You carry cards for "Frankies Towing".
You know which two Fram oil filters it takes to combine into one that works on the car. Something I had to do when I owed an 84. One for the right rubber gasket size, one that was approximately the right filter size.
When you take it on the track and begin to discover its real potential and how you dont even come close on the public roads. After 3 years you find depreciation is the same as any luxury mercedes or bmw and all and all no mechanical issues or quality of build issues. After 3 years you laugh at people and magazine reviewer's who think the shifts are harsh and the f1 transmission is clunky/slow. You plan to buy a ferrari and keep the Maserati.
BiTurbo owners actually had fond memories of these cars? I guess you missed this thread. http://thebestemployee.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149878
I have had my 02 GT for 3 years, and I still not bored with it. I swore I would sell it after the warranty expired. Instead.....It gets a lot more road time that all the other cars combined. Masers are still a rare sight, even in my adopted home, SF, CA. I also saw a lovely dark blue one on the way to dinner in Stockholm tonight. It looked right on the cobblestone streets... And now for my contribution: -You know you are driving a Maserati when: +your interior still smells like brand new leather after 3 years +you get dirty looks from Prius owners +you learn that turning off the traction control actually makes a big difference when you have 400hp +washing it makes you think of other curvilinear shapes found in nature
Me thinks you've been sniffing exhaust fumes... Take a look at what an 05' coupe went through Manheim for recently with low miles...talk to any wholesaler and they will tell you they avoid these cars like the plague. I LOVE them to death but resale value...same as a mainstream german brand....bwahahahahaha...and don't even try and say Italian build quality is the same as German....
I love the car as well. I just checked 3 lease contracts for mercedes. The E500, SL500, and another E500. They are all clearly the about the same Depreciation % as Maserati. give or take a few % points depending on the buyer shrewdness and dealer. But hey, think what you want. Regarding build quality, I have a mercedes and maserati, both have been trouble free. The maserati does not hesitate at all. The shifts can be smooth like an auto if I want them to be or hard as hell. Depends on how I want to shift. For Mr. Motor Trend, and a luxury liner boat captain or his wife, it will be confusing, slow and/or difficult, epecially since they will probably drive it in full auto mode.
Great to see so many maser owners and lovers out here.. Its been a truly wonderful one year I have had with my 4200GT.. with TUBI and some ECU work by DMS, the car is really sweet. Just changed my tires to michelin PS2.. big big difference as more power is put on the road. handling is sublime. =) ok, you know you own a maserati when: -you drive 100km to go home but wish you could drive another 1000km before you stop -you just love the hum of the V8 idling at the lights -people wonder what in the world was that car? -people say maser looks like toads / fish -people think I drive a "Mazda3" -you just cant stop smiling when you are at the wheel and you are grateful how good life is Cheers!
You're cruising in your Ghibli, when there comes a racket from the engine comp. You find that the mickey mouse cable that drives the A/C compressor is broken.Then you stare in disbelief at said mickey mouse cable and you ask yourself , "what were they thinking? reinventing the wheel,no doubt. theres never a dull moment.
1) Folks move aside sharply to let you pass when when you're driving your car.... and they all pass you as you totter along driving the wife's hybrid. 2) Your friend says your GS Spyder shakes more than his 997 cab... and you tell him of course it does, it's "interactive"!
You obviously have a problem with the Maser. Start posting on the Dear Abbey site. You'll be more welcome there!
- You floor the car in second and still burn rubber - You've gone in the garage just to look at it - When you start the engine, you laugh like a seven year old - "It's like a baby Ferrari" comes out of your mouth a lot - It still smells new - Porsche owners stare at you - You have that obnoxious friend who says his tuner car will be faster than your Maserati "Very soon" - If your a true Maserati driver, you don't see the point of the "auto" button - You have actually seen cars swerve out of your way on the highway when you aren't going that fast
There is a big difference between how fast you can go versus how you go fast... But you probably don't realize that!!! If speed is all you want, get a muscle car, if you want performance mixed with style, get a Maser. Live long and prosper...