Hello from Kuwait...

[JB007]

Hi Aj. Whats this you've done a tour around Europe now the middle East? You a Gippo? Let me guess. You went to fill up the 8 with some cheap gas.

I have a Maserati CC and its no comparison with a Boxster period.

You get a slight scuttle shake with the spyder and is much more exclusive with the Ferrari 430 engine. And if you power it up with some TUBIs WOW BAAAAAABBYYY!!! You will be addicted to tunnels. You should visit us on www.maseratilife.com for any help and guidance and tuning requirements.

If you are going for a girly Boxster then go for the new shape with 3.2s and a proper euro colour. The Boxster will be more an everyday car but you wont get kudos and cameraphoned everywhere you go. They are 2 a penny in UK and are for people who cant afford the 911. Sorry to be a snob!Just my unbiased view:-0

[lezonebay]

in a standard form. It does 98% of what the 911 at 70% of the price.

Both cars are way better then most people will use them on a street. the 911 is mighty in the GT2/GT3/Turbo form, but the Cayman S is today's best Porsche for the money. It blows the doors off of many 3-4 times expensive cars and yet still everyday driver car when needed.

But the Maserati is a Maserati. It is a class of its own, although an underdog to Ferrari.

For the money some Maserati is going for I rather have the Ferrari 456 which has dropped its value way below what they used to be. They are excellent GT cars and they look fabulous.
When you say the Maserati is upscale then the Ferrari is a grand scale!

<a href="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969"><img src="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969" border="0"></a>


1997 BMW 840CiA
1990 BMW Z1
2002 Astro Van AWD
2003 Nissan 350Z Enthusiast Package
1987 BMW 535i with 5spd manual
1992 BMW 735iL
2007 Mazda CX9 AWD
1998 Yamaha Blaster+Breeze

1995 850CSI CD00177 (SOLD)

[Koizumi]

Porsche musings...

I prefer the 911 over the Cayman because of it's true Porsche rear end weight distribution (think 964, etc). It's downright scary at certain moments (say no to AWD), but it's a 'real' Porsche in the classic sense :-)

I did drive my friend's brand new Panamera GT and ohhh baby, I thought I wouldn't like it, but damn, it's nice. The start/stop engine feature is odd but very interesting. And yes, the car is blisteringly fast! The steering radius is nuts (U-Turn while almost standing still). It's a true 4 person car kinda like the CLS Benz, but much nicer IMO. Very nice car!

[JB007]

[JB007]

I heard that the chassis in the cayman is spot on. Test drove the cayman S last year and found it to be very noisy after a while and not at all fast enough. I also found it to be a little too small but just as with any porsche it feels very well put together but lacks soul. I have yet to see a Panamera on the streets. Everyone thinks its BUTTUGLY but I am sure that it is wonderful to drive and very well put together. I doubt that it will have the 928 or 911 supercar status.

I also test drove and heavily researched the 456 and was in its day the most expensive new ferrari. The earlier ones had better styling with bonnnet (hood) scoops etc.The problem was that it seemed too dated especially interior and the 17 inch wheels. The main problem are the windows-they are notorious for noise and you can spend a fortune due to the man hours required to get them fixed. The 456 runs by a belt and so the servicing costs are high. The good thing as everyone says that it is 12 cylinders.

Nowadays Ferrari are considered a bit too ostentatious and is first on the list for people with new money (lottery winners etc).

I opted for the 4200CC for the history associated. The luxuary of the interior, the true 4 seat capability, the Ferrari 430 V8 engine run by a chain and much better everyday driveability. It is very luxurious and is associated with the old school people who like Lagonda, Bentley, Bristol and Bugatti. It is underestimated. The main area of concern with Maserati is the F1 clutch/F1 relay. The handling-especially at high speed is not very good. You get certain idiosyncharsies with driving Italian cars like this and people get used to it and put up with it.

Formuladynamics have a lot of aftermarket items like springs. Denso iridium spark plugs and BMC airfilters and FDDBW certainly wakes the car up. Prices are very keen at the moment especially due to the Maserati Granturismo being out a couple of years ago.
I WILL be buying the MC sport version of the Maserati Granturismo S SOOOOOON!!! God willing.

I dont consider myself a big car expert but its my informed opinion from an enthusiasts point of view. My 2 cents worth if you will.

BTW I forgot to mention that the Maserati handbrake is rubbish!!!!!!

[AJ KEY]

Hey guys just chiming in to say hey. I check the board from time to time but I haven't written anything. I'm still dancing with the idea of a 2004 Maserati Spyder. The one that I'm looking at I can get way under market value. But for the same type of care the the 8 needs I might be better off with an old boxter. Anyway we'll see what fate has instore for me.




AJ

[AJ KEY]

Z3 1998 2.8 wide body. Wood dash and leatherwood shift chrome accents burgundy & black interior silver body just like my other two cars. Some one bought the Maser while I was dancing with the bank. That bsame day this jumped into my lap. 76,000 miles % G's Two roofs. I'm happy. It's an easy roadster to maintain and it cost me next to nothing. I'll post pics later. At least I can say I finnally own a convertible.