We are currently at work on a VW Rabbit pickup with a GTI engine and transmission swap. If VW had offered our favorite body configuration with the top-spec gasoline engine and close-ratio 5-spd transmission, they could have saved us some trouble. But, automakers can't always make a business case for the specific configuration of their offerings that we would enjoy most.
The seller of this Maserati Coupe GT encountered a similar situation: the GranSport is only available with paddle-shifter manual transmission, and clearly the seller prefers to drive a car with a manual transmission. The seller has grafted the GranSport body modifications onto this Coupe and has upfitted the interior with the GranSport goods as well.
Year: 2006
Model: Maserati Coupe GT
Engine: 4.2L V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 16,500 mi
Price: $28,000 obo
Location: Park City, UT
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2006 Maserati Coupe GT
A true 3-pedal, 6-speed manual transmission with less than 16,500 miles that looks exactly like a GranSport! Look at the pictures! Both body and interior have received the GranSport treatment, along with custom Forgeline wheels with 245 width front and 295 width rear tires! This car looks fantastic and has the coveted MANUAL, 6-Speed transmission that does not suffer from the Cambiocorsa (automated manual) clutch maladies. If you are looking for a truly special example of a modern Italian exotic, this just may be the car you have been dreaming of. Under 16,500 original miles! Excellent condition and nearly 400 horsepower of Ferrari built (the last Maserati car model and year to have the engine built by Ferrari!) power! Recent service included refreshing of all fluids, new Falken Arkenis 510 tires, and a full alignment. Also included in full price offer are the OEM 19" Coupe wheels and OEM Coupe GT side skirts.
As for rest of the GranSport bits, we aren't sure to what lengths the seller went in completing the conversion. The regular Coupes could be optioned with the Skyhook adaptive suspension that the GranSports offered as standard, so there is a chance that this example is so equipped. GranSports also featured lowering springs, which we suspect this Coupe lacks, and a model-exclusive 19" wheel, which this Coupe has eschewed in favor of an aftermarket wheel. The GranSport engines made slightly more power too, but the real powertrain benefit to a GranSport was the dual-mode exhaust that bypasses the center resonator when the Sport button is pressed.
This example has just 16,500 miles, so we think that the pricing is pretty fair before considering the add-ons. It's clear from the photos that this example has been kept in very good condition, and that it needs very little cosmetically. We'd pick up where the seller left off; first, we'd lower it on GranSport springs, and then we'd either delete the center resonator or retrofit a GranSport dual-mode system.
-Graham