Gransport or Granturismo?

warrench

Junior Member
Messages
61
Hi folks

So having been short my 3200 for a bit over a year now, the itch has started to grow again... apparently I get bored of cars that are too reliable...

So I have been pondering and hoping those more in the know than I can offer opinions on my dilemma. I love the look of a gransport and am rather tempted by the spyder, but the coupe will probably win out, but should I be looking at an earlier granturismo instead? Newer car etc.. From what I can see prices for a mint gransport and an early GT look in the ball park and am assuming it’s generally the same engine?
I’m guessing it will be a case of choosing an auto vs Cambiocorsa and all that entails but are there other factors my man maths is glossing over worth considering from those who have had either, or both?
I miss the engagement of my manual 3200 and can either of these compare? Subjective I know but interested in hearing your thoughts..
 

JonW

Member
Messages
3,259
Hi,

What do you want the car for? How will you use it?

I had a 2012 GT S, and swapped it for a 2007 Gransport. The GT S was a stunning looking car, and sounded awesome. However, when driving it fast on UK roads I felt it was too big (wide) and heavy... in contrast, the Gransport is a much nicer, more exciting, car to drive, but needs work to make it sound anywhere near as good...
 

warrench

Junior Member
Messages
61
Hi,

What do you want the car for? How will you use it?

I had a 2012 GT S, and swapped it for a 2007 Gransport. The GT S was a stunning looking car, and sounded awesome. However, when driving it fast on UK roads I felt it was too big (wide) and heavy... in contrast, the Gransport is a much nicer, more exciting, car to drive, but needs work to make it sound anywhere near as good...

Fair question!
It will be driven, mainly on weekends out to the country and the odd continental blast. Certainly something that’ll be used.

Certainly not afraid of doing work after the 3200 but what might I expect on the GS over a GT?
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Have both, you have time.

Go GS first for a year or so then see if you can get into a Strad.

Both brilliant and very different to each other.

The sensible money would be the GS at the moment as prices are astonishing low and will only go up and that gives you an extra year or so for Strad prices to soften.
 
Messages
1,117
I faced this question 3 years ago. Initially thought of Granturismo. But the Gransport ticked the key boxes for me and I bought a 2007 Limited Edition spec car with 26k miles from Richard Grace. I recommend you have a chat with him. Just to complete the picture, I considered a 3200 also but almost instantly eliminated it from my enquiries - probably offends current owners, but defintely not the car for me. The Granturismo was eliminated quite quickly also - heavy, big and markedly slow compared to the Porsche Turbo (but most cars are slow compared to a Porsche Turbo). That left me with a 4200 Coupe vs Gransport and I am happy with my choice.
I never bought the GS as an all-out speedster to take on the Porsche Turbo. It is a different car - not slow by any means but such lovely lines and the rarity in small numbers were big attractions as well as s good reputation for reliability in all seasons.

The cambiocorsa box is really nice and I also have a 6 speed manual Porsche Turbo in case I miss a manual shift car. My recommendation (with a lot of bias) is to go for a good tidy Gransport.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,746
Early GTs are such value at the moment but will continue to fall as there are lots out there.

A GS may be older but despite recent softening of the whole v8 market they still hold their value better.

As Matt says, get a GS and you could swap for a GT in a couple of years cash free... you will not do the same in the GT.
 

BL330

Member
Messages
1,121
Want to see the difference in size? My GS looks skinny and low between 2 GT's. As Matt says GS now and Strad like the black one later.58883
 

D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
I chose GS for similar reasons to Jon, at the time I felt the GT was too big for the 2 of us, had a 4200 and a GS now, had a 3rd person in twice, if you will regularly carry more than 2 and don’t care about the size GT is a great car, no quicker I understand.....
 

leeq61

Member
Messages
356
I had driven both the GT & GS before I made my decisions. As many have stated above, they’re both great cars. The GT for me felt too big, although it did feel more modern than the 4200/GS.
The GS ticked all the boxes for me in that when I drive it, I feel special and I suppose I always wanted the GS after seeing The Topgear review back in the day. I’m glad I made the decision I did and somewhere down the line, I’ll more than likely look at a Strad. For the time being the GS is a great car which I always look forward to driving and still has the great looks of a Maserati.
 

hashluck

Member
Messages
1,515
I chose GS for similar reasons to Jon, at the time I felt the GT was too big for the 2 of us, had a 4200 and a GS now, had a 3rd person in twice, if you will regularly carry more than 2 and don’t care about the size GT is a great car, no quicker I understand.....
More than enough room to carry 4 in comfort in a GS. I think somehow it is even roomier than a GT despite the smaller external size.
 

JonW

Member
Messages
3,259
I don’t think either the GS or the GT will provide quite the same level of engagement as a proper manual gearbox. There’s something about the act of having to use your left foot to change gear that isn’t quite the same as flicking a paddle... however, the Cambiocorsa or the MC-Shift gearbox comes pretty close.

I think most people would say that the GT is the better, more modern car, and it feels much more like a luxury grand tourer. As such, if you want something for the main A roads and motorways of the UK / Europe, or something to just cruise around in, I think the GT is the better choice.

However, if you also want to be able to have fun on more twisty B roads, or the track, and are looking for more of a sports car feel, then the GS is closer to this.

I’m glad I swapped my GT for a GS, and whilst a Stradale would be great fun at some point in the future, I still think it’s too big for what it is trying to be... as such I’m probably going to either make my current GS a keeper, or save up for an MC-V which will then become a keeper
 

Goodfella

Member
Messages
735
I’m starting to question if I actually drove a Gransport before buying a Granturismo with statements like they are faster and roomier on here?

Maybe it was a kit car lol..
 

redsonnylee

Member
Messages
1,538
Go for the GS, I went from a 1994 Ghibli to a 3200 before for changing up to the Gransport. I thought about a GT but at the time I thought it was too big and large for SW London and the speed humps. However a neighbour has an MC Shift now and with the parking sensors it’s actually quite a lovely to car to drive around.

My plan was to have it for two years then go for a later car. Now almost 2 years of ownership I’m ready to change up, not sure if to go for a stradale or another Italian marque as I have bit more to spend.

I bought my GS over the phone from Richard Grace so as previously mentioned call him. Also in
terms of running costs it’s much lower and I drive it all the time unlike my 3200.
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,116
Hi folks

So having been short my 3200 for a bit over a year now, the itch has started to grow again... apparently I get bored of cars that are too reliable...

So I have been pondering and hoping those more in the know than I can offer opinions on my dilemma. I love the look of a gransport and am rather tempted by the spyder, but the coupe will probably win out, but should I be looking at an earlier granturismo instead? Newer car etc.. From what I can see prices for a mint gransport and an early GT look in the ball park and am assuming it’s generally the same engine?
I’m guessing it will be a case of choosing an auto vs Cambiocorsa and all that entails but are there other factors my man maths is glossing over worth considering from those who have had either, or both?
I miss the engagement of my manual 3200 and can either of these compare? Subjective I know but interested in hearing your thoughts..
Hi warrench
If you miss the engagement of a manual, have you thought of maybe taking a 4200 GT face-lift out for a spin. It is the closest (looks and performance wise) you will get to a GS and for probably less money......... Just a thought!!
 

warrench

Junior Member
Messages
61
Hi warrench
If you miss the engagement of a manual, have you thought of maybe taking a 4200 GT face-lift out for a spin. It is the closest (looks and performance wise) you will get to a GS and for probably less money......... Just a thought!!

Yes before I got into my 3200 I looked long and hard at the 4200 and I just couldn't feel the same way about them as I did the 3200.
Now this will likely sound daft given the relation but I like the look and poise of a GS over the 4200. Not sure exactly why but a 4200 leaves me cold while the GS actually gets me looking twice
 

warrench

Junior Member
Messages
61
Thanks for the feed back gents, very much appreciated! As is usually the way (and seems I wasn't alone here) head says the early GTs are looking cheap for a newer car but the heart gets tickled by the GS more

Once the right one has been found will be sharing here!