Granturismo purchase advice for a newbie

Messages
2
Hi Everyone ,
I’ve been contemplating buying a granturismo for around 3 years now , and funds finally mean I can make a purchase . Have read lots of different advice on models in my price range ( up to 25k ) in particular this website with endless items .
Finally rang about two cars this week , both times dealer had taken a deposit same day .
Contemplating a 4.7s or MC shift . On these occasions both cars were mc shifts which I’d originally thought out my price range . Are these far more sought after ? I’ve noticed in my 3 years cars for sale for 6 months on a regular basis . Also any sources of purchase other than the usual pistonheads , autotrader , eBay .
I welcome any advice !
 

empzb

Member
Messages
229
Try them all and find what suits your driving style and needs. It's a buyer's market at the moment, although get a proper inspection done for peace of mind, or stick to RG as I've never heard a bad thing said.
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
Buy the best you can. History and a respected seller such as Richard are important. You’ll get an earlier 4.7 for £25k however a little more can get you a far better car, your budget is on the cusp. Do try an auto as well as the MC as the character is different. MC if you want a weekend thrill, auto if it’s for everyday use is a general rule.
 

gillis

Junior Member
Messages
77
Don't forget that you need about 2 to 5k a year on these cars if you let the garage do all the work. As usual the early models also have more issues than the latter ones. Better spend 35k on a 3 year newer version. The 10k difference is quickly spend on older models. Just my opinion.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Every other GT/QP that comes into us requires front bushes and that's about a grand indy, twice that in the dealership

Every one in 4 GT/QP that comes into us requires rust repair to the front subsume, usually done at the same time as the bushes

The 2 bolts on the bottom of each wishbone are £95 each

Clutches will cost you £3k (every 35-40k miles)

AC pumps last 20k miles, that's about a grand

Front discs are expensive, pads not so.

Every other GT/QP that comes in has leaking cam cover gaskets which is another £500 job

Most pre 2009 GT/QP that comes in had variator issues and that's £2-3k

So my advise is, buy a known, inspected forum car or from Richard Grace and pay a little more so you don't get a nasty surprise.

So they are rubbish cars?....no, not at all, they are very, very good but poor maintenance will kill them off.

£30k will buy you a very nice 4.7GTS (MC Shift)

If in doubt, get it inspected, its the best £250 you will every spend.
 
Messages
2
Every other GT/QP that comes into us requires front bushes and that's about a grand indy, twice that in the dealership

Every one in 4 GT/QP that comes into us requires rust repair to the front subsume, usually done at the same time as the bushes

The 2 bolts on the bottom of each wishbone are £95 each

Clutches will cost you £3k (every 35-40k miles)

AC pumps last 20k miles, that's about a grand

Front discs are expensive, pads not so.

Every other GT/QP that comes in has leaking cam cover gaskets which is another £500 job

Most pre 2009 GT/QP that comes in had variator issues and that's £2-3k

So my advise is, buy a known, inspected forum car or from Richard Grace and pay a little more so you don't get a nasty surprise.

So they are rubbish cars?....no, not at all, they are very, very good but poor maintenance will kill them off.

£30k will buy you a very nice 4.7GTS (MC Shift)

If in doubt, get it inspected, its the best £250 you will every spend.
Thank you for this . I’m aware of some of the pitfalls but this is a real wake up call.
I’ve a huge passion for the car , but perhaps the sensible side of me thinks a Ftype S for 26K on a 15plate wouldn’t be a bad alternative ! My heart says Maserati , head says Jag !
 

Wattie

Member
Messages
8,640
Thank you for this . I’m aware of some of the pitfalls but this is a real wake up call.
I’ve a huge passion for the car , but perhaps the sensible side of me thinks a Ftype S for 26K on a 15plate wouldn’t be a bad alternative ! My heart says Maserati , head says Jag !
Maseratis aren’t the car to buy if you’re on a budget. They’re special, but potentially very expensive.
Good luck whatever you decide.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
In my 6 years of ownership, my car had:

Clutch
Cam cover gaskets
Timing cover gaskets
A/C compressor (re-con item from Hungary)
A drop-link (£30, from memory)
Front disks and pads (FD disks, Yellow Stuff pads)

I think that’s it.

Specifically, the variators never needed doing, despite all the chatter and fear.

So, I counter that they can be run without being financially ruinous or left to rot, but have a war-chest in case something does go wrong. Get it inspected first, and get a decent warranty.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
As Wattie says. The cheaper examples are cheap for a reason and will actually work more expensive in the long run.

If you buy the Jag, fair enough, they are good cars. If you buy a Maserati, you won’t regret not buying the Jag as these are special. You will know what I mean when you get one, the last of a breed.
 

Wattie

Member
Messages
8,640
Another thing to consider- try one of the second hand Ghiblis or indeed newer model Qp’s. They are in your price range too- more modern tech wise and less exposed to the elements, greater reliability too by all accounts.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,795
In my 6 years of ownership, my car had:
.....

In my 3 years of ownership, my car has had:

complete brakes rebuild
2 wheel bearings replaced
new lambda sensors (perhaps unnecessary)
1 window mechanism replaced
droplinks replaced (once mythically by FTech and once actually by Migliore)
wishbone bushes replaced
water leak in boot fixed
3 parking sensors replaced
1 shock absorber replaced (used from David Askew)
1 aircon motor replaced (sheared spindle)
window finger trap sensor replaced (required 3 garage visits to diagnose and fix)
2 new batteries (one replaced free by RAC)

So you never know. Although that has been during 35,000 miles of daily use....
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,072
Another thing to consider- try one of the second hand Ghiblis or indeed newer model Qp’s. They are in your price range too- more modern tech wise and less exposed to the elements, greater reliability too by all accounts.

Just had a quick scour of Autotrader and QP6s look amazing value, never been in one but the interior looks lovely.

You don’t want a Jag, they’re a bit farty and the interior is low rent, look good at the golf club. Put it this way if you want to drive to the south of France for a date with Monica Bellucci (or David Gandy, we’re equal opportunity leches here) get the Maser, if you want to pop to Swindon to walk round a field in a pink jumper get the Jag.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
Actually, I did have a couple of parking sensors as well, Mark’s list reminded me.

Ok so apart from the clutch, the bushes, the gaskets, the parking sensors, the drop links, the brakes, the window mechanism...
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
Actually, I did have a couple of parking sensors as well, Mark’s list reminded me.

Ok so apart from the clutch, the bushes, the gaskets, the parking sensors, the drop links, the brakes, the window mechanism...
..and the aqueduct? So apart from that, and viniculture, peace, and public order - what has Sports Maserati ever done for us?