2008 GranTurismo, should I do it?

[Huggiebear]

Hey there people of impeccable taste.
I have long admired GT and seen one that’s affordable without making too much of a dent. Wanted to know if there was anything to look out for on a 2008 GT. This is the very one I’m looking at.

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Especially love the wheels and the rear spoiler thing on this one. Looks really aggressive.

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

Hey Huggiebear. Enjoyed your acting in Starsky & Hutch
Others will chime in, as they sober up / surface.
Generics are. Always get a PPI from a specialist recommended here.
That de-risks the proposition considerably. Gives you a list of possible
items needing replaced or repaired in the next year or so, and leverage
to negotiate, based on facts.
Check the MoT history for signs of neglect. Same with SH.
Look for what's missing. E.g. Seller doesn't say, FSH.
Doesn't say where he got it serviced either.
I can see some unusual metal showing between the two
exhausts, at the bottom of the bumper.
Unusual in the sense that if this was my car, I'd want it perfect
and would never have that.
I would suggest to you that mention of a private plate is meaningless.
Its a standard GB plate that's irregularly spaced. Possibly illegally
spaced.
Its highly subjective, however, have you sat in a Maserati with that
colour of interior? In person, you may find it a bit 'loud'.
IMO the alloys detract from the car. Does the owner have the
originals? But, again, it's very subjective.
Proceed with all caution. Unless you're a qualified spanners, you
won't know what you're buying unless you get a PPI done, as
well as an HPI check. Simples.
Good luck!

 

[Huggiebear]

Hey Huggiebear. Enjoyed your acting in Starsky & Hutch
Others will chime in, as they sober up / surface.
Generics are. Always get a PPI from a specialist recommended here.
That de-risks the proposition considerably. Gives you a list of possible
items needing replaced or repaired in the next year or so, and leverage
to negotiate, based on facts.
Check the MoT history for signs of neglect. Same with SH.
Look for what's missing. E.g. Seller doesn't say, FSH.
Doesn't say where he got it serviced either.
I can see some unusual metal showing between the two
exhausts, at the bottom of the bumper.
Unusual in the sense that if this was my car, I'd want it perfect
and would never have that.
I would suggest to you that mention of a private plate is meaningless.
Its a standard GB plate that's irregularly spaced. Possibly illegally
spaced.
Proceed with all caution. Unless you're a qualified spanners, you
won't know what you're buying unless you get a PPI done, as
well as an HPI check. Simples.
Good luck!

hahahaa thanks buddy. Put acting behind me now

what’s a PPI and how/where do I get this done.

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

Use the search field top right mate. Much quicker than me attempting to kick start my alcohol filled brain
There's a shed load of info that others have asked before you. Many, many times. Just stick in whatever you're
curious about and low and behold, the magic machine spits out the answer

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

For example. PPI = pre purchase inspection
Put pre purchase inspection in and you get lots of returns.
Or, just scroll through other newbie's posts before you.
Its all there

 

[Gazcw]

I would want to know why the front bumper has been swapped. Upgrade or accident? And you can also use one of the forum sponsors to do checks on history etc.

 

[BennyD]

Huggybear, it's a decent enough car and, like you, I like the wheels. The real question is; do you like suffering? I love Maseratis (and have an older one), but I am not blind to the heartache that can come with them. I get it, owning an older GTS can be awesome; the looks (apart from the Mondeo rear lights), the sound and the badge is a big draw but the potential bills of a mature Italian mistress can be eyewatering. If you go ahead then you are among friends who will understand your ebbs and flows, if you don't I commend your good sense and wish you well. However, if you don't buy it you'll never know how good it feels to own one. Your call big fella, and good luck.

 

[Huggiebear]

Huggybear, it's a decent enough car and, like you, I like the wheels. The real question is; do you like suffering? I love Maseratis (and have an older one), but I am not blind to the heartache that can come with them. I get it, owning an older GTS can be awesome; the looks (apart from the Mondeo rear lights), the sound and the badge is a big draw but the potential bills of a mature Italian mistress can be eyewatering. If you go ahead then you are among friends who will understand your ebbs and flows, if you don't I commend your good sense and wish you well. However, if you don't buy it you'll never know how good it feels to own one. Your call big fella, and good luck.

I’ve wanted one of these for a while now. Right now I drive a BMW 640d Gran Coupe. Nothing wrong with the beemer and I actually like the hassle free driving. Was hoping that a GT would be similar, just without the 30mpg

 

[CatmanV2]

I’ve wanted one of these for a while now. Right now I drive a BMW 640d Gran Coupe. Nothing wrong with the beemer and I actually like the hassle free driving. Was hoping that a GT would be similar, just without the 30mpg

Half right

You certainly won't have to worry about 30mpg in a GT. Welcome

C

 

[c4sman]

This is a world away from your 640 in many good and potentially bad ways. Get it inspected and walk in eyes wide open. I like the look but there could be big bills lurking so do your home work. They’re epic cars and a million times more interesting than your beemer.

edit: although nothing terrifying in the MOT history there is plenty worth investigating (corrosion, faulting TPMS, wheel fixings etc.). Also bit odd that one MOT says no odometer (not seen that before but someone will be along soon to explain why that could happen).

 

[Huggiebear]

Is there a certain year from where the cars got better or more reliable. £25k just seemed like a cracking price for one that looks as nice as the one in the link. I guess if it’s too good to be true…..

Oh and hoping everyone had a lovely Xmas.

 

[JJbing]

I would want to know why the front bumper has been swapped. Upgrade or accident? And you can also use one of the forum sponsors to do checks on history etc.

Headlights too, when I upgraded my front bumper on my old one, I borked at the headlight cost so passed!

 

[philw696]

Welcome along you will find everything you need to know here.
Check out Subframes for starters.

 

[BennyD]

Half right

You certainly won't have to worry about 30mpg in a GT. Welcome

i beg to differ; you could get 30mpg if you towed the f*cker with a 1.5LTd. Trust me the 640D and GTS are worlds apart, if you can only get 30mpg out of the BM you will be down to about 12 in the GTS and you'll never feel quite as secure in the reliability of the Maser. Still, as you say, owning a Maser is more than what mpg you get, it's about ******** tingle and the elation you get when thrashing the cr4p out of it and still getting to your destination. Also, when it does spit it's dummy, you'll have something nicer to look atthan a 640D when you're waiting for the AA.

 

[CatmanV2]

s there a certain year from where the cars got better or more reliable.

Not really. Are you from the US, by any chance?

It's looking like a nice car. Some silly things:
Why was the bumper swapped?
Rear quarter paint in the photo looks a bit off to me. But I know nothing.
ICE is on which is a best sick and wrong. Make sure you can turn that off. Ditto seat comfort (which is the heating). Known to be problematic as water drips off the roof onto the switches.

Other than that, crack on!

C

 

[conaero]

Inspection

Inspection

Inspection

Inspection

Inspection

Inspection

Inspection

Inspection

 

[Gazcw]

Headlights too, when I upgraded my front bumper on my old one, I borked at the headlight cost so passed!

Good spot. That's the alarm bells ringing a little more then because they are not cheap as you say. But then people do facelift cars often enough.

 

[Gazcw]

i beg to differ; you could get 30mpg if you towed the fcker with a 1.5LTd. Trust me the 640D and GTS are worlds apart, if you can only get 30mpg out of the BM you will be down to about 12 in the GTS and you'll never feel quite as secure in the reliability of the Maser. Still, as you say, owning a Maser is more than what mpg you get, it's about *** tingle and the elation you get when thrashing the cr4p out of it and still getting to your destination. Also, when it does spit it's dummy, you'll have something nicer to look atthan a 640D when you're waiting for the AA.

When did you ever beg to differ?

 

[CatmanV2]

When did you ever beg to differ?

I think he missed the point.....

C

 

[Andyk]

Is there a certain year from where the cars got better or more reliable. £25k just seemed like a cracking price for one that looks as nice as the one in the link. I guess if it’s too good to be true…..

Oh and hoping everyone had a lovely Xmas.

Yes, I believe 2010 onwards they sorted some things out. There is a specialist on here…Richard Grace Cars who is the oracle in buying and selling these cars and he doesn’t sell or buy anything under 2010 I believe so that may well build a picture.

As above get an inspection and see what it turns up plus sub frames rust like a bast4rd so get the underneath looked at but there is no such thing as a cheap Maserati and if it looks cheap there is probably a reason for that. It does look good but as others has said I would want to know why the front bumper change as that would not have been cheap to do and could have been done as part of an insurance claim…or may be completely innocent mind you. This car has been for sale for ages as well and although Maseratis are very hard to sell and can sit for months or even years something about this one is making me question the price. There is a lot of money put into the upgrades with the wheels and bumper etc. This is the bottom end of the market so go in with your eyes open as if it’s not a straight car it could cost you a fortune to put right….but if you get a good one you will be smiling ever time you look at it in the drive. It will still put a dent in your wallet as they are not cheap to run but at least you will be smiling.