What would you drive if the £15-£25k QP didn't exist

[Mango]

I am trying to decide what car to buy next - I am pretty sure it will have a trident at the front but I am drawn to both the QP and 4200 for different reasons. It will be my first Maserati.

I have between £15 and £25k to spend so I just wondered who drives a QP in that sort of price range.

I am not trying to make any judgements on anyone or their tastes but am curious if the QP didn't exist what else would you drive - I suppose I am asking what is the typical QP driver, I am not bothered about what you do for a living or how old you are etc.. more what else would you drive. Specifically the question is not what other cars are like a QP, I am expecting answers along the lines of - I like a fast, luxury four door so would drive a Cayenne Turbo [ducks down to avoid incoming abuse!]

Ta

Stuart

Oh BTW this is open to both QP drivers and non drivers alike

 

[Andyk]

I don't have a QP..Drivena few though..........and for me 15 to 20k doesn't buy a better looking car....But if it was me the only other around 15 to 20k would be an E60 BMW M5...That V10 is a cr4cker.......

 

[dem maser]

M5 or QP for me and to be honest the QP shades it for me.....

 

[mjheathcote]

Really its only the difference between driving say a M3 or a M5, do you need the extra doors and room.

 

[drewf]

I am trying to decide what car to buy next - I am pretty sure it will have a trident at the front but I am drawn to both the QP and 4200 for different reasons. It will be my first Maserati.

I have between £15 and £25k to spend so I just wondered who drives a QP in that sort of price range.

I am not trying to make any judgements on anyone or their tastes but am curious if the QP didn't exist what else would you drive - I suppose I am asking what is the typical QP driver, I am not bothered about what you do for a living or how old you are etc.. more what else would you drive. Specifically the question is not what other cars are like a QP, I am expecting answers along the lines of - I like a fast, luxury four door so would drive a Cayenne Turbo [ducks down to avoid incoming abuse!]

Ta

Stuart

Oh BTW this is open to both QP drivers and non drivers alike

Errr.... What's wrong with driving a QP AND a Cayenne Turbo? See sig....

The Cayenne Turbo is my daily car - it replaced a Mercedes CL600, and an Audi A8 quattro, in preference to a Range Rover which had been my initial choice. Herself bought a Cayenne S, and I thought it was such a good car, I had to get one. Didn't really go looking for a Turbo, but one turned up at the right time. I think the standard V8 S is actually slightly nicer to drive - no lag and a better engine note. 330bhp plays 450bhp, but it's still plenty quick enough for a work car. Through the winter, I like to drive a fast 4x4 on winter tyres, and only drive the QP when the roads are clear and dry. Away from winter, I drive the QP in wet or dry. On my daily commute, the Cayenne is faster than the QP by some margin - the roads are very poor, and in the Maser it feels like the world is about to end. In the Cayenne, the air suspension on normal setting, rather than sport or comfort, is ideal. Fuel consumption is very similar, but creeping in traffic in a real auto is much easier on the nerves and wallet than the DuoSelect clutch attempting the same. Does that help?

 

[Elliott653]

If I hadn't already owned and loved a 42 and become won over by the Maserati brand, I may well have bought an M5 instead of my QP.

 

[Ewan]

Having run both of these options (amongst several other Maseratis), I'd rate the QP as both more useful and more sporty than the 4200. Surprising but true. It just shows that as time goes past, improvements are made - and the QP is quite a step forward from the coupe. But with a budget of around £20k there are loads of brilliant cars available to you - a classy Range Rover, a quick Cayenne, a fast but dull RS Audi, a beautiful 997, a folding roofed SL55 AMG, BMW M3/5/6, and so forth. Not forgetting our very own GranSport.

But when all is said and done, the QP is the one...

 

[CatmanV2]

<different>
I think I'd probably get a Jag....

C

 

[Mango]

I'd rate the QP as both more useful and more sporty than the 4200. Surprising but true.

But when all is said and done, the QP is the one...

Very interesting, I haven't been able to drive either yet, dam these cars are few and far between. I had assumed the 4200 to be the better drive.

I love the outside of the QP but think I prefer the interior of the coupe.

Thanks everyone for your comments

Stuart

 

[Andyk]

The QP for me is the better drive after driving many QP's and 4200....The QP was a new age Maserati where as the 4200 has it's route back in 1996/7 with 3200....I love both but the QP wins hands down for me at the price you are looking at.........I feels like a much smaller car and handles like a dream...Drive both and see what you think....

 

[Parisien]

For me it would have to be a classic..........having driven both a Citroen Traction Avant and DS as a daily driver a number of years ago, I'd go for a Citroen SM....how appropriate......


P

 

[Andyk]

Or should be a Citroen S&M Frank...

 

[Parisien]

.....naw.............maybe in the 20th century....but not now..


P

 

[Andyk]

Yep, I know what you mean Frank....Don't tink my back would take it these days...

 

[TridentTested]

My previous car to my QP was a Citroën C6 bought for ±£13,000 (although they go for buttons these days) because I like big cars with character. The big Cit is no slouch: fabulous grip and handling because its peerless suspension and the same torque as the QP from the PSA/Jaguar/Land Rover V6 (40 mpg too).

As to what I replace the QP with when the time comes? I have no idea. As a car nut I regularly trawl forums, Pistonheads, and car magazines etc and I just can't think what could replace it. Maybe as P says I might go for a classic, I quite fancy a fully sorted Alfa GTV6 from Alex Jupe, or I seriously might even try living without a car for a year or so because nothing will compare well to the QP.

 

[Parisien]

Lots of characterful cars out there........would nearly do as daily drivers assuming that lots on here have 2 plus cars, so you can put up with the odd let down

P

 

[drewf]

Two prime reasons for driving a QP today:

1. Small boy with huge grin and both thumbs up, as I arrived at a roundabout going down through the gears. Lovely noise.... Could clearly see him mouthing 'Maserati'. This is good.

2. Arrived at the restaurant for lunch today, and was told by a fellow diner that the QP was 'pure class, not crass like the Fezza's parked across the entrance'. See photos in Ferrari forum. Or rather, don't, unless your stomach is strong. This is also good.

Two common themes absent from the M5 ownership experience. The M5 is a superb car, but doesn't have the style of the Maser. The original question is very hard - if I didn't have a QP, then I'd want one. But now I do have one, I can't think what could take its place...

 

[Simon]

Had my QP nearly 5 years (wow that passed fast) and 1 week before buying it I test drove a CLS500 which broke down on the test drive!

 

[conaero]

Alfa 166 is the only thing I could think or really but its always been a little odd looking.

Franks DS idea I can understand especially if you can find the "decapital" or headless drop top version....black is a must for the exterior colour.

For me personally I would have the GTS over the QP, much the same I know but it just has the edge for me.

 

[Parisien]

Decapotable...is a tad expensive now.....maybe up to £120K......whereas decent saloons are £5-10K.......


P