None of these three cars have service records plus each service booklet has no stamps. The only service records any of these cars have are listed on carfax but I don't believe they have that in the UK. I'm going to see the red GS again either Thursday or Friday to do the inspection and test drive. Can someone tell me the difference between driving a GranSport and a GranTourismo?
I just wanted to say hello from the US and ask for some help in buying my first Maserati GranSport (2006)
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cheshiremaserati
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I have a GS. Its smaller than a GT, but a full 4-seater, its agile and sporty. I know some who have had both cars. They describe the GT as a large car and more of a Tourer where they describe the GS as sporty. The GS is good for fast off-highway driving, throwing it into rapid alternating bends.
I read the GS was positioned against a Porsche 911. Maybe a Carerra, possibly a Carerra. But certainly not against a Turbo.
The GS is not slow. It is fast. But the Turbo is like jumping into The Millenium Falcon and having Chewie "take us up to warp speed"
My guess is that the GT is not positioned against a 911. It is a big heavy car and more of a tourer for long distance work taking you in comfort in good speed.
Others who have owned both GS and GT cars will be able to help you more. I only have a GS (though initially, I started my interest with a GT).
I read the GS was positioned against a Porsche 911. Maybe a Carerra, possibly a Carerra. But certainly not against a Turbo.
The GS is not slow. It is fast. But the Turbo is like jumping into The Millenium Falcon and having Chewie "take us up to warp speed"
My guess is that the GT is not positioned against a 911. It is a big heavy car and more of a tourer for long distance work taking you in comfort in good speed.
Others who have owned both GS and GT cars will be able to help you more. I only have a GS (though initially, I started my interest with a GT).
JonW
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I owned a Granturismo, and swapped it for a Gransport. I think the choice between them is a tough choice, but for me it came down to where and how I was wanting to drive the car...
A Granturismo is a BIG car, and while it looks gorgeous and sounds amazing, and is a brilliant way to cover long distances in style, in the end I found it too big, too wide, and too heavy for when I was wanting to have a spirited drive on country roads.
A Gransport is smaller, much less comfortable, and a bit sportier. It’s lighter, more nimble, still sounds good (but not as good as a Granturismo, unless you spend $$$ on the exhaust as some have), the gear changes take a bit of getting used to, but once you have got used to it, I find it’s a more enjoyable driving car if you are just going out for a fun drive on twisty roads... however, this comes at a price, as it’s not as effortless on long journeys.
I also think the interior in a Gransport is less luxurious than in a Granturismo, which for me is a positive as the Gransport interior feels more classic and pared back.
As Dave said, both are great cars, and it just depends what you are looking for. As a daily driver I would pick a Granturismo, but as a weekend toy, I think the Gransport is the better choice...
Vampyrebat
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You still see it all the time on the Royal Mail vans..........Maybe they can switch to Ferrari??!!
UlstermanAbroad
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Simples. Drive both yourself. And give them the beans / floor them / drive them the way they're meant to be driven.
As if you stole them
Of the two cars you're looking at, I've only owned the GT. However, the engine loves to rev and in my experience, the car has few vices. CarFax will not give you the really critical information that you need before buying a car like this. How well has it been looked after. How often and by whom. If you can't get this info and / or the seller won't fix everything that a PPI shows up, then walk away. These cars aren't so rare that there won't be another along, before too long.
Its a buyers market here and I imagine in the U.S. too. There ought to be lots of cars from comparable marques that tick all the boxes and are available at great prices from very motivated sellers.
You're surrounded by states where people are nuts about cars, so there's absolutely no need to be taking uninformed risks. Keep us posted and a very, very warm welcome
You guys are Awesome!! It usually cost me either $300 (for a PPI) or $50,000 (buying the car) to figure this stuff out. I'm old school, I owned these cars before these forums were popular. I could only get this stuff when I was a club member at meets and thru friends. I stopped by the dealership today with the red GranSport and made an appt to test drive the car on Saturday but the dealership owner let me look the car ove while it was inside his showroom. Over all, it seems like a really nice car. I was not able to perform any test while the car was being run or driven but he did start it up for me ice cold. It has a nasty rasp (with the front hood up) for 2 seconds. Is this the noisy Vairiator? It didn't sound pretty but it didn't sound like and engine or bearing knock, but like a rabid rattle snake. The dealer said they all make that noise. Must this be fixed immediately or will it cause damage? And how much to fix. Other than that all was good except the entire backs sides of both seats were sticky, But I only found rust underneath on the front (black) subframe and I attached pictures. The suspension looked good but most of the bushings looked dry rotted and cracked but nothing popping out or broken up. It looked ok. I also found 1 leak from the underside front face of the engine, everything else was dry. Plus I attached pictures. May main concern is the subframe. What do you guys think?
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safrane
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The rasp is common but not on all. It could be the acumulator or the non return valve... or both.
Rear end will need painting after the rust is cut out. It is caused by two grades of steel meeting.
Subframe should clean up OK.
Seat backs are the worse I have seen... guy on here is doing carbon fibre ones.
Rear end will need painting after the rust is cut out. It is caused by two grades of steel meeting.
Subframe should clean up OK.
Seat backs are the worse I have seen... guy on here is doing carbon fibre ones.
Good news about the subframe. It didn't look hateful, just a little crusty in spots. But regarding the rasp, is acumulator or the non return valve issue the same as the Vairiator? And how serious a problem are they? Can I drive the car for a couple of months before I fix it. I want to make sure I like the car before I start sinking a lot of money in it. And lastly, do you know what the components are at the front of the motor (with a bottom up view) with oil droplets hanging off?
UlstermanAbroad
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"The dealer said they all make that noise." Did he manage to say that line with a straight face?
Reminds me of Monty Python's parrot sketch.
If you can record the start up on your cell and post it here, someone will be able to make an informed comment.
Somebody else did this last year and I think several of us breathed a sigh of relief, that our own variators weren't
on the way out.
Reminds me of Monty Python's parrot sketch.
If you can record the start up on your cell and post it here, someone will be able to make an informed comment.
Somebody else did this last year and I think several of us breathed a sigh of relief, that our own variators weren't
on the way out.
The dealer that has the GS sold normal cars (w/ about 100 on his lot) but he had this car and an 06 Bentley Arnage plus two 10 year old vettes to in a mini indoor showroom, the rest were outside. He said he drives a Lamborghini Murcielago as a daily driver and that his car makes that noise too (and again, that it's normal..). I think he's just a regular guy because when I showed him the defects I found, he seemed surprised at the rot on the front subframe and when I told him about the rasp, he acted somewhat nonchalant yet a bit defensive. No matter, I want to try and buy the car, not make a new friend. PLus the red is growing on me. But I need to know how much these noisy variators are to repair or replace and could the upper part of the engine **** out because of it, if it's not tended to. Can someone point me to an article on the problem?
CatmanV2
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safrane
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It is not unheard of for the 4200/GS to have variator issues, but it is rare.
The wet sump engine is far more susceptible and there is a know workaround to fix involving machining the end caps.
I am not aware of a similar fix to the slight rattle you mention, but you may want to check YouTube to hear the issue on a QP and compare.
The wet sump engine is far more susceptible and there is a know workaround to fix involving machining the end caps.
I am not aware of a similar fix to the slight rattle you mention, but you may want to check YouTube to hear the issue on a QP and compare.
Great idea. I'll check YouTube and let you know. Thanks!
Yep, that's my problem! But I never realized how easy it is to check youtube when your a member of SportsMaserati. You guys are awesome! Three days ago I knew barely anything about GranSports, now I'm in the KNOW!
Can you explain the difference? I'd be grateful if you could.
Hey guys, I have my full inspection and road test of the 2006 Red Gran Tourismo tomorrow Saturday at noon. I'm not to hopeful on the car at $24,000 plus tax unless he's negotiable but I'll fill you guys in after the appt. Between those noisy variators, the car need brakes and all the rotors have a lip (Can they be cut or only replaced?) and a bunch of other minor stuff, but we'll see. But thank you to all who helped me prepare myself for this PPI, that I'm going to do myself. If I think I need to bring in a real professional, I will (if need be). Speak to you tomorrow.