Toying with the idea of a Gransport

[-Paul-]

Hi All

Been out of a Maserati for some time after a relatively brief flirt with a GT MCS a couple of years ago.

I'm now thinking of getting into a Gransport which would end up being my daily driver, doing a 20 mile commute as well as running my youngest boy to Nursery every morning.

I've a couple of niggles that I keep coming back to which I know will only get dealt with when I venture off and drive one; firstly the quality of the gearbox shift and secondly whether in reality getting a car seat in the back for a 2 year old will prove too problematic.

The two paddle shift manual gearboxes I have significant experience of are those in a GT MCS and a Ferrari F430. Arguably both boxes are of a similar era to that in the Gransport (at least from a software sense), my MCS was a 2008 and my F430 is a 2008. I'd be interested in the views of anyone who has experience of either and the Gransport box to undertsand how similar or not they are.


And.... am kidding myslef that there is a workable way to get a child seat in the back with those sculpted seats? Again I'd be interested on any views on that. I've read somewhere (possibly on here) that there was an infill available for the seat but I suspect they are long out of production now.

When work allows I'll probably head off up to ADG and spend a good amount of time with one but will continue the armchair research in the meantime!!

I'm also fortunate enough not to be particularly budget constrained so will be looking for a late, lowish mileage example.

Thanks for any input anyone can provide.

 

[dickygrace]

Paul, welcome to the forum.
The child seat thing is no problem, I've good knowledge of the options and there's plenty. A Gransport with a good clutch is very similar to a GTS or an F430. I've driven both recently, so can compare directly.

 

[mjheathcote]

Our lad was 2 when we bought our 4200.
I filled the rear seat depression with a few scatter cushions with a towel on top for his car seat to sit on top.
Alternatively buy some thick foam rubber and cut it to shape.
Its not a problem.

 

[philw696]

And the 4200 still works OK with a 17 and 13 year olds in the back.
Once they have their gadgets going they are OK.

 

[Grinzzz]

Gearbox you get used to, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Just as with a manual gearbox and clutch it takes a bit of learning with the F1 box you soon learn how to feather the throttle to get a nice smooth, almost slushbox, change. It's very good and after half an or so of learning you soon get used to it, even in reverse. It's not up to double clutch do-dah wotsits on the latest cars, and gives you quite a thump on full throttle changes - but nowhere near as bad as the scaremongers will have.

Perfectly fit for a 20 mile commute on a daily basis, about what I did in mine. They do like to stretch their legs occasionally though!

 

[-Paul-]

No lack of encouragement there then.

All very useful!

I know it's a matter of personal choice but what colours are generally accepted as the most popular for GS's? Two of my current cars are grey and one blue, so trying not to necessarily go down either of those routes. Quite like Grigio Touring but not totally convinced it shows the car off to its best.

I take it as well that anything with a light colour dash will reflect badly in the windscreen.

 

[dickygrace]

Paul, you're right that silver isn't the best colour but personally I like it. Black is probably the most popular colour, along with blue and grey but as ever it's down to personal preference. Light dash tops reflect terribly but can be reupholstered for about £100.

 

[MAF260]

I know it's a matter of personal choice but what colours are generally accepted as the most popular for GS's? Two of my current cars are grey and one blue, so trying not to necessarily go down either of those routes. Quite like Grigio Touring but not totally convinced it shows the car off to its best.

I'd say yellow!

 

[highlander]

I'd say yellow!

no surprise there then..........always good to hear an unbiased opinion
actually I'm not a fan of silver cars in general but seeing grigio in the flesh has converted me, photos do not do it justice.

 

[-Paul-]

I'd say yellow!

Can't be many of them! Looks smart but I'd be too much of a colour coward to take the plunge on something as bold as that. I have moments when red takes my fancy though. But would I? Says the man who bought a grey Ferrari!!

 

[Felonious Crud]

F430s look superb in grey, Paul. One of the best colours for it, in my view at least. Especialy with a black or burgundy interior.

 

[-Paul-]

F430s look superb in grey, Paul. One of the best colours for it, in my view at least. Especialy with a black or burgundy interior.

Yes, they do. Bit more subtle than red and suits me a bit better. Think I prefer the noise to be shouty on my cars rather than the colour! Mine's got. Crema interior - unusual combination but works very well.

 

[rossyl]

This is my favourite colour, other than yellow.

I think it's just a brilliant colour for the car

http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showt...0-or-GranSport?p=315400&viewfull=1#post315400

 

[-Paul-]

This is my favourite colour, other than yellow.

I think it's just a brilliant colour for the car

http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showt...0-or-GranSport?p=315400&viewfull=1#post315400

Which Blue is that? Think Blue will have to be on my list of possible colours. It does seem to suit the car. I'll be trying to avoid a light interior I think as I need to be realistic about it being used to transport the family some of the time.

 

[BennyD]

It looks like Mediterranio (sp) blue. It looks lovely in the metal.

 

[MAF260]

Can't be many of them! Looks smart but I'd be too much of a colour coward to take the plunge on something as bold as that. I have moments when red takes my fancy though. But would I? Says the man who bought a grey Ferrari!!

There are only 3 in the UK. I'm not a great fan of the colour yellow, but as soon as I saw her I had to buy her. Red is my second favourite colour on the GS.

 

[Grinzzz]

Can't be many of them! Looks smart but I'd be too much of a colour coward to take the plunge on something as bold as that. I have moments when red takes my fancy though. But would I? Says the man who bought a grey Ferrari!!

Doesnt sound like you'd like Rame Ghibli then Only 3 in the world, probably for a good reason

 

[-Paul-]

That was a rusty colour wasn't it? I tripped across that when looking at colours the other day. As you say, rare and deservedly so!

 

[Grinzzz]

As you say, rare and deservedly so!

Cheeky bugger Looked fantastic in the sunshine, just a shame we don't get much of that here!

 

[-Paul-]

Cheeky bugger Looked fantastic in the sunshine, just a shame we don't get much of that here!

My uncle had a Datsun that colour (well similar).

Joking aside, I think I'll be looking at:

Blue
Silver
Black
Grey

Probably 60% plus of colour choices for a GS?