Beginning my journey

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mr_igor

New Member
Messages
13
So I’m converted. My next car is going to be a Maserati. I’m driving a BMW 5 series GT and was really looking forward to a face-lifted Porsche Panamera. Maseratis are rare around where I live, and I always was under impression it’s somewhere in the middle between a Bentley and a Ferrari, i.e. not really practical or affordable. But I had a chance encounter with a parked Maserati and got hooked by the looks. A bit more research and I realised it’s something I can actually have, and they are among the most beautiful cars on sale today.

I’m only really starting to explore. I like to take my time on research and realistically I’m months away from a purchase. I’m somewhat torn between a Quattroporto and a Granturismo. QP is more tame and limousine-y, and GT looks very nice and sounds (pun intended) like a car I’d enjoy driving. It’s rather basic in its electronics. I need a parking camera and CarPlay, but, thanks to this forum, it seems that it’s a solvable problem. Price-wise I think I can get a 2014-15 GT Sport with reasonable mileage. Although I really like the looks of 2012 S more than Sport, it’s somehow comes across more timeless to me. Will I regret it or miss out much if I get a better 2012 S instead of slightly newer Sport?

I am somewhat concerned about the practicality of 4 inch clearance, but it seems people have no issues getting around on average UK roads with some care.

My biggest concern at the moment is caring after the car: I will need to keep it outside. Of course, I will get ceramic coating and rust-proofing of the undercarriage done. I will also try to cover the interior from UV. Is there any other sound advice? I’ll be using the car at least weekly, so it’s not a long-term conservation storage I’m after.
 
midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,250
mr_igor said:
So I’m converted. My next car is going to be a Maserati. I’m driving a BMW 5 series GT and was really looking forward to a face-lifted Porsche Panamera. Maseratis are rare around where I live, and I always was under impression it’s somewhere in the middle between a Bentley and a Ferrari, i.e. not really practical or affordable. But I had a chance encounter with a parked Maserati and got hooked by the looks. A bit more research and I realised it’s something I can actually have, and they are among the most beautiful cars on sale today.

I’m only really starting to explore. I like to take my time on research and realistically I’m months away from a purchase. I’m somewhat torn between a Quattroporto and a Granturismo. QP is more tame and limousine-y, and GT looks very nice and sounds (pun intended) like a car I’d enjoy driving. It’s rather basic in its electronics. I need a parking camera and CarPlay, but, thanks to this forum, it seems that it’s a solvable problem. Price-wise I think I can get a 2014-15 GT Sport with reasonable mileage. Although I really like the looks of 2012 S more than Sport, it’s somehow comes across more timeless to me. Will I regret it or miss out much if I get a better 2012 S instead of slightly newer Sport?

I am somewhat concerned about the practicality of 4 inch clearance, but it seems people have no issues getting around on average UK roads with some care.

My biggest concern at the moment is caring after the car: I will need to keep it outside. Of course, I will get ceramic coating and rust-proofing of the undercarriage done. I will also try to cover the interior from UV. Is there any other sound advice? I’ll be using the car at least weekly, so it’s not a long-term conservation storage I’m after.
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I'm somewhat biased but a GT Sport post MY2013 should fit your bill. It's the first facelift with extra horses and update to the interior. It doesn't come with the auto android/carplay as standard but it's a 'simple' £1k update from SportsItalia. As for leaving it outside, you're on the money with waxoyl and ceramic coating, just remember waxoyl underneath and ceramic on top.

There's a few about, so get the one with the best service history and average of 4k miles per year. They love to be run, garage queens tend to have 'issues'.

Good luck in your search.
 
JMS

JMS

Member
Messages
264
It was the seats in the facelift version (2013+) that were a deciding factor for me. The older ones just look dated in my opinion, and I think the half-Alcantara which seems common on those just doesn’t look right either.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,975
First decision QP or GT how much do you actually need the rear seats? If it's more than 5 times a month then its a QP, the GT has 4 seats but less room and access counts it out for regular use. If the rear seats are occasional items the GT is the way to go a truly stunning looking car.

After that its budget, mileage and personal taste get out and look at a few different ones to see what you actually want and if you can afford to buy from a reputable dealer like Richard Grace then you will be sure to get the best around.

Good Luck with you search
 
E

Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,520
Are you a sophisticated debonair silk suited, with a whiff of danger and excitement about you, saloon man, or a backward baseball hatted cargo shorted muscle man tee shirted, with a just a whiff about you, coupe man?

Think carefully :)

Eb
 
highlander

highlander

Member
Messages
5,223
Andy spot on with the first factor to consider, how much will you use the rear seats. I was where you are 5 years ago and tested a coupe and a saloon, both ticked all the boxes but i did not need rear seats so coupe it was!
enjoy the search and research, that is half the fun of going for a new car!
 
midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,250
Are you a stuffy old codger who wear red trousers or tweed , listens to radio 4 and harks back to the good old days then the land barge QP is yours. Or are you an energetic person with a zest for life and excitement, listens to 6Music and looks forward to the next adventure in the most stylish and aurally pleasing coupe?

Think carefully.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,975
midlifecrisis said:
Are you a stuffy old codger who wear red trousers or tweed , listens to radio 4 and harks back to the good old days then the land barge QP is yours. Or are you an energetic person with a zest for life and excitement, listens to 6Music and looks forward to the next adventure in the most stylish and aurally pleasing coupe?

Think carefully.
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What I think and what others think may differ ;)
 
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mr_igor

New Member
Messages
13
Folks, you are amazing, grazie mille! Indeed, research is a lot of fun and does build up anticipation. I guess I'm more of a coupe guy. Back seats are for occasional use only. I'm also a millennial -- just about -- so I listen to weird stuff on Spotify, that's why I need my CarPlay. I do like long cars, but it seems QP is less likely.

GT S vs GT Sport is becoming a bit of a dilemma though. I've been trawling through threads here and reviews all over the web, and it's rather close. On one hand, GT S just looks better (in my subjective view), and could come with all-leather seats. On the other hand, GT Sport has marginally more powerful engine, maybe a better automatic gearbox, and more comfortable seats.

I'm after a magnificent grand tourer with a powerful engine, not a racing car. Missing out on 20 hp don't worry me, but I guess I'd value comfortable driving position of GT Sport. I suppose I need to test-drive both to see if I can notice the difference enough to convince myself to ignore the looks. I will go for auto and probably also for Skyhook, because I like comfort, but it's available in both models. That said, given extra cost I will want to drive one without the adaptive suspension as well, just to make sure it's worth it.

I cannot get a good grip on the auto gearbox improvement in GT Sport beyond unqualified comments from respected members that it's got better compared to GT S Auto. I could not find any information about this in any reviews. Can anyone shed some light on this, what the improvement was about: performance, reliability, or anything else?
 
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mr_igor

New Member
Messages
13
One more thing about the looks. In this advert someone fitted a face-lift bumper on a 2007-vintage GT. I really like a pre-facelift look of the bumper, so I wonder if the reverse is possible and/or practical: putting a pre-facelift bumper on a GT Sport?
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,639
mr_igor said:
One more thing about the looks. In this advert someone fitted a face-lift bumper on a 2007-vintage GT. I really like a pre-facelift look of the bumper, so I wonder if the reverse is possible and/or practical: putting a pre-facelift bumper on a GT Sport?
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There will, no doubt, be a queue of black GT owners who will gladly swap yours back to their old one.

The early ones had fog/spot lights, the later bumper does not but you just unplug them/plug them back in again, so the answer to your question is yes, they simply interchange.
 
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mr_igor

New Member
Messages
13
Thanks Cyclone1, it does look very interesting!

I'm curious why it's priced the way it is. It is almost £5k cheaper than this one which is older AND has got fewer miles on the clock. Any ideas?
 
3hcp

3hcp

Member
Messages
259
Mileage, they drop significantly after 40k.
also there were 3 models I believe MC SHIFT, AUTO AND AUTO MC SHIFT.
search the forum threads.
 
midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,250
You're doing well in your research, but that extra 20 horses doesn't really mean much on the road, @MrPea 's GS Spyder was happily keeping up with @conaero 's Stradale on French roads when overtaking. Whether Matt was fully 'on it' or not is his opinion but he was fricking loud to suggest that he was.
 
midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,250
3hcp said:
Mileage, they drop significantly after 40k.
also there were 3 models I believe MC SHIFT, AUTO AND AUTO MC SHIFT.
search the forum threads.
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Mine is a MC Auto Shift and I love it, I had a 4200 CC beforehand and you can drive it in 'slush mode' or 'manual' mode if you want better control. I don't miss not having a clutch and the 3/4k replacement bill. I always drive in manual and with sport on for the quicker change.
Test them all to make your own mind up.
 
dickygrace

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
Messages
7,342
mr_igor said:
I'm curious why it's priced the way it is. It is almost £5k cheaper than this one which is older AND has got fewer miles on the clock. Any ideas?
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One is at a dealer who knows the market very well and prices his cars competitively. The other is at a dealer who clearly has little idea of the market and has no interest in actually selling the car ;) I don’t think it’s of interest to you anyway, as it’s an MC Shift and you’ve expressed your preference is for an auto.

Regards what you’ve asked about GT Sport’s MC Autoshift software, it’s a quicker change, and also the baffles are open all through the Rev range in sport manual, whereas that’s just >2500rpm on a GT S.

Ps. All autos and all GT Sports have Skyhook. It was a (very common) option on an MC Shift. The only exceptions being cars with a handling pack, they came with fixed Bilstein dampers a la Stradale so no skyhook.

Finally, and completely back to front, welcome to the fold, you’ve found the right place for advice.
 
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mr_igor

New Member
Messages
13
Thank you Richard for kind words and explanation, it is crystal clear now. What you said about Skyhook is a great insight. Some listings don't mention it, but now I'll watch out for reasons behind it and won't ignore those without because it could be just lazy ad.

With all your help folks I think I am turning into a decent Maserati spotter :shy:
 
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