Granturismo why so cheap?

Actually, for a Maserati, they are holding their value pretty well. I believe the block is the same as the 430. They are quite good cars, and I would go for the 4.7 over the 4.2.

-dsd

 

I wouldnt buy the Maserati. They're horrible.

 

Maserati GT's are great cars. Not good cars, great cars. Good handling, strong motor, comfortable, not too thirsty. I've got a GTS and love it. They depreciate pretty much like any new car, which is good if you are buying, used sucks if you are buying new or newer used.

Mine is under warranty and they have had to address a few things. If it wasn't under warranty it would be expensive to repair, but not that much more than a Mercedes or BMW. I paid less for an oil change for it than I did when I took a Mini to the BMW stealership. Now that was a ripoff!

Your mileage may vary.

 

I bought a 2010 4.2 with 6,000 miles in February and I love it. We have had no reliability issues or problems with it in any way. It is truly a fantastic GT car.

 

I have an 09 GTS, I use it as a daily driver. Super dependable, great performance and awesome sound for a GT car. The newer Maserati's are a far cry from those of yesteryear.

Do get the 4.7 unless you just like to cruise all the time.

 

WRONG!!!!

My 13 year old beauty and it runs great. Love it. This was the week I bought it and it looks exactly like this today. It still turns heads.


As to the engines: They are made in the Ferrari Factory on the same line as the V8's and engineered by Ferrari.

They are a great used car value for the money. The interiors are better looking and longer lasting than Ferrari.
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Wtih the exception of one comment above, the rest are good comments and very true.

The GranTurismo line is relatively cheap because it is a rather old platform now days (6+ years old), the QP has already been replaced with a new platform (new QP and mini QP), while the GranTurismo line is going to have an overhaul in a few years time (2015).

Anyway, as others have stated, great car, no issues, just make sure you buy the correct GT that matches your requirements (GT or GT-S or GT Sport or GT Stradale, etc).

The base block and many components are shared between Ferrari and Maserati, but the design is all Maserati, assembled by Ferrari. Solid engine that will last a lot longer than you'll be able to drive

 

Very nice Spyder indeed!

 

Thnaks for putting this straight, Maserati Blue. This line of V8 engines were actually introduced with the Maserati 4.2, not the Ferrari 430 as many tend to think.

 

Type F136 engine designer is Paolo Martinelli, who is also responsible for the V10 and V8 F1 engines that powered the red cars to 6 drivers and 8 constructors titles. The 4.2 with dry sump is to about 90% the same as F430. Main difference is the crankshaft which give a different firing order. Maserati also have an exhaust camshaft duration which is 40 degrees less than the intake cam to slow it down. Internal policy most likely at Fiat say that a Maserati can't be faster than a Ferrari. The 4.7 is more related to 458 and California with 94 mm cylinder bore and a number of changes to the block and head castings. They also used wet sump on the 4.7, Alfa 8C and California while 458 have an upgraded dry sump. The current 65 degree V12 (Enzo, 599, FF, F12, LaFerrari and MC12) share many components with the F136 and is built at the same robot assembly line as the V8.

 

C311, true but it is hard to distinguish between "ferrari engine" and "maserati engine", because in practice they are neither, since one could say that the orders come from FIAT and the employees who work on the engines are basically FIAT people. They are just "assigned" jobs based on the current needs. Plus, both sub-companies share technologies with one another.

I think the F430 engine is a lot more different than just 10% that you claim, but no matter.

Unfortunately Maserati is not allowed to sell a faster (or as fast) car than Ferrari due to the price difference (a new Ferrari costs nearly twice as much). Historically, that is also why Maserati wasn't allowed to offer and advertise a car with 300km/h speeds and they settled for speeds like 285km/h etc. The same rule applies to HP power, since only recently (new QP) has Maserati been allowed to offer and advertise a car with more than 500hp, so far they where allowed only 4xx numbers.

Anyway, long story...

 

Great Info., Thanks!!!! I'd like to hear the long story, I have time.

Ciao,
George

 

CPO GranTurismo's now have 6yr/100,000 mile warranties. That says a lot to me. And that would be my only argument for going pre-owned. I actually don't think the depreciation on a new car is that bad, if you negotiate well. GT's go for well off sticker. Absolutely best value for the money IMHO. I get compliments everywhere I go, tons of appreciation from onlookers, it sounds and drives like a dream, best interior imaginable. Priced middle of the road compared to all the other typical exec type cars like S class, 7 series, Panamera, etc. It does everything I need it to do with more fun per passenger mile than any other car I could reasonably use as a daily driver.

 

Piper, I see you have/had a Scaglietti. How would you compare them?

 

I'm still comparing them. I'm still relatively new to both cars. The GT sport turns heavier handles heavier than the 612 which corners on rails, but I think with some greater effort the Maser may handle just as well, just need more time to get used to her in more twisty conditions, see what she can do. 612 has more torque of course, but the Maser with its automatic tranny makes it a little less effort to enjoy at WOT. You have to pay attention to your shifting the 612 and take care with throttle lest ye watch benjamins flying from under the car. No such worry of course with the automatic and the shifts are faster. The Maser in sport mode and manual sounds and handles great, feels great, paddles well mimic F1, then you can go back to luxury cruise mode, save gas, etc. Maser has more blind spot BTW. Interior is better in the Maser. AC is better in the 612. All I can think of at the moment.

 

Terrific comparison (so far), Piper. Thanks! Sounds like Maserati have done a very nice job a building a great all around car. Of course it has the luxury of more modern technology, but dollar for dollar it seems like a fair comparison. Would you say the GTS vs. 612 handling and feel comparison is similar to the California vs. FF.

BTW, the benjamins flying from under the 612 don't have to do with clutch life do they?

(sorry, I just realized I've hijacked this thread....)

 

No, I wouldn't say it's a similar comparison.

Regarding clutch life, if you do a little searching, you'll find plenty of threads on everyone's thoughts how to maximize clutch life, the touchiness of getting 1st engaged before romping on it, how to best shift at speed. It does take a constant awareness where none of the other cars you've mentioned have a clutch and thus no second thought need be given.

 

Sounds like my GranSport. Not having the third pedal creates an acute need for awareness of what the computer is actually doing. Once you get the feel for the car, though, you can keep those benjamins in your pocket and a smile on your face.

 

The early 4200 engines are more different to F430 than Quattroporte 4.2 F1 with dry sump from engine #107297 and up. GranTurismo 4.2 block and head castings are 458/California. Basic bean counter logic, to buy or make more of each component will cost less than using slightly different parts just to be different. I took a pic last year. The F430 cam covers also fit the 4200 but the exhaust manifolds dont as the bolts are slightly closer together on the 4200. Just to p*** off the F-crowd I will put together a F430 engine with a Maserati stamped block because they are always telling me it's impossible.
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Great, been pondering that myself, and a flat-plane crank V-8 in a Granturismo with the equivalent Ferrari cams would be a superb machine.
The alteration of parts just to be different is silly. Look at the cost of a rotor and cap for a twin distributor 308, where they could have used the parts of a Fiat 127.

Best,

Jack (with apologies for off topic post)

 

Might be tough stuffing that intake manifold under a GT hood ... LOL

 

What I still am unclear about, funny after three F1's, is whether when shifting if I should keep the throttle dead still or give it that tiny little push that smooths out the shift.

The shift in my '05 may technically take place in what, 160ms, but the whole process of the computer cutting fuel, shifting, allowing fuel back to the engine seems closer to a full second. It's a long process, bit much by today's standards. I tend to work through the gears to where I know I want to be for the road I'm on rather quickly, as opposed to taching it out and shifting at higher RPM's which seems to exacerbate the process. It's because of this that the GranTurismo Sport seems a bit more fun to get on. Everything about driving a Ferrari is great, an experience to savor each and every time. But to have the Ferrari motor and sound, good F1 mimic from the paddles, and have nothing to worry about in the way of a clutch is fun, too. Best of all worlds.

 

Come to think of it, I think the comparison is gts to cali. Maser gt sport drives like a castrated california.

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