2008 MASERATI GRAN TURISMO

Of the seven Maserati brothers, six became renowned mechanics and engineers. The black sheep of the family—Mario—instead became a painter, although he left an indelible mark on the marque. Wandering about Bologna’s main square one day, Mario came face to face with a statue of Neptune, whose barbed trident he promptly expropriated as the logo for his brothers’ first car, the 1926 eight-cylinder Tipo 26.

Why Mario would associate a racing car with the Roman god of the sea is one of those synaptic misfires mostly appreciated by liberal-arts majors. But it proved a good choice. By the time the brothers introduced their stunning A6GCS road car, Maserati automobiles had become associated with a distinctive concave grille with chrome vertical fillets, lending their products the countenance of a jawfish gagging on tadpoles. Voilà! The marine connection was complete.

Fast-forward to 2008. Were Mario still painting today, he’d fling his palette in joy to behold an identical aquatically themed grille, with huge chrome trident still attached, adorning Maserati’s latest, greatest luxo-coupe. The GranTurismo is a Maserati Quattroporte with two fewer doors, a 4.8-inch shortening of the wheelbase, and Pininfarina styling so seductive that the kid running the Ann Arbor carwash wouldn’t afford passage until he photographed it with his cell phone.

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S4cabriofoxone - 5/12/2008 11:24:56 PM

+5 Boost

Stunningly beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen a car that looks quite so good in maroon.

Agent00J - 5/13/2008 7:59:56 AM

+4 Boost

I have to agree with you, this Maserati is stunningly beautiful. The lines on it are so serene and downright sexy.

The last paragraph or two of the Car & Driver article states that for the money it basically boils down to the Mercedes CL coupes and the BMW M6. Both of those cars are almost commonplace nowadays, the Maserati is a great alternative that won't find yourself passing yourself on a frequent basis.

PLUS, it has a Ferrari V8.

Too bad they took the manual (I am talking a real manual with a clutch pedal) off the options list.

lexusrox123 - 5/13/2008 1:47:08 PM

+1 Boost

agreed 00j. id much rather have the maser gt than some commonplace bmw or mb. since whenb do you see maserati's runnin' around everywhere?

Agent004 - 5/13/2008 12:55:59 AM

+1 Boost

At $120,000 I think it is priced perfectly.


Your choices are:

1. 2009 Mercedes SL550
2. 2008 Maserati GT
3. Audi R8
4. BMW M6

What do you choose? That's my order above.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/13/2008 6:07:10 PM

-1 Boost

You would choose a common SL550 over the other three??? Are you INSANE? That's last on my list!

Mine would be:

1. R8 / Gran Turismo (tie)
3. M6
4. SL550

Agent63 - 5/14/2008 4:03:32 AM

0 Boost

If I want luxury I'll go buy an SL hands down it's the benchmark IMO. If i want a supercar for the money I will buy the R8(and I have, it's great). If i want a good handling GT/sports coupe I will want an M6. If i want a rare, exotic brand GT, I will want the Gran Turismo.

dimitri_010 - 5/13/2008 1:00:52 AM

+2 Boost

1.Audi r8 (not just because im an Audi fan, but because i think it has the best road presence)
2. Maserati GT
3. Mercedes SL550
4. BMW M6

Tritonx - 5/13/2008 1:21:48 AM

+5 Boost

Where can you find R8's available for 120k?

Chip - 5/13/2008 5:06:54 AM

+2 Boost

From what I've heard, the R8 is sold out for quite some time. And the cars that end up for sale to those who did not order them are commanding a ridiculous, highway robbery markup. We're not talking $10,000. EVERYONE with money wants this car right now and most are prepared to pay dearly to get their hands on one.

Audi is actually being pretty smart with this beast. Sell out the V8's, rack up orders for the V10 and the Roadster, and you basically have a car that will NEVER sell for MSRP and be sold out until the production is over.

Agent00J - 5/13/2008 5:46:23 PM

+2 Boost

I have not driven this car. I would like to drive it and then offer a full impression of it.

Perhaps a Maserati PR person is watching and can get me one of these for a week or so to test drive.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/13/2008 6:08:00 PM

0 Boost

You are a dumb idiot.

lexusis350 - 5/13/2008 9:06:56 PM

0 Boost

That's his opinion. I don't think you have any reason to judge him.

lexusrox123 - 5/13/2008 9:09:03 AM

0 Boost

HOT CAR!! LOVE IT!

JCH335i - 5/13/2008 10:20:48 AM

0 Boost

1:R8
2: Maser
3: M6
4: SL

Audiphile - 5/13/2008 10:49:17 AM

+2 Boost

This is indeed a lovely car.

I noticed that Motor Trend printed a review of the Gran Turismo in their April issue. At times I wondered if the MT & C&D authors were reviewing the same car!

For instance, MT was very critical of the big Maserati's engine, transmission brakes and handling. C&D, on the other hand, praised the engine and gearbox to the heavens, and gave slightly qualified raves to the brakes and handling. The two magazines were united, however, in their disapproval of the car's steering. Hopefully, an upcoming "S" version of the Maserati GT will address the handling and steering issues.

As I said earlier, it's a lovely car. I just wish that I could afford it.

bmwdrvr - 5/13/2008 12:23:44 PM

+2 Boost

this article isnt even about the R8 or any of those other cars its just a test of the Maserati, not make a list of your choices.....but BACK ON TOPIC the Maserati is a good looking car, plenty of space, and it sounds like a good mix of luxury and performance, i think a smaller more performance oriented Maserati either a 2 seat, or 2+2 would be a good idea

lexusrox123 - 5/13/2008 1:49:42 PM

+1 Boost

for the coupe, i think it would look better with a longer hood, like the viper or corvette, imo.
but still cool looking car.

lexusrox123 - 5/13/2008 1:50:03 PM

+1 Boost

just cant take my eyes off of it...

charlik05 - 5/13/2008 6:54:23 PM

+1 Boost

1. Maserati Gran Turismo S
2. Mercedes CL550 AMG
3. Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Convertible
4. Audi R8

lexusis350 - 5/13/2008 9:09:32 PM

0 Boost

Maserati
M6
SL
R8

FerrarisR4me - 5/14/2008 1:03:07 AM

+1 Boost

Maybe its just me, but I don't think the R8 is in this discussion at all. I would say that the R8 is more in league w/ F430s, 911 Turbos, and Gallardos. I would say:

1. Maser
2. 911 Carrera 4S
3. SL 550 AMG
4. M6

I'm not sure where to slot the Aston V8 Vantage... you can make a case either way. If it slots w/ the GT's, it would be either 1 or 2 depending on the drive vs the Maser.

FerrarisR4me - 5/14/2008 1:04:45 AM

0 Boost

2 corrections, first, it should be the CL, not the SL and second, forgot the Jag XKR which would slot in above the 911 (for me).

FerrarisR4me - 5/14/2008 2:51:43 PM

0 Boost

:-) you make me laugh sweetie. I don't think your dad's 325i is worth as much of any of my cars. Why don't you go to the BMW/Lexus post and start your flame war there? Leave the actual car talk to mommy and daddy and their friends that have drivers lisences.