Struggling sales

[MrMickS]

The top of the range Alfa (Giulia Quad) is above all variants of Ghibli performance wise (probably chasis wise too), however overlap is normal in car groups line ups. I think the Levante V8 trumps the Stelvio Quad?
I also expect the Alfieri to trump the GTV...

I was just going to post this.

The bottom price has to be set at a level that will generate the profit they need to be able to finance the higher end stuff. You're really not going to like it when the headline price of the new SUV comes in and overlaps the Stelvio even more. Similar to the overlap between Macan and Q5. I'd expect the Levante base price to go up once they drop the diesel as well.

Of course the real prices are very different to the headline ones. Almost no one buys a base Maserati, you want those options and that drives the cost up. Looking at the Alfa range though you can pretty much take the different trim levels without options, unless you want to change the wheels and colour.

 

[conaero]

Moving on to the diesel thing, so we think this has hurt Maserati financially or not? I mean, they came to the table late with their offering and there would have been a fair chunk of R&D in it which they will now lose???

 

[safrane]

I would think so... and have just re-read my old post on the original release of the Ghibli where I predicted this exact scenario.

Lets hope the development of the D engine was more sales blurb than huge cost.

 

[Rwc13]

I would think so... and have just re-read my old post on the original release of the Ghibli where I predicted this exact scenario.

Lets hope the development of the D engine was more sales blurb than huge cost.

You predicted VAGgate and the world turning against diesel in 2014?

 

[Rwc13]

I think Maserati always said the diesel was an existing group engine that was lightly tweaked by Maserati/Ferrari

 

[safrane]

Not VAG gate but the drop in demand due to emissions esp in the growing markets of the far east where smog is city wide problem.

The emission lies have only accelerated the backlash.

 

[P R]

The diesel engine was a VM Motori engine already available in the main in a Jeep. Development costs to up the power to 275BHP would have been minimal in engine development terms.

 

[P R]

Not VAG gate but the drop in demand due to emissions esp in the growing markets of the far east where smog is city wide problem.

The emission lies have only accelerated the backlash.

But theres nothing wrong with an un-fiddled Euro VI diesel?

 

[safrane]

dont tell me tell prospective buyers.

 

[keith]

Whilst financially daft, I always prefer a new car when I change. I have always admired the Maserati brand but prior to the Ghibli, a new Quartroporte would have been way above my budget.
My car came out at around 68 with my chosen options. Thanks to a generous dealer discount around 10% and a Maserati 0% finance offer, I switched from owning Jaguars for some twenty years.
When I do come to change, I will thanks to my experience with my Ghibli Diesel, if finances allow consider switch to another Maserati. I would think this is exactly the type of business FCA are looking to win with the brand.
That said such is the enjoyment I have had owning this car over the last three years, I am quite happy to continue with this car for a good while longer yet!

 

[conaero]

Whilst financially daft, I always prefer a new car when I change. I have always admired the Maserati brand but prior to the Ghibli, a new Quartroporte would have been way above my budget.
My car came out at around 68 with my chosen options. Thanks to a generous dealer discount around 10% and a Maserati 0% finance offer, I switched from owning Jaguars for some twenty years.
When I do come to change, I will thanks to my experience with my Ghibli Diesel, if finances allow consider switch to another Maserati. I would think this is exactly the type of business FCA are looking to win with the brand.
That said such is the enjoyment I have had owning this car over the last three years, I am quite happy to continue with this car for a good while longer yet!

Well that deserves a thumbs up to Modena!

 

[Rwc13]

Well that deserves a thumbs up to Modena!

And surely these are the people we should be listening to, not those who are clearly likely to be biased because they have and prefer the older cars, or those that take a 15 min test drive.

Pretty much every Ghibli III owner on here loves their car and has not regrets about ownership. It seems there is little negativity, occasional cost of parts and service aside. Reliability also doesn’t appear to be a significant issue. And most have said they would have another Maserati based on this, often this their first experience of Maserati.

 

[P R]

And surely these are the people we should be listening to, not those who are clearly likely to be biased because they have and prefer the older cars, or those that take a 15 min test drive.

Pretty much every Ghibli III owner on here loves their car and has not regrets about ownership. It seems there is little negativity, occasional cost of parts and service aside. Reliability also doesn’t appear to be a significant issue. And most have said they would have another Maserati based on this, often this their first experience of Maserati.

Yes pretty much sums my ownership up. I only got a Maser because of the diesel (I do about 20k miles a year), came to it from a 156 GTA.
They do need to sort servicing prices in particular for cars as they get older..

 

[MrMickS]

Pretty much every Ghibli III owner on here loves their car and has not regrets about ownership. It seems there is little negativity, occasional cost of parts and service aside. Reliability also doesn’t appear to be a significant issue. And most have said they would have another Maserati based on this, often this their first experience of Maserati.

This sums up my experience too. I'm more than happy with my Ghibli. It puts a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel and start the engine.

I will be looking at another Maserati. Though whether that's a new one to replace the Ghibli or a, much, older one to compliment it depends on a whole bunch of factors.

 

[conaero]

And surely these are the people we should be listening to, not those who are clearly likely to be biased because they have and prefer the older cars, or those that take a 15 min test drive.

Pretty much every Ghibli III owner on here loves their car and has not regrets about ownership. It seems there is little negativity, occasional cost of parts and service aside. Reliability also doesn’t appear to be a significant issue. And most have said they would have another Maserati based on this, often this their first experience of Maserati.

Everyone is free to voice their opinions as you yourself pointed out and I have deliberately tried to take the middle ground as not to alienate modern Maserati owners. Thanks for the dig!

 

[Rwc13]

You’re welcome

Agree, but it’s generally better when they are based on something substantive.

 

[Devonboy]

Dunno if it’s connected but I just had a survey request from Maserati - the know I have an older QP asking lots questions about brand and cars etc....

 

[P R]

Dunno if it’s connected but I just had a survey request from Maserati - the know I have an older QP asking lots questions about brand and cars etc....

I've had that too.. stuff like how often do you use your back seats!

 

[Devonboy]

I've had that too.. stuff like how often do you use your back seats!

Quite often.....no you lot - I have kids!

 

[Andyk]

I would imagine the Alfieri will top the Alfa GTV on price to.