Seriously considering a GT but need a little push :(

[b14desman]

Hi, I'm looking to get a GT before the end of the year if I can overcome my doubts...... ie are they reliable, spends more time in the garage than on the road, can I fit three adults + luggage in it comfortably, are the maintenance costs prohibitive etc etc ( probably echoing the usual concerns.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Specifically I will have to keep the car on the drive and it will be left for periods of up to 4 weeks without use. This was fine when I had the Porsche. Will a GT be able to cope with such intermittent use?

Thanks in anticipation
Colin.

 

[montravia]

4 +6 foot passengers + me 5' 10" for the first time today. The seats are deep and all were comfortable. However one did comment that it was fine not sure about a trip to the South of France.

I'm awaiting a quote from Dick Lovett for annual service costs and warranty work (trivial niggles) but if you worry about costs then are you sure? What are you used to?

Mine is a 57 plate 29k miles serviced by HR Owen so good heritage.

She's a Latina niche exotic. Like a firey mistress mistress. Be prepared to be in a rage one minute and tears of desirr the next.

Had only 6 weeks but not missed a beat.

Best decision in years

 

[allandwf]

Buy it, you know you want to!




If it doesn't work out sell it. Sorted. Glad to be of assistance

 

[murph7355]

...are they reliable, spends more time in the garage than on the road, ...

Too soon to tell for me...but I believe so.

You can get the usual Italian electrical gremlins, but keeping the battery topped up is usually the best way to combat this.

...can I fit three adults + luggage in it comfortably, ...

Yes IMO. Though depends how much luggage they want! I posted a photo of the boot in MattW's thread

...are the maintenance costs prohibitive etc etc ( probably echoing the usual concerns.)

Not IMO, but define "prohibitive". IME they are no more than other similar cars, and possibly a chunk cheaper if all goes well.

...Specifically I will have to keep the car on the drive and it will be left for periods of up to 4 weeks without use. This was fine when I had the Porsche. Will a GT be able to cope with such intermittent use?

Battery will be low enough within 3wks to cause issues. So hook it up to a battery conditioner. Other than that, I think it should cope.

 

[Andyk]

A big warm welcome....The GT is one of the few coupes in this class that you can fit 4 adults in .... Boot space is pretty good as well for this type of car.

Service costs are not cheap but it depends what you are used to. As above this is not a Ford Focus and as with most in this range of cars has the service cost to match its new cost. I think a service is around £1500 a year but they do have two year servicing if you don't do the miles and that is about £2500 every two years but that doesn't't include all the bits that may need replacing.

This may have changed service wise now that they are nearly 10 years old and I'm sure someon who has had one for a while can confirm prices.

Not heard f any reliability issues with the GT....Suppose it's like all cars...buy a good one and you will be fine....

You'll get lots of help here to help you get your perfect GT...

Richard Grace cars is a good place to start. He is well respected on here and is great to chat to about your concerns and could find you a great GT.

 

[b14desman]

Many thanks for all your responses. Looking at other threads this really looks like a great forum, members appear friendly and very helpful. I'm in two minds as to whether to go for a 2014 or 2015 Sport with MC Shift or the Auto Model from 2010 onwards. What I like about the newer models is that they'll be still covered by the manufacturers warranty. Also I may be able to get an Exttended Warranty from Maserati. Does anyone have any experience of the extended warranty? What costs are involved and do they only apply to cars bought direct from a Maserati dealer?
Cheers
Colin

 

[murph7355]

...I think a service is around £1500 a year but they do have two year servicing if you don't do the miles and that is about £2500 every two years but that doesn't't include all the bits that may need replacing.
....

If you do 6k miles or less you're into a service every 2yrs.

That's ~£1k a time. As these are every other year I don't think that's too bad for the class of car.

The ~£2.5k service includes lambdas and carbon can which "need" doing every 4yrs (IMO they don't ).

The only other bigger service is a 6yr where plug replacement is on the schedule (which I believe might be lumpy).

This obviously excludes consumables (brakes etc).

 

[highlander]

Buy it, you know you want to!




If it doesn't work out sell it. Sorted. Glad to be of assistance

spot on allan

 

[MikeyMaser]

The only other bigger service is a 6yr where plug replacement is on the schedule (which I believe might be lumpy).

A common misconception even by dealers! It's every 6th year if you're on a mileage-based schedule or on the 6th service (12 years) if you stick to a time-based schedule. Basically, they should be changed at 72,000 miles.

 

[bigbob]

A common misconception even by dealers! It's every 6th year if you're on a mileage-based schedule or on the 6th service (12 years) if you stick to a time-based schedule. Basically, they should be changed at 72,000 miles.

+1. Maserati does not help itself neither do the dealers. It would be more helpful if they would price as an oil service (c£900/1000) and then add the various time items - tracking, p/s fluid, coolant, 2 aux belts, fuel cannister, lamba, spark plugs - as appropriate.

 

[Contigo]

Gearbox oil should be done annually imo too. Mine was black and smelly, looking through history it looks like it has been done once in 50k miles.

 

[CatmanV2]

Gearbox oil is always smelly, isn't it?

C

 

[Contigo]

Black, smelly and lots of metal filings in it. Annual change from now on.

 

[CatmanV2]

Black, smelly and lots of metal filings in it. Annual change from now on.

Be interested to see what it's like next year

C

 

[b14desman]

It's not that I can't stretch to the service costs, it's more the mental anguish they'll cause.....I'm a Yorkshireman , currently betwixt and between Yorkshire and Poole. Is it worth buying a relatively new (high price) GT from a main dealer such that the warranty will still be in place? Or, is it better to buy an older model and use the cash saved for contingencies ?

PS drove my first GT today, a 63 plate Sport MC Shift....very, very impressed. Different beast to my 911 C4S but more amenable to the touring life I envisage over the next few years. Still has the kick that the Porsche had when you want and the knack of feeling fast when you are only doing 30mph. The only glitch is the missus thinks the rear might be a little cramped.....we've an adult son who'll be occupying the rear during our travels.

 

[iainw]

It's not that I can't stretch to the service costs, it's more the mental anguish they'll cause.....I'm a Yorkshireman , currently betwixt and between Yorkshire and Poole. Is it worth buying a relatively new (high price) GT from a main dealer such that the warranty will still be in place? Or, is it better to buy an older model and use the cash saved for contingencies ?

PS drove my first GT today, a 63 plate Sport MC Shift....very, very impressed. Different beast to my 911 C4S but more amenable to the touring life I envisage over the next few years. Still has the kick that the Porsche had when you want and the knack of feeling fast when you are only doing 30mph. The only glitch is the missus thinks the rear might be a little cramped.....we've an adult son who'll be occupying the rear during our travels.

I had all your concerns - but none of them IMO are valid now. I am in awe of it every time I drive it.
There is so much experience and knowledge on here it will save you 1000s literally.
I wouldnt have had the courage to buy it before speaking to a few forum members and hearing their story.
you wont regret it.
Get an MC shift or a Stradale.

 

[safrane]

If you are in Poole give Emblem Sports Cars a call/visit.

They have looked after my three Maseratis over the last nine years.

I am not a rich man (Civil Servant) so do not have money to throw around on cars. Mine have been used for high days and holidays 40,000 miles across three cars. Above services I think I have spent £3k on breaks/worn out bits.

Its good to have a war chest as these are far more flexable and come without small print like a warranty. PS most 4+year cars will not have a Maserati warranty.

 

[hoyin]

I have had mine 3 years now. Never missed a beat, super reliable.

It doesn't like sitting around for too long not being used as it will drain the battery. I left mine once for 6 weeks and had to recharge the battery. But after that it was fine. No problems since then. I just make sure I move it once every two weeks. But to be honest use it as my daily now. If I was to leave it regularly for 4 weeks I would either disconnect the battery or get a trickle charger.

I have been everywhere in it. With 4 adults for weekends / week away and now with 2 adults and a baby. Boot is absolutely fine. Just pack accordingly.

No issues with maintenance costs. The service every 2 years is great. Just done my 4 year. And the 3 years I have had it the up keep cost has been about 1/3 the price of my noble and about 2 times the price of my Ford Focus!

The best 2+2 you can get in the world.

 

[Doohickey]

Ditto all of the above. I've had mine for 2.5 years and had nothing beyond a few niggles none of which are serious. You need to go into it with your eyes open and has been said buy the best you can with full service history from someone who has loved it. We did 3 adults to Le Mans with a load of camping gear in mine with no issues.

All doubts will disappear once you drive one!