Newbie Milton keynes

[Gary52mk]

Hi All. Great to be here.
Just on the look out now for Granturismo 2007-2010 ish. Potentially going to look at one this week end. Previously had one here in MK inspected by 3rd Party specialist but after report received, did not go ahead with the Purchase. I'm no Mechaninc and the big risk I think for the older models is the Sub frame issue. I can check for all the usual stuff in the Cabin, (Leather, Electrics,Headliner etc + listening for a noisy cold start up) but without stating the obvious is there any checks I can do when inspecting the vehicle (without a ramp) on the underside? I wouldnt know where to look if i'm honest even if I did get it off the floor and I can imagine the present owner would not be too happy if I started to jack the thing up anyway.. I know a prof. inspection is the answer but this could rapidly turn out expensive if I view multiple cars. Any tips on shrewd pre-purchase inspections would be v.much appreciated. Thanks Gary

 

[Gazcw]

Hi All. Great to be here.
Just on the look out now for Granturismo 2007-2010 ish. Potentially going to look at one this week end. Previously had one here in MK inspected by 3rd Party specialist but after report received, did not go ahead with the Purchase. I'm no Mechaninc and the big risk I think for the older models is the Sub frame issue. I can check for all the usual stuff in the Cabin, (Leather, Electrics,Headliner etc + listening for a noisy cold start up) but without stating the obvious is there any checks I can do when inspecting the vehicle (without a ramp) on the underside? I wouldnt know where to look if i'm honest even if I did get it off the floor and I can imagine the present owner would not be too happy if I started to jack the thing up anyway.. I know a prof. inspection is the answer but this could rapidly turn out expensive if I view multiple cars. Any tips on shrewd pre-purchase inspections would be v.much appreciated. Thanks Gary

Go with decent history first. No extended services because 'it hadn't done the miles' bs, lots of invoices etc etc. As you are looking at earlier ones the risks and number of owners may be greater and lack of history creeps in sometimes.
You need it up in the air to see any bad subframe issues really. If all of your standard checks, for operation, knocks, bangs, rattles etc. pass the test then ppi it. Prestige is mobile and not a million miles away if you are looking close by. Otherwise all indies can do these. £250 odd on an inspection far outweighs 3k in repairs down the line.
There are plenty around so no need to compromise too much on what you want. Someone will be along with greater experience in them than I to assist further.
Oh and yellow calipers are the law. Ignore all the idiots that say red is faster!
Welcome and good luck from Northampton.

 

[dickygrace]

Welcome to the fold. You’ve said 2007-2010, doesn’t tell us a lot that we can help you with. Budget would help and we can advise what your best bet is at that price point. 2007-2010 cars on the market today differ in price from a lowly £13700 to a lofty £45000.

 

[Zep]

Welcome indeed. You can’t see all of the potential crusty bits of the subframe with the covers on and on the ground, but you can check behind the front wheels on the front wishbone mountings.

See https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/qp-gt-front-subframes-the-truth.29928/post-764283

However it would be better to get it in the air and check it.

 

[Zep]

I should also say that quite a lot of us are in the MK / Northants area so if you need help, shout.

 

[Gary52mk]

Go with decent history first. No extended services because 'it hadn't done the miles' bs, lots of invoices etc etc. As you are looking at earlier ones the risks and number of owners may be greater and lack of history creeps in sometimes.
You need it up in the air to see any bad subframe issues really. If all of your standard checks, for operation, knocks, bangs, rattles etc. pass the test then ppi it. Prestige is mobile and not a million miles away if you are looking close by. Otherwise all indies can do these. £250 odd on an inspection far outweighs 3k in repairs down the line.
There are plenty around so no need to compromise too much on what you want. Someone will be along with greater experience in them than I to assist further.
Oh and yellow calipers are the law. Ignore all the idiots that say red is faster!
Welcome and good luck from Northampton.

Thanks Gary. Much appreciated.

 

[Gary52mk]

Welcome to the fold. You’ve said 2007-2010, doesn’t tell us a lot that we can help you with. Budget would help and we can advise what your best bet is at that price point. 2007-2010 cars on the market today differ in price from a lowly £13700 to a lofty £45000.

Hi. Thanks for the info and message. Budget really is lower/mid end so £20-£27k.

 

[Gary52mk]

I should also say that quite a lot of us are in the MK / Northants area so if you need help, shout.

Hi. Thanks for info and message .much appreciated. I'm going to look at One this Sunday, 2008 plate. Good MOT History and HPI Clear so i'll take an intial look and see if it warrants the next step, ie a PPI.

 

[Le Unu]

Hello and welcome. Just buy the car.... fortune favours the brave (and stupid).

Best of luck with your inspections.

Subframes aren't that bad. It's a few grand, but what's a few grand amongst enthusiasts

 

[Gazcw]

Hello and welcome. Just buy the car.... fortune favours the brave (and stupid).

Best of luck with your inspections.

Subframes aren't that bad. It's a few grand, but what's a few grand amongst enthusiasts

About 2 tanks of E5.

 

[Gary52mk]

Agreed. Getting bored if trawling through listings so may just go for it and knock him down a couple of grand to give myself a contingency pot! Wish me luck!

 

[Zep]

How you go about buying is really your choice, but depending on your budget, spare income, skill level and pain threshold, doing it the way you have with inspections is probably the way to go.

Quite a few people have come and gone from here over the years having bought uncared for examples which needed clutches, subframes as you say, brakes, variators etc which have broken them. One £3k bill might be manageable, but a few at once can really take the jam out of your doughnut.

An on-song Maserati is a life affirming thing, so chose well and you’ll love it. The community here is always ready to help.

 

[philw696]

A simple thing you could do is ask the seller if you can take it for a MOT test if it's a car you really like.
Be at the test center and watch from the viewing area.

 

[Le Unu]

How you go about buying is really your choice, but depending on your budget, spare income, skill level and pain threshold, doing it the way you have with inspections is probably the way to go.

Quite a few people have come and gone from here over the years having bought uncared for examples which needed clutches, subframes as you say, brakes, variators etc which have broken them. One £3k bill might be manageable, but a few at once can really take the jam out of your doughnut.

An on-song Maserati is a life affirming thing, so chose well and you’ll love it. The community here is always ready to help.

Haven't you heard of the bodge and eBay?

 

[Zep]

Haven't you heard of the bodge and eBay?

I’ve seen a few, yes