New Car - Maserati vs Ferrari

[phil1]

I'm hoping someone can help persuade me either way in my choice of next car.

I'm looking for a GT. Must have 4 seats, so my 2 year old doesn't prevent it being used. Don't want a saloon based car, which ruled out BMWs, Mercs, etc and I've never liked Porsches.

I've test driven a number of Maserati Coupes, and had settled on a used 4200, a year or 2 old. However I can't seem to get past the price of used Ferrari 456s. Always loved the looks... but don't have a realistic idea of reliability and maintenance costs. Mileage is probably going to be <6k per year. Budget is up to 50k.

Is the Maserati the safer option? Would the Ferrari be a nightmare to maintain and/or take anywhere.

Previous owned a TVR Chimaera and then a TVR Tuscan, so not completely unused to expensive maintenance!

Any advice, opinions, thougs would be gladly received.

thanks,
Phil

[mr_tony]

The 4200 would be in general terms a bit cheaper to run, will probably be slightly better in terms of fuel consumption, and frankly won't feel any slower.

The 456 is a beautiful shape however and if your annual mileage will be as low as you say then the 456 may be a decent purchase. Thing is you have to get a good one, so careful inspections are a must.

Search through the archive here - there is plenty of discussion on the merits of buying a s/h 456. Given the number of people who have thoguht about it is vastly bigger than the few who have done it (at least buying in at the 'cheap' end of 456 ownership), I would tread carefully, but it's not an impossible dream by any means.

Check out EVO 50 - has a buyers guide, including contributions from a one time 456 owner "benno" on this forum (thoroughly nice chap).

[joelk]

Hi Phil,

I went from a 99 TVR Cerbera to a 94 456GT a while back. Despite being considerably older, with more milage, the Ferrari was sooo much better in every respect. Totally reliable, little depreciation, far superior handling and better overall performance.

I would only consider a car with 100% service history, very well maintained - and with seperate warantee for added peace of mind.

Don't get me wrong, Maserati's are really great cars, but it's not a Ferrari, if you know what I mean.

Enjoy.

Joel.

[v12v8]

Beware the running costs on a 456. Great cars at a price. Good luck.

[propaganda]

With a mileage of 6k per annum you need to budget for around 1-2k for maintenance on the Maserati and if the clutch need replacing anytime soon (2-3k). You need to have warranty on both cars as they are very expensive to repair/maintain without one, especially the 456 as it is a 150k vehicle. I suspect depreciation may be the biggest cost on the Maserati. There is a risk in going for an older 456 as it could potentially be very expensive if a lot of work is required at some point in the future. Still all things considered a nice choice to be making.

[mal]

joelk said:

Hi Phil, Don't get me wrong, Maserati's are really great cars, but it's not a Ferrari, if you know what I mean. Enjoy. Joel.

And that is one of its best assetts - Maseratis are pure class, whereas Ferraris are passion and power

[sco]

I think you can make a good case for both and I am sure you wont be disappointed with either. The Masser is more "useable" I think, you will be less likely to worry about where you are parking or what people (clients/colleagues) will think. If you get a good 456 then the depreciation has got to be better and I think it will feel more like a special event when using the 456.

For me, it would depend on whether you wanted a manual box and how you were going to use the car. I really didn't like the 4200 manual and from what I've read the 456 has the better manual transmission. If you are happy with a CC box in the Masser then obviously not an issue.

I think there is a bit of an image issue with Ferrari and the general public, even though the 456 is the subtle one, I suspect that not everyone you meet will be as impressed as us enthusiasts. The Masser is a bit less in your face which can be an advantage in some circumstances.

On balance I would probably go for the Ferrari because I hate the thought of how much the 4200 is likely to depreciate and don't like paddle shifts very much.

Best of luck.