Hello all.

[JohnC]

Hi folks,

Been on the forum for a while now but still considering changing to a Granturismo.

Based in Kent and have had a multitude of cars (16) since I started driving in 1993, from hot hatches in the early 90s right through the German stuff.

Looking for something a bit different and I've always loved the look of the GT since I first saw one not long after they came out.

With most cars, there is normally something I am not keen on with most cars but the GT is spot on IMO!

Cheers,

John.

 

[StuartW]

Welcome along John & you have come to the right conclusion, it is spot on!

Try to get a 4.7 if you can and I would suggest you drive both the auto and the MC-Shift before deciding which transmission you favour as they are both very different but either way, they are a fantastic car.

Enjoy the search and there's a whole heap of information to trawl through on this forum

 

[JohnC]

Thanks Stuart.

I did look at the 4.2 first of all but prices have bottomed out at around the same for both so am aiming for a 4.7S.

The sound of these things is majestic!

I have a few questions on specifics which I will post in the appropriate forum in due course.

 

[JonW]

Hi John

Welcome to the forum.

Hope you are enjoying your research! I'm still very new to Maserati ownership compared to many on here, but after 6 weeks of ownership all I would say is DO IT... they are fantastic machines!

Jon

 

[JohnC]

Cheers Jon.

No, it's not really a chore looking into these!

I intend to read through as much of the forum as I can although I did read a fair whack back in April.

I'm not sure coming on here was wise if pursuing a balanced view on whether to buy one or not LOL!

 

[iainw]

Cheers Jon.

No, it's not really a chore looking into these!

I intend to read through as much of the forum as I can although I did read a fair whack back in April.

I'm not sure coming on here was wise if pursuing a balanced view on whether to buy one or not LOL!

At the price point it's a no brainer.

Maintenance is the only perceived fear- and with the combined knowledge and advice of the guys on here - that fear is minimised.
This forum really helped me decide on what was an easy decision in the end. The MC Shift in particular is a ludicrous car for the money.
My colleague just bought an Audi S3 for more.

 

[JonW]

I'm not sure coming on here was wise if pursuing a balanced view on whether to buy one or not LOL!

Completely agree - but I can't think of many, if any, balanced and rational decisions I've made that make me smile, and feel so positive, every day.

I suspect if you pick wisely, based on what's truly important to you, then in the grand scheme of things you won't regret it...

 

[Andyk]

A big warm welcome Jon....and good luck with your search. Lovely car the GT.

 

[Contigo]

Welcome John. Where you based? Feel free to come and have a look around mine if you need any advice etc..

 

[JohnC]

At the price point it's a no brainer.

Maintenance is the only perceived fear- and with the combined knowledge and advice of the guys on here - that fear is minimised.
This forum really helped me decide on what was an easy decision in the end. The MC Shift in particular is a ludicrous car for the money.
My colleague just bought an Audi S3 for more.

Yes - I couldn't afford a new one but the more mature ones have bottomed out to a very slow drop, it seems a good time.

Completely agree - but I can't think of many, if any, balanced and rational decisions I've made that make me smile, and feel so positive, every day.

I suspect if you pick wisely, based on what's truly important to you, then in the grand scheme of things you won't regret it...

In all honesty, I joined this forum to be pushed into it... You can't quantify matters of the heart!

I've certainly never regretted some of the heart-decided car decisions I've made. If anything, I wished I'd have kept some for longer.

A big warm welcome Jon....and good luck with your search. Lovely car the GT.

Much appreciated. I'm in no hurry so hopefully I can find one which suits. I need to sell my current steed first. I think I already have a strong idea what I am after from all the, ahem, research I've already done.

Welcome John. Where you based? Feel free to come and have a look around mine if you need any advice etc..

Thank you.

I am based near Maidstone in Kent...

That's a great offer, cheers. Will happily take you up on that depending on when suits you. I'm probably an hour away I would estimate subject to traffic! I have time off in between Christmas and New Year or a Saturday would be cool if suits.

 

[GeoffCapes]

I am based near Maidstone in Kent...

I'm in Ashford, which isn't far. Alastair at ADG has a few nice GT's at the moment.
I'll hopefully be changing my 4200 next year for a GT.

There's also a very nice GT in Sevenoaks for sale at the mo. Mind you it all depends on what your budget is.
Motorline at Maidstone is another place to look. Damian is the guy to ask for there.

 

[Contigo]

The Blue GTS at ADG is really nice, I'm amazed it hasn't sold based on condition and price.

 

[bigbob]

The Blue GTS at ADG is really nice, I'm amazed it hasn't sold based on condition and price.

Might be the interior colour.

 

[Contigo]

Might be the interior colour.

Nero is fine. It's a lovely car for £38.5k

 

[bigbob]

I think it looks fine but with dark blue outside many people would like a Maserati to have cream or tan leather. Black inside works fine with red or black or grey outside but this combo is not as nice as it could be.

 

[Needamaser]

Nero is fine. It's a lovely car for £38.5k

The black auto looks nice. Prefer the lighter interior. He has a nice selection just now.

 

[JohnC]

Cheers chaps.

In all honesty, I don't know what the budget is yet. I need to get that sorted first.

I've seen the ones at ADG - the black 59 plate GT S is quite appealing.

Not keen on the darker blue one personally.

I spotted the lighter Metallic Blue one the day it came on (15/12) and love the colour. Reminds me of an Estoril Blue M3 I once had.

I also like the following one but it seems to have gone up a bag of sand this week - was £42,990 earlier in the week!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610168822770

 

[Ewan]

How about the black 4.7 MC-shift that Richard Grace has? Low mileage and top condition. That would be my choice at a budget of around the £40k mark.

 

[JohnC]

In all honesty, I don't think the MC box is going to suit me.

Maybe I'm off the mark here but I get the impression it's a gearbox for open road driving without much traffic.

I intend to use the GT as a daily driver (I do 13 miles each way of mostly A roads) for most days of the week (I intend to have two cars).

Sometimes there is a fair whack of traffic although once some road works are done, it will improve but there will still be the possibility.

From the reading I've done, it isn't the best for very low speed driving and I also wouldn't want the replacement clutch bill. I understand the box is out of a 599 Fezza?

Whereas ZF are probably the best gearbox manufacturer in the world and their 6 and 8 speed units are super smooth. I prefer that smoothness, longivity and practicality.

I need to drive an MC I guess to be sure!

I would also like to go for a 2012 facelift model as things stand as I prefer some of the subtle improvements.

 

[StuartW]

I would say don't rule out either transmission option until you have driven them both and make sure they are both fully warmed up before making a judgement too. From experience, the MC-S is none too clever when it is cold