This Maserati GranTurismo Has a Gated 6-Speed Manual Conversion
Doug DeMuro · 2026-04-30
💡 Quick Take
1. This 2009 Maserati Gran Turismo S is a unique, manual-swapped car, possibly the only one in existence.
2. The car is currently for sale via live auction on Cars and Bids.
3. Maserati originally offered the Gran Turismo with a torque converter automatic, then a sequential manual in the '09 S, before reverting to automatics.
4. Manual swaps are difficult and expensive for Gran Turismos, especially from automatic to manual, making this conversion exceptionally rare.
5. This specific manual swap had to use parts derived from Ferrari models due to the Gran Turismo never being factory-offered with a manual.
6. The Gran Turismo S features a larger, more powerful 4.7L V8 co-developed with Ferrari, producing 435 horsepower.
7. The engine is set far back for optimal weight distribution and agile handling.
8. The Gran Turismo's exterior design, while debated by some, is generally considered elegant and has remained largely unchanged for over a decade.
9. Maserati heavily emphasizes its branding with multiple badges and the "Maserati" name written out on the rear.
10. The car features Pininfarina badging and stylish fender vents, a popular trend of the era.
11. The door handles have both mechanical and electronic "poppers" for opening, with the electronic one being the primary and mechanical as a backup.
12. The interior materials are decent for the price point, but sticky buttons are a common aging issue in Ferrari and Maserati models.
13. The manual transmission shifter looks factory-installed, but the electronic parking brake is a quirk with a three-pedal setup.
14. The infotainment system is not touchscreen and is controlled by numerous buttons and dials, with a bizarre lack of a dedicated radio screen.
15. Radio station control and music display are managed through the gauge cluster screen and steering wheel controls.
16. There are distinct buttons for "auto" mode (for sequential manuals), sport mode, stability control, and a confusingly labeled "park off" button that disables the automatic parking brake.
17. Parking sensors have their own on/off button, separate from the "park off" button.
18. Seat memory buttons are oddly placed, facing away from the driver, making them difficult to see and use while seated.
19. A USB port for charging devices is a surprisingly modern feature for a 2009 model.
20. The door pockets are divided to separate front and rear compartments, intended for rear passengers.
21. The rear seats are surprisingly comfortable and well-appointed, with climate vents, cup holders, and an armrest, fitting the "Grand Touring" ethos.
22. The trunk offers decent luggage space for a grand tour, with an additional underfloor storage compartment for extra practicality.
23. The emergency trunk release features a detailed diagram of someone exiting a Gran Turismo trunk, a unique and specific touch.
24. The manual transmission significantly enhances the driving engagement and overall experience of the car.
25. The chassis and steering are praised as excellent, providing a stable and predictable feel, especially with the manual transmission.
26. The clutch is a bit stiff, but manageable, and the gated shifter adds to the classic manual driving feel.
27. The manual transmission "wakes up" the car, making it feel more dynamic and enjoyable, especially on the secondhand market.
28. The manual conversion provides a more engaging experience, comparable to other performance GTs like the Ferrari 612 or 599.
29. The car has a fantastic chassis and engine combination that benefits greatly from the added manual engagement.
30. With some minor upgrades like addressing sticky buttons, this manual Gran Turismo could be considered one of the coolest modern Maseratis.
📊 Detailed Explanation
1. This 2009 Maserati Gran Turismo S is a unique, manual-swapped car, possibly the only one in existence. This is the core of the car's specialness. Maserati never produced a manual Gran Turismo from the factory, making this conversion incredibly rare. The presenter emphasizes that it might be the *only* one they've ever seen or heard of, highlighting its singular nature.
2. The car is currently for sale via live auction on Cars and Bids. This is a crucial piece of information for potential buyers. The presenter explicitly directs viewers to click the link in the description to visit the live auction, making it a direct call to action.
3. Maserati originally offered the Gran Turismo with a torque converter automatic, then a sequential manual in the '09 S, before reverting to automatics. This explains the historical context of transmissions for the Gran Turismo. Initially, they avoided sequential manuals due to negative customer feedback on earlier models (like the Quattroporte). The '09 S got a sequential manual, but Maserati quickly returned to torque converter automatics for the rest of the production run, making the '09 S with its sequential manual already a bit of a unicorn.
4. Manual swaps are difficult and expensive for Gran Turismos, especially from automatic to manual, making this conversion exceptionally rare. The transcript highlights that converting a torque converter automatic to a manual transmission is a massive undertaking requiring extensive custom parts and fabrication, making it almost prohibitively expensive and complex. This explains why manual swaps are so rare for this model.
5. This specific manual swap had to use parts derived from Ferrari models due to the Gran Turismo never being factory-offered with a manual. Since Maserati didn't offer a manual Gran Turismo, the parts for this conversion, like the gated shifter and transmission components, had to be sourced from Ferrari models, which often share transmissions with Maserati. This adds another layer of complexity and uniqueness to the build.
6. The Gran Turismo S features a larger, more powerful 4.7L V8 co-developed with Ferrari, producing 435 horsepower. The "S" model signifies an upgrade from the standard 4.2L V8. The 4.7L engine, co-developed with Ferrari, provided more displacement and power, giving the car more serious performance credentials. This engine is a key part of the car's appeal.
7. The engine is set far back for optimal weight distribution and agile handling. This is a fundamental engineering principle for performance cars. By placing the engine behind the front axle, the weight is more centralized, leading to better balance, more responsive steering, and improved agility, preventing the car from feeling nose-heavy.
8. The Gran Turismo's exterior design, while debated by some, is generally considered elegant and has remained largely unchanged for over a decade. The presenter admits personal reservations about the styling, finding it a bit long. However, they acknowledge that the majority of people find it beautiful and that Maserati's decision to stick with the same fundamental design for nearly a decade speaks to its enduring appeal and Maserati's "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy.
9. Maserati heavily emphasizes its branding with multiple badges and the "Maserati" name written out on the rear. Maserati's approach to branding is very overt. The car features the Trident badge prominently, but also the word "Maserati" spelled out in large letters on the back, ensuring no one is left in doubt about the car's identity.
10. The car features Pininfarina badging and stylish fender vents, a popular trend of the era. The Pininfarina badge signifies the car's designer, adding to its pedigree. The fender vents were a fashionable design element at the time, seen on many performance cars, and they contribute to the car's sporty aesthetic.
11. The door handles have both mechanical and electronic "poppers" for opening, with the electronic one being the primary and mechanical as a backup. This is a neat quirk! Maserati included two ways to open the doors: an electronic pop and a mechanical latch. The electronic was intended for everyday use, but the mechanical provided a reliable backup in case the electronics failed, showcasing thoughtful design.
12. The interior materials are decent for the price point, but sticky buttons are a common aging issue in Ferrari and Maserati models. While the interior generally fits the car's persona, the notorious issue of sticky buttons on plastics is mentioned. This is a common problem in older Ferraris and Maseratis, and the presenter expresses surprise that it persists even after decades.
13. The manual transmission shifter looks factory-installed, but the electronic parking brake is a quirk with a three-pedal setup. The gated shifter looks so integrated that it appears factory-made. However, the presence of an electronic parking brake button, rather than a traditional handbrake lever, feels a bit out of place with a three-pedal manual setup, creating a slight disconnect.
14. The infotainment system is not touchscreen and is controlled by numerous buttons and dials, with a bizarre lack of a dedicated radio screen. This is a major quirk! The infotainment system relies entirely on physical controls, and incredibly, there's no dedicated screen to just display the radio. You have to cycle through bands and presets, which is a very strange design choice.
15. Radio station control and music display are managed through the gauge cluster screen and steering wheel controls. To compensate for the lack of a radio screen, Maserati integrated radio information into the central gauge cluster and provided extensive controls on the steering wheel for volume, track selection, and other infotainment preferences, allowing for good driver control despite the odd interface.
16. There are distinct buttons for "auto" mode (for sequential manuals), sport mode, stability control, and a confusingly labeled "park off" button that disables the automatic parking brake. The "park off" button is particularly odd. It doesn't relate to parking sensors; instead, it prevents the automatic parking brake from engaging when the car is turned off, a feature the presenter questions the utility of.
17. Parking sensors have their own on/off button, separate from the "park off" button. This further adds to the confusion around parking-related buttons. The parking sensors have their own dedicated switch, distinct from the "park off" button, leading to potential user error.
18. Seat memory buttons are oddly placed, facing away from the driver, making them difficult to see and use while seated. Another ergonomic oddity: the seat memory buttons are positioned on the side of the seat, facing towards the door, making it impossible to see which setting you're selecting while you're actually sitting in the car.
19. A USB port for charging devices is a surprisingly modern feature for a 2009 model. For a 2009 car, the inclusion of a USB port in the glovebox for charging devices was quite forward-thinking, as USB technology was just starting to become mainstream.
20. The door pockets are divided to separate front and rear compartments, intended for rear passengers. The door pockets have a divider. The presenter initially jokes about separating items but clarifies that the rear section is specifically designed for rear occupants, reflecting the car's GT nature.
21. The rear seats are surprisingly comfortable and well-appointed, with climate vents, cup holders, and an armrest, fitting the "Grand Touring" ethos. The rear seats are not an afterthought. They offer genuine comfort and amenities like climate control vents, cup holders, and an armrest, making them suitable for passengers on longer journeys, reinforcing the car's Grand Touring purpose.
22. The trunk offers decent luggage space for a grand tour, with an additional underfloor storage compartment for extra practicality. While not massive, the trunk is sufficient for luggage needed for a grand tour. The inclusion of an underfloor storage compartment adds a valuable layer of practicality, which is often lacking in exotic cars.
23. The emergency trunk release features a detailed diagram of someone exiting a Gran Turismo trunk, a unique and specific touch. This is a fantastic detail! The emergency trunk release isn't generic; it has a custom diagram showing someone escaping from a Gran Turismo trunk, demonstrating a high level of attention to detail and a touch of dark humor.
24. The manual transmission significantly enhances the driving engagement and overall experience of the car. This is the overarching conclusion from the driving segment. The manual gearbox transforms the driving experience, making it far more involving and enjoyable than the original automatic.
25. The chassis and steering are praised as excellent, providing a stable and predictable feel, especially with the manual transmission. The presenter consistently praises the Gran Turismo's chassis and steering, describing them as exceptionally good for a four-seater GT. The manual transmission amplifies these inherent strengths.
26. The clutch is a bit stiff, but manageable, and the gated shifter adds to the classic manual driving feel. While the clutch might be stiffer than expected, it's not a dealbreaker. The gated shifter provides that satisfying, mechanical feel that enthusiasts love, enhancing the overall manual experience.
27. The manual transmission "wakes up" the car, making it feel more dynamic and enjoyable, especially on the secondhand market. The manual conversion injects a new level of excitement and fun into the car. For those looking for a more engaging experience at a more accessible price point (on the used market), this manual swap is a game-changer.
28. The manual conversion provides a more engaging experience, comparable to other performance GTs like the Ferrari 612 or 599. The addition of the manual transmission elevates the driving feel to a level comparable to more focused, expensive GT cars from Ferrari, making the Gran Turismo a much more compelling proposition.
29. The car has a fantastic chassis and engine combination that benefits greatly from the added manual engagement. The underlying engineering of the Gran Turismo – its chassis and the Ferrari-derived V8 – are already strong. The manual transmission unlocks the full potential of this combination, making it a truly rewarding drive.
30. With some minor upgrades like addressing sticky buttons, this manual Gran Turismo could be considered one of the coolest modern Maseratis. The presenter suggests that with a few small fixes, like the sticky interior buttons, this unique manual Gran Turismo would be an exceptionally cool and desirable modern Maserati, perhaps second only to the ultra-rare MC12.
🎯 Expert Opinion
Alright, let's talk about this manual Maserati Gran Turismo S. From an expert standpoint, this isn't just a cool car; it's a fascinating case study in automotive desirability, engineering compromises, and the enduring appeal of manual transmissions. First off, the rarity is off the charts. Maserati’s decision to stick with automatics, even sequential ones, for the Gran Turismo was a strategic move based on market feedback at the time, but it left a void for enthusiasts. This manual conversion isn't just a mod; it's a restoration of what many believe *should* have been an option. The fact that it took parts from Ferrari highlights the shared DNA and the inherent difficulty of such a swap, making this a truly bespoke piece of automotive art. It’s a testament to the passion of its owner and the skill of the conversion specialists.
The market for these cars is evolving. While the Gran Turismo was never a budget exotic, its value has remained relatively stable compared to its Italian counterparts. This makes a manual conversion a significant investment, but one that, in my opinion, dramatically increases its collectibility and desirability. We're seeing a global trend of manual-swapped supercars and GTs from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s skyrocketing in value. This Maserati, with its Ferrari-derived V8, stunning (albeit long) Pininfarina design, and now a proper manual gearbox, is perfectly positioned to follow that trajectory. It’s not just about the driving experience; it’s about preserving a piece of automotive history and creating something truly unique that resonates with a core group of enthusiasts who value engagement over outright speed or the latest tech.
The quirks mentioned, like the infotainment system and button placement, are classic Italian car characteristics of that era. They’re part of the charm for many, but also areas where modern restoration or aftermarket solutions could further enhance the car. The sticky buttons, while annoying, are a known issue that can be addressed with specialized restoration products or even replacement parts. The electronic parking brake with a manual transmission is an interesting juxtaposition – a blend of old-school engagement with modern convenience features. While it might feel a bit disconnected, it’s a practical compromise in a car not originally designed for three pedals.
Looking ahead, I predict that cars like this manual Gran Turismo S will become increasingly sought after. As manufacturers continue to phase out manual transmissions entirely, these factory-rare or, in this case, expertly converted examples will be the ones that truly stand out. They represent a tangible connection to a bygone era of driving purity. The "Doug score" of 57 might seem modest, but it’s important to remember this is a score within its class and era, and the commentary about it being a "fantastic chassis that benefits from even more engagement" is the real takeaway. This car, with its unique manual conversion, is more than just a score; it's a statement piece for any serious collector who appreciates the soul of a car.
Kanal: Doug DeMuro