Sunday Times Ghibli review

[bigbob]

http://www.driving.co.uk/car-reviews/maserati-ghibli-review-2014-on/

Funnily enough today I saw both a Mazda6 and an Infiniti saloon of some description. Anyway, to my eye, the Mazda looked the best of all three.

 

[mowlas]

This is an astonishingly unfair and, frankly, biased review. Not worth the keyboard it was written on.

Having said that, Maserati will be very disappointed and start to realise you've got to play the game like the big boys in order to bag favourable reviews...

 

[bigbob]

I thought it read ok and I presume that it was the view of the author? How was it unfair and biased?

 

[mowlas]

I thought it read ok and I presume that it was the view of the author? How was it unfair and biased?

Where do I start? Well for starters, here are two contradictory statements that reveal bias through inconsistency:

• "The Drive: Here, one would assume, is where a company with the pedigree of Maserati would excel itself. But hang on, just how much pedigree does Maserati actually have?"
• "The Drive: The roadholding and ride comfort are the car’s weakest points. A Maserati should feel alive. It should dance on roads where German cars merely march."

​

 

[bigbob]

Lots of journalists write stuff like that. Personally I just read through it to get to the meaningful information.

A number of articles have questioned the ride/handling balance as they have, indeed, for the five series. Increasingly getting the right spec - wheel size, active dampers, variable rate steering etc - on these type of cars is difficult so that only a test drive of a few cars with different options can help.

It all goes into the mix in our decision making. The GranTurismo has had some criticism but I still love mine.

 

[BennyD]

Just about every car has been criticised at some time. If you want a particular car, you'll get one regardless of what those tosspots write. The tosspot-in-chief, Clarkson, slated the 4200 but I bought one, love it to bits and won't ever sell it.

 

[richardstrudwick]

As an owner of a Diesel Ghibli I think what is stated about the driving characteristics is fair, however, I can't personally think of it as a sports car, it drives like a luxury saloon.

Some things he said seem a bit thick, like the steering wheel obstructing the speedometer - surely he could know to adjust the steering wheel?

 

[Parisien]

Its getting enough well off people into the dealership to try the car is the starting point, vast majority of drivers are not skilled enough to pick up on all the nuances of how a car handles, feels on the road, actually drives.


So we are left with how it looks, accelerates, how comfortable it is, what sort of finish you can get it in and most importantly for an Italian car.............HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL!!!!!


The last few points are those that sell it.


German stuff is fine to a point.......................gormless and souless at times


P

 

[dem maser]

people didn't like the 3200, I do....they also don't like the 4200, you do.....they never liked the countryman, after 400 miles I do like it....

don't listen too much to these people.........

 

[allandwf]

Everyones different, hence we all drive different cars. It's whatever ticks the most boxes for a person at a price they can afford.

 

[hashluck]

I thought it was fair and was overall how I summarised the car after test driving it. It actually made me want a GranTurismo more if I were buying a Maserati

 

[Parisien]

The GT is a lovely, distinctive and well thought of car............gives the newer models a H£LL of a run for their money


P

 

[outrun]

people didn't like the 3200, I do....they also don't like the 4200, you do.....they never liked the countryman, after 400 miles I do like it....

don't listen too much to these people.........

Dem, I can't believe you put that in writing. Mods, please remove Dem's reference to liking the Countryman!

 

[dem maser]

drives well, 50mpg and good around country lanes...not saying I love it, I like it........

 

[Parisien]

Dem, I can't believe you put that in writing. Mods, please remove Dem's reference to liking the Countryman!

Don't fret outrun...things are in hand...........mouth wash soap being dispensed as I type.....


P

 

[dem maser]

done it.......washed mouth out

 

[Rwc13]

I agree with Richard, some really stupid comments, eg re steering wheel and also paddles - they are available as an option if you want them - I suspect a lot of buyers of this car would never use them hence an option rather standard.

I have to say, a week into ownership, as a daily driver, I'm loving it. I am excited every morning about driving it, which would not be the case of any of its competitors. It feels special to me. And despite what some have suggested, it has been admired by many in the last week, including a guy in a Panamera this morning, and a lady who wound her window down to tell me how gorgeous it was.

It has its flaws, but they are Maserati flaws and so for me, becoming just part of its character.

 

[Parisien]

Well....yes RWC....any porker driver would compliment you on its looks since porkers are pig UGLY......


P

 

[bigbob]

I agree with Richard, some really stupid comments, eg re steering wheel and also paddles - they are available as an option if you want them - I suspect a lot of buyers of this car would never use them hence an option rather standard.

I have to say, a week into ownership, as a daily driver, I'm loving it. I am excited every morning about driving it, which would not be the case of any of its competitors. It feels special to me. And despite what some have suggested, it has been admired by many in the last week, including a guy in a Panamera this morning, and a lady who wound her window down to tell me how gorgeous it was.

It has its flaws, but they are Maserati flaws and so for me, becoming just part of its character.

Personally I feel that not making paddles standard is a mistake but then the QPV had the same issue. They are standard and I use them on my Discovery so Maserati could do better here.

The Ghibli is certainly a lot better looking than any Porsche as Frank mentions in passing........

 

[Rwc13]

Glad we're all agreed on that