Granturismo S vs Sport vs 2018

[azapa]

The stradale suspension is just fine for daily driving IMHO, but the gearbox is a pain in stop and go traffic etc. It works, but I can just feel it struggling and wearing. To be honest, a strad is a great weekend car, and you'll loose very little money, but I'd be worried about putting too many miles on in traffic. On a race course fine, but bumper to bumper may be a drag.

With an 8 mile commute, personally, I'd be on my pushbike with a the strad in the garage ready for weekend hooning.

 

[christianm]

For Sale - Maserati Granturismo Sport

View full details of this vehicle to purchase from Richard Grace Cars in Chester, Cheshire

www.richardgracecars.co.uk

 

[c4sman]

Interesting thread! Think I’m heading towards the very same situation of the OP. Sold my 2010 MC Shift via Mr Grace 4 years ago and been sniffing around recently thinking of getting another. Definitely want a full auto this time. Loved the MC Shift on the open road but just a bit stressful in heavy traffic. Looks wise (very personal) I love the early S cars like the one I had, not that keen on the later Sport, but really like the last facelift car (don’t care about infotainment as I’m old school but it’s a nice addition). Strads our out due to gearbox and ride (I have a more sporty car for that task). My usual default is get the newest I can afford which could get me into a 2018 (just / maybe). But the older cars are looking incredible value so a hard one to call!

 

[scotpak]

Somebody has put a deposit down for my vantage so a step closer to Maserati ownership. I have to say, I love the "MC Design" wheels. Some people refer them as the Stradale wheels. As most come with Neptune wheels, how easy would it be to switch wheels? Would there be a big cost involved? Like someone suggested here, Im starting to think a GT sport auto at around the £40k mark (post negotiation) is the sweet spot for me.

 

[safrane]

Should be a straight swap, but you will be looking at a few grand for the wheels.

 

[scotpak]

Should be a straight swap, but you will be looking at a few grand for the wheels.

Yep, dont mind the extra cost. Like my vantage, Id like to put my own mark on it. New wheels, maybe power upgrade, but thats probably for another thread!

 

[Sam McGoo]

Im starting to think a GT sport auto at around the £40k mark (post negotiation) is the sweet spot for me.

If you really like the earlier shape, why not try and get a 2012MY Auto with the optional sport package ?(MCAuto software, Oval exhaust with valves etc)? Might be a wait, but there are some out there. I'm sure Dicky could find you one.

What kind of roads is your 8 mile commute on? Is there much town/traffic driving?

What's most important to you?
Looks?
Sound?
Performance?
Seats?
Fun?

 

[rs48635]

that four seat stradale showing sold. Was it you @scotpak ?
Is the stradale gear / clutch experience much different to the Duoselect in early QP? Drives okay in traffic and no undue cause for concern.
Is it odd how we might happily spend a few grand on wheels to personalise the car but similar spend (3.5k?) on clutch is the north face of the eiger.

 

[c4sman]

I definitely view mods and improvements differently in terms of spend to maintenance/repairs. The latter always comes first but find the former more fun and rewarding and therefore a happier spend. Plus I can feel, see or hear an improvement rather than just getting back to how it should have worked in the first place

 

[dickygrace]

that four seat stradale showing sold. Was it you @scotpak ?
Is the stradale gear / clutch experience much different to the Duoselect in early QP? Drives okay in traffic and no undue cause for concern.
Is it odd how we might happily spend a few grand on wheels to personalise the car but similar spend (3.5k?) on clutch is the north face of the eiger.

Bought by @MA53RAT on the other thread. Clutch is light years ahead of an 04MY duo select.

 

[scotpak]

that four seat stradale showing sold. Was it you @scotpak ?
Is the stradale gear / clutch experience much different to the Duoselect in early QP? Drives okay in traffic and no undue cause for concern.
Is it odd how we might happily spend a few grand on wheels to personalise the car but similar spend (3.5k?) on clutch is the north face of the eiger.

Was tempted but no way I would be that fast. Only just got a deposit on my vantage. Ive got the cash for a 2018 Sport or a stradale, but I think financially makes more sense to go for a £40k Sport (i sold my vantage for £25k). That leaves me a bit of room if I wanna do a few mods/ add touchscreen and leave a bit for repairs.

Like the idea of a softer suspension and auto gearbox of the sport. Dont think i need the car to be a hardcore stradale. But im obviously not in the know like u guys so do advise if im making the wrong choice.

 

[D Walker]

Are Alcantara seat (inserts) available in post 2014 cars?

 

[bigbob]

Are Alcantara seat (inserts) available in post 2014 cars?

I think I drove one with them years ago but it was an MC Sport and on the GTS MC alcantara was the standard fit so the answer might depend on your gearbox preference.

 

[Sam McGoo]

Are Alcantara seat (inserts) available in post 2014 cars?

Why 2014? The model change was 2012 MY2013 and then again in 2018 I think?
If your asking if Alcantara was available in the MY2013 + cars, then the answer is yes, mine has it.

 

[D Walker]

Why 2014? The model change was 2012 MY2013 and then again in 2018 I think?
If your asking if Alcantara was available in the MY2013 + cars, then the answer is yes, mine has it.

Tbh, I just picked 2014 out of the air.
Not keen on the old shape leather seats,
But new shape leather may be ok, not tried them ......yet.

 

[bigbob]

Tbh, I just picked 2014 out of the air.
Not keen on the old shape leather seats,
But new shape leather may be ok, not tried them ......yet.

Bear in mind the old style leather seats are different patterns for auto and MC and then the 2012MY Auto was different again. Happy to explain if you want to become a real spotter.

 

[D Walker]

Bear in mind the old style leather seats are different patterns for auto and MC and then the 2012MY Auto was different again. Happy to explain if you want to become a real spotter.

Thanks bb,
I found in the old style leather I tended to slip around in the seat as quite wide, rather than cosseting.

 

[bigbob]

Thanks bb,
I found in the old style leather I tended to slip around in the seat as quite wide, rather than cosseting.

I guess it all depends on torso shape. I struggle in some Porsche sports car seats as they are too narrow. I've never noticed what you say in my GranTurismo but the leather is on the low friction side so skinny people might move about.

 

[Sam McGoo]

I've just copied the below from one of my previous threads, comparing my 2011 GT-S to my 2013 GT - Sport as I thought it was pertinent...... Thread can be found here https://www.sportsmaserati.com/inde...-it-again-another-granturismo-mc-shift.30386/


I'll leave the difference in external and internal looks to personal opinion.
Inside:
The seats feel better to me. I'm quite slim, so in the Pre - 2012 seats, although completely comfortable, I didn't get much lateral support if I was cornering with any pace. The facelift seats are better in that respect. They also give about an inch extra legroom in the back. And they appear to go further forward when tilted, giving more room to get my daughter in the car seat.
Steering wheel feels more modern.
Stereo sounds better, clearer and more bass. Dunno if there was any changes in that between years?
I 'think' there is less road noise as well.

Headlights are much better at night! And has the adaptive headlights, so points round corners.

Suspension;
I love the MC handling pack. Fixed rate, no Skyhook (as was my last one) but the MC is firmer, lower and feels really tight but still manages to ride the bumpy roads round me very well. Can't comment on fast cornering ability yet, as I have zero confidence in the P-zeros in these temperatures. The MC Stability Control allows much more traction slippage before interfering. (which I like)

Engine:
Seems to run a bit quieter, less 'tappy'. Probably due to the low friction coatings used on the facelift engine?
I'm sure the difference between 444hp and 454hp is not noticeable, but it does seem to rev a bit quicker on first impressions, but as I'm unable to keep traction due to the **** P-zeros, I'll hold of making that comparison.

Noise;

Now....this is important to me, and part of the reason I've gone MC shift again.....BUT.....the 2013 car is not as good on that front as the 2011 was.
I noticed this on the test drive, but thought it was just because I'd just got out of my 2011 with x-pipe. However, when I went down to collect the 2013 a week later, I had removed the x-pipe so got out of one standard car and straight into another, and it was missing something. It hasn't got that very pronounced Rev 'blip' when changing down gears that the early MC shift has. It almost sounds like the MC Auto. It's also missing some of the pops compared to the earlier car.
I don't know if its a software difference in the cars, or the way the clutch has been set up in my 2013 car, but the 2011 DEFINITELY sounds better!
I'll be fitting the x-pipe asap, and will ask someone in the know about the clutch/ software setup, if it could be something that can be altered.
It does seem to change down gears quicker, due to not taking the time to rev in between, but I'd rather have the noise from the throttle blip.
Changing up the gears and at WOT, it pretty much sounds and behaves the same as the earlier car.

 

[scotpak]

I've just copied the below from one of my previous threads, comparing my 2011 GT-S to my 2013 GT - Sport as I thought it was pertinent...... Thread can be found here https://www.sportsmaserati.com/inde...-it-again-another-granturismo-mc-shift.30386/


I'll leave the difference in external and internal looks to personal opinion.
Inside:
The seats feel better to me. I'm quite slim, so in the Pre - 2012 seats, although completely comfortable, I didn't get much lateral support if I was cornering with any pace. The facelift seats are better in that respect. They also give about an inch extra legroom in the back. And they appear to go further forward when tilted, giving more room to get my daughter in the car seat.
Steering wheel feels more modern.
Stereo sounds better, clearer and more bass. Dunno if there was any changes in that between years?
I 'think' there is less road noise as well.

Headlights are much better at night! And has the adaptive headlights, so points round corners.

Suspension;
I love the MC handling pack. Fixed rate, no Skyhook (as was my last one) but the MC is firmer, lower and feels really tight but still manages to ride the bumpy roads round me very well. Can't comment on fast cornering ability yet, as I have zero confidence in the P-zeros in these temperatures. The MC Stability Control allows much more traction slippage before interfering. (which I like)

Engine:
Seems to run a bit quieter, less 'tappy'. Probably due to the low friction coatings used on the facelift engine?
I'm sure the difference between 444hp and 454hp is not noticeable, but it does seem to rev a bit quicker on first impressions, but as I'm unable to keep traction due to the **** P-zeros, I'll hold of making that comparison.

Noise;

Now....this is important to me, and part of the reason I've gone MC shift again.....BUT.....the 2013 car is not as good on that front as the 2011 was.
I noticed this on the test drive, but thought it was just because I'd just got out of my 2011 with x-pipe. However, when I went down to collect the 2013 a week later, I had removed the x-pipe so got out of one standard car and straight into another, and it was missing something. It hasn't got that very pronounced Rev 'blip' when changing down gears that the early MC shift has. It almost sounds like the MC Auto. It's also missing some of the pops compared to the earlier car.
I don't know if its a software difference in the cars, or the way the clutch has been set up in my 2013 car, but the 2011 DEFINITELY sounds better!
I'll be fitting the x-pipe asap, and will ask someone in the know about the clutch/ software setup, if it could be something that can be altered.
It does seem to change down gears quicker, due to not taking the time to rev in between, but I'd rather have the noise from the throttle blip.
Changing up the gears and at WOT, it pretty much sounds and behaves the same as the earlier car.

Cheers mate, appreciate the info.

Im likely to go for the Sport auto. Dont want to start another MC shift vs auto discussion, but given I am likely to go for the auto, am i going to be disappointed with the sound? Can that be fixed. My 4.7 S MC shift that i briefly had years ago sounded amazing and i never once even thought about modifying the exhaust.