Would it be possible to have a couple sub sections in the Maserati section like there is in the Lamborghini section? Vintage and Post 2001? Technical
++++++++++1 !!!!!! I would seperate them in this chapters: Prewar 50ies 60ies 70ies Modern Ciao! Walter
There IS a downside to this though ... If you fracture the discussions too much then with the much smaller traffic in Maserati you may not get enough people reading the threads. It's more worj to open all the various threads. Maybe we should learn to walk first?
I think we are all in agrement that the Maserati section neds to grow, however as you say you learn to walk before you run so we don't want to spread ourselves too thin. Also I feel the main eras should be divied as such: 1926-81 includes 3500GT to Khamsin included. 1982-1997 includes all Biturbos de Tomaso era. 1998 to today inclides 3200GT to Granturismo S If 3 is too much then perhaps cut after 1981: classic 1957-to 1981 modern 1981 to today and future models may seem long ago for the start of a modern section but there are amolst never any Biturbo posts here anyway (no disrespect meant) Within each of these threads would be started for each model AS REQUIRED: general discussion (as in the Khamsin thread) and then a hardcore tech thread for each model, that way they could be used as reference. Too many threads also spreads the marmalade too thin... What do you think? best regards, Marc
Bad idea: The split in the Lamborghini Forum into modern and classic just guarantees that unless I'm really bored I don't go into the modern section and will probably miss a thread I might otherwise have read. The Maserati community is badly split already, and if it is to survive, there has to be more interaction between the GT owners and the modern owners. If you go to Maserati Life it is 99% focused on the modern cars, the Maserati GT and Biturbo yahoo groups are focused on just those cars. This is the only forum where all eras of Maseratis are together. Which will help build a cohesive community, unless everyone thinks that there isn't a problem with Maserati owners turning out with their cars at events? Joe
I agree with this ^ Seems to me there's no value to the split, unless the point is to 'hide' the Biturbo era from the new and classic owners
I like the idea of an open forum for Maserati Chat and seperate permanent threads for tech support. This could be split up in engine class or even decades but would make a good reference spot. A few things that would be nice is the tune up specs for each engine as a quick reference. Also love to see cross referenced parts that have been tried successfully to help keep parts cost under control. List of parts suppliers and good (preferrably independant shops) to have work done in different areas. The tech report threads could just be on top of the page constant so the ongoing open forum still progresses with most recent first just like normal.
Joe: your point is valid: since they split the Lambo section I am likely to visit the Lamborgaudi subsection every 29th of February. Still there is room for improvement here and as you say as I think you meant to write many classic Maserati owners go to meets and leave their cars at home and that is very unfortunate: as I saw in a series of meetings at the factory in the summer of 2006 there is zero interest in Maserati history in the corporate offices: I am really worried about information access after Mister Cozza no longer comes to the office. Someone's cousin speaking only Italian will get the job and botch it... What we need to do I think is consolidate the classic Forum: I am convinced that the 25000 plus views the Khamsin thread has had is not only Khamsin enthusiast but also a number of people who aren't familiar with them at all and had a look to see what it as all about: a snowball effect: it is quite interesting to watch the patterns of how some threads are long or short lived, widely viewed or appealing only to a few. Could we please ask those who regularly read the Maserati section but without posting to post their opinions on the above ideas for doing 2 or 3 separate sections? This would enhance your reading enjoyment. best regards, Marc
I was thinking the other way around! ;>)) No the point is to put technical stuff in an easy to find spot. Right now it get's peppered into all sorts of threads. A bad idea. I only suggested splitting into new/old but I don't thinks that's as important as the technical split. Joe is just lazy ... ;>)) But let's not fragment this too much. Walk first, trip a bunch then maybe a wheelchair for Joe
While we all complain that we want to see more vintage Italian cars come out, with Maserati the problem really isn't getting the classic owners to come out with their cars, although it is a problem. The problem is the modern owners are not coming out in the numbers they should be, these owners are disconnected from the community. If you go to any major event, the largest percentage of the Ferraris or Lamborghinis in attendance are cars built in the last 5 to 10 years. But not with Maseratis, considering the numbers built, the modern era cars should make the Maserati turnout second only to the Ferrari turnout at any event and should be on the verge of passing Ferrari in the next few years. It is in the modern era Maserati owners where rest the future survival of the vintage Maseratis we love. It's their interest and involvement with the marque that keep the vintage cars alive and restored. They are the best pool of new owners for vintage Maseratis. It's their interest in the old cars that help drive the future of the vintage cars. Right now Maserati could go one of two ways. Either the Ferrari/Lamborghini way were the cars somewhat honored and respected or the way of Jaguar where they are viewed as just an old car. Joe
Responding to Bob's comment in the Khamsin thread which I feel belongs here he makes a valid point: "If you're speaking of the Yahoo Maserati forum then yes it was assasinated several years ago but a few of us still hang around. The MaseratiGTcars Yahoo group I don't know about. Ask Joe and Walter about that. The old Maserati Yahoo group still has a lot of good data in those posts and you have a database there. Here you can not. That's one reason why the VLG Yahoo forum does pretty well. Bob S." Here is another idea: perhaps Rob Lay could organize for a locked thread which would be for technical database, open only to preapproved data, i.e. considered serious and reliable: I have some of that in the Khamsin registry (paint codes and part sourcing with other manufacturers) but my webmaster is so hard to deal with and we are on two different sides of the ocean so I am using this forum now as a very convenient outlet. Now on to your post above which I haven't read yet...
Can't argue with that: but may Maserati, Aston, Jaguar buyers are people who appreciate their cars as being better than normal cars but are not quite interested enough to actually come to events and get involved. I know several of them. Only Maserati itself could foster such a thing: I was trying to push for that in 2006 in my meetings there but fell on deaf ears. When I spoke to Kalbfell at the Geneva show this year (when he was no onger CEO) he said that unless there was money to be made management was not interested....unfortunately like Sergio marchione has just said in interviews, the party is over so nay jobs and programmes they don't see as vital are unlikely to go forward... So....one way for a homegrown effort would be for the two US clubs to put their rows in the waste bin, approach MNA together: that lady seems open minded and suggest that a party take place at each dealership with a display of vintage Maseratis (in good condition, no dealers, no for sale signs). If she likes the idea it will happen: it is a win win situation if you go to each dealer independently it will never happen in 95% of the cases. best regards, Marc
Marc it's not a clubs issue here in the USA. I can't comment on the one's elsewhere. Here MCI/MIE and TMC cooperate regulary except for the northeast. That's all about a single individual. So it's a club thing unless that person sees himself as the club. You're preachin' to the choir here ... Bob S.
I know this is not going to make some people happy, but is TMC even a viable club anymore? On their website the calendar of events for 2008 list 2 events. Their 2007 Holiday party held in Jan 2008 and their big event of the year, Pocono CSD in May which had about 5 Maseratis. That's it! A month later at the MCI -Maserati Owners National Meet at Le Belle Macchine d'Italia also held in the Poconos, there 5 Birdcages! On the positive side TMC does list a full calendar for 2001/02 on their website. It's time for what is left of TMC to make the call and become chapters of MCI so we can start rebuilding a cohesive Maserati community. Two to the back of the head and dump TMC into the lake with Fredo. On your other point of having vintage Maseratis on display at new Maserati dealership. My Ghibli SS and Mistral coupe have been on display at Ferrari/Maserati of Central NJ for the opening of their new Maserati showroom since early Nov. They will remain there until sometime in the spring. Joe
We all seem to be in agreement that it is difficult to get any (new or old) Maserati owner to bring their cars to any event... Each club has its own issues... As to whether TMC is viable or not, I can answer that... Our new calendar is due out in early January, our renamed magazine will be out early next year... We are weighing our options for our International website, with several chapters producing their own for the short term... Check out www.tmcsoutheast.com... You will see the Southeast's latest event reports, some good pictures and so forth... We are working on the Southeast's event calendar for 2009... There is no doubt that cooperation is happening among the clubs in most areas except the Northeast.. But in terms of FerrariChat, I am interested on how this site can serve all Maserati owners and bring us all together electronically... If that occurs, maybe we can all benefit when it comes to events, which will bring us together in other ways as well! My .02 cents... Mike D.
And since some of us brought up events (including me!)... I looked at the MIE website and all thier Southeast events have come and gone (like mine at the TMC website).. Only difference being, I removed them from the TMC site.. Anyway...If anybody knows or is organizing an event (I don't care what club ie. TMC, MIE, FLU, Aston, Ferrari (you get the idea)) in the Southeast or of national interest let me know... I have already listed the June/July event at Pocono including the link to the official site(Joe has all the details)... TMC:SE's calendar should be updated early next year (January)... I will do my best to get any Maserati owner to come to an event... Mike D.
Bravo Mike! Mike is one of those who doesn't seem to have the issues alluded to by Marc. Maybe we could get you to attend the original Pocono event this year? Big ass bumpered Khamsins graciously accepted. ;>)) We don't discriminate! The west coast TMC chapter president was graciously there two years ago with a slew of cars. The TMC website has been pretty dismal looking these last couple of years but then I've tended to focus on the northeast section. Let's just move on already ... Bob S.
I have read the posts and they are all thoughtfully written coupled with genuine concern. The original intent was to open the doors for a more technical discussion regarding engine and suspension issues as they relate to the Merak. When I look at arrangement for the Ferrari categories, I can zero in on specific models and technical issues. That is convenient for me. I don't think it's realistic to think that each Maserati era will get equal viewership and participation. Does that happen in the Ferrari community? I suspect not. With the collective wisdom of this community, things can only get better. I look forward to the developments as they unfold. Ciao, George
Could this still be happening? Instead of two to the back of the head, how about using Moe Greens line "No, I buy you, you don't buy me," after all the TMC Boss has been taken out and they have lost all their clout. Look at their web site... This is fun to watch now that I'm not involved. Actually it was even fun when I was involved. I remember the day I took out the five FCA Pacific Region Families and installed John Barns & Cavalino Classic as the official Ferrari Concours at CI. Boy were the Ferrari boys shocked and they squealed like stuck pigs when each received the Fed ex letter and a copy of the press release that went out simultaneously. FCA out, Cavalino in. Ba da boom ba da bing. In a blink of an eye the FCA big wigs went from being the center of the universe to how were they going to tell the rank and file they screwed up. But I digress. Folks, nothing has changed except now we are all a little grayer and a lot of us have moved on. As I have said many times before Manufactures view old car owners as a "necessary evil" period. This is true for all Mfg not just Maserati. They have no interest in old cars or the owners, just accept it and move on. When you think about it they owe you nothing not even a cold shrimp on a stick in a dusty field lined with cars. I was told this face to face from the highest level on more than one occasion in my 29 years of dealing with it. Its pathetic but true. As to events the only way to get the cars out is to announce free food and lots of it and Trophies lots of Trophies, then guess what? big turn out. Joe needs to declare himself the new boss of the East Coast and be done with it. Kiss the ring of Don McMullen and in that way together they can make ____ (rhymes with hit) happen, but only with free food and lots of Trophies. Good Luck boys. FGM
