Best kept petrolhead secret (apart from us of course)

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PhillV8S

Member
Messages
124
Having just enjoyed yet another blast around Worcestershire’s B roads this evening, I still struggle to see why this brand is so underrated. I get plenty of performance, glorious sound and drop dead gorgeous looks for a fraction of the the usual German counterparts. None of which seem particularly exciting or fun to own.
There are always many tales of woe on all car forums I find , such is their nature I guess but I have had my GS for over a year now, and bar a dodgy boot lock seems as good as the day I got it. Is there a better weekend toy which offer so much for so little? I fell into Maserati ownership by accident, but happy to be here now. Do others feel happy with their Maserati lot?
 
Gazcw

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,778
The reason is, plonkers on other forums that spout on about running costs, no reliability, rust blah blah, that have never driven, owned or half of them not seen one in the flesh, who think they are an Italian car engineering specialist and probably drive around in a Nissan or Focus. Oh and the knobs that listen and believe them.
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,156
Running costs I would imagine put lots off…My 3200 service costs where just stupid and parts prices even worse. Service prices seem better these days though with a good independent but they aren’t cheaper to run and unfortunately no matter what we think on here Maserati just cannot shake that imagine of poor reliability. Once you have that reputation it’s so hard to shake even after all these years and some of it is boll0cks as said above spouted by reviews that may not be accurate some if it is true. Great cars plagued by two imagines …romance and that Maserati name ……. Money pit and that Maserati name…

So glad you are enjoying your GS as it’s a cracking car and one of Maseratis best arguably.
 
GeoffCapes

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
Gazcw said:
The reason is, plonkers on other forums that spout on about running costs, no reliability, rust blah blah, that have never driven, owned or half of them not seen one in the flesh, who think they are an Italian car engineering specialist and probably drive around in a Nissan or Focus. Oh and the knobs that listen and believe them.
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Nailed it!
 
davy83

davy83

Member
Messages
2,823
PhillV8S said:
Having just enjoyed yet another blast around Worcestershire’s B roads this evening, I still struggle to see why this brand is so underrated. I get plenty of performance, glorious sound and drop dead gorgeous looks for a fraction of the the usual German counterparts. None of which seem particularly exciting or fun to own.
There are always many tales of woe on all car forums I find , such is their nature I guess but I have had my GS for over a year now, and bar a dodgy boot lock seems as good as the day I got it. Is there a better weekend toy which offer so much for so little? I fell into Maserati ownership by accident, but happy to be here now. Do others feel happy with their Maserati lot?
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After 16 years of my 3200 I still get that feeling after a good day out, its just an amazing car. I still get the sharp intake of breath when the car comes up in conversation "oh you must have deep pockets" but I have averaged £2632 per year over the 16 years and I don't think that's too bad, considering the suspension has been replaced twice, both turbos, endless discs, the prop shaft, most of the AC system, and the wheels, not to mention 3 or 4 visits to a body shop to combat the tinsel worm (needs done again must fine the time :) ). Its never left me needing a tow truck and I have driven it from Aberdeen to Italy twice and regard those trips as about the finest trips I have ever done. I reckon its my secret, and I am happy to keep it that way. I have 70k miles on it now and i think any comparable performance car would have cost as much or more to keep and I would have sold it by now. The Maserati for me is j103165ust too special to let go, and what would I buy instead!
 
Delmonte

Delmonte

Member
Messages
878
PhillV8S said:
Having just enjoyed yet another blast around Worcestershire’s B roads this evening, I still struggle to see why this brand is so underrated. I get plenty of performance, glorious sound and drop dead gorgeous looks for a fraction of the the usual German counterparts. None of which seem particularly exciting or fun to own.
There are always many tales of woe on all car forums I find , such is their nature I guess but I have had my GS for over a year now, and bar a dodgy boot lock seems as good as the day I got it. Is there a better weekend toy which offer so much for so little? I fell into Maserati ownership by accident, but happy to be here now. Do others feel happy with their Maserati lot?
Click to expand...

Completely distilled my feelings. My experience?

Had my 4200 for 4 years now. 19k on when I bought it. Just turned 33k last week. Its been across Europe as far as southern Spain twice, and France / Belgium Holland other week. Never even gave a sniff of letting me down. Never even had a gremlin. All I've done is routine servicing, one clutch (I'll come to that in a bit) and a battery.
Other than that, just spruce up & personal upgrades (GS grille, wheels & exhaust, sticky buttons, leather minted up, Michelin all round, nose cone painted to de-stone chip). The car is pristine throughout (and I'm very fussy - just ask Dicky Grace). It has been driven occasionally in winter and never sorned. it is 17 years old and has zero rust anywhere.

It has the wow factor (talk to strangers all the time about it, who ask) but it is still understated. It sounds amazing (thankyou Jason at Jaren metalworks for exhaust work). It is fast enough to keep up with or beat most modern performance cars in roads that actually exist.

The clutch? Stupidly gave it to a hotel valet parker shortly after I bought it.. tight car park, smoke ensued.... turns our after clutch reading he'd caned 40% extra wear... settled on a grand compo from the hotel. Drove car for 3 more years before actually doing clutch £3k at Autoshield - only big job I've done.

My car cost £22k and is now worth about £18k privately? after adding 4 years and over 50% more mileage.

It is easily the most reliable car I've had over its first 4 years in my ownership.

Incredible value really for what you get; I've often thought, what would i get next? But anything that is an upgrade to me, and can take 2 of us across Europe with this style, comfort, speed, and inspiration factor.... for that I'd need £60k + (AMG GT maybe? Lexus LC500 v8? Don't laugh I'm a fan...) Wouldn't mind a GT Strad but is it really an upgrade? And do I want something that big?

Pound for quid, these cars are really out on their own.
 
M

MAF260

Member
Messages
7,662
PhillV8S said:
Having just enjoyed yet another blast around Worcestershire’s B roads this evening, I still struggle to see why this brand is so underrated. I get plenty of performance, glorious sound and drop dead gorgeous looks for a fraction of the the usual German counterparts. None of which seem particularly exciting or fun to own.
There are always many tales of woe on all car forums I find , such is their nature I guess but I have had my GS for over a year now, and bar a dodgy boot lock seems as good as the day I got it. Is there a better weekend toy which offer so much for so little? I fell into Maserati ownership by accident, but happy to be here now. Do others feel happy with their Maserati lot?
Click to expand...

It probably helps greatly that you bought a very well cared for car!
 
Gazcw

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,778
davy83 said:
After 16 years of my 3200 I still get that feeling after a good day out, its just an amazing car. I still get the sharp intake of breath when the car comes up in conversation "oh you must have deep pockets" but I have averaged £2632 per year over the 16 years and I don't think that's too bad, considering the suspension has been replaced twice, both turbos, endless discs, the prop shaft, most of the AC system, and the wheels, not to mention 3 or 4 visits to a body shop to combat the tinsel worm (needs done again must fine the time :) ). Its never left me needing a tow truck and I have driven it from Aberdeen to Italy twice and regard those trips as about the finest trips I have ever done. I reckon its my secret, and I am happy to keep it that way. I have 70k miles on it now and i think any comparable performance car would have cost as much or more to keep and I would have sold it by now. The Maserati for me is jView attachment 103165ust too special to let go, and what would I buy instead!
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Why are you trying to push it over the edge then? ;)
 
Church of Noise

Church of Noise

Member
Messages
208
A lot of the horror stories indeed come down to hear say, and people who buy into them.

There are a few cases where they do cost a lot of money I guess, eg when you buy one that is cheap vs market value (eg because previous owner(s) didn't properly service it), in which case it's only fair to go in with your eyes firmly open.
I did, it still bit me beyond what was expected (won't go into detail, there's a thread on it), yet I assume this significant initial investment will mean I'll have a car that's in very good condition and I will get to enjoy it for a fair few years without big needs beyond proper servicing. (I know, tempting fate :D)

In the end, I agree with the overall sentiment: these cars represent an underestimated combination of looks, sound, power, impact on the heart rate for the money. They're not VW Golf money to run, but then they deliver so much more than those...
 
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The Captain

The Captain

Member
Messages
124
My experience with a GS 2006 has been a treat. For example I drove 1000 km to an event The Targa Florio Competed in the event for 1000 km and drove it home 1000 km and didn’t spare any hoooores up back roads running with well honed targa races being polite and responsible as much as you can be in Auustralia and everybody else is scared about (oh who services it ). Me put oil in it and drive the darling. Hope that gives everyone confidence. Regards
 
Andy Marshall

Andy Marshall

Member
Messages
297
It's a strange thing for sure. I've had my Spyder for more than 12 years, and I've put 40k miles on it in that time, including a couple of trips down to Italy. It's never broken down, never failed to start, and runs as sweetly today as she did when I bought her.
The annual service is approx £900, depending on what needs to be done. I'm still on the same clutch (its a manual) . Replaced a door lock controller, an oil pressure sender, the roll bar linkages and some bushes (not necessary but did them anyway) and the passenger side window regulator. Aside from regular bits and bobs such as tyres, brakes etc then thats about it.
But every time I take her to a show or such like people come over and say "lovely car mate, but what's the reliability like?' Sooner or later something has to give surely? It's crazy when you see Mk2 Escorts selling for twice the money of a nice 4200 coupe!
 
redsonnylee

redsonnylee

Member
Messages
1,550
Been an owner for 35 years & always been happy. I’ve never (touch wood) been left stranded. Even the old 3200 never let me down, same for all my old Ghiblis even with their rust and perished components.
Good to hear you are still enjoy ownership.
 
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PhillV8S

Member
Messages
124
Nice to hear other positive stories. I guess it’s boring posting about a car that has been working fine so it’s the breakdowns that get posted as solutions are looked for.
Like others I go in with eyes wide open and expect to pay more than focus money to keep my cars in good shape, some years are better than others but I try to take the long term view and these things tend to average themselves out IME.
 
MrRMB

MrRMB

Member
Messages
103
PhillV8S said:
Having just enjoyed yet another blast around Worcestershire’s B roads this evening, I still struggle to see why this brand is so underrated. I get plenty of performance, glorious sound and drop dead gorgeous looks for a fraction of the the usual German counterparts. None of which seem particularly exciting or fun to own.
There are always many tales of woe on all car forums I find , such is their nature I guess but I have had my GS for over a year now, and bar a dodgy boot lock seems as good as the day I got it. Is there a better weekend toy which offer so much for so little? I fell into Maserati ownership by accident, but happy to be here now. Do others feel happy with their Maserati lot?
Click to expand...
Just down the road from you J2 M50.
 
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