Maserati Coupe Testdrive
Went back to the Ferrari garage today, they took me out for lunch, really nice guys, they had plenty of questions about the 996, a couple of them had a drive in the GT3 and said it was a fantastic car, much more efficient than a 360 but they prefer the Stradale, well they would wouldn't they 
And then after lunch, they offered me a test drive in a Maserati coupe, well sure why not! 
I've never been a big fan to be honest (styling is magnificent, less sporty than a 996 but more classy) but mostly because of what I've read in the press.
This was a combiocorsa, and my first experience with an F1 gearbox! What a gem!!! So much fun!!!
In fact, you have to learn how to use it, slightly lift the right foot on the upshifts, and in sports mode, it's so fast and so smooth!!! Impressive The downshifts are IMO jerky, but I found the solution was to give gas on the downshift, like heel and toe, great!
The interior is much nicer than the 996, but the seating position is much higher and hence, not as nice, IMHO.
To my surprise, it is a proper four seater, I'm 6 ft and I sat very comfortably in the back, comfortable enough for long trips.
The noise is intoxicating, divine! A bassy american rumble at low revs which becomes a high pitch typical italian scream pass 5000 rpm.
In terms of performance, the car didn't feel faster than the 996 but just as fast.
Overall, this was a great surprise, I loved the car, maybe it's the novelty of the F1 gearbox, but I loved that too.
Shame about those rear lights.
I have some pics, but having some trouble posting them. Also took some pics of the Ferrari garage and cars, but technically, I'm crap, just bought myself a Canon EOS10D and my pics are more than 2 Megs!!!
RC, how do I resize them?
Now I was actually talking money because I loved that car so much, I think it is nice to have a car like this in France, 996 is becoming a bit common, especially in Paris.
Yes, depreciation is nasty, but who cares.
Now I think the car could be sit lower, would look nicer. And the suspension are a bit soft, to which my friend aswered:
"Fanch, i'll be honest, wait for next year, Maserati is launching the MASERATI TROPHEO STRADALE !!!
Lower suspensions, sportier F1 software, bucket seats and I saved the best of the end, a sport exhaust!
I've put my name down!
And then after lunch, they offered me a test drive in a Maserati coupe, well sure why not! I've never been a big fan to be honest (styling is magnificent, less sporty than a 996 but more classy) but mostly because of what I've read in the press.
This was a combiocorsa, and my first experience with an F1 gearbox! What a gem!!! So much fun!!!
In fact, you have to learn how to use it, slightly lift the right foot on the upshifts, and in sports mode, it's so fast and so smooth!!! Impressive
The downshifts are IMO jerky, but I found the solution was to give gas on the downshift, like heel and toe, great! The interior is much nicer than the 996, but the seating position is much higher and hence, not as nice, IMHO.
To my surprise, it is a proper four seater, I'm 6 ft and I sat very comfortably in the back, comfortable enough for long trips.
The noise is intoxicating, divine! A bassy american rumble at low revs which becomes a high pitch typical italian scream pass 5000 rpm.
In terms of performance, the car didn't feel faster than the 996 but just as fast.
Overall, this was a great surprise, I loved the car, maybe it's the novelty of the F1 gearbox, but I loved that too.
Shame about those rear lights.
I have some pics, but having some trouble posting them. Also took some pics of the Ferrari garage and cars, but technically, I'm crap, just bought myself a Canon EOS10D and my pics are more than 2 Megs!!!
RC, how do I resize them?Now I was actually talking money because I loved that car so much, I think it is nice to have a car like this in France, 996 is becoming a bit common, especially in Paris.
Yes, depreciation is nasty, but who cares.
Now I think the car could be sit lower, would look nicer. And the suspension are a bit soft, to which my friend aswered:
"Fanch, i'll be honest, wait for next year, Maserati is launching the MASERATI TROPHEO STRADALE
!!!Lower suspensions, sportier F1 software, bucket seats and I saved the best of the end, a sport exhaust!
I've put my name down!
have to convience the wife that the GT3 is a must for rasing our son in a right way 
