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Coupe Impressions

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by shmark, Feb 22, 2007.

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  1. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
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    Atlanta
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    Mark
    #1 shmark, Feb 22, 2007
    I've got it in my head that a coupe would make a great daily driver, and I've always loved the style and engine. I've been down the german car route and it's time for something different.

    I found a '05 CC with 10k miles at a local dealer and went down with my son to take a look at it. The exterior was a dark blue (which I love) and interior was gray (which I hate), and it didn't have very many options. Looked good, sounded good, so we took it for a drive. My son fit very well in the back seat (big plus) while the salesman and I were comfortable in the front.

    First impression? The car was lazy. I should mention my current daily is a JCW Mini and I really enjoy driving it hard - "hyper" is a great description of how it drives. The coupe was just the opposite. Shifting the cambio was really simple, but my grandmother could shift a '62 Fairlane faster. Especially the 1-2 shift, where there was a delay, everyone's heads bobbed forward, and then we were off again. The salesman said I wasn't being aggressive enough. I didn't look for Sport Mode, but I have to assume it was running in normal mode.

    It was also much quieter than I expected. It sounded good from the outside, but inside I could barely tell it was running! But then I like loud exhausts.

    The takeoff from rest is disconcerting. Since there's no clutch pedal, it seems like it should just jump like an automatic, but of course it takes off like a manual. Silly I know, and I'd get used to it.

    Of course my son wasn't helping, kept saying "Buy it! Buy it!" :D

    Here are my concerns with the car. When we got back to the lot, I know I could smell clutch, and my son smelled it too. Call me crazy but that's a warning sign to me. Also I know the car was last serviced in NC, and the dealer bought it at auction in PA. Seems like a well-traveled car in the recent past, and that doesn't bode well either.

    I may go look at it again this weekend, but I was really not as impressed as I hoped. Few options, interior I don't like and a worrisome clutch, not to mention a "busy" history. And I'm not sure I liked the cambiocorsa at all, just seemed lazy to me.

    Is it too much to expect to find a nice well-optioned Coupe GT for a reaonable price? I have not driven a GT yet, but I think I might enjoy it more.

    Mark
     
  2. Sea Bass

    Sea Bass Formula 3

    Jun 4, 2006
    1,041
    #2 Sea Bass, Feb 22, 2007
    Finding a newer GT is going to be tough to find. You can find older ones, '02-'04 fairly simple compared to '05 and newer.

    If you are serious about the car, definitely get a PPI on it. The $500 or so will be well spent when you know the exact wear on the car. This can also leverage your buying power, hoping to knock a little off the price if the clutch is showing wear.
     
  3. Steve B

    Steve B Formula Junior

    Dec 23, 2003
    521
    Naperville
    Full Name:
    Steven L. Biagini
    #3 Steve B, Feb 22, 2007
    Sport mode makes a huge difference in the quickness of shifts in the Cambiocorsa models. It sounds like you must have had it in normal mode. If possible, you should test again in Sport mode.
     
  4. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    #4 Simon^2, Feb 22, 2007
    I assume you know the new design Maserati coupe was just shown...

    According to AutoWeek the price of the new coupe will be around $130K, signif higher than previous coupe... so not sure how it will effect previous coupe prices, but seem likely they will drop.

    Just want to make sure you have all the info.
     
  5. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 20, 2004
    1,983
    Michigan
    #5 tfazio, Feb 22, 2007
    Actually there are some 06 Maser Coupe GT's still available. Do a search here. I would imagine you could get a good deal on one.

    http://www.maserati.com/jsp/introSezioneMotortrack.jsp?menuKey=a10&BV_EngineID=ccccaddkfeimiimcefeceegdgimdfmk.0&BV_SessionID=@@@@1723846562.1172174204@@@@

    If you do want to go the cambiocorsa route an fchat member has a loaded Silver / black low mileage 05 coupe that may be available(he has an interested buyer but sale is not yet finalized). If that sale falls through I will let you know.
     
  6. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
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    #6 shmark, Feb 22, 2007
    I actually hadn't considered that the new coupe would bring down the prices of the older models, but you're absolutely right. I still think I'll go back and try it in sport mode. It probably didn't help that this dealer is not a Maserati dealer and they didn't really know the car very well.

    I caught myself imagining it on the way home today...lowered with a nice set of wheels and a stronger exhaust.... The Mini is a riot to drive but the Maserati will satisfy my Master of the Universe tendencies. :) I'm very serious about it, definitely need to get more familiar with them.

    Mark
     
  7. GregD

    GregD Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    885
    California
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    Greg
    #7 GregD, Feb 22, 2007
    Mark,

    I have a coupe as well. Sounds like you were certainly driving in normal mode rather than sport mode.

    I am suprised the salesman didnt switch it to sport mode for you. (edit: hes not a maserati salesman, no wonder) That is the first thing I do after starting the engine. It will shift much faster and cleaner in sport. I would suspect you may have smelled the clutch because it was in normal mode and you may have been inching forward slowly upon your return to the dealer.

    Also, if you change out the exhaust to the tubi, that will make a big difference. I was at a gas station last week with my other car, and saw a coupe with standard exhaust. After he took off, I was stunned how much quieter the car is without tubi.

    Color and options can make a big difference. I spent a substantial amount of time reviewing every single option available and my car has everything I wanted. I personally went with black on black and vintage package to add chrome accents. There are some great color combinations. Dont settle for only what your dealer has.
     
  8. darkalley

    darkalley Formula Junior

    Aug 17, 2004
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    Jim
    #8 darkalley, Feb 22, 2007
    Mark,
    I check the Manheim auction results and I believe this is the car:

    Bought on 10/05/06
    Auction: MANHEIM PA
    Price $55,000
    Miles 10,654
    Condition Above
    Color BLUE
    Tranmission A (cambio/SMG/F1 are listed as A) What is the dealer asking???
     
  9. jjmalez

    jjmalez F1 Veteran
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    Apr 8, 2005
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    Joseph
    #9 jjmalez, Feb 23, 2007

    i've been told by ferrari of denver that there were only 50 of 'em available. silver/black or black/black. what dealers still have one?

    joe
     
  10. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
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    #10 shmark, Feb 23, 2007
    That certainly looks like it. They were asking 69k, got them down to 64k with very little trouble. I'm going to take my wife to look at it this weekend, probably go up to the Maserati dealer too (they are close to each other). Thanks for the info!

    GregD - so you don't think the clutch smell was a bad thing? I noticed it after the salesman parked the car and he was definitely inching, backed up, inched again. No good for it, I'll bet. I've read that sustained reversing kills the clutch in short order. It's definitely not my favorite combination, I'm a big fan of cuoio-accented interiors and darker colors. And I love the vintage package, now that would make an ideal car for me.

    Mark
     
  11. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
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    Apr 20, 2004
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    Michigan
    #11 tfazio, Feb 23, 2007

    Maserati of Central New Jersey, Maserati of San Antonio has a nero /nero according to the Maserati website. Maserati of Rancho Mirage has an silver with nero. Call them to to see if they are still available. Sorry, I do not have the phone numbers to the dealers.
     
  12. GregD

    GregD Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    885
    California
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    Greg
    #12 GregD, Feb 23, 2007
    Clutch smell is not good but depends on how often it smells. If I drive up the first section of my driveway in 2nd gear, it will downshift to first halfway up and the clutch will smell every time. After a few times, I realized this and simply shift into first as I approach the driveway apron. Havent had that issue since first month of ownership.

    Id say the following will reduce clutch life:

    Driving alot in reverse (I really dont see the need other than parallel parking and rolling out of a parking spot)
    Driving in full Auto mode
    Driving in non-sport mode

    Service tech told me that some people get 18-20 average, some go 25-30,000 on the clutch. Some however, who dont understand how the clutch is set up, will hold the car stationary using the gas on a hill. They burn up the clutch in 7-10,000 miles.

    Id have the clutch life checked/PPI because its going to be at least 3,000 to replace. better yet, assume it will need replacement and deduct a service from the price.

    There are also some techniques to shifting that you will eventually acquire to make a smooth shift as well. Slightly lifting off the gas at the right time will make for a very smooth gear change. You will be surprised how much smoother and quicker the gear changes can be with sport mode and familiarity with the vehicle.
     
  13. darkalley

    darkalley Formula Junior

    Aug 17, 2004
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    Jim
    #13 darkalley, Feb 23, 2007
    Given the price paid at auction and the fact they have had the car for months..... i would try for something around $58-59k max...
     
  14. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
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    #14 shmark, Feb 25, 2007
    I opted not to buy it. For the money, it's not bad but there are others out there that are more to my liking and I'd really like to find one that's "me."

    Mark
     

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