GranSportFan are you here to stay.....

[GransportFan1]

I am not going to be picky with colour, leather, wheel colour etc.... i am not fussed as long as the mechanics are A1. Having purchased my first car in an ideal world i wanted a Red one but couldn't be bothered waiting for one to appear so i bought on condition and service history.

I would only buy a GS on the following........

FSH is a must, i personally think these cars should be serviced every 12-18 months regardless of how little miles they cover, a check over on something of this caliber is essential.

Clutch, either a new clutch has just been installed or the current clutch is not due for a change; i know about these having read many threads and how the clutch loves going uphill in reverse, oh wait that is not true is it

I would probably consider the following if i was in the market for one right now.....


http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/maserati/gransport/maserati-gransport-v8/1009996

31.7% clutch worn and a FSH by the looks of it.


This looks a nice one but no mention of clutch and it has covered 29k miles but looks to have a great service history
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...msh-all-at-graypaul-pristine-2-owners/1632338

And then this car, i have seen this in person and James really has looked after it.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...ort/inspected-new-clutch-full-history/1508966

My question is......and it is a big one so not really a question.......

Looking at the ADG car, 31.7% clutch wear how quickly can the clutch wear out ? i know it all depends on how you drive the car and what mode you have the car set up in (normal or sport) and reversing up an incline will obviously kill the clutch but because the system is a single clutch automated manual is it advised that when changing gear you lift off the throttle or do you keep your foot on the accelerator ? which option and why ?? So realistically with a mixture of enthusiastic driving and cruising how long do you think the clutch would last as it is a big expense and arguably is a deal breaker.

 

[CatmanV2]

Exactly. I'll tell you now, a year of ownership of a GS will cost you more than 1k. Servicing, fuel, tax, insurance, and that's not allowing for any unforeseen problems. If one of those hits you, you are going to need a fairly big war chest. Forewarned is forearmed. Be very careful.

Got to agree with you, old chap. Don't want to be a stick in the mud but IMHO Maser ownership is only worth so much....

But...
'quick, hire a teenager while they still know everything' Wish I had that passion then, or now. Get some, Adam.

C

 

[BennyD]

How long is a piece of string? You have to be prepared for the clutch to go tomorrow but if it doesn't, it's a bonus. It's not buying these cars that is the problem, it's running them. Can you afford £120 for a tank of gas that could easily go in an afternoon? No, a lot of people can't and that's why the majority stick to Fords, Vauxhalls and Fiats. £700-900 for a set of tyres. F1 pump £1000 etc etc. If an unforeseen snag can financially ruin you, don't buy one because if you do and something goes wrong that you can't afford to fix, what then? Sell it on bust? If you do you will take a dump because they would only buy it if it's VERY cheap. Really Adam, don't buy one of these things too soon, it could ruin you.

 

[CatmanV2]

I'm not sure it could ruin him, Benny. But it may be 'regrettable'.
C

 

[GransportFan1]

I appreciate all the advice, it would entirely depend on how much i was earning etc... i am not for buying a car and then not being able to afford the running costs, for me these have to be taken into consideration. It was a 70k car new so it will have 70k running costs whether you like it or not.

 

[Chrisbassett]

I appreciate all the advice, it would entirely depend on how much i was earning etc... i am not for buying a car and then not being able to afford the running costs, for me these have to be taken into consideration. It was a 70k car new so it will have 70k running costs whether you like it or not.

Not to put a downer on this, as I love your enthusiasm, just some stuff to consider. Make it depend on how much you have readily available for disposal. If its less than say £4k - plus consumables like insurance & petrol - then think again until you do. It's more than easy to spend that on one of these cars. But it's also possible to get by with very little if the motoring gods are with you and you source parts yourself and don't pay for mechanics...but could you fit a new clutch, bearings etc yourself?

Also think about how you will treat the car and the reason for buying it. If you're going to garage and cocoon it, tinker/fettle and drive it gently then you will get close to your money back after a year. If you're not going to treat it like you're saving your girlfriend for the next guy then you risk losing more. If you're going to drive it like you stole it then expect a big grin and a big hit at the end.

Nothing rocket-sciencey there, we all want you to join us in owning one, and want it to be a positive experience for you. God, I sound like my uncle condescendingly trying to be wise...I'll shut up now and as I can't sleep, maybe I'll go and wake up some of the local wildlife. Must get a louder exhaust soon to make that easier.

 

[BennyD]

Make sure you do! I'm just about to go and wake some up myself.

 

[Andyk]

I know some will saw that a clutch with 40% wear could go anytime Adam.......but I know Loz had 100% up on his and it went on for ages...Hard to say as the clutch reading are never 100% accurate....

 

[beau]

My insurance is just a standard policy, with admiral, at 22 (now 23) it was £900, but it does have a £1500 excess!! But still, £900 is cheap, even adding on £1500 its still less than some of my friends pay

Another 2 years then il be able to get better policy

 

[2b1ask1]

Crikey Beau, you must have a good post code for your insurance then, Don't move to RM1 you would be many times that for sure... at 49 I'm paying more than you with no claims, points and a full NCB!

 

[LeeH]

This looks a nice one but no mention of clutch and it has covered 29k miles but looks to have a great service history
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...dings and has now done 7400 more miles since.

 

[Parisien]

Lie Newton....lie...thats what the rest of us do......


P

 

[Chrisbassett]

Crikey Beau, you must have a good post code for your insurance then, Don't move to RM1 you would be many times that for sure... at 49 I'm paying more than you with no claims, points and a full NCB!

Or NW3...starting to think I'm being ripped off here!

 

[2b1ask1]

Tempting as it is to register all my vehicles to Buxton I think they may rumble it... Just have to wait a couple of years till we move!

 

[BennyD]

I'm not sure it could ruin him, Benny. But it may be 'regrettable'.

I think Adam is about 20 so a couple of big repair bills may financially ruin him for a while especially if he's saving to buy his first property. A speed bump incident like NickP could cost thousand and if he got it on insurance his next premiums would go up like a Saturn 5. IMO, playing around with super cars at such a tender age can be ruinous.

 

[rossyl]

I think Adam is about 20 so a couple of big repair bills may financially ruin him for a while especially if he's saving to buy his first property. A speed bump incident like NickP could cost thousand and if he got it on insurance his next premiums would go up like a Saturn 5. IMO, playing around with super cars at such a tender age can be ruinous.

It's good advice Benny, and it is important to go into everything with your eyes open and ample knowledge. But life is also full of gambles and sometimes taking a gamble leads to the most enjoyment.

I bought a flat at 24 in London in 2008 right when no one knew what was going on with the economy. I was scared as it could have gone very wrong. Instead when I sold it last year, and bought somewhere else, I had enough cash to buy myself my Masser at the age of 27. Big risks taken and it may not have worked out.

My view was that i wanted the fast-car pre 30, pre kids, etc. As who knows when all that stuff happens if I'd be able to afford one with the extra responsibilities.

Look at Beau, not sure his age, but he's pretty younf so far 3200 ownership has worked for him...and it's a 3200!!

 

[BennyD]

Agreed, but some would say you got lucky. It worked out and you are sitting pretty, but what would have happened had it not worked out? You may have been saddled with years of negative equity and nothing to show for it. You could put everything on red and double your money in an instant but if it comes in black you could spend the rest of your life musing the what ifs in a cardboard box on the embankment. All I'm saying is that buying a Supercar too young can have a negative impact on your/his future prosperity.

 

[GransportFan1]

I think Adam is about 20 so a couple of big repair bills may financially ruin him for a while especially if he's saving to buy his first property. A speed bump incident like NickP could cost thousand and if he got it on insurance his next premiums would go up like a Saturn 5. IMO, playing around with super cars at such a tender age can be ruinous.

I understand your points entirely, i am not put off because i have factored that there will be bills and you cant run a super car on a budget; it doesn't exist and it never will.


When i referred to only losing 1k, i was referring to the depreciation and not including running costs; i am quite particular about my car and like it to be in the best condition as possible all the time, if something needs doing then i will do it and not leave it to get worse over time.

Like i mentioned previously, i will see what the future holds and seriously think about the points to consider when owning such an expensive car; yes it can be ruinous at a very young age playing with supercars, there is a lad who i know of who is working for in Marketing at T-Mobile so he treated himself 996 Turbo; he drove it hard to say the least and unsurprisingly the Turbo's said enough is enough and went bang, the car did not have a warranty with Porsche or a specialist and he had a big bill to pay or break the car. I never heard what happened but i suspect the car was broken because apparently he did not have the cash to repair the car. Shame.

 

[rossyl]

Sounds like you've got your head screwed on about this Adam inc the potential risks. Hope it works out.

 

[BennyD]

..Good luck Adam!