GranSport vs 456?

GranSport was only made in 05 and 06
Differences from the regular coupe
- Much more aggressive appearance
- Has carbon fiber bits on the inside
- 19inch wheels are standard
- sport button actually changes the exhaust note

Sorry to say, it only comes in a F1 tranny. The engine is the same as the regular coupe, but I was told that the engines that were the strongest on the dyno while tested were reserved for the GS.
Prices: I know of a few the have recently (within the last 10 days) traded hands in the low to mid $60's. both had under 7k miles.

MCV, had special carbon fiber sport seats (same as Enzo). More carbon fiber bits that the regular GS and only 150 were made or sent to the US, someone here will correct me.

Any of the coupes will fit a child seat.



Good luck

 

As for the MC victory edition question, they only made 180 MC Victory editions. The paddles are longer, racing seats, Alcantara dashboard, deeper front spoiler in carbon fiber, numbered plaque on center console, faster steering ratio, Italian flag "shields, and the new blue color. Here is more information on the GrandSport on their website: http://www.maserati.com/jsp/introSottosezione.jsp?menuKey=m88&category=%2Fmaserati%2Fcars%2Fgransport&BV_SessionID=@@@@0708301586.1191352012@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddmeghmimkcefeceegdgimdfmk.0 Oh and I think the Grandsport would be the better choice!

 

Also the GS got a significant upgrade of the electrical gearbox and a slightly different mapping. Its a great car with fantastic roadholding and -as far as I know- its lighter than the very nice F456. Try to find out....

Ciao!
Walter

 

Use the Search Function

(Tee Hee - I had to say it)

The Coupe GT has different seats than the Gransport, they have less side support in them.
The Exhaust is quieter.
In theory, it has a few less HP

To me, a big plus for the GT is not having to worry about F1 transmission related problems and clutch life.
Any thing else the Gransport has can be bolted on if it really bothers you.

 

Can someone elaborate more on the gear box / transmission on the earlier cars - I recall reading that they had A LOT of problems and to stay away - true / false or just bad press ( like the 348 )

 

The GS has a lower ride height, different damper and suspension settings compared to a normal Coupe GT.

 

Im not sure that is true, i think maybe most that came to the US were in Cambiocorsa ? I think the CCbox was an option no ?

 

I drove one (Spyder, not GS) with CC **** for years. Was an early car. They changed the clutch 2-3 times in 9000 mls...Should say it all...
Countless times in repair for an amazing amount of problems, to name a few :

SatNav
Radio
Bad door panel (replaced after 2 years by one with a different design from the driver door's...)
Troubles with the roof (finally replaced completly)
Countless problems with tranny (car left me stranded 2-3 times)
etc etc.

 

The early cars tuned out to be problematic but with the GS most of the gremlins are gone......well, despite the navigation-system which was never relly good.

Ciao!
Walter

 

SOOOO the word is stay away from the Cambio models 2002 thru 2004 - is that correct ? The GS being the better since it came out later. Hard to pass up the Cambio when it can be purchased in the upper 30's. Unless you all say "stay away"

 

Yes, the cambiocorsa system is the F1 system. Can't say much about the manual trannies, as I never had one.

Rob...I can fully understand your interest in the Maserati Coupe as it is an ideal alternative for a four-seat Italian sportscar. I did the same thing a couple of years ago, and traded the F355 for a new '05 Maserati CC Coupe -- primarily so that my wife could drive it and the kids could also accompany. While I enjoyed the paddle-shift concept, my wife did not -- and she always left it in "auto" mode. Well, for around town stop-and-go traffic, the auto mode drove her crazy as the tranny was too jerky for her taste. Plus, the reverse lever select procedure had too much of a delay, and she was always worried about a panic situation. In a nutshell, the whole cambiocorsa system was too much drama for her to enjoy driving the car.

Now the new ZF-type system in the new GranTurismo / QP is another story -- this would be the car to live with perhaps -- just wish it had more of a horsepower jump over the previous models. Also wish there was a closer Maserati service center other than over two hours away.

 

id take a 456 over a gransport, just because its a ferrari

 

i have the early build 2004 model and no problems with f1 system. I get about 18,000 on the clutch life. 2004 and newer will have a different software programs that make the car softer, however they upgraded most of the cars with the newer software to resolve issues in earlier models.

Some owners who have 2002-03's did not like the upgrade as the car became very tame. I also had them remove the last software upgrade they did.

 

I've not driven a Gransport, although I have driven a stock Maserati Coupe, and the 456 is much more car, IMO. However, having just driven a 612, I can tell you that the decision to wait on a 612 is probably smart.

So if you're going to be getting an interim car, why not save even more money and get a 5-speed 400? You will get a taste (just a taste) of the vintage Ferrari experience. I imagine the maintenance costs on a 400 will not be that much more than an out of warranty Maserati, and it's a Ferrari. True, you don't want to sell a Ferrari, but you might make an exception for the 400. Or you might not-- my dealer still has his 400 5-speed, bought new, and it's apparently one of his favorite cars (and this is a guy with F-40, F-50, Enzo, plus about 20 other Ferraris).

 

Rob, here's an old thread of mine on Coupe Vs. 456: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44944

 

This past June I bought a new '06 GranSport for $80K (MSRP of $112K). Having researched the exact VIN, we (Ferrari Maserati of San Diego) determined that it was one of the last '06s built. In fact the car was "ineligible" for any service calls or software upgrades posted by Maserati.

Just like anything else, production quality improves and "gremlins" go away over time. [on a side note, I just bought the first home in Phase One of a new housing tract. I'm having the exact opposite experience with my home...]

I realized that I could have saved quite a bit more if I were willing to buy an early '06, or '05 model year, but having read / heard all the horror stories, I stayed away. I was close to buying a 911, but to me, the beauty and exclusivity of the GS was (and is) worth the hopefully few future headaches I may experience.

It is my first paddle-shift car. I really was looking for a traditional manual thinking it would be the most sporty tranny. But then I went on a crazy road rally through the local mountains and I realized how HUGE an advantage is to keep both hands on the wheel!! My wife who is not a car enthusiast really loves driving the GranSport. In fact, she's mastered the F1, and has no problem drving around town, and for that matter driving very aggressively. We also have two young kids, so the GS fits our lifestyle very well.

Just my two cents...

 

you thinking of getting one now ?

 

Rob, I owned a 2004 Vintage Spyder for a while, and the car was a hoot. In fact, I drove it at the FCA meet in The Woodlands so maybe you remember it.

Here are my thoughts --

* It was the most beautiful car that I have ever owned. Burgundy with creme interior and offset burgundy piping. The best part was the clock. Women loved that car. I drove it to work once and when I came out, it was surrounded by women. The silver/red Mararnello? Never a second look. Maser has it all over Ferrari when it come to interiors.

* By 2004, Maser had worked out the problems with the Cambio. I drove my 2004 Maser and a 2003 360 back-to-back, and the Maser was just as good (or even a little bit better) as the Ferrari F1. In fact, it was a gas to drive in the auto mode. That is, you can trigger upshifts by easing up on the gas ever so slightly, and it is done. If you want to keep going, just keep depressing the pedal. So by rocking my right foot back and forth, I was able to get seamless upshifts. (Note the same is true with the Ferrari F1.)

Downshifts are another story. On the street, the auto works well; but on the track, you really need to use the shifter.

* Also, you need to learn how to drive a F1. Just like with a stick, clutch life depends on you. If you like doing hard power shifts, get your checkbook ready. If you know how to listen to the song your car is singing, you'll do fine. Just remember two things: (1) The car will downshift to neutral on its own at a stop so you don't have to bang hard downshifts. (2) Use reverse as little as possible because the clutch slips 100% of the time in reverse. Best technique is to make sure that the way is clear, pick reverse, moderately punch the gas, and then shift into neutral as soon as you can and coast.

* Yes, I tracked the car at TWS. Very predictable, if a tad boring. Push, push, push through the corners.

* Again, it is my understanding that you should avoid any pre-2004 Masers. I realize that this may come as a shock to some of you, but Ferrari has NEVER done any pre-production testing of any magnitude.

* Why did I sell mine? I chickened out. I brought it used in 2005 for $65K and drove it for several months. When the opportunity came to sell the car for $65K, I pulled the trigger because I was concerned that it would shortly become a $45k car. Would I buy it again? Funny, some gal in Dallas brought the car. Lately, I have been thinking of calling Joe at FOH and asking him to see if maybe she would want to... well, you know.

Dale

 

OK, to be exact...it had 132 mi and I bought it for $80,700. It had never been titled / registered (see pic)
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