Here's what I sent the author of the article, Dan Lienert:
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Hi, Dan.
Nice to see the Trident getting some exposure…but now, for the rest of the story… ;-)
I have to take issue with a few comments in your article. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there are many (myself included), who find the Giugaro styling vastly superior to the Pininfarina look of the new GT. Also, the fact that the Maserati didn’t become another 911 is a wonderful thing…I see a dozen 911’s a day, but my Maserati Coupe is distinctive, elegant, and a blast to drive with more style, power, and uniqueness than almost anything Porsche can produce. Not only does it get me where I need to go quickly, but it can legitimately seat four, something that neither a 911 nor a 6-series can honestly claim. And it turns heads and garners “cell phone camera envy” all too often. A peek at the Ferrari engine under the hood, and a few moments settled into the well-styled leather interior wins over the last few converts.
Rather, I think the new GT is a “mainstreaming” of the marque. The transmission choice emphasizes this point. They’re clearly marketing to the “Jag audience” – or those who don’t have the patience or interest in actually driving the car, but want it as a point-and-shoot status symbol. Once you’ve spent time with the Cambiocorsa paddle shifting system (and learn how to drive it – always drive in the Sport setting and always shift above 5000 RPM’s), the performance is grin-inducing.
Again, I’m glad to see Maserati getting more visibility, but I must respectfully disagree that the earlier Coupes and Spyders were a disappointment. In fact, at used prices in the $45-75K range, they’re probably the one of the best exotic bargains out there.
All the best,
Rick Bullotta
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
