altered with a geometry set up. In virtually all cases, less unsprung weight is an improvement for cars and more profile in the tyres means a more compliant ride too.
The GS certainly updates the interior well, unless you get the Nike trainer interior (tech cloth) which can be a bit hit or miss colour combo wise, and I believe full leather in a GS is quite rare.

Basically, drive both and make a call!
 

Phil H

Member
Messages
4,107
A QP would be a good call, and I think if I was in the market at the moment I'd take a look at this


Black piping would be preferable on the seats, but the variators are done, it's ceramic coated, and it has a decent history. So much car for the money, and very practical as a daily driver.

PH
 

empzb

Member
Messages
229
A QP would be a good call, and I think if I was in the market at the moment I'd take a look at this


Black piping would be preferable on the seats, but the variators are done, it's ceramic coated, and it has a decent history. So much car for the money, and very practical as a daily driver.

PH

That belongs to someone on here :)
 
Messages
1,117
I’m going to start by saying as a face lift 4200 owner, I’m biased..
The motoring press were not that kind to the 4200 and ignored the facelift. To say the GS is the car the 4200 should have been demonstrates this pretty clearly.
The car is virtually identical spec wise, 10hp down and no valved exhausts. 1 inch smaller wheels but the same suspension upgrades suspension/handling bits elsewhere, though they side slightly higher and different set up, which can be altered with a geometry set up. In virtually all cases, less unsprung weight is an improvement for cars and more profile in the tyres means a more compliant ride too.
The GS certainly updates the interior well, unless you get the Nike trainer interior (tech cloth) which can be a bit hit or miss colour combo wise, and I believe full leather in a GS is quite rare.

Basically, drive both and make a call!

Sensible advice. But if you want a GS after that, there is a significant difference in budget (a good GS is gonna be more expensive and then more again if you go for a LE spec GS). The LE spec is nice with full leather and a number of other enhancements.
 

Silvercat

Member
Messages
1,166
Yep this QP ( marketed by Shiltec) is my little gem. It's in tip top condition for its age, got a clean bill of health and ready to go.
Now this is what I call a nice motor...call me biased :).....but it is a real stunner.
 

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Itare Sam

Member
Messages
131
In response to the OP's question, I've had a GranTurismo for over two years now, and live in farming country in Norfolk where the local roads are pretty bad. Narrow lanes with plenty of potholes, rutted surfaces and ill-defined edges. 'Drive around them' is good advice (!) when faced with a visible pothole, the problem around here is that most holes are at the edges of the roads or in the passing places - and if there's been rain they look like puddles. And in narrow lanes you need to use the edges or passing places to pass anything coming the other way, but every puddle is a potential disaster. The ride isn't really the problem - it's surprisingly good, even on 20 inch wheels (compared say to my previous Porsche 993 boneshaker or a Honda Civic Type R) - it's the potential cost of repairing pothole damage that's the worry. So I rarely use the GTS when it's been raining. My daily driver is a 17-year old Mercedes E500 with standard air suspension and 5 litre V8 - that copes wonderfully well. That kind of car can be bought for next to nothing now, so makes a great work-horse. And the GranTurismo sits in the garage, drop-dead gorgeous and ready to go when the weather allows. So I hope you're not put off buying one!
 

Silvercat

Member
Messages
1,166
No subframe issues?
When I bought the QP 3 years ago I treated the underside with 'Dynatrol' to protect the sub frame and box sections. It was actually exceptionally clean underneath and in excellent condition but I didn't want to take any chances. Dynatrol is a softish wax and does s brilliant job at keeping corrosion away.