thinking of buying the new Quattroporte

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MaseratiForum Maserati Cars Quattroporte V, GranTurismo/S, GranCabrio thinking of buying the new Quattroporte

thinking of buying the new Quattroporte

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30/11/2005 15:12:15

dti dave

Posts: 6
Since: 30/11/2005
Status: offline

Hi There. I'm new to this site normaly on PH. I'm about to change my company car which at this time is a Merc E55 AMG. I have been looking around for a while for a new car. There is all the usual stuff BMW, Audi Merc (not again) so I have been looking for something different and decided to take a closer look at the new Quattroporte. I have taken it for a test drive and it was ok as far as it goes, when you have a sales man in the car talking to you all the time. I don't know anybody that owns one so I'm interested in owners comments. I like fast cars. I also own the new TVR TuscanS MK2 but I need a 4 seater for work.
One of my concerns on the test drive was the power breaking when changing down in sports mode. It felt to me like the car gave a lot of neck whip, or is this just my driving during the half hour test drive.
What are the service costs like? and how reliable are these cars (mind you anything has to be better than my AMG)
cheers

4/12/2005 12:36:01

Malcolm H

Sponsor

Posts: 2135
Since: 11/5/2005
Status: offline

Dave....I would love to be able to pass comment on the quattroporte performance but despite admiring it don't have one!!! However, I do own a 4200 Spyder with the cambiocorsa gearbox and can tell you that I felt the same on the test drive with the dealer, however after driving the car for a few hundred miles I became aclimatised to the "box" and I love it. I understand the QP set up is a tweaked version of the same box tweaked to suit the size of car as is the engine with a different managemnet set up. In the Spyder in sport mode the changes up or down are more brutish than crisp they are fast and the power is laid on hard and also the engine braking can seem harsh, it is more effective than many modern cars which almost seem to overrun in comparison. Certainly I feel I have more engine control than I did in my M3.

I don't know if the feed back helps but I hope so perhaps another test drive might now that you are aware of the characteristic?

The only person I know who owns a QP V is the Maserati Club Chairman, He seems very pleased with it.

14/1/2006 15:01:45

dti dave

Posts: 6
Since: 30/11/2005
Status: offline

Thanks for the info. I did go and take it for several more drives on different occasions and in the end I did purchase the QP. I took delivery this week and I am very pleased with the car it handles well in the manual mode using the paddle shift gear change i got to grips with reasonably easily and smoothley. you sure can make the car move in this mode. The auto sports mode is not so smooth changing up through the low gears it's a bit neck jolting I need to get smoother there. Other than that I'm pleased with the car. (I'm so very glad to be rid of the E55 AMG) The QP has style, many heads turn when you go by or they just stand and watch you go past and into the distance. The sound is not bad either. not quite like my TVR but not bad.
Well early days and time will tell but so far its a pleasure.
Cheers

15/1/2006 12:17:02

Malcolm H

Sponsor

Posts: 2135
Since: 11/5/2005
Status: offline

Bet it will be a long time before you stop smiling!!!!!

It's on my "want" list, love the spyder though so not yet!

Hope to meet you some time

18/5/2006 7:28:54

MarkC

Posts: 173
Since: 18/5/2006
Status: offline

Hi

I'm another forum virgin, only joined today as it happens. Dave, have you still got the Quattroporte? I'd be interested to hear how you're getting on with it. I picked up my 2001 3200GT from the dealer last week - still grinning! However, the garage had a few problems getting it registered as it had come in from Jersey and the DVLA were being particularly slow, on top of which there had been one or two problems at the dealers end so we had to carp a bit. Net result was the use of a Quattroporte for a couple of weeks. Result!

It didn't take long to get the hang of the Cambiocorsa but Auto mode is a shocker. Still musn't grumble! I think the Q gets the balence of refinement and sporting excitement pretty much spot on but you may know better. The only problem was the sheer size of the beast, not too practical for a trip to a busy Tesco's where it sat in splendid isolation 200m from the nearest car!

Hello to all and look forward to meeting some of you in due course - is anyone planning anything, I'm down in Hampshire. Great site Gavin.

Cheers

Mark

18/5/2006 10:09:09

Malcolm H

Sponsor

Posts: 2135
Since: 11/5/2005
Status: offline

Hi Mark

Welcome to the Marque.

That was quite a loaner they gave you there! Must have been difficult to take it back!

Glad your enjoying the 3200.
I'm down in the New Forest so maybe a pub meet some time?

2/6/2006 5:00:48

dti dave

Posts: 6
Since: 30/11/2005
Status: offline

Hi Mark
Sorry for the delay in answering you mail I'm currently in China. apologies
the QP is fine apart from a few niggles such as the glove box falling out but thats been fixed its been back once for software updates and has got to go back again this month for further software up dates. apart from that no mechanical issues. the drive is good people who are following me say the sound is great unfortunately inside you cant heat the roar even if the window open that's a shame. when i first got it i tended to drive in auto but that was boring it took a while to get used to the paddle shift but now i don't use anything else. I also like to turn the the computerized controls off especially on bendy roads the difference is quite spectacular the drift is quite controllable and its fun even in the wet. the power output is less than the E55AMG but all round I like the QP many people stop me and want to have a look and i get the thumbs up a lot perhaps its because of the sound (that I cant hear) I do agree parking in Tesco car park is a problem trying to find a spot away from family cars but as soon as i park its like a magnet I'm surrounded.
all round its pleasing to drive and she that has to be obeyed has no complaints either thats a first!
looks like we use the same roads I'm on the hants / berks border. perhaps we will pass soon
safe driving
regards Dave

2/6/2006 9:42:38

gavin

Posts: 186
Since: 10/5/2005
Region: Swansea, UK - now live in Staines
Status: offline

Congratulations on your Q Dave

your smiling will never die!

and to Mark for his 3200

hope the problems get sorted out soon.

Send me a private email Mark on your location in Hampshire and perhaps we could get together for a 3200 photo shoot and a drink...

Of-course we will all get together one way or another, at upcoming events etc. Speak or see you all soon.

_____________________________

Gavin

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