I've alway loved Maserati's and used to have a 77 Khamsin and a 69 Ghibli Coupe (when I was single and childless) many moons ago but want to dip my toe back in the pond. My budget is $30,000 USD and I found a nice Black 2006 Gransport at a car dealership for $26,000. Can someone help me to know what to look for when I checkout the car tomorrow? Like what are the weak spots, in addition to the transmission? I'd be super grateful to know what to look for? I've owned, driven and had shops repair the older stuff for me but not these new cars. So I don't know what to look for. I'd be super grateful for some advice.
I just wanted to say hello from the US and ask for some help in buying my first Maserati GranSport (2006)
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spkennyuk
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Buyers guide for the 4200 / Gransport on the link below
JonW
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Hi,
Good luck with the viewing today... I think the list on the thread link above is a great start, and I agree that the first thing I’d be doing is looking really carefully at the history and service records...
Where in the US are you? If one of the damper states, then I’d also make sure you have a really good look at the undercarriage and chassis... a great sign of a well cared for car is that the bits underneath have been maintained and protected.
Good luck with the viewing today... I think the list on the thread link above is a great start, and I agree that the first thing I’d be doing is looking really carefully at the history and service records...
Where in the US are you? If one of the damper states, then I’d also make sure you have a really good look at the undercarriage and chassis... a great sign of a well cared for car is that the bits underneath have been maintained and protected.
safrane
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The GS has a 12 month service schedule regardless of miles covered. That is always the first place I look to understand how well the car has been looked after.
Points to look for
Weeping cam cover gaskets at the rear of the engine
Damage to the oil tank and retaining nut to same
Failed reversing sensors
Vairiator noise on start up - ensure the car is stone cold to test.
Leaking PAS cooler
Leaking F1 system, actuators and hoses
Any play in the suspension arms - there are 8 and they are $$$$$
Play in the steering rack
Flickering xenon lights indicate a ballast fault
Clutch wear - the SD3 readout is what has been used, not what is left... but it is not very accurate. Expect a clutch change every 30/40k
Rust under rear lights
Leaking trunk
Expect sticky switches and chrome peal to the vents
Alloys are fragile, check for cracks and welding they are $1500 each
Clutch should be smooth in normal mode and snappy in sports mode
Stuck vales on the exhaust
Rust under hood and trunk lower edges
Normal trim wear and everything else you would look for on a 15 year old car.
Points to look for
Weeping cam cover gaskets at the rear of the engine
Damage to the oil tank and retaining nut to same
Failed reversing sensors
Vairiator noise on start up - ensure the car is stone cold to test.
Leaking PAS cooler
Leaking F1 system, actuators and hoses
Any play in the suspension arms - there are 8 and they are $$$$$
Play in the steering rack
Flickering xenon lights indicate a ballast fault
Clutch wear - the SD3 readout is what has been used, not what is left... but it is not very accurate. Expect a clutch change every 30/40k
Rust under rear lights
Leaking trunk
Expect sticky switches and chrome peal to the vents
Alloys are fragile, check for cracks and welding they are $1500 each
Clutch should be smooth in normal mode and snappy in sports mode
Stuck vales on the exhaust
Rust under hood and trunk lower edges
Normal trim wear and everything else you would look for on a 15 year old car.
Delmonte
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Hi friend and welcome. The obvious biggie is the clutch. Regardless of mileage of your car, if you don’t have solid evidence of this being changed, budget that it will need one and soon. The UK cost is about 2.5£ thou at an independent, so quite a chunk. Leverage the price down if it hasn’t had one.
Only buy a car with a nice interior; refurbing and buying pieces is difficult and expensive with some bits not available.
The market for these cars hates high mileages... I am assuming same in the US? If you buy a leggy one make sure it’s cheap, because it sure will stay that way and be aware of that - especially if you intend to drop money doing it up - you’ll not see it again. (The cars however seem fine to do the mileage, so if you intend it as a keeper, no problemo).
Other than these, usual checks on any15 year old car - good bodywork / paint, good history.
They would be my 2 cent worth. Other than that they are great cars, sportier to drive imho than the bigger heavier granturismos and should be cheaper to run.
Only buy a car with a nice interior; refurbing and buying pieces is difficult and expensive with some bits not available.
The market for these cars hates high mileages... I am assuming same in the US? If you buy a leggy one make sure it’s cheap, because it sure will stay that way and be aware of that - especially if you intend to drop money doing it up - you’ll not see it again. (The cars however seem fine to do the mileage, so if you intend it as a keeper, no problemo).
Other than these, usual checks on any15 year old car - good bodywork / paint, good history.
They would be my 2 cent worth. Other than that they are great cars, sportier to drive imho than the bigger heavier granturismos and should be cheaper to run.
cheshiremaserati
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Have the car undergo a Professional Independent Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) who will give you a written report on the vehicle. Enquire through Maserati Specialists that service and maintain these cars. Main Dealers are unlikely to have workshop insights to this model - but an inspection from ine is better than no inspection. In England we typically pay around £300 for a PPI.
daverichardson
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Oh no, no , afraid not, no
We do not do Thanx here in UK it must be thank you
We do not do Thanx here in UK it must be thank you
JonW
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Now now Dave - in these troubled times we need to be more inclusive!…Oh no, no , afraid not, no
We do not do Thanx here in UK it must be thank you
Oishi
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Welcome Maxforza, the bunch here on SM is a bit more laid back than ML (except for grammatical errors), but some good folks there too. I don't have a GS, I have a pre-face lift 4200 Spyder 6mt, so can't help with CC gearbox, etc. but do have some knowledge of these cars. Jason of Enzo's Atlanta, is a great source of info on post Biturbo cars, and he can be found all over Maserati Life. What part of the country are you from? (yes I know dangling preposition)
Zep
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Welcome indeed, the folks above have pretty much covered the potential issues. All I would add is check the rear toe link spherical bearing. It is cheap to replace, easy DIY if you are that way inclined, but makes a huge difference to the way the car drives. The Gransport is a brilliant car, go in with your eyes open and you will have a great experience.
Good luck with the inspection!
Good luck with the inspection!
No worries, thank you to all. Unfortunately, the dealership called me this morning and said they sold the car but they asked me to come see their 2011 Gran Tourismo S for $40,000. A little more than I wanted to spend, but I like those cars too and it looks nice, so I went to see it. I applied the Gran Sport PPI lists from above and right off the bat; the rear tires were shot, the rear diff leaked, some interior bits were sticky and all the rotors had lips on them. That was me just looking at it for 5 minutes on there showroom floor. I told them I'd think about it because I have another 06 Gransport to see for $24,000 later this week. I'm not thrilled about red but there are not a lot around. Here's the link to this other car: https://www.mrautosalesinc.com/2006_Maserati_GranSport_Eastlake_OH_38632933.veh
Andyk
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That looks lovely...Cetainly over here red is pretty rare but lovely in the flesh and a change from the blacks and silvers.....Hope it's a good one for you. The GT is a lovely car but very different from a GS. Depends what you want the car for but the GT is a big car to wield around compared to the GS....Great Grand Tourer though.
cheshiremaserati
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I also am not keen on red cars. I saw too many red cars in the 1990's turn the colour of orange peel through the effects of sunlight. So I would not even bother seeing a red car. Think carefully if red does not thrill you. Certainly you don't have too much choice in GranSports as there are so few around. But you may buy it and say you "should have held out for a better colour choice".
The pictures show how shiny the car is. But these cars should be judged after a full PPI from the underneath inspection. Do a quick visual examination as you did with the GT. Flick through the service book - annual services. Be aware that some annual services become major 'mileage-based' services. It is possible that these may have been omitted due to their high cost - often involving change of many fluids such as brake fluid, power steering fluid as well as engine oil and the annual items also added possibly with spark plug changes. At that mileage there should be obe major mileage stamp st 17,500 miles (from memory).
Clutch wear reading is helpful (but can be misleading). Ask for the reading - with that mileage, it may be approaching a new clutch if it is on the original clutch.
If it looks good and passes this high level reconaissance mission, commission a PPI. Otherwise, walk away. Keep us posted.
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Red? Amazing colour on a GS, absolutely love it.
Navcorr
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Welcome. You appear to be based in or around the "Salt Belt". If so, take extra special care inspecting subframes. You have to pay particular attention to the underpinnings. As JonW alluded to above:
Mostly based on QPV/GT, but relevant to earlier models too, Marios originally highlighted this issue nearly 5 years ago:
A couple of others:
https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/qp-gt-front-subframes-the-truth.29928/
I don't wish to dampen your enthusiasm but it's important to avoid being seduced by a pretty face.
Good luck with your search and hope you find the right car for you.
cheshiremaserati
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We all have different taste. I could never buy a red car after seeing so many turn an orange peel colour in the sun back in the 90's. Even T-Cut only restored the shine temporarily before it went orange peel again in a couple of months - and before long some owners had TCut their cars down to primer! Not for me. Ever. I dont care whatever people say that the technology has changed - I just have an aversion to red colour on cars - with one exception - Ferrari - thy seem to keep their red colour from the old examples I've seen at shows and the owners assure me they have not had them resprayed back from orange peel.