May 18, 2003 10:07:17 PM
- Ron (Houston)
- Rennteam Moderator
- Loc: Houston, TX , United States
- Posts: 8812, Gallery
- Registered on: Apr 10, 2002
My Maserati Test drive experience
Well, well, well. First off is a mistake to have Maserati and Ferrari dealerships under the same roof, period. Not only me but whoever walked in was mesmerized by the 360, 575, and whole bunch of classical Ferraris as opposed with the Maseratis in the show room.
I talked a little bit with John the Maserati sales guy whom by the way is an extremely nice and down to earth individual.
I went for this test drive yesterday Saturday, with my brother-in-law who happens to own 2 Ferraris and also happened to pull me into his conversation with Mr. Ressi the owner of Ferrari and Maserati of Houston and Dallas whom is a very nice man too.
We left the show room for test drive in a 2002 Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa. When you open the door the car makes a buzzing sound and that seems to be, as John said, electronics system adjust or rather calibrate itself. IMO kind of nice buzzing sound that reminds you: hey I paid a lot of money for this car .
Sat in the driver seat and John gave me a little tour of how the paddle shifters work and we were on our way. First we started driving with "Auto" switch on; the car did all the shifting for me. Once we were on the Freeway I noticed the car was indicating the 6th gear but the rev was around 3500 and speed around 60 mph . I told John this feels weird and he said that he is going to turn the Auto off and let me pilot. Once the auto was off and I down-shifted couple gears the car launched like a rocket . No offense to 996 Turbo owners, but it felt as if the turbos kicked in, very fast indeed. As John mentioned many times and I definitely noticed it too, this car is NOT a Porsche. Handling was good but not as good as a Porsche and I can't compare it to an F-car because I have never driven one.
During turns, especially U-Turns, I felt as though the car was getting out of control but the electronic system (whatever is called for Maseratis) would correct it immediately. I even tried sports setting by turning it on but still didn't help. Comparing it to a C4 the M-car has a long way to go.
One thing that I forgot to mention is that from 0-60 the M-Car (390 hp) will beat any stock C2 or C4. It has a fantastic pick up. However in straight line C2 will probably (?) catch up quickly.
If I were given the option of owning a Jag, MB, or Maserati; no doubt that Maserati would be the ONE.
Over all the ride was very nice, smooth, and Comfortable but for my taste I believe Porsche would still fulfill my needs better.
I talked a little bit with John the Maserati sales guy whom by the way is an extremely nice and down to earth individual.
I went for this test drive yesterday Saturday, with my brother-in-law who happens to own 2 Ferraris and also happened to pull me into his conversation with Mr. Ressi the owner of Ferrari and Maserati of Houston and Dallas whom is a very nice man too.
We left the show room for test drive in a 2002 Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa. When you open the door the car makes a buzzing sound and that seems to be, as John said, electronics system adjust or rather calibrate itself. IMO kind of nice buzzing sound that reminds you: hey I paid a lot of money for this car .
Sat in the driver seat and John gave me a little tour of how the paddle shifters work and we were on our way. First we started driving with "Auto" switch on; the car did all the shifting for me. Once we were on the Freeway I noticed the car was indicating the 6th gear but the rev was around 3500 and speed around 60 mph . I told John this feels weird and he said that he is going to turn the Auto off and let me pilot. Once the auto was off and I down-shifted couple gears the car launched like a rocket . No offense to 996 Turbo owners, but it felt as if the turbos kicked in, very fast indeed. As John mentioned many times and I definitely noticed it too, this car is NOT a Porsche. Handling was good but not as good as a Porsche and I can't compare it to an F-car because I have never driven one.
During turns, especially U-Turns, I felt as though the car was getting out of control but the electronic system (whatever is called for Maseratis) would correct it immediately. I even tried sports setting by turning it on but still didn't help. Comparing it to a C4 the M-car has a long way to go.
One thing that I forgot to mention is that from 0-60 the M-Car (390 hp) will beat any stock C2 or C4. It has a fantastic pick up. However in straight line C2 will probably (?) catch up quickly.
If I were given the option of owning a Jag, MB, or Maserati; no doubt that Maserati would be the ONE.
Over all the ride was very nice, smooth, and Comfortable but for my taste I believe Porsche would still fulfill my needs better.