conaero
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[video=youtube;_Nm4FGypZiI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nm4FGypZiI[/video]
Check out this 2009 Maserati Gran Turismo and tell us your thoughts on the custom work. While well done, we've heard various reactions about the customization done by Unique Autosport down in South Florida. Before we say anything, we have to first disclose that if we were personally ever going to have custom work done at any shop, Unique Autosport would be the one we'd use.
99.9% of the time, the amazing custom work they have done for client cars in the past has been spot on. However, once in a blue moon, they do work on a vehicle that we can't resoundingly endorse as cool. When they get a hold of a car that is already hot and monkey with perfection for a celebrity client just to make the car different (rather then better) we have to pause and ask exotic auto collectors and aficionados their personal opinions and private thoughts. So, with that said, here's the street reviews of the Masi recently redone by Unique Autosport Miami.
On the one hand, Maserati lovers are not super impressed by the newly lowered vehicle. As true drivers know, the car was build to handle curves a very specific way -- that actually was the point of buying the car. As the precision handling is one of the most exciting features of the car, folks are concerned that what the shop has done by changing the look may have hurt the handling of the car.
Why the concern?
Exotic car owners wonder how a small custom shop could lower a vehicle for a few thousand dollars and improve the suspension that Ferrari spent millions of dollars to design. As such, the resale value on the car is likely to have been harmed -- even though the work was done by one of the top custom shops in the country. However, if money is not a concern to the owner, and the owner is driving the car for looks and prestige rather than track ability -- it's a matter of personal opinion only whether or not the custom work improved the design.
Next, the new custom wheels.
While unique, when you increase the tire size on the car it's mostly for aesthetics. The new wheels and bigger do not improve handling -- especially with the lowered suspension. A great analogy was used by one of our friends in the Italianizzato Club put it best when he said, "If you don't care about handling, then what has been done to the car is just fine. It's the same thing as having money to buy a diamond studded grill for your mouth. It's not there because it looks good or improves your ability to talk -- you turn a new Maserati into a ghetto cruiser because your have enough cash to say you can F* up your car and not care about dimes."
That brings us to the rear badge on the trunk. While the car used to say MASERATI across the trunk lid, it now says SUGAR in the same font and design. While aesthetically fine, technically a great part of the appeal and prestige of owning a Maserati comes form the name and all its related emblem designs.
We're hearing mixed opinions on whether or not SUGAR is cool -- so we'd love to hear comments about the redesigned ride.
As for the final feature we seriously like
And please remember
Even the old masters produced ho hum pieces of art once in a while, and some paintings or sculptures they created are more valuable than others when the work is aesthetically perfect and inspired. As such, cut Unique some slack on this one -- and use it as a learning lesson about what to do -- and what not to do -- when thinking about customizing already near perfect cars.
Check out this 2009 Maserati Gran Turismo and tell us your thoughts on the custom work. While well done, we've heard various reactions about the customization done by Unique Autosport down in South Florida. Before we say anything, we have to first disclose that if we were personally ever going to have custom work done at any shop, Unique Autosport would be the one we'd use.
99.9% of the time, the amazing custom work they have done for client cars in the past has been spot on. However, once in a blue moon, they do work on a vehicle that we can't resoundingly endorse as cool. When they get a hold of a car that is already hot and monkey with perfection for a celebrity client just to make the car different (rather then better) we have to pause and ask exotic auto collectors and aficionados their personal opinions and private thoughts. So, with that said, here's the street reviews of the Masi recently redone by Unique Autosport Miami.
On the one hand, Maserati lovers are not super impressed by the newly lowered vehicle. As true drivers know, the car was build to handle curves a very specific way -- that actually was the point of buying the car. As the precision handling is one of the most exciting features of the car, folks are concerned that what the shop has done by changing the look may have hurt the handling of the car.
Why the concern?
Exotic car owners wonder how a small custom shop could lower a vehicle for a few thousand dollars and improve the suspension that Ferrari spent millions of dollars to design. As such, the resale value on the car is likely to have been harmed -- even though the work was done by one of the top custom shops in the country. However, if money is not a concern to the owner, and the owner is driving the car for looks and prestige rather than track ability -- it's a matter of personal opinion only whether or not the custom work improved the design.
Next, the new custom wheels.
While unique, when you increase the tire size on the car it's mostly for aesthetics. The new wheels and bigger do not improve handling -- especially with the lowered suspension. A great analogy was used by one of our friends in the Italianizzato Club put it best when he said, "If you don't care about handling, then what has been done to the car is just fine. It's the same thing as having money to buy a diamond studded grill for your mouth. It's not there because it looks good or improves your ability to talk -- you turn a new Maserati into a ghetto cruiser because your have enough cash to say you can F* up your car and not care about dimes."
That brings us to the rear badge on the trunk. While the car used to say MASERATI across the trunk lid, it now says SUGAR in the same font and design. While aesthetically fine, technically a great part of the appeal and prestige of owning a Maserati comes form the name and all its related emblem designs.
We're hearing mixed opinions on whether or not SUGAR is cool -- so we'd love to hear comments about the redesigned ride.
As for the final feature we seriously like
- The new speaker system and trunk embellishment details.
- Seriously HAWT idea to use the Piaget dash clock as the inspiration for the design.
- Watch the video below and tell us what you like, love, or hate about the new custom exotic car ride.
And please remember
Even the old masters produced ho hum pieces of art once in a while, and some paintings or sculptures they created are more valuable than others when the work is aesthetically perfect and inspired. As such, cut Unique some slack on this one -- and use it as a learning lesson about what to do -- and what not to do -- when thinking about customizing already near perfect cars.
