Another GS goes downunder

[Scarlan]

Hi Roger,
It sounds like you will get it in time for the Ferrari Concourse at the end of the month.
I cannot wait to see it; you must be excited about the trip tomorrow.

 

[Emtee]

Emtee - I'd be interested in your impressions of both cars - I feel the 2003 4200CC is a brute of a car, quite violent and certainly requires a lot of attention, especially accelerating hard in Sport mode.
I get the impression after having driven only one other GS that they are a bit softer, more comfortable, quieter and more suited to daily travel than the 4200. Having said that, I think the
GS looks better, has the same or better performance performance and is overall less mongrel (if that's a good thing).

The car is now in Sydney and I'll be flying there tomorrow for a quick look and hopefully I'll have it in Melbourne/Geelong in about 10 days time. Very excited!!

Cheers
Roger

Hi Roger, It's interesting what you say about the character of the 4200 against the GS, as Loz (who of course has both) has also mentioned he feels the 4200 is more brutish.

For me it's difficult to give a fair comparison, as I did a lot of tinkering with my 4200, whereas I've left the GS stock, for the moment at least. I would say the 4200 feels like it's faster, but actually isn't. The GS adds it's speed with less fanfare, but you only need to check the clock to see that you're very soon going very quickly indeed. The handling of the GS compared to the 4200 is something else though; appreciably better than the 4200, more sure-footed, better steering and better cornering. Going through the CC gearbox is also more enjoyable in the GS, though the slightly slower and perhaps jerkier gear change of the 4200 does add to the drama. I think it's this 'improved' handling that brings you to think it's softer and more comfortable. Not sure it's any quieter though, particularly with the valves open.

How would I rate one against the other? I personally would have to place the GS over the 4200 for the improved handling and what feels like a better build quality, but it certainly wouldn't stop me considering another 4200 if circumstances dictated. They're both fabulous cars with very different characters, and if you want to go the whole hog, you can more than justifiably add the 3200 as well. Completely different again with the turbo's bringing all sorts of fizz to the driving experience.

Anyway, enjoy your new Maserati!! Not long now before you get her home! Let us know how you get on in Sydney, and of course when she arrives in Geelong.

Cheers, Miles.

 

[abyss]

I know exactly how you feel now. Can't wait to see your GS.

 

[Roger Holding]

Many thanks, Miles, for a comparison which I also think sums up the different characters of the 4200 and GS.

Flew to Sydney yesterday to get my first look at the new beast and, apart from a small bit of corrosion in the usual spot under
the rear tailiights, it presents beautifully. Can anyone comment on this common problem?

Took it for a drive and immediately noticed the character difference with the GS being smoother, quieter, and all over less dramatic.
Clkoser to the Granturismo than the 4200, but still retaining some of the old feel. Driving in Sport mode, I noticed what appeared to
be a little clutch slip, but this might only be adjustment. When the car undergoes compliance, they will check the clutch wear - I can't
see in the service books that the clutch has been replaced (done 22000 miles). The car needs a good detail and several small items
attended to, but that's me just being fussy! It has an extended factory warranty to June this year, so might take it to the dealer
in Melbourne and get lots of things replaced!

Anyway, it's a very exciting time and it should be ready for its trip south to Victoria in about 10 days. Haven't yet decided whether or
or not to drive it down (1000ks) or on a truck (about $A500).

I'll keep you posted.
Cheers
Roger

 

[dickygrace]

Drive it Roger, has to be one of those great days in life.

 

[theog]

Hey Roger..
If your thinking of trucking it with our major trucking companies in Australia I'd be worried.
They will tell you 5 days delivery. But what they will end up doing is leave your car out in some open lot for upto 2 weeks.. And who knows who will drive it.

I transported twice with 2 different trucking services and never again. First time my plates were stolen. Brisbane to Adel. Second time I paid extra for covered service and the car came back covered in rain and mud 1 week later than promised. Adelaide to Melb

I found the best way transport my car around is motorail train service.
I took my GS on there no problem from melb to adel. $200- my ticket included!
Best of all I rode on the train the whole way and watched them drive the car on and off.
And you get the car transported in 1 day.

Anyway that's my 2cents worth.

Theo
Adelaide.

 

[Scarlan]

My friend with the Sunbeam Tiger tells a similar story.
As the car was getting loaded on to the back of a truck, the truck driver became terribly interested in the sound the car was making.
When he discovered a car the size of an MG had a V8 under the bonnet he was even more interested.
Suffice to say, by the time the truck had made it to the delivery address the odometer on the car had very different numbers.
I am sure there are some very good transporters out there though.

 

[Roger Holding]

Methinks I'll be taking a couiple of leisurely days to drive to Melbourne - like you, I get very nervous when non-Maserati people handle my cars.
I'd rather be sure that the GS will make it to Melbourne safely, especially as the Ferrari Club Concours D'Elegance is at the end of the week!

 

[OzzieAl]

I drove mine home from Sydney and its a journey you simply won't ever forget... including putting it away for the night and getting up the next morning to go and have another look to remind yourself its yours!!! ALL yours... your very own.. and as you have already owned a masser you won't be at sea behind the controls, while your trying to drive and find out which button does what. Enjoy I say... I have done a few trips since...

If you want a good transporter firm I can recommend one but they are not cheap, but they are very good. they move a lot of ferrari's etc around aus and some very expensive collectors items to boot.

 

[Roger Holding]

Thanks Alan - I've decided to collect the Maser next Saturday and take the weekend driving it to Melb. Geoff would have trucked it down, bit I said "if someone gave you the keys to a Maserati to drive it from
Sydney to Melbourne, what would any sane person say"? Of course, you'd say yes.....should be a buzz!

BTW, is your car available on the 29th for the Ferrari Concours?