Urgent advise on a Granturismo viewing

[MGT]

Urgent advice on a Granturismo viewing

Good evening everyone,
Only urgent as I have left it late! but going to view this motor tomorrow and would love to get your thoughts

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201710300780905

Things I'd love an answer to:

- The mirrors are a different colour to the rest of the car, I haven't seen any other GT like that. Is it meant to be like this?
- There hasn't been a clutch or brake change that the current owner can see, should I be worried about this needing to be done very soon?

Any and all input much appreciated!

 

[iainw]

Get it inspected. Don’t consider buying it unless you do. More knowledgable guys than me on here- but I would be amazed if the discs and pads have lasted 9 years and almost 40,000 Miles. If the clutch hasn’t been replaced it will be ******.
Get an inspection and be realistic in negotiations. It’s priced cheaply for a reason. If the clutch and all brake discs and pads+\- tyres need doing its 5-6k before you look at other items.

 

[MGT]

Thanks for the quick and very helpful reply. I've owned a number of mild performance cars but nothing as exotic as this before, so my previous mechanical experience may not count for much! Who would you recommend for an inspection?
I've noticed it's engine build is one of the earlier ones with affected variators. Presuming there would be a receipt, but if not, is there any other way of checking it's been done?

 

[MGT]

Bit more info. I haven't seen the complete history yet but have seen that it was seen by

- Nuvola at the end of 16 for a bumper corner touch up and alloy refurb
- Maserati Lancaster Colchester (invoice name says Nuvola as customer?) in March of this year
- Nuvola in April for a cushion retrim
- Maranello Egham in May for a new F1 pump as the old one had seized

 

[safrane]

Do a DVLA MOT check. It is quick and will let you know if the car had repeated fails or advisory items that may indicate how well it has been looked after.

The car has been commented on in another thread and may give you further advice on what it may cost to put items right.

 

[ofenomeno99]

Mileage and price seem OK. When you go see it it will be easy to see the tires and the brakes. Clutch could be good for another 10-20,000 miles. If you drive the car, put it in first and creep forward (as if in a car park or going out of a junction) and if the clutch is going you can usually hear a sound that goes when the clutch disengages or when you put it in neutral and you can also smell it. As always, try to be cheeky and offer 32 if it seems good.

Re the mirrors, could possibly be a cover that he put on? I've never seen it and don't know if it was an option, however, easy fix (paint it or get the carbon mirror covers from e-bay.)

Let us know how it went.

 

[MGT]

Do a DVLA MOT check. It is quick and will let you know if the car had repeated fails or advisory items that may indicate how well it has been looked after.

The car has been commented on in another thread and may give you further advice on what it may cost to put items right.

I did that and a HPI check, the MOT had strange fail 5 years ago for exposed cords on the front tyre but and more recently and advisory for a worn rear disc (which I will check has been done). Would you mind linking me to that other thread?

 

[iainw]

Bit more info. I haven't seen the complete history yet but have seen that it was seen by

- Nuvola at the end of 16 for a bumper corner touch up and alloy refurb
- Maserati Lancaster Colchester (invoice name says Nuvola as customer?) in March of this year
- Nuvola in April for a cushion retrim
- Maranello Egham in May for a new F1 pump as the old one had seized

That’s promising as those places are respected on the forum. Might be worth calling nareman at nuvola to ask him about the car’s history. Also worth thinking of buying from him or Richard grace.
Having been where you are- I think it’s worth speaking to them.
Telling them what your budget is and what you would like, and be willing to pay a ‘little’ Bit more for peace of mind, warranty and a good car.
Don’t rush the purchase- but don’t procrastinate when you see one you like.
Inspections depend on where you / the car is located. Circa 250 pounds for a good one- but money well spent. I would
Ask a good local independent rather than a main dealer

 

[iainw]

Mileage and price seem OK. When you go see it it will be easy to see the tires and the brakes. Clutch could be good for another 10-20,000 miles. If you drive the car, put it in first and creep forward (as if in a car park or going out of a junction) and if the clutch is going you can usually hear a sound that goes when the clutch disengages or when you put it in neutral and you can also smell it. As always, try to be cheeky and offer 32 if it seems good.

Re the mirrors, could possibly be a cover that he put on? I've never seen it and don't know if it was an option, however, easy fix (paint it or get the carbon mirror covers from e-bay.)

Let us know how it went.

32! Start with 30 and walk away. He will run after you at this time
Of year with no warranty, worn clutch etc

 

[MGT]

Mileage and price seem OK. When you go see it it will be easy to see the tires and the brakes. Clutch could be good for another 10-20,000 miles. If you drive the car, put it in first and creep forward (as if in a car park or going out of a junction) and if the clutch is going you can usually hear a sound that goes when the clutch disengages or when you put it in neutral and you can also smell it. As always, try to be cheeky and offer 32 if it seems good.

Re the mirrors, could possibly be a cover that he put on? I've never seen it and don't know if it was an option, however, easy fix (paint it or get the carbon mirror covers from e-bay.)

Let us know how it went.

Thanks! agree I can check the tyres/discs/pads easy enough. What kind of sound should I be looking out for with the clutch engagement?

 

[CatmanV2]

£32.5k! My guess it'll need a clutch and probably discs / pads. So what, £4.5k on top depending on how soon you want it done. Wouldn't put me off particularly, but you need to be conscious of what might be in the wings cost wise.

No idea about those mirrors, though!

C

 

[MGT]

That’s promising as those places are respected on the forum. Might be worth calling nareman at nuvola to ask him about the car’s history. Also worth thinking of buying from him or Richard grace.
Having been where you are- I think it’s worth speaking to them.
Telling them what your budget is and what you would like, and be willing to pay a ‘little’ Bit more for peace of mind, warranty and a good car.
Don’t rush the purchase- but don’t procrastinate when you see one you like.
Inspections depend on where you / the car is located. Circa 250 pounds for a good one- but money well spent. I would
Ask a good local independent rather than a main dealer

I'll speak to Nuvola for sure. Also agreed on the price, it's above what I would want to pay for one with no clutch history, uncertainty around the variators and no warranty.

 

[MGT]

£32.5k! My guess it'll need a clutch and probably discs / pads. So what, £4.5k on top depending on how soon you want it done. Wouldn't put me off particularly, but you need to be conscious of what might be in the wings cost wise.

No idea about those mirrors, though!

C

Cheers, the mirrors are an odd one indeed! If I'm being picky the wheel colour is too light for me too.

 

[safrane]

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/24988-I-m-sorry-How-cheap?highlight=clutch

 

[CatmanV2]

Cheers, the mirrors are an odd one indeed! If I'm being picky the wheel colour is too light for me too.

All of those things can be fixed quite cheaply. There's other things that are maybe more worthy of concern

C

 

[MGT]

Yep. I'd imagine 7k (3k to add to your total) including the variators. Glad I checked in to this forum as it may not be as great a buy as I first thought. Any way of checking they have/haven't been done?

 

[CatmanV2]

Yep. I'd imagine 7k (3k to add to your total) including the variators. Glad I checked in to this forum as it may not be as great a buy as I first thought. Any way of checking they have/haven't been done?

Ask for an invoice.

Look it's hugely unlikely you're going get a *perfect* car. All of them will have something that's not quite right. So go in eyes open and expect that if you want your perfect car, there will be some money on top of the purchase, or you're going to have to spend a fortune *and* wait a long old time.

It might be a fantastic car with a new clutch, discs, rotors and not suffering the variator problem. Or it might not. You won't know unless you ask somehow

And then it might only be a £5k bill which *might* still work out for you

C

 

[MGT]

140873 is the engine number, so am I right in understanding it is affected?

 

[CatmanV2]

140873 is the engine number, so am I right in understanding it is affected?

*Might* be affected. So check for an invoice that they've been done. If not then consider you *might* need to spend another £3k

C

 

[MGT]

Thanks, will report back after tomorrows viewing.