Trip to Charleston Over the Weekend

"Hooker" (Hooker) 12/09/2013 at 09:52 • Filed to: None

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I have seen a few Maserati Quattroporte's in my life, however, none as stunning as the one below. Also, got a chance to sit in the new Ghibli. It's nice. Really nice. Too bad they wouldn't let me drive it. Not sure why. Something about me being in ratty jeans and a sweater must have set them off. Maybe I should have broken out my Armani suit? I kid, I don't have an Armani suit. If I had the choice, I would probably get the Ghibli because it's smaller and I don't have a need for something as big as a Quattroporte.

Pics from the day as well as a few bonuses that they didn't want me to touch and really weren't all that excited that I got close enough to take pictures.

The pictures are out of order so they are labeled. Also, potato camera so, sorry about that.

Ghibli

Quattroporte - The $10,000 off is deceiving at the very least.

Cayman - I like how the spoiler is integrated and continued into the tail lights.

More Ghibli

More Quattroporte

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 10:02

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I still miss their L shaped taillights. It makes the rear look so much more interesting.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 10:04

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I absolutely love the Ghibli. It's currently tied with the XF-R on the list of new cars I'd actually want to buy*

*currently consists of the F-Type V6S, the XF-R and the Ghibli

EL_ULY > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 10:05

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its hard to tell the Ghibli and the "4 Doors" apart on screen but im sure in person it's a little easier. Charleston is such a rad town also :]

Moves-Like-Senna > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 12/09/2013 at 10:21

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Agreed, the new lights remind me of a Kia....

Hooker > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 12/09/2013 at 10:23

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Couldn't agree more. As much style that is put into cars these days, gone are the days that manufacturers really push the envelope with the details.

Hooker > Moves-Like-Senna 12/09/2013 at 10:24

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Thanks, now I can't unsee that.

Hooker > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 12/09/2013 at 10:24

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Yeah, I get all excited when I see one. Which is almost never and why I had to droo....er...take pictures of it.

Hooker > EL_ULY 12/09/2013 at 10:25

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It's amazing. Just the architecture and shops alone. Really, I wish I could live there.

Hooker > EL_ULY 12/09/2013 at 10:29

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The Ghibli has no rear door window divider. Not sure what that's called. Really, the cars are very similar, even in person. The one thing I will say is that I got a very "more expensive Mazda 6" feeling from the front end of the Ghibli. I don't consider that a bad thing either way it's viewed.

Moves-Like-Senna > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 10:36

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You're welcome. KIA POWERRRRRR!

EL_ULY > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 10:41

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oh ok, lol kinda like the Volvo S60 and S80 in the early 2000's. The S80 was slighty larger with that extra glass divider by the C pillar. But both look mostly identical lol

Hooker > EL_ULY 12/09/2013 at 10:59

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Not sure the similarities are that stark but the general feeling was the same.

Hooker > Moves-Like-Senna 12/09/2013 at 11:00

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I get it, style is derivative. I hate to say it but the Cadenza really is a looker.

Moves-Like-Senna > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 11:07

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I agree. I really do miss the Quattroporte's old tail lights though. I drove one for a few weeks at one point thanks to one of my father's client's when I was 16. The tail lights I fell in love with, the fact the thing broke down 3 times in 3 weeks ... not so much.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 11:33

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Why is this a thing now?

Hooker > Moves-Like-Senna 12/09/2013 at 12:04

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the fact the thing broke down 3 times in 3 weeks ... not so much.

I probably shouldn't have laughed at this but it was funny. Sorry about the troubles but I agree the tails are good looking.

Hooker > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/09/2013 at 12:05

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Which thing are you pointing at? Front splitter?

Moves-Like-Senna > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 12:05

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Haha, it is pretty funny but the worst part were the bills. This guy sold it after only owning it for 6 months. The constant maintenance was already well beyond what you would have expected and throw in constant repairs. hahahha I was just happy to not have to pay for anything.

Hooker > Moves-Like-Senna 12/09/2013 at 12:06

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Indeed. I fell in love with this car watching Entourage. Don't judge.

Moves-Like-Senna > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 12:17

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Haha. I haven't watched Entourage yet.

Hooker > Moves-Like-Senna 12/09/2013 at 13:04

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You sir, haven't lived. You should rectify it. It took me about 5 episodes to get into but once I was in, I was in forever. Also, the Lincoln Continental they drive.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 14:54

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That random gap that connects the headlight and grille. The new 3 series has it too.

Hooker > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/09/2013 at 15:33

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Same with the new 6. I think when done right, it looks OK. This looked better in person than here in the pictures.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 18:59

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Glad you like our cars! I work for the dealership that provided these cars to the hotel for display, so I'm excited to see them pop up on one of my favorite sites, hahaha! When did you take these pictures? Because if you took them this morning, then I might be the guy you talked to who picked up the Ghibli, since we had to leave it behind on our first trip to take the cars back to the dealership. (I had to drive a Cayman S the first trip back; such a hardship). If you were the guy in the hat that talked to a bearded guy in a bow-tie, then that was me! Either way, good pics man.

And just to clarify, if there was anyone looking at you funny about taking the pictures, it was probably the hotel staff and not anybody from our dealership, haha.

Since you mentioned the space for the Maserati's, the Quattroporte has similar interior space to the Porsche Panamera Executive, so yea, it's big. The Ghibli on the other hand is the perfect size for driving around town. The only thing I didn't like about it was that the brakes were quite touchy. Other than that though, it was nice ride. It sounds really good too, especially when you put it in sport mode.

Hooker > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 12/09/2013 at 20:11

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You sire, are fantastic! I wasn't that guy, though now I wish I was! I was there on Saturday! Truly a great display! Thanks for the insight to how they drive and such! The Quattroporte was noticeably larger in person than I expected for sure. The Panamera looked bland and boring in comparison to my eye. I would give my left and right nut (don't care to have kids, not the parent type methinks) for a job like yours! What's the dealership name? I will look you up next time I am in the area! Nice to know there is at least 1 Jalop in the area!

Moves-Like-Senna > Hooker 12/09/2013 at 21:26

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I shall start watching it right now! haha

Hooker > Moves-Like-Senna 12/09/2013 at 21:31

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Let me know what you think!!

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Hooker 12/11/2013 at 12:53

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Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Hooker 12/11/2013 at 13:00

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I was actually there on Saturday too! Just not in dressed in work clothes, lol. I know I talked to a few people, but I'm not sure who all they were. And yea, I do have a fun job (but it doesn't pay enough for me to give up my nuts over it, lol). The dealership I work for is Baker Motor Company. We sell pretty much every luxury brand, save for Lexus and BMW and the exotics. We have: Mercedes, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, Maserati, Cadillac, Buick, an GMC.

And it seems like a lot of Jalops have been visiting Charleston recently. I might have to try and plan a Jalop Charleston meet-up. Maybe do the Charleston Cars and Coffee or something. There's always some really cool rides out there.

Hooker > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 12/11/2013 at 14:00

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Do that, and I will definitely try to get there! It's about a 4 hour haul for me but it would be worth it. Also, I will make sure to put my Equinox there with the hood up for all to see! Though, if I can get my dad to agree, I might could bring the antique fire truck/hotrod.

That's a big maybe.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Hooker 12/11/2013 at 18:44

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DAMN! That truck is amazing!!! What year is it and what department is it from??? And what have you done to your Equinox?

Hooker > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 12/11/2013 at 21:00

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1965 (ish? My dad and us have 'modified' it quite a bit. The anniversary series Seagrave ran from 1050-1970 if I'm remembering) Anniversary series Seagrave. It's got a Detroit diesel and an Allison auto. Manual coming, maybe, someday. Came with a gas and manual when we bought it back in '83. It's Revere MA former engine 3.

I have done nothing to my 'Nut except for a Billet grille. More a joke than anything putting my hood up! haha.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Hooker 12/12/2013 at 12:16

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Wow, that's quite a piece of awesome antique fire fighting machinery y'all have there. Y'all did an amazing job with it. And hey, you're Equinox would be great next to my Sentra, lol. All I have done to it is yellow Lamin-X and yellow Hella bulbs in my fog lights. But it'll be gone soon and replaced with a '10 - '12 Ford Fusion.