MY2016 diesel review

drewf

drewf

Member
Messages
7,159
I read that earlier in the week, and feel it really doesn't accord with my experience of the MY15 car. Would be very interesting to drive a MY16 car...
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,972
The trouble with this test and the same with, say, the five series is that you need to know which suspension and wheel options they tested and they don't tell you. Personally I feel that anyone that buys a Ghibli without skyhook is nuts but most don't spec it!
 
Rex B

Rex B

Member
Messages
657
A positive review, nice to see Maserati are already making improvements to the cars. If you look back at QP5 reviews Maserati started off with 3 stars reviews and then gradually improved the car to 4 /5 star rating and to become the car that most on this forum members hold in high regard.

Looks like they could be doing the same with the Ghibli.

Rex B
 
c4sman

c4sman

Member
Messages
1,261
Ghibli is a grower I think. When I first looked around them in the show room I wasn't that impressed. Thought there was a bit of Mazda about them rather than Maserati. However as I see more of them out in the wild, the design stands up much better amongst other more normal cars, even the rear end. I saw two black cars this weekend and was quite impressed. The first was coming in the opposite direction to me with 4 adults waving at me like crazy (I was in my GT and returned the enthusiastic greeting). It looked distinctive a long way off. The other I followed today whilst in the 911 while the ghibli was being driven in a somewhat "spirited" fashion. One of the things that distinguish the rear end of it was its sheer scale plus some nice details.

Just my 2 cents worth!
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,896
Im not keen on them myself...Its not that I don't think they are OK its just they are not a type of car I would aspire to own like one would a real dream car...just like I never dreamed of owning a 530 or a E Class.
 
Rex B

Rex B

Member
Messages
657
I think the Ghibli is ideal for someone who wants good performance, something different, 4 seats and 4 doors. I think the looks grow on you and it does look different, I also believe Maserati will sort all of the criticisms of the press like they did with the QP5 and I look forward in hope to a V8 twin turbo 500 plus HP version.

Rex B
 
c4sman

c4sman

Member
Messages
1,261
safrane said:
Im not keen on them myself...Its not that I don't think they are OK its just they are not a type of car I would aspire to own like one would a real dream car...just like I never dreamed of owning a 530 or a E Class.
Click to expand...

I would agree, but suspect what you have said meets exactly with Maserati's aim with this car. It doesn't want it positioned as a dream car, as dream cars don't sell in their millions like a Diesel 5 series, and they want and need it to sell like a 5 series with a few halo m5 like performance versions selling at the top end.
 
highlander

highlander

Member
Messages
5,223
Seen one in the flesh at the Scottish Italian day and have to say it looks far better than it did in photos. As a daily it would be more manageable than the QP or GT. I would not kick it out the garage!
 
daverichardson

daverichardson

Member
Messages
6,001
I would definitely consider one in the future.
Like others I was not keen at first
but something about it makes you look again and it does indeed get better
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,972
Having looked at the price list (not easy getting one BTW), Maserati is very stingy on standard spec with things like xenons, paddles, electric seats, metallic and any wheels over 18" cost options - the 20" wheels here are a ridiculous £2k extra cost. There are also a lot of linked options which just irritate.

I would have a petrol model but the diesel here seems more refined than an early QP I drove and is fast enough for a daily driver. There are still some annoying little traits like snatchy brakes, transmission tunnel intrusions, inability to stay in 7th or 8th gear in manual mode (my LandRover does this so please sort it out Maserati as it's great for the motorway), shallow boot entry and rear foot space which is compromised on B pillar to front of rear seat base on getting in/out but the latter two points are linked to the fastback styling.

Even the 'what is the selector doing?' gearknob is not as bad as earlier versions.

The contentious issue is suspension. This car is on the standard set up and it is ok, flat enough in corners and riding no worse than most modern Audis'. I suspect that the sports suspension option would be pointless and drewf has reported on this. Personally I would pay up for skyhook (standard on the QP) as the Ghibli S I drove last year had it and I thought it was great.

PS Like all big, modern auto German stuff if you open your door whilst parking to say look at the location of a while line, it will put the car in Park. I know why they do it but don't like it.
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,972
Looking forward to seeing the Giulia launch tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how much Ghibli is in it.
 
B

Barryc

New Member
Messages
6
bigbob said:
The trouble with this test and the same with, say, the five series is that you need to know which suspension and wheel options they tested and they don't tell you. Personally I feel that anyone that buys a Ghibli without skyhook is nuts but most don't spec it!
Click to expand...

Not absolutely correct. Read my recent thread. Skyhook does provide a good ride even with 21" wheels. As with all Ghiblis, whatever the suspension, big wheels don't work because of the unnerving camber changes. For people who want the best handing go for 19". We need to get Maserati to allow us to spec petrol Ghiblis with sorts suspension.......but they are Italian, and unlikely to listen!
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,972
Well it's correct in that it's an accurate statement of my opinion. No problem with you disagreeing with me though although I'm not sure which bit you are disagreeing with.

FWIW I thought that the (non skyhook) sports suspension set up was available on any engine.

I agree about camber changes really throwing the cars around. Whilst I have driven both Ghibli and QP S and diesel, it seemed more noticeable on the Ghibli.
 
B

Barryc

New Member
Messages
6
bigbob said:
Well it's correct in that it's an accurate statement of my opinion. No problem with you disagreeing with me though although I'm not sure which bit you are disagreeing with.

FWIW I thought that the (non skyhook) sports suspension set up was available on any engine.

I agree about camber changes really throwing the cars around. Whilst I have driven both Ghibli and QP S and diesel, it seemed more noticeable on the Ghibli.
Click to expand...

Thanks BigBob. I only disagreed with the statement you must buy a Ghibli with Skyhook. That was all; but no you can't get sports suspension in the petrol cars, so my dealer said. Happy days, my car arrives in November!
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,972
I understand, thanks. FWIW the standard petrol and S price lists I have show the sports packs as options albeit they are 2015MY price lists and not 2016MY. Wonder what has happened?
 
B

Barryc

New Member
Messages
6
bigbob said:
I understand, thanks. FWIW the standard petrol and S price lists I have show the sports packs as options albeit they are 2015MY price lists and not 2016MY. Wonder what has happened?
Click to expand...

Ah, if you look closely at the UK price list under option packs, you will see that it is only the diesel which offer sports suspension in that pack. A shame, and the reason I ordered a diesel. Although I shall be fitting a Tunit pack which will give me 333bhp and 546 lbs ft. And a true 40 plus mpg. With all that torque, even a Ghibli S won't live me!
 
outrun

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
Really Barry, let's try that sometime. When you run out of revs, I'll just be hitting full power......:auto15:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.