Hampshire Newbie

conaero said:
Welcome. Pop down our workshop in Eastleigh (SportsItalia) and there will be 3 two seater Strads (black, white and yellow) on site today and tomorrow, your decision will be made in under 60 seconds. It does come in 4 seat guise too so that may suit your needs better.

The 3 come in standard, intermediate and ‘asbo’ exhaust set ups.
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Pimping out my car?! I’ve only been here a few hours :lol2:
 
Welcome to the forum.
It does seem quite a strange comparison of cars, and I would have thought your usage needs would dictate it more than the comparison, so will look forward to your conclusion when you've experienced both.

Davykettlechip said:
Sound is One of the most important driving emotions for me...hence arriving at this dilema :cool:
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If that is the case, there is only one answer! Granturismo. Preferably an MC-shift or Stradale.
Personally, I don't think there is a better sounding car on the planet.
 
Sam McGoo said:
Welcome to the forum.
It does seem quite a strange comparison of cars, and I would have thought your usage needs would dictate it more than the comparison, so will look forward to your conclusion when you've experienced both.



If that is the case, there is only one answer! Granturismo. Preferably an MC-shift or Stradale.
Personally, I don't think there is a better sounding car on the planet.
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Yep...as i say its a question of practicality or emotion. I have sat in a Levante and never in a GT. i am coming from an SUV, like the practicality, however it doesnt set the world alight. Levante petrol v6 is theoretically a more engaging drive, has a compelling exhaust note, trident badge and can still take a boot-full of bags and family in comfort. However, i could go selfish and take maserati ownership in another, more heartfelt and ‘true’ direction and have a car that would make me very happy And provide the proper experience. Never driven either...so lets see. Key thing is i hope to end the process with one...and a huge smile!
 
If you buy a Levante, every time you see a GT you will regret your decision.
If you buy a GT, every time you drive it or catch a glance of it you will smile and shake your head, thinking "I can't believe I nearly bought a Levante..."
 
Welcome Davy.
I've also owned a variety of SUVs. If I ever think of them, including the one I now own, its as a tool for a specific job.
To get me from A to B, when everything else grinds to a halt. Proper SUVs like Range Rovers, Jeeps, Touaregs and G- wagons, used to be the exception on our roads. Now they're everywhere. It's hard to tell them apart.
But, Granturismos are still comparatively rare. There's no mistaking them, for anything else. They look like nothing else. They sound like nothing else. What they say about you as a man. Few other cars can say.
When you're eating through a straw and wearing adult diapers and considering whether to pull the plug or not.
Your last happy thoughts will be of your kids, the amazing women you've known and the way your Granturismo made you feel and everyone else feel, who sat in it, heard it, or saw it parked or screaming past.
Do you imagine for one second, that you'll be thinking of SUVs?
If you really need one. Buy a cheap Defender or similar and maintain it yourself.
I know from personal experience that they're cheap as chips to maintain.
Buy your Granturismo wisely and it won't break the bank. Not like a crack habit anyway ;)
Mine has been the most reliable car that I've owned and nothing makes me grin like an idiot, the way it does.
 
Well summarised Ulsterman! I am sure I am not the only one who has bought a cheap SUV for carefree driving and parking, so that I an drive the SUV to do the boring stuff and not having to worry too much about if you could find a decent sized parking... I only take the GT out for "special" occassion, but always looking for a reason, espeially when the sun is shining outside...
 
UlstermanAbroad said:
Welcome Davy.
I've also owned a variety of SUVs. If I ever think of them, including the one I now own, its as a tool for a specific job.
To get me from A to B, when everything else grinds to a halt. Proper SUVs like Range Rovers, Jeeps, Touaregs and G- wagons, used to be the exception on our roads. Now they're everywhere. It's hard to tell them apart.
But, Granturismos are still comparatively rare. There's no mistaking them, for anything else. They look like nothing else. They sound like nothing else. What they say about you as a man. Few other cars can say.
When you're eating through a straw and wearing adult diapers and considering whether to pull the plug or not.
Your last happy thoughts will be of your kids, the amazing women you've known and the way your Granturismo made you feel and everyone else feel, who sat in it, heard it, or saw it parked or screaming past.
Do you imagine for one second, that you'll be thinking of SUVs?
If you really need one. Buy a cheap Defender or similar and maintain it yourself.
I know from personal experience that they're cheap as chips to maintain.
Buy your Granturismo wisely and it won't break the bank. Not like a crack habit anyway ;)
Mine has been the most reliable car that I've owned and nothing makes me grin like an idiot, the way it does.
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Haha, absolutely brilliant and very well put. It’s fine, everyone can relax...a quick chat and a blast in Matt’s Stradale has nailed the coffin shut on the Levante...and the one I was due to drive tomorrow has been sold.

You could say the v8 gods are clearing a Devine pathway to the right decision.

Now to find the right one for me. Not going to rush but I think I know what I am looking for now.

I mentioned in passing the Tuscan Tea party thread the my better half earlier and she said ‘sounds like great fun’...after 20 years of me married to her and my Audi...she knows how this works and I sense she is almost onboard too...let the excitement of finally realising a desire to own a GT begin
 
Be Aware that a Levante is a Chrysler based rebadge. Nothing wrong with that, until you get in and drive it for half an hour. Had one as a courtesy. Long way down the 'Not for me' list.
 
Davykettlechip said:
I mentioned in passing the Tuscan Tea party thread the my better half earlier and she said ‘sounds like great fun’...after 20 years of me married to her and my Audi...she knows how this works and I sense she is almost onboard too...let the excitement of finally realising a desire to own a GT begin
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Davy. Within ten seconds of meeting us, women know how we roll. The smart ones don't try to change us. And instead, embrace the chaos ;)
 
Davykettlechip said:
Haha, absolutely brilliant and very well put. It’s fine, everyone can relax...a quick chat and a blast in Matt’s Stradale has nailed the coffin shut on the Levante...and the one I was due to drive tomorrow has been sold.

You could say the v8 gods are clearing a Devine pathway to the right decision.

Now to find the right one for me. Not going to rush but I think I know what I am looking for now.

I mentioned in passing the Tuscan Tea party thread the my better half earlier and she said ‘sounds like great fun’...after 20 years of me married to her and my Audi...she knows how this works and I sense she is almost onboard too...let the excitement of finally realising a desire to own a GT begin
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An old lady walked into the workshop after you left to complain about the noise exiting. Apparently it was a white (mine) one, a black (Zep’s) one and a red (my brothers) one that were the serial offenders. Ooops

She then asked us if we wanted to buy some of her cucumbers and apples, presumably to shove up the exhaust.
 
conaero said:
An old lady walked into the workshop after you left to complain about the noise exiting. Apparently it was a white (mine) one, a black (Zep’s) one and a red (my brothers) one that were the serial offenders. Ooops

She then asked us if we wanted to buy some of her cucumbers and apples, presumably to shove up the exhaust.
Click to expand...
Maybe you could have politely suggested she inserted the cucumbers in her ears, issued resolved, everyone happy. Anyway, that wasnt ‘noise’, it was music :cool:
 
I've had a GT Sport, and loved it. Proper 2+2, best looking car around, even after all these years. And the noise is great.
Had a few Levantes as a loaners, found them very ordinary, and the handling disappointing.
Sold my GT - for practical reasons and now in an Alfa Stelvio Quadrifoglio. It's everything that the Levante is not.. Stupidly fast, with astonishing handling, and still a very rare car. The noise isn't quite Maserati levels, but still very satisfying. Whilst I still miss the GT I don't regret the change - The Alfa is one of the most satisfying cars to drive I've had.
 
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