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Originally Posted by Just_me what a nice dealer you country has. Here in Sweden you can never testdrive a Ferrari or a Maserati unless you actually buying one. Just asking for a testdrive and they will laugh at you.
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In stockholm the doors to the Ferrari and Lambo/Bentley dealers are locked and you can only enter if you have booked an appointment.
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We're blessed in a sense that the dealer for Ferrari and Maserati is like a small-scale shop kind of setup. They only cater for a niche market (there are only 50 Qportes in S'pore). So the atmosphere's pretty casual.
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Ahh, very nice James ...so your father is in love with this Italian eh. Hmm, I think I would rather own his Phaeton myself ..but the Quattroporte is a very nice car no doubt about that. Performance is, as one would expect. I'm not crazy about the interior though ....but the upholstery is first class ...and actually made by the same company that makes the upholstery for the Bugatti Veyron, VW Phaeton, and all Ferraris ...so no complaints there.
Has your father test-driven the Flying Spur yet? ....I can't remember if you have said he has or not.
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Well, my dad has been driving German cars for the most part of his life... This Italian is something really different, something you will not get in any Audi, BMW and MB. That's why he's so enthralled by it. While German cars are all about comfort, perfection, solid engineering and cutting-edge technology, the Italian cars are more raw, less anal about detail, and more about the fun of driving. It gives a different feel that is a refreshing change; but my dad will never sell his Phaeton. The German car has its merits and so does the Italian.
Some issues like the fit of the interior can be forgiven when you see that this is such a special car. I know about the interior - Poltrona Frau - right? I sincerely think this car's interior felt more 'Bentley-like' than any of the other German cars. Maybe the widespread use of chrome and leather might explain it.
Yeah, my dad did test drive the Flying Spur. It felt just like a German car should, nothing else.
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You see, this is what I'm talking about .....outrageous that you can see the metal parts of the door because the interior does not fit properly ....only the Italians would make such beautiful leather upholstery and then completely botch the whole thing by not making sure it fits properly
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I agree with you there. But at least these things are not really major problems... As I've said, this car has its positives in other areas - the engine, for example. 95.2bhp/L is something Maserati should be proud of.
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Great review man. I love the design of the car. It looks fantastic in dark colours. What was the suspension like?
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Thanks.
My dad already set his mind on the colours (a very creative imagination indeed) - white with a red/black interior.
Now it's all about choosing the normal Qporte or the Sport GT. I've heard many complaints about the gearshifts tumping in the standard trim Qporte, but it has improved much in the Sport GT.
But again, the Sport GT costs so much more (we're talking about USD25k here...) and we're not for the carbon fibre trim.
Quite a dilemma, this.
Suspension? Well-sorted but not like the vacuum-like ride we get in an S-Class. It's not overly uncomfortable but I can say that it is stiff.
