Opinions Please: New Car For My Dad :: Ghibli/CLS/550i?

SaMaster14 · 10-13-2015, 06:21 PM

Hey guys! How is everyone doing? What about that M2?! Looks amazing!

But, I'll get down to why I'm really here. My dad's lease on his 2013 SL550 (pictured below) is up soon.

He is planning on getting something new. He is getting older and doesn't drive that much, but he still wants something new and sporty, but definitely less expensive.

He is pretty hooked on getting the Maserati Ghibli SQ4 since it's something new and a bit more rare. He will probably get that unless there are any glaring red flags (I'm sure some of you here have driven it/own one? I know it is a car that may even be cross-shoped with a loaded M3 sedan). The other two cars he is interested in are the Mercedes CLS 550 (the current refresh) and the F10 (*NOT the new G chasis) BMW 550i.

Give me some opinions guys! And let me know if there are other cars (with similar deals to the above mentioned) that he may be interested in.

(1) 2015 MY Maserati Ghibli SQ4
-3.0L Twin Turbo V6 404hp/406tq 8-speed auto ~4150lbs.

(2) 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 (not 4MATIC)
-4.7L Biturbo V8 402hp/443tq 9-speed auto ~4233lbs.

(3) 2016 BMW 550i sedan
-4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8 445hp/480tq 8-speed auto ~4365lbs.
*I know this car is on the way out... so deals will probably be good on a loaded one, but a new G-chassis 5 series is right around the corner...

swanson · 10-13-2015, 08:03 PM

CLS

SaMaster14 · 10-13-2015, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swanson

CLS

Any particular reason why the cls over the ghibli?

My dad actually had the 2006 cls500 (first year it came out) and I still miss that car. The interior appointments were perfect and it was an amazing body style. Definitely ahead of its time almost 10 years ago! The new cls just doesn't have the same wow factor and the interior is too much like an e class.

swanson · 10-13-2015, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

Any particular reason why the cls over the ghibli?

My dad actually had the 2006 cls500 (first year it came out) and I still miss that car. The interior appointments were perfect and it was an amazing body style. Definitely ahead of its time almost 10 years ago! The new cls just doesn't have the same wow factor and the interior is too much like an e class.

I think the only appeal of the Maserati is that its not a BMW, Audi or Mercedes. Some people try to be different and go for the non german car. I have heard that its typical Maserati fit and finish(horrible) and the infotainment is not that great. If it had a V8, maybe i could overlook some things, but it doesnt. The CLS has always been one of my favorites since it first came out. I love the new one. It has the best styling by far of the 3 you mentioned. It also has a V8 which is huge for me.

Red Bread · 10-14-2015, 12:00 AM

XJR? Oops, probably out of that price range. Not sure if the new XFR is out? S6?

SaMaster14 · 10-14-2015, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

XJR? Oops, probably out of that price range. Not sure if the new XFR is out? S6?

Ya, the XJR is similar in price to the SL, but he wants to tone it down a bit haha. I'll mention the XF models and the Audi S6.

My parents haven't liked Audi since the scandal with their cars shifting into drive when parked (a few people died when their cars drove off parking structures). They know the brand is safe, but never liked the fact that Audi never owned up to the issue.

b0bab0i · 10-18-2015, 01:41 AM

Maserati has steep discounts right now. They are trying to get rid of 2015 models since 2016 models are coming in. Ghibli's are discounted ~12k? Quattroporte's are discounted maybe double that.

You could probably get a Quattroporte for the same amount as a Ghibli right now. Maserati is having trouble selling vehicles. Check out Maserati of Westlake/O'Gara Coach since you are in the LA area. They are the top selling Maserati dealer in the nation I believe.

SaMaster14 · 10-18-2015, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0bab0i

Maserati has steep discounts right now. They are trying to get rid of 2015 models since 2016 models are coming in. Ghibli's are discounted ~12k? Quattroporte's are discounted maybe double that.

You could probably get a Quattroporte for the same amount as a Ghibli right now. Maserati is having trouble selling vehicles. Check out Maserati of Westlake/O'Gara Coach since you are in the LA area. They are the top selling Maserati dealer in the nation I believe.

Ya the deals are great! Thanks for the heads up.

Mavus · 10-18-2015, 02:56 AM

bmw 6 gc

SaMaster14 · 10-18-2015, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smooth 330i

bmw 6 gc

Too expensive. For that amount he would probably just keep the SL which has almost all the options ticked.

Aatish · 10-18-2015, 12:12 PM

I wouldn't go Maserati personally. I do not feel the interior is that great, build,design, and feature wise, especially when compared to the competition. Plus, the infotainment system isn't that user friendly, don't know how good your dad is with tech but that may be an issue.

If this was a couple years earlier, I probably would've said 550i...but the 5-series is due for a refresh soon so probably not worth it.

You noted you dad wants to tone it down from the SL. The CLS would probably fulfill that without toning it down too much. It rides nice, the new interior is well appointed, and the 4.7 is a gem of a motor. When cruising around, it's quite and smooth but never lacking. Give it some gas and it hauls, without getting too out of hand. Also, if you drive with the windows down, you can hear the turbos

.

SaMaster14 · 10-18-2015, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aatish

I wouldn't go Maserati personally. I do not feel the interior is that great, build,design, and feature wise, especially when compared to the competition. Plus, the infotainment system isn't that user friendly, don't know how good your dad is with tech but that may be an issue.

If this was a couple years earlier, I probably would've said 550i...but the 5-series is due for a refresh soon so probably not worth it.

You noted you dad wants to tone it down from the SL. The CLS would probably fulfill that without toning it down too much. It rides nice, the new interior is well appointed, and the 4.7 is a gem of a motor. When cruising around, it's quite and smooth but never lacking. Give it some gas and it hauls, without getting too out of hand. Also, if you drive with the windows down, you can hear the turbos

.

That's what I've been telling him. But he disagrees and loves the lines of the Maserati and thinks the interior is better than the Germans (I can understand liking how the car looks on the outside being a matter of opinion, but I don't think the interior quality is nearly up to par and that infotainment is hideous!)

All in all I think he just wants something different. He had a Maserati bi-turbo in the 80s and even though his first one was taken back under the lemon law and he always had problems, he still says it was one of the best cars build and styling wise he's had... So I feel like unless he sits in the car and hates it, the deal on the Maserati is just too good to pass on right now...

lens · 10-18-2015, 04:27 PM

The thing about maserati's is that it's reliability and the fact that if the car breaks down, there are not many dealership/service centers around to repair it compared to bmw/mercedes/audi.

TBH I think the CLS is much better, I find it looks much nicer interior and exterior wise compared to the 5 series.

R N M · 10-18-2015, 05:35 PM

Crazy lease deals on the Ghibli available but interior is horrible.

CLS550 is nice but not sporty.

BMW 550i is due for a redesign next year.

My choice would be 650i GC or S7.

SaMaster14 · 10-18-2015, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R N M

Crazy lease deals on the Ghibli available but interior is horrible.

CLS550 is nice but not sporty.

BMW 550i is due for a redesign next year.

My choice would be 650i GC or S7.

I wish he would get the 6 GC or S7, but both do not have great lease deals... And for the price he's better off keeping the SL since he's really not driving much.

Aatish · 10-18-2015, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

That's what I've been telling him. But he disagrees and loves the lines of the Maserati and thinks the interior is better than the Germans (I can understand liking how the car looks on the outside being a matter of opinion, but I don't think the interior quality is nearly up to par and that infotainment is hideous!)

All in all I think he just wants something different. He had a Maserati bi-turbo in the 80s and even though his first one was taken back under the lemon law and he always had problems, he still says it was one of the best cars build and styling wise he's had... So I feel like unless he sits in the car and hates it, the deal on the Maserati is just too good to pass on right now...

If you haven't already, go do some father-son bonding at the dealerships next weekend!

SaMaster14 · 10-18-2015, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aatish

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

That's what I've been telling him. But he disagrees and loves the lines of the Maserati and thinks the interior is better than the Germans (I can understand liking how the car looks on the outside being a matter of opinion, but I don't think the interior quality is nearly up to par and that infotainment is hideous!)

All in all I think he just wants something different. He had a Maserati bi-turbo in the 80s and even though his first one was taken back under the lemon law and he always had problems, he still says it was one of the best cars build and styling wise he's had... So I feel like unless he sits in the car and hates it, the deal on the Maserati is just too good to pass on right now...

If you haven't already, go do some father-son bonding at the dealerships next weekend!

That's what I'm planning! Haha

evo335xi · 10-19-2015, 09:51 AM

Jaguar f type, Porsche Panamera, Lexus rc,is,gs f, caddi v's

gtron · 10-19-2015, 10:49 AM

i'll say maserati for only two reasons: 1) it's a lease, right? i'm sure whoever has tried the others so try something new and cross it off the list. it's just a lease so it doesn't have to be forever. 2) it's nice to see something slightly different. i see hundreds of merc's and bmw's weekly. i only see a few maserati's a month.

eric@helix · 10-19-2015, 10:54 AM

Lease the Maserati. Who cares about quality, he's clearly an older gentleman who has a few bucks in his pocket, and most importantly, the OP stated that what he wants. I'm all for the irrational car-buying decision.

olszu · 10-19-2015, 11:05 AM

CLS !

overcoil · 10-19-2015, 11:50 AM

I like Maserati.

Maserati is in a situation where a dealer is suing the importer over sales figure shinanigans.
And after a huge % sales increase last year this year sales are way down.
The American car magazines have belittled the Masersti interior material quality and some ergonomic designs.

Did read a forum and the post seemed sincere where the person who posted said they were a Maserati tech at a dealership and the cars really only had some first year production quibbles but the Ghibli was basically a well made solid car.
I talked to a Maserati Gbibli owner who said parts ( brake disc ) are very expensive.
Isn't the new Alfa sedan to hit the USA using some of the Maserati underpinnings ?

Anyway my BMW dealer also sells Maserati.

View Poll Results: Which Car?
Maserati Ghibli SQ4	14	30.43%
Mercedes-Benz CLS 550	21	45.65%
BMW F10 550i sedan	5	10.87%
Other (please comment)	6	13.04%
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll

10-13-2015, 06:21 PM	#1
SaMaster14 Brigadier General 5095 Rep 3,951 Posts Drives: '23 G80 M3C xDrive; '13 e92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [8.72] 2023 BMW M3 Competi ... [9.63]	Opinions Please: New Car For My Dad :: Ghibli/CLS/550i? Hey guys! How is everyone doing? What about that M2?! Looks amazing! But, I'll get down to why I'm really here. My dad's lease on his 2013 SL550 (pictured below) is up soon. He is planning on getting something new. He is getting older and doesn't drive that much, but he still wants something new and sporty, but definitely less expensive. He is pretty hooked on getting the Maserati Ghibli SQ4 since it's something new and a bit more rare. He will probably get that unless there are any glaring red flags (I'm sure some of you here have driven it/own one? I know it is a car that may even be cross-shoped with a loaded M3 sedan). The other two cars he is interested in are the Mercedes CLS 550 (the current refresh) and the F10 (NOT the new G chasis) BMW 550i. Give me some opinions guys! And let me know if there are other cars (with similar deals to the above mentioned) that he may be interested in. (1) 2015 MY Maserati Ghibli SQ4 -3.0L Twin Turbo V6 404hp/406tq 8-speed auto ~4150lbs. (2) 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 (not 4MATIC) -4.7L Biturbo V8 402hp/443tq 9-speed auto ~4233lbs. (3) 2016 BMW 550i sedan -4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8 445hp/480tq 8-speed auto ~4365lbs. I know this car is on the way out... so deals will probably be good on a loaded one, but a new G-chassis 5 series is right around the corner... __________________ 2023 G80 M3 Competition xDrive Isle of Man Green on Kyalami Orange full leather - 826M black wheels - Carbon Fiber Trim - Carbon Bucket Seats - Executive/Driving Assist/Parking Packages - Laserlight - M Shadowline Lights - M Drive Pro - CS Trans/Diff/Steering Coding 2013 E92 M3 Mineral White on Bamboo Beige noviello leather (Base w/ Nav, Comfort Access, Lighting Pack) - DINAN Stage 1 and Free Flow Axle-Back Exhaust Last edited by SaMaster14; 10-17-2015 at 02:38 PM..
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10-13-2015, 08:03 PM	#2
swanson Convicted Felon 791 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: chariot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	CLS
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10-14-2015, 12:00 AM	#5
Red Bread Major General 4458 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	XJR? Oops, probably out of that price range. Not sure if the new XFR is out? S6?
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10-18-2015, 01:41 AM	#7
b0bab0i Major 24 Rep 1,033 Posts Drives: 03 TiAG z4 3.0i w/ hardtop Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Maserati has steep discounts right now. They are trying to get rid of 2015 models since 2016 models are coming in. Ghibli's are discounted ~12k? Quattroporte's are discounted maybe double that. You could probably get a Quattroporte for the same amount as a Ghibli right now. Maserati is having trouble selling vehicles. Check out Maserati of Westlake/O'Gara Coach since you are in the LA area. They are the top selling Maserati dealer in the nation I believe.
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10-18-2015, 02:56 AM	#9
Mavus Colonel 2267 Rep 2,881 Posts Drives: E90 335i, F80 zcp Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (9)	bmw 6 gc
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10-18-2015, 12:12 PM	#11
Aatish Lofty 3476 Rep 849 Posts Drives: i4 M50, 991.2 C2, RRS Diesel Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: ORD <> ATX iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't go Maserati personally. I do not feel the interior is that great, build,design, and feature wise, especially when compared to the competition. Plus, the infotainment system isn't that user friendly, don't know how good your dad is with tech but that may be an issue. If this was a couple years earlier, I probably would've said 550i...but the 5-series is due for a refresh soon so probably not worth it. You noted you dad wants to tone it down from the SL. The CLS would probably fulfill that without toning it down too much. It rides nice, the new interior is well appointed, and the 4.7 is a gem of a motor. When cruising around, it's quite and smooth but never lacking. Give it some gas and it hauls, without getting too out of hand. Also, if you drive with the windows down, you can hear the turbos .
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10-18-2015, 04:27 PM	#13
lens Colonel 2234 Rep 2,700 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Halifax NS, Canada iTrader: (5)	The thing about maserati's is that it's reliability and the fact that if the car breaks down, there are not many dealership/service centers around to repair it compared to bmw/mercedes/audi. TBH I think the CLS is much better, I find it looks much nicer interior and exterior wise compared to the 5 series.
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10-18-2015, 05:35 PM	#14
R N M Colonel 3824 Rep 2,116 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00]	Crazy lease deals on the Ghibli available but interior is horrible. CLS550 is nice but not sporty. BMW 550i is due for a redesign next year. My choice would be 650i GC or S7. __________________ Current 2018 F80 ///M3 CompPack; 2020 BMW X3 M40i 2015 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBobwprGtA) Previous: 2016 F80 ///M3; 2013 F10 535i MSport; 2012 F10 528i MSport; 2009 E92 335i MSport
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10-19-2015, 09:51 AM	#18
evo335xi Lieutenant 36 Rep 451 Posts Drives: 335 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Ct iTrader: (1)	Jaguar f type, Porsche Panamera, Lexus rc,is,gs f, caddi v's
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10-19-2015, 10:49 AM	#19
gtron powerhouse 724 Rep 1,628 Posts Drives: 2014 Porsche 981 CS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 Mercedes C450 AMG [10.00] 2016 Lexus RC 200t [0.00] 2014 Porsche [9.50] 2012 550i M-Sport [7.86]	i'll say maserati for only two reasons: 1) it's a lease, right? i'm sure whoever has tried the others so try something new and cross it off the list. it's just a lease so it doesn't have to be forever. 2) it's nice to see something slightly different. i see hundreds of merc's and bmw's weekly. i only see a few maserati's a month. __________________ no signature. except for this one.
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10-19-2015, 10:54 AM	#20
eric@helix 213 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: 01 M Coupe, 08 135i, '12 328i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Lease the Maserati. Who cares about quality, he's clearly an older gentleman who has a few bucks in his pocket, and most importantly, the OP stated that what he wants. I'm all for the irrational car-buying decision.
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10-19-2015, 11:05 AM	#21
olszu New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 120d Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: WWA iTrader: (0)	CLS !
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10-19-2015, 11:50 AM	#22
overcoil Major General 3120 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	I like Maserati. Maserati is in a situation where a dealer is suing the importer over sales figure shinanigans. And after a huge % sales increase last year this year sales are way down. The American car magazines have belittled the Masersti interior material quality and some ergonomic designs. Did read a forum and the post seemed sincere where the person who posted said they were a Maserati tech at a dealership and the cars really only had some first year production quibbles but the Ghibli was basically a well made solid car. I talked to a Maserati Gbibli owner who said parts ( brake disc ) are very expensive. Isn't the new Alfa sedan to hit the USA using some of the Maserati underpinnings ? Anyway my BMW dealer also sells Maserati.
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