Newbie lamb to the slaughter from the south coast

Creo

Creo

New Member
Messages
5
Hello! Found this forum and it seems so friendly with much helpful info, thought I should join.
Was just about to purchase a Jaguar XF, but thought I'd take a final look round in case there was another 4 door saloon that I should consider, and guess what popped up :)
So now seriously considering a QP. Budget is on the low end but appears a 2004-2006 model would be possible.
Had agreed with the wife I would get a cheap to run and economical replacement for tmy rubbish Merc, so a QP might be a bit of a shock.
I have sat horror-struck reading forum threads about 10mpg, £1500 + fitting for brakes, christmas-like display of dash lights coming on, F1 pumps causing breakdowns (had to look up what an F1 pump is), tyres lasting 3,000 miles.
But it hasn't diminished my desire! I really shouldn't, no really, I shouldn't get one, but I think I just might!

Anyway, hello from the windy south of England.
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Hi Creo,
Welcome to the forum, you will get all the advice you need on here..!!
If you want a QP, get as late a car as you can manage, with a good history. One other important point, get an independant inspection done before you pass any funds over, they are usually around £300, but can save you a fortune..!! There is a thread on here with a full list of independants around the country, just put in search: Independant Maserati Specialists and you will find it. The closest comparison Jag to the QP would be the XFR, or XJR..!!
Best of luck with your search.

Cheers
R
 
2b1ask1

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,273
Creo, welcome and a timely save from boring Jagdome... :) I can honestly say that running costs are not as frightening as is often made out, I used to run a Kia people carrier and that was much more expensive, less economical, had worse depreciation and was constantly needing repair! My Maserati has been off the road all summer but that is because I'm looking at the longer game and intend to have it 100% pristine for the Centenary celebrations next year :)

As said though they are addictive for sure!
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,160
A big warm welcome to the forum......This is the place to come for proper info drom QP owners on their cars and running costs......They are a very reliable car the QP....No real horrow stories but it is an exotic V8 car so never going to be cheap to run but these days servicing is no different to say a BMW M car or AMG if you know where to go......Parts on the other hand are not cheap....Still such a pretty and effective car.
 
drewf

drewf

Member
Messages
7,159
Welcome Creo!

I have a 2006 QP, and love it to bits. In the last year, it has let me down just once - it's still not clear what actually went wrong, but after replacing a lambda sensor, and a new set of spark plugs, it is running very well again. I did 6500 miles in it, and the total servicing costs (including the issue I've just mentioned) came to £1700. It has been on a track (see the Bruntingthorpe thread on here), and even survived Newton giving it some beans ;)

As a comparison, I spent more on my Cayenne by some margin, and similarly on the Merc CL600 which it effectively replaced.

Tyres are wearing well, although I did invest in some alloys from eBay, clad in pre-worn rubber for the track day, thus preserving £1000-worth of virtually new tyres.

It manages around 17mpg, although 20+ is certainly possible on the motorway using cruise control.

No other car I've owned elicits such emotion, both from me and others; it always feels special. Rare is the negative comment - it just doesn't attract them in the same way as say a Fezza might.

Go for it....
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
Plenty of sterling advice above Creo...just spend that £250 for an indie inspection, plenty of good 'uns.....even more dodgy ones at 7/8/9 yrs of age


P
 
D

dem maser

Moderator
Messages
34,254
Indy inspection.....worth £250......they are very reliable, dont believe all the stories....our own Enzo has an immaculate one going up for sale soon, give him a pm....
 
Creo

Creo

New Member
Messages
5
Many thanks for your warm welcome.

Will try and PM Mr Enzo.
 
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Creo

Creo

New Member
Messages
5
Wow, thank you, you are fast! I had already sent a PM to what I think is the correct username, least I hope so :)
 
Ewan

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,812
As others have said, an indie inspection is a good place to start. On the south coast try Emblem Sportscars in Poole - they've looked after my Maseratis and Ferraris for years. And I bought my current QP from another client of theirs.

Brakes, tyres and clutches are not cheap, and do ware quite quickly. But find a good (and as late as possible) example which has recently had these items replaced and you'll be fine. Budget on £1000 a year for general servicing. As for mpg, I currently average around 23 - not bad for an exotic V8.

There is a fair chance that it'll cost you more to run than a Merc (for example). But the rarity/noise/style and pure pleasure will more than compensate. Good luck, and go for it.
 
Emtee

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
Hi Creo, Great to have you on the forum, but just a little word of warning……..you're in the wrong place to not buy a QP, but I suspect you know that. :D

Hope it comes through with Enzo. I'm not sure he's actually decided to sell yet, but you couldn't ask for a better cared for car if he has.

Hope it comes to fruition.

Regards, Miles.
 
Creo

Creo

New Member
Messages
5
Thanks again for your great advice and good wishes. The missus is NOT happy about me potentially buying a money-pit petrol guzzling toy, or words to that effect :)

I have PM'd Mr Enzo, and there is a QP at a garage not too far from me. Will see how it all pans out. Honestly, I can think of so many good reasons NOT to buy a Maserati, and only one good reason to buy one (the important one though), I think thats what I said when I got an Aston Martin V8 about 15 years ago, hehe.
 
Emtee

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
I had all the same arguments with myself when I got married and decided to have kids. Both empty my wallet on a regular basis, but life's better with them than without them. My Maser's a piece of cake compared to them.

Enzo is ENZ525 by the way.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,945
Welcome

Given that depreciation will now be very low on a QP of that age the money you save more than covers the running costs. A 2 year old decent spec Focus / Mondeo will cost the same and depreciate more over the same period and won't be anywhere near as much fun. The key is that inspection go into it knowing everything you can.

Follow the heart and go for it
 
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