| Author | Message | ||
| Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member Username: Ebrigham Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2003 |
Since this is the only website I can find with any sort of "regular" Maserati dialogue, I will post my thoughts on my recent (Dec 2002) purchase of a coupe cambiocorsa � In short, I am very happy. I really like this car, a lot. I agree with others and think the car is a bit too conservatively styled, but overall I still think it's a looker. Regardless, the looks do not match the performance. I have never driven a Ferrari, but I think I can safely say that the car hauls a$$. It is my only car, so I actually need something that can occasionally haul 4 a$$es too. The trunk, of course, is basically the punch line to a joke no one asked. I am a big fan of the engine, and I do like the cambiocorsa system. I have recently brought the car in to the dealer to have the ECU updated. Apparently, the 2003 models have been updated to eliminate the jerkiness of high RPM shifts. The update also includes some new clutch parts as well. I have not picked up my car yet, but I am hoping for the best (mechanic told me to expect a nice improvement). I would be happy to report back to people if anyone is interested. According to Maserati, another update for 2003 has been to increase the sportiness of the skyhook suspension. It seems that they have been reading some of the recent reviews of the 2002 models and taken some of the criticism to heart. I agree with James, I would not have touched this thing with a ten foot pole if it were not for the warranty offered in the US. Hopefully, reliability will not be an issue. Also, I have been told that the Maserati will be the new �test bed� for future Ferrari engines (like the much-discussed 360 engine replacement). To me, this makes sense. If this kind of process continues, then it will give Ferrari a lot of incentive to keep the Maserati fresh where it counts, under the hood. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 584 Registered: 2-2002 |
Kubang? Is that the noise the engine makes when it explodes? | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Intermediate Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 1083 Registered: 8-2001 |
Oh well, at least it looks better than the Porsche Cayenne.  | ||
| Jason (Jason)
New member Username: Jason Post Number: 32 Registered: 12-2001 |
New article on the Maser SUV (sure to be a hit with soccer mom ::sigh:: ) http://www.whatcar.com/default.asp?a=news&b=story&makeref=24&modelref=&cat=1&article=1594   | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 269 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jason As it's their dime for the first 50,000 miles in my Maserati I think the software slows the shifts in the sports mode slightly vrs. the 360 which they don't warantee for quite as long. It's a brave new world with software isn't it? Does the 360 double clutch on downshifts like the Maserati? | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Junior Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 166 Registered: 3-2001 |
James, I managed to get the low 1st and reverse to engage, Thanks.....I'd agree with your comments on the Maserati F1 in normal mode, but in sport mode, the Ferrari gearchanges are far slicker | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 267 Registered: 10-2002 |
Dr Anthony The box in my Maserati does this and it's in the owners manual as well. I suspect it's a software thing that could and will be added to Modena's. It defineately makes it easier to park. IMHO the latest software mods make the Maserati box much better than anything Ferrari has had heretofore. Best Jim | ||
| J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
Junior Member Username: Jeff Post Number: 99 Registered: 2-2001 |
Dr. Anthony Lizano My dealer told me this low range does not exist on the 360 Modena. However, it is on the 575 but Ferrari didn't tell anyone. My dealer found it by mistake. | ||
| Dr. Anthony Lizano (Docapl)
New member Username: Docapl Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2002 |
James, I tried this on my 2002 Modena. I dont seem to be able to engage a parking low range which you mention. Also the owners manual does not mention it. Have you seen a Modena that actually does this ? | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Junior Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 165 Registered: 3-2001 |
James I'll try your suggestion.....I'm actually looking at replacing the ECU in my 360.....As Jeff mentioned in his thread the new ECU allows for a much more precise adjustment to the P.I.S setting, whereas in my version of the software, it was very hard to calibrate....when I first got the car it would continually activate the clutch overheat alarm (common with the earlier 360's) I believe the new ECU allows for these parameters to be changed aswell....Biggest advantage to me is that the new ECU tends to get more life out of the clutch (mine has gone after 5500 very pampered miles). | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 262 Registered: 10-2002 |
Tim Hey the trunk is big enough for my teenage daughter's backpack, could't fit that in my TR. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1803 Registered: 6-2001 |
I saw a dark colored coupe last week while i was delivering around armonk/bedford, NY. it pulled into a very upscale development, whose driveway i was sitting in looking at my map. the guy didnt seem to happy that i was in his way. I;ve seen the coupe at the miller tent at the greenwich concours. the trunk seems to small. Not that i dont like ferraris butfor that kind of $ i would go for an F355 of M5 for daily use. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 261 Registered: 10-2002 |
The software in the Maserati and the new 360 is the same. If you downshift into first and downshift again 1 will flash and you've engauged parking low which will make the clutch smoother 1/R in low speed parking. The Maserati/360 software can and will be adjusted to suit. | ||
| J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
Junior Member Username: Jeff Post Number: 94 Registered: 2-2001 |
A Maserati dealer told me his biggest problem is getting people into the showroom to look at the car because of the price. He told me they can discount the price by a lot. I believe there is @$8K profit in the car. One problem is that Ferrari/Maserati will not allow dealers to advertise discounts. KCCK Your comment "The Ferrari's F1 is silky and matured" is right on. Starting with the 2002 models the computer has more control over the PSI settings. Apparently the computer keeps the settings in a designed ranged. Before 2002 the PSI settings could get out of adjustment and would require the dealer to reset. If you haven't driven an F1 2002/2003 model you can't appreciate how good and better the F1 is. | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 450 Registered: 10-2001 |
I dont know why the US dont like the M4SER ! Its selling like hot cakes here in Europe . And about every mag loves it.Much more individual choice than a boring 996 or a XKR ! | ||
| KCCK (Kenneth)
Junior Member Username: Kenneth Post Number: 192 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jason, I agree with your gear-changing comments. The HK Dealer arranged test drives for me. In my personal experience, the F1 box with the latest Ferrari 360 is much smoother than that of the Maserati 4200. The Maserati's transmission is jerky and abrupt (just like its brakes). The Ferrari's F1 is silky and matured. So I was put off about acquiring the Maserati, and went for an older 456 instead. At entry-level, it seemed like a reasonable choice. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 623 Registered: 8-2002 |
i've seen several posts from owners mentioning several negative variations of how their gears shift... i used to drive one of those Mitsubishi pick up truck thingies and it was a manual transmission... i compare that to my uncle's 530i and, yes, the shifts from gear to gear are smoother (in the 530 ), but i don't notice a tremendous difference, as seems to be referenced by some of you... Is shifting in a Ferrari (or any other exotic for that matter) really that different...? | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Junior Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 163 Registered: 3-2001 |
James What is the parking low 1st..... If I had to say where the Maserati has my 360 licked, it's the 1st gear engagement.....it's so much smoother .....But the 360 is far superior at gear changing in sport mode, the Maserati's gear changes are horribly abrupt when pushed hard | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Junior Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 162 Registered: 3-2001 |
Yep, just a quick way of saying gearbox...sorry if it was confusing..... Interesting comment about the lease program....How do Aston Martin overcome that problem....cos' the DB7 (and I suspect the Vanquish) have to drop like a stone in value..... | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 2335 Registered: 12-2000 |
DES: "Jason, what do you mean by F1 "box"...? i thought there was either an automatic transmission, a manual transmission or F1-style shifting with paddles... i've never heard of an F1 "box" before... i'm confused..." The "box" is just a quick way of saying "Gearbox", or the correct term of "Transmission". As far as I'm aware, the only transmission choices are a conventional (shift stick & clutch pedal) 6-speed and the F-1 paddle shifter. Automatic is avaliable, but is a selectable mode of the F-1 system. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 260 Registered: 10-2002 |
JRV The history is more like "Crying out loud" Best | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 483 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>>JRV I wouldn't have bought it without it's 5 year 50,000 mile warrentee. So far it feels like a rock. << Smart Move James ;-)...hey hope you know I'm not tryin to beat you up about this...I've read your great test reports and I was surprised and impressed...BUT....you know the history...LOL. Happy New Year | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 259 Registered: 10-2002 |
I do have a new paddle shifter coupe and I still love it. I've driven it in the rain and snow and unlike any other Ferrari I've owned it doesn't leak. (Inside) The nav system is easy and cool and it is very beautifully finished. Even my son who's a bit of a college student ECO freak likes it. My teenage daughter, who's only 14 is the car lover and she LOVES it. My wife, who is getting a Cayanne says it's much more comfortable to ride in than than my 275,308, or TR was. She even seems to want to drive it. This is my daily driver. JRV I wouldn't have bought it without it's 5 year 50,000 mile warrentee. So far it feels like a rock. The computer ride settings, rain/snow traction settings and auto mode with new parking low first and low reverse are well engineered as well. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 615 Registered: 8-2002 |
Jason, what do you mean by F1 "box"...? i thought there was either an automatic transmission, a manual transmission or F1-style shifting with paddles... i've never heard of an F1 "box" before... i'm confused... | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 482 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>The real problem with Maserati is still the lease program.<< Yea...they know a used Maserati will be worthless...so they need all their money upfront...I would to if I was them ;^). Just like last time, get the money and run. LOL | ||
| Rodney Haas (Icars)
Junior Member Username: Icars Post Number: 81 Registered: 3-2002 |
The real problem with Maserati is still the lease program. The competition has some really attractive programs. Most people simply don't write a check for 100K. While some people do, you cannot hit a sales goal of 2200 cars without a very nice lease program. | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 480 Registered: 11-2002 |
$100K for a freakin Maserati after all the sh*t they've pulled? Man they got Brass Balls! | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 578 Registered: 2-2002 |
James Glickenhaus has a Maserati and says that he loves it. | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Junior Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 158 Registered: 3-2001 |
I have the 4200 spyder on loan from the dealer at the moment (whilst my 360 gets fixed).....I have to tell you it is one hell of a good car, its not the 360, but the fit and finish is good (it's finished better than the new SL, which has some incredibly flimsy looking trim....and a very production line feel), its very fast, and the F1 box is pretty smooth.....My wife loved the car when she drove it (after being pretty dismissive when she first saw it) On the downside, the styling is way too conservative (and generic looking), and the sticker is about $20000 too high..fully loaded should be $80,000, not $100,000. The brand needs to be re-established, and given the competition, Jag, Merc, Porsche.....One of the best ways to do this is price it more aggressively, and raise the brand awareness (sponsor some prestige events etc.) I have to believe that the goals are long term....there's no way to walk into a segment of the market where some of the finest cars in the world reside, and expect to clean up.... | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 576 Registered: 2-2002 |
Maserati has to go in a different direction than Ferrari. I expected Ferrari to leave the four seater market to Maserati, but with a rumored replacement for the 456 in the works it doesn't look like that will happen. At least Maserati allows them to experiment with new markets without risking damage to their core image the way Porsche is doing with the Cayenne. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 881 Registered: 3-2001 |
Anybody know someone who has actually purchased a Maser??? Are these things selling??? I tend to agree with you, Mark. | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 357 Registered: 10-2001 |
AutoWeek- MASERATI Breaking away from its sports-car traditions, Maserati will show a sport wagon concept. I have always wondered how Maserati is going to make it. Seems like they are grasping at straws. |