Advice for a 1st time Ghilbi buyer?

Advice for a 1st time Ghilbi buyer?

Author
Discussion

mattman

Original Poster:

3,178 posts

229 months

Monday 12th July 2021
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After a spell of not owning a car, its time to get something that will handle a weekly commute of 3-400 miles, be comfortable, reliable and look good.

I've put a self inflicted budget of around £15-17.5k to get something sub-100k and not ruin me everytime it goes for a service. My shortlist is a 640d cab or a Ghilbi.
From what i have read online, the Ghilbi seems to tick a lot of boxes - it will also tick a major box of owning a Maserati (yes i know its not a proper sports car, but as much as i like at GranTurismo, the running costs scare me).

It appears that reliability is generally good overall, brakes can be expensive but equally parts can be cheaper if you can find the equivalent fiat/chrysler part and avoid the tax of having the trident printed on the box - is that correct? Some issue with ackerman effect on large wheels or possibly steering rack failure?
I will be getting any servicing/repairs done by a trusted local mechanic, not a Maserati specialist but he's never failed yet with anything i've taken to him.

However, for a Ghilbi - would you recommend going for a lower mileage older car such as this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106244...

or a newer car with slightly higher miles like this?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

This will be my 61st car, i've owned a Boxster 987 in the past so aware running costs will be more than a 5 series or equivalent.
I'm looking at a diesel purely for the expected miles and being a little more efficient.

So apart from the usual rules of buying any 2nd hand car and assuming that any warranty from a non-franchise dealer is not worth the paper its written on, are there any other pitfalls or issues i should be checking for?

Thanks in advance

Lincsls1

3,478 posts

147 months

Monday 12th July 2021
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Good on you for not choosing to follow the crowd! Both cars look nice.
I know nothing about them, however I would try to view both. Assuming there is no significant spec difference between the cars I would put my money on the best one as seen and tested.
The newer one, even with more miles, might be in better all round condition, but equally the older one could also be the better car.
How they've been owned and looked after previously is the key and viewing them is the best way to try and figure that out.
From my sofa, I think I prefer the older one. Prefer the colour, wheels, mileage and its a one owner car.
Good luck.

Edited by Lincsls1 on Monday 12th July 15:49

tokyo_mb

432 posts

224 months

Tuesday 13th July 2021
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Talk to Richard Grace - he will be able to give some good guidance on what to look for, even if you don't end up buying a car from him.

omniflow

2,866 posts

158 months

Tuesday 13th July 2021
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tokyo_mb said:
Talk to Richard Grace - he will be able to give some good guidance on what to look for, even if you don't end up buying a car from him.
Some very sound advice here.

jontysafe

2,361 posts

185 months

Tuesday 13th July 2021
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Engine in the 640d head and shoulders above the VM unit in Ghibli. Not even in the same time zone.

If you're going to get a maser get a petrol S model.

mattman

Original Poster:

3,178 posts

229 months

Tuesday 13th July 2021
quotequote all
tokyo_mb said:
Talk to Richard Grace - he will be able to give some good guidance on what to look for, even if you don't end up buying a car from him.
Thanks for the info - had come across his website, but no Ghibli's in stock at present - will give him a call though.
He does have some lovely cars in stock though, the Aerial is amazing but not exactly practical for a trip around the M25 on a winters morning! smile