Looking to buy a Ghibli, got some questions

[deek_f]

Hi Guys,

So potential new Maserati owner. Just looking for some advice/questions answered. Im looking at getting a Ghibli.

I've had a look through this forum, & gotten some info. I know to look for paperwork, service history, any bills for any work.

In relation to the Ghibli, I'm looking at possibly 2016 on model
do they need Timing belts changed at xxxx miles?,
I've discovered about skyhook, is that a "nice to have" or yeh get that
A couple of dealers offer "free" 6m/12m warranty, do you think they worth the paper they are written on?
(I'm looking at dealers, as I think there's a wee bit more protection)
I've not decided on petrol or diesel... there are more diesels on offer
do they still suffer from sticky buttons? ( I seen the wheeler dealer episode where they mention that)
Anything specific I should look for? any problem areas? other than sticky buttons
Any dealers that I should look at (or not) ( I don't mind traveling )
If I have read correct, they have the satnav from a Fiat Doblo, can you replace a old unit with a up to date unit?, or can you get old unit updated with newer software?

thanks in advance for any replies.

sorry for so many Qs

[wilm001]

Hi,
The Ghibli has a chain not a belt.

I have a 2016 diesel - been very happy with it but saying that here a a few things that are worthy of mention:

1 - make sure the battery is in good condition otherwise you will see all manner of warning lights on the dashboard.!
2 it's a RWD car with lots of torque so the rear tyres don't last long - 4000 miles for my last set! Mind you the front tyres last forever....
3 the satnav is from a Jeep Cheroke its a bit basic but it does the job ( i think it was upgraded in 2017)
4 never had a problem with sticky buttons
5 as far as warranty goes i had a Warrantywise one which i was able to claim on with little hassle.
I would steer clear of Maserati dealers as their labour rates are very high,i use a local Maserati specialist.
If you go and see one check that you can get hot air from the vents on both sides of the car - if not the actuator will need replacing, this is a commom fault and is about £400 to fix.

The heating/ventillation is a bit rubbish,it seems to be hot or cold with not much between.

As i said i have the diesel - it's got a lot of torque and it feels like a tidal wave when i put my foot down.It's got a ZF gearbox which is used in other high-end cars.

This is also quite useful for info;
https://www.ghibliforum.com/

Hope this helps!

Edited by wilm001 on Tuesday 18th March 21:09

Edited by wilm001 on Tuesday 18th March 21:10

Edited by wilm001 on Tuesday 18th March 21:11

Edited by wilm001 on Tuesday 18th March 21:12

Edited by wilm001 on Tuesday 18th March 21:23

[Fessia fancier]

We have had a couple of petrol ones for a year or so including one Euro road trip. No issues at all save one glitch on the passenger door not opening.
I was advised to avoid diesel but have no direct experience

[deek_f]

Thank you both

[Master Bean]

Buy the petrol model. Rear tyres last 20k miles. Previous poster has been doing donuts.

[AlfaManc]

wilm001 said:

Hi,
The Ghibli has a chain not a belt.

I have a 2016 diesel - been very happy with it but saying that here a a few things that are worthy of mention:

1 - make sure the battery is in good condition otherwise you will see all manner of warning lights on the dashboard.!
2 it's a RWD car with lots of torque so the rear tyres don't last long - 4000 miles for my last set! Mind you the front tyres last forever....
3 the satnav is from a Jeep Cheroke its a bit basic but it does the job ( i think it was upgraded in 2017)
I would steer clear of Maserati dealers as their labour rates are very high,i use a local Maserati specialist.
If you go and see one check that you can get hot air from the vents on both sides of the car - if not the actuator will need replacing, this is a commom fault and is about £400 to fix.

The heating/ventillation is a bit rubbish,it seems to be hot or cold with not much between.

As i said i have the diesel - it's got a lot of torque and it feels like a tidal wave when i put my foot down.It's got a ZF gearbox which is used in other high-end cars.

Same here re: the diesel. I'd agree with many of the points above but my rears have lasted over 15k now and they weren't new when I bought the car. There is still plenty of tread left. If anything, the fronts are wearing much quicker. For reference I have Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on all four corners. The belt is a service item, and is changed every 4-5 years. Parts such as brake discs are expensive as they are Maserati only. A complete set of front discs and pads cost me £500, plus fitting.

I'd definitely steer clear of dealers. The diesel is not a complex car, using a Chrysler/Jeep engine. A trusted local garage does most of the work on mine and there is an indy I have used not too far away. A basic service runs to £600-£1000 at an indy or dealer. For the sake of oil and some filters, I order a service kit and use my local chap to service the car.

Diesel versus petrol ? For me petrol every day if fuel costs aren't an issue. The diesel is actually great on long journeys, especially in Sports mode. The power delivery though isn't much suited to town driving IMO and I'd say petrol is a better all rounder. Sub-20 mpg is not my thing though, hence the diesel. It's a big car, and the ride on 20" wheels is definitely firm. There are better cars in the same class, but at £15k or thereabouts, the Ghibli is worth considering.

[fflump]

I used to own a V6S and it’s a great sounding characterful engine. They upgraded the infotainment system in 16/17 so look out for the newer unit.

[deek_f]

Thanks everyone for the replies,

I think I have narrowed down what I am looking for, just need to find it now

[handbraketurn]

OP did you buy one?

I'm looking at these, started off being sensible looking at very cheap but fairly low mileage diesels. Everything I have read and watched (on Youtube) suggests they are the most reliable, provided they're regularly serviced. Having had some German diesels go quite wrong in the past, servicing is really the key for most marques.

The media have been so negative about this car, in this country at least, but if you look on say Parkers guide at actual owners experience, its 5/5 stars for the most part.

I'm fairly comfortable buying a diesel with good service history, taking into account the risks.

Being a petrol head and suffering from bouts of man maths, starting to look at sensible, reasonably priced diesels led me to mentally upgrade to a V6, as Yo'd always be disappointed not to have that engine sound and performance.

It seems the petrols are much more troublesome and potentially expensive than the diesels.

I'd be interested to hear peoples experiences.

I'm looking at the revised model post 2017.

[ex-devonpaul]

handbraketurn said:

Being a petrol head and suffering from bouts of man maths, starting to look at sensible, reasonably priced diesels led me to mentally upgrade to a V6, as Yo'd always be disappointed not to have that engine sound and performance.

It seems the petrols are much more troublesome and potentially expensive than the diesels.

Ask yourself one queston..

"If I buy the diesel, every time I start the engine will I think 'I should have bought the petrol'?".

Maseratis are a passion buy rather than cold sense, the alternatives stack up far better, but nobody ever lies on their death bed saying "I really wish I'd bought that C-class". Except maserati owners, obviously

[deek_f]

Hi,
Yep, ended up with a 2022 petrol Ghibli
Like you I thought about the diesel, whilst MPG is better... Diesel Maserati don't sound as nice.

[handbraketurn]

ex-devonpaul said:

Ask yourself one queston..

"If I buy the diesel, every time I start the engine will I think 'I should have bought the petrol'?".

Maseratis are a passion buy rather than cold sense, the alternatives stack up far better, but nobody ever lies on their death bed saying "I really wish I'd bought that C-class". Except maserati owners, obviously

That's exactly the kind of question I would ask myself, of course.

But I also ask myself the question how I'd feel standing at the side of the road with smoke coming out of the engine bay

[handbraketurn]

deek_f said:

Hi,
Yep, ended up with a 2022 petrol Ghibli
Like you I thought about the diesel, whilst MPG is better... Diesel Maserati don't sound as nice.

Is the 2022 the 2.0L hybrid or did you get the 3.0 V6?

How are you finding it?

[ex-devonpaul]

handbraketurn said:

ex-devonpaul said:

Ask yourself one queston..

"If I buy the diesel, every time I start the engine will I think 'I should have bought the petrol'?".

That's exactly the kind of question I would ask myself, of course.

But I also ask myself the question how I'd feel standing at the side of the road with smoke coming out of the engine bay

That's an electrical fault so the engine type doesn't matter

[deek_f]

handbraketurn said:

Is the 2022 the 2.0L hybrid or did you get the 3.0 V6?

How are you finding it?

I got the 2.0 Mhev. It was at a price I couldn't pass up.
I like it. Sounds nice, & goes fast.

[Master Bean]

The plus point of the diesel is it looks identical to the petrol. Nobody can tell from the outside when parked up. Obviously on a cold start the petrol V6 sounds brilliant. Much louder than a twin turbo V8 Aston.

Note this is a petrol with almost 100k miles in the south of France.