Owning an exotic in a big city? Need advice. Maserati GT

Congrats! Get a cheap beater for any situation you might worry about. Then there will be less wear on your good car and less wear on your nerves!

 

Congratulations on your achievement! Must feel great.
Your worry is totally natural; how to keep "your baby" safe. The tendency may be to think it'll be a magnet for trouble? Unless your previous daily driver was subjected to abuse by the public at large, I think your GT will be treated no worse than any other car on the street. To many passers-by it's just another (nice) car.

If it totally sticks out you may have an issue, but then you would be in the wrong neighborhood, and you would know it in your gut, right?

The Capital District here has some fairly rough areas, but I've driven the Bora to pick up parts from machine shops in the industrial districts on week days. Never had an issue.

Weekends and nights; I don't use valet parking, so there's that. But I use parking garages. If I'm downtown with only on-the-street parking I try to choose an area that's not overcrowded with drunk people. Except a couple times when I had no choice. But still. I've never experienced that my classic cars attract abusive behavior, been mistreated or other such humiliations.

But prepare yourself anyway: One day she will get a ding or a scratch. That's just part of life.

Cheers,
- Art

PS - Don't forget to post pics!

 

Personally, I never valet. They might be insured, but why risk the hassle? The only exceptions have been when they let me leave the car up front (tip well) and at the Maserati Centennial event in Chicago last December.

I prefer parallel parking over parking spaces since you can avoid door dings that way. Just mind the curb! Parking in lots, I park away from the crowd, park way over in end spots whenever possible, and generally avoid the fray. Be prepared to walk.

She's gorgeous, love the color combo, enjoy!!

 

Nice Car!
There's another white GT in Chicago, I saw a woman driving it on Dearborn at Madison a few months back.
Have you tried posting in the Midwest forum? You might run across some Chicago folks there.

 

Here in the Uk there's a much bigger issue with vandalism of nice cars, and I know exactly where you are coming from. I make sure I know where the safe parking is wherever I go, and if it's in doubt, I don't take the Ferrari, I take the Mercedes or X5, not worth the risk. Even if nothing happens, I would have been sitting there stressing about whether the car was okay.

Maserati won't get quite the same recognition I'm guessing, as while it's beautiful and special (and I've owned at least ten of them), you may get away with it a bit more than a F would, much like Aston, and in the US, success isn't a dirty word like here, but just consider trips carefully and I'm sure you will be fine

 

+1 - key point

 

if you are going to worry about the car, do not take it out of the garage. I drive a Maserati/Ferrari every day. except on ice and snow(they will not move), I have had grill badges ripped out, ash tray lids stolen maker badges pried off. paint keyed so many times I cannot remember. dings and serious smacks. where. Starbucks parking lot in the best area in town. I just accept everything as part of my daily bs and pay no mind. adjusted to reality. I will not let anyone drive my car. money solves that issue when a valet or motel/hotel is involved.

 

IMO I find the results of daily driving an exotic unacceptable. This is why I drive a beater Honda when I need to park it. Not worth the stress IMO.

 

"success isn't a dirty word like here" Why is that? WTH? Don't the Brits appreciate hard work and determination?

 

Class society vs Meritocracy? The US isn't devoid of the perception either, but it's a tangent that can devolve this thread.

 

In London, maybe they do, but a lot of Brits seem hell bent on aggro where ferraris are concerned. I've had threats, cars damaged when left in presumed safe locations, and apathy from security when it happens. Ferraris are targeted as playboy cars, whereas astons/ bentleys tend to get good reactions. That said, Porsches and masers don't get away scot free.

I've almost ended up in prison on a few occasions rectifying situations with morons here, it's never worth it, but some seem destined to test us

 

Perhaps it simply boils down to Astons and Bentleys being regarded as British, the others not... Not necessarily a matter of whether or not they are (being perceived as) playboys' cars.

 

Apropos London: I see Ferraris and Maseratis parked (overnight) on the streets regularly (and hordes of Bentleys, Aston Martins and Porsches, of course...), even in this time of the year, which frankly surprises me a bit.

 

The Maserati GT is more subtle than a Ferrari 456GT or 599, in my specific experience. The general public may stare or peek into the window, where people tend become unglued around a Ferrari, here anyway.
My strategy: Park near the entrance with high visibility to avoid tampering. Park in the back away from traffic and movement, if the back lot looks safe. Never valet the car; tell the valet it's a special car and tip him a $20 or $50 to park right next to the booth in space #1. Never park next to minivans or construction vehicles. Park next to other highline cars; there is a mutual understanding.

 

Also, I like the white with red interior.
Sporting colors.
Have you ever watched Speed Racer?
I still love those shows; it's interesting how detailed the show was for a cartoon.