Wouldn't trade M3 for Maserati

[Jay-K]

its not about the money, money money..

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I was at a Cars & Coffee this past weekend, and got to take a good close look at a 458. Here's what I discovered:

For a $300k car, there is a lot of cheapish looking plastic both inside and out.

For a $300k car, the paint job sucked.

For a $300k car, the engine bay looked very "tinny", for lack of a better term

Basically it just didn't appear to have the solid build quality that I would expect in a car of this caliber.

By contrast, the Aston Martin DBS that was sitting next to it looked flawless.

The overall build quality of the M3 is certainly no less than the 458.

People who own cars like this are mega-wealthy. A 458 cost 4x what an M3 costs, yet I am willing bet the the average income of a 458 owner is like 20-30x the income of the average M3 owner.

So while it was nice to look at, I really didn't want one. So what car really did get my juices flowing.....An Aston Martin Vantage S. Everything about this car was pure sex.

Whens the last time you checked out that ludicrous amount of orange peel on your top tier 3 series?

The engine "looked tiny" what the hell does that mean?
The 458 motor is incredible, regardless of what it "looks" like.


Aston certainly makes a beautiful machine. But you ever wonder why hardly anyone has them?

Yea, let that one simmer..

[M3 Pilot]

Maserati Gran Turismo is pretty much a GT car. I wouldn't expect them to be at the same level as a M3 neither would I trade up for one.

Having said that if you asked if I would trade up the M3 for a Gran Turismo MC Stradale....

[aussiem3]

I am sure when you bought your ///3 you were looking at practicality. None of the above mentioned cars have that. ///3 - E90, 92 and 93 all off the everyday practicality for a lot less money but with the performance (+/-) close to those cars. Enjoy what you have and keep the money in your bank. At the end of the day it's your money and your decision.

[F1Venom]

Please..... No more replies stating a Ferrari isn't that much better than an M3, or that an M3 can even match the build and quality of a Ferrari.... It's fine if you say that an M3 is better to drive on a day to day basis, but it's nowhere near a 458 or F430 in terms of appeal and performance. And neither should they be as one can be had for 1/4 of the price of the other. That's like someone in their Civic Type R saying they prefer their car to an M3.

[DivideBYZero]

Originally Posted by F1Venom

Please..... No more replies stating a Ferrari isn't that much better than an M3, or that an M3 can even match the build and quality of a Ferrari.... It's fine if you say that an M3 is better to drive on a day to day basis, but it's nowhere near a 458 or F430 in terms of appeal and performance. And neither should they be as one can be had for 1/4 of the price of the other. That's like someone in their Civic Type R saying they prefer their car to an M3.

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

Just to add balance here; I tracked a 430, but enjoyed the drive home in my M3 more.

Deal with it.

[gatorfast]

I dont understand anyone who says the M3 brings more driving pleasure than a Ferrari. Having driven an F430 they arent in the same league. The sound, the looks, the feel...just not at that level in an M3. Im not talking about practicality, just driving pleasure. One is a bona fide super car the other is certainly not.

[FVM3]

Performance wise ,430,458 will beat m3 all day long but I love the sound of M3 more then F430 and 458.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by FVM3

Performance wise ,430,458 will beat m3 all day long but I love the sound of M3 more then F430 and 458.

I know sound is subjective but I thought it was universally accepted that a Ferrari sounds much much better than an M3

[Gkap]

Originally Posted by ///Matthew

Aside from the engine sound, Maseratis do nothing for me.

x2.. never been a fan.

[gymtime]

I drove a GranTurismo......it only beats the M3 in the sound and the looks department

[Grail05]

yea M3 is a really good daily car.. excellent daily, so trading it for Maserati or Ferrari something to think about.. but i would not mind trading my car for a Maserati if only its the same price. hahaha im getting too old... lol

[clar]

Originally Posted by Z K

I may be in the minority but Maserati does nothing for me in terms of looks. It has the huge gaping fish mouth and looks way too large and bulky. To me, it looks ugly. Besides the sound it makes, nothing about the car appeals to me.

I am with u on this, pal! Every word of it!

[gymtime]

Originally Posted by Z K

I may be in the minority but Maserati does nothing for me in terms of looks. It has the huge gaping fish mouth and looks way too large and bulky. To me, it looks ugly. Besides the sound it makes, nothing about the car appeals to me.

I think it's a really good looking car (especially in black with black wheels). But it's too long. Would be perfect if it was shorter. Although when you're driving it, it doesn't feel as big as it actually is.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by Brosef

I don't think anyone would mind a 458 to drive on nice days - I personally think it's the most beautiful car ever made.

would still need to have an M3 though for daily driving.

I completely agree... the 458 is one of the best designs ever for me.

[1MOREMOD]

I don't like the side view of the 458. Something about how the cabin meets up with the hood area. I prefer the mclaren. That being said aston is still most beautiful to me.

[MasterP]

We've had a few Gran Turismo's and Quattroporte's traded in here.

I've never been impressed with them. The interiors aren't that nice, and they wear very easily. The design inside isn't even that inspired for an italian. The GT sounded great - but you had to press a button to open the exhaust up. The Transmissions aren't the same as the ones in the 458, it was very slow. The throttle is uper heavy and the car felt like it lagged at throttle tip in. The ZF 8 Speeds in the current BMW's is even better. Neither Maserati drove that well. And they were fairly new (2011 and 2013) I'd chose AM over Maserati any day.

I got a chance to drive a 458 in las vegas in the spring and the car is amazing. It's definitely the driving experience everyone was shouting about. It's comfy enough to be a daily driver. The front lift system even makes it reasonably realistic in urban areas. The upkeep costs would be a bitch though. Even if you had $260K+ to spend on a Ferrari the $18K Brake service has got to make the butt pucker just a little. I'd take one over almost any car in the market right now.

[Giggs]

M3posts' kool-aid must be getting more potent M3 is a great car, amazing, but Geez guys you've lost your marbles! M3 vs 458...

[F1Venom]

Originally Posted by Giggs

M3posts' kool-aid must be getting more potent M3 is a great car, amazing, but Geez guys you've lost your marbles! M3 vs 458...

I agree. Some even prefer the stock M3 sound to a 458! LMAO

[MasterP]

Originally Posted by F1Venom

I agree. Some even prefer the stock M3 sound to a 458! LMAO

No way. Not many vehicle noises are better than the 458's. The only ones I can think of might be the CGT and a LFA. But you wouldn't have to haul ass in 458 to make that great noise.

I think the only reason people are even mentioning the F car is because the OP brought it up.

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by FVM3

Performance wise ,430,458 will beat m3 all day long but I love the sound of M3 more then F430 and 458.

i'm not even sure what to say to this.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

i'm not even sure what to say to this.

Something like this.