Was all set to buy a 911tt but have been seduced by the GranSport!

[mondie]

Hi,

My first post on this friendly forum. My name is Simon, I am an Aussie who has recently moved to NE Scotland and I must say I am loving the cost of cars in the UK

On arrival we bought an e60 M5, its now time to buy our second car. It will only cover ~5k miles per year and has to be something fun & fast. I was all set for a 911 Turbo but the GranSport has really caught my eye. They are stunning cars, really there is nothing to like. The Gran Turismo holds immense appeal too but I think I like the lighter/smaller GS, the lesser entry price and the seemingly solid resale. I have a couple of questions I was hoping the forum might be able to help me with:

1) How is the auto clutch manual gearbox? Is is at least as good as that in my M5?

2) Are winter tyres readily available for the GS 19" rims?

3) are there any specific problem areas with these cars I should be aware of when inspecting a car?

Look forward to participating in the forum and hunting for the right car in the coming weeks.

Cheers
mondie

 

[Elliott653]

Welcome to the forum, Mondie. More knowledgeable folk on the GS will be along shortly, I'm sure. All that I would suggest is that when you choose your car, get an independent inspection by a Maserati specialist before you commit to buy.

Then enjoy !

 

[2b1ask1]

Welcome fella, great bunch on here and pleanty of useful advise; not ventured into GS territory myself but those that have will be along shortly to inform you...

 

[dickygrace]

Welcome to the forum Mondie. The Gransport is indeed a superb choice, I'm a massive fan of the cars. The Gearbox is excellent, works incredibly well, the only fault is that it's not great in a traffic jam but that's about its only time it's not spot on. I wouldn't be able to compare it to an M5 though as I've not driven one. Winter tyres are readily available for the 19's. There are no specific problems with the cars; as with any performance car, it's important that the car has a full service history, is inspected by a specialist prior to sale and above all, buy on condition, colour and spec and you'll not regret it. I'm more than willing to help you out whether you are or aren't interested in one of the cars I have for sale. All the very best with the search.

 

[mondie]

Thanks for the quick replies and welcomes Fella's.

Dicky, thanks for your offer, I will check out the stock you currently have.

One more question - does the GS transmission have a snow mode? I thought I saw seom reference to it somewhere, could come in handy at times

Cheers
mondie

 

[dickygrace]

No problem Mondie, in the snow it's best to switch the traction and the msp off. Being a rear wheel drive supercar, snow's not its strong point. It's been so long since we've had a great deal of it down here, I really couldn't say how good or bad they are from personal experience.

 

[Woody]

No problem Mondie, in the snow it's best to switch the traction and the msp off. Being a rear wheel drive supercar, snow's not its strong point. It's been so long since we've had a great deal of it down here, I really couldn't say how good or bad they are from personal experience.

I can. They're pretty poor (controlling myself there as I know the swear filters are strong on here!).

To be fair, I didnt have the TC/MSP off, which I would if i do it again. But, huge fat tyres plus CC meant my parents and wife had to get out and push! The inline was the smallest of inclines too. I have a MINI as well and that was 10x better than the GS.

 

[allandwf]

Welcome, look forward to, hopefully, seeing the GS out and about once you get it. Some great driving roads up here for it.

 

[mondie]

I can. They're pretty poor (controlling myself there as I know the swear filters are strong on here!).

To be fair, I didnt have the TC/MSP off, which I would if i do it again. But, huge fat tyres plus CC meant my parents and wife had to get out and push! The inline was the smallest of inclines too. I have a MINI as well and that was 10x better than the GS.

Woody - was that on winter tyres? Doesn't sound like it (or so I would like to think )

 

[philw696]

Welcome to our world Italian is the way forward and as you say they are exceptional value over here.
Nothing boring about our motors and the people who own and drive them are exceptional.
Phil.

 

[bigbob]

It's all about tyres mate. On winter tyres I would take a front engined car over a rear engined one every time. No problem with the 911 per se but not in the snow for me.

 

[BennyD]

If its snowing, I prefer to stay I and light the fire. Bollox to driving unless the roads are clear.

 

[cobratwin]

If its snowing, give me an 18 tonn rear engined 1500 torque machine and a mountain pass with 10inches of snow on it! ......GREAT fun!

 

[Andyk]

A big welcome to the forum Mondie...Gransports are a great car and an event every time the start her up...............Not sure about the M5 but I did find the GS gear box slower than the one in my M3 CSL.......But then they are different types of cars........

 

[dem maser]

How was the SMG2 in the CSL??

 

[Andyk]

I like it Dem....It was vicious in the quickest mode......I suited the cars nature but realise they have come along way since 2004 with this type of gear box.

 

[hodroyd]

Hi Mondie,
A warm welcome to the forum and we all hope you decide on a Maserati for your next experience, you will not be dissapointed. The CC box has an ICE/SNOW setting, which reduces the gear ratio's for changing gear, keeping the revs lower. The system is not perfect at all for snow as a rear drive car with lot's of power, but with snow tyres on you should find it workable.
Cheers
R

 

[mondie]

Thanks for confirming the snow mode Robert, the uptake of the SMG in the M5 can be quite abrupt so its good to know the Maser has a mode to soften this in case its a problem.

It's all about tyres mate. On winter tyres I would take a front engined car over a rear engined one every time. No problem with the 911 per se but not in the snow for me.

I have come to the same conclusion, winteres are a must. Could you tell me where you have sourced yours from and a rough cost?

If its snowing, I prefer to stay I and light the fire. Bollox to driving unless the roads are clear.

Agreed, stay in front of the hifi witha red but its good to know in those times when you dont have a choice on driving. Being in NE Scotland winter tyres will be a must regardless.

A big welcome to the forum Mondie...Gransports are a great car and an event every time the start her up...............Not sure about the M5 but I did find the GS gear box slower than the one in my M3 CSL.......But then they are different types of cars........

Hey Andy, I have been trying to find some fgood driving videos of the GS on youtube to get a feel for the speed of the box but there is not much around at all, I just need to drive one. The M5 SMG s probably similar to the CSL in that the speed of changes is dependent on how hard you are pushing. In full on attack mode the SMG is absolutely brutal and thats when the box really makes sense, I wouldn't expect the GS to be so brutal but if its comparable in regular driving I could live with that

Cheers,
mondie

 

[Andyk]

I test drove the GS when I had the CSL and what hit me first was that you had the travel on the paddles on the GS were far longer than the ones on the CSL......Not saying its a bad thing just took some getting use to........The GS is a great car and one that will give huge pride and smiles per mile............but as you say the only way to find out if its for you is drive a few...........

 

[mondie]

Still in limbo on this decision, one day its the 911 next the GS.

I was wondering if anybody could point me to a website where I can source winter tyres for the GS or give an idea on there cost?

Cheers
mondie