New Granturismo owner

Messages
126
Hi all,

After 15yrs of wanting one. I finally purchased a 2013 Granturismo MC Sport Auto Shift yesterday. Hopefully I will be picking this up in a week or two.

Although the general consensus on the internet is that the Granturismo is pretty reliable. Have people ever taken their Granturismo to an independent garage, right after purchase for a "health check"?

In my mind, although the dealer (not main dealer) says they will be carrying out a service prior to pick up. I think it would be prudent to get a "specialist" to have an overall check of the condition of the car, for preventive maintenance, rather than reactive.

Although there's an understanding during purchase that you will have to spend a higher amount on maintaining a car like this, I would rather prevent any issues (coolant leak etc), than getting a huge bill after someone has happened.

As it's been a dream to get this car, I'm slightly nervous and paranoid. I've only ever bought new cars, so problems have been limited or infrequent.

By the way, are there many Maserati owner's based in the Newcastle area?
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
Welcome.

Why would you not get it inspected prior to buying it via a PPI. That way you are in a far better position to know what you are buying and can negotiate if you still want it but it has faults?
 

sionie1

Member
Messages
1,310
Well done on your purchase, and welcome. If you search PPI on this forum you’ll see a fair few threads about this very thing. The general advice is to get an inspection before you hand over your cash, unless you have an affinity with Buttonmoon or the cutlery drawer. Certainly if this isn’t possible then get it checked over asap from a decent indie who specialises in the mark, of which there a few depending on you location.
 

HenrysDad

Member
Messages
443
Welcome.

Why would you not get it inspected prior to buying it via a PPI. That way you are in a far better position to know what you are buying and can negotiate if you still want it but it has faults?
Welcome to a lovely car. Well done for achieving a dream. I agree that it is MUCH better to inspect first and then if necessary renegotiate price. these cars can be prima donnas and throw up some issues that a superficial and non specialist check may miss.
 
Messages
126
Thanks guys.

Unfortunately, I got a bit too excited when I was supposed to just view and test drive it.

I didn't go fully rogue though, I did pay for a Experian vehicle history check, and viewed the MOT history prior and nothing serious came up. Maybe I'll get a tiny bit of credit.

When I test drove it, I just fell in love with it and wanted it instantly. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be a one night stand I come to regret.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,557
Thanks guys.

Unfortunately, I got a bit too excited when I was supposed to just view and test drive it.

I didn't go fully rogue though, I did pay for a Experian vehicle history check, and viewed the MOT history prior and nothing serious came up. Maybe I'll get a tiny bit of credit.

When I test drove it, I just fell in love with it and wanted it instantly. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be a one night stand I come to regret.

Did the same with mine. Never regretted it, although the bank manager did call me for a couple of 'friendly chats' ;)

C
 
Messages
126
Did the same with mine. Never regretted it, although the bank manager did call me for a couple of 'friendly chats' ;)

C
Thanks for this. I don't feel as bad now.
School boy error !

I've been sweating thinking what the **** I did. I'm sure the salesman was licking his lips when he saw me smile and laugh when down shifting during the test drive.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,123
Welcome and as the others have said get it inspected by someone who knows these cars.
Having worked for dealerships a sales service is oil and filter and a clearance of fault codes.
Good Luck and all the information you need is here.
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Welcome sounds like you are enjoying yourself already

I did not get a pre inspection on either if my cars but it I did get it done post purchase.

With the Alpina I got the inspection done days after collecting it from the main dealer and we found a few snags which meant the car had to go back to the dealer for rectification.
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,700
Thanks guys.

Unfortunately, I got a bit too excited when I was supposed to just view and test drive it.

I didn't go fully rogue though, I did pay for a Experian vehicle history check, and viewed the MOT history prior and nothing serious came up. Maybe I'll get a tiny bit of credit.

When I test drove it, I just fell in love with it and wanted it instantly. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be a one night stand I come to regret.
Well done on purchase. Nothing to worry about too much, just get it booked in with In indie soon for ppi and don't put too many miles on it. That way if there is something major you can reject the car still. I would also have negotiated a new price based on me getting the service done. That way I know it has had everything replaced in accordance with service requirements.

I am sure you will be fine.They are not the old sheds they are made out to be by those who have never owned one.
 
Messages
126
Thanks for the advise and comments all.

Woke up feeling like a right idiot for getting caught up in the moment. Obviously wasn't thinking straight
 
Messages
126
There are times when the head should rule the heart. And there are Maserati buying times. When you suddenly realise that this is just the absolutely right thing for you. After that epiphany you are hopeless in the face of the trident.

Beautiful put :)

To make it worse, I'm an engineer so I should think logically and with structure. The Maserati threw that book right out of the window.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
Well done on your purchase. I’m sure you will be smiling from ear to ear…..I suppose as they haven’t picked it up yet it is not too late to get it inspected if you wanted to. Is the dealer a Maserati specialist as just general car dealer ?
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,513
Thanks for the advise and comments all.

Woke up feeling like a right idiot for getting caught up in the moment. Obviously wasn't thinking straight
I am sure it will be fine, my first purchase was exactly the same, bought the first one I saw with out inspection and from a none specialist- car was fine and gave me trouble free motoring for 4 years before I had to dip into my pocket and even then it was for routine bushes etc- nothing too painful.
These are great cars and I am sure you will enjoy immensely.

Getting it checked out before any warranty runs out would be sensible though.
 
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Messages
126
Well done on your purchase. I’m sure you will be smiling from ear to ear…..I suppose as they haven’t picked it up yet it is not too late to get it inspected if you wanted to. Is the dealer a Maserati specialist as just general car dealer ?
Thanks.

General dealer. Although they do sell a fair few Maserati's. They had around 6 on sale.
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,700
There are times when the head should rule the heart. And there are Maserati buying times. When you suddenly realise that this is just the absolutely right thing for you. After that epiphany you are hopeless in the face of the trident.
When I sold my QP, the garage door was just opening and the guy was already sold before it was even running.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,017
First, well done! Not just on your purchase but on being utterly swayed by the sight and sounds of it. Good man.

There are a few things to look out for on these. Underbody corrosion is the latest to start surfacing in the chats (as well as literally) and can be expensive. Brakes, bushes and variators can cost copious coin if you're unlucky, but overall they're bloody good cars and well screwed together. There are a few threads which go into more detail.

Again, welcome, well done and best of luck. Oh, and ignore the buyer's remorse. It's a sod.
 
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