| Author | Message | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 603 Registered: 3-2002 |
i test drove both coupe and spyder with both gearboxes, about 6 months ago (see archives). and agree with most of whart's views, but i also wouldn't buy one, when for the same price (nearly) i can get a used 456. i have heard unofficially here in the uk that to get 'well placed' on the waiting list for anything desireable, you would be well advised to buy a maser and keep it in the meantime........and they will buy it back from you (at market value) when your fcar comes in. good ploy and only ferrari could get away with that one. | ||
| Rodney Haas (Icars)
Junior Member Username: Icars Post Number: 118 Registered: 3-2002 |
Let's point out that there is no relation with the current Maserati and the BiTurbo Maserati. I doubt there are many employees left from the original company. The one notable exception is the Maserati Historian. He worked there since he was in his 20s. The problem on this thread is everybody is trying to compare Maseratis with Ferraris, Porsche etc. They simply are not the same car. Maseratis were build to be a GT class Sports luxury car. The car was built for a wealthy businessman who wanted a Sport "fluffy" car. I own the Ferrari and Maserati GT cars that competed against each other in the early 70s. The Maserati Indy with Leather everything and very fluffy seats, is more like driving a sofa that is styled nicely down the street. It handles well, and has a much more torquey motor than then Ferrari. The Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 has a nice interior, but no where near the Maseratis. The car drives more like a traditional Ferrari. You can tell that Ferrari just could not bring themselves to make the car "fluffy" Both cars are great but don't really compare. Yes Maserati needs to work on styling. Personally I think the 3200 tail lights looked much better than the off the shelf lights on the 4200. Overall we will wait a couple of years to see Maserati's viability. Rodney http://www.maffiacarclub.com | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
New member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 27 Registered: 12-2002 |
Drove both F1 on spyder and coupe. I like a coupe better, but I like 996 ten times better than the Maserati. Sorry FNA and Ferrari of Seattle  Handling, acceleration, georgeous shape, technology and heritage of 911, weight distribution, just beautiful. This time thank to Ferdinant Porsche  | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 594 Registered: 2-2002 |
Gotta agree that the styling needs work. Currently it's a $100k car dressed in $60k clothing. Can't say the same for the interior, which is gorgeous. Just got back from the Detroit show where Aston Martin is showing their new V-8 Vantage that will compete in the same price range as Maserati. Put the two side-by-side and the Maser will look like Roseanne Barr next to Jennifer Lopez. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 300 Registered: 10-2002 |
Chris The new coupe (4200) is a totally new and differen't car than the 3200 coupe you drove. There is no cowl shake in the new coupe. The cowl shake is being addressed in the spyder. IMHO Hong Kong has many great things. Super food. The harbor is very beautiful. The HK Bank is one of the most amazing modern buildings in the world and the contrasts between the east and the west are very interesting. Best | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
Junior Member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 116 Registered: 5-2002 |
Test drove a 2001 3200 GTA coupe, front end felt as loose as a saab convertible, way too much cowl shake for the sportscar that it's suppose to be. My mechanic friend test drove a brand new 2002 Spyder, he also said the same for that car. Cannot believe that Maserati still don't have their act together. Don't forget the history with their Biturbos, 15 years later does not automatically make them a better manufacturer. | ||
| Nebula Class (Nebulaclass)
Junior Member Username: Nebulaclass Post Number: 77 Registered: 11-2002 |
I saw them at the LA Auto Show today. They looked, to me, like early 90's Toyota Celicas. Ferrari REALLY needs to redo the styling. While they look nice, so does the Vantage, XK8, Celica, etc etc. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Intermediate Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 1089 Registered: 8-2001 |
What the Spyder and the Coupe need is some of that Pininfarina magic. The Maseratis need to standout stylistically to succeed. I think the Quattroporte will be a Pininfarina design. Not sure about the Kubang GT Wagon. | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member Username: Scott Post Number: 109 Registered: 6-2001 |
I agree--styling (while OK) seems to lag the segment. But before they can fix it ('04?), they need to do something to get the cars they are making moving now. | ||
| neal (95spiderneal)
Junior Member Username: 95spiderneal Post Number: 68 Registered: 3-2002 |
i dont think anything is wrong with maser marketing concept or trying to be a gt car vs lite wt boxster competitor. problem is that competing cars are much better looking. period. new sl500, xkr, pcars are all sexier, more stylish, etc and that is what this segment is all about. ferrari needs to restyle the body asap before marque is lost again. probably 4 ever which would be a shame | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 624 Registered: 10-2001 |
I agree with John that a Dino or Ferrari badge would help sales but they didn't want to do that. I love the Maserarti heritage and I just don't see how the Spyder fits in to it. To me, Maserati is the Ghibli, Indy, Bora, even the lowly Merek. I wish Ferrari had built a car that made a connection to that past. | ||
| JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
New member Username: Crazy_horse Post Number: 31 Registered: 2-2002 |
It's the economy....I don't see anyone running to buy anything besides Camrys. The coupe is an excellent daily driver as long as you can avoid potholes which we have plenty of in NYC in the winter. To understand this car requires a little bit of sophistication and appreciation for the history of the brand. I supposed I could have leased myself another Benz but I got bored and needed some excitement on my way to work everyday. Now, I wish I did not have to lower my window and answer all the questions of countless admirors of this fine automobile everytime I stop at a red light ! | ||
| John Bicsak (Funshipone)
Junior Member Username: Funshipone Post Number: 167 Registered: 1-2002 |
I was thinking they should have brought out the Maserati as a Ferrari with the Dino Logo and name on the car.What does everyone think I believe they would have sold all they could make just a thought. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 297 Registered: 10-2002 |
John I've been told that as well. | ||
| John Bicsak (Funshipone)
Junior Member Username: Funshipone Post Number: 166 Registered: 1-2002 |
I understand some work was done on 2003 to reduce cowl shake. Maserati added suport in rockers and some other areas. | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member Username: Scott Post Number: 106 Registered: 6-2001 |
I just did the major test drive event, looking either for a manual or F-1 style transmission convertible, sports/GT type daily driver. Drove a Corvetter C5, Merc SLK 320, Porsche Boxster S, Porsche 996 Cab, BMW M3 (manual and SMG), Panoz Esperante, and Maser Spyder (manual and cambiocorsa). BMW Z4 and Mustang Cobra still to be driven. My quick thoughts--Corvette rides great but drives heavy, M3 really needs to be reved hard to be quick, Boxster the best balanced of the bunch, 911 very competent, Panoz interesting but still seems like a kit car, and the Maser the most fun, primarily because of the great engine. Manual version was notchy and somewhat difficult to shift. New software in the Cambiocorsa made it very nice. But it does have significant cowl shake. I have seen the new wheels (they were on a coupe at my local dealer)--they are much more open (and therefore they show off the disks/calipers much better) and they should be easier to clean. The dealer is offering 5-6K off a new one right out of the gate. As I posted under "Off Topic", the issue is resale, and considering leasing as an option is difficult, as there is no sponsored lease program that seems good. You can see the specifics under my other post, but the issue is low resids and just OK money factors compared with Porsche and BMW. I really, really like the Maser, but fiscal responsibility would probably lead me to buy the M3, which is one heck of a car for the money. But I think I'll wait a bit--my local dealer said they are under pressure to move cars--perhaps factory incentives are not far behind. Scott | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 614 Registered: 10-2001 |
Thanks James! You can see where my prejudice to small light cars comes from! And yes, I wish I had a 456 or Mondial T for the back seats and longer distance travel. I'd love a Maserati too except if I could afford it I would opt for a 355 I think. Love that prancing horse... | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 291 Registered: 10-2002 |
As you get older 0-60 is less important than how comfortable is it to drive fast for long periods, say NY to Maine. My P4 is faster to 60 but this one is a lot more comfortable for long fast drives. Ken Nice car. Nice kids. (They'd probably like the back seats) Best | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 130 Registered: 10-2001 |
I test drove one and can say it is definitely not slow (although I concede on the heavy part), definitely luxury (I can only guess how many cows died for that interior), and it would make a great "everyday" exotic. With a 4 year warranty and such a sweet engine, I am surprised they are slow sellers. Compared to a Porsche 911, Jag XKR, Aston Martin, Esperante or even the Merc SL, I know what I would go for. But, that's just my 2 cents... | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 613 Registered: 10-2001 |
James, I didn't mean to put down your car as a bad car. Yes, 165 is fast but the Maserati isn't anything special 0-60 compared with similarly priced and even cheaper cars. And I've sat in one and I agree it's a nice interior. My point, perhaps badly stated, was that it is having a hard time competing with the other cars in that price range because it doesn't do any one particular thing that stands out. A small, light, quick car for $30k or so less money would have fared better in the market I think. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 290 Registered: 10-2002 |
Slo? Your daily driver have tire PSI settings for speeds over 165? "Not quite luxury"? I doubt anyone who's sat/driven one would make that statement. | ||
| Pat Pasqualini (Enzo)
Junior Member Username: Enzo Post Number: 151 Registered: 2-2002 |
Maybe in the next year or so when I make my Jump from the Muscle car to my Italian car they will be a more reasonable option along with a 308/328 | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 612 Registered: 10-2001 |
I think Ferrari had an awful marketing plan from the start with Maserati. They should have built small, LIGHT two seat sports cars to sell for $35-50k. The 'poor man's Ferrari' so to speak, 250 HP in a 2500 lb. car would have been a cheap rocket. That way they could have competed well with the Boxter, Nissian, Audi, etc. sports cars but the Maserati name would have given them a leg up. Instead they build a not-quite-exotic, not-quite- luxury, not-quite-GT. Too slow, too heavy, too expensive for what it is. Maybe it will be a steal as a $40k 3 year old used car? | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 289 Registered: 10-2002 |
Still love my coupe. Drive it every day. 50,000 mile warentee should be long enough to get it sorted. | ||
| John Bicsak (Funshipone)
Junior Member Username: Funshipone Post Number: 165 Registered: 1-2002 |
I have heard they are not selling most of deals on street are leases. I heard for a 3 year lease $1200.00 per month. | ||
| J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
Junior Member Username: Jeff Post Number: 111 Registered: 2-2001 |
I was traveling thru Philidephia and stopped off at Algar Ferrari. They had 8 unsold Maseratis just sitting there. I would hate being a dealer sitting with all that money tied up in inventory. I get the feeling the cars aren't selling anywhere. | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Junior Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 56 Registered: 4-2002 |
At Cauley Ferrari, it looks like they have 8 or 9 Masers just sitting around. That's the second time I've been by and seen a rather significant number of them just sitting around. And it didn't seem like they were ordered cars waiting to be delivered. They weren't open so I couldn't ask to be sure. | ||
| RyanK (Ryanab)
Junior Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 218 Registered: 3-2002 |
I would think that canadian maser sales would be under a hundred for sure. Ryan | ||
| RyanK (Ryanab)
Junior Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 217 Registered: 3-2002 |
top | ||
| jake diamond (Rampante)
New member Username: Rampante Post Number: 44 Registered: 4-2002 |
Tino---Must have been a little too much Chianti at the FNA X-mas party this year ! Jake | ||
| Tino (Bboxer)
Junior Member Username: Bboxer Post Number: 211 Registered: 8-2001 |
Jake, My figures are the monthly Automotive News results for sales in the US. The 230 were for all of calendar 02; I don't know what month they started (early 02), but the significant number is the 25 for the whole month of December 02. (I doubt they sold 670 in Canada !) | ||
| jake diamond (Rampante)
New member Username: Rampante Post Number: 43 Registered: 4-2002 |
Tino---According to a press release, made at the Detroit Auto Show, FNA states they sold ~ 900 Maseratis in North America in 2002. Where's the other 670 automobiles?? Are they with our Canadian cousins ? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2276 Registered: 9-2001 |
whart, we were wondering where you been - good to here you were having some fun | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1918 Registered: 6-2001 |
Tino, its gonna fail. Im sure people are nervous about reliabilty. Also, its overpriced. I wouljd rather have a porsche. The maser also has a small trunk. Leave it to the germans to build the real daily drivers, the italians should stick to the sportscars. | ||
| John Bicsak (Funshipone)
Junior Member Username: Funshipone Post Number: 164 Registered: 1-2002 |
I understand they are discounting them already that is 2002 models $10,000. I understand major change for 2003 is wheels. I also have been told the Maserati engine will be 420 engine for next Ferrari ala 360 (420) no more belts. | ||
| Tino (Bboxer)
Junior Member Username: Bboxer Post Number: 209 Registered: 8-2001 |
The cowl shake is a serious problem in as much as it can not be corrected without major redesign and manufacturing. The Coupe is better. What is a real disaster for lack of a better word is the dismal sales in 02. A total of 230 cars nationwide in 02 and only 25 cars in Dec 02. (the were planning 140 cars per month). I am dying to see how FNA will out of this one. | ||
| Kevin Horner (Boz)
Junior Member Username: Boz Post Number: 59 Registered: 8-2002 |
A friend of mine drove the Maser Spyder with the F-1 and loved it. Couldn't get the smile off his face. The dealer he was at had direct comparison info with the MB SL 500 so I guess they are trying to compete with it. Cool thing about the Maser is that you can have the running plates inside the doors custom engraved (with your name perhaps). There are also about 300,000 different color and trim options on it. Best of all (in my area) there's only a 4-month wait (versus 2 years for the Benz). And the Maser is less $. My choice is obvious. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 661 Registered: 12-2001 |
You know, there has been some talk about the merits of renting a high end car to check it out; i just spent a week driving the Maserati spyder, from San Fran. to LA, via Big Sur, and the PCH, and got a very good feel for the car after putting close to 800 miles on it. (Yes, i spent much time roaring along the PCH south of Carmel, whadda road!). Car is terrific, torquey, heavy, drives more like a little Maranello than the 8 cyl. ferraris. Feels, and is heavy, power steering does tighten up nicely at speed, handles well, seats very comfortable and supportive, nice small sized body with decent luggage capacity. ONly gripe, has some serious cowl shake, which others have observed. Suprising to me, given that this gremlin seems to have been licked in later model open ferraris (granted, the front engine configuration undoubtedly contributes); still not sure where the market is for this car since it is not a luxo-cruiser like the benz and not hard core enough for the boy racer types. (oh, yeah, i opted for the stick rather than the paddles, and it was very engaging. Car also had very nice exhaust note, particularly from low revs in 3d gear). |