Quatroporte advise please

[stevieg]

I am new to this forum so wish you all a good day and thanks for any info you give me.
At the moment I drive a 1991 Aston Virage (it's only a Sunday car).
I was going sell it and buy a DB9 Volante when I noticed a 2007QP for sale on the PH forum.
Compared to Astons they appear good value for money. I would really have liked to compare the Volante with the grancabrio convertible but they are a newer model and the prices are more than I wish to put into a car.
So have owners of the QP got any advise of what I should be looking for when buying and is there much difference between a the model years ?

 

[dickygrace]

My opinion is to buy a 2007 onwards car with a ZF gearbox, if you can stretch further, buy a facelift car which are '58 plate onwards. I have had a couple of my own and sold a few to customers so would say I have a fair amount of experience although don't claim to know everything about them. Whichever you go for, they're a phenomenal car. Good luck with the search and feel free to call, you're not obliged to buy one from me, I'm happy to give free advice.

 

[BennyD]

If you are after a sporty drop top for sensible money, have a look at a Gransport spyder. Same engine as the QP but sportier than a Grancabrio. A post 2007 QP is a lovely car as well. Drive a Maserati and you will be hooked, just like the rest the rest of us on here.

 

[MF2015]

It all depends on what driving your going to do. Town driving your better with the ZF but I went for the DuoSelect as I drive A roads/motorway mostly and do very little stop/start driving and drive it in manual (with the paddles).

 

[saywellhq]

Welcome stevieg.

Saw your post on PH, glad you found this forum.

Andy

 

[Andyk]

A big welcome to the forum stevieg.........Love the QP no matter what one you go for.....They handle like a car far smaller than they actualy are.....Great car..

 

[BJL]

Welcome Stevieg, What a problem you have.

Whilst I very much respect Dickygrace's wealth of experience and opinions I have to say that having fully driven all the QPs the only one I would swap my 07 QP Sport Gt Duoselect with is the new QP GTS but even then considering I would have to put up 60k or more plus my car means that'll never happen.

The 07 Sport GT Duoselect is by far the best drivers car with the exception of the aforementioned GTS, reasons:
Better balance than the the auto 4.2 (gearbox being in the right place)
Considerably more performance than the auto 4.2
No prop shaft issues with duoselect (some slack has been induced in 07 & 08 autos if driven hard)
4.7 QPs no quicker than a well run in Sport GT Duo to 60

They are all fabulous cars but to dismiss anything before 07 especially the Sport GT is somewhat unfair. Look how many late 06 / early 07 Sport GTs Duoselect there are for sale. Not many.

Plus a well driven 07 Sport GT Duo would trounce a DB9 around any track in the country.

Good choice my man, well done.

 

[Blox]

Good man BJL. Had my 07 QP Sport GT for just over 2 years. Love it, love it. Fabulous drive in Sport + Manual mode and as you say, the gearbox is in the right place.

Stevieg - you will see loads of posts here that recite the inspection, inspection mantra. This is probably the best piece of advice you can get. Also, if you do go for a Duoselct, check for clutch wear.

Good luck !

 

[bigbob]

Welcome Stevieg, What a problem you have.

Whilst I very much respect Dickygrace's wealth of experience and opinions I have to say that having fully driven all the QPs the only one I would swap my 07 QP Sport Gt Duoselect with is the new QP GTS but even then considering I would have to put up 60k or more plus my car means that'll never happen.

The 07 Sport GT Duoselect is by far the best drivers car with the exception of the aforementioned GTS, reasons:
Better balance than the the auto 4.2 (gearbox being in the right place)
Considerably more performance than the auto 4.2
No prop shaft issues with duoselect (some slack has been induced in 07 & 08 autos if driven hard)
4.7 QPs no quicker than a well run in Sport GT Duo to 60

They are all fabulous cars but to dismiss anything before 07 especially the Sport GT is somewhat unfair. Look how many late 06 / early 07 Sport GTs Duoselect there are for sale. Not many.

Plus a well driven 07 Sport GT Duo would trounce a DB9 around any track in the country.

Good choice my man, well done.

Glad that you like your car but given what the OP has said on his GC post, a ZF auto car might suit him better.

 

[dickygrace]

I agree about the duo-select being a better drivers car. On the open road it's superb, but, and it's only my opinion, over the whole ownership experience, an auto is what I'd go for. There are folk who know far more than I do out there who advocate the duo-select every time.

 

[Andyk]

Driven a duo select and loved it but most of the motoring mags like the Auto more.....Both great...