Maserati 1990 - 1999
Discussion
Topic brought about by seeing yet another stunning looking car sell for not a lot of money.
What are they really like to drive, own, maintain.
The obvious would be delightful & ruinous at the same time but is that the reality also?
As the auctioneer would say, "a lot of car for your money", you're getting style & exclusivity but does that come with a lot of pain?
Two pics for example, the red Zagato sold last year for around £12K and seems to have been passed around a few times since. The blue Quattroporte sold yesterday for £6900 +fees.
What are they really like to drive, own, maintain.
The obvious would be delightful & ruinous at the same time but is that the reality also?
As the auctioneer would say, "a lot of car for your money", you're getting style & exclusivity but does that come with a lot of pain?
Two pics for example, the red Zagato sold last year for around £12K and seems to have been passed around a few times since. The blue Quattroporte sold yesterday for £6900 +fees.
I’ve just put my ‘92 Biturbo 430 up for sale after two years of ownership, in truth I’ve barely driven it but it has still given me a lot of pleasure, just owning a Maserati at all makes me smile.
It’s had some issues, mostly caused by lack of use and bodging here and there, but it’s just had £4k spent on it at McGrath Maserati and is now sorted. To drive it feels special in a way that’s hard to define. The bad reputation the Biturbos acquired early on has tainted the later cars which actually got better as the production carried on.
Most parts aren’t as hard to find as some people make out, the two Facebook groups dedicated to them are a real godsend, plus there’s David Askew near Lutterworth who has a good stash of parts for most Biturbo models.
If I had more garage space I’d keep mine and it hasn’t put me off owning another. I still fancy a Ghibli GT or QPIV one day.
It’s had some issues, mostly caused by lack of use and bodging here and there, but it’s just had £4k spent on it at McGrath Maserati and is now sorted. To drive it feels special in a way that’s hard to define. The bad reputation the Biturbos acquired early on has tainted the later cars which actually got better as the production carried on.
Most parts aren’t as hard to find as some people make out, the two Facebook groups dedicated to them are a real godsend, plus there’s David Askew near Lutterworth who has a good stash of parts for most Biturbo models.
If I had more garage space I’d keep mine and it hasn’t put me off owning another. I still fancy a Ghibli GT or QPIV one day.
The red Spyder was purchased from the auction site by a Classic Car restoration company where, after 8 weeks in their workshop, I then acquired it in January. It's my first Maserati and totally underrated. This one, being an automatic, is super smooth and quiet, I tend to waft around rather than race anywhere. It will happily sit on the motorway at 70mph, effortless and when you want to get somewhere quickly, the twin turbos will launch you forward easily exceeding the speed limits. It's a wonderful place to site, the smell of leather, suede and the wonderful wood surrounding you. Are they reliable? I can't speak for all but this one has proved to be very reliable. Like all classic cars, they need to be used and regularly maintained by a specialist. The BiTurbo range are very specialised and having a specific Maserati garage to look after it is important. Parts can be expensive and hard to find, but if you can get one which has been maintained or restored correctly, you can continue with the preventative maintenance, which will result in lots of miles and lots of smiles. Is it ruinous? Depends on your expectations, yes every time it goes into a garage, I expect a 4 figure bill, but that is only once a year and no more than my TVR. I have used this all summer and expect a maintenance bill at the end of September totalling £1500 to £2000. Does it drink a lot of fuel, hell yes, but who cares, worth all the smiles. The Trident badge is addictive, very special and the people I have met through my ownership within the Maserati community have been super friendly. The roof is one of the easiest to operate of any car I have previously owned.
Drove various models from that era, some of them when they were contemporary, last I drove was a 2.24 two years ago, which was temptingly cheap.
They all are good drivers cars, albeit with a decidedly Italian driving position and a wonderfully raw old school feel, practical and sweet sounding.
Was always on the lookout for a nice Ghibli II, drove them in the mid 90s (a 2.0), 3rd gear power was insane (when the turbos came on song), but decided on 911s then, silly me. Hindsight etc etc
Was wonderfully made, only creaks were from the leather rubbing, paint was excellent and car was just like a modernised M3 (the original one).
Tried the QPIV as well at that time, better than any M5 ever back then, looked outrageous in that certain Italian style; leather interior still better than most cars from today. Drove like the Ghibli, but with a heavier feel.
3200 were just fab, everything was great, and it was deliberately no Porsche, Ghibli was better though.
As for today the main issue is to drive the things, they don't like to be standing, they need to be used, the more the better. Mechanically they should be troublefree, they have quite simple electronics, most stuff if not everything can be done DIY. But there's the rust issue underneath, they can look like showcars because they are screwed together quite well, but rot their underside.
If you like what you see, then go for it, pretty straightforward cars with lots of charme.
For any Infos on these go to Enrico's maserati page, covering all the models from this era with a heap of knowledge and addicting stories.
They all are good drivers cars, albeit with a decidedly Italian driving position and a wonderfully raw old school feel, practical and sweet sounding.
Was always on the lookout for a nice Ghibli II, drove them in the mid 90s (a 2.0), 3rd gear power was insane (when the turbos came on song), but decided on 911s then, silly me. Hindsight etc etc
Was wonderfully made, only creaks were from the leather rubbing, paint was excellent and car was just like a modernised M3 (the original one).
Tried the QPIV as well at that time, better than any M5 ever back then, looked outrageous in that certain Italian style; leather interior still better than most cars from today. Drove like the Ghibli, but with a heavier feel.
3200 were just fab, everything was great, and it was deliberately no Porsche, Ghibli was better though.
As for today the main issue is to drive the things, they don't like to be standing, they need to be used, the more the better. Mechanically they should be troublefree, they have quite simple electronics, most stuff if not everything can be done DIY. But there's the rust issue underneath, they can look like showcars because they are screwed together quite well, but rot their underside.
If you like what you see, then go for it, pretty straightforward cars with lots of charme.
For any Infos on these go to Enrico's maserati page, covering all the models from this era with a heap of knowledge and addicting stories.
Azzurrinick said:
The red Spyder was purchased from the auction site by a Classic Car restoration company where, after 8 weeks in their workshop, I then acquired it in January. It's my first Maserati and totally underrated. This one, being an automatic, is super smooth and quiet, I tend to waft around rather than race anywhere. It will happily sit on the motorway at 70mph, effortless and when you want to get somewhere quickly, the twin turbos will launch you forward easily exceeding the speed limits. It's a wonderful place to site, the smell of leather, suede and the wonderful wood surrounding you. Are they reliable? I can't speak for all but this one has proved to be very reliable. Like all classic cars, they need to be used and regularly maintained by a specialist. The BiTurbo range are very specialised and having a specific Maserati garage to look after it is important. Parts can be expensive and hard to find, but if you can get one which has been maintained or restored correctly, you can continue with the preventative maintenance, which will result in lots of miles and lots of smiles. Is it ruinous? Depends on your expectations, yes every time it goes into a garage, I expect a 4 figure bill, but that is only once a year and no more than my TVR. I have used this all summer and expect a maintenance bill at the end of September totalling £1500 to £2000. Does it drink a lot of fuel, hell yes, but who cares, worth all the smiles. The Trident badge is addictive, very special and the people I have met through my ownership within the Maserati community have been super friendly. The roof is one of the easiest to operate of any car I have previously owned.
Regards costs, I currently have a Boxster S after number of TVR, costs sound similar.
I've been looking at the ever escalating prices for Lancias as they move beyond the orbit of my budget. Temptation is there to give one a go, need to sell the Boxster first and currently no takers.
Skyedriver said:
If it's the car i think, I watched the auction while on holiday and was very close to bidding, just wary of running etc held me back. Head beat heart for a change. It went to Bridge and was a comp prize? Just looks so classy, understated, perfect. Wish I'd bid now.....
Regards costs, I currently have a Boxster S after number of TVR, costs sound similar.
I've been looking at the ever escalating prices for Lancias as they move beyond the orbit of my budget. Temptation is there to give one a go, need to sell the Boxster first and currently no takers.
Yes it is the Bridge Classic competition car, I am the lucky one who had the winning ticket. There are a lot of new parts in the engine compartment, I didn't see the worksheet but it does look like they had done a lot of work to it as it had only done 3000 miles in 21 years. The previous owner has had the bodywork stripped back, all the corrosion replaced underneath and then undersealed. I am driving it as much as possible this year to shake down any old parts as my Wife and I are travelling around Italy in the Spyder next year. I have absolutely no doubt it will perform well and be thoroughly enjoyable. I would agree, it is no more expensive than the TVR, if you choose well in the beginning you will be rewarded with trouble free motoring. Sorry to make your decision making more difficult but, I am seriously considering selling the TVR and replacing it with another Maserati, such is the draw. I am doing the research and calculating the man maths at the moment. Good luck with the Boxster. Regards costs, I currently have a Boxster S after number of TVR, costs sound similar.
I've been looking at the ever escalating prices for Lancias as they move beyond the orbit of my budget. Temptation is there to give one a go, need to sell the Boxster first and currently no takers.
Skyedriver said:
P5BNij said:
I’ve just put my ‘92 Biturbo 430 up for sale .
link pleasehttps://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1620864
I've looked at these many times over the years but the more I researched the possibility the more I encountered tales of very expensive ownership experience. I've never had the guts to take a punt on one of these or even on the later cars with boomerang rear lights. I even looked at an astoundingly cheap and fairly new Quattroporte at one stage but my spidey senses still said run away.
Definitely interesting cars though.
Definitely interesting cars though.
P5BNij said:
Here you - I hope it's not against forum rules...
Love everything about that except the auto box of which I guess many are fitted with. I just can't get away with auto, MB auto anyway, wonder if Italian auto are different. The previous Maserati mechanic owner has had an interesting way of working judging by the service notes shown.
Won't discuss further in public viewing.
Azzurrinick said:
The red Spyder was purchased from the auction site by a Classic Car restoration company where, after 8 weeks in their workshop, I then acquired it in January. It's my first Maserati and totally underrated. This one, being an automatic, is super smooth and quiet, I tend to waft around rather than race anywhere. It will happily sit on the motorway at 70mph, effortless and when you want to get somewhere quickly, the twin turbos will launch you forward easily exceeding the speed limits. It's a wonderful place to site, the smell of leather, suede and the wonderful wood surrounding you. Are they reliable? I can't speak for all but this one has proved to be very reliable. Like all classic cars, they need to be used and regularly maintained by a specialist. The BiTurbo range are very specialised and having a specific Maserati garage to look after it is important. Parts can be expensive and hard to find, but if you can get one which has been maintained or restored correctly, you can continue with the preventative maintenance, which will result in lots of miles and lots of smiles. Is it ruinous? Depends on your expectations, yes every time it goes into a garage, I expect a 4 figure bill, but that is only once a year and no more than my TVR. I have used this all summer and expect a maintenance bill at the end of September totalling £1500 to £2000. Does it drink a lot of fuel, hell yes, but who cares, worth all the smiles. The Trident badge is addictive, very special and the people I have met through my ownership within the Maserati community have been super friendly. The roof is one of the easiest to operate of any car I have previously owned.
It really is a cracking car and looks fantastic! I hope you enjoy!!
I think Mr Tidy isn't a fan of the Ghandini design of the QP IV.
It is somewhat marmite, and I get while some don't like it. I'm a fan personally (but that might have something to do with my age when these were new), but only in the right colours.
The fifth generation is, IMHO, another level of looks and potentially one of the most attractive 4-seaters of that era...
It is somewhat marmite, and I get while some don't like it. I'm a fan personally (but that might have something to do with my age when these were new), but only in the right colours.
The fifth generation is, IMHO, another level of looks and potentially one of the most attractive 4-seaters of that era...
Church of Noise said:
I think Mr Tidy isn't a fan of the Ghandini design of the QP IV.
It is somewhat marmite, and I get while some don't like it. I'm a fan personally (but that might have something to do with my age when these were new), but only in the right colours.
The fifth generation is, IMHO, another level of looks and potentially one of the most attractive 4-seaters of that era...
Sorry, Church of Noise is exactly right. It is somewhat marmite, and I get while some don't like it. I'm a fan personally (but that might have something to do with my age when these were new), but only in the right colours.
The fifth generation is, IMHO, another level of looks and potentially one of the most attractive 4-seaters of that era...
I wasn't referring to that particular car, but all QPs of that generation.
But if others like them then fair enough - the world would be a boring place if we all liked the same things!
Funnily enough I saw one of those QPs going the other way on Sunday and I didn't like it any better in the metal.
Mr Tidy said:
Church of Noise said:
I think Mr Tidy isn't a fan of the Ghandini design of the QP IV.
It is somewhat marmite, and I get while some don't like it. I'm a fan personally (but that might have something to do with my age when these were new), but only in the right colours.
The fifth generation is, IMHO, another level of looks and potentially one of the most attractive 4-seaters of that era...
Sorry, Church of Noise is exactly right. It is somewhat marmite, and I get while some don't like it. I'm a fan personally (but that might have something to do with my age when these were new), but only in the right colours.
The fifth generation is, IMHO, another level of looks and potentially one of the most attractive 4-seaters of that era...
I wasn't referring to that particular car, but all QPs of that generation.
But if others like them then fair enough - the world would be a boring place if we all liked the same things!
Funnily enough I saw one of those QPs going the other way on Sunday and I didn't like it any better in the metal.
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