GranSport vs. GranTurismo S

Appreciate it, one thing is for sure, the exhaust on the "S" is definitely a step up from what is has been in the past, which was pretty good to begin with.

 

Sounds pretty similar to my GranSport at idle, at acceleration its a different ballgame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we0CHhHPvo8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXSNgkBUUhw&feature=related

 

I used to say the same thing and had a WRX which had snug sport seats and driving position that got painful after a few hours of driving. But I wanted a sporty car and that's what I bought. However, I saw that my actual driving habits call for a large amount of distance driving, regularly driving 4-8hrs and several cross-country drives.

I painfully realized that despite my penchant for sporty cars, my habits called for a freeway cruiser. So the next summer, I traded it for a large, "driving from my couch" car and now I never want to live without a big sedan. I drove 30,000 miles in the first year I had it! Now I can go from here to LA several times a month and hop out feeling great.

 

Are you sure your Dad was driving in "sport" mode? I had the opportunity to drive a Gran Tursimo S yesterday on some great twisty roads near Red Wood City, CA and my initial impressions of this car is that is too stiff and the exhaust resonates wayyyy too much inside the cabin, especially if you're seated in the rear. I love the way car looks, nothing over the top but you can clearly tell this is a sportier car and the sound OUTSIDE the car is absolutley incredible! I liken it to a 550/575 Maranello with Tubi exhaust and X-pipe, minus cats! It's that agressive Of course if you want to go incognito, selecting the "normal" mode will not attract every Police Officer within a five-mile radius

IMO, this Maserati is exciting enough to some lure Ferrari owners.

 

Derek, although I haven't had the pleasure of driving it, I've heard from some that have that its more in line with the GranSport in terms of firmness, but not as choppy on the bumps, would you agree? You're lucky to get a drive, when it made the rounds at my dealership 2 months ago, they were specifically told, no test drives (pre-production model), apparently yours was production ready. I have a gut feeling that Maserati had all its test cars (cars used for magazine reviews) with the fixed suspension for a reason, nothing to confirm this, just a gut feeling that the Skyhook ruins the sportyness of the car whether in firm setup or not.

By the way, a birdie told me that 250 of the 300 run are already spoken for. I'm sure they'll make more if the demand is out there. Given very few people have actually driven it outside of yourself and they've already sold 250, they've met what the Maserati customer really desires with the "S" tweaks. I personally want to drive one before I would buy one, but it doesn't look like I'll get that chance, the likelyhood of a demo is nil.

 

While I can't argue the GS is a great car for the money, the GT S is so utterly raw in comparison that it even makes the 612 feel tame.

 

Phil,

I haven't heard the rumors in regards to the amount MNA has pre-sold BUT if it's true, I could see some people being being disappointed with the harshness of the ride. Don't get me wrong, this car is shockingly awesome but the stiffness of the ride is on par with a Ferrari 360CS, the Gran Sport is soft in comparison.

 

Wow, on par with the CS in harshness. I guess I would expect that if they went a little bit more hardcore with the "S" concept (like a stripped out version), but it sounds like its setup for some play on the track. Doesn't deter me a bit, but I am surprised at your take. Maserati has some guts going with this setup; I like the move, but I agree it might put off some.

 

I was shocked, to say the least when we got it on less than perfect road conditions, lots of tires noise and a very jolting ride. Some people will love it, most will dis-like it and it appears Maserati realizes this too since the GT S will be made in limited numbers and built for just the '09 model year.

 

I was planning to take out a Quattroporte GT-S since that has the fixed suspension to at least get somewhat of a idea for what this car will drive like. Is that a waste of time or do you think its worthwhile? I'm not sure if your opinion of the Quattroporte GT-S fixed setup is similar?

 

I think Maserati absolutely nailed the chassis dynamics on the QP GT S! It is the best driving Maserati I have experienced to date. Unfortunately it will not give you any insight into the Gran Turismo S.

 

I drove the GT-S last weekend in West Palm - and I am hooked! Much more refined that the Coupe/GS and the exhaust note is amazing! When we got in my brothers '02 Coupe after the drive it felt like we were slumming it, the GT-S is that much better. From a financial perspective it is absolutely stupid to buy one, but I am still carrying all the paperwork with me to get on the waiting list. Decisions, decisions ....

 

I'm torn as well.
Was down at the dealer yesterday driving QP and the Gran Turismo.
Honestly, the QP didn't drive any better than my '06 Jag XJ, and I actually like the interior of my Jag better.
I fell in love with the Gran Turismo however, and I must get one.
When we started talking turkey though I couldn't bring myself to trade the GranSport...I absolutely love it too much for it being the last of the Maserati sportscars for enthusiasts.
The solution is to get a GT and keep the GS, but then garage space becomes an issue, my wife won't let me kick her out of the garage and the kid's junk (and household stuff) has taken over the other bay.
I have about a month to figure it out becuase they have an Ocean Blue on Beige GT coming in.....
Ahhhhhhhhhh.
(The other disappointing thing would be trading my Jag for the GT. I bought my Jag last yr with 12K miles on it for 48K, now the Maserati dealer says it's worth $25K according to national auctions. I can't justify letting a car of that calibre go for that ridiculous price...hurts my sensibilities.)
Any advice out of this jam?
(BTW Rob, I think you are mistaken to think the 612 adds much over a GT-S to justify the price differential and maintenacne headaches/costs......)

 

I stopped by my dealer yesterday and drove the Quattroporte GTS and you're right, for a sedan, its the best handling 4 door I've ever driven. The fixed suspension in that car is damped perfectly. It takes the bumps perfectly too. It honestly reminded me of my Black Series although mine is a tad firmer, so if thats what I'm in store for if I buy an GranTurismo S, I'll be very happy. My dealer here drove it at the NJ headquarters and he too feels the "S" is a totally different car than the standard car, he told me that he was told to be selective to whom you push this car too as like you said, some will be very surprised how raw it really is.

 

I love how buttoned down the Quattroporte GT S handles yet it soaks up large bumps with ease, I think it rides better than the other versions of the QP. I am not sure yet how the suspension on the QP GT S differs from the Gran Turismo S but I can tell you the Gran Turismo S suspension is a LOT firmer than the QP GT S. The "rawn-ness" of the car is mainly attributed to three items; the transmission, the exhaust and the suspension, the rest of the car is as equally well appointed as the standard Gran Tursimo. Did you ask your dealer if they will have a ride and drive event featuring the GT S?

 

I do not agree. Today's Maserati is a much improved product and 20 years down the road will probably be desired as much as a 612...although I don't know if that's saying much

 

Ferraris are indeed something special, no doubt.
The GT-s will never be considered in the same light as the junk from the 80's, why?...Because they aren't junk now.
I don't think there are many 2+2 Ferraris that anyone is dreaming about 20 years on.
The 612 now will set you back about $200K for a 2005, no warranty, expensive maintenance and repairs.
For about $50-60K less you can have a new GT-S with 4 yr warranty and maintenance schedule/oil changes every 12.5K miles.
There is little doubt that a GT-S sitting next to a 612 will be considered the classicly more beautiful car and I think that will be the deciding factor of desirability 20 years from now. A Maserati 3500 is drop dead gorgeous and very very desirable. I suspect the GT and GT-S will be in demand for years to come, whereas the 612 isn't as much, which why buyers are waiting for th eprices to drop before jumping in...it doesn't pull the heartstrings enough to excite the "second generation" of buyers waiting in the wings.
Just my opinion.

 

No I didn't ask about a ride and drive event, nor did he mention it. Is that something all dealers are doing? I know he had one 2 months ago in the dealership, but at that time it was pre-production, non-driveable model. Obviously, there have been others in the past couple weeks who have driven one and it appears to be a different car, color wise, so I can only assume that one is a production model that you can drive, not sure if that one will come back around to my Cleveland dealership.

 

All good points.

 

Supposedly there are two cars available for dealers to request for such an event but with Pebble Beach right around the corner I would assume that is where they will be.

 

Out of curiousity, have you asked anyone at MNA about doing red alcantara inserts on the seats, even though its not one of the options? Knowing the red alcantara sometimes comes off with a touch of pink at times, I'm curious if thats the reason why it wasn't an option. I've seen the red leather/black alcantara option they're offering and I'm not sure if thats looks as good as doing it the opposite way.