Discounts on superceded GTS

[russellp]

I've just blown my retirement tax free lump sum on a 2009 GTS auto from Lancaster, Colchester.
Funny how an initial budget of £40,000 seems to grow without much effort.
I was blown away by the test drive (all of 20 miles)
Those with a bigger budget might like to know that new GTS models are for sale there at £87,000 compared to list £104,000(?) in response to the launch of the new GT Sport.
I guess if you're in the market at that level you might already know that.
I purchased tyre and alloy insurance £520 for 3 years covering accidental damage to alloys (up to 5) for 3 years and tyres similarly.
Sounds like a good deal to me.
Has anyone had experience of claiming on such insurance?
Russell

 

[dickygrace]

Chuffed for you Russell, you've got a belter in the end!

 

[Andyk]

Well done Russell....SOunds like a great deal and a great car.....Look forward to seeing some pictures when you tyake delivery...What colour did you go for..?

 

[Felonious Crud]

Hi Russell, welcome. Excellent way to spend your retirement (money as well as time). It is extraordinary how budgets inflate in the presence of a beautiful car; CERN should investigate this strange phenomenon. Did Lancaster take you through Higham and Nayland on the test drive? It was the exhaust noise through those villages which seduced me, though I went for the MC box in the end. I had tyre / wheel insurance on my last car and vowed not to buy it again having spent a few hundred pounds and not claimed on it in the one year I kept the car. It seemed more valuable to the dealer than to me. Mind you, it will only take two unrepairable punctures on the GTS and you've covered the cost.

/Adam

 

[bigbob]

Welcome - great cars.

Did you buy the blue one?

Can't comment on the insurance I am afraid as I have no experience of it.

Colchester always seem to have more new cars than other dealers. Personally at that price point I prefer to factory order. Light on spec, always got you into a GTS Auto for £87k or less FWIW.

 

[russellp]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for your interest.
I bought the black/black one.
I looked at the blue -nice exterior colour but, for me, the interior was a bit flash.
The test drive took me through the villages but I didn't notice which ones. I was concentrating on the drive and the pleasure.
I was concerned about the size of the car but there is sufficient headroom to get the seat up (I'm 6'2") to a point where there is a reassuring view.
I intend to keep this car and the insurance covers wheel damage. In the last two winters I scuffed all the whells on my BM - not badly but they needed treatment.
When I get the policy details I may reconsider as I've heard some criticisms about the response to claims.
Pleasantly surprised about insurance premiums. The best (so far) is £557 from Endsleigh.
All the best, Russell

 

[bigbob]

That is a good premium but do you need the Navtrak?

 

[russellp]

The car has Navtrak.
I will stay with my current insurer (Groupama) who have matched the premium plus a bit for breakdown and legal protection - total is £619
They also use Maserati main dealers for windscreen replacement unlike some apparently.
They insist on a tracker for values above £40,000

 

[Parisien]

Great news Russell...enjoy every turn of the key and every single mile!


P

 

[bigbob]

Black with black always works. I liked the blue with cream but felt that a cream steering wheel ruined it.

 

[Ren]

The car has Navtrak.
I will stay with my current insurer (Groupama) who have matched the premium plus a bit for breakdown and legal protection - total is £619
They also use Maserati main dealers for windscreen replacement unlike some apparently.
They insist on a tracker for values above £40,000

Hi Russell, Navtrak will cost you 320 quid a year (I've just renewed)
Claimed on tyre insurance for my VW Toe Rag, got through 9 tires in 18 months but they only covered 5 (same as your insurance) tried claiming for a damaged alloy (22") but they got funny about that due to them not being factory fit for some reason !
Anyway, the 5 tires I got out of them more than made up for the insurance as they were £320 a pop !!
Worth checking to see if alloys are covered for scuffs as this might be general wear and tear. Punctures were covered by the way not wear and tear ........ so you may need a friendly tire garage to certify the worn ones punctured if you know what I mean
Ren

 

[russellp]

Hello Ren,
Thanks for that. It's reassured me.
I haven't read the small print yet but it's like all insurance - expensive if you don't use it.
You've had some interesting cars!
Russell

 

[BJL]

I might be being a bit thick here but how does 'tyre insurance' work, surely they can't cover you for worn out tyres if so do they do fuel insurance as well?

 

[dickygrace]

Damaged tyres or wheels, not worn ones.

 

[BJL]

Oh in that case does Ren live in a War Zone
'Claimed on tyre insurance for my VW Toe Rag, got through 9 tires in 18 months'

 

[bigbob]

Oh in that case does Ren live in a War Zone
'Claimed on tyre insurance for my VW Toe Rag, got through 9 tires in 18 months'

Has a white one with the letters 'UN' on the side.

 

[Ren]

Oh in that case does Ren live in a War Zone
'Claimed on tyre insurance for my VW Toe Rag, got through 9 tires in 18 months'

Lol, felt like it ! Toe Rag is notorious for having an impossible camber on the cassis that can't be corrected in the wheels apparently ! Only found this out after the first set of tyres and a few visits to wheel balancers and aligners.
Sold the beast to a friend (well he was a friend before he realised what he bought ) and he's got through 6 tyres and a set of wheels in a year !! In fact he's on his second set of wheels for the thing as some scumbags nicked the 22" alloys last weekend (but they were caught on cctv and arrested (well done plod) no sign of the wheels though.

Lesson learnt, don't get another Toe Rag

 

[stevieg]

Would you please explain to me what you are talking about re.tyre wear and which models it concerns,as a newcomer you have completely lost me !
The post has me concerned me as I am interested in a Turismo or Cabrio circa 2008/2010

 

[Felonious Crud]

Would you please explain to me what you are talking about re.tyre wear and which models it concerns,as a newcomer you have completely lost me !
The post has me concerned me as I am interested in a Turismo or Cabrio circa 2008/2010

The Granturismo and Grancab are heavy cars with powerful engines and soft-compound tyres. A enthusiastically driven one will eat a set of rear tyres very quickly. Even driven sedately the weight of the car and the soft rubber compound means that you'll be wearing them out more quickly than on "normal" cars (except for Ren's old Toe Rag, anyway). So whilst tyre insurance will cover you for non-repairable punctures (and most won't be repairable on tyres rated as highly as you need for a Grantursimo/cab) it won't cover you for wearing them out.

Also worth noting that tyres this size tend not to be kept in stock by Kwik-Fit* etc - most tyre dealers will need to order them in. And the cars don't have a spare, just a repair kit and air pump.

* may not be the first place you think to take your Italian pride and joy

 

[stevieg]

ThAnks for that Adam. So how much are the tyres for a 2008 Turismo with 20 inch wheels.