GT-S buying advice

granturismo

Junior Member
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192
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classi...il&utm_campaign=Car_Dealer_Mailing_April_2014

Does anyone know this car? I am interested although would still need to negotiate on the price as it only comes with 3 months warranty from the dealer. It has only had 2 services done, one at 7k in 2011 and one at 15k in 2014 so it was overdue service for more than a year before it was done. Both done at joe macari and they confirmed that last one was a major service. Its due another service in Dec this year... I am slightly worried that its had this big gap in services and MOT history highlights some issues with tyres (below limits) which indicates to me car was a bit neglected if it was allowed to go to MOT with such worn tyres... No info on brakes but it will have two new tyres on the back...

Just got a bad vibe about it, what do you think?
 

granturismo

Junior Member
Messages
192
Its 300 miles away so not exactly trip out to a shop.... Just wondering if car is known in the community or has anyone seen it for sale before. Its got private plate F2VAB
 

Contigo

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It would put me off a bit as you say with limited number of services even though the GT's tend to be longer life (12.5k service intervals). Not a car I recognise but I've seen it for sale for some time now on AT when I was looking for my current GTS.
 
G

Guest 1678

Guest
Interesting to see what a main dealer would recommend for a service. This could be due a 4 year and that could be quite big - fluids (incl braking system), air con recharge, belts and possibly 4 lambda sensors. If you have the registration they will tell you what they recommend. 12.5k or 2 years, but that is very dependent on driving style, so it seems. My service indicator is coming towards me at an alarming rate.

Damo
 

StuartW

Member
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9,306
As the last service was a major one, the next one therefore should be the minor. Based on the mileage, I would expect it to be on the original discs so you might be looking at replacing those in the next year or two.
As for the worn tyres, if it was not owned by a car enthusiast, I can see that getting missed quite easily by the owner who could have assumed based on the mileage that the tyres would be fine but they can go through them at quite an alarming rate.
If you can, I would take a look in the flesh or have someone take a look at it for you as on the surface, it looks pretty good to me
 

StuartW

Member
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9,306
I haven't seen it but it looks good with the options you would want - front sensor, Bose & comfort pack. The latest service would have been due in 2015 but they will be doing that prior to sale which is not unusual, the pervious owner probably traded it just as that service needed to be done.
It looks a good, low mileage auto and if they came down a few thousand, it looks a good buy to me
 
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Guest 1678

Guest
Make sure they do the service. I have had experiece of this not being done and having a very straightforward conversation with the dealer. If it is within 90 days of the service due date i would have a word in their ear to ensure it falls on them and not you.
 

granturismo

Junior Member
Messages
192
they actually did service back in December and it was minor service so it will be due another one in Dec 2017 (major one).
Price wise there's some movement so I'm liking it so far, just was slightly worried about low mileage, higher previous keepers (I would be 4th, 3rd private owner) just in case its a lemon but nothing indicates it so far and I suspect it not unusual with these kind of cars.

oh decisions decisions.
 

StuartW

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9,306
Multiple owners is not unusual in these cars. Many people own them for a year, can afford to take a hit on the high early years depreciation, and then move on. As long as each owner has looked after it correctly, the number of owners should not put you off
 

Contigo

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Previous on mine is 6, doesn't put me off really as Stuart says it's got the history and is in good shape. These are the cars which are passed around a lot people just want to tick boxes.
 

granturismo

Junior Member
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192
anyone know how much would it set me back to have car sent for a multipoint health check at Maserati dealership (Graypaul/Sytner)? Or do they always carry one out during service as standard?
 

Contigo

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I'd factor about £300 for an inspection but make sure you use a specialist rather than MD as they tend to know more about these cars and offer a more bespoke inspection service.
 

Contigo

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Not many in that area really, further north you have Shiltech and Autoshield but call the usual suspects and see if they can travel.

With the GTS there are common issues to look and history to check etc... My advice is buy from a dealer, negotiate hard, make sure brakes are newish, can variators have been checked or replaced, tyres and suspension is all good and that the Sport button works!!!! Check air con compressor, all trim is good along with all buttons checked for wear and tear. Basically scrutinise the car as it is a hefty chunk of money!

Pm me for more details if you like as I may be able to organize a specialist to inspect the car for you.
 

granturismo

Junior Member
Messages
192
Right so deposit paid this morning on the basis that dealer will fix issues identified by shiltech inspection.
Couple of points came out of the inspection
- lip on brake disks - to be sorted
- soft brake pedal - apparently system needs to be re-bled under pressure.
- light switch loose
- valves sticking ( I'm aware of that happening so not too bothered )
- sunvisor on passenger side broken
- front grill clip missing

hopefully they can sort all these out without difficulties and I'll be a happy owner of GTS in week and a bit time....

It comes with warranty but I'm not sure if its worth taking it out (I have an option to reduce it and save some extra money)
No excess at all, no diagnosis charge, £5000 claim limit and claim as many times as you want - managed by Momentum warranties...

they don't have best reviews online so I'm wondering it makes sense to take it or not... any thoughts?
 

Wack61

Member
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8,764
If it's from a dealer you have a lot of rights under the new consumer rights laws that changed late last year , have a look at Jkulin's thread , he seems to be on the ball with what you're entitled to, plus if it's on finance that's another level of protection

Not sure if turning down a warranty would slow any claim down but it shouldn't affect your consumer rights.

Sounds like a good car if that's all the inspection found, sticking valve ?

If it were me I'd ditch the warranty , put the money in the bank and add to it to build a war chest
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
I assume the valve is an exhaust valve? Sounds promising that they will be seeing to everything on the list, are they skimming or replacing the discs? Skimming is fine but if someone else is paying, I would push for replacements especially if it is the fronts as they are on of the most expensive parts to replace on a GTS, along with the clutch (did you get a wear reading on that?)
Concerning the warranty, if it is for 12 months I would be inclined to keep that in place. For example, if you need a radiator, an air con compressor and an ABS sensor in the first year as I did, it would cost you up to £2k so might be worth your while.
Good luck & keep us posted
 

granturismo

Junior Member
Messages
192
they're not skimming disks as the surface is okay, just taking the lip off as otherwise they're seem to be okay - pads are 20% worn apparently and its only done 15k miles... I don't think I'd get them to replace disks as they're already tidying up these little things and reduced asking price by couple of k's (to more reasonable level - not a bargain but what I'd expect).
Valve is the exhaust valve, yes and from what I read its a common problem. Clutch is not an issue as its Auto, not MC Shift.
getting excited now...