Look like Hollywood, pay like Hollyoaks nd
Two A-list luxury GTs to pick up for D-list money
PRESTIGIOUS, LUXURIOUS, (mostly) powerful and rear-drive, the Maserati Granturismo and Mercedes SL are quite different ways to crack similar nuts – a four-seat coupe from Italy, a two-seat folding hard-top from Germany. But both offer great value, and if fitted with a private plate could easily pass for cars freshly off the production line. Now a decade old, there’s a good selection of Maserati Granturismos for well under £30k. The oldest current-generation Mercedes SLs are five years old, and yours for similar cash in SL350 trim.
Go on then, list the key variants and make it snappy… The Maserati launched with a 4.2-litre V8 and auto ’box. The S arrived in 2008 with an upgraded 4.7 litres and sequentialmanual auto. That ’box’s abrupt shifts jarred with the car’s sporty-but-comfy brief on the launch. A six-speed auto arrived from 2009 on S models. From 2012, that became standard S spec.
Early on, Mercedes offered the SL as the SL350 (a wheezy naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6), SL500 (naturally aspirated 4.7 V8) and SL63 AMG (5.5 V8). Later, the SL400 arrived, losing 500cc to the 350 but turbocharged to increase oomph. The Trump-spec SL65 also debuted, with a twin-turbo V12.
What are they like to drive?
The Maser strikes a good balance between long-distance comfort and driver engagement. It’s comparable to a Jaguar XK – agile and focused enough, but with one eye on keeping your passenger happy. The rear seats are small, but at least you’ve got an emergency solution – SL drivers don’t.
The Mercedes is a more luxurious proposition. High levels of standard equipment – particularly on the V8s – and precisionbuild shame the Maser. It also rides like you’re driving on goosedown pillows, and responds to inputs like it’s mildly sedated. That naturally means it’s not the most dynamically engaging machine, but it’s a well-judged compromise.
What if I want more of a sports car than a GT?
Try the Maserati MC Stradale. There are flaws – including that clunky manual gearbox – but the MC has a great blend of poise, performance and comfort. You’ll find them below £65k. Merc’s 63 and 65 derivatives give the SL more attitude. Both are desirable, but the SL’s loungey character remains. The AMGs aren’t top of everyone’s list, though. Brian Ellis at the Mercedes-Benz Club prefers the SL400. ‘It has enough performance for a GT-type car, and is fantastic value compared with larger-engined versions,’ he says. ‘Plus it’s got a lighter front end for a sportier feel and puts power down better too.’ Good ones are under £40k.
Thanks to Brian Ellis at the Mercedes-Benz Club (mercedes-benz-club.
co.uk), Graypaul Maserati Birmingham (sytner.co.uk), Officine Maserati
Certified Pre-Owned (maserati.com)