[ghibli-todd]

Just wanted to say hello to everyone. What a great forum!

1) Hello from Tampa Bay Florida, my name is Todd
2) Many, many thanks to all of you for the great conversations. While I have not yet interacted with you previously I have been following this forum for several months and it, in part, led to my decision to purchase a Ghibli
3) What and Why:
a) Current owner of an 2000 Audi S4, 60K miles. Love the car but recent service issues had lead me to start looking. I originally really, really wanted an Audi S6. That car is so amazing. But after a friend got one and I spent some time in it I started to change my mind. The S6 is quiet but fast. Really comfortable, but 'bucks' in the sport mode, and it requires (IMHO) a pre-flight with interface for you hit the road. It does a lot of the driving for you, if you let it. I also cannot tell the difference anymore between the S6 and any other Audi until you get up close. While they are beautiful cars, they have started looking too similar between models.

I wanted something really different (my workplace has plenty of Audi's, BMW's, Mercedes and Porsche. I have always wanted an exotic, particularly Ferrari. I test drove everything from Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porche, even Kia! (My sister loves her Kia's). I just wasn't sure where I wanted to go. I was totally disappointed and lost until I started looking at used cars. I said, "If I don't like the current selection what about buying something I really have only dreamed about but could not afford unless it was used?" The Quattroporte came to mind instantly. A little research into used Quattroporte's then suddenly BANG, Ghibli. What is this? In my price rage, new, competing with the Germans?? What? Say that again...Ferrari engine? Oh yes! Went to the dealer; love at first sight.

b) So after reading the forums, reviews and actually driving an SQ4, well, I believe I found that 'something different'. What I ordered (delivery in April):
- 2014 SQ4
- Bianco/Rosso
- Radica
- Red Calipers
- 19' Proteo Wheels
- Laminated Glass
- Premium Stereo
- Premium Pack
- Luxury Pack Plus - leather with ventilated seats
- Sport Package
- Power Rear Sunblind

4) Excited and Scared
a) Excited
- I am getting a Maserati!
- Exhaust note
- Drivers car
- Comfort/ride
- Uniqueness
- Ferrari engine, Maserati exotic look
- I am getting a Maserati! - did I say that?
b) Scared
- Poor Premium Stereo - really? $1440 and it sucks??
- Issues with sat radio - not too much of a concern since I probably will not use sat radio...I mean jeez, my S4 has a tape deck in it!

Hope I didn't go on too long...
So hello, greetings and salutations to all.

 

[rsm]

Good stuff, Todd.

Same here. Last car was an A6 4.2, but I killed 2nd gear and was forced to choose between fixing it or replacing it. Like you I am dissatisfied with the current batch of same-same from zee Germans. I test drove everything, was going to pull the trigger on one of: RS5, S6, 650i. Booooorrriiiinnnngggg. Everyone in my neck of the woods has a newer German car or a Tesla (barf). I'd rather drive my poor 1991 Integra, which I will keep forever. Seriously, "me too" ain't for me. I really really like the 650i, but so does everyone else and where I live everyone else has one! Dont get me wrong, BMW makes a great car; I just got a 435i for my wife, it's superb. But after seeing and studying the Ghibli S Q4 I really didn't care what its deficiencies might be. Finally a new car that appeals to basic design sensibilities -- it looks freaking perfect, it doesn't suffer from the perverted designs of Deutschland (my God what was the schnapps laced with when they carved up the Panamera!) And the Italians outdid themselves with the Ghibli's engineering. That 3 litre is supreme, still can't believe the amount of power it generates! The handling is divine, designed for drivers from the beginning, the S Q4 truly is a driving machine, take note BMW. The exhaust note, priceless.

So yeah, right there with you. I just hope Maserati is serious about maintaining exclusivity. In any case I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

Cheers.

 

[ratti]

Welcome to the forum.
Getting behind the wheel of a Ghibli before buying one was the best thing you could do. I hope everyone does that as it can be what gets them to buy one or to move on. Best to way to know if it's for you.

 

[Joe300]

Hi Todd,

Did you get your car yet??


I ordered the following and its being built now


I ordered the following

Blu-Passione with Cuoio Interior
Ebano Wood
Premium Package
Sport Package
Luxury Package with Ventilated Seats
19" Proteo Wheels
Red Calipers
Upgraded Sound System
Alcantera

Very excited....




Curious to know how the leather and the ventilated seats are?


Was an expensive option however coming from my panamera it was a must have.


Think the price was high for this option.


Look forward hearing back from you...

 

[ghibli-todd]

I do have the car and Love it! Four weeks and about 1K miles. Thought it was a bit ($) much for the ventilated seats but I think I had to have it with the red leather anyway. Still, it works well. In high mode it is almost like a frosty breeze on your back

Love the Proteo's.

Sound - humm...well..I..uuugh. It is not perfect. I actually went to an audio specialist last week and they are working a quote on a Focal system. I heard the test system and OMG! What is in the car now...just seems...muddy. Loud mud. Sorry. Best I can describe it. I have a Lynn/Rotel audio system at home and Alesis in my studio and they destroy the sound in the car. Two different things..I know. But still. $90k+ car and sucky sound...ug.

One other thing Joe300 - are you in the Tampa area? Not hearing too much from folks here (Tampa/Saint Petersburg, FL (Florida)) in the forum. Dealer says Ghibli is 70% of sales. Have not seen one on the road. Maybe it is like warp time when we pass?? Just a ghost...

 

[doubledeetob]

Hi Joe,

I also saw your post about the discount you were able to negotiate - but didn't realize until I saw this one also the car was to be built not from inventory - which dealer gave you the awesome deal? I am test driving tomorrow and wondered if you had considered the Skyhook option or only the Sports?

BTW I have always loved ventilated leather seats - otherwise they are way too hot in summer and will have that option in my ghibli

Thanks

DD

 

[Joe300]

DD,

Sports only as skyhook was not really an option when I met with my dealer, and 99 percent of the cars came with sports.


I am definitely getting the ventilated seats...

 

[Joe300]

Hi Todd,

My family lives in palm harbor and I go once every 6 weeks to visit my nephews.


I went to reeves when I was there to test drive the ghibli. They did not give a great deal at all.


Can't wait to get mine in a couple of months. Thx for letting me know re the ventilated seats. How is the extended leather?


Talk soon

 

[doubledeetob]

Wish you all the best with the car; how long do you think your wait will be?

If I missed it I am sorry but still not sure where you purchased the beauty; I am finding also that Skyhook is hard to find in the NE - wanted to try as ETodd seemed to be like it a lot. My issue with the Sports Package is that I am not sure the benefit of three modes out weighs (IMO) the complication of wheel / tire selection here up North as we need multiple sets of tires and have to swap them semi-annually or own extra rims (and most of them are cast) along with dealer pressure for insurance etc. 18' standard wheels would actually be better suited for Winter than 20" - which appear to the most popular choice; 19' would be the best compromise in using one set of wheels

Thanks

 

[ghibli-todd]

Joe,

The extended leather (red) is beautiful. Everyone who sees it and sits in it is stunned.

 

[doubledeetob]

Joe 300

I also posted this on another thread but please read and get back to me - thanks! DD

Finally test drove a Q4 today with my wife (Blanco / Cuoio + Proteo / Sports Package) at my local dealer which has 5 not 4 dealerships nationwide

She thought the leather did not compare to that of the QP but loved the sound and did not like the firm ride.

Met GM of dealer also and 'discussed' the naff sound system etc; was 'guided' to either lease now - given undisclosed pricing discounts or run 'risk' of increase etc with wait for 2015 with October delivery (which is NOT what other posts say - they state that 10% for a new order is still do-able); gentle pressure to purchase wheel/tire package and have them change tires semi-annually and that Energia/Rosso is tooooo much (which I could believe)

Also said they can opt-coat-pro and Xcel ultimate for me

Net is few cars en route have CW package; there are NONE with Radica and perforated leather; very few Rosso (mostly with Carbon and Nero if at all) and very few Energia Q4s

Not sure yet if car without a sun roof is available but the one I drove I thought was fine to drive - no issues with steering etc ; love that exhaust!

Saw the two blues all three grigios and Nero exteriors - wife liked grigio and I preferred Metallo. Saw Cuioio, Nero and Sabbia interiors - the latter too light for me and even though the Cuoio is the Ferrari color did not do anything for me; Rosso / Metallo is still my preference if I order (understated outside dramatic inside) and not compromise on Inventory car to lease now - there is nothing I would purchase now given no perforated leather and few radica


Net is I can forgo the CW package (NBD) but if buying I would want the perforated leather so leasing I would have the best shot at a compromise of Ebona or Radica and Cuioio, Sabbia or Nero interiors as Rosso are mostly with Nero Ribelle Carbon Fiber - unless I wanted to try the less common / popular Marone / Blue interiors


I would buy the car based on looks and drive but waiting to hear back from other forum members where they were able to order a custom build but still get the 10 - 12% current discount


Thanks everyone!