Long Time Lurker

ScottH

Member
Messages
216
Hello! I've been lurking in the shadows for a while and strangely enough didn't discover this place until after parting ways with the trident.. albeit significantly earlier than planned.

Short history - it seems I cannot keep a nice car for longer than six months without something untoward happening.

The first being a Ghibli S, white with red interior (apologies for the lack of Italian nomenclature!) which wouldn't have been my first choice but on taking it for a test drive was smitten. Six months into ownership on a dreary morning drive into work I accelerated too haard (profanity filter is a bit keen!) on a less than ideal road and the back end kicked out, I don't know what happened next but can only assume that I hit my head on the window and blacked out for a few seconds. Those few seconds (with right foot planted) were enough to get up to some speed and onto the wrong side of the road, I came to as a parked lorry brought the car to a stop... Just to make sure it was a write off the car caught fire almost immediately. The multitude of airbags did their jobs and I walked away unscathed, work were delighted I blocked the only route in for several hours...

The following day I was picking up a spaniel (Bertie) so it made sense that the replacement car was a "sensible" dog car, in comes the RS4. I know it's doesn't have any of the character of an Italian but it's a big V8 and fits a dog crate in the boot, although Bertie spends most of his time on a bed in the passenger footwell, all wheel drive was a factor too.

Six months into ownership of the RS4 early one morning (strangely both Tuesday mornings) my front door was kicked in and a group of lads greeted me with baseball bats & hammers. The car had plenty of security but not so much on the house.. The car has a Ghost immobiliser so there was a conversation of sorts before they could leave... long story short the car is gone, dog unharmed and I got to spend the day in A&E but essentially fine. The car was recovered within half an hour, having been dumped in a cul-de-sac with the electronics all torn out (looking for the tracker presumably) to the point that the car doesn't start or do anything at all. It turns out German cars have their own electrical gremlins because it took the garage (insurer's approved...) 2-3 months to fix it. Eventually car returned in better condition than when it left.

I'm lucky to have walked away from both incidents, the second one certainly isn't going to dictate any future plans. Ironically I was already looking to move to a house with a bigger garage (ie one that actually fits a modern car...) but for winter rather than security!

That was a while ago now; still have the RS4, Bertie is still a loon and more recently moved from the Birmingham area to Oxford area which whilst it has many perks finding a house with a decent sized garage is proving more difficult!

As I'm sure you can understand something about the brand stays with you and I knew another Maserati would feature in the future. That time is nearing, lockdown only increasing the autotrader browsing.. however I go back and forth with which model it might be. My current commute is ~400 miles a week and the work car park is underground so ground clearance becomes an issue, thankfully working from home has increased and it's not a commute I intend to keep too much longer. I've always liked saloons and so the Quattroporte ends up at the top of the list most days, particularly today when a Sport GTS appears, albeit lacking history. I gather GTs can be well suited with daily duties, achingly beautiful but how's the ground clearance? I worry about scrapes, particularly multi storey car parks / speed bumps.

Anyway, it's a bit of a "watch this space" post and I wanted to finally introduce myself.

i71791717927179371797
 

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
14,994
Hi Scott , welcome to the madness. There’s a few on here with interesting stories about car ownership including myself. I’ve got the Frankenspyder which should have been written off twice, but it still lives and spends its time driving me to distraction. The local loons will become evident, but generally they are an agreeable bunch of reprobates so stick around and join in the banter.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
Welcome. Nice pooch, not so nice experiences but pleased you can talk about them without dribbling.

I did a similar commute to Cardiff and also have a underground car park at work.

I keep a 'station' car for work and my Maser for pleasure. I personally prefer it that way ao the nice car remains special rather than a form of transport.

QP looks good, but awful in white (others will disagree) there aee ao many more interesting paint choices.

Good luck with the search and I hope it stays in your hands longer this time.
 

Devonboy

Member
Messages
1,289
Love your dog! Oh and welcome - and go on treat yourself to that QP V Sport GT S - you know you want too.......
 

Lozzer

Member
Messages
2,280
I’ve got the Frankenspyder which should have been written off twice, but it still lives and spends its time driving me to distraction.
You have the Frankenspyder that yearns to be a 3200 , never mind , a wins a win I suppose. ;)
 

rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
What a story, glad we're able to hear from you about it.

I didn't have much issue with ground clearance on my 4200 Cambiocorsa, including multi-storeys. But, maybe the GTS might be lower?

Hopefully someone will be along soon to answer that question.

I love the QP as well.
 

IanU

Member
Messages
336
QPV Sport GTS is lower that the 'normal' QPV and longer than the GT obviously - so is more vulnerable to grounding in the middle than the others - only a smidge though :)
 

IanU

Member
Messages
336
Does a qp5 or 6 fit in a multi storey?
Depends on the multi storey tbh. There are some tight ones in London and Birmingham I've been in - just try not to park near a ramp that needs the turning space - it's a long car and sticks out quite a bit. I generally head for the roof or the lowest basement level.
 

ScottH

Member
Messages
216
Another month on and a slight change of plan, circumstance change allowing a budget increase helped too. Daily updates from autotrader to no avail and then this one appeared on piston heads - 63 plate mc shift, blu Sofisticato with Bianco Pregiato interior, reasonable miles but the advert didn’t mention history. Obviously already loved it but went to see it fully prepared for it to be non existent! Couldn’t have been more wrong, the last three businesses to touch it were Autoshield for an inspection, shiltech for the most recent big service, and Richard grace as the previous vendor so a pleasant surprise.
No surprises on the test drive and cutting out some admin, I picked it up on Saturday. The sound is incredible and never fails to put a smile on your face, at any speed.
Plan is to wash it a couple of times to then decide how much work that needs, looks great in sunshine and rain regardless. Following the x pipe thread as well so that will probably feature in the near future.
What I haven’t yet got is a nice looking seat cover so the dog will be well wrapped for any journeys, regardless of weather.
Did a healthy 200 miles the first day and looking forward to many more.
More pictures showing the colour courtesy of Richard grace when he sold it previously
https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/sold/maserati-granturismo-sport-mc-shift/305730857308673087
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
Messages
7,309
That car is a good one. Immaculate condition, it had a respray about 4 years ago. Massive spec car and beautiful condition. Congratulations.
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
Messages
7,309
I’ve got some fitted Maserati seat covers if your dog is deserving of such comfort and style.
 
Messages
1,687
Welcome Scott. Beautiful car. Best avoiding this Grounding where possible.
Some people. Mentioning no names! Would never let you forget it :rolleyes:
I wonder if we ought to start a campaign to convert a proportion of our
motorways to autobahns. As well as some of the best driver's roads in
rural locales. With Boris as PM, we just might have a chance!