Anyone cross shopping Maserati Ghibili against M3

[gee-m-w]

This is an interesting proposition. It's certainly more exclusive. Puts down the same power as the M3 at 406 HP and 406 ft/lb with a 3.0L turbo V6. This is basically a foot shorter Quattroporte. The high end model is $75k.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...news/130629971

[MistaVauros]

Not a fan of Maserati

[F9T]

Originally Posted by VAUROS

Not a fan of Maserati

Agreed.

[aajami]

The chassis of the F80 is going to be in a different league than the Ghibli's.

Likewise, the luxurious appointments of the Ghibli will be far upmarket of the F80.

Apples and oranges.

[solstice]

I like Maseratis when they work, unfortunately history tells that it's not often enough for a daily driver you depend on 24/7/365.
That they tend to lose almost 50% of their value the first year isn't really appealing either. Fantastic engines though.

I did briefly consider the Maserati GT S. A CPO 2012 with a new price of +$150k can be had for M4 money.

[gee-m-w]

Originally Posted by aajami

The chassis of the F80 is going to in a different league than the Ghibli's.

Likewise, the luxurious appointments of the Ghibli will be far upmarket of the F80.

Apples and oranges.

BMW is doing a full leather dash. Has BMW announced anything about the chassis stiffness? It might be flat over the E90. It's hard to lose weight and make it stiffer.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by gee-m-w

BMW is doing a full leather dash. Has BMW announced anything about the chassis stiffness? It might be flat over the E90. It's hard to lose weight and make it stiffer.

The suspension is entirely different; the subframe is bolted onto the chassis; and the CF roof give it a lower center of gravity.

[ixse]

its high end model "starts" at 75k.. even w similar power, its heavy. i believe it does high 4s to 60?
more than anything i wouldnt want to be that guy who couldnt afford quattroporte.

[Chill72]

Originally Posted by aajami

The chassis of the F80 is going to in a different league than the Ghibli's.

Likewise, the luxurious appointments of the Ghibli will be far upmarket of the F80.

Apples and oranges.

It is perfectly feasible to compare the two: both are around the same price, size, and power.

Following your logic M4 can only be compared to another M4.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by Chill72

It is perfectly feasible to compare the two: both are around the same price, size, and power.

Following your logic M4 can only be compared to another M4.

The Ghibli was built by Maserati to compete with the BMW 5-series, Audi A6, and Mercedes E-Class. It has a longer wheelbase, and is overall longer, taller, and wider than an M4. It also has two extra doors.

The 5-series, A6, and E-Class all make around the same HP as the M4. That doesn't mean that they compete in the same market, or are remotely the same kind of cars. The Ghibli competes with them, not the F80 or F82.

Apples and oranges.

[AKQJT]

Originally Posted by Chill72

It is perfectly feasible to compare the two: both are around the same price, size, and power.

Following your logic M4 can only be compared to another M4.

A lot of people think their personal opinion of where a car competes in the market should be accepted as fact. Uh NOT!

[gee-m-w]

Originally Posted by aajami

The Ghibli was built by Maserati to compete with the BMW 5-series, Audi A6, and Mercedes E-Class. It has a longer wheelbase, and is overall longer, taller, and wider than an M4. It also has two extra doors.

The 5-series, A6, and E-Class all make around the same HP as the M4. That doesn't mean that they compete in the same market, or are remotely the same kind of cars. The Ghibli competes with them, not the F80 or F82.

Apples and oranges.

It is priced similar to the cars you mention, but the back seat is 3 series size. This is the same size and proportion as an M3.

You guys may not know this, but when you buy other luxury cars they come with everything. You just pick the colors and it's loaded. If there is an option, it's something really bespoke like an alcantara trunk with custom luggage, or a $6000 studio sound system.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by gee-m-w

This is an interesting proposition. It's certainly more exclusive. Puts down the same power as the M3 at 406 HP and 406 ft/lb with a 3.0L turbo V6. This is basically a foot shorter Quattroporte. The high end model is $75k.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...news/130629971

First, it's more of a 5 series competitor in size.

Second, the car, despite being a Maserati, is drastically underwhelming in person. I really wanted to like this car, then I saw it. Gosh, it's just so boring. The proportions are all wrong. The interior is very, very bland. It really does look like a re-skinned Chrysler 300 when you look at the interior

I was very disappointed.

[Sam335ix]

That car looks huge, kind of ugly and heavy.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by gee-m-w

It is priced similar to the cars you mention, but the back seat is 3 series size. This is the same size and proportion as an M3.

You guys may not know this, but when you buy other luxury cars they come with everything. You just pick the colors and it's loaded. If there is an option, it's something really bespoke like an alcantara trunk with custom luggage, or a $6000 studio sound system.

I have seen the Ghibli in person and the back seat is much closer to my F10 5 series.

And other luxury cars come loaded? Like who? Certainly not Porsche. Nor Mercedes. Nor Audi. Nor Jaguar. Nor Bentley, and certainly not even Rolls.

Which "luxury" buyer DOESN'T option you to death?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by aajami

The Ghibli was built by Maserati to compete with the BMW 5-series, Audi A6, and Mercedes E-Class. It has a longer wheelbase, and is overall longer, taller, and wider than an M4.

...

The 5-series, A6, and E-Class all make around the same HP as the M4. That doesn't mean that they compete in the same market, or are remotely the same kind of cars. The Ghibli competes with them, not the F80 or F82.

I agree with these points, although I would not have brought the M4 into the discussion and instead just referred to the M3.

I see the Ghibli targeting buyers of those cars much more naturally than the C63, Lexus IS-F, ATS-V for example, which are the clear competiton for the M3.

[gee-m-w]

My Audi was the base model S4, not the prestige. Came with leather, heated seats, Sirius, homelink, xenons, LED tails, etc. All I had to do was pick wheels, paint and LSD.

The Maserati is also loaded - even has the 6 piston brakes. 75 is your out the door price, same an executive package M3.

[mkoesel]

I will say this though: if there were a Italian car that was designed expressly to compete in the same class as the 3/4 Series and M3/M4, it would be certainly be refreshing and would make for an intriguing shake-up in the market.

Alfa has the Giulia coming, so lets see how it plays out. And with their return to the US market coming (hopefully, assuming it is not delayed again), maybe we'll even see that car on our roads too.

[MJones3]

Originally Posted by gee-m-w

You guys may not know this, but when you buy other luxury cars they come with everything. You just pick the colors and it's loaded. If there is an option, it's something really bespoke like an alcantara trunk with custom luggage, or a $6000 studio sound system.

The only modern car I've heard of which doesn't have any options is the GTR, at least I don't think it had any when it was introduced..
And maybe the P1?

Are these the luxury cars you speak of?

[bogart]

not even comparable

[Boss330]

Interesting vehicle, the Ghibli.

But it weighs 300kg more than a M3/M4. So very different car. It actually allmost weighs the same as a F10 M5...

[gee-m-w]

BMW is playing with ultra luxury manufacturers selling this M3 for over 2x what a 320i costs. Most people don't buy an M3 to take it to the track. They do it to look great rolling around in traffic and cities. The Maserati fits the bill - it looks and sounds exotic. It will be possible to get a Maserati for less than an M3.

Ask yourself what would pass the valet test - if a Maserati and an Austin Yellow M3 show up at a high end restaurant or ultra luxury hotel and they can only park one car in front, which would they put on display? It's the Maserati every time.