How Bad Are Maseratis Really?

How Bad Are Maseratis Really?

Author
Discussion

Baldchap

Original Poster:

8,358 posts

99 months

Monday 1st January
quotequote all
I keep looking. Got the boy's RS Twingo to MOT and sell (he now has a Fiesta ST, I'm not robbing him!) and with a few quid thrown in I can justify scratching the Maserati itch that I've had for a while.

I really like the idea of a cheap 4200 Cambiocorsa or a 4.2 Quattroporte as a Pubka. Most have had many owners at the budget I'm looking at, and I certainly can't justify buying a decent one for pub duties (especially given it's a dry January!), so per the title, how bad are they really (usual used car buying rules obviously apply)?

Parisien

626 posts

169 months

Monday 1st January
quotequote all
As bad as any other 20 year old supercar. Go on the sportsmaserati.com forum and find all the enthusiasts answers!

P

JonnyWhitters

795 posts

89 months

Monday 1st January
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Had my QPV for 18 months now and it's been better behaved than previous Jags and Porsches.

Selling it now as I am doing more rural & field based driving, which this isn't great for.

Sad as I'll never have an engine as good as this again...

FastEdd11e

205 posts

63 months

Monday 1st January
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We've had our Ghibli S for 2 1/2 years and it's been amazing.

It's time to sell it, Autotrader, as we are due a new car soonish.

Ours was 1 owner and only 4 years old when we bought it.
It's amazing. Such a wonderful place to potter around in or be hooligan. Our best advice is not to go for a lower power option. They need a good amount of bhp to shift the weight.

This is our only experience but would love a Granturismo. 4 seats and a V8.

Fessia fancier

1,173 posts

190 months

Monday 1st January
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I am thinking of getting a Ghibli, if you would like to drop me a line

Jordie Barretts sock

6,018 posts

26 months

Monday 1st January
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The correct answer is a 3200 isn't it? Just look at those hockey stick rear lights man!

Blah, blah, chocolate clutches, blah blah, expensive services, blah, blah.

JUST LOOK AT THOSE REAR LIGHTS!

laugh

ZX10R NIN

28,367 posts

132 months

Monday 1st January
quotequote all
Had a 4.7 GT & it was fantastic reliable not cheap to run but not ruinous either, the car was an event from start up to shurdown.

Fessia fancier

1,173 posts

190 months

Monday 1st January
quotequote all
I think they are underrated
We have a QP 4.2 with the ZF box, bought it when it was 4 years old and we have had it for 12 years and added more or less 100k miles. It still uses no oil, though quite a lot of consumables have been consumed !
It is a terrific sounding car

Rough101

2,287 posts

82 months

Monday 1st January
quotequote all
Underrated.

Parts are super expensive and often OE only, this leads to skimping on maintenance, and then dumping back in the market, hence there are so many nightmare ones bought.

Worth a look with an informed eye.

anonymous-user

61 months

Tuesday 2nd January
quotequote all
Old sports cars, particularly ones with a flakey reputation at best, are a bit like pet dogs - great to greet, enjoy a little interaction, maybe a walk or a little playtime etc. But best owned by someone else who doesn't mind dealing with all the ste, noise, costs and daily ownership costs

A potential wallet hoover for what? A nice noise and adequate performance. Not a chance

vanman1936

799 posts

226 months

Tuesday 2nd January
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
Had a 4.7 GT & it was fantastic reliable not cheap to run but not ruinous either, the car was an event from start up to shurdown.
Ditto

LayZ

1,668 posts

249 months

Wednesday 3rd January
quotequote all
Have had a GranSport for 9 years.

  • Pretty good for DIY, and even clutches are possible if brave and you have a approx £500 Launch tool
  • Fast, engine is a stunner.
  • One of the best ever for sound
  • Some parts prices are insane. e.g. ABS sensors fail regularly and they are mounted inside the bearing which are £600 each, no alternative. Wishbones too, same story
  • Good owners forum, can find out how to DIY most things
  • CC / F1 gearbox is dreadful in traffic, good when pressing on. Makes this much more suitable as a play/classic car then when as a new proposition
  • Never had a failure to proceed. Overall reliable package I would say.
  • Actual space for 2 adults in the back
  • Great looks
Good enthusiast choice for low cost near-supercar ownership proposition if you are handy with spanners. If you need a specialist to work on it, I mean, its going to cost a lot relative to the value of the car.

Baldchap

Original Poster:

8,358 posts

99 months

Wednesday 3rd January
quotequote all
This has been far more positive than expected. Thanks to all contributors. smile

It wouldn't be a daily, it probably wouldn't even be a weekly, I expect. It'd be slower than my Alpina and less fun than the Lotuses, I just want one for some reason and they are super cheap because of possible borkage costs. laugh

fflump

1,758 posts

45 months

Wednesday 3rd January
quotequote all
Baldchap said:
I keep looking. Got the boy's RS Twingo to MOT and sell (he now has a Fiesta ST, I'm not robbing him!) and with a few quid thrown in I can justify scratching the Maserati itch that I've had for a while.

I really like the idea of a cheap 4200 Cambiocorsa or a 4.2 Quattroporte as a Pubka. Most have had many owners at the budget I'm looking at, and I certainly can't justify buying a decent one for pub duties (especially given it's a dry January!), so per the title, how bad are they really (usual used car buying rules obviously apply)?
I owned a 4200 Cambiocorsa (dark green metallic with tan interior) and every drive was an event. With a purchase it is important to ensure the car is oil-tight, runs smooth on idle, and the owner can tell you the current amount of clutch wear.

The only work I needed to do on my car was the rocker cover gaskets and a coil pack. You need a good Indy that is happy to work on them. Spares are not cheap but readily available from places like Eurospares.

Treat it like a GT not a sports car (you have those anyway) and they are a great proposition.

If I bought one again I would ago for the manual gearbox, not cambiocorsa. However they are rated Euro 3 which makes them problematic for the growing number of LEZs.


Edited by fflump on Wednesday 3rd January 13:51

Mr Tidy

24,285 posts

134 months

Wednesday 3rd January
quotequote all
I somehow managed to get invited to a day driving the Maserati range at Millbrook in 2008. smile

I loved the sound of the V8s with the pedal buried, and the quality of the interiors. I'd love a Quattroporte Auto (I didn't get on with the automated manual) but don't need a car that size - plus I'm not that brave. laugh

But if you really want one then go for it, and good luck - they're a lot of car for the money. thumbup

colin_p

4,503 posts

219 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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A chap called Joe had one that did 185, he lost his licence, and now he can't drive.


JonnyWhitters

795 posts

89 months

Thursday 4th January
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I've got a car club day out at Maserati Egham in a few weeks, should be good to compare my QPV to the latest offerings, and feel ever so slightly smug with my extra couple of cylinders compared to the ones in the showroom

fflump

1,758 posts

45 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
JonnyWhitters said:
I've got a car club day out at Maserati Egham in a few weeks, should be good to compare my QPV to the latest offerings, and feel ever so slightly smug with my extra couple of cylinders compared to the ones in the showroom
I would have thought they’d have some GTS or Trofeo V8 models. I’ve seen Ghibli and Levante Trofeos in the UK but not a QP. Does uk only have V6 QPs?