Buying Advice, please? - Used Granturismo

[Bobby Dandruff]

Hi everyone

I have just joined this site so please be gentle with me, and excuse any moronic questions......

My situation is: in Oct/Nov 2013, due to some extreme good fortune on my part, I should be in a position to replace my car and my wife's car. Forget the wife's car for the moment, this post is about me and my car!

I have always thought that the Granturismo is the most beautiful of cars and now I should be in a position to buy one. I have done lots of research and I'm pretty aware of the practicalities and impracticalities of the car but there is nothing like discussing it with actually owners

I will look to buy a used model and not a new one, and will be at the bottom of the current price range - I can see them advertised in the low £30ks.

Before going any further I should say that I have always been very cautious when buying cars and have only ever owned dealer supplied BMWs and Mercs, and have had a very practical approach to car buying.

So buying a Maserati is a big departure for me and I recognise fully that this will not be like owning a Merc - but you only live once....

I also have 3 boys and my wife is fed up with me driving a 2 seater so the 4 seats of a Granturismo is an easier sell to her!

So my question is: if buying privately rather than from main dealer, how can I ensure that I am minimising any risks to me, aside from HPI checks etc? Can anyone point me in the right direction or offer me any advice, please?

ALL advice is most welcome by the way.

Thanks

 

[Andyk]

Hi Bobby and a big warm welcome to the forum.......I can see how you would fall in love with the GT....A lovely looking car who's looks can drag ou in. Modern Maseratis are pretty much reliable...This changed with the introduction of the QP and reliability and build quality has been getting better every since.

I one bit of advice that you will get on here from every one is get an inspection from a good indy of which there is a list on here also. Another good starting point is Dicky Grace from on here. He is a respected member of the forum and deals in Maserati. Many members have purchased cars from him or just gone to him for advice....Well worth a call...

http://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/

 

[Bobby Dandruff]

Hi Andy

Thanks - this is a great starting point.

I appreciate your advice.

Feel free to continue!

 

[Andyk]

I have not heard of many, if any horror stories with the GT and there a number around with 90k on the clock...SO they will take the miles..If you find a car on a private sale it really is important ou have an inspection or even take along someone who ma know a thing or two about these cars.......The engine is pretty much tried and tested and ou do hear of man failures......Some have had dash board trim issue with it coming apart but most of these on early cars would have been sorted by now...

Get a good specialist to look at the car for piece of mind although a car with some kind of warrenty on it would be good but 2007 cars with this are far and few between I would say.....Slos remember these cars have a two year cycle for service if you don't do many miles so the 2007 cars will be due one this ear so worth finding one thats had a recent service.......Not sure how much a 6 ear service would be but I would imagine not much change from £1500/£2000....I'm sure an owner will be along to confirm how much.

Ring Dicky Grace up he may well be able to find you a good car and mabe even warrenty if thats what you want......Well worth a call...He has replied to your other thread and said he will be more than happy to have a chat to you.

 

[bigbob]

I think that the six year service is the same as a two year but with cars being over three/four years old, main dealers will usually drop prices from the c£1600 for a two year service. IIRC spark plugs are not until ten years or so unlike the 4200 where it is six years I think.