New era of maserati drivers!!
- Thread starter dem maser
- Start date
Parisien
Moderator
- Messages
- 34,927
Maser Sod
Member
- Messages
- 1,965
Part of the problem is Masers are much more expensive these days. Not so long ago, you could get a Maserati for under 60K. Now it's 90K+. People with more money can swap around their toys more easily.
Parisien
Moderator
- Messages
- 34,927
The above Pentastar engine is already in the family....a Lancia 4WD Thema....286bhp.....8 speed autobox. Also stuck a 2.4 petrol 175bhp based on the Chrylser 200 into the new Flavia....not looking good guys!
P
G
Guest 1678
Guest
Sadly - this is the way of the current Fiat regime. Very little information and the ability to dilute brand values. The Fiat communication teams are dreadful at feeding the media enough to get them and us excited. I also believe the strategy flip flops. The number of leaked investor presentations over the past 3/4 years that have shown a raft of new models (across all brands) which ultimately get pushed back/abandoned is amusing. Whilst understanding the market (in places) is tough , this has not stopped the Germans or some of the Japanese brands from investing in new product.
Alfa is no more than an assembler of slightly more emotional Fiat parts. The Busso V6 and Nord Twin Cam were absolutely at the heart of the experience. Having had several of both engines I can still remember the number of times I would just drop the window to listen, as I passed through a tunnel. Nowadays, I look at the Giulietta and MiTo and feel no emotional attachment - which is sad given I have had (and still have an S4 Spider) Alfas for 25 years. I also think waiting for halo models like the 4C and the 8C whilst showing life merely stoke up excitement that all too readily evaporates. A 2 model range 9neither of which are top of the class) will create an uphill struggle for the new models given the likelihood of no new appearances until 2014.
As for Maserati, I personally believe we are in a wonderfully dichotomous situation - it will receive investment and survive (good) based on greater volumes, some of its soul will be sacrificed (bad). Our brand now slots into a product hierarchy where Chrysler platforms are deemed appropriate (given the press speculation re 4x4 and 300c platforms being used). One of my first posts described my concerns about dilution and the fact that we could get into the marque at 60k. Quite a few replies quite rightly pointed out the need for volume and platform sharing being the way forward. Another factor is which niches make money and the luxury 4x4 seems to be a la mode right now. If the volumes hold up and the Levante and 4x4 are a success (and retain some of the soul) I can see me taking advantage of a secondhand purchase - the volumes will certainly not help resale values of nearly new cars.
However, I do have the privilege of a Gransport and with the numbers of 3200/4200/GS not stretching into the tens of thousands I believe I have something a little special. We also have a pretty good parts back up for such small volumes. Also, I can only see these cars gently climbing the value curve as they get revisited by the media in the next few years.
After writing that small novella I guess it comes down to do I trust Marchionne and Wester to look after the brand? If it comes to investing in a volume play then yes, if it is caressing and nurturing the soul of my beloved trident brand then I am very jury out.
Think I need a cup of tea.
Damon
Alfa is no more than an assembler of slightly more emotional Fiat parts. The Busso V6 and Nord Twin Cam were absolutely at the heart of the experience. Having had several of both engines I can still remember the number of times I would just drop the window to listen, as I passed through a tunnel. Nowadays, I look at the Giulietta and MiTo and feel no emotional attachment - which is sad given I have had (and still have an S4 Spider) Alfas for 25 years. I also think waiting for halo models like the 4C and the 8C whilst showing life merely stoke up excitement that all too readily evaporates. A 2 model range 9neither of which are top of the class) will create an uphill struggle for the new models given the likelihood of no new appearances until 2014.
As for Maserati, I personally believe we are in a wonderfully dichotomous situation - it will receive investment and survive (good) based on greater volumes, some of its soul will be sacrificed (bad). Our brand now slots into a product hierarchy where Chrysler platforms are deemed appropriate (given the press speculation re 4x4 and 300c platforms being used). One of my first posts described my concerns about dilution and the fact that we could get into the marque at 60k. Quite a few replies quite rightly pointed out the need for volume and platform sharing being the way forward. Another factor is which niches make money and the luxury 4x4 seems to be a la mode right now. If the volumes hold up and the Levante and 4x4 are a success (and retain some of the soul) I can see me taking advantage of a secondhand purchase - the volumes will certainly not help resale values of nearly new cars.
However, I do have the privilege of a Gransport and with the numbers of 3200/4200/GS not stretching into the tens of thousands I believe I have something a little special. We also have a pretty good parts back up for such small volumes. Also, I can only see these cars gently climbing the value curve as they get revisited by the media in the next few years.
After writing that small novella I guess it comes down to do I trust Marchionne and Wester to look after the brand? If it comes to investing in a volume play then yes, if it is caressing and nurturing the soul of my beloved trident brand then I am very jury out.
Think I need a cup of tea.
Damon
lozcb
Member
- Messages
- 12,586
I'll 3rd that Damon , nicely constructed , beggars belief that Fiat/Alfa have taken an age for the 4C , happened to see the new toyota celica replacement at Le Mans , very pretty car and by all accounts a very good performer Missus fell in love with it and all in 2 years from conception to production (come on Fiat pull your fingers out )
regards loz
regards loz
Parisien
Moderator
- Messages
- 34,927
Cheers Damon.....always hard to 2nd guess what the corporate heads are up to.
Make money yes....but at what expense?
Pro rata so many more people drive now than 40/50/70 yrs ago....but has that led to a true increase in "petrolhead/enthusiast" types....I doubt it......even of a wonderful marque such as Maserati...only a small percentage truly worship their car like this group do. We have 130 odd car owners on here.......yet say 30K Maserati owners out there...sort of puts it all in perspective.
As reported endlessly, Maserati as part of the greater FIAT group has been in trouble every 10-20 yrs, I doubt this will change as new challenges arise and even as new markets open up.
Finally we do have to address the Anti-super/large car brigade who increasingly belittle and demonise this very group......................never mind petrol running out any minute now!!!!
P
Make money yes....but at what expense?
Pro rata so many more people drive now than 40/50/70 yrs ago....but has that led to a true increase in "petrolhead/enthusiast" types....I doubt it......even of a wonderful marque such as Maserati...only a small percentage truly worship their car like this group do. We have 130 odd car owners on here.......yet say 30K Maserati owners out there...sort of puts it all in perspective.
As reported endlessly, Maserati as part of the greater FIAT group has been in trouble every 10-20 yrs, I doubt this will change as new challenges arise and even as new markets open up.
Finally we do have to address the Anti-super/large car brigade who increasingly belittle and demonise this very group......................never mind petrol running out any minute now!!!!
P
Maser Sod
Member
- Messages
- 1,965
Amen, brother Damon!
- Messages
- 21,196
If anyone buys a Maser and fails to appreciate what charismatic cars these are - from the oldest to the newest - then it's their loss. Waste of a good car, but it puts money into Maserati which is a good thing. But with just over 300 new Masers sold last year and around 3x that amount of Bentleys and Astons I think Maseratis of all ages will stay a rarer sight for a while to come.
conaero
Forum Owner
- Messages
- 34,632
Damon, that I think sums up a lot of the members thoughts on here.
For me, the need to be in a modern model is starting to get tough. My current GTS commands a much larger sum of money that I am comfortable with, and can see me dropping (poor choice of words) back down to a GS or even Spyder, and simply hold on to it as my 'toy'.
Its a guaranteed classic for sensible money.
So my advice, is let them spend their money and attract new buyers, all that matters is what you drive.
For me, the need to be in a modern model is starting to get tough. My current GTS commands a much larger sum of money that I am comfortable with, and can see me dropping (poor choice of words) back down to a GS or even Spyder, and simply hold on to it as my 'toy'.
Its a guaranteed classic for sensible money.
So my advice, is let them spend their money and attract new buyers, all that matters is what you drive.
Paulm
New Member
- Messages
- 372
Well put Matt and I'll commend Damon on a great post.
Stable has 3 in it and I have looked at new for the past few years. Personally I can't justify parting with my babies as they all bring that "Maser smile" every time I take one out.
Whether it's driving a 3200 or the QP, the looks you get are the same and the elegance of the road presence is second to none !
I think most members on here appreciate the marque and their cars and are comfy with the running costs, but as Matt says being comfortable with your "toy" is most important !
Matt "Dropping Back" !!!!! more like re investing in a more appropriate "toy"
sounds a little better.
All that matters is what you drive.........a MASERATI
Stable has 3 in it and I have looked at new for the past few years. Personally I can't justify parting with my babies as they all bring that "Maser smile" every time I take one out.
Whether it's driving a 3200 or the QP, the looks you get are the same and the elegance of the road presence is second to none !
I think most members on here appreciate the marque and their cars and are comfy with the running costs, but as Matt says being comfortable with your "toy" is most important !
Matt "Dropping Back" !!!!! more like re investing in a more appropriate "toy"
sounds a little better.All that matters is what you drive.........a MASERATI
Maser Sod
Member
- Messages
- 1,965
The GranSport is a great coupe, a viable alternative to a 911.
I love the fact that there are very few on the road.
35K gets you a low mileage minter, with as much performance as a GT-S and a bit more chuckability. And the same amount of admiring looks.
But you know this already Matt ...
I love the fact that there are very few on the road.
35K gets you a low mileage minter, with as much performance as a GT-S and a bit more chuckability. And the same amount of admiring looks.
But you know this already Matt ...