Hi Mike,
2 years ago I researched alternatives for my 20 year history with BMW's, "wanting to get the passion back" and discovered I could afford an earlier Maserati. As I looked, I found they were low km, as being used for special occasions? I wanted a daily driver and bought a 2005 Gransport with 90,000 km on it. I've done 18,000 km in my first year and had some issues to solve, but now it is up to spec to the point I won my class ( equally with Leon MCV ) at the Club Maserati concours in Sydney last month.
Forums all talk about the clutch, but after my first service with a specialist, who said it was set too tight, the driving experience became perfectly acceptable even in crawling traffic. 10,000 km later at my next service the wear had only gone from 63% used to 66%, which is a phenomonal result, attributed to always going to neutral at the lights and the free flowing traffic of Canberra.
Anyway, research, research and then do more research and find a recommended independent Maserati service guy in your area. I actually travel to Sydney for my servicing. Service people who are keen ( alfa guys ) but have never worked on a Maserati, will with the best intentions bugger it up.
Regards,