Getting an idea what to look for

Mission

New Member
Messages
9
Just trying to get an idea what to look for in a used GranTurismo. Here's one on Craigslist that looks pretty good. It's got 52K on the clock.The varaiators have not been replaced. Would it be due for a suspension rebuild about now, also? Curiously, would it be a bad idea to buy any pre 2013 the variators have not been replaced?
 

EnzoMC

Member
Messages
1,998
welcome to the house

not sure many have suffered from failed variators but they do get failed solenoids. this isn't (i don't thinks) a big job to do yourself and don't think it should completely put you off a car if its the right spec and the rest checks out

i'm sure the GT guys will be alone soon to correct me (as my knowledge is mainly on GS) or confirm or they may just change the subject :)

wish you the best of luck in your search
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,594
Welcome to the madness Mission.

First off, there is no such thing as a cheap Maserati. Buy cheap and you will quickly find it needs a raft of items needing attention and they arnt cheap to maintain.

Secondly, have you considered spending a bit more and going for a 4.7 auto? No variators to worry about, newer and no dreaded water pipe at the back of the engine that splits.
 

Mission

New Member
Messages
9
Maintenance doesn't worry me. The wishbones are outta site and the variators are labor intensive.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,594
Any 4.7 GT is without variator and water pipe issues?

Edit: GT
Water pipe yes, variators, no, the first 18 months had the issues, you need to buy after the golden chassis number which I am sure someone will post shortly.
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Did someone mention Gold?

Only on early cars so any engine (4.2 or 4.7) with an engine number of <148697 is potentially susceptible to variator failure.
I thought it was only 4.7's as they were wet sump and the oil distribution was different.
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
4.2 and 4.7 autos are wet sump
Eb
What I was trying to say, badly, is the isn't it the case the dry sump cars, which would be all 4.2 DS's, aren't affected by this 4.7 issue (I know 4.2's can rattle too but I understood that was different less serious issue)?

Am I right or a merengue?
 

Mission

New Member
Messages
9
Water pipe yes, variators, no, the first 18 months had the issues, you need to buy after the golden chassis number which I am sure someone will post shortly.
Is that the golden chassis number or the golden engine number? Does the engine number >148697 only refer to 4.2L? Does the engine number >148697 only applicable to wet sump cars, leaving the dry sump cars unaffected?
 

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
Is an issue with variators inevitable though?

What is the cost of the caps in any case?

Every car seems to have an issue one way or another. If it's not one thing, it's another.
 

ratbag

Member
Messages
135
Is an issue with variators inevitable though?

What is the cost of the caps in any case?

Every car seems to have an issue one way or another. If it's not one thing, it's another.
No not inevitable but always possible. There is no rhyme or reason for failure, some do 100,000 miles and never fail, others fail at 20,000 miles. Some will fail at 5 years old some at 10 years old, ......or never. BUT if they do fail 4-5k to repair.....Or if you have a car that has not failed you can pre-empt possible failure and fit non return valves in the cam caps.,..about 2k
 

Mission

New Member
Messages
9
No not inevitable but always possible. There is no rhyme or reason for failure, some do 100,000 miles and never fail, others fail at 20,000 miles. Some will fail at 5 years old some at 10 years old, ......or never. BUT if they do fail 4-5k to repair.....Or if you have a car that has not failed you can pre-empt possible failure and fit non return valves in the cam caps.,..about 2k
I like this. In a few words you consolidated 100's of posts on all the forums. You could also do the cam caps yourself for <$1000 here in the U.S. from what I understand.
Let me ask this. I have read that cars after September 2010 or 2011, can't remember which, have the upgraded variators and cam caps. I also read it started in the 2013 cars. What are your thoughts on this?

Edit: TEM Performance Machine Shop in NAPA, CA does the cap mod according to Synthetic Performance Unlimited on YouTube
 
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