It can't just be me. Can it?

[safrane]

Make sure the 4x wheel alignment is spot on Phil. I had my MK1 set up and I could not believe the improvement it made at slow speeds and when parking.

 

[AG2728]

Sorry. I wasn't questioning your driving ability.

I was purely stating that you and everyone else would just adapt to the size quite quickly and the way it drives and how difficult it is to manoeuvre slowly (because it is difficult).

And that all the new nanny features all the modern cars now have make us all feel that we can't survive without them - which I don't believe to be true as again one adapts to the situation with practice.

Hence my conclusion was that you would adapt to it after time and so I don't believe the size should hold you back. Unless of course you need to fit it in a garage and the car is too big to fit in!!

I don't believe I have missed the point as I did read the thread from start to finish.

After a re-read, my hastliy written post does come over as overly defensive. Apologies for that, as it wasn't intended. I was just trying to reiterate that my preference for something more compact than a GT is not based on any reasons of practicality. I feel that the GT has moved into a different niche. To me, it has moved nearer to XK8, Bentley GT, Merc CL than 456, DB9 or AMG CLK.

I have now noticed your footnote "got too many cars and not enough spaces to park them" and see how this would affect a purchasing decision. It is however only a problem I aspire to have so doesn't enter into my thought process.

Whilst I understand the appeal to some of a big luxo grand tourer, on my part if I was going in that direction then I would rather dispense with the compromises that come with a coupe and just get myself a Quattroporte.

I think I need to drive a Vantage and after the previous comments I should also revisit the GranTurismo. If nothing else, in looking for alternatives, it goes to show how good our cars are and the ridiculous value for money they represent. I can see me keeping it at this rate.

 

[MAF260]

You think the GT is bad, try driving a Golf GTi and parking that with no ABS etc. You need arms like Arnie that's for sure!!

You need ABS to park? What speed are you driving at? Stop driving everywhere like you're Bodie and Doyle!!

 

[hoyin]

After a re-read, my hastliy written post does come over as overly defensive. Apologies for that, as it wasn't intended. I was just trying to reiterate that my preference for something more compact than a GT is not based on any reasons of practicality. I feel that the GT has moved into a different niche. To me, it has moved nearer to XK8, Bentley GT, Merc CL than 456, DB9 or AMG CLK.

I have now noticed your footnote "got too many cars and not enough spaces to park them" and see how this would affect a purchasing decision. It is however only a problem I aspire to have so doesn't enter into my thought process.

Whilst I understand the appeal to some of a big luxo grand tourer, on my part if I was going in that direction then I would rather dispense with the compromises that come with a coupe and just get myself a Quattroporte.

I think I need to drive a Vantage and after the previous comments I should also revisit the GranTurismo. If nothing else, in looking for alternatives, it goes to show how good our cars are and the ridiculous value for money they represent. I can see me keeping it at this rate.

No worries. Tis only an Internet forum and we aren't talking face to face.

I however would class a DB9 in the same class as the GT.

I have the GT purely because I sometimes need more than 2 seats.

If I need 4 seats regularly I would get a 4 door Quatropporte. If I didn't need more than 2 seats I would be driving a Vantage.

So I do feel it is in a specific niche. Not entirely sure it is in a different niche to the 4200 or 3200 though. I still it is in the same niche as a 2+2 though obviously somewhat bulkier.

 

[jluis]

You need ABS to park? What speed are you driving at? Stop driving everywhere like you're Bodie and Doyle!!

I think he meant power steering
I had a mk2 with power steering an it was heavier than some cars i drove before without power steering.
Can only imagine what it feels like without PS

 

[Contigo]

I did put some air in the front tyres and it made alot of difference! Still without any POWER STEERING it feels very very heavy and will give you a workout harder than a Pamela Anderson fitness video from the 90's!

 

[Spartacus]

NA , i had an Audi 80 with no power steering . it was fine ;P

 

[Contigo]

Just seen a F430 come up for £70k on trade mail. It's a 55 plate with 24k miles. Rosso with Tan.

 

[hilts uk]

I did put some air in the front tyres and it made alot of difference! Still without any POWER STEERING it feels very very heavy and will give you a workout harder than a Pamela Anderson fitness video from the 90's!

You should try a three point turn in a 1969 ghibli. I was sweating buckets. Stupidly heavy steering combined with a joke of a turning circle! Makes a GT feel like a fiat 500