Considering a Ghibli II.

[emix]

Hello everyone! I've been a lurking for a while trying to find information on the Ghibli II, and while there are some good threads, it's still not clear to me how maintenance intensive these cars are. My problem is there is no Maserati specialist able to work on biturbo era cars within 1000 kms of where I am at. I rather doubt the mechanics at the official dealership know much about them, as there are extremely few such cars in my country. There are a few good classic car specialists and while they might be willing they have zero experience with them. Do they have a lot of foibles that require intimate knowledge? Would a good mechanic be able to maintain a Ghibli even if he lacks experience/training?
Would I be crazy if I went ahead and bought one? I'd be buying a Ghibli GT in very good condition with the 2.0 engine in it. I'd like to own and enjoy one before prices for these get out of hand, they have been steadily creeping up for a while, it seems good ones with service history and well maintained start at about 25k euros.
Also how much should I expect to spend in order to maintain the car properly? I know this varies a lot but a rough estimate would be enough.

I've loved the 90's Maseratis since I was kid, my dad owned a couple, had a 430 in the early 90s then in '98 bought a new QP IV Evoluzione. I remember the 430 when he first bought it and took the family for a ride, the feeling of the turbos (which were quite a novelty back then) was a completely new experience to me. I've loved these cars ever since, and now I'd like to experience one as an adult and as a driver. I would not use it as a daily, It'd be one of my weekend vehicles.
The 430 was green with a beige interior and sadly met its end in a crash, but the QP (which was dark grey with a beige interior) lives on somewhere (would love to buy it back!). For my purpose however I think a Ghibli is better suited.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Ewan]

If you find a good example, most jobs can be completed by a skilled mechanic. However, they are not the most robustly built car ever (!), so do expect things to break and go wrong. Some parts are no longer available and many are expensive. Removing the engine to change the chains at the back is quite a big job, for example.

I am looking at one next week, and the bill for it’s annual service last summer was GBP 12,000! And they need a service every year, though it wouldn’t usually be this expensive.

Where are you?

BTW, my first Ghibli was a LHD 2.0lt version from Italy and it was great. Loved it.

 

[emix]

If you find a good example, most jobs can be completed by a skilled mechanic. However, they are not the most robustly built car ever (!), so do expect things to break and go wrong. Some parts are no longer available and many are expensive. Removing the engine to change the chains at the back is quite a big job, for example.

I am looking at one next week, and the bill for it’s annual service last summer was GBP 12,000! And they need a service every year, though it wouldn’t usually be this expensive.

Where are you?

BTW, my first Ghibli was a LHD 2.0lt version from Italy and it was great. Loved it.

I'm in Bucharest, Romania. Skilled mechanics, I know a few, so that shouldn't be a problem. I know they aren't the best built vehicles but I'm willing to put up with that, it's an emotional decision after all.
Just curious, out of the 12k gbp bill how much of it is labor? Because I will be paying significantly lower labor rates here. Parts cost the same everywhere I guess. What kind of parts are not available anymore? Like engine parts? consumables etc? Because, if parts that need changing in order to maintain the car, are no longer made, then that's a big issue.

There is one Ghibli Primatist in my city, however it is in dire condition, the car runs and from what I gather the owner maintains it himself but it has been modified beyond recognition and not in a tasteful way to say the least. It has a wing, and different bumpers/spoilers, different tail lights and who knows what else? I've been trying to track him down to see if he's willing to part with it, but I think it's going to be a headache to get that car sorted and back to its original state. Shame that it's a primatist he decided to slaughter, they're rare enough as it is.

 

[Ewan]

Several body parts are no longer available (such as the bonnet and rear bumper) so to convert a modified car back to standard you would need to find second hand ones. The left hand headlight (the one that cracks regularly!) is also no longer available.

The labour is a big part of the bill. Oh, and check any car very carefully for rust. Typically the door top edge and the door bottom. The side cills. The base of the windscreen. The bulkhead. The boot lid. Etc.

 

[ZAM400209]

Hey emix-

get on board! Take the plunge!

I agree with everything Ewan has said; (except my specialist guys reckon you actually don't need to remove the engine for the chain-change)

I've been an owner 17 years and the biggest hassle has been the exhaust!!


I'd pay money to see a picture of the Primatist (or what's left of it...)

 

[dickyb]

Here you go:

 

[Nayf]

Don’t know whether to laugh, cry or punch someone

 

[del mar]

It is certainly interesting....

 

[zagatoes30]

My god somebody needs to shot for doing that to a Primatist

 

[Arrakis]

Hi Emix,

Some advice from me, owning a 2.0 GT for 8 years:

• I’d buy a car from one of the renowned dealers or that has been serviced by one of them. I bought mine from Campana in Milano
• there are some expensive maintenance measures necessary around 60-100.000km, rather buy a car with slightly higher mileage where these have been done.
• If you consider buying in Italy, mistrust a low mileage on the speedo! On the other hand, rust is not such an issue there.
• the electrics will cause problems, so you will need someone with experience there.
• general maintenance, as said, can be done by a good mechanic.

There are right now 2-3 cars for sale in the Netherlands and Belgium that seem to be worth a look.

Good luck!

 

[emix]

Here you go:

Yeah that's the car! I've known it since it was brought into the country in the early 2000s. The previous owner kept it pristine looking all the time, however at some point in the late 2000s it changed hands and it slowly became what you see in those pics. I would love to save it though!

 

[emix]

Hi Emix,

Some advice from me, owning a 2.0 GT for 8 years:

• I’d buy a car from one of the renowned dealers or that has been serviced by one of them. I bought mine from Campana in Milano
• there are some expensive maintenance measures necessary around 60-100.000km, rather buy a car with slightly higher mileage where these have been done.
• If you consider buying in Italy, mistrust a low mileage on the speedo! On the other hand, rust is not such an issue there.
• the electrics will cause problems, so you will need someone with experience there.
• general maintenance, as said, can be done by a good mechanic.

There are right now 2-3 cars for sale in the Netherlands and Belgium that seem to be worth a look.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice! I would not buy a car without having a specialist go over it with a fine comb to determine the condition beyond the cosmetics.

How problematic are the electrics though? Can you trust this car to go on a longer journey or does it throw fits when you least want it to? Do you need any special equipment to diagnose electrical problems?

There are a few in Italy worth looking into as well. There is one in excellent condition in NL but its a 2.8, and I want a 2.0. It's also 42k euros. I would not like to spend more than 30k, and from what I'm seeing you can get a nice car for that.