2011 Maserati Gran Turismo S

Description

For those of you with extroverted personalities but who think a Ferrari is just too flashy and a Mercedes SL is just plain boring, there's this 2011 Maserati Granturismo S coupe. With a Ferrari-based V8, impeccable interior, and Italian flair that just can't be faked, this is the exotic that you can drive every day.

With an original sticker price of over $140,000, you'd better believe this big coupe is beautifully finished. Buyers at that price level don't put up with the niggles that plague lesser cars and the Italians seem to excel at creating paint that's so smooth and glossy that it still looks wet enough to smear. The Italians call it "Grigio Granito," something we ordinary mortals might refer to as "charcoal gray" but it sure is pretty. With just 27,720 miles on the clock, it is in fantastic condition with very few signs of use, because cars like this always see above-average levels of care. There might be a small chip or nick in the usual places, which only comes from using it as intended, but there is nothing that keeps this car from stopping onlookers dead in their tracks. Yes, it's really that pretty but it's only fully evident when you see it in person. All the chrome trim is metal, not plastic, and it has a cool, heavy feeling that suggests quality, and while the Italians have long been the butt of jokes in the quality department, this 7-year-old Maserati seems to be defying the passage of time.

Finding one of these with a tan leather interior is none too easy, as it is one of the rarest color combinations offered. In the usual Italian fashion, the stitchwork is exquisite and the hides are almost sinfully soft. Plush carpets, real wood trim, and a sensible control layout are all plusses for the Granturismo, which by virtue of its name, was designed to be a comfortable long-distance cruiser. Big, simple gauges are easy to read and offer a digital screen in the center to monitor ancillary functions, most of which are managed through the steering wheel controls. Yes, there are plenty of buttons and tech to satisfy the guy who loves gadgets, and it all works properly. A few nods to the car's ancestry can be found in the Trident emblem on the center of the wheel and the aluminum foot pedals and even the back seat area with twin buckets is just gorgeous. It also includes a good-sized trunk that shows no signs of wear and tear.

There's some Ferrari DNA in the F136Y 4.7 liter DOHC V8, which is rated at a lofty 434 horsepower. It loves to rev, but there's plenty of torque available at any speed, which helps with the Granturismo's easy-going nature. The ZF 6-speed automatic transmission is a bit more civilized than the paddle-shifted manuals, and the torque converter takes some of the head snap out of the driveline, making it very easy to be smooth and fast in this car. There are multiple settings for the suspension and particularly the exhaust, which in Sport Mode, sounds positively heroic. Weight distribution is just about ideal, with 53% of the mass on the rear wheels, so despite being a big, heavy luxury coupe, this car doesn't mind hustling through the corners. It is obviously beautifully maintained and has never seen winter weather, so no worries there. And the light gray alloy wheels with giant cross-drilled Brembos behind them are simply gorgeous!

Beautifully maintained, exceptional to look at, and a joy to drive, this is a great opportunity to own an A-list supercar for a fraction of the price of a new one. Why do it any other way? Call today!