Hello! Looking at buying a GranTurismo, is it right for me?

Cr4zylegs

New Member
Messages
4
Hi All,
I’m currently looking at purchasing a granturismo, I have never had the pleasure of owning a Maserati before but love the look of the GT.
I’ve been reading through various posts on this forum for a while trying to get a feel for if this type of car will be right for me and was hoping a few people on here may be able to give me their opinions.
I would ideally like a 4.7 S MC, I’ve read up on the clutch wear and the variator issues with the earlier cars, my worry is more with the type of driving I do and roads I have to travel on, I have had TVR’s, Lotus’s and older mustangs in the past so I am quite used to slightly unreliable cars.
The car would be a daily driver, approximately 30 miles a day, 3 days a week and 50ish miles at the weekend, before any fun trips out, obviously this is a “normal” week. The car would be used throughout winter in all weathers, now I think my biggest concern are the roads that I use around the area that I live, they are shocking!!! Huge potholes everywhere as I live in quite a rural area which the council’s seem to forget about, would the car last being “bashed” about on terrible roads on a daily basis, I remember hitting a large pothole once in a TVR and the dash fell apart
So my question is do you current owners think a granturismo would be a good car for my situation?
Saying all that if it feels right when I test drive one I probably wouldn’t care what you said anyway
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Welcome to the forum!

I would have to say that, without knowing the roads specifically, that the GTS is a pretty robust bit of kit. Its not really up to ploughing through potholes with abandon, but driven sympathetically it should be more than capable of dealing with whatever roads you throw at it.

The upper front wishbone bushes take a battering, and most cars need them on a fairly regular basis, but other than that you shouldn't have too many problems.

What I will say is that the GT is a lot better on bumpy roads than my old GS, neither are particularly bad but the GT is less jiggly (technical term!)
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
With Zep on this; however you could opt for smaller wheels and get an extra inch of rubber on the sidewall to help.

Not as pretty as the birdcage or neptune wheels but they could help.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,017
Welcome!

Potholes? Drive round 'em. These cars thrive on use but no car will thank you for driving through a pothole. I'm sure there are plenty of less fecked roads where you can be more spirited but, as Zep said, the GT is pretty tolerant and well bolted together. Maintenance is important and make sure you invest in getting the underneath cleaned, de-rusted and protected.
 

Navcorr

Member
Messages
3,839
Welcome. When you say rural roads do you mean country lanes? If so a GT is a big hector and, perhaps, something to consider if this will account for the majority of your miles. Whenever I've driven or passengered in one narrow lanes are not ideal. Stating the obvious but make sure your test drive incorporates the type of roads you will use.
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
The GT is fine as a daily driver in normal conditions but it really depends on how bad your roads are. When I lived in a small village, the issue I had was not potholes per se (although I did significant damage to my TR6 hitting one) but the side gulleys.

The roads were narrow and I often encountered drivers in the middle of the road - resulting in me either having to stop completely or risk the road edges.

Me, and most of our neighbours, had 4wd or big saloons as daily drivers (or were happy bouncing around in old cars) and kept the nice cars for fun (when you could limp out of the village to nice roads without any agenda). Also, there was no way we were leaving our village in the snow in anything but a proper 4wd with snow tyres and you should consider winter tyres if you are driving all year.

Bear in mind also that the GT is a big car (length and width) and that if you do hit a pothole or gulley, you will probably damage both the tyre and wheel.

My 'record' one year was to damage 9 tyres (inc 3 in 2 weeks) and to need 2 new wheels .... not cheap.
 

empzb

Member
Messages
229
It's my conundrum too. I really like then, but my xc90 is slimmer and shorter and that's too big for my type of driving/car parks. To the point I'm considering a 370z or c63 now instead.

As a special car it would be great if you can justify it, but as mentioned, try them on your roads youll be using first or you'll sour the experience.
 

JonW

Member
Messages
3,259
It's my conundrum too. I really like then, but my xc90 is slimmer and shorter and that's too big for my type of driving/car parks. To the point I'm considering a 370z or c63 now instead.

As a special car it would be great if you can justify it, but as mentioned, try them on your roads youll be using first or you'll sour the experience.

Gransport?

I switched to mine because I realised the Granturismo was too big too really enjoy on the kind of drives I found myself doing in it.

I’m not sure I’d have a Gransport as a daily (the ride is seriously firm!), but as a weekend toy I definitely prefer it compared to the Granturismo...
 

empzb

Member
Messages
229
Gransport?

I switched to mine because I realised the Granturismo was too big too really enjoy on the kind of drives I found myself doing in it.

I’m not sure I’d have a Gransport as a daily (the ride is seriously firm!), but as a weekend toy I definitely prefer it compared to the Granturismo...

I have toyed with the GS idea and it certainly fits my love of a drivers car more and fits my lifestyle more. I cant full appreciate it's looks from certain angles though and some of the potential big bills worry me a little.
 

elan

Member
Messages
158
I sold a 996 C4 to purchase my GranTurismo and one of the factor was that the GT is ULEZ compliant and the 996 wasn’t. Even though the car is big I find it fine in the London jungle with speed humps. Only the parking is tad tricky!
 
Messages
1,117
I have toyed with the GS idea and it certainly fits my love of a drivers car more and fits my lifestyle more. I cant full appreciate it's looks from certain angles though and some of the potential big bills worry me a little.
I initially looked at a GranTurismo but decided on a GranSport. The GS really is a superb all-round car (though I only use mine 6 months of the year and that too, mainly at weekends and ry days only). I don't advocate driving only in Sport mode. It really firms it up a lot and won't help if you hit a pothole or depression in the road. On some roads, non-sports (normal) manual is the best for me. In this normal mode it is not too soft and neither is it too firm.

Prices for good GranSports are firm, where I have seen prices of GranTurismo cars tumble over the three years I have owned the GranSport.
I'd recommend a chat with Richard Grace on your thoughts about a GranTurismo, share what it is that you want and what appeals to you and he will give you some good credible guidance. Marios at Autoshield is also worth talking to. I would think that a GranTurismo is likely to cost more in maintenance than a GranSport - but I am no expert and speak only from the 3 year running costs of my GranSport.

The curves on the GranTurismo are sexy for sure. But it really is a big heavy car. The GS is much more agile in country lanes and is similar to my Porsche Turbo (except it is not 4 WD) but I'd suspect that the GranTurismo as a big heavy car is unlikely to have the sharper handling of the GS. But I have never owned a GranTurismo, so you ill be better talking to neutral people such as Richard Grace or Marios at Autoshield. Obviously a GT owner will likely have bias as a GS owner will.

This is my GS I bought 3 years ago:
https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/sold/maserati-gransport-le/107

The shape and lines have grown on me over my ownership. The sound is magnificent. It is very low mileage - just at 31k now and I bought it at a shade under 26k miles on collection. It was also featured in Modern Classics Magazine in the October 2016 issue.
 

Cr4zylegs

New Member
Messages
4
Thank you all for the advice, as much as i’d Like to keep the car as a weekend toy I also enjoy 2 wheels and couldn’t justify 2 bikes and a car in the garage whilst then having another one for the daily.
Slightly off topic but could somebody tell me what the differences are between a GS and a 4200?
 
Messages
1,117
You have opened a pandora's box. A 4200 is arounda third to half the price of a good low mileage GS. Then some will chip in and state a facelift 4200 is a GS without the 19" Ttofeo wheela and sans surf board body kit.

Then someone will chip in extolling the virtues of a manual box in a 4200 where the GS is only avaiable as a paddle-shift Cambio Corsa.

Its a bit like the Porsche GT3 Clubsport vs Comfort Spec. Some will buy a Comfort with the CS seats, fit the roll cage and fire extinguisher to bring closer to CS spec. But a Comfort with CS seats and roll cage does not a Club Sport make.

I stand aside as the answers unfold to your enquiry.
 

jasst

Member
Messages
2,313
A GS is what the 4200 should have been from the start, look for the Top Gear review, the interior of the gs is much nicer (imho) and more up to date, one thing to bare in mind is that the 19" GS wheels are made of cheese, so probably not a good idea with your pot holed roads, Get out and drive both and see what you think.