This is now prompting some interesting comments!
Maserati ownership for me has been both recent and suffered mixed fortunes thus far. From never having ever considered the marque, this is my 3rd purchase in under 12 months - and I am now a huge fan.
No.1 4200 Cambiocorsa A non runner which was not fixed by a well known repairer who should have been able to fix it. Sold it on as a project to somebody who I understand was more fortunate in the repair than I had been. This cost me dearly with no return.
No.2 Low mileage QP 2008 - excellent in all respects except one time and one time only made noises that sounded like variator issue, this subject discussed at length on this and other forums; except one time and one time only made noises that sounded like major gearbox issue, subject of this posting. But I had just enjoyed driving QP for 8 mths and spent no money on it. Expenditure due was big service; 3 kerbed wheels (previous owner); bodywork detailing of several dinks to doors; attention to bottom edge passenger door where rust evident inside and out; peeling leather on inside door cards ...
So I figured that I could save £3k on the cost of exchange by avoidance. That is doing a p/ex now - not to mention leave behind concerns about variators and gearbox and any issues found at the service. (After all there had been a 2yr gap between visits to the garage).
No.3 Differential to get me into my 2014 Ghibli 1 owner 20k miles, private plate, lovely colour, HR Owen supplied and maintained with 2 stamped services was £15k - with a 1yr remaining Maserati warranty. It is a deisel by the way. Less the £3k that I didn't have to spend on my QP than it really only cost me an additional £12k. Warped logic maybe - but I'm convinced this was a good move. I am enjoying all of the things that the QP didn't have like voice recognition bluetooth tel/touchscreen/satnav that works/more comfort - and hopefully RELIABILITY and more sensible running costs. Tax £185 not £505. Fuel consumption 40mpg not 18mpg.
Yes I miss the lovely tune of the old V8 exhaust notes - and accept that I am now in a 275bhp diesel and not a 410bhp petrol car. There is a price to pay.
But I was finding the QP scarily fast and my driving habits were becoming well let's just say dangerous. So a safe choice. I think I did the right thing!
It still seems to receive admiring glances though.