Sub £20k 2004 QP - Am I mental?

[Swindorski]

Some of you may remember but a couple of years ago I was the proud owner of a 3200GT, for all too short a period of time, which was lost to mechanical failure.

Anyway, I have know just about recovered (mentally and financially!) from that experience and am becoming more and more tempted to 'get back on the horse' and I've just about convinced Mrs Swin that our previous Masser experience was a 'one off' and am currently pursuing the 'wasn't it good when we had one of those, wouldn't it be good to have another?' line!!

The early Mk V QPs look to be unbelievable value at the moment and therein lies the question - Is a sub £20k QP a one way ticket to bankruptcy/divorce/heartbreak?

To clarify the point, I'm not too fussed about running/servicing costs (I know that won't be cheap but can factor that in) it's just any 'big ticket' items that I would like to know about. Are there any known faults/weak points/expensive inevitabilities?

All advice gratefully received. Thank you.

 

[dem maser]

as with everything, check its history and background and you should be alright...they are more robust than the 3.2

 

[dickygrace]

If I were you, I'd buy a higher mileage '06 onwards QP, if you make sure the clutch is good and there shouldn't be too much risk of huge costs.

 

[conaero]

Yep, clutch is your biggest item to worry about and also if it were me, I would go for lower mileage (sorry Dicky) as we do here a few horror stories with the 4.2 as it gets into it 70k miles and upwards bracket. Its to do with the oil pumps and falling pressure.

Cats can cost a few bob too, so get an independent inspection and all will be fine, they are very, very reliable cars.

 

[dickygrace]

The thing is for sub £20k, you won't get a low miles later 2006 onwards car which were far better than the early cars. I agree with you on the mileage thing, always best to buy a lower miles car but budget has to compromise somewhere. Similarly, I'd always go for a 60 miles facelift 4200 over a 20 miles '02 car. It's only my opinion on it, but I've owned and driven a lot over recent years.

 

[Parisien]

Yeah, 2006 onwards QPs had many improvements, 4.2 engines have issues as highlighted, ie same one in QP isn't it?

Brakes are expensive as no OEM equivalents sorted yet.

P

 

[TridentTested]

Buyer beware.

There is no such thing as a cheap Maserati. If it looks cheap you will probably find it needs new tyres (£1,100), new brakes (another large figure), new clutch (in or around £2,000) and in all likelihood be due a service (+£800).

Add these up and you would be better looking at a sorted £22,000 '06 one. They exist.

 

[dickygrace]

I have one, £25950 and it's a 56 plate Sport GT. Ok, not £22k but a deal can be done somewhere in between!!

 

[Parisien]

I feel a deal being done here DG!!!!!





P

 

[dem maser]

pays to be on here..........

 

[dickygrace]

Buyer beware.

There is no such thing as a cheap Maserati. If it looks cheap you will probably find it needs new tyres (£1,100), new brakes (another large figure), new clutch (in or around £2,000) and in all likelihood be due a service (+£800).

Add these up and you would be better looking at a sorted £22,000 '06 one. They exist.

Trident Tested bought one from me and I thank you for pointing this out. Although I acknowledge that regrettably, the tyres were a little lower than they should have been on the car you bought.
There are lots of folk who buy a 'cheap one' like you say and then needs a lot of spends. The Sport GT I have for sale has a recent clutch, all tyres have 6-7mm and the Full History is a full one, with the most recent service being done in February. At inspection it also had discs and pads and tpms sensors all round. Including the clutch, it's about £5000 of spend, hence the asking price not being regarded as cheap.
Although I can never and would never say any car would not have any future problems, a great deal of time and expense goes into ensuring they are the best they can realistically be when they're sold.

 

[ENZ525]

Some of you may remember but a couple of years ago I was the proud owner of a 3200GT, for all too short a period of time, which was lost to mechanical failure.

Anyway, I have know just about recovered (mentally and financially!) from that experience and am becoming more and more tempted to 'get back on the horse' and I've just about convinced Mrs Swin that our previous Masser experience was a 'one off' and am currently pursuing the 'wasn't it good when we had one of those, wouldn't it be good to have another?' line!!

The early Mk V QPs look to be unbelievable value at the moment and therein lies the question - Is a sub £20k QP a one way ticket to bankruptcy/divorce/heartbreak?

To clarify the point, I'm not too fussed about running/servicing costs (I know that won't be cheap but can factor that in) it's just any 'big ticket' items that I would like to know about. Are there any known faults/weak points/expensive inevitabilities?

All advice gratefully received. Thank you.

Absolutely nothing wrong with looking for an '04 4.2 duo-select...
do your homework, view/drive as many as you can, condition and maintenance history is key.
Buy right and you won't regret it...
Regards,
Enzo.

 

[dickygrace]

Good point Enzo, although there are few around that will be as well maintained as yours. Not impossible, but difficult to find.

 

[Andyk]

OK, so I'm confused......Surely a 2004/2005 car under 20k is not an issue as this is the going rate for a 2004 car...They have fallen in price over the years.....Just becaue it's not over 20k doesn't make it a bad car thats going to go bang as soon as you take it out...ADG have had a number of 2004/2005 cars under 20k and they seem to be doing well.....

On miles....why are we still hung up on low miles...OK for resale it seems to still matter but if you find a high miles car thats been well looked after, serviced, receipts for lots of work then as far as I'm concerned its better to a car thats been used than a garage Queen thats used when the sun comes out.....

The QP has proved to be a very reliable car over the any other model and there are owners out there who have do massive miles in them.....I for one would not be scared of a QP under 20k.... I would do the checks and if it had a good report would not see an issue with buying.........

 

[nkotecha]

Hey Folks.....Sorry for stepping into your conversation, but I may be looking to sell mine soon - She is December 2006 (07MY) GTS, in Nero with Avirio Interior - 38900 Miles FSH - Looked after recently by Shiltech (Sponsors)- I am 2nd Owner - Red Calipers, Sunroof, 2012 Sat Nav CD, 2 Keys - MOT December 2013, TAX end of May - Recent works include New Power Steering Cooler, Oil/Filter change( NOT Due but hey....she is Mine :->), Front Stabiliser Bushes, new Front Tyres, New Battery, Rear Coil Springs, Service not due for 7800 Miles ( Last service was Big one, ALL Fluids etc).

She is my Pride and Joy and as you can see from pics - a real eyeful, does turn heads - if you interested let me know?

Nik

 

[Parisien]

Nice car...good luck with the sale....the power steering cooler seems to be a poor quality item, it goes in a lot of them!


P

 

[Andyk]

Lovely, lovely, lovely

 

[dem maser]

Love it.....

 

[Elliott653]

I got my My 56 plate, 30k miles, full service history QP for less than £20k.

 

[dem maser]

Exactly!! They make a good buy under 20k.....and i know elliott is fussy so you can bet that is one clean car.....