456 vs GranSport?

456 all day. It’s something you need to experience

 

Agree, the better choice by far.

 

I've driven a few 456s over the years and one of my closest friends has a Gransport. I would go Gransport all day - just make sure you find a good one.

I've always liked them and when I worked at a dealer in college, the technicians said it was much more reliable than the regular coupes. It basically has a F430 transmission and the sound is great. When I visited the Ferrari factory one time about 10 years ago, we asked a couple guys why the Gransport was noticeably better than any of the coupes, QPs, etc. and they told us 'we actually gave a sh*t when we built those.' I would personally compare it to a baby 612.

Good luck!

 

I owned a GS for 9 yrs and it was a great experience. Being built under the Ferrani roof certainly modernized the relialibility and it was flawless for me. I enhanced mine with the Drive by wire module to boost throttle response and shift times. The only other mod needed was a pair of Larini mufflers. Made the car even more special. What to compare?.....Pricing- your 456 auto can be had for $70-$80? A good GS will be $25-$30. Service- it you dont get a sorted one, the 456 will make you weep. GS service bills are Ferrari like so no bargain. From what I have read, the GS would appear to a more reliable car. It is 10 yrs newer.
Driving experience...While I have never driven a 456, it would seem to be a smooth cruising GT while the GS is more raucous and fun. The Maserati engine developed on the 430 platform just sings. Tough choice- depends on what you are looking for in your driving experience
PM me if you want more GS info. As a side note, the guy that bought mine, text me last night saying he is selling his, so I know of a good one out there. I have zero affiliation on this suggestion. Good luck- fun times.

 

both.

Get a Gransport tomorrow (well, the day you find a good one) and blow the $30k on it and drive it like you stole it.

Then, when/if you get tired of it, get a 456.

 

I would argue a GranTurismo is closer to a 456 than GranSport. But not taking into account the money differences, like Rob said, you can probably buy three GranSports or GranTurismos (for an older model) or one 456.

I like all three but only one is a Ferrari AND a V12.

 

I can tell you VERY different cars. Both are great, but for their own reasons. The GranSport to me was far more sporty, but only comes with the F1 transmission, which has its own fans. The 456 is firmly in the 'cruiser' camp to me. I've taken mine on track, and it was a good experience perhaps if I had passengers? Don't get me wrong, it's not 'slow' (it's faster than the vaunted F355) just that it's not as fun (for me at least.) Of course, try to get stick on a regular Coupe' or get a post 2012 Gran Turismo with ZF. The 456 is the car I take if I want to go 100+ for hours and hours and hours on end. Unfortunately, I don't live near the I5 between Vegas and LA any more.

Both are expensive to maintain, and expect to wrench on them.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

Your assessment is spot on. My 456 is something I plan to own forever, especially God willing, my senior citizen years. Perfect car for my geriatric era.

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Will you and Brad Williams ride off to the sunset together like Thelma and Louise?

 

I can't speak for @Bradwilliams, but my 456 Modificata is different from what I would call exciting compared to other offerings. You're spot on, though. It would take pulling a Dukes of Hazard off a cliff to experience the viscerally of my other Ferrari. I don't say this as a bad thing; my comment may be seen as a slight. On the contrary, I hope to still be driving in my 70s, and an SF90 is not the car I would do it in. After all, I said I plan to keep er' for life.

My LANCEsque 'Stroll' round Sonoma.

Sort of not fair, given I was in a very different "Modificata" later that day, 488 to be exact.

 

Weren't there a few GranSports built with a manual trans? Or was that just the Coupe or 4200?

 

Just the 4200. No GranSports.

 

I couldn't remember if they ever did but didn't think so.

 

All Cambiocorsa, which is a shame, the Gransport spec is the best of the line. There is somewhat of a renaissance as of late with appreciation on the F1 style transmission to some drivers though. Also full transparency, that is not *my* 488M above, I was in a different one in case ****** says I stole his car!!! Just my photo when I wrote an article about the event.

 

Disclaimer that I haven't driven a 456 before, but this is more a testament to how underrated the gransport really is.

It has been said many time before the GS is not the fastest off the line due to the F1 tranny nor is it the fastest in track,but the grins per mile is way ip there with driving pleasure. Very visceral and just because the badge says otherwise, it very much has the Ferrari soul in it...the sounds, the feel, and that 4.2L V8 is scrumptious!

With the prices the GS have been for the past 10+ years...chump change for Ferrari underpinnings and fun! Get one!

 

Could not agree with you more!

Only downside is maintenance of course, not that they are terribly difficult, they ain't - it comes down to either you yourself or a trusted mechanic nearby (at reasonable rates).

If either, it's a great experience.

If not, then you're an idiot, or some self promoter buying the car so you can get clicks on YouTube with some simp-prop to appeal to the Jerry Springer crowd.

"Photo of you looking sad, with caption 'My $10,000 Gransport fail/"

 

Yeah, agree with you Paul wholeheartedly.

Maserati get a bad rap because of the maintenance...I try to do whatever I can and love the maser ownership exp with my QP and GS.

Masers are more reliable than Jaguars, mercedes, porsches, etc. I know, I've owned all of them (notice no Bring My Wallet, BMW) LOL!

 

Both are irrational purchases...both have high upkeep costs. Both can be reliable if you stay on top of them but both can shock you with a massive sticker shock if not careful.

Under mentioned - personally I think the GS has a much more classic V8 'growl'; All 456s are very quiet out the box and while they can be made to sound spectacular, its very expensive to get there.

 

Italian sports cars are as irrational as it gets.

We call ourselves enthusiasts, just so we don't look like suckers! Lol!

 

YES!! I've found my Maseratis way more easier to work on then Ferrari. I tell people the thing about Maserati:

Maserati repair man shows up, examined the car, then tapped it once with a hammer. It started up. The owner was pleased, but not when he got a bill from the repairman for $100. He thought that was outrageous, and he asked for an itemized bill. So the repairman handed him a bill which said:

Tapping car with hammer: $1

Knowing where to tap: $99

***
You know what I mean, and anybody that changes their own oil EZ PZ, but you can't just take it to a Jiffy Lube like my daughters' BMW. You have to do it yourself, or $1,000 at the official Maserati dealership.

 

Totally agree, the 456 is quiet, got a Tubi on mine that woke er' up.