ISUK:
You miss the point of these cars completely reginos. They are emotional purchases which is something that isn't for you it seems.
Autocar sum it up perfectly...
"As a single-car purchase, the GranCabrio would need careful consideration, but within a multi-car garage we can certainly see its merits. Especially if that garage happened to be on the Cote d’Azur."
The GranCabrio was never planned at the outset of the GranTurismo product line as Maserati were developing a replacement spider model for the 4200 series which Ferrari took and turned into the California when Fiat Auto reorganised it's brands into different reporting structures. As a result of this Maserati had to take the GranTurismo and create a convertible on a much longer chassis than they had expected to use and one that had little space for a folding roof mechanism. Apart from the ludicrously small boot, which is dictated by the strengthening bar they had to add across the rear suspension turrets, I'd say they've done a spectacular job. The car is breath takingly beautiful to a lot of eyes. Its not intended to be a sports car but for glamourous transport it's hard to beat. No german brand has anything to hold a candle to it stylistically and in this part of the market it's style that counts. For many buyers £100k will be seen as something of a bargain compared to the far frumpier looking Bentley Continental GTC for example.
And as far as build quality and reliability go the two GranTurismos I've owned were amongst the best built cars I've ever had. The leather work and paint finish are superb.
I would prefer Ferrari Cali over GrandCabrio without any hesitation. If I were to go İtalian, it is always Ferrari for me. I see no point of getting a Maserati over a Ferrari.
On the other hand, I test drove a Maserati Grand Turismo S 3 months ago. I like the engine sound and here in Turkey, Maseratis are tried to be sold as daily sports cars which, IMO, are NOT. Evenif you can drive it daily, they have high maintenance cost, service bills are high, very fragile, and used ones depriciate a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against italian cars. Actually I'm in love with Ferrari's. Scuderia is my DREAM CAR, till the 458 succesor. I wish to buy 458, too.
BUT, I would never ever buy an italian car by assuming it is daily. When the word "daily" comes in play, Germans are only way to go, IMO.
Back to my Grand Turismo S test, that car had auto tranny, not the sequential one. Very nice engine sound, handsome looks, I don't like the rear much though.
And first time, contrarily to your opinion Iain, I didn't like the interior material and quality of the car. Maybe, it can be changed with options, BUT I don't like it when the dash is covered with leather but the insturment cluster for the lights and mirrors are FIAT quality cheap plastics. The interior of the car wasn't in harmony. It wasn't complete. Some places are nice, especially leather covered dashboard. Then quality of the plastic is very low and you feel them. That black plastic covered light and mirror control cluster just left side of the steering wheel irritates me alot. And the wood interior trim feels like plastic. But from the outside, the exterior and interior has elegant looks. They just don't feel the same once you sit in it.
I would choose Audi R8 over Grand Turismo S, any time. However, If I can stretch to 458 or Scud, Ferrari would be my obvious choice with another car in the garage, which means 458 or Scud + another daily car which would be German.
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ONUR
11 M3 Coupe AW (On ORDER)
09 Audi TTS Coupe / 07 997 Carrera S / 05 M3 Coupe / 03 M3 Coupe / 96 M3 Coupe EVO (ALL BUT HISTORY)