360 Owners that have driven a Maserati Coupe GT? | FerrariChat
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360 Owners that have driven a Maserati Coupe GT?

Discussion in '360/430' started by JAMIAM, Aug 21, 2010.

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  1. JAMIAM

    JAMIAM Rookie

    Apr 25, 2008
    5
    Pittsburgh, PA
    #1 JAMIAM, Aug 21, 2010
    Hi all, I'm looking to get a 360 and recently drove a 2006 Maserati GT with 6 speed manual. My experience driving the Maserati wasn't very pleasing. The car had about 16K on the odo and it looked to have been driven hard in the past. The engine was amazing, very powerful but the car felt very heavy, clunky and not easy to control, akin to a muscle car. Given that the 360 shares some similar parts I'm wondering if driving a 360 will be a similar experience. I haven't had the opportunity to drive a 360 so I thought I'd ask an owner who may have had some time in a Maserati.

    I currently own an NSX and drive a BoxterS both of which to me handled far, far better than the Maserati but of course couldn't match the power. Can anyone comment on a comparative drive in a Maserati coupe vs 360?

    Thanks,

    Jim
     
  2. MamoVaka

    MamoVaka Formula 3

    Jul 31, 2006
    1,409
    Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Pano S.
    #2 MamoVaka, Aug 21, 2010
    I own 360 and gransport, they are different, however I have to say i I were to pick one the gransport is the total package, fast enough to be a blast and 2 seats and easier to drive every day.. my car has 26k miles and is solid. gransport is a wonderful car
     
  3. JAMIAM

    JAMIAM Rookie

    Apr 25, 2008
    5
    Pittsburgh, PA
    #3 JAMIAM, Aug 21, 2010
    Thanks for the reply Mamo, how does the handling compare between the Grandsport and 360? If I recall the Grandsport has some significant upgrades vs the Coupe so it might not be a fair to compare the two. The Coupe I drove was not very agile and the steering was very loose. I couldn't 'feel' the road, there was a lot of play in the steering. I've gotten used to the go-cart feel of the NSX and I'm hoping the 360 is a similar experience.
     
  4. Juri

    Juri Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Mar 15, 2010
    604
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Juri
    #4 Juri, Aug 21, 2010
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2010
    Possibly, it is because of a Ferraristi bias, but I did not enjoy neither the Maser GT, nor the Quattroporte that much... Those cars feel newer and somewhat more comfier inside, but handling and responses felt different than when driving a Ferrari. Dont get me wrong, Masers are nice cars too, but Ferrari is a much higher class car, IMO.
     
  5. MamoVaka

    MamoVaka Formula 3

    Jul 31, 2006
    1,409
    Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Pano S.
    #5 MamoVaka, Aug 21, 2010
    Ah the coupe.. well I hear it's just fine.. but the grandsport was supposedly (never driven coupe) a much better car performance wise..

    the handling.. the gransport is a less go karty than the 360 which is obvious.. but it's still solid enough in sport mode to be an absolute blast on the track and roads.. The 360 is clearly going to be more of a sportscar but you get useable rear seats in the maserati, you get more comfort and it is in my opinion 75% as exciting to drive as the ferrari.. The steering in sports mode is tight IMO, but not as direct as the 360, again this is all done on purpose since the maserati is designed to be a GT.. there are aftermarket mods I hear that make the gransport scream.

    The NSX and 360 will be similar, the Maserati is a GT sportscar not a gokart sportscar.. so if that is your requirement then you know what you must do..

    If I had to pick one as a DD and sportscar I would choose the maserati.. it's a really beautiful car and it's 4.7 to 60 which is faster than most cars in it's class (granturismo, v8 vantage etc.) and you get rear seats..
     
  6. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,797
    Gladwyne PA
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    Morrie
    #6 Carnut, Aug 22, 2010
    I owned a 03 coupe but it was a CC, I did not know they even still made that car in 06.
     
  7. drewgroel

    drewgroel Rookie

    Aug 2, 2009
    38
    North Haledon, NJ
    Full Name:
    Andrew Groelinger
    #7 drewgroel, Aug 22, 2010
    I had owned a 2006 GranSport Spyder (CC), a 2003 360 Spider (CC), and a 2008 QP GTS concurrently.

    The GranSport Spyder had good performance, but was definitely a heavier car than the 360, and not quite as wide with a little more weight up higher. Having tracked both the GranSport and 360 multiple times at the same tracks, the 360 was a significantly more balanced performer from that respect.

    From a road-going, daily-driver perspective, I had actually preferred the more "GT" feel of the GranSport than the 360 - I felt the 360 was a bit more jarring. I also found the 2006's F1 seemed a bit smoother than that of the older 360.

    I now have the 430 instead of the 360 and I actually feel the 430 is much more compliant as a road car with some great improvements for track days. However, in all actuality, between them all, if I had to pick just one, I actually love my QP - I think of it as my 4-door Ferrari!
     
  8. JAMIAM

    JAMIAM Rookie

    Apr 25, 2008
    5
    Pittsburgh, PA
    #8 JAMIAM, Aug 26, 2010
    Thanks guys for the feedback. Hopefully I'll be able to test drive a 360 in the near future. Most dealers are reluctant to allow test drives. Next time I'm in Vegas I'll see if there's one for rent.

    Thanks again,

    Jim
     
  9. 88MONDIAL

    88MONDIAL Formula 3

    Apr 13, 2005
    1,052
    Racine, Wisconsin
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    Jim Smith
    #9 88MONDIAL, Aug 27, 2010
    Jim
    Funny I have an NSX and a Boxster as well. Are you trading in any of them for the 360? I love my NSX and Porsche, they are so much fun and you REALLY feel the road and the reflexes are superb in both. Good luck in finding the next car for you!
     
  10. JAMIAM

    JAMIAM Rookie

    Apr 25, 2008
    5
    Pittsburgh, PA
    #10 JAMIAM, Jan 21, 2011
    Hey Jim, I haven't checked this thread in a while and just saw your question. I'd need to sell the NSX in order to get a 360. What I'm still debating is if that's what I want to do. I really love the way the NSX handles and the really low maintenance costs. I'd want to make sure the 360 handles as well but I haven't driven one yet. Then there's the fact that Pittsburgh doesn't have a Ferrari dealership. There is a shop that works on them and a mechanic that I spoke to that does work on the side. I'm patient and not looking to jump into anything quickly but would like to own a 360.

    Jim
     
  11. lukek

    lukek Formula 3

    May 2, 2003
    2,085
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    LK
    #11 lukek, Jan 22, 2011
    I have an 02 maser coupe gt and a 360 f1.
    The maserati is my daily driver, shuttling kids to school. Lots more torque, can climb sf hills. The 360 is obvoiusly more flashy, harder to drive in stop and go, and more visceral. The handling is 10 times better in a mid engined car, not a fair comparo.

    Get both. Works for me.
     
  12. scubamike

    scubamike Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2010
    323
    In the south
    #12 scubamike, Jan 22, 2011
    +1
     
  13. taylorcoleman

    taylorcoleman Karting

    Oct 10, 2009
    107
    #13 taylorcoleman, Jan 22, 2011
    Hi Jim. Where are u in PGH? I'm in FC.

    When weather clears you're welcome to drive My 360.
     
  14. rmani

    rmani F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2003
    7,328
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    RMani
    #14 rmani, Jan 22, 2011
    355 was often compared to the nsx as a comparably handling car. 360 was a huge step up over the 355 so I don't think you'll regret buying one. It's one of those things with Ferraris you gotta just take the plunge and worst case if you don't like the car sell it. Chances are if you're buying a 360 now you won't lose much, if any money on the car itself.
     

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