Dissapointed !

[blue520]

Went on a "car experience day " yesterday at Epping airfield. Had 3 laps each in an impreza, elise, 360 and 430.
track was coned out and relatively short and didn`t even get the 430 out of second. Anyway whilst i appreciate the car`s had track set up they all handled great the elise great fun and fezza`s sounded awsome. Anyway after driving these i decided to have a go in my 2005 spyder and whilst the Larini`s on full blast sounded the part it truly handled like a dog. Never had a problem on the open road before even when "pressing" on in the twisty bits but on a tight track it was a right handful . Whilst i don`t profess to be a Lewis Hamilton(i was as moody after) and really looked a bit of a di_k trying to get it round the track anywhere near as quick as even the Impreza.
The first time anything about the car has dissapointed. Not sure if i want to go down the route of mods or just stay clear of the track!

 

[dem maser]

The masers are not that good on track, i remember matt telling me that fiat 500s were having him on track, a maser is a beautiful sexy elegant class car to be enjoyed driven ******* the road for me, unless you buy a GTS or stradale or heavy modified GS......

 

[conaero]

Yes, they are not track cars, period. I think the GTS is better but really they are all cruisers.

I dont think I will track the Maser again, but like you said, on the open road, it will have pretty much everything.

 

[lozcb]

Went on a "car experience day " yesterday at Epping airfield. Had 3 laps each in an impreza, elise, 360 and 430.
track was coned out and relatively short and didn`t even get the 430 out of second. Anyway whilst i appreciate the car`s had track set up they all handled great the elise great fun and fezza`s sounded awsome. Anyway after driving these i decided to have a go in my 2005 spyder and whilst the Larini`s on full blast sounded the part it truly handled like a dog. Never had a problem on the open road before even when "pressing" on in the twisty bits but on a tight track it was a right handful . Whilst i don`t profess to be a Lewis Hamilton(i was as moody after) and really looked a bit of a di_k trying to get it round the track anywhere near as quick as even the Impreza.
The first time anything about the car has dissapointed. Not sure if i want to go down the route of mods or just stay clear of the track!

Dont be disappointed Blue, your under the misconception that the car is something its not , its not a track orientated car its a mile eating grand tourer , two totally differnt things, changing it will necessatate a compromise somewhere, (lowering , sports springs , torsion bar, uprated brakes, wheel spacers , lightweight wheels to improve unsprung weight all go to improve handling but will compromise the smoothness of the long distance comfortability,

The other 3 cars scooby, 430 and 360 are all from standard, partially set up for the track , and nowhere near as comfortable on long distance , the 430 of which has probably the best compromise , but then again is a £100k dearer at least so it should be

All the bits to make the spyder track compatible are available used at around £4K max so you pays your money and makes your choice , but then you will moan at the hard ride long distance, horses for courses

regards loz

 

[bigbob]

I endorse what has been said. I tracked my 4200 once and that was enough as Cayman S's were much more impressive - it's all down to weight. To illustrate that, the Maser was better than a C63 AMG.

 

[BennyD]

I tracked my spyder at Oulton and from a very early point I realised that I was working really hard keeping it on the black. In fact, my mate in the Evo VIII I was following nearly left the track a few times as he was watching me in his rear view mirror going sideways around almost every bend! I then gave that up and instead gave almost everybody a hard time on the straights and if they wanted to pass me on the corners, I let them. Play to her strengths, she has plenty of them.

 

[Emtee]

As said above, they're mile crunching GT's and at this they're very good, but if you do want to track it as well, then as you have found they are somewhat lacking in stock format, particularly on tight, twisty tracks. With that said, on a longer more sweeping circuit, that glorious V8 comes into it's own, particularly at 4 / 5,000 revs and above.

If you do want to go modding, then all you need is available (at a cost). The worst culprits are the springs so either drop it on the stock springs or better still go for something like the FD sports springs. In both cases get the geo' re-set. Next in line (for me at least) would be a throttle remap, so either the FD DBW or the DMS remap (or both). I have the DBW module and in it's 'race' setting, the throttle response is hugely improved. After that I'd probably go for the FD anti-roll bars, particularly in a Spyder.

The stock brakes are a known weakness, particularly in a track environment, so an easy mod would be race pads (though beware when using these on the road without heat in them); or chuck some more money at it and go for a big brake kit.

Weight is obviously an issue, but it's actually quite easy to remove all the rear seating, no more than an hours work once you know what needs unscrewing.

After that you could start to play with the exhaust, and the sonic improvement will more than welcomed, but to be honest the performance gain is marginal.

That little lot will probably empty the secret bank account that the missus doesn't know about, but what fun along the way!

 

[BennyD]

Weight is obviously an issue, but it's actually quite easy to remove all the rear seating, no more than an hours work once you know what needs unscrewing.

After that you could start to play with the exhaust, and the sonic improvement will more than welcomed, but to be honest the performance gain is marginal.

That little lot will probably empty the secret bank account that the missus doesn't know about, but what fun along the way!

The exhaust mods can release extra power but you will have to scrap the standard cats and get sports cats on. Then get straight through rears. The extra noise and performance will be noticeable especially with the DMS upgrade. Have not yet tried removing the rear seats from my spyder but I don't think there is a lot to be gained!

 

[Emtee]

The exhaust mods can release extra power but you will have to scrap the standard cats and get sports cats on. Then get straight through rears. The extra noise and performance will be noticeable especially with the DMS upgrade. Have not yet tried removing the rear seats from my spyder but I don't think there is a lot to be gained!

Haha, yes of course it's a Spyder! Doh.

Benny I have full Larini including the sports cats along with the DBW. The DBW does make a difference, but to be honest the cost of the Larini compared to the performance gain is a difficult equation. If my stock cats hadn't collapsed, I'm not sure I'd have been able to justify it to myself. Hmmm..........

 

[BennyD]

Miles I remember your exhaust from Llandow, my ears still bleed occasionally and without warning.

 

[Emtee]

Miles I remember your exhaust from Llandow, my ears still bleed occasionally and without warning.

Oops, sorry about that mate.

 

[GransportFan1]

Miles I remember your exhaust from Llandow, my ears still bleed occasionally and without warning.

I remember your exhaust from Supercar Driver meet, to say it was loud was an understatement.

 

[Andyk]

Blus, a Spyder is not a track car......lovely though it is its best left on the highway..You can make it handle better but if mods is not you thing.........You can make a Maserati handle and be very good on track....Take Dicky 4200 and Miles both handled very flat around Llandow but they have added some nice mods to achieve................If you really want to do track days buy an Elise.....

 

[Emtee]

Blus, a Spyder is not a track car......lovely though it is its best left on the highway..You can make it handle better but if mods is not you thing.........You can make a Maserati handle and be very good on track....Take Dicky 4200 and Miles both handled very flat around Llandow but they have added some nice mods to achieve................If you really want to do track days buy an Elise.....

Can't disagree Andy. no matter what you do, an Elise it ain't.

When I win the lottery tonight I'm planning to buy and Elise,.................. oh and Donington as well!

 

[Andyk]

Good shout Miles.......

 

[Dan!]

Ah you don't need a lottery win to buy an Elise, you can get one for the price of a set of tyres and service on a maser

/possibly

 

[Andyk]

Dan, I have noticed that S1 Elise's are on the way up....You could get them last year/early this year for 6k now they are 8k plus...

 

[BennyD]

Blus, a Spyder is not a track car......lovely though it is its best left on the highway..You can make it handle better but if mods is not you thing.........You can make a Maserati handle and be very good on track....Take Dicky 4200 and Miles both handled very flat around Llandow but they have added some nice mods to achieve................If you really want to do track days buy an Elise.....

Or, just drive round its shortcomings; sling it in and power it out!

 

[Andyk]

You can have fun in any car Benny..too right..Just enjoy its and your limits...

 

[Maser Sod]

As said above, they're mile crunching GT's and at this they're very good, but if you do want to track it as well, then as you have found they are somewhat lacking in stock format, particularly on tight, twisty tracks. With that said, on a longer more sweeping circuit, that glorious V8 comes into it's own, particularly at 4 / 5,000 revs and above.

If you do want to go modding, then all you need is available (at a cost). The worst culprits are the springs so either drop it on the stock springs or better still go for something like the FD sports springs. In both cases get the geo' re-set. Next in line (for me at least) would be a throttle remap, so either the FD DBW or the DMS remap (or both). I have the DBW module and in it's 'race' setting, the throttle response is hugely improved. After that I'd probably go for the FD anti-roll bars, particularly in a Spyder.

The stock brakes are a known weakness, particularly in a track environment, so an easy mod would be race pads (though beware when using these on the road without heat in them); or chuck some more money at it and go for a big brake kit.

Weight is obviously an issue, but it's actually quite easy to remove all the rear seating, no more than an hours work once you know what needs unscrewing.

After that you could start to play with the exhaust, and the sonic improvement will more than welcomed, but to be honest the performance gain is marginal.

That little lot will probably empty the secret bank account that the missus doesn't know about, but what fun along the way!

As some of you know, I went down the modding route, spending about 7-8K on the FD DBW, custom ECM, springs and custom exhaust set-up. I also had the car lowered by 30mm. The car felt very different, much more 'ferrari' like in handling, if that makes any sense.

I left the brakes as stock since I never intended to track the car. No regrets, it all took the car to the next level. The only thing I would do different is go for a Larini mid-section as the 'full bore' custom exhaust I had was too low around the front axle and occasionally grounded.

The Trofeos were half-decent track cars but still not hugely competitive.

If you want a decent Maserati for the track, sell a kidney, then grow another five, sell those, and you should have a deposit for an MC12.