I just wanted to say hello from the US and ask for some help in buying my first Maserati GranSport (2006)

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cheshiremaserati

Member
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1,121
Here, the fix for variators is around £3000. It requires machining and is sent away. Budget around $3,500 converting UK price.

Brakes all round won't be cheap. I'd estimate here in UK they would be around £1,500 or $1,800. Add both these together (excluding bodywork sorting the rust) and you are looking at $5,300. No idea on cost of bodywork.

These cars are often offloaded for a reason. That reason could be they need a lot of money spending on them. Assume this from the outset and eliminate the items from your enquiries and a PPI. There is no such thing as a 'cheap Maserati'. The wrong car will be a very painful experience of Maserati ownership. Take your time and find a well sorted example - it always works out cheaper than buying one needing work.

Never forget: "If in doubt, WALK AWAY"
 
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Maxforza

New Member
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29
Hey all, I checked out the red Maserati in full. I didn't buy the car today but tried. He was asking $24,000 and I 0ffered $22k and we negotiated a little but couldn't come to terms that worked for all. The reason I didn't step up to his number was that the PPI revealed:
  1. The cam covers were leaking at the back on the headers, hence the car smoked.
  2. It needs 4 tires. Although not shot, they're mismatched and have flat spots.
  3. Variators are noisey but not shot, the car needs the new end caps.
  4. Some oil lines have drip spots coming off them.
  5. Rust on sub-frame but it's repairable.
  6. Steering tight but most bushings & boots are all dry rotted.
  7. rear seat back covers super sticky and a couple of other bit too. The rest were good.
  8. When I scanned the OBDll system (with a basic scanner), not all emission systems were reset and cleared. After the test drive a couple reset but 2 were still out. THe check engine light lingers for a few seconds after all the other lights go off. Is that normal?

Everything else was minor (ie., chips, trim bits loose, rubber and felt gaskets becoming undone etc...). I thought my final offer of $22,500 was fair because I have to pay taxes on the car too and do most (not all) of the stuff above right away. The rest if the car was super nice. Do you think walking was the right thing to do or should I step up? I have a couple other car to look at next week but I can always go back to him on Monday or he can call me. I'd be interested in your opinion because on Bring a trailer, almost every Gransport is sold for between $10,000 and $20,000. Nothing is selling for north of $20k unless it's a GT with a manual 6 speed.
 
Wattie

Wattie

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8,640
I think walking away was the right thing to do, if you do.
There will be another one, hopefully better at some point.
 
daverichardson

daverichardson

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6,001
Right to walk away well done as it is sometimes difficult as the heart can rule the head.
Well done too for 'Thanks' :)
 
Oishi

Oishi

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Messages
825
+1 on the walk away. Be patient, there are good cars out there, and as everyone will tell you, while the cars can be bought cheap, labor and especially parts can be eye-watering. The PPI on my car noted new brakes but missed hidden corrosion on the hard lines. A failure caused me to rip them all out and replace them, not an easy job. These cars aren't for the faint of heart, but buy the right one, and you will love it. I see that, like me, you had early Mas. experience, pre- internet. I bet you too became best friends with the folks at MIE.
 
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Maxforza

New Member
Messages
29
cheshiremaserati said:
You did absolutely the right thing to walk away. Don't dwell on that red car any more. If he comes back with a counter-offer, say no.

Move on and focus on next week's cars to be seen.
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I'll try but there are no more decent GranSports to see in the Cleveland area. The rest are either ratty or to far to checkout (in person). IThe only other Maserati for me would be this 2011 GT at Marshall Goldman
CatmanV2 said:
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=552186078&referrer=/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?sortBy=derivedpriceDESC&incremental=all&firstRecord=0&marketExtension=include&modelCodeList=GRANSPORT&makeCodeList=MAS&searchRadius=25&isNewSearch=false&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&modelCodeList=GRANSPORT&makeCodeList=MAS&searchRadius=25&clickType=spotlight

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It won't work for me. I only want a coupe. I have 10 year old twin boys and they are really turned on by super cars (ie., Ferrari Lamborghini and the like), so I need to get a car where I can take them out in the back seat and have fun with me. I had a 2013 Boxster but they were never able to come out with me and that's not where I want to be at the moment. Plus they only get to look at the old Maserati's I used to own in pictures (ie., Ghibli, Khamsin etc...) but can't afford anymore since they came along. But I can afford a GS or a GT, so that's where I need to be. I'm going to have a closer look at this 2011 Mas. GT at Marshal Goldman https://www.marshallgoldmanoh.com/used-vehicle-2011-maserati-granturismo-s-c-74/ tomorrow and I'll see if it's a really good (ie., well serviced and no major defects) car. I spoke with them about it and we're close on price but I need to seriously look it over, drive it, see if I like it, negotiate a good price and if it's all good, I'll buy it tomorrow. I never drove one but I have to see if it's fun to drive like the GS or at least close. I think it looks cooler and my kids loved the way it looked. They had a hard time with the sticky back (part of the front seats) in the GS yesterday so they want me to test the GT now. Is there anything I should be on the look out for when I look it over?
 
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Maxforza

New Member
Messages
29
I just wanted to tell you guys that I wouldn't be able to do this (during these difficult times) without all your help. This forum made it possible for me and I'm super grateful. If this forum wasn't recommended to me, I'd be trying to squeeze my kids into the back seat of a 911 right now, so thanks again! Especially bringing me back home to Maserati in there born again Glory Days! I went to the Factory in 2006 when they were building the GranSports plus I went to the Golden Car factory where they stamped out the GranSport body panels and painted them. To own a Maserati again and getting my kids involved is a gift from Poseidon...
 
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CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,731
Maxforza said:
I just wanted to tell you guys that I wouldn't be able to do this (during these difficult times) without all your help. This forum made it possible for me and I'm super grateful. If this forum wasn't recommended to me, I'd be trying to squeeze my kids into the back seat of a 911 right now, so thanks again!
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I do try and lure people over ;)

I wanted a commission but Conearo was ******....

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Rwc13

Rwc13

Member
Messages
1,668
That
Maxforza said:
I'll try but there are no more decent GranSports to see in the Cleveland area. The rest are either ratty or to far to checkout (in person). IThe only other Maserati for me would be this 2011 GT at Marshall Goldman

It won't work for me. I only want a coupe. I have 10 year old twin boys and they are really turned on by super cars (ie., Ferrari Lamborghini and the like), so I need to get a car where I can take them out in the back seat and have fun with me. I had a 2013 Boxster but they were never able to come out with me and that's not where I want to be at the moment. Plus they only get to look at the old Maserati's I used to own in pictures (ie., Ghibli, Khamsin etc...) but can't afford anymore since they came along. But I can afford a GS or a GT, so that's where I need to be. I'm going to have a closer look at this 2011 Mas. GT at Marshal Goldman https://www.marshallgoldmanoh.com/used-vehicle-2011-maserati-granturismo-s-c-74/ tomorrow and I'll see if it's a really good (ie., well serviced and no major defects) car. I spoke with them about it and we're close on price but I need to seriously look it over, drive it, see if I like it, negotiate a good price and if it's all good, I'll buy it tomorrow. I never drove one but I have to see if it's fun to drive like the GS or at least close. I think it looks cooler and my kids loved the way it looked. They had a hard time with the sticky back (part of the front seats) in the GS yesterday so they want me to test the GT now. Is there anything I should be on the look out for when I look it over?
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That GTS looks very nice - classic Maserati colours - and should be well past the variators issue that affected earlier cars - although worth checking the number to ensure it didn’t hang around at a dealer a long time. I’m sure you and your kids would enjoy a GTS.
 
Gp79

Gp79

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1,398
That GS does look a bit rough, I reckon worth heading south to find a rust free.
 
Silvercat

Silvercat

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Messages
1,166
Maxforza said:
I'll try but there are no more decent GranSports to see in the Cleveland area. The rest are either ratty or to far to checkout (in person). IThe only other Maserati for me would be this 2011 GT at Marshall Goldman

It won't work for me. I only want a coupe. I have 10 year old twin boys and they are really turned on by super cars (ie., Ferrari Lamborghini and the like), so I need to get a car where I can take them out in the back seat and have fun with me. I had a 2013 Boxster but they were never able to come out with me and that's not where I want to be at the moment. Plus they only get to look at the old Maserati's I used to own in pictures (ie., Ghibli, Khamsin etc...) but can't afford anymore since they came along. But I can afford a GS or a GT, so that's where I need to be. I'm going to have a closer look at this 2011 Mas. GT at Marshal Goldman https://www.marshallgoldmanoh.com/used-vehicle-2011-maserati-granturismo-s-c-74/ tomorrow and I'll see if it's a really good (ie., well serviced and no major defects) car. I spoke with them about it and we're close on price but I need to seriously look it over, drive it, see if I like it, negotiate a good price and if it's all good, I'll buy it tomorrow. I never drove one but I have to see if it's fun to drive like the GS or at least close. I think it looks cooler and my kids loved the way it looked. They had a hard time with the sticky back (part of the front seats) in the GS yesterday so they want me to test the GT now. Is there anything I should be on the look out for when I look it over?
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This is a really stunning looking car! Hope it all works out for you.
:goodone:
 
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