Biturbos/number cars/Ghibli IIs for sale

[gemini]

You sell the paint ex-vat I suppose, you can't sell a used car ex-vat (at least as an individual).
The car was built in EU, but unfortunately, it doesn't change anything (as the cars when new were sold ex-vat to Japan in the first time).

It's the same if we buy parts from a UK shop now (eurospares, superformance, ...), we pay the price in € ex-vat and pay the VAT +10% (+processing fee to fedex or dhl ), even if the parts were made in Italy. It's quite a mess.

 

[Cyclone1]

I think it is priced very fairly as a late GT that appears to be in good condition. As a LHD I agree it would command a higher price in the EU (if it was for sale there), as many of the “nicer” examples are over €30k. I’d happily have a very well sorted Ghibli regardless of LHD / RHD / Manual / Auto, if it’s in top condition I’d buy it predominantly on that.

Colour wise (white) it would fit in perfectly alongside my Pearl White Fiat Coupé Plus. But I don’t think it suits the car, I don’t dislike it but it’s not making my heart skip a beat. I’m also not sure about the comments on the trim changes, could be absolutely true or maybe not.

Edit - on Enrico’s page the car is now listed stating the car being a special order is validated through Maserati Classiche….

 

[TimR]

Whats going on with the front end , though...?
Poor fitting lights. Well, they look a bit "gappy" under the bonnet line ( same both sides, at last) Poorly adjusted bumper looks like too...?


So...manual Ghiblis are a thing !

 

[general_piffle]

I've thought before that if I were to sell mine, as a LHD, I'd advertise it on AutoScout24.

 

[Cyclone1]

I've thought before that if I were to sell mine, as a LHD, I'd advertise it on AutoScout24.

I agree with this which is why I would / will happily buy a LHD Ghibli. Also as there are so few in circulation and condition is key, then when / if a good one pops up then you just have to pull the trigger……

Prices on Autoscout are quite good and the decent condition, well priced ones sell.

 

[Ewan]

You sell the paint ex-vat I suppose, you can't sell a used car ex-vat (at least as an individual).
The car was built in EU, but unfortunately, it doesn't change anything (as the cars when new were sold ex-vat to Japan in the first time).

It's the same if we buy parts from a UK shop now (eurospares, superformance, ...), we pay the price in € ex-vat and pay the VAT +10% (+processing fee to fedex or dhl ), even if the parts were made in Italy. It's quite a mess.

Yes - I imagine there would be a vat to pay (if vat was never paid in the first place), but there would be no duty. And as the car would be personally imported, there would be no carriage company costs.
Bottom line, this car should be advertised in the EU, where it should sell for maybe €40k (inc vat, if applicable). It’s quite hard to sell a Ghibli II in the uk anyway, let alone an LHD one in white.

 

[TimR]

And as the car would be personally imported, there would be no carriage company costs.

Sorry- but what does this bit mean..? I think you must mean "surcharges" on the carriage fees, surely...?

 

[TimR]

I could forgive it being white. And as a newly welcomed "European" with a fresh Irish passport, I could forgive it being a left hooker, as I would take it with me if/when I leave...
I dont think I could live with white, LHD, and auto however....

Which is a roundabout way of saying 'thank God it's an auto; it stops me doing something on a whim that I might later regret !"

 

[Cyclone1]

I could forgive it being white. And as a newly welcomed "European" with a fresh Irish passport, I could forgive it being a left hooker, as I would take it with me if/when I leave...
I dont think I could live with white, LHD, and auto however....

Which is a roundabout way of saying 'thank God it's an auto; it stops me doing something on a whim that I might later regret !"

I think you’d be pleasantly surprised. One of not many cars of this generation where “today” an auto suits it well.

 

[TimR]

Look..Id NEVER do it out of choice. It just doesnt sit right with my ingrained perception of what the driving experience is supposed to be...
For all the UKs problems, possibly the greatest motivation for wanting to get out is the road traffic density. (not to mention the appalling condition of our roads...). It's more tolerable on a bike, as progress can still be made, and advantage taken of the few opportunities to stretch your legs when they arise; without the constant frustration of bumper to bumper traffic...An auto might well be suited to UK driving conditions but this isnt something I aspire to experience.
In short, driving pleasure is just not possible in the UK in 99% of situations....At least, I hanker for open roads. I have ridden in Europe extensively in the last ten years. Enough to be convinced that I am at least not misleading myself in this...
Having been brought up by a Lotus engineer, a keen driver and one who kept cars all his life, perhaps I have been cursed with a prejudice but I must admit, I have no desire to rid myself of it anytime soon...
You can get used to all sorts of things...but the wrong side of a car, coupled to a slushbox transmission, just holds zero appeal, honestly. Even if I am wrong about the driving pleasure an auto offers. Its not like I can afford to have both. Simple choices.
Im sick. Lets just say no more about it ejh !

 

[general_piffle]

Look..Id NEVER do it out of choice. It just doesnt sit right with my ingrained perception of what the driving experience is supposed to be...
For all the UKs problems, possibly the greatest motivation for wanting to get out is the road traffic density. (not to mention the appalling condition of our roads...). It's more tolerable on a bike, as progress can still be made, and advantage taken of the few opportunities to stretch your legs when they arise; without the constant frustration of bumper to bumper traffic...An auto might well be suited to UK driving conditions but this isnt something I aspire to experience.
In short, driving pleasure is just not possible in the UK in 99% of situations....At least, I hanker for open roads. I have ridden in Europe extensively in the last ten years. Enough to be convinced that I am at least not misleading myself in this...
Having been brought up by a Lotus engineer, a keen driver and one who kept cars all his life, perhaps I have been cursed with a prejudice but I must admit, I have no desire to rid myself of it anytime soon...
You can get used to all sorts of things...but the wrong side of a car, coupled to a slushbox transmission, just holds zero appeal, honestly. Even if I am wrong about the driving pleasure an auto offers. Its not like I can afford to have both. Simple choices.
Im sick. Lets just say no more about it ejh !

Great post Tim, I hear you! I've been driving the Ghibli today (wife and I went to Beaulieu for the first time in years) so wanted to put down some personal thoughts about auto vs manual. I love manuals, the focus and autonomy, deciding when to change gear while considering and feeling what the engine is doing, as well as being mindful of the road, conditions, etc. However, as enjoyable as this is it takes effort and focus, especially over very long journeys.

The problem being that sometimes I want to be lazy, to get lost in my thoughts, just enjoy the moment and the landscape. That's when an auto comes into its own for me, ironically especially on long European road trips, the essence of 'grand tourer' territory; great European roads and beautiful landscapes. The car demands less of me, so I can still enjoy the car while feeling more connected with where I am and my thoughts.

That said, I can NOT imagine the Alfa GTV as an auto, it just wouldn't work, it would be truly horrible. But the Ghibli, oddly it just works. Maybe I'm weird, maybe just like you I have some kind of sickness!

 

[Nayf]

Great post Tim, I hear you! I've been driving the Ghibli today (wife and I went to Beaulieu for the first time in years) so wanted to put down some personal thoughts about auto vs manual. I love manuals, the focus and autonomy, deciding when to change gear while considering and feeling what the engine is doing, as well as being mindful of the road, conditions, etc. However, as enjoyable as this is it takes effort and focus, especially over very long journeys.

The problem being that sometimes I want to be lazy, to get lost in my thoughts, just enjoy the moment and the landscape. That's when an auto comes into its own for me, ironically especially on long European road trips, the essence of 'grand tourer' territory; great European roads and beautiful landscapes. The car demands less of me, so I can still enjoy the car while feeling more connected with where I am and my thoughts.

That said, I can NOT imagine the Alfa GTV as an auto, it just wouldn't work, it would be truly horrible. But the Ghibli, oddly it just works. Maybe I'm weird, maybe just like you I have some kind of sickness!

To be fair the 2.8 Ghibli has a fair heft of torque (around 305lb ft) which is significantly more than an already thumpy Busso, and that and an auto works well.
I'd still want three pedals – with the future being EV and automatic everything, for a toy car I want it as interactive as possible. For example, for years I'd have wanted an Alpina B12 5.0 E32, but having driven a cloth-seated 730i E32 with a manual, I find myself drawn to the B11 3.5 E32. There's something about wrestling a barge with a (relatively) small engine, revving it out, that seems somewhat naughty and entertaining.
It's why I bought a Twin Spark 166 (with 155bhp in something weighing 1600kg!) as I have to actually engage with it to make progress, rather than just dump my right foot (like in my wife's auto BMW 325i). I find I'm enjoying just driving about more, not just when I'm trying to rearrange physics (and my driving licence).

 

[TimR]

To be fair the 2.8 Ghibli has a fair heft of toque (around 305lb ft) which is significantly more than an already thumpy Busso, and that and an auto works well

You know- you wouldn't marry an auto to a Cup engine, right...No matter what the numbers say on paper !
There's something wasteful about an auto. It needs excess torque , uses excess fuel and somehow wastes the drivers potential to add to the cars' performance.

EV's will reduce everything to a common denominator..it already has . Battery pack ( set low for CofG ) motor(s) front, rear or both..Everything else is eye candy. Something they they put in the water to get you hooked. At least an auto isnt that..Lazy, as a design feature...!
I can see that now !

 

[P5Nij]

Not my cup of char in white, but looks nice enough if optimistically priced:

Maserati Ghibli GT | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Maserati Ghibli GT at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

In a strange way this is making me wish I hadn't bought my 430 last year, even in white with an auto 'box and the steering wheel being on the wrong side for it, it hits a certain spot for me. Can't quite explain it but it just does! If I hadn't just splashed out on a newer daily to replace my Alfa I'd be having a shuftie.

(Had to buy a new battery for the 430 today, fingers crossed it fires up!)

 

[general_piffle]

Good points Nayf, and to be fair it's the torque I probably love most about driving it. It's like a wave.

My fun/silly moments come from things like when you get some plank up your backside in the outside lane with a car in front of you, then when the car in front pulls over and the road is open you just press the accelerator firmly, a good hoof of kick-down sticks you to the back of your seat, and the plank disappears in your rear view mirror! Fun times

 

[Scaf]

Just spotted this, don’t think it’s been posted before

1986 Maserati Bi Turbo (( 11,000 miles )) | eBay

Stunning all Original 1986 Maserati Bi Turbo 2Door coupe With genuine 11k miles! This is sold as a project as will need recommissioning due to not been started for around 5 years.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Nayf]

Just spotted this, don’t think it’s been posted before

1986 Maserati Bi Turbo (( 11,000 miles )) | eBay

Stunning all Original 1986 Maserati Bi Turbo 2Door coupe With genuine 11k miles! This is sold as a project as will need recommissioning due to not been started for around 5 years.

www.ebay.co.uk

Even though it was laid up five years ago... it's still on its original tyres!

 

[Scaf]

Even though it was laid up five years ago... it's still on its original tyres!

Yes, they would probably red to be changed

 

[Cyclone1]

Just spotted this, don’t think it’s been posted before

1986 Maserati Bi Turbo (( 11,000 miles )) | eBay

Stunning all Original 1986 Maserati Bi Turbo 2Door coupe With genuine 11k miles! This is sold as a project as will need recommissioning due to not been started for around 5 years.

www.ebay.co.uk

I enquired a couple of weeks ago. To be fair to the chap selling it (not the original owner), he was quite realistic with his expectations and hoped to get around £10k, but would listen to offers below.

 

[minardirule]

Sold at £7900, must be another good few thousand to spend to get it back on the road as well if it's been stood that long, plus the tyres!