| Author |
Message |
SJP (Sjp3003)
New member
Username: Sjp3003
Post Number: 3
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 12:28 am: | |
> the key annoys me because most parking
> attendents press both the trunk and the door
> buttons (I am going to try to have the trunk
> remote disabled ).
Use the Valet key-- the reddish one-- it only has one button for the door lock & they can't get at the trunk (assuming your glove box is locked)! |
JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
New member
Username: Crazy_horse
Post Number: 49
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 4:47 am: | |
I was surfing the Maserati web site and came across under "News and Events"Vintage Spyder personalization programme. I absolutely loved it !Especially the aluminium pedals and foot rest. I definitely want to have that installed on my coupe in light of the fact that the carpet by the foot rest is already worn out!.
Sorry I am not so good at pasting URL but I am sure James will find it as he is the Maserati resident expert of this board.
He knows more than my dealer and I am sure I speak for everyone when I said we all appreciate it ! |
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham
Post Number: 22
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 1:29 pm: | |
I have never had this problem either, but I make a point of pulling the paddle and letting it quickly snap back. I wouldn't rule out a glitch.
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Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Member
Username: Jfraser
Post Number: 366
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 12:19 pm: | |
Scott
That's definately a fault....Hopefully the transmission will have recorded the error in memory, which should help the dealer diagnose the problem |
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis
Post Number: 1319
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 12:33 pm: | |
No. |
Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member
Username: Scott
Post Number: 139
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 12:29 pm: | |
Since this is the thread where most of the new Maser owners on this forum hang out, I thought I'd ask a question.
I screwed up a paddleshift yesterday--didn't think it was possible. I was accelerating hard (yahoo) in 1st, pulled the up paddle (like I have done many times before) and the car stumbled because it shifted into third. I assume that I messed up (not the car) but it wasn't much fun. Must have somehow lingered too long at the microswitch on/off spot during the tug on the paddle.
Has this happend to anyone else?
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Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham
Post Number: 21
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 8:53 am: | |
Jim
Did you get my PM? I didn't get yours.
Regards
PS: Apologies to other posters... |
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis
Post Number: 1291
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 8:16 am: | |
Scott
Contact Maserati USA.
Best |
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham
Post Number: 20
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 7:24 am: | |
Jason, will do. My next drive will perhaps be Thursday (May 15), but most likely this weekend (if the weather holds). My recent driving has been sporadic (NOT due to my car). I really can't wait for the summer. FWIW, I have heard stories of recent cambiocorsa upgrades, and generally there is a nice improvement in smoothness.
I am talking to my dealer and will ask about the shielding, though my hunch is that it wasn't part of the work. Scott, I will also ask him about the possibility of a rigidity upgrade in the chance he can help...
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Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Member
Username: Jfraser
Post Number: 356
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 2:25 am: | |
Eric,
Do me a favour...please go and drive your car, I'd love to hear how the mods have worked out...Also, do you know if your car had the shielding upgrade....This is the mod. that is supposed to get rid of the awful clunking sound when the car drops down the gears. |
Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member
Username: Scott
Post Number: 137
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 9:49 pm: | |
James--could you post any upgrade information on this public forum. Thanks.
Anyone have any thoughts who to contact RE: '03 upgrades. I would like to see if the rumored '03 spyder upgrades regarding stiffness could be retrofitted to my car. I know it wouldn't be on Maserati's nickle, and I would imagine the upgrades are deep structural changes, but it never hurts to ask. Not sure my dealer will be enough on top of this to ask. |
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis
Post Number: 1281
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 12:23 pm: | |
JM
You have a defective seat modual. They replaced mine and it works properly. Next time you take it in to your dealer tell them and they'll fix that.
Best
Jim |
JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
New member
Username: Crazy_horse
Post Number: 48
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 11:32 am: | |
I forgot to mention that if I let my kids in the back seat by folding down the front seats they won't go back to their original positions on both sides !
On the other hand I honestly could not handle more power from my coupe because as it is and pardon my french it scares the living s..t out of me ! This is from a guy that has owned Porsches in the past and currently owns a Mondial. |
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis
Post Number: 1280
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 9:40 am: | |
Eric
I PM'ed you: re upgrade. As for radio my reception seems fine. I suspect you have a bad ground or ant. cable.
Best
Jim |
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham
Post Number: 17
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 7:09 am: | |
Hi Scott. Thanks for your input. It is good to get some dialogue going amongst the new crop of owners. For 2003, I hear that Maserati has improved the rigidity of the Spyder by 20%. Apparently it is noticeably better, but there is still room for improvement. Hopefully, Maserati will continue to improve the stiffness of the model year over year. As far as seat memory is concerned, I thought mine was broken too until I realized I had to hold the button down for an inordinately long amount of time (more than 5 secs). Have you tried this (you may also need to stationary)? Also, another poster (Jim Glickenhaus) has pointed out that if you pull the left paddle while in 1st gear, the cambio downshifts to a lower 1st gear. This may address your issues with inclines. I have yet to try it out on my 02 coupe, however I do find standard 1st gear to be less than optimal on uneven terrain.
As far as the electronics are concerned, I seemed to have bad luck. My previous car�s electronics were glitchy and the radio reception was not that good. I find the Maser�s to offer about the same level of glitchiness.
Other improvements for 2003 have certainly made significant improvements. Hopefully, this will be an ongoing process for the model. More horsepower never hurt anyone either. To be honest, the Maserati would probably not be my first choice for a ragtop, though the improvements for 2003 have undoubtedly improved its competitiveness in the market place. For the same price, I would probably get a 996 cab. Though it has stunning good looks, a great interior, and a retractable hardtop, the SL 500 is much too slow for me to consider. |
Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member
Username: Scott
Post Number: 135
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 8:48 pm: | |
Hi all. I have had a '02 Spider Cambio Skyhook now for 2.5 months. Although I am loving driving it, Maserati really is going to need to improve the product if it is to compete at its price.
My current list of issues include: severe cowl shake (I knew this before I got the car, but still), balky electronics (nothing has failed, but many subsystems have taken short vacations), irritations like crappy radio reception, seat memory that doesn't, etc.
I am still unsure about the whole cambiocorsa gearbox. My comparison is my 360 6 speed. After a PIS pressure adjustment, it really shifts pretty smoothly, and the speed is remarkable. The rev-matching downshifting in Sport mode is a delight. But it sure seems to slip the clutch a fair amount. I can certainly drive the Modena with far less slip when starting from a stop, especially on an incline. Anybody have any thoughts about this? Also, I have a fog light button (with a little light in the button that illuminates) but no obvious front fog lights (I would guess that a rear fog light is not legal in the U.S.?).
Yet as much as there are irritations with the car, the engine seems to absolve all sins. What a blast to drive. I can't wait to get it on the track this summer.
All in all, I'm satisfied, but I would only consider another Maser assuming that they are aggressive with both product improvement and maintanence of good dealer warranty service.
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James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis
Post Number: 1263
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 11:07 am: | |
JM
You'd think so.
Best |
JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
New member
Username: Crazy_horse
Post Number: 47
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 11:02 am: | |
James,
You have to admit that for $100,000 we could get a trunk that closes no matter how you shut it ! Especially if your hands are full and you are trying to shut it with your elbow, you know what I mean ! |
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis
Post Number: 1262
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 10:48 am: | |
JM
If you close the trunk softly it will stay shut. If you close it hard it won't.
Best |
JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
New member
Username: Crazy_horse
Post Number: 46
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 10:44 am: | |
Hello Gentlemen,
I took delivery of my Coupe last October and I can't say I am totaly used to it yet. It is by all means a great car but I must admit it scares the heck out of me at times because of the enormous amount of power it can unleash. I use it almost daily in Manhattan and mostly to drive to the Hamptons on week ends (About 80 miles east on Long Island ).
The potholes can be a problem with the low profile tires and the seats are a little bit on the hard side for me. My 2 previous cars were M Benz Sl and CL500 and even though I love them I wanted to try something different.
I have not yet brought the car in for service but when I will I will certainly mention the jerkiness of the transmission and the fact that it failed on me twice (as previously discussed with Eric). Also the other gremlins such as the Audio Off button that is capricious, the trunk that won't shut tight, the key annoys me because most parking attendents press both the trunk and the door buttons (I am going to try to have the trunk remote disabled ).
Other than that it is a beautiful, powerful machine I love driving it and the smell of that leather makes it very special to me.
Happy motoring and great week end everyone ! |
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 6:03 pm: | |
Thanks Lionel. Funny you should mention the AMG. My previous car was a CLK 430. I was very happy with it, but wanted something quicker. I was on the list to get the 2003 CLK 55, but I backed out when it was confirmed that it would not have the supercharger (such a shame). Anyway, I am now hooked on the naturally aspirated Ferrari engines so I am glad I made my decision. |
Lionel Jaquet (Swissmaserati)
New member
Username: Swissmaserati
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 3:22 pm: | |
Hi Eric,
I drive my Coupe since September 2002. Already 28000 Km today... 3 monthes in winter, sometimes with some snow on the road (Michelin Pilot Alpin tires), more drivable the cold days than my previous MB CLK55 AMG...
This car is awesome; the characteristic I prefer is the Dr. Jekill / Mr. Hyde capability, by pressing the sport button. I never had any problem with the gearbox, I think I needed some weeks before to fully control it. Today I can easily drive like a (swiss) cab to drive my 3 kids to the day-nursery and switch after to drive like a rally-driver for the twisty roads to go for my first meeting in the morning.
The dealer changed the software in the winter to improve the start-up on cold days, the difference was important.
The interior design is better than any german cars, I love it. The exterior is discret and nicely styled. But, the 3200 boomerang rear-lights miss me.
I think the only bad mark is the audio system: poor sound, not user-friendly, GPS sometimes loose its way for 30 minutes...
My final comment. I generally always dream about other car than mine, but since I drive the Maserati I am always happy to wake up in the morning. I think it is the only daily-driving car to generate so much emotions. I don't want to drive an Audi for my job (3 hours each day on the road) and to dream about a Ferrari who is waiting into the garage for less than 2 hours per week. Maybe not enough money to have a Maserati and a Ferrari ;-)
Lionel |
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 2:17 pm: | |
Thanks James. Since the car was brand new, I wasn't adventerous enough to brave the 2002/2003 NE winter more than once, but it's good to hear the car would have been usable had I needed it more often. I have been looking around for other owners' experiences. I guess we are a small (and perhaps quiet) bunch!
Regards
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James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis
Post Number: 1192
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 7:46 pm: | |
See other Italian for my experiences and photos.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/364/202587.html?1049293882
(Swapping Testa for 3200 Maserati...)
Best
Jim |
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham
Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 2:08 pm: | |
Hi all. I purchased a new 2002 Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa (in the US) several months ago. Since I haven�t seen much ongoing dialogue from owners of the new models, I thought I would ask for owners� feedback here (Coupe and Spyder). Even though this is a Ferrari forum, I figure this is as good a place as any. The following are my thoughts:
After ruling out Porsche and Mercedes-Benz (for different reasons), I am very very very happy with my choice. I truly enjoy driving this car, whether on the open highway, in the twisties, or even sitting in traffic. The overall driving experience is incredible (though I suspect not quite as pleasurable as being in a Ferrari). The performance is fantastic and the handling and braking is excellent for a car with this mass (I have skyhook). Stability at high speeds, in the rain or the snow is even better than my previous car (a Benz). Being my only car, I like being able to haul 4 people if needed, but in reality, the back seat generally serves as overflow for the "cute" trunk. Anyway, I never intended this thing to be a grocery-getter.
Having a 2002 model, my cambiocorsa suffered from the well-known high-RPM shift jerkiness. After having a "slight" malfunction with the system, my dealer has upgraded my ECU and clutch (partly). I have not driven since the service, but if the mechanic is correct, they have corrected one of the few significant issues with this model. I am hoping this is the case. Maserati also claims that it has improved the skyhook suspension for 2003 to provide flatter turn-ins. Though I am not benefiting from this improvement, if this is the case, it addresses another one of my "issues" with the design. I am wondering what other improvements, if any, Maserati has made to the 2003 models.
Perhaps the only other gripe I have is the exterior styling. I think the car is very nicely styled, but I would prefer a car with this kind of performance have a bit more aggressive lines. Not necessarily as aggressive as a Ferrari, but something that more closely matches the performance. But I am probably nitpicking here.
Offering a warranty for US buyers was a great move by Maserati. Fantastic as my test-drive was, I probably wouldn't have touched this car with a ten foot pole otherwise. I also plan to trade this in before the warranty goes, perhaps for the next Maserati update (yes, I am prepared to lose my shirt on trade in).
All in all, I am very happy. Anyone else??
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