| Author | Message | ||
| tommy jones (360mode)
New member Username: 360mode Post Number: 33 Registered: 9-2002 |
william: i agree with you that the new SL is incredible. if i were to only have one car that had to be functional and fun, it would be w/o a doubt an sl55... although i'm going to have to respectfully disagree that it makes the 360 obsolete! | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1497 Registered: 2-2001 |
dunno about ugly but I do know that the awesome MB 55SL has made obsolete the Maser, Shaguar XKR, DB7, Porsche 911, even the 360. What a great car the MB is | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member Username: Irfgt Post Number: 2089 Registered: 2-2001 |
I like the Volvo better than the Maserati. The rear looks like an Aston Martin DB-5. | ||
| Jason Godsil (Godsil)
Junior Member Username: Godsil Post Number: 165 Registered: 9-2001 |
Bill, I was actually already working on a new design for the Maserati. I have been trying to design the Maserati that is supposed to be based on the Enzo. | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Member Username: T88power Post Number: 774 Registered: 2-2001 |
??? | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Junior Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 163 Registered: 3-2002 |
YES, look at how similiar the Volvo trunk area is   | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 707 Registered: 6-2001 |
The coupe is better looking than the convertible, but, they're both ugly. Art | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member Username: Irfgt Post Number: 2079 Registered: 2-2001 |
When my wife saw the cars at Indy, she commented that her Chrysler Sebring Convertible was prettier. I have to agree and at one fourth the price. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2324 Registered: 12-2000 |
Yep and I like the Tiburon, I think it's a great design for an inexpensive car, but just making note of the huge price difference for a similar design. Only first look difference is the front lights. | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 78 Registered: 10-2001 |
But remember, the Maserati came out in Europe long before the restyled Tiburon appeared. In fact, Hyundai has been ripped many times in the press for blatently stealing Pininfarina lines. Yes, I agree about the Lotus comment (look at my profile), but I don't think Maserati is going after the people who would be buying the Lotus or a used 355. They are going after the 911, Jaguar XK8/XKR, Aston DB7, Merc SL500, BMW Z8 type customers. And against that competition, I think they have a pretty decent product (helped by being sold/marketed alongside Ferrari). Also, looking at the price list in front of me, the sticker prices (with gas guzzler, prep, etc.) range between $84k to $93k, which puts it right in the middle of the cars above. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 489 Registered: 2-2002 |
Okay, so the consensus seems to be that it's not bad, but it isn't great either. Perhaps Jason Godsil can work some of his design magic on the Maser. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 268 Registered: 7-2002 |
that looks like a Tiburon. Is that a Hyundai? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2322 Registered: 12-2000 |
 | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2321 Registered: 12-2000 |
I posted this in the other thread, but I don't think everyone has seen it here. Tell me how the Maserati doesn't look like a $12,000 Hyundai...  | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 380 Registered: 3-2002 |
i agree with mark, its gotta hit the price/value equilibrium and that is closer to $55-65k, not $95k. they will learn this the hard way though...get ready for some cheap deals on 'used/demo' 2002 models next year....... | ||
| Michael N. (Man90tr)
Member Username: Man90tr Post Number: 685 Registered: 4-2001 |
I agree the Lotus is much nicer looking car for the money. JMO | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Junior Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 221 Registered: 8-2002 |
I like it, but not for 99K. I'd buy a lotus and pocket the remaining 14k | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 76 Registered: 10-2001 |
I personally really love the design of the new Maserati, and I had a chance to test drive one over the weekend. It really is a nice car, plenty of punch, handles well, solid feel (although a bit heavy), and I think they will do well for the market they are trying to hit. The people who want an everyday exotic. The car comes with a 4 year warranty and no maintanence schedules like the Ferrari's. They were having a Demo Day at Ferrari of Dallas, and they had to ship up cars from Houston because they haven't been able to keep any in stock. There were even two Ferrari's there (one a 355) that had been traded in on the Maserati's, so at least in Dallas, they are hitting their target. People who want a sport-minded reliable/driveable exotic, but don't want the same Merc/BMW/Porsche as every other well-to-do person drives. | ||
| Toby T (Tobyt)
Junior Member Username: Tobyt Post Number: 54 Registered: 3-2002 |
The car is not ugly to me. The body is just kinda boring. It needs more "wow" factor. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 488 Registered: 2-2002 |
This reminds me of a discussion I had with my wife about the Panoz Esperante. I was doing some consulting work for Don Panoz and she asked me what his cars were like. I showed her a picture and she thought it was kind of cute. Then I told her what it cost. Her opinion changed immediately. Originally, she had thought it was a Miata competitor, but at a Porsche/Z8/Maserati price point she felt it didn't have a chance. | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 312 Registered: 10-2001 |
I've looked at the car a few times in the showroom and almost took a test drive. But didn't want to waste time on a car I liked, but knew I wasn't going to buy. How many of you would buy it at $55k? I would! But at $90k there are too many better options. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 674 Registered: 3-2001 |
"Volvo" rear-end?  | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 311 Registered: 10-2001 |
The Big 3 in Detroit use to always talk about "the lust factor", they worried that when you asked a lot of young professionals what car they dreamed about... BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, P-car, F-car America's Big 3 couldn't figure out how to get back in the "lust factor" list. I think this Maserati is suffering from the same thing. Nice car but not a Must-have. | ||
| Fred (Iluv4res)
Junior Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 170 Registered: 8-2002 |
I think they just missed the opportunity. If they had launched a few years back when the dot com industry had stupid money flying around, they would probably have done ok. Now, it seems people are more conservative with their $$ and would choose a more likely candidate such as the Mercedes or Porsche. I think they look ok, however, not a $100k ok. They look like a nice $50-60k ok. Plus, there remains to be seen how reliable they are as an everyday car. | ||
| Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Junior Member Username: Future328driver Post Number: 197 Registered: 12-2001 |
IMHO, a waste of $95k. Much better cars out there for that price...and cheaper. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2943 Registered: 5-2001 |
I agree with Ron, though I would not buy one either. Funny reading this makes you wonder if they will sell any of them here! | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 344 Registered: 5-2002 |
The convertible does nothing for me, but I think the lines of the coupe is pretty nice.. | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Junior Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 240 Registered: 4-2002 |
Doesn't do a lot for me, front looks ok, side ok, rear, butt ugly! However, wrt comparisons to SL500 surely theres a fundamental difference that puts them to different markets. The SL500 is for all intents and purposes only a two seater...much to my disgust when seeing the first cars off the line! Its an absolutely wonderful looking car no doubt but IMO they didn't improve on the old design SL where rear space is concerned. | ||
| Ming Cheng (Onlinesys)
Junior Member Username: Onlinesys Post Number: 54 Registered: 5-2002 |
The "Boomerang" Tail lights design is only available for 3200GT and both 4200GT V8 coupe and Spider are with the "Volvo" type instead. I personally do not like the design of the 3200/400GT exspecially the front design which is easily mixing up with Mitsubishi FTO, Jaguar E-Type etc. | ||
| William Huber (Solipsist)
Member Username: Solipsist Post Number: 401 Registered: 9-2001 |
It's the red headed stepchild of Italian design. It hasn't grown on me yet & most likely it will not catch on. I do think Ferrari dealers will try to say "It's a affordable Ferrari." MSRP for the coupe is EST. $95,000+. For that much, just get a used Ferrari 355 F1. It may be an older car, but the styling is timeless. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Junior Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 161 Registered: 3-2002 |
Bill, Those euro lights certainly make the rear look ten times better. The US lights make the car's back end look like the rear of a Volvo. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Junior Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 160 Registered: 3-2002 |
. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Junior Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 248 Registered: 1-2002 |
i think, and forgive me for doing so, that the maserati 'pitch', at least for now, will be based soley on namesake, mystique, status, and exclusivity; for the time being, later, and w/ the advent of the maserati challenge series, the cars will be sold with more 'racing heritage' banter. lastly, i also believe that the maserati street cars and challenge cars will allow for some r&d cost absorption on behlaf of ferrari; as, in time, there will be a larger, collective 'parts bin'. i may very well see the 'affordable' ferrari, in my youth, just rebaged: maserati. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 487 Registered: 2-2002 |
 | ||
| william speer (Wspeer)
New member Username: Wspeer Post Number: 35 Registered: 8-2002 |
the euro tailights are a row of leds that that follow the outer contors of the light panel. i asked the dealer in houston and he said that they should be interchangable. i don't think that means they are legel, but they definetly look better. | ||
| Randy (Schatten)
Member Username: Schatten Post Number: 404 Registered: 4-2001 |
I was told by the Maserati dealership in San Antone that the rear was reworked for the US market and the original EURO styling is much better in the rear. Apparently the taillights were too small for DOT approval. I have yet to find pics for validation of this though. | ||
| william speer (Wspeer)
New member Username: Wspeer Post Number: 31 Registered: 8-2002 |
i think there is a consensus with potential buyers - and that is why they are sitting on the showroom floor at "sticker price". it is actually a nice car to drive and the back seats are comfortable for an adult. ferrari has there work cut out for them from a marketing standpoint. | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Member Username: Modman Post Number: 365 Registered: 11-2001 |
You have to look at the designers of the car and what type of crowd they intended the car for. | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 310 Registered: 10-2001 |
The new Mercedes SL500 is so nice looking, same price, and with the folding hard-top you don't have to pick between the coupe or spider. I would hate to be a Maserati salesman right now. | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
Junior Member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 243 Registered: 4-2002 |
Ralph, I agree.. Nothing for me either. I get the feeling they did that for a reason. Don't want to steel any Ferrari thunder. | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
New member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 49 Registered: 3-2002 |
I would imagine a 911 would be a better buy. Ralph | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 672 Registered: 3-2001 |
I saw one last week in the showroom.... short and squatty. I wasn't overly impressed. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 181 Registered: 3-2001 |
I don't know, but I have seen several of them in both configurations, and it does absolutely nothing for me. |