Why are QPs so cheap?

Wanderer

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5,791
I had a dream (really!) a week or two ago that I was looking at buying the Ferrari version of the QPV that obvs doesn't exist. Made me think...

1. Tridents replaced with Prancing Horse

2. Rosso Red, tan interior

3. Maserati script replaced by Ferrari script on boot.

4. Front wing port holes replaced with a long vaned slot.

E qui! I give you the Ferrari Otto Cilindri Berlina Sportivo.......

It's nearly all Ferrari anyway, all I need is a tin or two of Dulux Tandoori red paint and some horse pics....
 

Motorsport3

Member
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868
However, the QP V has reasonable running costs, unlike the 456. Having run both as daily cars I'd say the 456 costs about 3 times the QP. Have a quick chat with Emblem and ask them.

For the financially astute, I have a QP GTS going cheap. Not actively advertised, but in my garage doing nothing so still available. First one up with twenty grand gets a stunning and unique vehicle.

Hi Ewan, how does the petrol consumption compare against the 456? I've run a 456 for 5yrs and got a QPV a week ago and it is very thirsty in the city (c. 10mpg according to the trip computer).

Is that normal? Not too sure how much the 456 was consuming as no trip computer to say. The QPV is 10yrs newer though 10% heavier.
 

rs48635

Member
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3,181
I am still interested in the 456 manual too - missed the yellow LHD auctioned at NEC couple of years back for about 30k
My QP V Sport GT sits between 17-19mpg overall. Never had it lower than 10 even when pressing on. Have seen 25+ once while on cruise in the 50mph section of M1, so that is likely the peak attainable.
For me, the best looking four door car on the road. The facelift Sport GTS drives even better, but marginally less pretty. When the next shock gives out on mine I will swap them all for coilovers to equal handling of the GTS.

Hi Ewan, how does the petrol consumption compare against the 456? I've run a 456 for 5yrs and got a QPV a week ago and it is very thirsty in the city (c. 10mpg according to the trip computer).

Is that normal? Not too sure how much the 456 was consuming as no trip computer to say. The QPV is 10yrs newer though 10% heavier.
 

Ewan

Member
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6,756
I average about 19 mpg in the QP, which is a fair bit better than the 456. Though living in the countryside means I very rarely sit in any traffic. But if stuck in London, it stands to reason that an 8 cylinder engine burns less fuel at tick over than a 12 cylinder one.

The big saving with the QP is from the fact that it doesn't suffer the usual 456 gremlins such as leaking rear shocks, slumping windows, heater matrix issues, etc. As beautiful as the 456 is, I'd not want to run one as daily anymore - not now that they are roughly 20 years old. A 10 year old QP is a way better bet if money is of any consideration at all. But if the running costs were irrelevant, of the two I'd choose a late (2002/3) 456 Modificato auto in blue. (All be it that car would cost around £70k to buy now, as compared to £20k for the QP GTS).
 

philw696

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25,113
In my year of running a 98 456 it was the thrill of owning my first Ferrari and a V12 at that for 25K pounds in 2012 with 23,000 miles and a full dealer history totalling more than I paid for the car.
It enabled me to take part in the Guinness World record at Silverstone which was a Big high.
I never worry about buying fuel as one of my guilty pleasure's in life.
She sounded amazing with Tubis too.
Only annoyance was wind noise around the door windows reckon I get less from my 77 XJC built by Leyland.
 

Wanderer

Member
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5,791
My QP is showing an average of 24.5mpg mostly a trip from Dublin to Yorkshire, and several trips around Wakefield, Pontefract on decent roads and general pottering about, over a two week period. Normally at work in Dublin Northside to IFSC and back daily I'm averaging 11-12mpg but the traffic in Dublin City is really bad.

First day I got it I got 26mpg on M1 Belfast to Dublin, dealer told my they'd seen 30mpg on the same trip before. I'm a bit sceptical but it is possible I suppose, M1 is usually clear and the speed limit is 120km/h, about 75mph I think, so 90 is ok! Never seen a speed camera (they do exist though) or a Garda Traffic car sat off the hard shoulder, much less worry than UK. Shame the road tax (Motor Tax in IRL) is €1834 pa for the Maser but then again, the roads are emptier outside Dublin if a bit **** if not N-roads or better. Then again, there's tolls on most motorways.....
 

Motorsport3

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868
Amazing consumption variance! I will take it for a smooth ride tomorrow to see what i can achieve and report back.
 

Motorsport3

Member
Messages
868
I average about 19 mpg in the QP, which is a fair bit better than the 456. Though living in the countryside means I very rarely sit in any traffic. But if stuck in London, it stands to reason that an 8 cylinder engine burns less fuel at tick over than a 12 cylinder one.

The big saving with the QP is from the fact that it doesn't suffer the usual 456 gremlins such as leaking rear shocks, slumping windows, heater matrix issues, etc. As beautiful as the 456 is, I'd not want to run one as daily anymore - not now that they are roughly 20 years old. A 10 year old QP is a way better bet if money is of any consideration at all. But if the running costs were irrelevant, of the two I'd choose a late (2002/3) 456 Modificato auto in blue. (All be it that car would cost around £70k to buy now, as compared to £20k for the QP GTS).

Absolutely the 456 was very expensive to run. Needed belts every two years too and i noticed that when prices started rising so did my specialist bills. It was time to let her go. I wouldn't go near a not well kept 456. Bargain basement is wrong economics in that case.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
Totally agree and I knew that I couldn't afford those future bills and sold her to an independent specialist Tim Walker for bang on the money I paid so the 456 proved to be a lot more cheaper than the 360 I bought after but no regrets its all about the experience.
 

Mr K

Member
Messages
321
Merry Xmas all, I've not heen around here much lately.

This 2009 facelift QP Sport GT ZF auto with only 25k (or is that 26k miles?) is up for sale in Brum. Looks cheap to me. 1st service looks to have been late, but it's a nice colour combination. If I didn't already have one I'd be interested... Probably too good to be true, but you never know (variators & possible accident repairs spring to mind).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173025506982

Why are they cheap? £512pa VED, fuel consumption, insurance, and the fact they're a little understated. Then you've got the largley unfounded reliability concerns. Plus they're not necessarily the best cars in their class in absolute terms, and they have to compete in the used market with M5s and fast Merc saloons, which are numerous and cheap. On the plus side they're excellent, largely reliable cars with a lovely-sounding V8.

PS Mine's been through its MoT at the end of November and been laid up for the winter to avoid the salt. Roll on spring, the days are already getting longer :)
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Been for sale for a while and rubbish pictures.....May have low miles but I would still have Ewans Sport GTS for 20k even if it has 35k more miles........Prettier than the face lift and a better car as well.
 

Motorsport3

Member
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868
I took mine out for a run yesterday and happy to confirm others experience regarding consumption. It returns 17-18mpg on a mostly rural drive and a 24mpg when on highway with cruise control at around 65mph.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
Ah that's my problem as I don't like cruise control and very rarely at 65 although gettingbcloser to it age wise.