CLFREAK

I posted this comparison inquiry almost 3 years ago when the new QP was only a concept drawing which is an unfortunate (in my opinion) far cry from what Maser really produced.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...t=QUATTROPORTE

http://www.cardesignnews.com/news/20...aserati-qtrpt/

The QP was produced to go head-to-head with the top-of-the-line S-Class and 7 series BMWs. Now that the QP has been significantly reviewed and driven as well as being seen on the street, I would like to get an idea as to what people's opinions are in terms of style, fit, finish, performance, and potential resale value in comparison with the others in its class.

Dema

I like QP style, it's certainly better choice than S.

srknutson

But will the QP stay together? I did see my first new QP last weekend and the styling is very nice, however the rear seats don't seem to have the leg room that the W220 LWB has. Closer to the CLS.

rkao

I've examined the Quattroporte closely as a potential replacement for my A8L and don't think it measures up in legroom and cabin height. I'm 5'10" and my wife is 5'11" and we don't feel very comfortable sitting in the backseat.

Stylistically, the car is tough to beat compared to its teutonic competitors as the interior is beautifully designed if not really well engineered. Haven't driven one yet but I'm sure the engine is intoxicating in its characters.

It's still a contender, but I think I'll be staying with Audi, Mercedes-Benz or BMW for this segment.

Mmmm

Friend had a QP (4th Maserati in a row), but got rid of it after two months, he had said he was unhappy with it so I let him drive the S55 and he couldn't belive how much smoother it was, how easy it was to drive it quicker and that it was noticably quicker .

I never drove his car but got a couple of rides in it ,the ride wasn't too bad but a bit firm for this class of car, it didn't have the body control of the S55 through the bends. Liked the interior and the looks, although not the biggest the legroom wasn't too bad in the back. In auto mode although the car wasn't being driven hard the gear box would jerk the up changes and really jerk slowing to the lights, this really bugged him and it did ruin the overall experience of the car.

He's now got a Cayenne which he prefers to the QP

vraa

We had one for a few weeks. It sucked. The one we had was a 2004 IIRC. It had a jerky gearbox which wasn't suited at all for crusing at low speeds (what it was most likely used for) nor aggressive driving because the thing would get all confused.

As for a direct competitor, I think Maserati was confused when they marketed it. It's too small, even compared to the LS430, and it's just too expensive to be compared to a 5-Series or E-Class. It got screwed, sadly.

ima55r2

Resale value will probably be down the tubes. The brand isn't selling that well, new designs have been cancelled, and since they aren't part of Ferrari anymore...no one can guess when Afla will ever make it into the US market again and support the car.

naadp

For some reason, I could never get into the Quadroporky -- it looks too much like a Buick Park Avenue for me, portholes and all.

Mr.PS

Stupid question, obviously the Maserati, totally different car. You won't see them on every street corner, you won't see dubs on them, they are more sporty and the build quality is superior.

For me it would still be a hard choice, a Maserati QP vs a W221 S600 or S63.

Turtle25

Build quality superior? What planet are you from? =)

It's true that the Maserati may be more luxuriously trimmed than the old W220, but I think the W221 interior will be better. But a Maserati, or the forseeable future their cars will, more or less, fall apart.

corgiman

I looked at the Maserati and thought it was a beautiful car. No concerns with build quality - I didn't see any glaring faults.

My concern would be the automated manual tranny. All the road tests say its rough around town. And I question the service issues especially with Ferrari out of the picture. Resale=0 as well.

ruykava

maserati might be built luxuriously, but that's very different from built well. from the few i've tried i don't think build quality is anywhere near even the current W220. sure it might not fall apart -- but i would wager even the W220, and certainly the W221, will last much, much longer.

the transmission, as corgiman said, is really strange. unless you drive it as a manual in which case it's pretty good -- it might be the only "manual" luxury car you can drive.

if you must have something different, yes, it's great. but i don't think there's much doubt that as a complete package the W221 was ever in the same league.

Turtle25

The transmission is something that's another sore point- it's good on the track, but this is a large luxury car. If you're cruising around town or on the highway... it's going to be awful. It's just not a good transmission for that application.

Thericker

I just saw a (TV)reveiw on this car in Southern Calif...They said Co.. claimed a 5 something sec 0-60..All Road & Track could get out of it was 6 seconds flat.They think it was due to the shifting issues..

NOTKTS

I believe some of Road and Track times are complete bs... For instance. They could only get a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds for a Gallardo. Where 99% of the others have reported sub 4.5 times And a 0-60 time of 4.3 for the SLK55 but a quater mile at 12.9 @ 111 or something close to that. They are 1.2 seconds off the quater mile time of Car and Driver yet they have the same 0-60 times.... Something doesn't seem right to me. They must be doing something wrong on their part... Not the cars.
But I just recently test drove a Q and it was a lot faster or at least seem'd to be quicker than my gf's old CTS-V... We were going to purchase one but instead I handed over the keys to my SL
IMO… The gear box was not as bad as the magazines say it is and she too had little gripes about it. The pauses were noticeable but subtle in a since. After 30 mins of driving it you got “use” to the way the gearbox behaves in the different type of situations you are presented with during daily driving conditions. Just my .02

naadp

If you'll hand over the keys to your Lambo, I'll gladly wear a dress...

Thericker

Good one...

Thericker

I hear ya man... Who knows what there doing that low 0-60 on the SLK? and then the 1/4 mile I just thought out of all the Mag's they were the closest to reality...Maybe not...

NOTKTS

...

NOTKTS

I thought you were on my side

NOTKTS

I have some more bs times for Road and Track.... You can't really tell anymore... Their suppose to be professionals I think they suck Porsche's ***** a little to much jugding by their times for the 997

vraa

'The new 997 GT3 does 0-120 in 2.1 seconds and is capable of time travel'
Haha!

NOTKTS

Thats just about what they said