Looking to purchase this GS- any advice please?

[pamisa]

Hi,

I am a new member from Thailand and I am looking to purchase this GS with only 7,000 miles. I love the color combination but I am not sure if there is anything in particular I should be looking out for even though the car has low mileage. Shall I be looking to spend a lot per year to maintain this car if I drive it about 6,000 miles annually? Or what would be some of the main issues I should be spending money on to maintain over the next few years? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!!
Isa

 

[philw696]

Welcome looks very nice.

 

[outrun]

That looks great. I love the colour combination.

Best thing is to have it checked over fully by a supercar specialist or Maserati main dealer before buying. Low mileage is not always an advantage. Running it is mainly about spending the money on preventative maintenance rather than waiting for things to go wrong. Look after it with regular care and it should not cost a massive amount.

good luck!

 

[conaero]

Welcome.

Clutch would be the first thing to check. OK its only done 6k miles but that is not good always as pointed out above. Also have the cats checked as they could break up with lack of use.

Get it checked out by an independent is the best advice anyone can give you.

Great colour combo, it works.

 

[Andyk]

A big warm welcome to the forum.....Lovely looking car .... The launch car was in that colour inside and out....

 

[ecarca]

Hi, Welcome!

If it's like in China, I guess you won't be able to do a detailed pre purchase inspection. I would suggest you to DIY. Remove these pastil covers, check if there are traces of unclipped wires and other things that could indicate previous work was done there. Try to understand what was done if anything. Do the usual check to see if it has been repainted, if it has been in an accident. Check levels and the rest like when you purchase any other second car. Put it on a lift and check if there are leaks: shocks, engine, brakes, etc.

My second best advice is to do an OBDII scan after having test drove the car to see if there are any CEL. Then you will know where you stand. Other than that, my personal reflexion when I purchased mine was that since it is low mileage, even if the previous owners did not maintain it, there would be nothing that would be too bad. Good luck.

 

[pamisa]

Thanks very much for all your input so far! I will bring it to the an independent specialist to have it checked up especially the shocks and suspension. As for the engine there shouldn't be anything wrong with it with this low mileage but I will double check.

Thanks again!

 

[ecarca]

If that specialist has a SD2 computer, it would be even better

 

[conaero]

Thanks very much for all your input so far! I will bring it to the an independent specialist to have it checked up especially the shocks and suspension. As for the engine there shouldn't be anything wrong with it with this low mileage but I will double check.

Thanks again!

There is a know issue with the combined oil/water pump. There is a seal between the 2 sides of the pump that can fail, water gets in, rots the shaft and the thing can degrade and even shear in half.

Ok this has only really been seen in higher mileage cars and in the UK climate, but I would pay particular attention to the oil pressure (and cats) with a low mileage car.

Its my opinion still that this pump unit should be a service item at between 5-10 years. Its about a grand for the part but maybe it can be serviced and have its seals and bearing replaced.....just my opinion though.

 

[conaero]

Oh, and from the pic, the handbrake needs sorting, it has the "horses willy" look about it, which means its not adjusted correctly or the handbrake shoes have failed.

View attachment 19607

 

[ecarca]

Oh, and from the pic, the handbrake needs sorting, it has the "horses willy" look about it, which means its not adjusted correctly or the handbrake shoes have failed.

View attachment 19607

Mine was the same when I got the car, adjusting the mechanism solved the problem. I read about the shoes problem. I don't know how mine look but adjustment made it functional so I guess it's fine.

 

[hodroyd]

Isa,
I guess the year of the car is about 2005..?? The mileage is low for the year..!! Check the service history if you can, even at that mileage there must be one..!! Have a look at the oil, is it clean, get a mechanic to take out a plug, is that clean..?? When the car is first switched on, do ALL the dashboard warning lights work, if they do not there may be a problem being hidden..?? Have the car inspected first by an Italian Sports Car Specialist, before paying any money..!! If there is a Maserati Main Dealer, ask them about the car, they should have it on record..!! You can also contact Maserati Classiche in Italy, look on the Maserati web site, with the VIN they can give you the build of the car and when it was made..!! Was the car imported new, or used..??
Once armed with the answers, you should be able to make a correct decision..!!
Cheers
R

 

[pamisa]

Hi All,

Thanks for all your input. I did check the car and everything seems to be ok except a few things which I need to replace which are the below.

1. Flanbloc 186493 (4)
2. Flanbloc 186494 (8)
3. Flanbloc 186496 (2)
4. Joint For Upper Lever 386600129 (4)

The car is a 2007. The clutch is still fine and I just have to get new tires as well which I'm waiting for the Continental DWS right now. I decided to take the car and I just picked it up today. Thanks again for all your input!

Cheers!

 

[hodroyd]

At that low a mileage, why are you having to replace those items..??

 

[ecarca]

At that low a mileage, why are you having to replace those items..??

I guess same reasons that could potentially be mine: a good chunk of bad roads plus the age.

 

[kyle1]

At 6k the clutch is probably the only major thing that might need to be replaced apart from the above that conaero and everyone have pointed out, but just give it a bloody good once over just incase.. all the best!

 

[Woody]

Wow, I had no idea there would be a RHD Bianco Fuji GS in Thailand! Wow.

 

[pamisa]

At that low a mileage, why are you having to replace those items..??

Sorry for the late reply. Well, the car is an 2006 car and as ecarca states, it is due to it's age and it's starting to crack. In Thailand our weather is about 33 degrees almost all year round and this is another reason as well eventhough the car has such low mileage.

 

[hodroyd]

Oh right I see, the climate is ******* the cars then..!!