Buy the Coupe and modify - or the Gransport? | FerrariChat
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Buy the Coupe and modify - or the Gransport?

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by presto prego, May 30, 2006.

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  1. presto prego

    presto prego Rookie

    May 30, 2006
    2
    #1 presto prego, May 30, 2006
    I am a newbie who is interested in purchasing a used Coupe or Gransport. Could someone who has some real experience with these cars help me with the following questions:

    First a bit about me. I'm a non-track person looking for a spirited - aggressive drive / weekend toy to push through the canyon roads and of course around town.

    1. How practical is it to purchase an 02' - '04 Coupe and get upgraded cambio software, a tubi exhaust, and lower it the 11mm in order to get similar performance to the Gransport? I would clearly like to save some money if it seems practical. But, I would wait for a Gransport if it definitely was the thing to do.

    2. I'm prepared for the maintenance costs on one of these things - but is there going to be someone who can work on it / parts availability if Maser pulls out of the US market again?

    - Presto
     
  2. stardoc

    stardoc Formula Junior

    May 5, 2005
    669
    The big oven
    Full Name:
    K RA
    #2 stardoc, May 30, 2006
    Between an '02 or '03 and a used G.S. you are still talking about a $30k difference. With the proper software (engine) upgrades, lowering it by 1.75 inches, rear and mid exhaust mods. you will have a car that performs better than a G.S. I would definitely NOT do a cambio software upgrade as the '02 software is more agressive then subsequent models. Only difference then would be the esthetic differences. The G.S. is not the "AMG" or "M" equivalent of BMW and Mercedes.
     
  3. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 9, 2004
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    #3 RossoCorsaItaly, May 31, 2006
    You will save alot of money modifying the Coupe but the GS will still have better resale. I considered both and am looking for a Coupe. I'd rather spend the extra money to "personalize" the car as much as I love the GS.

    Maserati won't be pulling out of the U.S. anytime soon with the dealer network they've built up and the #'s they are moving, but either way we sell alot of OE parts and would stock an enormous amount if Maserati ever pulled out of the states again.
     
  4. presto prego

    presto prego Rookie

    May 30, 2006
    2
    #4 presto prego, May 31, 2006
    thanks for the info.
     
  5. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
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    #5 RossoCorsaItaly, May 31, 2006
    No problem and in regards to the software update as stardoc already mentioned. The software update is terrible. I had a 2002 Spyder without the software updatea nd I find myself dissapointed everytime I drive a car that has the software update done. The raw fast shifting is gone. Replaced by a smoother and slower shift.
     
  6. jack

    jack Formula Junior

    Nov 1, 2003
    269
    Switzerland
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    Lionel
    #6 jack, Jun 1, 2006

    Go for a second hand Coupé GT, with a stick (more fun, lower price, lower risks for maintenance costs). Replace the standard 18" wheels by 19" of the GranSport. Lower it. Put a tubi and a BMC filter on it. You can probably deal a used car with all these upgrades with the dealer (in my case I negociated all these modifs free of charge, with a carbon bonet). Results: probably more perfs than a GS, cheaper on the short and the long run, a unique car.
     
  7. vungul

    vungul Karting

    May 12, 2006
    68
    Thousand Oaks, CA
    Full Name:
    Tony Napoli
    #7 vungul, Jun 2, 2006
    I have a GS and find that the Cambiocorsa is much more responsive than stick.
     
  8. Dolle Dolf

    Dolle Dolf Karting

    Apr 15, 2005
    104
    New Jersey, USA
    #8 Dolle Dolf, Jun 2, 2006
    I would (will.... well, some time soonish) "grandsport" a 2-3 year old couipe GT.
    Stick for ulitmate control and better wear. Lower price for a used coupe. The smoother lines and no britex.

    With what you save over a GS you can get a nice daily driver like an M5....
     
  9. AR!

    AR! Formula Junior

    Apr 8, 2004
    981
    Berlin, Germany
    #9 AR!, Jun 3, 2006
    Are you sure a Maser is the right choice? I am regarding my 3200 rather as a GT type of car (hence the name ... .3200 GT ;-) ... ) than a true sports car. For your purpose a Ferrari, Porsche, Lambo ... seems to be a more adequate choice?
     
  10. ItaliaF1

    ItaliaF1 F1 Veteran

    Aug 28, 2005
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    #10 ItaliaF1, Jun 3, 2006
    At a local Ferrari meet today, there was a Gransport there. I would have to get the GS over the coupe. Not counting anything else, the looks alone would make me spend extra for the GS.
     
  11. 99355F1

    99355F1 Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2004
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    CG
    #11 99355F1, Jun 5, 2006
    Brightex isn't on all GS's. It was a N/C option to get it with the seats and dash in leather.
     
  12. LOTUS1

    LOTUS1 Karting

    Jul 28, 2005
    177
    Rancho Mirage
    #12 LOTUS1, Jun 6, 2006
    Was never really a Maserati fan but, after seeing and driving the 2006 GS, I'd take that anytime over the regular coupes. I sell a lot of pre-own Maserati's and have found that the '02's have been very problematic for the exception of any 6-speed manual transmissions. The '03s and up are much better but, still doesn't compare to the GS as far as performance, feel and looks. FWIW, I have a 2006 GS with only 200 miles that I am giving away at $96,995 with an original window sticker of $110,042 if interested: http://www.lotusofsouthbay.com/used_vehicle_details.htm?vehicleId=c44a95b94046381e00e8fdc9532e2d15

    Good luck with whatever you choose.
     

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