Maserati perspectives

[Phil H]

In recent years the consensus has been to avoid 'Classico' 4200's with only the facelifts being favoured and worth having. Conversely, the late series Ghiblis and QP's have been viewed as tarted up Chryslers with only the earlier versions (QP V etc) worthy of consideration. Lately though, opinions seem to be changing with more folk preferring Classico 4200's, and post-2013 Ghiblis/QP's being seen as rather good cars (although I still can't get my head around diesel Maseratis).

Yes I know that styling is subjective, and much depends on the history of cars being considered for purchase, but are we seeing a change in attitudes or is my mind playing tricks?

PH

 

[safrane]

Think it is more to do with perceived reliability, but as the fleet ages they are all as reliable as one another.

 

[Phil H]

Up to a point Peter, but if that is the case is the reliability perception wrong? I'm not convinced that Maseratis produced in the last 20 years were any worse than other performance marques, although brand support could clearly have been better.

PH

 

[Simon1963]

When I first joined the forum a couple of years ago my mind was set on a 4200 or a QPV. Now that I need four doors again the QPV was top of my list. Recently I’ve come to realise that as lovely as the QPV is I need a car that’s going to be more Practical in terms of running costs and reliability. Hence now looking at the petrol ghiblis.

 

[Wanderer]

When I first joined the forum a couple of years ago my mind was set on a 4200 or a QPV. Now that I need four doors again the QPV was top of my list. Recently I’ve come to realise that as lovely as the QPV is I need a car that’s going to be more Practical in terms of running costs and reliability. Hence now looking at the petrol ghiblis.

QPV been fine for me - nigh on 4 years now - never let me down. Just been to Southport and back, 170 miles - 23mpg - and I'd caned it a fair bit. Happy with that.

No finer car in my book, DS of course, then I can at least pretend I'm not an old man!

 

[Devonboy]

I have done an annual 1300miles round trip in Europe over 2 weeks in Europe in my QP V for the past 3 years - no issues

 

[D Walker]

I have done around 1300miles around Europe in my QP V for the past 3 years - no issues

Hope that is per trip

 

[Devonboy]

Hope that is per trip

fair point have edited!

 

[Oishi]

Phil, that brings up some questions I've had about 4200's. I understand that some issues with 2002 cars were rectified in 2003 and that 2003 was a short production year as a result. Mechanical improvements post 2003 were limited to changes to software for the CC gearbox, lowered suspension (10mm), a change in steering rack ratio ( My 03 has the later GS rack, and afaik, came from the factory that way), 19" wheels. So, are these the only differences mechanically between a classico and a face-lift car? I can understand the esthetic opinion differences, but is there an argument for later cars over a 03-04 classico? The only thing from a GS that I would like to have on my car is the taller 6th gear ratio.

 

[safrane]

the point I was making about perceived reliability is that they continued to make changes to the cars, to put right things people complained about... making the cars softer in some cases.

As most early cars have now been to specialists and been adjusted/fettled properly over time they are no longer the bad cars they were made out to be.

I suspect many YTS mechanics at the main dealers buggered up many early 3200/4200s and QPs in an feeble attempt to 'correct' early foibles.

 

[Nayf]

the point I was making about perceived reliability is that they continued to make changes to the cars, to put right things people complained about... making the cars softer in some cases.

As most early cars have now been to specialists and been adjusted/fettled properly over time they are no longer the bad cars they were made out to be.

I suspect many YTS mechanics at the main dealers buggered up many early 3200/4200s and QPs in an feeble attempt to 'correct' early foibles.

Quite - most performance cars are better off outside the franchised dealers after a while. Dealer staff are trained to tick boxes, whereas specialists know to go beyond the form. Audi RS models and Alfa GTAs, for example.

 

[Oishi]

Ok, I'm of the same opinion as you guys then, it takes a while to fully sort the car, and that there is a sweet spot between too few miles, and too many miles.

 

[Hurricane52]

I think it’s a value for money thing. We tend to be more forgiving as they get cheaper. I know I could never love the rear of the Ghibli 3, but the rest looks good enough to live with as a daily, now they’re cheap enough.

Similar deal with the 4200. The rear lights would have put me off in the past because the 3200 looked so good, but does it really matter that much when the 4200 is such good value for money?

All Tridents find their following eventually.

 

[stevepen]

Had my QPV now for 12 months. Original problems sorted out by the supplying dealer but utterly reliable and only money spent is on fuel (quite a lot ).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Phil H]

Phil, that brings up some questions I've had about 4200's. I understand that some issues with 2002 cars were rectified in 2003 and that 2003 was a short production year as a result. Mechanical improvements post 2003 were limited to changes to software for the CC gearbox, lowered suspension (10mm), a change in steering rack ratio ( My 03 has the later GS rack, and afaik, came from the factory that way), 19" wheels. So, are these the only differences mechanically between a classico and a face-lift car? I can understand the esthetic opinion differences, but is there an argument for later cars over a 03-04 classico? The only thing from a GS that I would like to have on my car is the taller 6th gear ratio.

The early 4200's will no doubt have followed the usual pattern of 'new product development' whether just cosmetic or performance related, and subsequent development would (we hope) address customer feedback. I can't remember the changes v model years, although the table below will give you an idea of software and associated hardware updates:



The advice is always to buy the best example you can afford in terms of condition and history, but it can be argued that newer is not always best; e.g. a number of folk regretted the removal of the blip on downshifts and that came with a software 'upgrade'. If I was buying a 4200 now I would avoid the 02/03 cars and look for 04 onwards, but I wouldn't get hung up on the facelift aspect as I think the purity of the 3200/4200 nose design is quite enduring - hence the comment in my opening post; I exclude the GS and limited editions from all that as they are different enough to merit separate study.

The point about prices levelling off are well made and for a long time I've been of the opinion that Maseratis can be tremendous vfm if bought correctly. My original comment, though, was about the changing perceptions of different models, as there does seem to be a bit of a swing of late - and it's long overdue imho.

PH

 

[mjheathcote]

10 years ago I bought on condition not year, I saw a few facelifts that at the time only 6 or 7 years old that were real dogs, that nearly put me off the marque.
I also prefer the original pure penciled design, without the plastic grill/trident, chromed plastic headlight shrouds, and vented meshed rear bumper.
A typical example of an Italian car gone too far with facelifts is the Countach.

 

[RoaryRati]

My 02 Spyder clocked up three European trips of about 3000 miles each and loved it - Ash and Matt could say we were lucky tho'!! Now it's fixed it's dying to do more (but thoroughly enjoyed it's 1000 mile romp round Wales)