Hey Fchat Crew, We will have a Granturismo S demo at LFSC on August 19th and 20th. Please come by or call Kristen at 847-295-6560 x. 217 to set an appointment. . This car will be available to drive! -Jim and the LFSC Crew
I wouldn't trust a potential future customer either. Especially those who've judged the Maserati class at a concours, has a spotless driving record, has insurance and attended the 4 day Bondurant school. Maybe another time. Besides, don't dealerships make most of their income from selling pre-owned cars and on service?
Townsend: I havent driven the new 09 AMV8 yet, we will have one this month. I think there was an article in CAR comparing the two. I will chime back in once I have had some seat time. amenasce: I dont have a SCUD at the moment. Johnei: I didnt mean to offend. I guess my sarcasm didnt come across in the smileys. If you really want to come up, please do.
It would be nice if you can give a review of the "S" in comparison to the standard version and other competitors in its class. I'm at my Ohio home most of the time and as far as I know the test drive demo is not coming to Maserati Cleveland. I'm on the fence on the "S" and any feedback helps on pulling the trigger. I wish I could make it out ot Chicago to drive that damn thing, maybe Cauley in MI is getting it after you, thats a little closer to me. I would be getting out of a AMG CLK63 Black Series to get the "S", so I know I'll be let down power wise and the handling won't be as good, as these really are two different concepts of cars, but any feedback to describe how the "S" drives, progressive power vs. instant type of descriptions will help.
My fault entirely. Some dealerships are - somewhat justifiably - very unfriendly. Also, I hate wasting other people's time and I don't like wasting my own.
Read my write-up in the Maserati section. I have driven it more than anyone else (2000 miles) and it is awesome.
I did make it up there yesterday and took the car out for a short drive. It is an outstanding car. While the only similar car I can really compare it to is the Audi R8, it seemed like the Maserati is much easier to enjoy. I also got the sense that many of the systems on the Maserati can be setup - either deliberately or automatically - to suit your driving. It also sounded like they are selling briskly, even after the initial rush of pre-orders.
Just noticed an issue of EVO mag has an article comparing them as well. PM me your e-mail and I'll scan it for you if you like.
Yesterday I drove a BMW M5 and I was astonished by how slow and gutless it feels at low revs. It needs more than 5000 rpm to show any character, while the Granturismo S feels much more torquey at low speeds and is much more fun to drive in the real world. I have to say that the M5 really disappointed me - it never feels involving, always cold and distant. Another world from the Granturismo S (and the Maser also feels faster!).
I really would have to agree with you guys that the GT-S does have a full rev band from top to bottom and that the character of the new motor is very "leggy". It seemed as if the motor wanted to keep reving and didnt shy from me pushing it. The real joy of the car for me is the initial rumble of start-up and the slow roll in first gear, the car sounds fantastic. It really doesnt have that raspy high strung Ferrari tone, which is nice to seperate the two companies motors, but it does have a mean grunting growl that makes you smile and want to hear more of it. The other thing that I noticed and really liked is that the car is a bit jeckyl and hyde. By this I mean sport engaged and disengaged, it really has two very different attitudes. With sport engaged it gave more of a I drink metal and piss bolts, bad ass, get out of my way attitude both from the exhaust sound and the transmission's speed. With it disengaged it really becomes a nice, quiet sunday cruiser capable of keeping the wife happy when your pulling into valet or having a nice morning at the home depot, it is just like the standard GT. Both transmission speeds are leaps and bounds above what Maserati has put on the road before, thanks to Ferrari. Borrowing the TCU Software, along with the traction and stability control from the 599GTB was the best thing they could of done. AUTO was even impressive, though personally I would keep it in manual mode. You just have to remember that it isn't a Dual-Clutch System and really appreciate how well they did to keep it smooth, effective and useful in AUTO. I could enjoy the car in all three modes. Handling wise, the car itself stays flatter in and out of normal cornering and is firmer but not jarring. The steering wheel has a nice feel, not to dumb not to whispy. It is really a sporty, comfortble, and stable ride. From the outside there isnt a lot that changes it from the standard car, you notice the side skirts (which are effective, and proven in the wind tunnel), the big 6-pots up front and the newly designed wheels. The intergrated decklid spoiler is noticed, but mostly from the back as it seems to make the whole rear of the car a little skinnier. They did a great job with this car, it will be a stepping point for Maserati to keep making intriguing autos in the future. Funny part for me was that I was drooling over the GT-S and a Yellow 430 SCUD was getting delivered. Even in the pressece of the big bad wolf I was still enamored with the Maserati Granturismo S. Cheers!
Jim, is it possible to borrow the Granturismo S say, this entire weekend? i will take it my favorite clubs, a la The Admiral, VIP's, etc. of course, i will park it up front and it will be great advertising for LFSC! i am willing to do this to help your cause but i need to know immediately as i am a busy person!
Thanks for the feedback Jim. Did your demo have the skyhook or the fixed suspension? I'm placing my order on Monday at my local dealership and curious if you're hearing the same thing I'm hearing, basically Maserati believes the fixed suspension is the preferred suspension in this car.
The car I have been driving this summer in Italy does not have the Skyhook. I honestly don't know what difference it makes in terms of handling. What I know is that the most serious German magazines in the past have always criticized the way Skyhook reacts too slowly on the racetrack. Both the 575 and the Gransport were markedly slower than they could have been at Hockenheim, allegedly because of the slow response of the Skyhook. Some professional racing drivers who drove both the 575 and the Gransport told me that they would have ordered them without Skyhook. But then, technology has improved in the last 5-6 years... maybe today's Skyhook is reactive enough for serious track use. Any thoughts on that?
