Coupe model changes

Before you buy one of the new coupes with a stick, drive it. I have, and I was very disappointed with the stick, which was about as clunky and clumsy as that in an old pickup truck. I got the impression that Ferrari/Maserati really intended this car for the cambiocorsa system, and threw in a manual option only as a little-attention-paid afterthought.

 

Rachane was right. I was 100% against a CC until I drove the GT. To give you an idea, the Grandsport only comes with a CC.

 

Agreed. Maserati didn't spend much time engineering a quality manual gear change.

 

...and never buy one with an automatic box!!! This unit was always troubled after high-speed driving. Its crap!
Comes from Australia...., so no ZF or Getrag etc.!

Ciao!
Walter

 

You can go for a stick. The gearbox generaly need some tuning, models 2002 and 2003 need some parts replacements. But after tuning, the stick is good and funny.
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Hmm, I've never seen the interior of one with a stick... I'm not sure I like the look of it. I am a big "purist" when it comes to the clutch pedal in a sports car, but the Maserati 2-door just seems to me more of a chick car and the paddles more appropriate. Not to offend any of you guys that have them, its a great car, but for my taste I think the Aston is more masculine.

 

I'm going to have to disagree with you on that one.
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My wife hate my car : she say "it is too brutal, too masculine". I agree a bit with you (Aston vs. Maserati) about the look, but not about the feeling on the roads... not at all !

 

If you bought a Gransport the Misses would leave you!
IMHO, A Gransport next to an AMV8. Gransport EASILY. The AMV8 is more of a luxury tourer and the Gransport is more of a sports tourer. Just my opinion.

 

Chick cars don't have 390hp Ferrari V8's.

 

I don't mind the quirkiness of the Maserati stick. But then I also drive a 74 Dino 308GT4, and a '67 Chevelle SS. So clumsy shifting (as you described) is a norm in my world. I think it ads a little character to the car. Besides, for a 390 HP "chick" car - what "chick" would want to drive it - with that clunky shifter, and all......

Besides, If I want smooth shifting I'll drive my Jaguar (or my Corvette).

 

I am pretty sure there were no upgrades to the 4200 GT manual transmission between 2002 until present. US transmission upgrades applied to CC car's clutch in mid 2003 but I don't know the VIN #s. Also CC computer upgrades in 2003, 2004.

The linkeage of the manual can be adjusted easily to help smooth out the shifts from 1-2-3 gears, but it is still quirky -- no more so than in F-cars. My linkeage adjustments were covered under warranty. I have had it done twice and it helped greatly.

 

Walter, there is NO automatic option (and never has been) for the 4200 cars; Coupe, Spyder, Gransport, Quattroporte.

The last slush box was an option on the 3200GT and contrary to your comments many say the 4-speed auto (it was the stick shift gearbox that was the Getrag; the same as in the previous BMW M5) matches the nitro characteristics of the 3200 bi-turbo engine very well.

BTW, the 3200GT never made it stateside...

 

And the 3200GT had the cool taillights. Shame they got rid of them on the later version.

 

I can't stand those tail lights, I like my "Prelude" lights

 

I'm okay with either design.

Because... I don't have to look at them... the poor driver I passed has to look at my tail lights.

And who cares what they like looking at

 

Well said.