I am new to Maserati and looking to acquire Maserati QP. I am wanting a low mileage (under 40k) 2007-2008 car and think that I can pick up something good for £20k-£25k budget? I am told that the ZF auto is better than DS - so this is getting my attention. However I have seen a car advertised with the 4.7 engine rather than the 4.2 which seems more common. Can anyone advise me here on the pros and cons? I know that this is a dumb question, but hopefully you will forgive me as a Newbie?
Maserati QP Wanted... Advice needed
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Andyk
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Hi Adrian, whatever Qp you decide on I'm sure you will love it. The thing about these cars is that they can waft along in comfort but then become a 'sports' car whn you want them to be. The duo select was know for this split personalty. Every time I drive one it amazes me how ell they handle for such a big car...especially the Sport GT or Sport GTS model. I would go on history and condition rather than age of car but as with most things a 2006/7 car will probably be better than a 2005 car due to upgrades I suppose.
Your price range will get you the best 4.2 QP and as you say you may even get a 4.7 although most of these still seem to be above 30k.
The full suto and DS have different characters and I would drive both before you made a decision. The press always loved the full auto over the DS but don't dismiss as its a great car that you just have to take time to learn to drive. The only real down side I suppose is that the clutch on the DS cost around 2k to replace and if looking at one I would ask the owner to provide a reading on clutch wear. Life of a clutch depends on how the car has been driven and owners will give you lots of different advice on how long their clutches have lasted.
If you want some great advice and a chat I would give Richard Grace a ring....He will just have a chat and could even find you a great car. He is a very well respected Maserati specialist on here and sold some great cars to SMers...
http://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/
Here is a link to the different models and spec that may help when deciding what model will suit yourself...Hope this helps.
http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/16190-Specification-options-price-list
Your price range will get you the best 4.2 QP and as you say you may even get a 4.7 although most of these still seem to be above 30k.
The full suto and DS have different characters and I would drive both before you made a decision. The press always loved the full auto over the DS but don't dismiss as its a great car that you just have to take time to learn to drive. The only real down side I suppose is that the clutch on the DS cost around 2k to replace and if looking at one I would ask the owner to provide a reading on clutch wear. Life of a clutch depends on how the car has been driven and owners will give you lots of different advice on how long their clutches have lasted.
If you want some great advice and a chat I would give Richard Grace a ring....He will just have a chat and could even find you a great car. He is a very well respected Maserati specialist on here and sold some great cars to SMers...
http://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/
Here is a link to the different models and spec that may help when deciding what model will suit yourself...Hope this helps.
http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/16190-Specification-options-price-list
Contigo
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Andy has it bang on, it reminds me a lot of my M5, you can waft along in 6th gear with no drama at all and no sound thanks to the Pilkington double glazing and then with the press of the SPORT button and a couple of flicks of the left paddle , stomping on the loud pedal results in waking the beast. It really does come alive over 4k rpm and pulls like a train all the way round to 7250 rpm.
Drive both, you will find the DS way more involving to drive.
Drive both, you will find the DS way more involving to drive.
Thank you all for your comments. Some good advice given. In particular Andyk - the link showing the standard spec and extras across all models and variants will be invaluable. This data was unknown by me - and in part why I was struggling to understand how to compare various models.
Andyk
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The 4.2 Sport GTS was regarded as the pinicle of the 4.2's by the motoring press and that had full auto. They are rare and not many come up for sale. There are two for sale at moment and price wise they start at around 25k and go up to 30 plus. Have a look at the black one on auto trader with black leather and grey alcantara. More miles than you wanted at I believe 56k but at £20500 if looks a bloody bargain. You can tell a Sport GTS by the black window surround, body coloured door handles and black exhaust trim. This car must be worth a look.
CatmanV2
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Andy, do you have a link? I know you have issues with Autotrader links, but I can't find that at all
C
As I mentioned if it's a 58 plate then it's possible.
Andyk
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Can you not tell by the engine colour. Ones blue and ones red isn't it?
Is it this car Andy?
That's a 4.2.
dickygrace
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There are no 4.7's pre facelift, that's how to tell this is a 4.2. On facelifted cars, 4.7's have red rocker covers and 4.2's are blue.
CatmanV2
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Andyk
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Yep, it is. There are two conversations... This preface lift and how to tell a facelift 4.2 from a 4.7.
Andyk
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Thanks Dicky, couldn't remember which colour was on which engine.
Yep it is confusing. It's a shame that the pre-facelift cannot be had with the 4.7 engine as it's a better looking car IMHO.
As for post facelift I suspect that most cars are the 4.7 just like the GranTurismo became once an engine choice was available.
I did see this car. The mileage is slightly higher than I would like, but I also didn't fancy the private plate which comes with the car. I think I would need to replace it - but that's just my opinion.
So I have found two cars. Both are 2008 models; both are claiming 40k miles; both are ZF gearbox and same colour; different interior colour though; price wise are within £1k of each other. One has a 4.2 engine and one has 4.7 engine. All things being equal presumably the 4.7 engine wins every time from a value return - as it is the later?
So I have found two cars. Both are 2008 models; both are claiming 40k miles; both are ZF gearbox and same colour; different interior colour though; price wise are within £1k of each other. One has a 4.2 engine and one has 4.7 engine. All things being equal presumably the 4.7 engine wins every time from a value return - as it is the later?