I am probably certifiable but ...

[mgreenaw]

So, I went to see it.

I'm not sure what I was expecting for 177k miles and £4,000 but what I saw was probably what I *should* have expected. The bodywork was very tired, with lots of evidence of patches of paintwork having been done (probably minor dings, it looked straight enough, albeit starting to rust where the front wings meet the bumpers). None of the advisory work from the last visit to McGrath's last October had been addressed, the engine had a persistent misfire (though no smoke), and there was no evidence of a cambelt change for the last 6 years, although there was copious other documentation that suggested that, up until the last few years at least, it had been well looked after mechanically. I think it's just fallen out of favour in the last three to four years.

There's a heap of stuff that needs doing to keep it on the road for a few more years, and it'd be an expensive project. Not one for me.

 

[Parisien]

Cheers for that, if theres lots of defects evident, think what else is lurking that you can't see, measure or detect.


Large moneypit!


P

 

[zagatoes30]

Only way to get a true view is to go and look. Sadly this sounds similar to most of the ones I went to see which was why I was surprised when I saw the one I bought. Strangely I went against most of my normal rules as there wasn't a lot of paperwork. What there was though was a little book where previous owners had hand written what they had down where and when. A few phone calls confirmed that this strange document was pretty accurate.

I did however the body was good with no signs of bubbling although signs that some repairs and repainting had been done in the past. I did have the opportunity to get it on a ramp to have a poke about the underneath. It was showing the signs of age and the need for some remedial work both needed and previously done which I took into account when negotiating the price.

Since then I have not had any major surprises. The underside has needed more work and will over time need more but mechanically it has been fine, just the Sport suspension throwing up an error and intermittent issues with the central locking.

It is a typical 80s / 90s car that just needs some TLC but for what I paid I can't argue with what I have. Time will tell, I could decide to have it restored properly and swallow a big bill or just sell it on as it is but more likely I will deal with the issues as they arise and enjoy it, it is after all a Maserati and aren't they suppose to deliver and frustrate in about the same measure