Granturismo S vs Sport vs 2018

scotpak

Junior Member
Messages
66
Hi guys, I used to have granturismo s very briefly many years ago and now wish to go back to one after having a v8 vantage for 8 years. Love the looks and want the back seats to have the option to take kids now and again. Budget wise I can probably go up to around £60k and thus can likely pick up a 2018 facelift model, however I know how badly these cars depreciate, and I know running costs are high. For some reasons, looks wise the pre-2013 cars just seem better looking. Ive looked at several pics/vids and cant stop coming to that conclusion. Then of course Ive read about the various changes to the 2013 Sport cars with front end facelift, bit more bhp and better seats. 2018 cars are obviously much newer with better infotainment. Im sort of being drawn to decent looking 2012 S cars given their looks. Is this a big mistake? Should I definitely go for the Sport, or should I pay up and go for the 2018. Would be great to get your views. Thanks
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
I share your view on the looks... if depreciation is a concern then your thoughts are similar to mine.

Is it an Auto or MC you are after?

Give Richard Grace a call he will give you some sage advice of the market.
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
Looks are subjective and personally I think the facelift is the sweet spot so I woudln't buy a 2018 just for infotainment - buy the Apple / Android upgrade on here for £1000.

As I understand pre facelift cars had less power and auto boxes were sh!te. Post 2013 gives you way better MC autoshift boxes (very few MC shift cars about) that gives you best of both worlds IMO.

No changes to engine I am aware of in later versions.
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
And yes, if you don't want depreciation and want a more hardcore car, buy a Strad.
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
Someone will shortly be along to say 'Stradale'. And they'll likely be making a good point, too.

Welcome along and yes, at that price you are into Stradale territory - this one doesn't have photos yet, I think it has only been listed today, but from the description and options, it seems excellent value and from a MD too, what's not to like?

Good luck

 

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,952
Looks are subjective and personally I think the facelift is the sweet spot so I woudln't buy a 2018 just for infotainment - buy the Apple / Android upgrade on here for £1000.

As I understand pre facelift cars had less power and auto boxes were sh!te. Post 2013 gives you way better MC autoshift boxes (very few MC shift cars about) that gives you best of both worlds IMO.

No changes to engine I am aware of in later versions.

I really don't know where you are getting the auto gearbox comment from. It is only different in sport manual. In regular auto it is exactly the same.
 

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,952
Hi guys, I used to have granturismo s very briefly many years ago and now wish to go back to one after having a v8 vantage for 8 years. Love the looks and want the back seats to have the option to take kids now and again. Budget wise I can probably go up to around £60k and thus can likely pick up a 2018 facelift model, however I know how badly these cars depreciate, and I know running costs are high. For some reasons, looks wise the pre-2013 cars just seem better looking. Ive looked at several pics/vids and cant stop coming to that conclusion. Then of course Ive read about the various changes to the 2013 Sport cars with front end facelift, bit more bhp and better seats. 2018 cars are obviously much newer with better infotainment. Im sort of being drawn to decent looking 2012 S cars given their looks. Is this a big mistake? Should I definitely go for the Sport, or should I pay up and go for the 2018. Would be great to get your views. Thanks

I guess you need to choose your gearbox first since you will struggle to get an automated clutch car dated after about 2013. Personally I like the original shape or the last shape best but they are all nice so take your choice.

An older car will depreciate less but cost more in maintenance and the reverse on a newer car but depreciation on these cars is no worse than on a similar priced Aston. I would buy a 2018/19 car and enjoy the final version.
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
I really don't know where you are getting the auto gearbox comment from. It is only different in sport manual. In regular auto it is exactly the same.

My understanding is that there are significant differences in the pre 13 auto box and the MC autoshift box ... and that they have been discussed at length on here https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/gts-transmission-differences.33291/

In fact I am quoting our very own Richard Grace from that thread which supports my view "The auto box got markedly better. "
 

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,952
My understanding is that there are significant differences in the pre 13 auto box and the MC autoshift box ... and that they have been discussed at length on here https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/gts-transmission-differences.33291/

In fact I am quoting our very own Richard Grace from that thread which supports my view "The auto box got markedly better. "
It's a tough one, I'm just going by what my dealer told me when the Sport came out and he was trying to sell me one to upgrade from my GTS Auto. I guess the only way to find out is a back to back! I think part of the issue is that the exhaust valves open more often on the Sport due to the removal of the 3000 rev collar that the earlier cars have.
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
I think part of the issue is that the exhaust valves open more often on the Sport due to the removal of the 3000 rev collar that the earlier cars have.

Setting aside start up, on the Sport valves are either open or closed (press the sport button and they open). It also blips on the downshift.
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
At your budget, a 4 seat Strad is the obvious answer. But aside from that, the Sport (i.e. 2013 - 2016) is where I'd go, at around the £40k mark. These had several improvements over the 2009-2012 S cars.
I'm not a fan of the final face-lift, and these cars have more depreciating still to do, so personally, I'd not go there.
But hey, they are all nice cars, so it's not as if you can wrong with whatever model/age you choose.
 

rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
Welcome along and yes, at that price you are into Stradale territory - this one doesn't have photos yet, I think it has only been listed today, but from the description and options, it seems excellent value and from a MD too, what's not to like?

Good luck

Buy that! QUICK!!!!
 

rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
Your other option is the buy a 2012 Sport, as you have stated you like them, and then head down to Sports Italia on the South coast for them to fit the Apple Carplay kit.

Personally, I would buy the Stradale above - it has 4 seats as well. Timing could not be better.
 

scotpak

Junior Member
Messages
66
I didnt really consider a Stradale given all the ones on autotrader seem to be WHITE!! (Least fav colour). Also not many to pick from in general. The other issue is running costs. Wont the stradale running costs be much higher e.g. ceramic discs/pads etc? Dont have much knowledge on Stadale vs Sport running costs. Also the sport is alnost as fast as the stradale and likely more comfortable to drive? Im not a Stradale expert so please fill me in if im talking rubbish. Thx
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
In theory, the carbon discs on the Strad last for ages, so you're unlikely to ever need to change them. So this in itself isn't a cost issue. You will though have to change the clutch every (approx) 30k miles, which you wouldn't have on a Sport (auto). Overall, I'd say a £60k Strad will cost less over (say) 3 years than a later face-lift car of equivalent value. The running costs will be broadly similar, but the Strad will depreciate less.
If you are going to use it daily, or for commuting and town/city work, then a Sport (auto) would probably be a better bet in terms of comfort and ease of use. But if it's to be an occasional car and/or a weekend toy, you need a Strad.
 

scotpak

Junior Member
Messages
66
In theory, the carbon discs on the Strad last for ages, so you're unlikely to ever need to change them. So this in itself isn't a cost issue. You will though have to change the clutch every (approx) 30k miles, which you wouldn't have on a Sport (auto). Overall, I'd say a £60k Strad will cost less over (say) 3 years than a later face-lift car of equivalent value. The running costs will be broadly similar, but the Strad will depreciate less.
If you are going to use it daily, or for commuting and town/city work, then a Sport (auto) would probably be a better bet in terms of comfort and ease of use. But if it's to be an occasional car and/or a weekend toy, you need a Strad.

Will be used daily for an 8 mile commute to work. Of course this depends on when we get back to office and what the length the work week will be.
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
For the occasion a stradale is kinda the ultimate. Although you also get stradale suspension which is quite firm. Might be problematic for more daily driving.

I guess the only advice would be to drive a few around and see how you connect. Looks are one thing, but you are not bothered by looks while driving. And usually you will spend more time driving the car rather then looking at it. Unless you park it outside your office window.

And for the budget you have all the other options as well, retrofit older style bumpers, wrap/repaint etc.