Ghibli Petrol

keith

Member
Messages
624
The nature of this forum will attract enthusiasts and to them as you can see diesel as sacrilege. However, whilst I don't have the figures I think it's safe to say the majority of current model QP, Levente, and Ghibli sales will be diesel, and I'm guessing that's still the case even after the anti diesel press. Most people are not car enthusiasts and in the same way the equivalent Mercedes BMW Audi etc, diesel is chosen as its cost effective and in day to day driving the average motorist can't tell and/or doesn't care.
I bought a Ghibli diesel over four years ago. When I ordered the car the Petrol engine with some four to five thousand more expensive. I don't use the car a lot, current mileage being barely thirteen thousand, but when it is used its mostly motorway driving with some heavy town driving in and around London. When warmed up it's generally imperceptible as to what kind of engine it has, and in Sport mode the exhaust note is electronically altered to give a very convincing big petrol engine style rumble, also the diesel engine torque (600nm which is more than the Ghibli S) will produce surprising acceleration. Compared to the petrol, Fuel economy is obviously better, and RFL is cheaper. But servicing costs particularly at a main dealer are more expensive. Finally both engine cars look identical with no indication what engine is under the bonnet.
For me the priority was that the cabin looked and felt like a Maserati, with all the luxury that offers, so extended leather options etc as sitting in the car is where I spend most of the time with it. In normal day to day driving on traffic congested roads it doesn't make a lot of difference what kind of engine it's got, as long as it behaves like an executive saloon should.
If money was no object I undoubtedly would have gone for a Ghibli S, being the 'top of the range' but given my budget I am pleased with the choice I made.
In conclusion, and stating the obvious it's a question of deciding what your priorities are.
 

Swindorski

Junior Member
Messages
37
This video always comes to mind whenever I see a Ghibli, is he wrong?

I have to admit I only watched the first few minutes - because I found him incredibly annoying - but yes, he's wrong.
All I heard was lots of sensible, practical, logical reasons not to buy a 'Geebly'.
No one buys a Maserati with their head. It is a heart purchase. You buy a Ghibli because you DON'T want a BMW...
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
I have to admit I only watched the first few minutes - because I found him incredibly annoying - but yes, he's wrong.
All I heard was lots of sensible, practical, logical reasons not to buy a 'Geebly'.
No one buys a Maserati with their head. It is a heart purchase. You buy a Ghibli because you DON'T want a BMW...
Its Jeebli isn't it in Italian? 'J' like like Russian 'ж', ie like the 's' in 'pleasure'...

Anyway to me this (and the QP6) look like big BMW/Audi/Mazda/Toyotas with
Chrysler unpinnings and controls and a nice grille and few Tridents stuck on here and there.

Sorry, I've tried to like them honest!
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
The Ghibli will never be as good as the competition......All reviews seem to say it just misses the mark...It has been the story of lots of Maserati models......but that isn't the point as with most Maserati. The Ghibli looks great in and out and with the competition excellent these days in the daily drive category doesn't make it a bad car....just a different one maybe. Would love one as a daily drive as it does cut a dash on the road against all the Audi's.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
I say you have to drive one then form an opinion. It’s got negative press and sure it’s not the type of car I’d polish and go to a show in but you will be very pleasantly surprised if you ever drive one.
 

P R

Member
Messages
1,382
Its Jeebli isn't it in Italian? 'J' like like Russian 'ж', ie like the 's' in 'pleasure'...

Anyway to me this (and the QP6) look like big BMW/Audi/Mazda/Toyotas with
Chrysler unpinnings and controls and a nice grille and few Tridents stuck on here and there.

Sorry, I've tried to like them honest!

Its pronounced like the gh in spaghetti, so a harder sound.
 

Davidt99

Member
Messages
184
I have to admit I only watched the first few minutes - because I found him incredibly annoying - but yes, he's wrong.
All I heard was lots of sensible, practical, logical reasons not to buy a 'Geebly'.
No one buys a Maserati with their head. It is a heart purchase. You buy a Ghibli because you DON'T want a BMW...
It would be interesting to hear your views on the whole point the video is making, it is a 14 minute video.
 
Messages
291
Its Jeebli isn't it in Italian? 'J' like like Russian 'ж', ie like the 's' in 'pleasure'...

Anyway to me this (and the QP6) look like big BMW/Audi/Mazda/Toyotas with
Chrysler unpinnings and controls and a nice grille and few Tridents stuck on here and there.

Sorry, I've tried to like them honest!
Sorry but its far from that opinion. The QP6 is a well made car.
 
Messages
308
This is all personal and subjective.

I got back into Maser ownership back in March and got a GranCab Sport. Really like it. It’s not the Strad and yes has the jellywobbles but driving in a relaxed mode and the car is lovely and very happy with it.

So I needed a daily driver for the Airport run every Monday at 4:30am and decided to get a Ghibli Gransport Petrol and went for the 21” rims..... got both at the same time and got a deal.

Let’s just say that I hated every single minute of my ownership. The only redeeming feature was that I liked/like the Ghibli Gransport shape.

So had the car 3 weeks and 2 of them we were away on holiday abroad and got rid of the Ghibli straight away.

Took an absolute bath on the decision and more fool me for not test driving one before buying!!

Bought a new Golf R and to be honest, chalk and cheese. Absolutely love the Golf as much as I hated the Ghibli...

Lesson learned at 48!

It’s all subjective though. What I don’t like in a car, the next person does....

Stu
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
This is all personal and subjective.

I got back into Maser ownership back in March and got a GranCab Sport. Really like it. It’s not the Strad and yes has the jellywobbles but driving in a relaxed mode and the car is lovely and very happy with it.

So I needed a daily driver for the Airport run every Monday at 4:30am and decided to get a Ghibli Gransport Petrol and went for the 21” rims..... got both at the same time and got a deal.

Let’s just say that I hated every single minute of my ownership. The only redeeming feature was that I liked/like the Ghibli Gransport shape.

So had the car 3 weeks and 2 of them we were away on holiday abroad and got rid of the Ghibli straight away.

Took an absolute bath on the decision and more fool me for not test driving one before buying!!

Bought a new Golf R and to be honest, chalk and cheese. Absolutely love the Golf as much as I hated the Ghibli...

Lesson learned at 48!

It’s all subjective though. What I don’t like in a car, the next person does....

Stu
Can I ask if your car had skyhook or normal suspension? Mine had 21s and normal and it just didn’t work. I learned that the dealers know this and tried only to sell 21s with skyhook. The pzeros didn’t help either.

Just wondering.
 
Messages
308
With the electric steering and the brakes that were massively over-servoed, it just felt like a wallowy barge and totally unconnected from the driver.

When I jumped a foot over an expansion joint on the A406, that was it for me
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
With the electric steering and the brakes that were massively over-servoed, it just felt like a wallowy barge and totally unconnected from the driver.

When I jumped a foot over an expansion joint on the A406, that was it for me

Fair play, I liked mine. Ive got a remapped 530d m sport now that is far better in every way but has no soul.
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Sorry but its far from that opinion. The QP6 is a well made car.
No doubt it's probably well made, and fast but for me I prefer a bit more rough and ready. QP5 DS is pretty fussy in the mornings when cold but 3/4 mins later when warm (these cars warm up fast) it's for me a proper sports GT, and 90% of that for me is the DS gearbox and paddles that do the job a gear lever does. I'm no great driver but paddling on the DS makes me feel like one. Not sure an auto would no matter how it had been fettled.

That's just me tho, like others have said, horses for courses....
 
Messages
291
No doubt it's probably well made, and fast but for me I prefer a bit more rough and ready. QP5 DS is pretty fussy in the mornings when cold but 3/4 mins later when warm (these cars warm up fast) it's for me a proper sports GT, and 90% of that for me is the DS gearbox and paddles that do the job a gear lever does. I'm no great driver but paddling on the DS makes me feel like one. Not sure an auto would no matter how it had been fettled.

That's just me tho, like others have said, horses for courses....
The manual sport mode with paddles in my QP6 does still give you that f1 shift feel with controlled loud upshifts and downshifts and is very quick/smooth in auto mode with the 8 speed zf transmission. I think with mc stradale ferrari 599 transmission and the DS and MC shift transmissions there is a more raw shift feeling as you say. Also the sport/comfort suspension dampening in the QP6 make a big difference when driving spiritedly so car does still feels like a thoroughbred when your on it and not some boat.