Booked in a visit to Meridien to drive both the standard GT and 'S' auto next Monday. Really looking forward to seeing how they drive. I'll be comparing them more to previous Jag XKR than the 911's I've had and it'll be interesting to see how the ZF auto box performs in the Maserati.
The snowball has started to roll.......
- Thread starter Paul-B
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I have only driven the 4.2 GT but i felt that the ZF box was perfect. I just hope that Maserati do not get sucked into the eight speed version as six gears are just fine. These cars are more Jag than Porsche but are great day to day with a bit of 'specialness' (I know not a word).
Dan!
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Paul, when you're in the 4.2 pump the brakes three times and see if you can get the ABS to come on, the chances are that you won't be able to.
This is one of the main reasons that I changed from the GT to the GT-S.
Beyond all that, make sure you drive through town in SPORT with the windows open, enjoy!
This is one of the main reasons that I changed from the GT to the GT-S.
Beyond all that, make sure you drive through town in SPORT with the windows open, enjoy!
Round the Lyndhurst one way?
Dan!
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Yep, depending on how long you test drive is you may not get near any tunnels to fully appreciate the noise.
However, if you can twist Nigel or Glenn's arm to let you go down the M27 to the Southampton Airport exit, turn right at the roundabout toward Southampton, right at the first set of lights, second right at next set of lights on to Stoneham Lane, you'll find a 200m long tunnel to blast up and down a couple of times. Highly recommended!!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl - Edit: This didn't work. Search for Stoneham Lane and you'll see where I mean
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Had a very pleasant trip down to Lyndhurst today to visit Meridien.
Very well looked after, far too many distractions in the showrooms but I managed to keep the focus on casing out the GT...
OK let's not beat about the bush - I didn't bother taking the standard GT out and I went straight for the 'S' (Auto). Basically what my first few minutes in the car did, was confirm I'm focussing on the right car. Great sense of occassion, spacious front and back, great to whaft in if you wish and it feels much smaller driving it than than it's true size suggests it sould.
But of course whafting around is not what one wants to do an awful lot of the time. Like my previous XKR this car has a wonderful split personality with an animal waiting to be released. What I really like about the car though is that the animal is tamed (to a degree). Refinement is very good and the drive and delivery of speed always feels progressive whereas the Jag could be hit or miss (this was probbaly in part due to the supercharging). I thought Jag had done a good job with the ZF transmission but Maserati really have it sussed.
Oh yes then there's the soundtrack.......
Just need to find the right car now!! I've set myself a budget of £70k which should be plenty to get me a nice 2009 car.
Here's to happy hunting!
Paul
Very well looked after, far too many distractions in the showrooms but I managed to keep the focus on casing out the GT...
OK let's not beat about the bush - I didn't bother taking the standard GT out and I went straight for the 'S' (Auto). Basically what my first few minutes in the car did, was confirm I'm focussing on the right car. Great sense of occassion, spacious front and back, great to whaft in if you wish and it feels much smaller driving it than than it's true size suggests it sould.
But of course whafting around is not what one wants to do an awful lot of the time. Like my previous XKR this car has a wonderful split personality with an animal waiting to be released. What I really like about the car though is that the animal is tamed (to a degree). Refinement is very good and the drive and delivery of speed always feels progressive whereas the Jag could be hit or miss (this was probbaly in part due to the supercharging). I thought Jag had done a good job with the ZF transmission but Maserati really have it sussed.
Oh yes then there's the soundtrack.......
Just need to find the right car now!! I've set myself a budget of £70k which should be plenty to get me a nice 2009 car.
Here's to happy hunting!
Paul
Hi again all.
Been mulling over the various auto S's that are up at main dealers currently and I've started to wonder whether I should be considering a semi auto MC shift car as well.
I'm going to have some time on my hands week after next so I can get down to Meridien or up to Maranello to give one a go - anyone want to humour me in the meantime as to why I should/shouldn't consider an MC shift vs. an auto?
Previous experinece of semi auto's has pretty much been limited to older BMW's and I wasn't impressed. Little while ago though, probbaly 2003/2004.
I've driven PDK Porsche's more recently, probably not enough to get a real impression, but they've always felt a bit jumpy.
Fully appreciate that driving one myself will answer the question best but interested to hear what others think of Maserati's MC box.
Thanks
Paul
Been mulling over the various auto S's that are up at main dealers currently and I've started to wonder whether I should be considering a semi auto MC shift car as well.
I'm going to have some time on my hands week after next so I can get down to Meridien or up to Maranello to give one a go - anyone want to humour me in the meantime as to why I should/shouldn't consider an MC shift vs. an auto?
Previous experinece of semi auto's has pretty much been limited to older BMW's and I wasn't impressed. Little while ago though, probbaly 2003/2004.
I've driven PDK Porsche's more recently, probably not enough to get a real impression, but they've always felt a bit jumpy.
Fully appreciate that driving one myself will answer the question best but interested to hear what others think of Maserati's MC box.
Thanks
Paul