First Maserati advice needed

[Kazzer]

Hi, I have Alfa 156 2.4 jtd and 3.2 Spider and looking for an addition, on the Alfa forum a Gransport or Granturismo S was mentioned. As I dont know a lot about either, but have seen a few on autotrader is there anything I should look for or avoid? Going up North this weekend and hopefully get time to pop into a dealership and start looking.Was looking at a 4C Spider but doubts are growing and a Maserati would be the only other option.
Would use it for occassional daily commute and weekends and it would be for keeps, so will be looking for one with 30k on it - or should I be looking at one with less mileage.

Karen

 

[safrane]

Give Richard Grace a call re the cars...he will give you the low down without pressure to buy.

You will get a plethora of thoughts from members on what is best...but it's your choice.

 

[hodroyd]

Good advice, have a chat withy Dicky Grace, nice chap, tells truth..!!
Of the 2 as a regular user, I would opt for a Gransport as late a year as you can. Reasons: Granturismo is a great car and good looker, but it's big, difficult to park unless in private parking, no chance in such as a multi-storey, so limited..!!
Gransport is an excellent car, fast and fun drive, very stable at speed and parkable. Holds its money well..!!

 

[Andyk]

Dicky will help...give him a call...

GS and GT S are two very different cars....in very different price ranges as well....GS 25k to 30k.......GT S not much change from 45k for an early one and most are over 50k.........A standard GT with the 4.2 can be had for around 33k.........30k as a week end toy would be the GS. The GT is a newer car which and more of a grand tourer where as the GS is more sporty I suppose. You need to drive both and see what you like...........But the Alfa 4C Spider is just a great looking car and one that will hold it's value no doubt and be a load of fun as a weekend toy, but the one thing you don't get is that lovely V8 noise....Hard choices...Wish I had to them make...Good luck.

 

[drewf]

Good advice, have a chat withy Dicky Grace, nice chap, tells truth..!!
Of the 2 as a regular user, I would opt for a Gransport as late a year as you can. Reasons: Granturismo is a great car and good looker, but it's big, difficult to park unless in private parking, no chance in such as a multi-storey, so limited..!!
Gransport is an excellent car, fast and fun drive, very stable at speed and parkable. Holds its money well..!!

Not often I disagree with you Rob, but the Granturismo isn't by any means impossible to park in public carparks. Plenty of people on here do regularly, I see them in the airport carparks every week, and it's shorter and narrower than my QP. Don't dismiss one on the grounds there's nowhere to park one.

 

[Fangio63]

Not often I disagree with you Rob, but the Granturismo isn't by any means impossible to park in public carparks. Plenty of people on here do regularly, I see them in the airport carparks every week, and it's shorter and narrower than my QP. Don't dismiss one on the grounds there's nowhere to park one.

I'm far more confident parking my GT in my tight garage or a multi storey... always best reversed in... I used to struggle when I had my 4200 with the cambiocorsa box and hair trigger throttle...

 

[hilts uk]

I've owned a GT, GT-S and now a GS MCV and I agree with the comments above. The GT and the GT-S are large cars and great for long distances. They are true Grand Tourers. Interiors and electronics are all up to date and it feels like a luxury car should be to sit in and drive. But they are big heavy cars. The 4.2 is slow and I would avoid to be honest, its not patch on the GT-S in terms of whole experience (acceleration and exhaust note on the GT-S is much better l).

The GT-S feels fast and looks better but after a year I got rid of it as it was just too big and cumbersome for everyday in and around urban areas. In the Winter its a liability on icy roads due to its size, weight and rear wheel drive.

I now own a special edition of the GS and I have to say its a better car than both the GT and GT-S to drive. The smaller frame and lower weight make it a really nimble and quick car and the steering on mine is razor sharp (there is a debate about whether the MCV has been tweaked vs a normal GS). Its also rare compared to the others and I have yet to see another one on the road in 3 months around London and Surrey.

Looking at the economics the GT and GT-S will be more expensive to service but all 3 cars aren't cheap. The big one is the clutch at around 25k-30k miles. The GS is now fully depreciated and you can get a good low mileage one for £25k - £30k (prices are down a little since the Summer). I fear the GT will go down to sub £20k within a few years. It will always suffer as being the smaller brother of the GT. The GT-S will probably drop to GS prices and then hold that level.

Overall having owned all 3 cars I'd go for a late, low mileage GS. You won't lose money on it and its a great sporty daily drive, but everyone will have their opinions on here so I'd drive all three and make your own mind up.

 

[Kazzer]

Thanks I will get in touch with Dicky Grace.
I will need to drive both when I spot something - parking - I'm not the best and admit we do avoid multi-storeys as some are tight on the ramps even for my Spider.
Looking on Autotrader, Pistonheads and Dealers websites are there any other sites to use? Not finding many Gransports is there a reason for this?

 

[bigbob]

I've owned a GT, GT-S and now a GS MCV and I agree with the comments above. The GT and the GT-S are large cars and great for long distances. They are true Grand Tourers. Interiors and electronics are all up to date and it feels like a luxury car should be to sit in and drive. But they are big heavy cars. The 4.2 is slow and I would avoid to be honest, its not patch on the GT-S in terms of whole experience (acceleration and exhaust note on the GT-S is much better l).

The GT-S feels fast and looks better but after a year I got rid of it as it was just too big and cumbersome for everyday in and around urban areas. In the Winter its a liability on icy roads due to its size, weight and rear wheel drive.

I now own a special edition of the GS and I have to say its a better car than both the GT and GT-S to drive. The smaller frame and lower weight make it a really nimble and quick car and the steering on mine is razor sharp (there is a debate about whether the MCV has been tweaked vs a normal GS). Its also rare compared to the others and I have yet to see another one on the road in 3 months around London and Surrey.

Looking at the economics the GT and GT-S will be more expensive to service but all 3 cars aren't cheap. The big one is the clutch at around 25k-30k miles. The GS is now fully depreciated and you can get a good low mileage one for £25k - £30k (prices are down a little since the Summer). I fear the GT will go down to sub £20k within a few years. It will always suffer as being the smaller brother of the GT. The GT-S will probably drop to GS prices and then hold that level.

Overall having owned all 3 cars I'd go for a late, low mileage GS. You won't lose money on it and its a great sporty daily drive, but everyone will have their opinions on here so I'd drive all three and make your own mind up.

A lot of sense but I disagree with the winter driving comment. At this time of year I run/did run both my GTS and 4200 on winter rubber and both were fine, if anything the modern car does better as it has more robust braking with less dive and inappropriate use of the ABS and also much more progressive MSP settings. For choice I take my Land Rover but appropriate tyres is much more relevant in the winter than anything else.

As for which car to buy I suggest that the OP drives all 4 (ie both gearbox options in the 4.7) as they are all very different and it's hard to know without driving really what your taste is.

 

[bigbob]

Not often I disagree with you Rob, but the Granturismo isn't by any means impossible to park in public carparks. Plenty of people on here do regularly, I see them in the airport carparks every week, and it's shorter and narrower than my QP. Don't dismiss one on the grounds there's nowhere to park one.

+1. Opening doors in the GTS is an issue but I always look around for a spot which is wider on one side to help with this.

 

[dickygrace]

Thanks I will get in touch with Dicky Grace.
I will need to drive both when I spot something - parking - I'm not the best and admit we do avoid multi-storeys as some are tight on the ramps even for my Spider.
Looking on Autotrader, Pistonheads and Dealers websites are there any other sites to use? Not finding many Gransports is there a reason for this?

You know where to find me and thanks to all for the recommendations. You're looking in the right place, not many Gransports about just because they're rare, less than 200 in the UK.

 

[stewarttownsend]

My two cents

I use my GTS MC Shift beast daily and apart from being a nervous wreck parking it in public in case some idiot bangs a door I find it easy to park and find a spot, having been driving to Wythenshawe hospital for the last four weeks Ive got over the nervous wreck piece now I love the GTS 4.7 its a beast, but also on the motorway a luxury cruiser and around town the box is a challenge until you adapt and learn how to drive again (Coming from a Tip 996).

Dependant where you term north you are welcome (dependant on snow) to come out for a test drive, Im in the sticks outside of Burnley but some great roads to push that exhaust note to.

Stewart

 

[hodroyd]

Drew,
I understand your comments, but the main issue in most car parks is not getting the car in, it's getting in and out of the car with the width and massive 2 doors..!! I struggle sometimes in 4200 & GS, the GT is worse..!! It's not the car, it's the available parking is usually tight and unsuitable..!!
Cheers
R

 

[bigbob]

Drew,
I understand your comments, but the main issue in most car parks is not getting the car in, it's getting in and out of the car with the width and massive 2 doors..!! I struggle sometimes in 4200 & GS, the GT is worse..!! It's not the car, it's the available parking is usually tight and unsuitable..!!
Cheers
R

Yep that's why a large saloon is easier to get out of than a large coupe.

 

[hodroyd]

Agreed, the GT-S is a great car, if you don't need to use car parks..!!

 

[drewf]

Fair point gents.

 

[bigbob]

Agreed, the GT-S is a great car, if you don't need to use car parks..!!

I manage to cope, putting the seat right back prior to getting out and rarely parking next to another car. Park miles away at the supermarket but then I do in any car.

 

[hodroyd]

Good tips we all try to follow Bob..!!

 

[rs48635]

I manage to cope, putting the seat right back prior to getting out and rarely parking next to another car. Park miles away at the supermarket but then I do in any car.

What is the "supermarket" place you speak of?
The nice man* brings all my food directly from laptop to kitchen, in a cheery vegetable themed van.

(*ocado - £5 delivery is great value door-ding insurance)

 

[CatmanV2]

What is the "supermarket" place you speak of?
The nice man* brings all my food directly from laptop to kitchen, in a cheery vegetable themed van.

(*ocado - £5 delivery is great value door-ding insurance)

Even better if you pay for the year......

C