Newbie looking for a Granturismo - S or Sport?

Hi all

I’ve been looking at Granturismo’s for a few years and 2023 and I’ve decided that now is the time to start looking more seriously at one. I’m a dad with 2 young kids and want a car to use for the odd trip away and special days out and the space in these seems perfect for my young family.

I’ve been busy doing my research and know all about the potential sub frame and variator issues to look out for so a PPI will be a must for me but I need some advice on what year/model GT I should go for. I am trying to stick to a budget of sub £30k if I can but the man maths keeps me upping this every time I look at the classifieds.

My head says that a 2011 Granturismo S looks like great value and so much car for the money. However, I’ve heard the auto box isn’t fantastically engaging and sound isn’t quite as good as an MC shift so the MC shift sounds like the option I’d go for, but I’m worried about clutch replacement cost. I’m also not a massive fan of seats and prefer the later 2012+ cars but I could definitely live with them.

My heart says I want a 2012+ Granturismo Sport auto. I’ve read that the auto box is much better in these cars, I love the revised interior, bumper and headlights etc, but I’d probably be looking at £7-10k over an S so can I really justify the cost for those upgrades? Having the auto box would give me a bit more peace of mind of not having to worry about clutch replacement too.

So is the S ‘good value’ and how much would a clutch replacement be on an MC shift car? Or would a 2012+ sport a better buy given the slight improvements mentioned? Also were there any other significant updates to the 2012+ sports that would also build a stronger case for it?

Thanks

Trev

Best place to start is with Dicky Grace on here. He is well respected and sources cars for lots of members. Even if you want advice he is always ready to chat. If I was buying I wouldn’t go anywhere else first and he current has three GT’s for sale.

Owners of the cars will be along soon I am sure to give you their views but get out and drive both and see what you think. MC shift or auto MC are both great and I have heard some in the know say the AutoMC suits the car better that than MC Shift but it is really down to personal taste. Remember there are three boxes I believe MC shift, Auto and MC Auto. MC Shift came first in the 4.7 then they added the Auto and then the MC Auto came along which was a sportier box than the standard auto which a I think was on 2012 face lift cars but sure someone will put me right with more knowledge than me. If it was me I would go 2012 Sport and the one Dicky has up on his web site.

Welcome @TrevS and thanks for the mention @Andyk.

Andy’s info above is correct. A clutch is about £4000 and tend to last 30-40k miles. GT Sports also had a 20bhp hike, improved seats, new suspension system, as well as the front bumper styling and the gearbox upgrades.

It’s something I’ve spoken with people about many times as it’s a common dilemma. More than happy to speak with you about it if you wish to call.

There's nowt wrong with a Sport Auto in terms of an engaging drive. I never use the auto function and the sound is great as standard. The improved interior post 2012 is well worth it.

Get the latest and cleanest with provenance you can afford, and have PPI done. You'll get better deals privately, but peace of mind from a reputable dealer. MC shifts clutch do tend to last 40k miles, it obvious from driving when they are near replacement time.

No wanting to poop on the GT party, but the clutch is at least a consumable item. On GTs of this age there are lots of other items that can hit you in the pocket.

• • Worn bushes, esp the fronts
  • Rusty Sub Frames
  • dodgy NIT units
  • Potential variaitor issues {dependant on age/engine No.)
  • Sagging roof-lining and A/B/C pillars
  • Brake Disks on the S models
  • Sticky buttons
  • Wheel Bearings

All cost a fair bit to put right, so choose well and best of luck with the search - btw I have been looking for a decent one for a year now, but I do not want a black or white car or black leather so my options are very limited.

And to other readers I know there are options to reduce the costs of some of the above, but Maser ownership is not cheap... spent £2500 on mine this year and only did c80 miles.

Add to the above:

• leaking valve cover gaskets
• worn engine & gearbox mounts

Andyk said:

Best place to start is with Dicky Grace on here. He is well respected and sources cars for lots of members. Even if you want advice he is always ready to chat. If I was buying I wouldn’t go anywhere else first and he current has three GT’s for sale.

Owners of the cars will be along soon I am sure to give you their views but get out and drive both and see what you think. MC shift or auto MC are both great and I have heard some in the know say the AutoMC suits the car better that than MC Shift but it is really down to personal taste. Remember there are three boxes I believe MC shift, Auto and MC Auto. MC Shift came first in the 4.7 then they added the Auto and then the MC Auto came along which was a sportier box than the standard auto which a I think was on 2012 face lift cars but sure someone will put me right with more knowledge than me. If it was me I would go 2012 Sport and the one Dicky has up on his web site.

Maserati, Ferrari and Porsche sales specialist in Chester, Cheshire

Richard Grace Cars have a small selection of hand-picked, cherished pre-owned prestige marque cars from Maserati, Ferrari and Porsche

www.richardgracecars.co.uk

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+1

dickygrace said:

Welcome @TrevS and thanks for the mention @Andyk.

Andy’s info above is correct. A clutch is about £4000 and tend to last 30-40k miles. GT Sports also had a 20bhp hike, improved seats, new suspension system, as well as the front bumper styling and the gearbox upgrades.

It’s something I’ve spoken with people about many times as it’s a common dilemma. More than happy to speak with you about it if you wish to call.

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I must say Dicky that 50k mile facelift GT you have looks fantastic and is great value for money against some others out there and it will be a sorted car.

TrevS, I think if I was looking this would be were my money would go plus Dicky also has an MC shift for les money. Both look great in a lovely colour combination.

Apologies all, I may have got confused with the maserati termonology (easily done). So I understand that there are 3 gearbox options, as others have stated:

Auto - I've read this is the least responsive option and supresses the exhaust sound somewhat
MC Shift - I've read this is a great gearbox, involving and makes a great sound. But clutch wear a consideration
MC Auto - Sounds like the perfect option for me. More responsive than the earlier auto box and less of a worry on clutch replacement.

I think I am going to dismiss an early auto at this point. That leaves either a pre facelift MC Shift S or a later sport MC Auto. Given that there is about £7-10k price difference I can't figure out if an 2011 S MC Shift is either 'good value' or a facelift sport auto is worth the extra money iven all the slight improvements?

Dicky, I well be giving you a call in the new year.

Trev

The timing on the MC Shift engine is slightly different to the auto’s hence a slightly ‘better’ sounding car. Next to an auto, it is quite noticeable.

Some very nice cars you have for sale Dicky, but alas not quite what I am looking for. I'd quite like a brighter colour for a GT as I've done the sensible dark grey Aston V8 Vantage and elegant silver e-type so need a louder mid life crisis colour . Perfect spec would be:

Rosso Mondiale or rosso magma/Blu sopfistcato (If a facelift car)
Dark interior - leather with contrast stitch or leather/alcantara
Carbon MC sportline options like tail lip, contrast side skirts etc.

Trev

TrevS said:

Some very nice cars you have for sale Dicky, but alas not quite what I am looking for. I'd quite like a brighter colour for a GT as I've done the sensible dark grey Aston V8 Vantage and elegant silver e-type so need a louder mid life crisis colour . Perfect spec would be:

Rosso Mondiale or rosso magma/Blu sopfistcato (If a facelift car)
Dark interior - leather with contrast stitch or leather/alcantara
Carbon MC sportline options like tail lip, contrast side skirts etc.

Trev

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As I said happy to discuss, not just to sell you one of mine. Rosso Magma is a 2015 onwards colour, Rosso Mondiale is rare too. Blu Sofisticato is one of the most popular colours so you’ve a decent chance of procuring one of those. As @Mavster has said, pick the cleanest car you can afford with the best provenance. If you’ve quite stringent colour preferences I do think you’ll take a long while to buy a car, and you’ll be buying on colour, rather than condition and provenance. Regards the Carbon Spoiler (£200 eBay) and contrast skirts are easily wrapped, factory ones are as rare as hen’s teeth; so don’t let those influence your decision.

dickygrace said:

pick the cleanest car you can afford with the best provenance. Regards the Carbon Spoiler (£200 eBay) and contrast skirts are easily wrapped, factory ones are as rare as hen’s teeth; so don’t let those influence your decision.

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^^ this

TrevS said:

Apologies all, I may have got confused with the maserati termonology (easily done). So I understand that there are 3 gearbox options, as others have stated:

Auto - I've read this is the least responsive option and supresses the exhaust sound somewhat
MC Shift - I've read this is a great gearbox, involving and makes a great sound. But clutch wear a consideration
MC Auto - Sounds like the perfect option for me. More responsive than the earlier auto box and less of a worry on clutch replacement.

I think I am going to dismiss an early auto at this point. That leaves either a pre facelift MC Shift S or a later sport MC Auto. Given that there is about £7-10k price difference I can't figure out if an 2011 S MC Shift is either 'good value' or a facelift sport auto is worth the extra money iven all the slight improvements?

Dicky, I well be giving you a call in the new year.

Trev

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Try them all before discounting them. It all comes down to how you want to drive them. The mc auto is the same box as the auto just with different software I understand. Noise can be changed with x or h pipes or sports cats.

TrevS said:

Apologies all, I may have got confused with the maserati termonology (easily done). So I understand that there are 3 gearbox options, as others have stated:

Auto - I've read this is the least responsive option and supresses the exhaust sound somewhat
MC Shift - I've read this is a great gearbox, involving and makes a great sound. But clutch wear a consideration
MC Auto - Sounds like the perfect option for me. More responsive than the earlier auto box and less of a worry on clutch replacement.

I think I am going to dismiss an early auto at this point. That leaves either a pre facelift MC Shift S or a later sport MC Auto. Given that there is about £7-10k price difference I can't figure out if an 2011 S MC Shift is either 'good value' or a facelift sport auto is worth the extra money iven all the slight improvements?

Dicky, I well be giving you a call in the new year.

Trev

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You are asking all the right questions but Maserati did not make it easy to navigate the changes. The good news is all three/four* options of 4.7 you are looking at are great so it’s just choosing what works for you. If you prefer the Sport seats then buy a Sport. If your Vantage had only two pedals then you will likely want the automated clutch car.

Personally I don’t like the nose of the Sport but maybe I am just subconsciously defending my 2011MY. Doesn’t really matter, though, just buy what you like but it sounds like exterior colour availability might drive the choice. The only thing of merit I would point out is that the auto box on the Sport is the same as on earlier auto 4.7 engined cars other than in Sport manual. In all other settings it is the same. Oh and the valves on the 4.7 auto stay closed below 3000 revs so that is the noise issue you mention. You can fix it easily enough though.

Best of luck with the search.


*If you can find a Sport with the automated single clutch gearbox.

If I were in your shoes, and wanted to stick within a £30k budget, I’d be having a 2011 GT S MC-Shift. I see it as the best looking and best value GT.
The GT Sport may well be “better”, but you have to pay for that, and to me, it’s not worth the extra. But I can understand why others would think and choose differently.
My 2010 GT S MC-Shift was an excellent car, and in some ways preferable to my MC-Stradale. Which is high praise and I’d happily have another.

The car looks good with all colours in the flesh tbh. Just get one that has been looked after and it will stand out.

I'm sure you will love what you end up with.

I had to have a manual, an automated manual and an auto sports car, so it was not a tough choice as I bought all 3. I do look forwards to driving my MC-Shift when it is her turn. ...Very dramatic

Your budget should allow you to buy the later ones to the letterbox passenger airbag, so that it good.

Ewan said:

If I were in your shoes, and wanted to stick within a £30k budget, I’d be having a 2011 GT S MC-Shift. I see it as the best looking and best value GT.
The GT Sport may well be “better”, but you have to pay for that, and to me, it’s not worth the extra. But I can understand why others would think and choose differently.
My 2010 GT S MC-Shift was an excellent car, and in some ways preferable to my MC-Stradale. Which is high praise and I’d happily have another.

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This would be my call as well

C

It is unbelievable how much cheaper Granturismo‘s are at your side of the Canal guys!
For a < 60.000 KMS 2008 4.2 we have to pay > 45.000 euro’s, more often 50k.