First post - any advice on one of these two Granturismos :-)

[6502Nerd]

Hi everyone

My name is Dolo and I am from South Leicestershire - this is my first post as I am about to get back into Maserati ownership.

About 10 years ago, I had a 4200 coupe which I loved but had to get rid of due to the situation at the time. Since then I have owned Merc CLK, BMW 6, Merc E Coupe and most recently a Jaguar XKR. I traded the XKR for a Range Rover Sport - big mistake!

So I am looking to get back into a coupe and the Granturismo makes a lot of sense to me

1. Back seats for when I occasionally need them
2. The look
3. The sound
4. The badge

I have seen two cars that I am interested in
a) 2015 model from an independent (Auto2000 in Epping). 66000 miles, 4 owners. 12 month RAC Platinum Warranty (I will an independent inspection too)
b) 2012 model from a dealer (Sytner Maserati in Egham). 30000 miles, 1 owner. Option of 12 month Maserati Warranty (limited to Engine & Gearbox) or Warranty Wise (fuller cover)

I'm going to buy one of these two for sure - all depends on who gives the fairest PX for the Range Rover.
Sytner Vehicle Details
Used Maserati Granturismo SPORT Doors for sale in Tawney Common, Epping - Auto2000 Prestige Cars

Any advice or views on these cars would be welcome - maybe someone knows the cars?

Thanks a lot, Dolo

 

[dickygrace]

Egham car all day long. Sport pack, main dealer inspected, less than half the miles. Good luck, and don’t base it on who gives more for your px, as that will be Epping.

 

[6502Nerd]

Egham car all day long. Sport pack, main dealer inspected, less than half the miles. Good luck, and don’t base it on who gives more for your px, as that will be Epping.

Thanks for the fast response - I did look at your stock, but really want the regular auto than the MC shift (which I think it like the robotic manual of the 4200) as I don't want to think about clutch wear for a daily drive car.
Good points re the 2012 car - looks lovely too. The Epping car is even nicer looking IMO and the guy seems pretty straight, he's happy for it to be inspected by the local Maserati indy.
Waiting to hear back from the dealer..

 

[Bebs]

1+ for Egham car.

 

[dickygrace]

I agree that as a daily you require an auto, it’s much easier to live with. I have 2 in at present but both Gen 3 cars so much dearer. I’d also consider this car if you’re wanting a <£35k auto:

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I don’t know it, haven’t seen it but subject to ppi could be a goer.

 

[CatmanV2]

Thanks for the fast response - I did look at your stock, but really want the regular auto than the MC shift (which I think it like the robotic manual of the 4200) as I don't want to think about clutch wear for a daily drive car.
Good points re the 2012 car - looks lovely too. The Epping car is even nicer looking IMO and the guy seems pretty straight, he's happy for it to be inspected by the local Maserati indy.
Waiting to hear back from the dealer..

I'm just round the corner from the Epping one if you want another set of eyes

C

 

[6502Nerd]

I'm just round the corner from the Epping one if you want another set of eyes

C

Wow, yes, I would love another set of eyes - obvs I fell in love with the car immediately but tried not to show it to the dealer (Scott)!! It has the updated seats and front bumper which I think look ace, but I do still like the Egham 2012 car. If you can have a peep, that would be amazing.

 

[JMS]

Egham car all day long. Sport pack, main dealer inspected, less than half the miles. Good luck, and don’t base it on who gives more for your px, as that will be Epping.

How can you tell it has sport pack? (Assuming you mean suspension). Are you judging on rear arch gap?

my 2p’s worth - different gearbox maps on each car. - try and drive both variants before deciding.

the older car will drop £10k in value when it’s out of Maserati’s warranty, the newer car will fall by a smaller amount in 12months. - only relevant if you do not intend to keep long-term.

…in my humble opinion

 

[6502Nerd]

How can you tell it has sport pack? (Assuming you mean suspension). Are you judging on rear arch gap?

my 2p’s worth - different gearbox maps on each car. - try and drive both variants before deciding.

the older car will drop £10k in value when it’s out of Maserati’s warranty, the newer car will fall by a smaller amount in 12months. - only relevant if you do not intend to keep long-term.

…in my humble opinion

Thanks for your 2p - I actually think the same. Although I do want to keep it as a long term prospect. But this is why I am still attracted to the 2015 model;

1. It looks a little bit nicer (prefer the headlights too - clear indicator)
2. I understand that is it updated re gearbox too (don't know what it means, assume it's better on 2015 v 2012)
3. Seats look better to me (from what I read, they are apparently better)

Sport pack on the 2012 is going from what the dealer said, not based on my observation.

 

[6502Nerd]

Thanks for your 2p - I actually think the same. Although I do want to keep it as a long term prospect. But this is why I am still attracted to the 2015 model;

1. It looks a little bit nicer (prefer the headlights too - clear indicator)
2. I understand that is it updated re gearbox too (don't know what it means, assume it's better on 2015 v 2012)
3. Seats look better to me (from what I read, they are apparently better)

Sport pack on the 2012 is going from what the dealer said, not based on my observation.

Despite this being a long-term prospect, I think resale value on the 2015 will likely be better the longer I keep it as I they will both get the looked after the same but I will be doing 8k-10k miles per year, so the 30k miles of the 2012 one will soon get wiped out.. i.e. will be around 60k in 3 years (the 2015 will have 96k!!). Or am I being naive..?

 

[CatmanV2]

Wow, yes, I would love another set of eyes - obvs I fell in love with the car immediately but tried not to show it to the dealer (Scott)!! It has the updated seats and front bumper which I think look ace, but I do still like the Egham 2012 car. If you can have a peep, that would be amazing.

I can see what I can do. Are you local?

C

 

[dickygrace]

How can you tell it has sport pack? (Assuming you mean suspension). Are you judging on rear arch gap?

my 2p’s worth - different gearbox maps on each car. - try and drive both variants before deciding.

the older car will drop £10k in value when it’s out of Maserati’s warranty, the newer car will fall by a smaller amount in 12months. - only relevant if you do not intend to keep long-term.

…in my humble opinion

Sport pack is updated gearbox software, rear lip, wider side skirts a la MC Shift, nothing to do with suspension. Easiest way to tell is gear lever and oval pipes. Both cars have same or very similar gearbox software.
OP, you’ve been told porkies about Maserati warranty, it’s not available. And it won’t lose £10k when it’s out of warranty, it has been out of Maserati warranty for 5 years already.

 

[6502Nerd]

I can see what I can do. Are you local?

C

Unfortunately I'm not local (South Leicestershire). So what I am hoping is to get the car PPI at the local indy (Jon Paul Motors, if you know them?) and subject to clean bill of health I will go for it. If you have time to just take a look that would be grand, but appreciate that folks are busy etc..

 

[6502Nerd]

Sport pack is updated gearbox software, rear lip, wider side skirts a la MC Shift, nothing to do with suspension. Easiest way to tell is gear lever and oval pipes. Both cars have same or very similar gearbox software.
OP, you’ve been told porkies about Maserati warranty, it’s not available. And it won’t lose £10k when it’s out of warranty, it has been out of Maserati warranty for 5 years already.

So are the 2012 and 2015 gearboxes the same in terms of software revisions (i.e. if serviced and update by dealer...)? I will drive the 2012 before buying of course.. took the 2015 for a spin yesterday and it was as awesome as I hoped!

 

[dickygrace]

Despite this being a long-term prospect, I think resale value on the 2015 will likely be better the longer I keep it as I they will both get the looked after the same but I will be doing 8k-10k miles per year, so the 30k miles of the 2012 one will soon get wiped out.. i.e. will be around 60k in 3 years (the 2015 will have 96k!!). Or am I being naive..?

I think the resale will be easier at 60k miles on the 2012 than 96k miles on the 2015, it’s all crystal ball though.

 

[dickygrace]

So are the 2012 and 2015 gearboxes the same in terms of software revisions (i.e. if serviced and update by dealer...)? I will drive the 2012 before buying of course.. took the 2015 for a spin yesterday and it was as awesome as I hoped!

More or less, the 2015 has +20bhp so there may be small differences. Someone more tech-minded may add to this.

 

[6502Nerd]

I think the resale will be easier at 60k miles on the 2012 than 96k miles on the 2015, it’s all crystal ball though.

I do remember when I eventually got rid of the 4200 - it had nearly 80k on it and everyone was frightened. This surprised me because I always understood that a regularly driven car (not just Maserati) is better than one kept indoors and then taken for a blast 1-2 times a month. I've always been fine with higher mileage - 66k doesn't even feel high to me, surely modern cars (inc. Masers) are good for 120k plus...?

 

[c4sman]

OP. I know it’s hassle but recommend you look at both cars before you commit. The prep level at Egham was top class when I bought mine. I looked at my “perfect car” at a reasonably respectable dealer and found it fell way short in the flesh showing signs of rust on the arches at low mileage as well as signs of sub standard servicing. Pictures only tell you so much and it’s always valuable to have a true comparison in person before you make what appears on paper to be the right decision but may prove not to be later on. On the flip side I find the later seat design a tangible improvement on the previous 2 designs, however none of the seat designs are that bad so not a dealbreaker.

 

[dickygrace]

I do remember when I eventually got rid of the 4200 - it had nearly 80k on it and everyone was frightened. This surprised me because I always understood that a regularly driven car (not just Maserati) is better than one kept indoors and then taken for a blast 1-2 times a month. I've always been fine with higher mileage - 66k doesn't even feel high to me, surely modern cars (inc. Masers) are good for 120k plus...?

If 66k doesn’t feel high to you, buy it. If resale doesn’t matter, or running costs, it’ll be fine.

 

[6502Nerd]

OP. I know it’s hassle but recommend you look at both cars before you commit. The prep level at Egham was top class when I bought mine. I looked at my “perfect car” at a reasonably respectable dealer and found it fell way short in the flesh showing signs of rust on the arches at low mileage as well as signs of sub standard servicing. Pictures only tell you so much and it’s always valuable to have a true comparison in person before you make what appears on paper to be the right decision but may prove not to be later on. On the flip side I find the later seat design a tangible improvement on the previous 2 designs, however none of the seat designs are that bad so not a dealbreaker.

It's good advice! I have already seen the Epping car - it's a nice care but indeed you are right not up to the standards of a dealer. The Range Rover, XKR and Merc Coupe were dealer cars and they prep them very nice indeed. Auto200 seem a decent bunch to be fair and I saw the car after he had taken it out of his storage barn - he was apologetic and said the car would certainly be properly prepped (inside valet and leather needs doing, outside very minor door edge paint). Still, I know what you mean - The Jag XKR pick up experience was great - they had my name on a plaque next to the car which was under a red sheet in the middle of the showroom!!