| Author | Message | ||
| Lionel Jaquet (Swissmaserati)
New member Username: Swissmaserati Post Number: 11 Registered: 5-2003 |
For patient people, the movie (32 MB, AVI, DivX/MP3)... http://www.lioneljaquet.com/maserati.avi Enjoy ! Lionel | ||
| Lionel Jaquet (Swissmaserati)
New member Username: Swissmaserati Post Number: 10 Registered: 5-2003 |
Yes my Maserati dealer in french part of Switzerland organize 2 or 3 events per year : track, rally like a small mille-miglia, dinner, etc. The boss is an ex-professional pilot (24h-du-man...) and is very sport and customer oriented. | ||
| SJP (Sjp3003)
New member Username: Sjp3003 Post Number: 13 Registered: 7-2003 |
Was this a Maserati event?? Great to see so many Masers together on a track. | ||
| Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
Junior Member Username: Ebrigham Post Number: 55 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thanks again Lionel! Enjoy the car, and let us know any future track experiences... | ||
| Lionel Jaquet (Swissmaserati)
New member Username: Swissmaserati Post Number: 9 Registered: 5-2003 |
Yes the Maseratis was globally a bit faster that the M3, not in the short curves but more in the straight lines (acceleration, maybe the torque). The lowering was the only modification made directly by the official dealer, under the Maserati guaranty... Here are more pics... I am in the last-one ;-) Lionel     | ||
| Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
Junior Member Username: Ebrigham Post Number: 53 Registered: 4-2003 |
Lionel, thanks for the write-up. I second alberto�s request for more pics, if you have them! Other than a lowered suspension, what other modifications, if any, have you done to your Maser? And is the coupe really as quick around the track as a tuned M3? Thanks again! EB | ||
| alberto bavai (Abavai)
Junior Member Username: Abavai Post Number: 131 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Lionel, very interesant.MORE PICS, please!!!!!!!! | ||
| Lionel Jaquet (Swissmaserati)
New member Username: Swissmaserati Post Number: 8 Registered: 5-2003 |
after one day on a track in France: the car is very efficacious, very good handling, enough power, good suspensions (lowered on my car). We raced between 11 Maseratis (coupe, spyder and 3200GT), one tuned new M3 and a Ferrari 360 Spider. The spider was always the fastest until it crashed (not too serious) and the game was equal against the BMW. The sound near the straight line where the cars reach more than 200kmph was stunning ! The bad points of my coupe: the brakes seem to strain too quickly. An other car used special brakes' liquid and "plates" and the result was perfect. The last point is my tires (Michelin Pilot Sport PS2) who are very good but wear out quickly at hot temparatures (it's normal but expensive)... Finally : a great and funny day ! Some pictures below... Lionel     | ||
| SJP (Sjp3003)
New member Username: Sjp3003 Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2003 |
I've taken a look at several other cars' pix & noticed that some have white plastic and others have metal...odd. | ||
| Morrie Richfield (Carnut)
Junior Member Username: Carnut Post Number: 63 Registered: 11-2002 |
Checked, there is no covering. My straight pipes are at the dealer, I cant wait to hear how they sound. I'll give you guys an update. | ||
| Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member Username: Ebrigham Post Number: 49 Registered: 4-2003 |
SJP, my 2002 coupe came standard with the shiny aluminum. My interior is black as well. Is there any chance that your's could be covered in protective white plastic that the dealer did not peel off? I know it's odd, but worth a shot. EB | ||
| SJP (Sjp3003)
New member Username: Sjp3003 Post Number: 11 Registered: 7-2003 |
Morrie, I just noticed something else on your pix: the cover that's on the driver's side of the transmission tunnel, just to the right of the accelerator, looks like it's metallic. Is this stock? On mine it's a white piece of plastic which does not look that great with the black interior...   | ||
| Morrie Richfield (Carnut)
Junior Member Username: Carnut Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2002 |
Thanks, I used P21. Works great easy to use. Was done in less than an hour. | ||
| SJP (Sjp3003)
New member Username: Sjp3003 Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2003 |
That coupe looks fantastic. Morrie what are you using on the paint(Zaino, Zymol Carnauba??)?? The shine is impressive. Steve | ||
| Morrie Richfield (Carnut)
Junior Member Username: Carnut Post Number: 57 Registered: 11-2002 |
Eric: I had to stop at my dealer, and the car had just come off the truck. I do not think that they will be increasing engine power anytime soon, remember they detuned this engine as it is.     | ||
| Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member Username: Ebrigham Post Number: 46 Registered: 4-2003 |
Morrie, thanks for the info. BTW - where did you see an '04?? Do you have any insight into when they will be increasing the engine power? | ||
| Morrie Richfield (Carnut)
New member Username: Carnut Post Number: 47 Registered: 11-2002 |
Eric: Thanks for the heads up. I have an 01 360F1 and to me at least the F1 works better than in my 360. I know they upgraded the system on 03's. Saw my first 04 yesterday, now they have cupholder, and the reverse handle can be push up for drive when in auto mode. | ||
| Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member Username: Ebrigham Post Number: 45 Registered: 4-2003 |
Morrie, I am also a little surprised to hear about Martin's oversteer characterization too. I haven't noticed it in my driving yet either. That being said, the Maser is first and foremost a GT (yes, you can call me Capt. Obvious). But I wouldn't use the word "crappy" to describe the handling. What I do agree about is the tranny, which has been glitchy for many people (including me). Sounds like you have a new model, so some of the issues might be alleviated. But if you notice any flakiness, I wouldn't hesitate to take it to the dealer. | ||
| Morrie Richfield (Carnut)
New member Username: Carnut Post Number: 45 Registered: 11-2002 |
Martin: I surprised to hear that, though I must admit I have not taken the car to the track. I'm blessed with a backroads track (roads near my house are full of hairpins), that I have used to test the limits of the cars I own. I think the car does quite well. As for the quality issue, I doubt there is any manufacturer out there that has not built a lemon or two. But like they say to each his own. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5862 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hm, I had the thing on the track in Homestead as a test drive and was utterly disappointed. It handles like crap and has extreme body roll and overstear. My neighbor has a Coupe and had to get it traded in under the Lemon Law becuase they could not figure out the tranny problems. The replacement she got is just as bad and has been in the shop again twice already for what else but tranny problems. | ||
| Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member Username: Ebrigham Post Number: 42 Registered: 4-2003 |
Morrie. I am with you 100%. I miss mine so much, I am going for a drive this weekend just for the heck of it... | ||
| wayne skiles (Bad_tt)
New member Username: Bad_tt Post Number: 47 Registered: 8-2002 |
thanks for the review post the photos when able. | ||
| Morrie Richfield (Carnut)
New member Username: Carnut Post Number: 44 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well its been about 10 days since I picked up my car, so I thought I'd share my first impresssions with the group. I have grown to enjoy this car much more than I thought I would. F1 works very well in this car, easier to drive around town than my 360. Power comes in fast on this car, lots of low end torque. Handling, well it no 360 but it holds its own, and when driven through the twisties you have to really push it before it breaks away. Seat are very comfortable, had to people in the back seat, they did not complain about the room. It is a great drivers GT car feels much smaller than it is. Now for what I'd change, exhaust teases you, has a great sound but makes to think there a lion in there waiting to come out (fixing that with straight pipes from GHL), stereo could use some help, and controls could be more user friendly. Some type of cupholder (my wife wants this one) would be nice. Controls for seats and seat heaters should be moved, hard to use then doors are closed. In my opinion all the above are minor issues and my overall feeling is that this is a wonderful machine. I would advise anyone who has not had the chance to test drive one to do so, I think like me you will be very pleased. I will post pictures soon. |