- #359 of 447
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Re: Good topic! [merc1]
by esf
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Nov 20, 2005 (6:37 pm)
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Replying to: merc1 (May 15, 2005 8:18 pm)
One of my friends just bought one and took my wife and I for a ride, and it is the most sensational and exotic large sedan I have ever ridden in. She has black over amaretto, and it is just gorgeous, with the black piping and well-colored wood. Any time I see the car on the street, I just smile. This is a lead-footed woman, maybe even as much as me, and she really pushes the car. She had hers with a $100K+ sticker, in fact $100,000 plus 20% of $100,000.
EF
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- #360 of 447
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Re: Good topic! [esf]
by merc1
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Nov 21, 2005 (5:49 am)
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Replying to: esf (Nov 20, 2005 6:37 pm)
I had to go back and see what you were replying too. Ahh...Maserati Quattroporte. A fine car indeed. We should see a V12 version sometime next year. What I like most about Masers is that there are so many leather/wood combinations to choose from. You specify the colors of the dash top, seatbelts and just about anything else you can think of. It has characters and uniqueness all over the Germans.
M
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- #361 of 447
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No German-made Bentleys coming to the U.S.
by xkss
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Nov 23, 2005 (10:16 pm)
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The one above must not be one of them...
news
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- #362 of 447
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Re: Good topic! [merc1]
by blckislandguy
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Nov 25, 2005 (5:35 pm)
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Replying to: merc1 (Nov 21, 2005 5:49 am)
Merci, I've always thought that the Maser would be a far more bespoke option for someone in the S Class market. Apparently though according to the road tests (one of the Brit mags-Car?- compared it with the XJ on a long drive through Italy) it doesn't have much torque below say 4000 rpm. Unfortunately, thats where we Americans drive, slogging it home at 7:00 PM at night in traffic. Because of that it might not be a good alternative to an S Class unless it was going to be strictly for use up in Litchfield County on weekends.
Any comments?
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- #363 of 447
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Re: Good topic! [blckislandguy]
by merc1
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Nov 26, 2005 (11:30 am)
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Replying to: blckislandguy (Nov 25, 2005 5:35 pm)
I'd say you're right, very few if any S-Class/7-Series/A8 buyers are going to buy a Quattroporte as a direct replacement IMO. The car's ride and tranny are nothing like those cars according to everyone who has driven it. The Quattroporte is more of a 4-door Ferrari.
Now reportedly they're working on a regular automatic version and a V12 version also with a regular 6-speed automatic. Adding a regular automatic should open up the car to a wider group of buyers. They've already worked on the ride for 2006 and they've added both a sportier version and a more luxury biased version too, but that SMG style tranny will never equal the smoothness of a regular automatic. Too bad the partnership with Audi fell apart because Audi's DSG box would be perfect for a car like the Quattroporte.
For the past two Chicago Autoshows I got a special invite from Maserati to see the cars from the good side of the barriers. They are special cars for sure. Very unique and they really do make Mercedes and BMWs feel like "mass made" cars when it comes to interior treatments and the endless combinations of leathers/woods you can specify.
M
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- #364 of 447
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Re: Good topic! [merc1]
by blckislandguy
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Nov 26, 2005 (8:36 pm)
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Replying to: merc1 (Nov 26, 2005 11:30 am)
You know, it puzzles me that people would pop for an S Class and look like every other prosperous burgher in their villiage when for roughly the same money they could get something bespoke. Maybe the Maser we are discussing or even a used Arnage. I guess the answer is that once you get beyond the S/7/8s that the alternatives just don't look utilitarian enough for a working rich guy to drive to work in.
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- #365 of 447
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Re: Good topic! [blckislandguy]
by merc1
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Nov 27, 2005 (11:16 am)
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Replying to: blckislandguy (Nov 26, 2005 8:36 pm)
Well the Maser is an emotional choice not a logical one like an S-Class or 7-Series is for a Euro luxury buyer. The ride and tranny on the Maser along with very limited dealer presence and just whole "unknown" factor will keep S/7/A8 buyers away from a car like the Quattroporte.
A Bentley on the other hand is just that, not utilitarian enough. Too much car to drive to the office for the working rich. Bentleys are for the rich leisure crowd.
It would be interesting to ask the Maser owners in the Quattroporte thread what other cars they have or what they traded for their Quattroporte.
M
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- #366 of 447
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Re: Good topic! [merc1]
by emauss
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Nov 28, 2005 (3:27 pm)
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Replying to: merc1 (Nov 27, 2005 11:16 am)
A friend of mine owns a high-end previously owned dealership (100K-plus plus plus), and his wife told she *hated* the Maser because of its every hard shift from 1 - 2. She has driven most of the non-clutch cars that he has taken home, and this not one of her favorites. (He,on the otherhand, liked it a bunch!). She much prefers the Aston Martins he brings home.
(e)
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- #367 of 447
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Re: Good topic! [emauss]
by merc1
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Nov 28, 2005 (9:30 pm)
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Replying to: emauss (Nov 28, 2005 3:27 pm)
Yeah I think we're going to see a new 6-speed automatic sometime in 2006 for the Quattroporte, and of course that V12 version.
M
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- #368 of 447
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Re: Good topic! [merc1]
by designman
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Nov 29, 2005 (4:19 am)
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Replying to: merc1 (Nov 28, 2005 9:30 pm)
Those guys in the Quattroporte thread seem as happy as clams with little concern for issues. It's funny how they just HAVE to have the car. They're a rare breed and this car appears to hit a sweet spot. The following post caught my attention. I love the second paragraph:
The car is not as "limo-like" for your passengers as M-B, Jag, BMW or Audi. The luxury is certainly there but the "performance-orientation" is for the driver more than the passenger. However, you will learn to drive it more smoothly after some miles and I think it is very comfortable and luxurious for passengers; and most seem pretty thrilled and overwhelmed by the car.
Regarding resale value; I have no idea. I didn't buy mine with any expectation except having an adventure. I plan to put a quick 50K miles on it and sell it, take whatever hit might be involved and start over. First year car, unknown reliability, unknown resale value, terrible gas mileage, etc; just nothing practical about this thing. Repairs will be expensive after warranty, that's for sure. I had a failed cd player replaced under warranty but the part would have been $11,700, according to the dealer!)
But I enjoy this car much more than any BMW or M-B I've owned. Can't wait for any excuse to take a road trip.
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