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Have you driven any GranTurismo's? I like the looks, but the two I drove did nothing for me. Not very inspiring. XK is the best value for a GT. DB9 is the most striking. An Evora solely due to its rear seat could be mixed into the GT class for the best handling easiest over bumps. If you don't need a back seat maybe a Vantage? Then there's always a 911...
I have not driven the GranTurismo. I have driven and worked on a DB9 and I absolutely would own one. I think the Vantage suffers from larger car design applied to a littler car; and I think the DB9's extra length looks better with the design language. I know the XKR is a better overall car than the DB9 or GT, but it is a bit of a dream since it came out when I was a senior in high school (class of 05) and achingly pretty. My dad loved his XK120 and his E-Types (he was class of 72 and they were affordable then), but the first thing he said when he drove my X100 XKR was, this is a way better car than they ever were. He still loves those cars, even though objectively, they are terrible to drive by even semi-modern standards.
One thing I don't like about the Maserati is it is a little bit more look at me than I prefer. I have access to, because my dad and I occasionally work on it, my dad's friends' 94 Lamborghini Diablo VT in black. It's a beautiful car and despite being a handful to drive, a blast. However, I'm shy at a gas station, and don't really care for the attention it garnishes. The Maserati is MUCH less shouty, but still more so than really most of the stuff out of England. If I owned that Diablo, I'd get gas at night or have a pump installed at home. What I like about the Astons and Jags is that they fly more under the radar and the used value they represent too.
Not to mention the fact that while the design of the XK is simply stunning and perfectly integral, the Maserati looks like an XK designed by a committee which could agree on nothing. The rear end is especially offensive - the gigantic shout of MASERATI in unattractive script takes over...the portholes on Maseratis are at a disturbing angle, the interioris an ergonomic disaster...I have heard that some actually make it through the warranty period, but they are rare. The reason you can find many low km. Astons and Maseratis is that the service costs post-warranty are nightmarish.
But look at this - the heart just settles into a happy beat:
Maserati looks like an XK designed by a committee which could agree on nothing.
Because Maserati has no history with that shape, design or any element of the design.
Most of the design language on the XK is a throwback to successful ancestors. Down to the color you have depicted.
Which brings up the most important part about reliability; Style!
Every shoe needs to be resoled and the leather refinished.
But you are not going to recondition a shoe out of style.
Thus style is the first component to breakdown.
If that was not the case- everyone would just keep rebuilding the most reliable car ever made- but they dont, those go in the garbage just the same because they become outdated in looks.
Attaching visual aid of the most reliable car made. Also in green for comparison.
BTW- that car really gives us the best proof of reality.
Its for sale for $350...with only 94,000 miles and pristine leather. (air suspension is shot as pictured)
So this car is garbage despite having a perfect engine and trans and an engine that has 300,000 miles left on it.
...I know the XKR is a better overall car than the DB9 or GT, but it is a bit of a dream since it came out when I was a senior in high school (class of 05) and achingly pretty.
I'd beg to differ on that an XKR is a better overall car than DB9. I can agree on the GT. The DB9 is another category of car, like the Diablo. Those cars are like buying art and needed to be treated like that to some degree. They can put on the miles like the best of them, but you need to drive regular and most aren't.
Maserati materials are worst of class. The leather is cheap, the black running gear gets gummy and needs refinishing. They're certainly well stitched and beautiful. Maserati beats Jaguar handily in transmission tuning and the brakes are nicer looking. If I were looking at Maserati coupe, the GranSport or or the GranTurismo Duoselect are the two to own. GranTurismo's weight really take the fun out of the car. GranSport is more "Ferrari" than the subsequent models. A buddy has an '06 GranSport in showroom condition. I have driven and would like to get the Spyder version considering where prices are. Lot of car for the money.
I'd beg to differ on that an XKR is a better overall car than DB9. I can agree on the GT. ...
Maserati materials are worst of class. The leather is cheap, the black running gear gets gummy and needs refinishing. They're certainly well stitched and beautiful. Maserati beats Jaguar handily in transmission tuning and the brakes are nicer looking. ...
The Alcon Performance Brake Package that was standard equipment on the 2008 XKR Portfolio and a $5,000 option on the 2009 XKR Portfolio models is better looking and probably outperforms the Maserati GT brakes.
uh
The Alcon Performance Brake Package that was standard equipment on the 2008 XKR Portfolio and a $5,000 option on the 2009 XKR Portfolio models is better looking and probably outperforms the Maserati GT brakes.
I am sure they are better than the Brembo's on the Maserati. My buddy's GranSport they are fine, but not like "wow".
The Alcon calipers (6-piston front, 4-piston rear) are made by Brembo with the //R logo cast into the front calipers. The "6 piston" lettering appears to be a decal. Alcon makes the crescent-shaped grooved rotors.
I am sure they are better than the Brembo's on the Maserati. My buddy's GranSport they are fine, but not like "wow".
Sorry to wave the Union Jack again, admittedly it is brash, however while its being pissed on in this thread, the following must be said since British engineering or manufacturing is put in the spotlight:
Britain and Jaguar have reigned supreme when it comes to disc brakes, both historically and presently.
" What became the modern automotive disc brake was first conceived and built by that radical Frederick Lanchester in 1902, but the lack of suitable materials stymied the disc until 1953, when Girling discs were first available on the 1953 Jaguar C-Type. Even Mercedes used British Girling disc brakes. " (that's a verbatim quote)
The absolute best brakes in the world for F1 and production cars today are manufactured in England.
Forgot to add, carbon fiber brakes were invented by...the people famous for lousiest engineering in the world.
Last edited by Queen and Country; Dec 29, 2018 at 01:20 PM.
AP Racing brakes on my Evora were 2nd to none. Best I have ever owned.
Not a lot of people who think of British engineering as shoddy would know this:
"AP Racing’s success has been underlined by the fact that every Formula One Championship since 1967 has been won using the company’s equipment. Since their first appearance in F1 at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1967, AP Racing has achieved 786th wins with brakes, clutches or both."
Can you imagine showing up in 67 to prove your technology and never losing in 50 years.
Not a lot of people who think of British engineering as shoddy would know this:
"AP Racing’s success has been underlined by the fact that every Formula One Championship since 1967 has been won using the company’s equipment. Since their first appearance in F1 at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1967, AP Racing has achieved 786th wins with brakes, clutches or both."
Funny on this forum and others when a brake upgrade is mentioned and I suggest AP Racing; it's usually crickets... Would be my first pick out of any of the big names.
Aston uses Brembo. They brake decent enough. I think the pads on the Vantage and Rapide really like heat. Not nearly as impressive the AP Racing. I wonder why Aston sticks with Brembo? Surly AP could cast a caliper to maintain the smooth surface that has Aston Martin written on it.
On my XE, I found the brakes to be a low point. Don't stop on par with the power and handling. Look low budget for 65K car considering what Alfa offers at a similar price point.
Last edited by mosesbotbol; Dec 30, 2018 at 03:27 PM.
