I am planning to open it up on a stretch of highway attempting to hit 168mph at top end. My thought is to go early a.m on a Sunday, check for po po and turn around at have at it. I've never taken it over 90 and really don't know what to expect at higher speeds. Is there any preparation (other than mental) that I need to consider, i.e. should I use auto or paddles?; sport mode? tires? Have any of you guys taken yours to top speed on highway? If so, what speed did you hit? Thanks.
MASERATI nut
168 mph-Track advice
First thing is make sure your tires are perfect. If they have more than a few thousand miles on them you may want to have them rebalanced. I'd definitely use the paddles and sport mode (stiffer shocks give you stability). To reach 168 will take a lot of road. You may want a friend to drive ahead and verify the road clear.
I took my old Porsche Boxster up to 150 once and that was enough for me. On public roads too much can go wrong. If you pick up a piece of debris or hit an animal it will be big trouble.
I took my old Porsche Boxster up to 150 once and that was enough for me. On public roads too much can go wrong. If you pick up a piece of debris or hit an animal it will be big trouble.
For the love of God don't do that on a stretch of highway. You just don't know what the road may look like both in terms of surface and possible traffic (perhaps after a bend, hence not visible from where you are).
Please, get yourself to an airfield, give $50 to the security guard and let your car rip on it when the airfield is in downtime.
Please, get yourself to an airfield, give $50 to the security guard and let your car rip on it when the airfield is in downtime.
Hit 130 last weekend and was still in 4th. You do not need a whole hot of road to go fast in this car. She gets up there very quick. Was taking a friend for a ride this weekand things are pretty tight around here. Still hit 100 in third without really trying to hard. QP is a little bigger and heavier but she will go. My fastest was 157 in my Firehawk out in the desert east of Yakima. Only thing you risk hitting is a tumbleweed. Stay safe and be careful.
I agree. Track is the only way to go. I recently drove the new 510 HP Jaguar XKR around Palm Beach Race Track with retired Indy/F1 driver Roberto Guerrero as my passeneger, and then he drove me. Far safer that way plus if you do have an accident there are trained medical staff at the tracks at all times. Roberto got the Jag up to 145 MPH before in his extreme wisdom he decided to brake for a sharp corner which we proceeded to take on full opposite lock and sideways. I am still shaking!
Yea right. This Bozo hasn't had the car over 90 mph and now wants to top out at 168 on a public road. I shouldn't be manslaughter but premeditated murder for his own suicide and any other person unlucky enough to be in his path on the road or in their bedroom.
With the airtight compartments on the QP, with new tires, it can go 45 knots on the water..or so I'm told. I'm going to try it out Sunday early a.m.
With the airtight compartments on the QP, with new tires, it can go 45 knots on the water..or so I'm told. I'm going to try it out Sunday early a.m.
You should have come to the Maserti Life East Coast Annual Meet at Pocono Raceway last month. It is one of the fastest tracks in the country with two 3,000 + ft straights joins by a 16 degree bank. It is 6 lanes wide, with a safety crew and professional instructors.
If you've never driven at those kinds of speeds before do it on a track not the open road. (Especially not in Ohio).
Consider coming to the Maserati Life South East Annual Meet at Daytona International Speedway in Nov. www.italiancarsatdaytona.com
If you've never driven at those kinds of speeds before do it on a track not the open road. (Especially not in Ohio).
Consider coming to the Maserati Life South East Annual Meet at Daytona International Speedway in Nov. www.italiancarsatdaytona.com
Also disagree re-the long road thing , had my 4200 up to 165 several times on the M/way down to Le Mans (France ) was plaiting with a brand spanking new Murcialargo and a Porker 997 for over 40 miles , backing off at times down to around 100 but then zapping straight back up , the old girl really does hold her own amongst the enemy tho they both had the edge , and i can assure you they are still pulling well at 165 and had the feeling she would carry on pulling to the end which is supposed to be 178 but i reckon it would do a tad over that given the stretch and conditions ,
Must are excellent tyres and brakes , sport mode and paddles are a must with Asr off .
Have done several track days here in the UK, in the masser and to be honest they were a great thrill to see how she handles and performs but the straights werent long enough to be 100% sure you would reach the top end and subsequently brought in hesitation which is a negative for doing that speed , you need to be on top of your game and sure as one can be of all eventualities,
That said in France the masser was well stable right up through the gears untill around 135 when i had a bit of buffering but that disappeared at 145 and again was well stable up to the 165 , so long as your as confident as can be in your car dont be scared of it just respect the situation and be prepared and enjoy because really thats what its all about
regards loz
Must are excellent tyres and brakes , sport mode and paddles are a must with Asr off .
Have done several track days here in the UK, in the masser and to be honest they were a great thrill to see how she handles and performs but the straights werent long enough to be 100% sure you would reach the top end and subsequently brought in hesitation which is a negative for doing that speed , you need to be on top of your game and sure as one can be of all eventualities,
That said in France the masser was well stable right up through the gears untill around 135 when i had a bit of buffering but that disappeared at 145 and again was well stable up to the 165 , so long as your as confident as can be in your car dont be scared of it just respect the situation and be prepared and enjoy because really thats what its all about
regards loz
My opinion is I think you need to do this on a closed track.
You could kill someone.
Or you could kill yourself.
And if you do, they are going to investigate you. And it's not hard to find out that this is premeditated since you just posted this on an Internet forum.
Not to mention that if you crash your car, I highly doubt your insurance is going to pay for anything since they will call it "stunt driving."
Or your life insurance might not pay out saying you willfully put your life in danger.
You could kill someone.
Or you could kill yourself.
And if you do, they are going to investigate you. And it's not hard to find out that this is premeditated since you just posted this on an Internet forum.
Not to mention that if you crash your car, I highly doubt your insurance is going to pay for anything since they will call it "stunt driving."
Or your life insurance might not pay out saying you willfully put your life in danger.
No substitute for good judgment.
I think that all too often, forum members quickly comment on how unwise it is to drive ones car at speeds over 100mph on a "public" road.
All is relative.
I contend that driving 60mph in a school zone is more unsafe than driving 180mph on many long stretches of desert roads in the US. (assuming your car and tires are in excellent condition).
Safe driving and absolute speed are not synonymous.
And who is to judge how fast is too fast? on what road?
If we all agree that we should stay within the "speed limit" then I must also assume that just about every member in this forum is guilty of "unsafe" driving. Save your negative comments and maybe give some good/helpful advice (like some members posted here).
No substitute for good judgment.
I think that all too often, forum members quickly comment on how unwise it is to drive ones car at speeds over 100mph on a "public" road.
All is relative.
I contend that driving 60mph in a school zone is more unsafe than driving 180mph on many long stretches of desert roads in the US. (assuming your car and tires are in excellent condition).
Safe driving and absolute speed are not synonymous.
And who is to judge how fast is too fast? on what road?
If we all agree that we should stay within the "speed limit" then I must also assume that just about every member in this forum is guilty of "unsafe" driving. Save your negative comments and maybe give some good/helpful advice (like some members posted here).
No substitute for good judgment.
First off you should never do this off the race track IMHO but being a nut I have done crazy things as well. The trip to Pocono is your best bet.
In the event you do either....
Make sure tire inflation is correct, read the manual and the panel on the inside of the passenger side door. You need to inflate them to the proper pressure for speeds over 120mph. Secondly make sure they are balanced again before you do it. Double check all fluids, make sure brakes are functioning properly. Also be prepared, the car will hunker down around 150mph and you need to have very long straight narrow road and total focus and no obstacles. Open unobstructed road with plenty of room on either side to slow down is a necessity. Not a bad idea to wear a helmet either.
Do it knowing that one mistake and you are toast.
R&T and C&D regularly take cars over 200 mph just east of Cheyenne on I-80. I watched them take an Enzo to 219 there a few years back.. Pretty impressive!
As for the Maserati Coupe needing lot of road to get to high speed, not true. On a 6 mile stretch on a certain very open barely traveled, very wide, road I saw the speedometer hit the 180mph mark ( it's about 3 to 4 miles per hour fast from what I can tell ) and that happened in the first two miles, after that I let off and coasted back to 70mph, the SLK55 AMG finally caught me again at mile 6. I have no plans to do it again, am satisfied now with that curiosity and can tell you the car handles very well at that speed, no floating, it just hugs the road and feels comfortable...
In the event you do either....
Make sure tire inflation is correct, read the manual and the panel on the inside of the passenger side door. You need to inflate them to the proper pressure for speeds over 120mph. Secondly make sure they are balanced again before you do it. Double check all fluids, make sure brakes are functioning properly. Also be prepared, the car will hunker down around 150mph and you need to have very long straight narrow road and total focus and no obstacles. Open unobstructed road with plenty of room on either side to slow down is a necessity. Not a bad idea to wear a helmet either.
Do it knowing that one mistake and you are toast.
R&T and C&D regularly take cars over 200 mph just east of Cheyenne on I-80. I watched them take an Enzo to 219 there a few years back.. Pretty impressive!
As for the Maserati Coupe needing lot of road to get to high speed, not true. On a 6 mile stretch on a certain very open barely traveled, very wide, road I saw the speedometer hit the 180mph mark ( it's about 3 to 4 miles per hour fast from what I can tell ) and that happened in the first two miles, after that I let off and coasted back to 70mph, the SLK55 AMG finally caught me again at mile 6. I have no plans to do it again, am satisfied now with that curiosity and can tell you the car handles very well at that speed, no floating, it just hugs the road and feels comfortable...
I opened it up to pass a crowd of lumbering dolts
to get to my exit. Saw the speedo pass 140 within a mile, mile and a half tops. That's a Coupe, but still. These cars do NOT take a lot of highway to get to top speed.
Then again, I used to drag-race my Formula 400 in high school. Gear heads unite. I might not be the most responsible of commentators...
to get to my exit. Saw the speedo pass 140 within a mile, mile and a half tops. That's a Coupe, but still. These cars do NOT take a lot of highway to get to top speed.
Then again, I used to drag-race my Formula 400 in high school. Gear heads unite. I might not be the most responsible of commentators...
Spend the night with a stripper, have a couple of belts, and go for 178 mph. You will be a hero!
CDF
CDF
With its torque the Maserati rules the stoplights, but an F355 pulls a little harder at insane speeds.
You can call me crazy, but I bought the Maser spyder for speed. I usually go faster on the way to the track, then at the track (too short). On the drive from Fla to Chicago this past May, hit 165 in WVA in valley So. of Morgantown. Stable and smooth all the way. Had to slow down because of traffic. When passing cars, you are invisible at speed diff. > 20 mph. BTW, you need all the help you can get, so use sport and don't disable ESC. Yeah, go for it, you only live once.... I'd like to hear how fast you can go!
It should also be noted that driving any Maserati very fast (with the possible exception of the Gran Touismo) is a horrible idea with the stock suspension. The stock springs just aren't capable of handling the car properly at fast (100mph+) speeds.
If that's true that really sucks for a Mas, given the fact that I took my 88 Nissan 200SX 115 in college with no problem. What do you mean "properly"- lack of control?, possibility of damage to suspension?
I am with Travis. The OEM suspension is dangerous at high speed - plain and simple.
That said - ignorance is bliss based on many of the posts on this forum.
I have seen a lot of people here contend (with almost a religious belief) that these cars can inherently handle high speeds because they are made by "Maserati". The reality is that the 4200's, in particular, handle like shit from the factory and are scary as hell at high speeds.
If you are serious about high speed driving (and I have done my share both on and off track), the best thing you can do is add the FD springs and preferably the sway bars, lower the car a few inches, make sure the wheels are aligned and balanced, then find a wide, smooth deserted road (track or otherwise) to gradually work the upper end rather than a straight up top speed attempt. In particular, watch the steering - it is luxury oriented and has way, way too much boost and practically zero road feel at high speeds.
Good luck.
That said - ignorance is bliss based on many of the posts on this forum.
I have seen a lot of people here contend (with almost a religious belief) that these cars can inherently handle high speeds because they are made by "Maserati". The reality is that the 4200's, in particular, handle like shit from the factory and are scary as hell at high speeds.
If you are serious about high speed driving (and I have done my share both on and off track), the best thing you can do is add the FD springs and preferably the sway bars, lower the car a few inches, make sure the wheels are aligned and balanced, then find a wide, smooth deserted road (track or otherwise) to gradually work the upper end rather than a straight up top speed attempt. In particular, watch the steering - it is luxury oriented and has way, way too much boost and practically zero road feel at high speeds.
Good luck.
In the real world there is a big difference between 120 or 130mph and 168. The slightest mistake translates into a major problem very quickly. With little to no experience at that speed you are risking a heck of a lot. 90mph is definitely not adequate to prepare for a safe run at very high speed. Go to the track, get with an experienced instructor and learn how to drive your car at higher speeds and you may live to tell us about it.
Good luck, be safe.
Good luck, be safe.
Hi,
this is the advantage to live in Germany. Here at the Autobahn I drove my Gransport several time to top speed around 300 km/h (186 mph), but it was not a lot of fun. Driving constantly around 250 km/h (155 mph) for longer distances is much more fun and relaxing. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to drive about 80 miles constant at 250 km/h without much traffic on the autobahn that was fun. The time it takes to go from 150 mph to 180 takes forever and the cars then feels very "light" which can make you very nervous.
A few month ago I drove a Corvette Z06 at 190 mph and in this car I didn´t realize that I was this fast. The Corvette had a much better handling at high speeds compared to my Maserati.
But probably I am getting to old for these top speeds.
Greetings from Germany,
Guenter
this is the advantage to live in Germany. Here at the Autobahn I drove my Gransport several time to top speed around 300 km/h (186 mph), but it was not a lot of fun. Driving constantly around 250 km/h (155 mph) for longer distances is much more fun and relaxing. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to drive about 80 miles constant at 250 km/h without much traffic on the autobahn that was fun. The time it takes to go from 150 mph to 180 takes forever and the cars then feels very "light" which can make you very nervous.
A few month ago I drove a Corvette Z06 at 190 mph and in this car I didn´t realize that I was this fast. The Corvette had a much better handling at high speeds compared to my Maserati.
But probably I am getting to old for these top speeds.
Greetings from Germany,
Guenter
We should all remember that the original poster has a QP. Many of us are talking about experiences with 4200 series cars that come better equipped from the factory for high speed driving. The QP is even softer and heavier.
I don't remember if it has been discussed in this thread but brakes are another performance concern with Maseratis. The brakes are just too small for cars this heavy, IMHO.
I don't remember if it has been discussed in this thread but brakes are another performance concern with Maseratis. The brakes are just too small for cars this heavy, IMHO.
As has been mentioned already there is a world of difference between "cruising" at 120 or so and maxing it. I would not even contemplate a max speed run unless it was on an empty autobahn/autoroute and even then the conditions need to be just right. One of the problems is that you come up to slower moving traffic so quickly they often do not see you with potentially fatal results. The level of concentration you need at speeds over 150 are huge and if you are not used to driving over 90 then I would suggest you get a feel for how the car feels and reacts at ever greater speeds before going for a max run.
These cars and especially the QP were built to cruise at very high speeds and I have cruised quite happily in my old QP GTS through Europe at 130 pretty much all day. That said I would not want to come across a problem at anything above that as the brakes are not really up to hauling what is a very heavy car down to sensible speeds in short order. The track is really the only place to truly explore what these cars can do. having said that life would be dull if we all did the sensible thing......................
These cars and especially the QP were built to cruise at very high speeds and I have cruised quite happily in my old QP GTS through Europe at 130 pretty much all day. That said I would not want to come across a problem at anything above that as the brakes are not really up to hauling what is a very heavy car down to sensible speeds in short order. The track is really the only place to truly explore what these cars can do. having said that life would be dull if we all did the sensible thing......................
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