Looking to buy Gran Turismo

[helvie]

Hi,
I currently drive a Carrera , 2s with aerokit but have decided my next car will be either an Audi r8 -v10 or Maserati granturismo.

Can anyone explain what I should be looking out for as with my Porsche I eneded up having to get an engine rebuild that cost the best part of £12k as it was just out of warranty.
Also have there been facelifts brought out as I see some different style front aprons and rear exhausts but both cars are advertised as "S" model. the one im thinking of just now is a 2010 model 4.7 s with 22,000 miles for £57,500 is that reasonable.

Is there anything that I should be looking out for in particular.


Thanks for now

 

[conaero]

Welcome.

First off yes, there was a facelift in 2012, deeper front grill and nicer seats and steering wheel.

They don't seem to go much wrong but buying one with a Trident warranty remaining seems to be the the wise thing to do.

There was also a 2 seater Stradale which was a bit more hardcore

The nav units are a bit pants in all of them but who cares when you have that exhaust noise.

Never heard anything go wrong really on the GTS. Get an X pipe fitted, check for peeling cabin trim and also when going from reverse to first listen for a ping coming from the back, its play in the driveshafts.

Other than that, check for all the usual bits, oh, and make doubly sure the front discs are ok and don't vibrate as they are prone and cost £2-3k to replace.

 

[helvie]

OK, thanks I took the car mentioned above for a test drive but was disappointed in the exhaust sound. It was nice on start up but when driving in sport mode it didn't have the sound that I heard on the you tube posts or that everyone speaks about so think I will go next model up for a test drive to see if that does it.

My 911 has sports exhaust and sounds very nice much better than the car I test drove, it has a permanent growl. Is the x pipe a sports exhaust ?

 

[Wattie]

You need the MC shift buddy.

Cheers Wattie

 

[Felonious Crud]

OK, thanks I took the car mentioned above for a test drive but was disappointed in the exhaust sound. It was nice on start up but when driving in sport mode it didn't have the sound that I heard on the you tube posts or that everyone speaks about so think I will go next model up for a test drive to see if that does it.

My 911 has sports exhaust and sounds very nice much better than the car I test drove, it has a permanent growl. Is the x pipe a sports exhaust ?

Hello Helvie. Good car choice. Which gearbox did the one you drove have, and was it a pre or post-facelift car? I *think* 2010 must be pre-facelift. The MC gearbox tends to be a bit more raucous by default whilst the auto needs to be revving high before it really starts yowling. The x-pipe would replace the current centre-section and does away with a lot of the exhaust muffling nonsense which comes as standard. Many people wouldn't want it any louder than standard but personally I like the improved acoutsics which the x-pipe gives. It really is spectacularly bloody loud as standard in sport and when you give it some beans, and the x-pipe makes it even better. The sound-deadening inside the cabin is tremendous, though, so don't under-estimate how many windows will fall out of buildings if you drive down a narrow street.

 

[helvie]

It was a 2010, 4.7 s with paddle shift and the small gearstick don't know the name for it. Going by the reply above it must have been the pre facelift, also had the 4 tailpipes opposed to the 2 oval ones that I see on some cars. I have a test drive in an r8 this week but will also take out the mc shift 4.7 to see the difference.

Apart from the Stradale are there 2 variants to the mc auto shift ?

 

[Felonious Crud]

That'd be the auto. Quieter. Give the MC Shift a spin - no gear-stick, twin oval pipes, rear-mounted semi-automatic robotised manual derived from Ferrari 599. Takes a little getting used to but I love mine, absolutely love it. Where are you based? Happy to show you round mine if it would help.

There is an MC auto shift (or some such thing) on the facelift models. I think it's a faster version if the "old" ZF auto which you test drove.

 

[helvie]

Im up in Aberdeen unfortunately as that would have been great to get a look round a car without the salesman trying to sell it. I can see a 2010 MC on Autotrader down in Sheffield so maybe give them a call tomorrow as its also got the carbon sports pack that I liked on the car I test drove.

 

[zoros]

If you want noise, helvie, buy a GT with a TUBI or Larini exhaust and all your dreams will come true in the noise department. OR change the exhaust on the one you buy, to this spec. If you know someone who owns a workshop, cut out the baffles or cross over to an X pipe exhaust with some local dock yard shenanigans for the same effect.
However - don't forget to tell your lovely insurance man who will take his cut for the privilege.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Im up in Aberdeen unfortunately as that would have been great to get a look round a car without the salesman trying to sell it. I can see a 2010 MC on Autotrader down in Sheffield so maybe give them a call tomorrow as its also got the carbon sports pack that I liked on the car I test drove.

Yeah, that's a bit of a schlep from these here parts. The carbon pack looks great, agreed. Forum favourite dealers are Richard Grace, Nuvola and Bowker. None especially close to you but all well worth a call. If they have something to your spec it's worth the journey - I think all have sold unseen to very happy punters.

 

[helvie]

OK, thanks for your advice guys. I will look to buy an mc shift and take it from there.

 

[Violetduck]

Ex-Aberdeen Uni here....you guys have all the nice cars up there!

 

[Wowbagger]

I picked up my GTS MC Shift on Friday and am in Aberdeen for a couple of days, if you would like to have a run in it tomorrow evening send me an email and we can arrange it. It is a black car with the carbon exterior kits.

 

[Andyk]

Hi Helvie and a big warm welcome to the forum..You will get loads of advice on her to help you find your perfect GT...

 

[helvie]

Wowbagger, ive just logged in after a couple days missed your message not sure if your still up here but im of to London in the morning for the Froch fight so not going to catch you.

As violetduck says lots of nice cars in Aberdeen, lots of oil money, lol. l I met a guy on Tuesday who drove past then parked in front of me so went and spoke to him, very nice car and guy to be fair, GT- MC shift he bought it new from graypaul Edinburgh cant remember year but black with beige interior with 20" black Neptunes so spoke for about 30 mins and now know what im buying but will have to wait till next time home as due in Africa a week on Monday. It was the exhaust note that sold it , haha after the 4.7 I drove this sounded a different car.

How can I set my profle up so I know when iv had a message ?

 

[conaero]

Edit one of your posts, click "Go advanced" then at the bottom you can set instant email notification under the subscriptions section.

 

[helvie]

Thanks Conaero, that's it done ( I think )

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Dunno, sounds like you want a sports car. Is a GT really the right car for you?

 

[bigbob]

Dunno, sounds like you want a sports car. Is a GT really the right car for you?

Agree, it's that big debate - well for the small number of people who drive a Maserati!

Is Maserati pushing things too hard to turn the GranTurismo into a sports car when it is really a very good GT car? The Alfieri is needed to really fill the sports car role.

 

[helvie]

Dunno, sounds like you want a sports car. Is a GT really the right car for you?

That was certainly my thoughts after test driving the 4.7s but had a test drive in an R8 arranged last week so I could see what I really wanted but the garage didn't get the car sent to Glasgow in time as it was in Audi London getting a service. Im away back to work this coming Monday so wont have time to do anything until I get back.