Anyone own a Maseratti?

Tek81

Tek81

Tek81

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My dad retired a few months ago and is looking for something to do to fill the vast amounts of spare time he has. I've suggested getting a dog to walk, joining a gym and even taking up a hobby such as golf, but he's quite insistent when he tells me "that's boring and you know I detest golf" So, after some deliberation he's decided to get himself a new car. Something that's a bit of fun, he tells me. Something with a bit of "poke." A Maserati Quattroporte.

He has previously owned a TVR and several high end saloons, but nothing quite like this. I don't want to try and dissuade him. He loves cars and has always wanted to own a Maserati. I'd really like to know a bit more about them though. Does anyone have any experience of them? Are they reliable in comparison to other similar cars? How are the servicing costs etc? I know we have a lot of very knowledge people here, so any input is greatly appreciated. As mentioned previously, I don't want to dissuade him, but I would like to be furnished with as much knowledge as possible before he goes out and buys one.

Cheers
J.
 
What's the worst that could happen?
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Sorry, I should have added that he's after a post 2010 car. Something to do with a redesign / facelift.
 
I genuinely do not understand who buys these or what the point is.

It's not a sports car, it's an executive cruiser with a ridiculously awesome engine in it. It's designed for people with no care about money to do long distances in comfort and style. It's an everyday car for those for whom trivialities such as fuel costs are not an issue - most if not all are automatic for example.

So, its clear to see who the target market for a new or nearly new one are.

But who wants a 10+ year old one?

Anyone who can afford to simply not care and use the car its intended - to rack up big miles - doesn't need to fish about in the sediment at the bottom of the Quattroporte pond and can instead just buy a much nicer one. Anyone who wants a curious weekend toy to fiddle with and use infrequently is better off with something else - perhaps a Maserati Coupe of some description if its Maserati that appeals.

Which leaves who? People who don't do any homework, buy them and then find them to be un-affordable and a complete nuisance presumably.

If you want an infrequent weekend toy, buy a 3200GT (Or something else entirely). If you want a luxury distance coverer buy a Mercedes.

The Quattroporte will give you all the pain and headache of owning a far more exotic car without.. well... owning a far more exotic car. In a 14 grand car, a Ferrari engine is not a plus point.

I mean look at the one at the top of that advert list you've posted. £9k spent recently. £9k! To still end up with an Italian alternative to an S Class that wasn't really ever as good.
 
[TW]Fox;30253367 said:
I mean look at the one at the top of that advert list you've posted. £9k spent recently. £9k! To still end up with an Italian alternative to an S Class that wasn't really ever as good.
Click to expand...

But it's GROGEOUS, TALK OF THE TOWN, A FOUR DOOR FARRARI, FASTER THAN A BULLET.
 
[TW]Fox;30253367 said:
I genuinely do not understand who buys these or what the point is.

It's not a sports car, it's an executive cruiser with a ridiculously awesome engine in it. It's designed for people with no care about money to do long distances in comfort and style. It's an everyday car for those for whom trivialities such as fuel costs are not an issue - most if not all are automatic for example.

So, its clear to see who the target market for a new or nearly new one are.

But who wants a 10+ year old one?

Anyone who can afford to simply not care and use the car its intended - to rack up big miles - doesn't need to fish about in the sediment at the bottom of the Quattroporte pond and can instead just buy a much nicer one. Anyone who wants a curious weekend toy to fiddle with and use infrequently is better off with something else - perhaps a Maserati Coupe of some description if its Maserati that appeals.

Which leaves who? People who don't do any homework, buy them and then find them to be un-affordable and a complete nuisance presumably.

If you want an infrequent weekend toy, buy a 3200GT (Or something else entirely). If you want a luxury distance coverer buy a Mercedes.

The Quattroporte will give you all the pain and headache of owning a far more exotic car without.. well... owning a far more exotic car. In a 14 grand car, a Ferrari engine is not a plus point.

I mean look at the one at the top of that advert list you've posted. £9k spent recently. £9k! To still end up with an Italian alternative to an S Class that wasn't really ever as good.
Click to expand...


He currently drives an A6 S-line, so is looking for something that is both executive in style, but also a little bit different. I don't think he's put much more reasoning behind the decision to go for a Maserati, outside of it being something he's always wanted to own. I'd suggest that he gets a 911, but I doubt he'd fit into it:D That said, he doesn't want one pre-2010. He's off looking at a 4 series today, which seems like a far better choice.
 
If he was genuinely enough of a Maserati-nut to brush aside the issues and buy one because 'hey, I've always wanted one', he wouldn't be looking at a 4 Series today :p

Perhaps if his budget is large enough something like a 6 Series GranCoupe?
 
[TW]Fox;30253400 said:
If he was genuinely enough of a Maserati-nut to brush aside the issues and buy one because 'hey, I've always wanted one', he wouldn't be looking at a 4 Series today :p

Perhaps if his budget is large enough something like a 6 Series GranCoupe?
Click to expand...

He's grown very indecisive in his old age. He'll probably end up with both:D
 
Anyone thinking of buying a car like this is not doing it for sensible reasons, but emotional ones.
If he's always wanted one then he should get one. Even if he only keeps it for a few months at least he's scratched the itch.You only live once.
 
When I see posts about older executive / high end cars where people are coming out with the usual "you can't afford to run one" stuff I normally think it's a load of rubbish, but in the case of the Quattroporte I think it's bang on. Older S classes, XJs, 7 series, Boxsters etc can be quite easily run with not a lot of money provided you do your research, but the Quattroporte is a very different machine and over the period of say 1 year I think you'd have to be incredibly lucky to avoid several 4 figure bills.
 
But if he wants a hobby... Surely this car would be fine?

When it breaks down 5 times per year he can spend not much money fixing it himself
 
My friends Dad had one around 2005, he chopped his A8 4.2 V8 in for it so he was used to expensive to run cars. The mention of it still brings him out in a cold sweat, he joked the only time it ever went in the garage and the bill was less than 2 grand was when he took it for an MOT and it passed. It was glorious when it was working but he spent a lot of time driving in his wife's car or a company van when he had it.

It put him off good cars. He runs round in a Superb TDi now!

However, if one really must scratch the Maserati itch my Dad's neighbor told him he leases his for £550 a month. I presume new ones come with a warranty. It would probably work out cheaper over 2 or 3 years.
 
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