4 months ago when I bought had 8k on it, I've put 5k on it in just about 4 months. What are my thoughts? I love it! Has exceeded all my expectations and my expectations were already pretty high. Only problems or complaints however minor... Passenger seat stopped moving back and forward. Nothing I could fix myself with fuse or reset. Required a new relay under warranty from the dealer. Driver seat grinds when moving front and back. Dealer ordered new rails under warranty that have now arrived and ready to be installed. Reverse is pain to get into especially when 3 point parking back and forth. You have to be really deliberate with the lever, many times doesn't go into reverse first couple times and always slow. Car is hard to launch. Just kinda sluggish first yards off line and then computer allows the drive train to hook up. With traction control off haven't figured out the exact balance between a sluggish start and lighting the rears up. Too much turn in understeer which might be good for the average Maser driver, but disappointing to me. Mesh inlay interior stains easily. Even a little water doesn't dry uniformly so looks terrible afterwards. If a water stain you almost have to wet the entire area to make it uniform. Doors close and open like they are fragile. They just don't close very solid. Radio weak and Nav GPS system useless. Brakes squeal louder than any race car I've ever had! Traction control engages too easily and then the few second lull until it lets you power again. The great things about the car... Throw you in back of seat fun as heck torque and speed! Looks great. Sounds great. F1 shifting has grown on me and I'm the #1 manual snob. Besides the seats 100% reliable over the 5k miles. A/C works great. Tons of room in back seats, took 2 adults in back for 100 mile fast twisty trip through Ozarks and they were perfectly comfortable. Mia's baby seat is permanently placed back there. Engine bay with red heads looks and shows great, not too much plastic stuff hiding everything like modern cars. Tires still have plenty of tread (at least 60% left) after 5k miles of track and high speed touring. Car is flawless as daily driver and baby hauler.
I knew you'd love it, I'm enjoying my Coupe just as much. You might like into the drive-by-wire mod from Formula Dynamics to fix the launch issue. I found that driving in sport mode with the MPS traction control off it helps things considerably, but this mod may be what you are looking for.
I wonder if MNA has any suggestions on cleaning the fabric. Their supplier, if they tell you who it is, may have a solution.
Hmm... Hmm... Let's see, I just got rid of two Italian boat anchors. But, damn, they sure were fun boat anchors. Also, the 04 Spyder I had was a hoot. Plus, this is the same motor that is in the F430. Hmm... Hmm... Query: how do you make a big boat anchor? Answer: Tie two together. I'll have to sleep on this one. Dale
Me too Dale. Just saw this: http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/872883426.html Then ran across this thread. I DO need a new daily driver, but the potential for scary maintenance costs is a little intimidating.
That might even be priced high for a 2003 although it looks really good. That year is border line for the F1 trans and clutch probs. If going earlier than 2005 I would consider a manual.
If it makes a difference, I have a 2004 with 17,500 miles on it. It needs the 18k service done next month and I cannot get $34k for it. It has been perfect so far, so I would not be too concerned if you have a history or buy one with all the services done. I am probably just going to buy a beater to drive instead of accepting the butt kicking I am going to take selling my car.
Here are some I took last week. There is a small door ding type dent in the front bumper that was a gift from some ****** at the grocery store parking lot. The paint never chipped so I did not fix it. It was not worth replacing the front bumper for a daily driver. The car came from FoD and was in Austin until I bought it. The car has been great. I just need more space since I am 3 weeks away from the second car seat in the back. If I cannot get $34k I am just going to keep it and enjoy it. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Clutch software was updated in 2004. Earlier models can be updated with the change. I have 27K miles on my original clutch, still going strong. My brother has a 2002 with 35K+ on the clutch. Keep it out of auto mode, don't feather the throttle when you come away from a stop and it will be fine.
Glad you are enjoying the Maser Rob. I put about 3K on mine in about 4 months when I first got it and think that the cars are incredible. There is no other daily driver out there that will allow you more fun/$ and that is reliable to boot. Enjoy in good health and keep up the good miles.
I've got almost every mod sold by Formula Dynamics in my GranSport, Drive-by-wire, Performance Chip, Tubi, Performance Springs and BMC air filter. I can tell you, Rob, buy the DBW tomorrow! It's pretty amazing, the car launches instantly with no delay, and the shifts are way smoother as well, without that "clunk" noise, even when shifting form 2nd to 1st gear. For some reason it makes the car feel like it has more torque down low... If you have a Coupe you definitely need the springs too. Here is my review of all the mods: http://www.************.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5502 PS- Regarding the traction control, it used to intervene a lot when I was using Pirelli P-Zero, now with the Goodyear F1 Eagle Assymetrics the MSP rarely kicks in. Night and day difference, now the car is riding on rails. And they're cheaper too.
Did you replace your gransport muffler with an aftermarket tubi? The reason I ask is because the gransport comes standard with an x pipe and the original muffler was supposedly designed by tubi specifically for the gransport. That specific muffler compensates for the lack of a seperate resonator. If so, I had your exact setup: x pipe & aftermarket tubi, but had to re-install the resonator due to excessive popping on downshifts, major increase in unwanted resonation inside the cabin, small increase in sound on the outside except at idle & low rpm, and finally stagnated exhaust sound after 4.5k rpms. The weight savings and power gains at higher rpm is ok for the track, but not a major benefit on the streets with the audible changes.
Yes, I replaced the OEM Tubi with an aftermarket, and I agree 100% with you regarding the sound but I'm not sure if I'll go back to the OEM exhaust or replaced my x-pipe with the new Larini that's supposed to be a "high flow resonator".
A hi flow resonator may be an option, but if you replace your x pipe with the larini x pipe, I think it would be waste of $.
Funny ohh no moment, Jennie and I were driving home when stopping for a bite to eat at McDonalds. As she pulled into a spot she ran over a full Sprite bottle. All of a sudden smoke/steam was coming out from under the hood and besides the car. As I immediately told Jennie to shut car off I checked the water temp and it was fine. I opened the hood and made double sure everything OK, but especially after short drive home just determined the Sprite bottle had sprayed all over the exhaust and steamed up. Doh!!!
Rob, if you want to launch like the Don Prudhomme you need the DBW from Jeff @ formula dynamics. His piggyback ECU will also give you unbelievable results. For understeer you need his sport springs and you need his sway bars. With those upgrades you will be able to keep up with the average 355 or 360 on the race track and regular street cars will be only seen in your rear view mirror. Check us out on http://www.************.com and http://www.formuladynamics.com Jeff also has the new stainless brake lines and pad upgrades..
Also don't back up on a grade.. F1 clutches bump in reverse, they don't actually engage fully, safety feature and you will burn it up good if you back your car uphill.
Niteroi, don't forget the Larini cat by-pass and X-pipe.. Those two are my next mods.... I also went with the Vredenstein for tires.... I love them!
All modifications change the car in more ways than one.. its a give and take. Sometimes the give is more than the take..
Agreed! Damn frameless glass... it's things like this that kill the car's resale. If they would make it not only a compelling dynamic package but also a more quality vehicle (the radio and navigation system come to mind, as you mentioned) they would see higher demand and perhaps sway some people from BMW and Porsche.
