Anyone cross shopping Maserati Ghibili against M3

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by PremierAutoArmour

Obviously you haven't seen, driven or been in the Maserati. The interior is horrible and doesn't not have a true Maserati luxury feel. Give me an m3/m4 any day of the week. It's a POS compared to the m3.

Yeah, the interior really is NOT that special. . . Back to the sound though, M really could have taken a note from the Italian exhaust book because the Ghibli sound is SO much better then what we've heard of the stock m3.

They have single-handedly proved that a 6 cyl. doesn't have to sound like its going to angrily clean your lawn.

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

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.

Totally agree, but will add that I drove one extensively, and though it drives nice, it's not even a competitor to a 550 X Drive. The Ghibli S4 is way overpriced, and very bland with a contrived exhaust note. Very farty exhaust tone. Hated it! Should be priced $15-20K less, and the dealers know it because they are discounting the hell out of them in my local area. Inventory is piling up fast.

[Powerslide]

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.

Actually they are similar in some ways but not all - key area where they are not the same is weight - A U.S. Spec M3 with DCT has a curb weight of 3,595 lbs - vs. Ghibli at 3,992 lbs. That 400 pound weight disadvantage, combined with slight hp disadvantage (425 rated hp vs. 404 hp) - you will see a noticeable performance advantage to the M3/M4.

I agree that the Maserati is obviously more "unique" and will look more luxurious (if you want that) - given the specs I would imagine the M3/M4 will be much more fun to drive and I prefer the muscular, sporty styling better than the "luxurious" styling of the Maserati... all subjective though!

[Maddict3]

Saw this car a few days ago and it looked too much like the new Q50.

[XenaBimmer]

So '15 Ghibli's are going for MUCH off MSRP at my local dealer ($20k off MSRP or more is common!). I know pretty much nothing about these cars, however, the pricing has me interested. I was waiting to make a '16 M3 order until early 2016, but I'm thinking about looking at the leftover '15 Ghiblis and seeing what lease deals there are.
Obviously performance for the top tier SQ4 even does not come close to the M3, but for a daily driver, I think it is more than adequate.
So what down sides are there to these Ghiblis? I'm guessing there are issues if they are knocking so much off of the MSRP!!

[RickFLM4]

One downside is a Chrysler interior. I was initially interested in the idea of a Ghibli until I saw one and sat in it.

Other downsides are expectations about fit and finish, smaller dealer network for service and repairs and (I'm guessing) terrible lease residuals because Maserati's depreciate like crazy.

It is also bigger than an M3/M4 - more like a 5-series size-wise. I don't think overall performance (handling in particular) will be anything like an M3/M4.

[rr006rbc]

The only thing it's got going for it is the exhaust note. It sounds splendid. The car looks and handles terribly. I drove it at an autoX event comparing a bunch of fun cars and was pretty disappointed. This car and the RS5 were the worst drive experiences haha.

[dkhm3]

wtf. 20k off? my god.

that's is ridiculous.

[omegaSMP300]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

One downside is a Chrysler interior. I was initially interested in the idea of a Ghibli until I saw one and sat in it.

Completely agree. Well, I was never interested in it. They do sound very nice but for a car in that price range I was expecting a better quality interior.

[Powerslide]

Saw a dark blue one driving through downtown Chicago the other day. Looked very nice/exotic and definitely looks closer to a 5 series size-wise than a 3 series. Have never seen the interior of one - and given that its price and the fact that it is nowhere near the performance of an M3/M4 (not to mention reliability issues and depreciation) unfortunately would not even consider one...

But it did look nice...

[chillindrdude]

Aren't Maseratis in Italy like what Ford is to the US?? Review after review, they sound/look good but perform like shit. PASS.

[brava09]

Originally Posted by chillindrdude

Aren't Maseratis in Italy like what Ford is to the US?? Review after review, they sound/look good but perform like shit. PASS.

Not really, that would be the Fiat.

Maserati used to make nice cars, but this round of Ghibli and Quattroporte is really a disappointment. They don't even look good anymore and interior is a step back versus the previous generation.

[XenaBimmer]

So I test drove a Ghibli SQ4 over lunch, and totally disagree on the interior; I find the quality and style much better than the 3 series/F80, even if the F80 has the full leather option; I guess a lot of that is personal preference though. I just felt like I was in a more exotic car overall.
For performance, it's obviously not F80 category, but it's fast "enough" for a DD, which it would be for me. All out performance in a straight line felt like something between a F30 and F80. Steering felt really good to me, MUCH better than my current F30, and similar or better than the F80. Suspension/handling was good as well, not F80, but better than the F30.
I've been planning on ordering a F80 for a while now, but it's going to be hard to pass this one up! I mean a $90,000+ car for under $800/month lease all in?!

[RickFLM4]

Why didn't you take it?

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by XenaBimmer

So I test drove a Ghibli SQ4 over lunch, and totally disagree on the interior; I find the quality and style much better than the 3 series/F80, even if the F80 has the full leather option; I guess a lot of that is personal preference though. I just felt like I was in a more exotic car overall.
For performance, it's obviously not F80 category, but it's fast "enough" for a DD, which it would be for me. All out performance in a straight line felt like something between a F30 and F80. Steering felt really good to me, MUCH better than my current F30, and similar or better than the F80. Suspension/handling was good as well, not F80, but better than the F30.
I've been planning on ordering a F80 for a while now, but it's going to be hard to pass this one up! I mean a $90,000+ car for under $800/month lease all in?!

It is very hard to pass up. Do you love the looks though? I mean, the problem I faced when buying a car I don't really love, it haunts you later.... You won't grow to love it.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Why didn't you take it?

cost more and is slower, maybe?

You've got to love the look or the badge or something else about the car to take that on

[bates1325]

there is a Ghibli in my family, but she lives at the dealership

[s0ul]

Originally Posted by chillindrdude

Aren't Maseratis in Italy like what Ford is to the US?? Review after review, they sound/look good but perform like shit. PASS.

I agree. I wouldn't take it if they gave it to me for free. Well... I wouldn't mind if they insisted :P

[XenaBimmer]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Why didn't you take it?

Just starting negotiations, we'll see

[XenaBimmer]

Originally Posted by bates1325

there is a Ghibli in my family, but she lives at the dealership

What issues have you had?

[bates1325]

Originally Posted by XenaBimmer

What issues have you had?

Suspension, all the electronics replaced, and doors not aligned properly

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by XenaBimmer

Just starting negotiations, we'll see

So you're pushing for more than $20K off MSRP / better than under $800/mo. or did they start higher and that's your target?