New era of maserati drivers!!
- Thread starter dem maser
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just to add to our concerns - the investment dollars are drying up:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/confidential/fiat-boss-marchionne-making-me-nervous
seems the 4c and new Quattroporte are on their way. majorly worrying when the bread and butter model I.e the Punto is not considered for replacement. Even with thin margins you still need to generate cash. seems the bean counters gave gained control. the answer is apparent as Marchionne described the VW platform model as the only way to make big money - there was a large Alfa/Marchionne spread in last month's car magazine.
we shall see
Damon
http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/confidential/fiat-boss-marchionne-making-me-nervous
seems the 4c and new Quattroporte are on their way. majorly worrying when the bread and butter model I.e the Punto is not considered for replacement. Even with thin margins you still need to generate cash. seems the bean counters gave gained control. the answer is apparent as Marchionne described the VW platform model as the only way to make big money - there was a large Alfa/Marchionne spread in last month's car magazine.
we shall see
Damon
BJL
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At the back of the Ferrari factory hidden under plastic sheets (not very well) there are a couple of stripped out early Granturismos with late 2006 Italian plates on.
They appear to be slightly shorter than the regular GT and have a folding hardtop with rear hinged boot exactly like the California.
It would seem the rumour is true that the Cali was a maser but got too expensive and was adopted by Ferrari. That coincided with management change at Maserati and the talk of greater volume started.
Bad day when that happened. the bean counters have got all the guns. Big big shame.
They appear to be slightly shorter than the regular GT and have a folding hardtop with rear hinged boot exactly like the California.
It would seem the rumour is true that the Cali was a maser but got too expensive and was adopted by Ferrari. That coincided with management change at Maserati and the talk of greater volume started.
Bad day when that happened. the bean counters have got all the guns. Big big shame.
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BJL
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Looking into the cabin you can see 3 round dials below the computer screen plus no auto gear stick and the doors are much shorter than standard. had that been made with the F1 box and the 4.7 lump i think the whole Maserati world would have been in seventh heaven.
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Must be frustrating as h*ll. I wonder how many Maserati staff aspire to move to Ferrari?
/Adam
BJL
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When you think about it those mules were running around Modena long before the first GTs publically hit the road and were probably on GS/8C platform. Look at a California roof line and compare it with the pics and you can see the window frame line and profile is a match.
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The similarities are clear. The Cali looks better without the gaffer tape round the rear window. 
marcos
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Interesting discussion - something very similar happened in the Aston world with the advent of the V8 Vantage. You used to get a wave from drivers of Astons if you were in one, it's a rare occurrence now and has lead to the belief that Astons are now bought by people who would normally have bought a 911 or M3/5 and just fancied something different/good looking; not longer an enthusiasts-only badge.
They are also relatively mass produced compared to previous generations of Astons. Certainly no snobbiness at meets or on forums because that's where the enthusiasts gather. But on the road, 8 out of 10 modern Astons I wave to don't wave back. It makes me sad
I guess the same has to happen to Maserati as they get more successful - people see them as 'good' cars, not enthusiast-only cars now. They really have no idea why you would wave to someone with the same car, except out of embarrassment like a woman at a party when she sees a girl in the same dress!
They are also relatively mass produced compared to previous generations of Astons. Certainly no snobbiness at meets or on forums because that's where the enthusiasts gather. But on the road, 8 out of 10 modern Astons I wave to don't wave back. It makes me sad
I guess the same has to happen to Maserati as they get more successful - people see them as 'good' cars, not enthusiast-only cars now. They really have no idea why you would wave to someone with the same car, except out of embarrassment like a woman at a party when she sees a girl in the same dress!
Interesting discussion - something very similar happened in the Aston world with the advent of the V8 Vantage. You used to get a wave from drivers of Astons if you were in one, it's a rare occurrence now and has lead to the belief that Astons are now bought by people who would normally have bought a 911 or M3/5 and just fancied something different/good looking; not longer an enthusiasts-only badge.
They are also relatively mass produced compared to previous generations of Astons. Certainly no snobbiness at meets or on forums because that's where the enthusiasts gather. But on the road, 8 out of 10 modern Astons I wave to don't wave back. It makes me sad
I guess the same has to happen to Maserati as they get more successful - people see them as 'good' cars, not enthusiast-only cars now. They really have no idea why you would wave to someone with the same car, except out of embarrassment like a woman at a party when she sees a girl in the same dress!
Hi Marcos . I am having trouble choosing between a DB9 Volante or Maserati Turismo/grancabrio approx 2008 my.
As you have experience with both can you please advise me on your opinion and why you chose the DB9.
BJL
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Hi Stevieg
Picking up on your thead I can confirm that I too had an itch in the form of a DB9 which was soon cured by driving one for a day. The pre 2010 cars suffered from bad scuttle shake in that every time i went over any uneven road the body twisted one way and the windscreen felt like it was twisting the other with the rear view mirror doing a shimmy in the middle. Never felt like you could nail a corner with absolute confidence but absolutely OK for cruising at speed on good roads.
As far as the Gran Cab is concerned it is much stiffer than the DB9 but as already has been said the boot is a joke but now they are in the 60s k range it has to be said it looks good value as long as you send your luggage on.
Apart from that DB9s are quite common whereas Gran Cabs are still exotic and command much admiration from the unfortunates.
Picking up on your thead I can confirm that I too had an itch in the form of a DB9 which was soon cured by driving one for a day. The pre 2010 cars suffered from bad scuttle shake in that every time i went over any uneven road the body twisted one way and the windscreen felt like it was twisting the other with the rear view mirror doing a shimmy in the middle. Never felt like you could nail a corner with absolute confidence but absolutely OK for cruising at speed on good roads.
As far as the Gran Cab is concerned it is much stiffer than the DB9 but as already has been said the boot is a joke but now they are in the 60s k range it has to be said it looks good value as long as you send your luggage on.
Apart from that DB9s are quite common whereas Gran Cabs are still exotic and command much admiration from the unfortunates.
Hi BJL, a specialist dealer has told me that the Cabrio can suffer from leaks,which has obviously concerned me , I wonder if other owners have had this problem.
This leads me to the Turismo that has a bigger boot and is about£10k cheaper per MY.
I only will use it as a Sunday car approx 2000k a year.
Although aesthically the Cabrio appeals in truth I wonder how often I will drive topless in London ? Great for and if I ever get round to that trip to Italy but that is only two weeks a year.
So saving the £10k is a big plus for the Turismo.
This leads me to the Turismo that has a bigger boot and is about£10k cheaper per MY.
I only will use it as a Sunday car approx 2000k a year.
Although aesthically the Cabrio appeals in truth I wonder how often I will drive topless in London ? Great for and if I ever get round to that trip to Italy but that is only two weeks a year.
So saving the £10k is a big plus for the Turismo.
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BJL
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I think you have already made up your mind and I tend to agree with you that the favoured deal is an 08 GTS with the auto box. It would more than fulfill your needs and as it has a much higher 6th gear than the MC shift Manual it makes an ideal 'London' car and ideal for that trip to Italy you dream of.
To me there is something very LA about a four seater convertible, very boulervardy.
To me there is something very LA about a four seater convertible, very boulervardy.
No BJL I have not quite made my mind up. Today I drove a Turismo 2009 MC shift. Great fun,what a sound in sport mode.
An impressive car with a decent boot and useable rear seats. Unfortunately not able to really open her out.
But I am going to see a DB9 Volante that is a good price before I decide.
Will let you know.
An impressive car with a decent boot and useable rear seats. Unfortunately not able to really open her out.
But I am going to see a DB9 Volante that is a good price before I decide.
Will let you know.
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I've not driven a DB9 so can only vouch for the GTS, which I love. It's a delight to drive, looks to die for, an incredibly charismatic car with an exhaust note which brightens up the darkest of days. It's as easy to drive round town as it is on a long run. People seem to like it too: it makes passers by smile and attracts positive attention. Best of all, the good advise and lively banter on this forum is almost certainly better than you'll find anywhere.
There, there's your mind made up for you!
/Adam
Woody
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Driving topless in London is an acquired taste. I used to do it a lot in my M3, but my now wife, then g/f, always felt uncomfortable, particularly at night. I used to enjoy it, but then I lived out Richmond way and I'd drive around through Chelsea, Fulham etc. Driving up the Edgware Road, to see my wife, wasnt quite so comfortable.
(topless = roof down, not with moobs out!)
(topless = roof down, not with moobs out!)