Calling Gransport owners - a few questions

[ofenomeno99]

I’ve just bought an XK 5.0 convertible to take to Portugal........incredible value for money

How does it compare to the Maserati? The 5.0 XKR is on my list of itches to scratch.

 

[Rwc13]

I’ll let you know when I pick it up next week

 

[JonW]

I owned a GS and GT at the same time- GS lovely as a weekend car, GT as a DD.

As much as I loved the raw feeling of the GS, the GT offers a much more refined and sexy package and I would struggle to recommend that you pay money over your GT for a GS as much as I love it.

Thanks for this - its helpful, and I think I just fancy a bit of rough!....

It does feel strange that I’m swapping a newer, more refined car, for something older and more “basic”, and the economics are essentially that it’s a straight swap. However, that’s largely because Granturismo prices are falling through the floor, whereas (top quality, low mileage) GS’s have been steady for a while...

 

[BuckRog64]

Jon, I'd be inclined to discount depreciation as a deciding factor. There are signs that GS prices have peaked as the market corrects itself and a GS retailing at £30k could easily be only £20k for a private sale in a years time.
Did anyone look at the black car? A while back that would have been a bargain, if as good as advertised, and been snapped up by someone like Richard Grace to retail for £32/33k.

 

[Ewan]

You might even find that in a years time, if you want to swap back, you can do so with money coming back to you (as the value of the GS is likely to stay level, while that of the GT is likely to drop).

 

[Oneball]

Thanks for this - its helpful, and I think I just fancy a bit of rough!....

It does feel strange that I’m swapping a newer, more refined car, for something older and more “basic”, and the economics are essentially that it’s a straight swap. However, that’s largely because Granturismo prices are falling through the floor, whereas (top quality, low mileage) GS’s have been steady for a while...

Having gone from a TVR to a 3200gt. The older Maseratis still have that modern car ease of use thing. Unlike the TVR which is no more useable than an MGB I’d have no hesitation in taking the Maserati to Tesco or the South of France.

 

[FIFTY]

Hi Iain,

I think some people would view it as a backwards step, but I fancy more of a sports car rather than a grand tourer. At times I really notice how big, wide and heavy my GT S is, and a GS is much smaller and more focussed as a driver’s car ( at least I hope so!)...

I’m sure I will have to make some mods to get the sound of the engine and the exhaust anywhere near what my current car has, but that will be part of the fun.

I can see your point, Surrey roads (or perhaps roads in Europe) are not wide enough for the big modern GT. Perhaps roads in the US or newly built Chinese cities/highways

The only thing preventing the GS from being a fantastic GT is the 19" rims. I did 3500 miles in my 4200 in September. When we got back I was very sad to see it get tucked away back into the garage and the daily duty BMW felt like a bucket, not a comfortable one either!

 

[JonW]

Jon, I'd be inclined to discount depreciation as a deciding factor. There are signs that GS prices have peaked as the market corrects itself and a GS retailing at £30k could easily be only £20k for a private sale in a years time.
Did anyone look at the black car? A while back that would have been a bargain, if as good as advertised, and been snapped up by someone like Richard Grace to retail for £32/33k.

Fair point - and trying to 2nd guess what will happen to prices is crystal ball gazing at best. Having said that, a GT S that was £46k two years ago is now around £30k for a private sale, and I suspect the GT S will fall more in the same period than a really strong example of a GS...

I’ve been trying to see the black car, and have had a couple of conversations with the guy who’s sellling it. It does sound promising, but there’s also a really odd dynamic going on and it all feels a bit difficult and vague. There might be a cracking car behind it all, and a bit of a bargain, but it would definitely, definitely be one where you’d want a proper detailed inspection...

 

[Oneball]

I can only see GT going down. GS will be at the whim of the market after Brexit but I don’t think they’re massively over valued currently unlike 911s and Ferraris

 

[BuckRog64]

Fair point - and trying to 2nd guess what will happen to prices is crystal ball gazing at best. Having said that, a GT S that was £46k two years ago is now around £30k for a private sale, and I suspect the GT S will fall more in the same period than a really strong example of a GS...

I’ve been trying to see the black car, and have had a couple of conversations with the guy who’s sellling it. It does sound promising, but there’s also a really odd dynamic going on and it all feels a bit difficult and vague. There might be a cracking car behind it all, and a bit of a bargain, but it would definitely, definitely be one where you’d want a proper detailed inspection...

I'll refer you back to my earlier post re the black car. Very short ownership and questionable reason for sale. Yes PPI a good idea.
Maybe speak to Richard Grace. He probably knows about the car.

 

[safrane]

I have been considering the change from a GS to a GT and one of the main hesitations has been re sale value.

I have spoken to the trade who have advised me to stay where I am as the depreciation on the GTs will be far higher and more surprising maintenance will be too.

Still have the itch, and frequently toy with the idea of a 4.2 auto which comfort wise will be far more like my earlier 4200s.

Re the GS 19" Wheels... if they make the ride too hard there are lots of used 18" on ebay for around £500 a set.

 

[Ewan]

I doubt maintenance will be higher on a GT. It’s more modern, with servicing every two years as opposed to one. And all parts are readily available. And the wheels don’t break.

I can see that a £40k GT has a way to fall, but a £20k (approx) 4.2 auto can’t loose too much.

 

[FIFTY]

I doubt maintenance will be higher on a GT. It’s more modern, with servicing every two years as opposed to one. And all parts are readily available. And the wheels don’t break.

I can see that a £40k GT has a way to fall, but a £20k (approx) 4.2 auto can’t loose too much.

Only thing is that QPS and GTS are bigger/heavier cars which wear through brakes and tyres quicker plus those items are more expensive because they need to be bigger/wider (thus more expensive) to accommodate the weight/size of the car

 

[BuckRog64]

A couple of sources told me the GTS is more expensive to run than a GS because expensive consumables for the GTS, such as brakes, had to be sourced from the manufacturer. There are aftermarket options available to GS owners. Thanks to this forum that is changing so I'd expect the GTS to cost less to run going forward.

If Jon's valuation of his car at £30k is right (although I think it's a bit low) then I'd be surprised if it lost much more than another £5k over the next year. Conversely, a GS bought from a dealer will dump c.£5k immediately due to the private sale value having to be that much lower in order to achieve a sale.

 

[whereskeith]

Both are fabulous cars and I think you won’t go wrong with either changing or staying with the GTS.
Sometimes change is good just for the experience.

 

[JonW]

Hi all,

This may be a really stupid question, but what battery does a Gransport use?

I have a brand new Bosch S5 in my garage which I’ve never fitted to my GT S. Will this be of any use? A quick google search suggests it should be fine, but figured I’d check...

Thanks in advance

Jon

 

[EnzoMC]

Hi all,

This may be a really stupid question, but what battery does a Gransport use?

I have a brand new Bosch S5 in my garage which I’ve never fitted to my GT S. Will this be of any use? A quick google search suggests it should be fine, but figured I’d check...

Thanks in advance

Jon

yep I think the S5 is the one I have but isn't their different version (last 3 digits) ie - S5 003. which one do you have - you will need a high CCA for the GS

 

[JonW]

yep I think the S5 is the one I have but isn't their different version (last 3 digits) ie - S5 003. which one do you have - you will need a high CCA for the GS

It’s an S5 096 77AH...

 

[philw696]

Need a high CCA for both especially the GT with electric parking brake ,auto headlamps etc.

 

[zagatoes30]

A couple of sources told me the GTS is more expensive to run than a GS because expensive consumables for the GTS, such as brakes, had to be sourced from the manufacturer.

Emblem advised me that running costs of a GTS are significantly higher than the 4200 primarily due to the cost of parts. They quoted 20-25% more on average bills.