Looking at buying a GranTurismo how do you tell the difference between auto and MC?

[roocarl]

Hi guys I was thinking of a 4.2 but I could stretch to £40 k which is banging on the door of 4.7S cars lots are advertised as Auto but some with a stick in console others without ?
Are the ones with a stick the Autos ?
Are 4.7S much better than 4.2 ?
which tend to sell better ?

Just concerned about the cost of the clutch replacement :-(

Also I watched a video review saying the MC shift was quite jerky and clunkybin auto mode ?

 

[c4sman]

Some say 4.2 isn't quick enough but having never driven one I can't comment. What I can say is the 4.7 has plenty of go so you wouldn't ever be lusting after more performance, but you may need to budget for an exhaust mod. Mc shift can be driven perfectly smoothly if you want the involvement and your right that auto mode is a no go, however if you're going to drive around with clutch anxiety then go for the full auto and just enjoy what is still a wonderful car. Ones with a stick is an auto. No stick is mcshift. Mc shifts seem to command slightly higher price, but both auto and mc cars seems to sell well if they are good ones.

 

[Andyk]

The 4.7 is worth hunting down as it is worth the extra.....Yes the MC Shift can be jerky on auto but no one drives it oin auto plus its a gear box you learn to drive smooth with time......The auto has the stick yes.....clutches are expensive to fix at 2k plus but find one that has been done recently and you should have a few years without the cost depending on miles and how you drive it.

 

[bigbob]

The best advice is to drive all three and then choose what suits you. All three choices are very different - I've driven all three and have owned one for five years - and there are many vested interests on here - including me - that will take you one way or the other.

Forums tend to be populated by enthusiasts and purists who often focus on the 'sports' option. This inevitably leads to a direction in the answers you receive. There is no substitute for driving and choosing what you want rather than what someone else wants.

Happy to help with spec, prices etc.

 

[Bobby Dandruff]

The best advice is to drive all three and then choose what suits you. All three choices are very different - I've driven all three and have owned one for five years - and there are many vested interests on here - including me - that will take you one way or the other.

Forums tend to be populated by enthusiasts and purists who often focus on the 'sports' option. This inevitably leads to a direction in the answers you receive. There is no substitute for driving and choosing what you want rather than what someone else wants.

Happy to help with spec, prices etc.

This is a good answer.

Having owned a 4.2 and now a 4.7 Auto (and driven the MC Shift), it all comes back to what you want.

The 4.2 for me was a nice entry point, but I eventually wanted something a bit more sporty. So I drove an MC Shift and loved the noise but didn't much care for the gearbox and was wary of the clutch wear.

So for me a 4.7 Auto with the optional Sports Pack (if you can find one.) is the perfect combination: smooth AND sporty when you need it to be, with a beautiful noise plus no worries about clutch wear.

(thanks again to bigbob for bringing the Sports Pack option to my attention)

 

[Classico]

Driven both and it really comes down to your budget.

If you can afford the 4.7 in the UK, go for that option. It's the better car.

4.2 is a great ride as well. It's fast enough real world and still emits a great sound (a Larini centre pipe makes it roar even more beautifully).

I'd shy away from the MC shift with replaceable clutch. These cars are expensive to maintain as is without having to worry about replacing the clutch every 2-3 years (dependent on mileage/driving style).

 

[mcs]

This is a good answer.

Having owned a 4.2 and now a 4.7 Auto (and driven the MC Shift), it all comes back to what you want.

The 4.2 for me was a nice entry point, but I eventually wanted something a bit more sporty. So I drove an MC Shift and loved the noise but didn't much care for the gearbox and was wary of the clutch wear.

So for me a 4.7 Auto with the optional Sports Pack (if you can find one.) is the perfect combination: smooth AND sporty when you need it to be, with a beautiful noise plus no worries about clutch wear.

(thanks again to bigbob for bringing the Sports Pack option to my attention)

Guys he has a budget of £40k and these sports pack cars are £60K+ so that isn't an option. Given his budget the most "fun car" would be an MC Shift IMHO.

 

[MikeyMaser]

Guys he has a budget of £40k and these sports pack cars are £60K+ so that isn't an option. Given his budget the most "fun car" would be an MC Shift IMHO.

I think he means the 4.7 S Auto with optional Sports Pack:
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/maserati-gt-s-gets-sport-pack

Not the 4.7 Sport:
http://www.maserati.co.uk/maserati/uk/en/index/models/granturismo/granturismo-sport.html

I have an MC Shift so I'm biased! But, I am very happy with it... don't do much town driving... otherwise, I would have gone for the Auto.

Test drive both.

 

[mcs]

I think he means the 4.7 S Auto with optional Sports Pack:
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/maserati-gt-s-gets-sport-pack

Yes that is the one - these are very rare and I have never seen one under £60k

 

[Bobby Dandruff]

Yes that is the one - these are very rare and I have never seen one under £60k

Yes they are rare (hence me mentioning that they give the best combination of comfort, sportiness and peace of mind) but you are wrong about the price. I paid less than £60k for mine.

 

[mcs]

Yes they are rare (hence me mentioning that they give the best combination of comfort, sportiness and peace of mind) but you are wrong about the price. I paid less than £60k for mine.

Fair enough - you have done very well. These hardly ever come up for sale, very well done I'm guessing it's still no where near OPs £40k budget though

 

[Contigo]

4.2 Review

[video=youtube;LbTxhnlZphU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbTxhnlZphU[/video]

 

[mcs]

One of the few MC shift reviews - wait for the tunnel run at 3.52 and turn up the speakers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxMlMhQCwE8

 

[roocarl]

Thanks for all the great advice guys something like this would be great a bit over at £45k but if I could get a Private sale might be closer my budget

So does the standard exhaust still sound a little fruity on the 4.7 Auto or would I need a full system/Decat/X pipe arrangement to release a nice sound ?

Also from my research running costs wise - 15mpg average £800 per year specialist service , Tyres + Brake disc pads as and when any common problems or common wear items other than brakes ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-MASE...375299?hash=item3d104b4c83:g:kgMAAOSwGotWs9h1

 

[bigbob]

I get about 21mpg - auto is longer geared than MC - and am still on factory brakes at 34k miles.

On the 4.7 auto the valves open at 3000 revs in sport - sounds loud enough to me but it's personal.

Servicing is 12.5k miles or 2 years.

 

[roocarl]

Thanks bigbob that is good news

Found another one and getting cheaper -

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...ranturismo/maserati-granturismo-4-7-s/4924967

 

[mcs]

Omg that interior is revolting!

Btw; you have PM!

 

[roocarl]

I dont hate the red I prefer the cream and black , that would certainly wake you up in the morning lol.
I was trying to find a sound video of a standard exhaust 4.7 auto but struggling to find one .....

 

[StuartW]

The best advice is to drive all three and then choose what suits you. All three choices are very different - I've driven all three and have owned one for five years - and there are many vested interests on here - including me - that will take you one way or the other.

Forums tend to be populated by enthusiasts and purists who often focus on the 'sports' option. This inevitably leads to a direction in the answers you receive. There is no substitute for driving and choosing what you want rather than what someone else wants.

Happy to help with spec, prices etc.

Excellent advise, all 3 are indeed very different - there is nothing at all wrong with a 4.2, it's an excellent car and now well within reach of many.
But you should certainly drive all 3 and no doubt you will reach your own conclusions - good luck and feel free to ask any questions you think of, we are here to help!

 

[Ewan]

I love the dark blue car with red interior. And if it was an MC Shift and had the big oval exhausts, I'd have bought it by now. It's been for sale for quite a while now (with the red interior being not so popular) so may be available for a lower price. So if the auto box appeals with its lower maintenance, go take a look.