Maser Spyder vs. Porsche Cab Tip | FerrariChat
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Maser Spyder vs. Porsche Cab Tip

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by Ronbo, Sep 21, 2007.

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  1. Ronbo

    Ronbo Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2005
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    Morris County, NJ
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    Ron
    #1 Ronbo, Sep 21, 2007
    My wife wants to replace her 450SL and we are considering both the Maserati Spyder and the Porsche Cab with Tiptronic. The budget is $50k, which buys a 2002 or possibly 03 Spyder and a late 993 or early 996 P-car. She won't go for a car that has more pedals than she has feet. She has no real experience with sports cars - her M-B is far from nimble - but she has an open mind. I've driven Porsches, although not one with a Tip. Today we both test-drove an 02 Maserati.

    As my kids would say, OMG. That is one fine car. The seller said that the clutch had been replaced and the software reflashed at 8k (the car had just over 9k). Extremely smooth gearbox. I had never driven an F1 before but it's a lot of fun. I expected, and was delighted by, the blips when I downshifted, but I was surprised by the throttle management on upshifts - I didn't really need to feather. I was amazed by the responsiveness of the throttle in every gear - there's a lot of power on tap. The brakes seemed to bite a little hard, but probably could be modulated with practice. Anyway, we are going to drive it again, and also find a Porsche.

    Any thoughts or suggestions about what to look for/pay attention to are welcome.

    To be continued ....
     
  2. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 26, 2005
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    #2 Bullfighter, Sep 21, 2007
    Having had a 993 cab with Tiptronic, I can tell you it's a beautiful car and has an amazing, solid feel you don't get in the later 996. But, putting the top down and fastening the boot/cover is a P.I.T.A by modern standards. I did it because for me the Porsche was a weekend fun car, and I babied it. Your wife might get tired of that, though. The Tiptronic is just an automatic, with torque converter, nothing new. It knocked a full second off 0-60, but for easy driving around town it's fine.

    I've also driven a couple of 996 cabs, one Tip, one manual. If you get one with the glass rear window (started in 2002), it's a comfortable car, with an easy and better top mechanism. The interior plastics were deteriorating in one of the cars I drove, and in general I'd say even the 996TT's I've seen are cheap inside. It's plenty fast for normal driving. Aesthetically, the 996 isn't my favorite.

    The Maserati I haven't owned, so no comment there. If it was my wallet, I probably wouldn't be buying an older Cambiocorsa car at this point. Even if it proves to be reliable, it seems like first-generation paddle shift - wouldn't be my long-term choice. In the looks department, the Maserati probably wins -- although the 993 is "pretty" for a Porsche.
     
  3. Ronbo

    Ronbo Formula Junior

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    #3 Ronbo, Sep 21, 2007
    Hi,

    Thanks for the insight.

    I'm not sure I agree about the "first generation" point, since Ferrari has been working on the F1 system since the mid-90s. On the other hand, Italian cars aren't exactly appliances, so reliability is a legitimate concern.

    On the P-car side, I strongly prefer the 993 to the 996 for many reasons - sound, guts, simplicity - but I completely take your point about the top. My wife has struggled with the manual top on the 450SL and I know she does not want to repeat the experience. As to the transmissions, I have explained the difference between a manumatic like the tip and a servo-assisted manual like the F1. I am optimistic. (By the way, check out the wikipedia entry on manual transmissions. It is correct, as far as I can tell, but it is so technical it would have been pointless to share it with my wife.) It just may be that she is more into German cars - for reasons she can't express - than the Italian stallions that we favor on this board. I think I'll get over the shame. ;)
     
  4. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
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    #4 italiafan, Sep 22, 2007
    I'ved owned 993, 996s, '03 Maserati cambio coupe and now an '06 Gransport....I would say based upon that experience:
    If your wife wants to have a car she can jump in anytime, ease of ownership, drive like a highend Jap car, not worry about reliability or parking it at the mall (and have the space to bring home a few small items picked up there) then the 996 Tip is a very reasonable and wise way to go. However, I will add that 911s are not worry-free, that is a bit of a myth. They can be very expensive to maintain and repair too.
    The 993 is the best modern Porsche without any question in my mind, and definitely is more of a car for Porschephiles who are willing to put up with some quirks...I wish to God I had never sold my Arena Red 993 Cab (6 sp) with full leather and wood options.......sob.
    Now....the Maseratis are by far more of a "special" experience. Everytime you jump in and go for a drive it feels like an occassion. It is still functional, but more of a "toy" IMO than the Porsche. If you'd be willing to stretch your budget a little further (or wait a year) then I believe the GranSport does offer a significant improvement over the previous variant.
     
  5. Ronbo

    Ronbo Formula Junior

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    #5 Ronbo, Sep 23, 2007
    Excellent point. In fact, she is not sure whether she is ready to get on the gearhead crackpipe, although she sees how happy it makes me and our like-minded friends.

    Very true. She isn't looking for a Lexus, but she isn't looking for trouble, either.

    Yes it is, and it seems a shame to put a slushbox in it.

    And that is what it comes down to. She is a special person who has done some special things, and in my opinion she should have a very special car. A "functional toy" is exactly what I hope she decides she wants, and gets.

    Coupe only, at least for now, no? Convertible is non-negotiable, so that's out, as is the Cayman.

    Thank you for your thoughts.
     
  6. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
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    #6 italiafan, Sep 23, 2007
    GranSport Spyder.....sweeeeeet car!
    I think they will be dropping more in price, especially when the pictures of the new GT convertible with folding metal top starts hitting the net.
    I honestly believe that Maserati is making some of the most desirable cars the world has ever seen....4200/GS/QP and now the sensational looking GT.
    I don't think you can go "wrong" if you do your homework and buy with the "right understanding" of the strengths and weaknesses of the marque.

    There is no other car in the world that offers the same blend of panache, performance, price, reliability, motivated dealer network and motivated MNA, functionality, and all wrapped up in some of the most sensationally sensual exterior and interior lines/craftsmanship. Add in the fabulous racing history of this storied marque...and you have the perfect car.
     
  7. peterp

    peterp F1 Veteran

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    #7 peterp, Sep 23, 2007
    I just went through this -- my wife had a 996 Carrera 4 and we replaced it with a CC Coupe. The Porsche was bulletproof and a great car. There were absolutely zero issues with that car beyond scheduled maintenance. The Tiptronic is a fairly standard slushbox and took almost all of the fun out of it for me, but she loved it.

    We've had CC Coupe for only a couple weeks and she loves it even more than the Porsche. The Maser is quirkier than the Porsche, so how will it be reliability-wise over the long haul I don't know. She couldn't be happier with the car, but if it does end up having problems, then it will probably take most of the fun out of it for her. I did a lot of research on the Masers and most owners are fairly happy except for quirks, so hopefully it was the right decision.

    The Porsche is almost certainly a safer choice because it's more likely to not have issues, but the Maserati is a (IMO) much more special car so it might be worth it. Maybe get her a Porsche now (which she will love) and then a Maser when it's time to change cars again. That worked out well in our case -- she wasn't really excited about the Porsche until she drove it for a couple days and then she couldn't wait to drive. The same is true now for the Maser -- maybe she wouldn't have appreciated it as much if we skipped the Porsche and it's also beneficial to have her first sports car be very reliable.
     

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