Why are MASERATI so cheap?
Discussion
The problem is that there were very expensive cars to buy and therefore look after.
They lack the appeal of some other Italian sportscars so depreciate like a stone, but the running costs don't. It hurts to spend £3000 a year on a £15,000 car so people don't. When you sell it on for £10,000 it then needs £5,000 a year on servicing to address the missed servicing.
You are forever playing catch up.
Perhaps one day they will increase in value where they are worth spending the money on, but that will be some way off.
Even the equivalent 1960's and 1970's car are still a way behind the equivalent Ferraris, and some are better and prettier.
Never buy the first version of a newly launch Maserati, you still pay for development costs. I have the last run out of the Biturbo - a 1998 car so they had been building them for over 10 years, and had finally fixed the major issues producing a car worth having, although their reputation was in tatters. Mine has only broken down once in 10 years of ownership and is not rusty !
They lack the appeal of some other Italian sportscars so depreciate like a stone, but the running costs don't. It hurts to spend £3000 a year on a £15,000 car so people don't. When you sell it on for £10,000 it then needs £5,000 a year on servicing to address the missed servicing.
You are forever playing catch up.
Perhaps one day they will increase in value where they are worth spending the money on, but that will be some way off.
Even the equivalent 1960's and 1970's car are still a way behind the equivalent Ferraris, and some are better and prettier.
Never buy the first version of a newly launch Maserati, you still pay for development costs. I have the last run out of the Biturbo - a 1998 car so they had been building them for over 10 years, and had finally fixed the major issues producing a car worth having, although their reputation was in tatters. Mine has only broken down once in 10 years of ownership and is not rusty !
Disagree with most of what posted above, it isn't "cheap", supercars never are, sure they were/are the "poor" mans Italian sports car but there are benefits.
I owned a 4200 for 4 years, never let me down once, did 30k miles in it a daily driver, sure I had to fork out for a new clutch but they are a consumable.
Plenty of independent specialists out there, but one with a good report and bobs your uncle. Dare I say the best car I ever owned!
P
PS Just make sure its got plenty of history, recent clutch change and the subframes are sound!
I owned a 4200 for 4 years, never let me down once, did 30k miles in it a daily driver, sure I had to fork out for a new clutch but they are a consumable.
Plenty of independent specialists out there, but one with a good report and bobs your uncle. Dare I say the best car I ever owned!
P
PS Just make sure its got plenty of history, recent clutch change and the subframes are sound!
Wishbones are >£1K each, throttle bodies >£1K, clutches >£1K - that's why they are cheap to buy but thats just a down payment on Maserati ownership.
You can roll the dice but unless you are very lucky then some kind of expense is inevitable, look at BMWs of comparable age and their problems, Maseratis are no different but parts prices are ten times higher with no aftermarket suppliers.
You can roll the dice but unless you are very lucky then some kind of expense is inevitable, look at BMWs of comparable age and their problems, Maseratis are no different but parts prices are ten times higher with no aftermarket suppliers.
I think, they are cheap, as they can potentially bankrupt you if you buy a bad one. Plus Granturismos are VERY plentiful. As others have said, if you leave problems to build up, then you can have massive bills. Wishbones, discs, pads etc, and throttle body/pedal pot issues can easily mount up. That said I have had my Assetto Corsa for almost 6 years, it is by far the best car I have owned, I came to it via a Cerbera and a Tuscan. It is quick, exclusive and has a certain "thing" which is quite hard to define. I love it. It has been to Italy and back, 3000 miles, trouble free. It has had regular servicing, plus one big one prior to Italy, belts, pump, all pulleys, all fluids etc. which came to £2500, the others are all around the £600 mark, other than belt service. You need to keep on top of them, if neglected then problems quickly mount up, then can cost a lot to put right, but when looked after they are probably one of the best kept secrets, bargains in the performance car world.
Depends which way you look at it, if you compare them to Ferrari, Porsche etc and the prices they've risen to it makes a Maserati look cheap and great value to buy even if the running costs still hurt. if compare them on capability level then they look expensive i.e. a modern M3 etc is probably a far better car technically than most Maserati
personally I love them and think the 3200/4200/Gransport and Granturismo are great cars and great value for money, the lack of depreciation when buying a used one makes up for the maintenance costs
personally I love them and think the 3200/4200/Gransport and Granturismo are great cars and great value for money, the lack of depreciation when buying a used one makes up for the maintenance costs
I bought a used granturismo for 30k last year. Love it. Very exclusive for the money.
As others have said even with a few k a year on maintenance, it’s still only on a par with what I’d spend leasing a basic 4 series or similar when you include the lack of depreciation on the gt.
I could run the car for 3 years for maybe £12k depreciation and servicing cost. That’s £330 a month. What can you lease for that? A 320d MSport?
As others have said even with a few k a year on maintenance, it’s still only on a par with what I’d spend leasing a basic 4 series or similar when you include the lack of depreciation on the gt.
I could run the car for 3 years for maybe £12k depreciation and servicing cost. That’s £330 a month. What can you lease for that? A 320d MSport?
The Granturismo and older models share quite a bit of switch gear with Ferrari so expect Ferrari maintenance prices.
On the plus side they only need servicing once every 2 years.
I can't fault my GT Sport, handles all the family duties, boot is just right. Yes, sometimes it's a squeeze to cram in 2 full sized suitcases. Best of all is the sports button. Civilised cruiser when you need it and flips into a popping and crackling loon at the touch of button. Best of all it does this at legal speeds and sensible revs. My other car has to punch though the 7K rpm level to sound and feel exciting.
On the plus side they only need servicing once every 2 years.
I can't fault my GT Sport, handles all the family duties, boot is just right. Yes, sometimes it's a squeeze to cram in 2 full sized suitcases. Best of all is the sports button. Civilised cruiser when you need it and flips into a popping and crackling loon at the touch of button. Best of all it does this at legal speeds and sensible revs. My other car has to punch though the 7K rpm level to sound and feel exciting.
They are only cheap to buy. It does have the bonus that you aren't afraid to drive them though. How many extremely low mileage Ferrari etc do you see out there. The only pleasure that owner can have had is a couple of drives a year and looking at it.
Why are they low. It can't just be servicing and repair costs as Ferrari costs at least as much. On older cars there is the spares gap. There are parts that are no longer available and with Maserati, unlike Ferrari, not having parts runs to replace them it makes this a bit of a lottery. Its ok to spend £70k on a Ferrari that you know can be repaired, at a cost, not so a similar aged Maserati when the lack of a part might make it unrepairable.
Why are they low. It can't just be servicing and repair costs as Ferrari costs at least as much. On older cars there is the spares gap. There are parts that are no longer available and with Maserati, unlike Ferrari, not having parts runs to replace them it makes this a bit of a lottery. Its ok to spend £70k on a Ferrari that you know can be repaired, at a cost, not so a similar aged Maserati when the lack of a part might make it unrepairable.
Gassing Station | Maserati | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff