Looking to purchase a Ghibli - Newbie question

[JamesW]

Hi All, I am looking to purchase a Ghibli for around 25k and was wondering that I should be looking out for / things to avoid whilst looking around.

I was initial looking to purchase a diesel Ghibli but have noticed that I could also get a petrol version for the same price..

To be honest, I'll only be doing around 10k a year so I presume the petrol version would be better option - am I right in thinking the petrol service intervals are every two years compared to yearly for a diesel?

Anyway, any other help / assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Nibby]

Welcome James.
I can't help you with advice on buying a Ghibli as I have a 4200 and my knowledge on that is only limited but someone will be along soon I imagine who will be able to help.
When you get your new car we look forward to see a photo of it.
Mark

 

[Simon1963]

Welcome James. Make sure that any car has a decent service history. Servicing every 2 years but needs an oil change annually especially if your doing 10k miles.

 

[P R]

Yes the petrol service interval is officially 12500 miles or every 2 years, so at 10k miles you will be pretty much annual on servicing. The diesel is every 12500 miles or 1 year
I would drive both. The petrol sounds better and is more linear but doesnt have the shove of the diesel. I have the diesel but have driven the petrol one a few times as a courtesy car
Check the brakes dont wobble, there are a few cases of new discs "warping"
Apart from that there isnt much other than the normal stuff, serviced on time etc..

 

[safrane]

Check for water leaks for the headlight wash system
Cracks in the top suspension mounts
Warped brakes
Not all cars can be retro fitted with flappy paddles if you want them and the chosen car is without
Sat-Nav and Infotainment gremlins
Check the rear seats are big enough - its a big car but less so inside
normal issues for large cars like smart repairs to bumpers due to it size
If keeping for long term Petrol is a safer bet

 

[JamesW]

Thanks guys for your reply.
Other silly question to ask though and I am aware this will be all dependent on the car itself but generally, is the Ghibli a reliable car - I’m coming from currently owning a Alfa

Also regarding servicing (thinking about running costs), would you recommend going to a main dealership or local garage (who would use OEM items)..

 

[P R]

They are generally ok reliability wise. My previous one did 110k and was great. Current one has had a few niggles but nothing major (both diesel)

Servicing I would go independant with OEM parts all the way. I didnt on my last one and it didnt repay me if you know what I mean.

 

[JamesW]

Thanks, on average what would be the annual costs of a service via an independent?

 

[P R]

Thanks, on average what would be the annual costs of a service via an independent?

THink I paid about £400 (needed a diesel filter) but I know people who have had cheaper. The OEM parts are quite expensive

 

[safrane]

MDs will rape your wallet - try a good indi, there are plenty around and will be one near you which I am sure a neighbouring Maser owner will steer you to.

No offence to Gibber owners, but a lot of the car is borrowed from the Fiat group (as per many Masers/cars these days) so some repair/services items may not be as challenging as say in a 3200 etc

 

[P R]

What Safrane says is true. My headlight washer pump went and replaced it with a Stelvio part. The tricky bit is knowing which can be used
For an idea of part prices you can look on here..
Maserati Ghibli 3.0 Petrol V6 2WD 410HP (UK) Parts | New & Aftermarket | +44 (0)1787 477 169 (eurospares.co.uk)

 

[CJ Romeo]

I followed the advice and:

bought one without the AFS lighting as they don’t have the washers that cause the problems
made sure it had the larger 360mm brakes with the 6 piston calipers
heated seats are a worthwhile option as the heater is merely adequate
next service is belts, oil, airand brake fluid, Ferrari specialist locally has quoted £500
gearbox service at a ZF agent is also about £500 every 5 years, albeit Maserati don’t list it, ZF do.
if budget permits, go for the facelift sat nav/dash, it comes with CarPlay and looks better
brakes wear fast, as do tyres, so factor into the price.

The diesel I considered, but any petrol is twice the car following a test drive, although they look identical parked up.

Unfortunately a lot of the shared parts are from Chrysler (and there aren’t many) so it’s actually more awkward to substitute parts than some of the older models that used some parts from the Alfa 166 and 159.

 

[PaulCambio]

Having owned two Ghibli's I can say they are very reliable cars. The only issue I had was the leaking headlight washer that emptied the tank in minutes. This is not a cheap fix and a known problem in the cars (according to the parts department at Meridien who told me they sell quite a few of the failed parts each month).

Go for the highest spec you can find as basic cars don't come with much. mY first was very basic so I quickly changed it for a very high spec car which was so much nicer.

Both of mine were diesels and I had the second one remapped to take it to around 310bhp. This gave pretty good performance and only cost £300.

 

[Markc]

Whilst I only had the MY18 petrol for a year it had no issues at all. But as Safrane said it is not big in the back and with lanky teenagers I had to go to a QPVI (well, that and the V8. Well the kids were just the excuse given to Mrs C tbh)!

 

[Simon1963]

If you can try and get a S version with a decent spec. Fewer S cars for sale but worth waiting for a decent one to come up.

 

[JamesW]

Thanks you all for your replies - greatly appreciated!
I live in Manningtree (Essex / Suffolk borders), does anybody know of a good Indy garage that I could use for servicing?

And one more thing, just got some quick quotes (via comparison website) for insurance and it’s coming in around the £500 - £600 mark.. Does anybody have any recommendations of a Maserati insurance specialist for me to try?

 

[CJ Romeo]

Mine is on the house Admiral multi car along with Volvos Fiats and Land Rovers. It’s got 2 drivers and insured for full business use, it’s Les then £500, so doesn’t really need special insurance.

 

[keith]

After almost six and half years my Ghibli diesel remains one of the most reliable and nicest cars to drive I have owned. As mentioned before the torque of the diesel, ahead of even the petrol 'S' model gives great shove, and yet you can get over 40mpg on the motorway and the annual RFL is reasonable.

 

[must go faster]

Options are key!! If I was buying again I’d want:
Preferably 17 onwards
S engine (fuel injection is supposed to be better and less misfire issues)
Heated seats
Adjustable suspension
Ensure it has 6 pot front brake calipers
At least 20” alloy wheels
Flappy paddle gear select

Had my 65 plate for almost 2 years. Only let me down properly once which was due to a so called specialist putting too much oil in it which clogged up the oil recirc system. Other than that it has flown through last 2 MOT’s.
Had a few irritating issues with it though. Developed a random misfire which was only cured after all spark plugs, coils, injectors and rails were replaced.
It’s also got a hunting idle and slight stutter which I’m hoping will be fixed by a new MAF sensor (arriving Monday).
Now not happy with top end pull and am suspecting turbo issues but hopefully get to the bottom of that when it goes to the motorsport guru’s and they get it on the rollers.
Love the colour combination and wife loves driving it (a win for me as she won’t drive the other car). Had engine and gearbox remapped, suspension lowered and alloy/tyre package spec’d for what I want, plus performance brake pads fitted to get the lump to stop properly. If I can sort out the top end pull then I will have got it how I think it should be (probably in time to sell it)!! Have got an itch for a V8 (Mk6 quattroporte or granturismo if wife turns her back long enough). Good luck on your search!!

 

[John Boy]

Hello I always wanted a Maserati it was a box I wanted to tick . So back last year bought a 2015 Diesel Ghibli just under 60 k on it . Did have a few sleepless nights wondering what the fk was I thinking buying a car like this . Anyhow I love it It’s not my main drive and probably only use it once a week but it’s a car with character and class .is quick enough for me and find I get 40 to the gallon prob slightly more . Have changed air filters easy enough myself and have now stopped worrying about having to go to a main dealer and paying their prices when it comes to servicing there are Indy’s out there
so cons
it’s quite a wide big car to park rural lanes etc be aware . that gear stick takes little getting used to.
Info screen sat nav had a brain fart and wouldn’t load but found if I turned ign on and waited then started engine it reset has been alright since.

when buying all the usual common sense comes into play
Try get one with spare key and ANY sort of Maserati history.

would I buy another one personal choice this I always wanted one and for under 20 grand bought what I consider a dream car that can be usedpractaly . the world of cars is changing and I wanted to buy a non electric one before the 2030 cut off so the Ghibli I own is probably the only time I would buy one .

insurance £360 a year think I'm with Admiral