thoughts on this Ghbili?

[dickyb]

thoughts on this Ghibli?

Sorry typo in thread title!!!

Was thinking of having a punt on this but there are a few things that concerned me.
Have a look at the ad and see what you think:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-MASE...1285708?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c28a9914c

Not digging the tints, looks like clock and wheel centre caps missing, not sure what the whitish mark on front of n/s rear wheel arch is, if you look at the open bonnet shot it appears that drivers side headlight is cracked. Other than that it looks quite nice, a very late car, nice colour, manual and lowish miles, could be a bargain, could be a money pit, what do you think?. Also wondering if its been living outside based on the pics taken in the street. Its a cat D repair, is it possible to have the cat D removed if you can prove its been correctly repaired or does it stay with the car forever?

 

[safrane]

Worth a bid at that price but can cost ten k to pit right if a dog. Headlights crack if the bonnet is slammed due to a design flaw.

 

[Parisien]

Dickyb, I would advise you to ask Marios of Autoshield to inspect it....if you are at all interested....could be £2k to put right or as Peter says £10k plus!


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[NickP]

In what world are they worth £25k?

 

[Paulm]

Dicky.....
Somebody selling a car via e-bay with starting bid @99p is always a bad sign in my eyes !
Cat D for starters.......
Secondly no service book.....some people say they'll get service book stamped, take your money and run !
Thirdly your buying blind and as pervious post states.....can cost you £1000's to put right.
Forth.....watch out as the seller has put "private bidder" on...this means one thing in my eyes....shillllllllllll bidding !
So if you want my opinion STAY CLEAR.

 

[NickP]

I always start auctions at 99p to attract interest, things always sell for whatever people are willing to pay for them. If I am selling something and I have a minimum I will sell for I might put a reserve or use buy it now. I wouldn't read too much into the low start price of anything.

I never really understood keeping bidders ids private, that is a little suspect but essentially if you have a sum in mind and bid it then expect to pay that proce or lose to someone willing to bid more. I would get funny if I lost out and someone retracted their bid and I became the winner somehow. I haven't really liked ebay since they took away the ability to leave negative feedback and hence rarely use it.

 

[Parisien]

Ditto Nick.....but loath to give away some items.......private bidding....not too keen on that!!!


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[Parisien]

Basically....buyer beware or eyes wide open.....wallet tightly closed!!!!


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[NickP]

I'd go for this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-J-2-...3518&pid=100009&prg=1013&rk=3&#ht_4227wt_1063

 

[Paulm]

Nick.......I'll agree with on that one. looks a better car and the write up is better, plus gives you time to phone and arrange a veiwing. Then make an offer !

 

[Andyk]

Would need to go and look at it Dickyb...But from the pictures the interior looks clean.........The phrase that worries is...'If I get time I will get the service history stamped up'..........Surely you would get that sorted if selling......................On the other hand its a late car and low miles it correct.................Surely at 2/3k its worth buying for spares for yours Dickyb...........Like the colour combo on her mind......WOrth a look and more investigation...........

 

[dickyb]

Asked the seller a few questions and it looks as though he's a dealer in cat d stuff, feedback is generally ok. I've done a bit of research on cat d stuff and opinions range from don't touch with a bargepole to perfectly ok but just worth a little less when it comes to selling.

The seller confirmed headlight on driver's side is cracked, clock is missing and that the bit of the wheelarch was masking tape. He also said that the damage was very minor, I guess it must have been otherwise it would have been cat c(?).

Agree about the service history stuff, if I were selling the car I'd ensure I had it. The seller tells me the car was a part ex. I phoned HR Owen about the service history and they're going to call me back, I'll see whether everything tallies and if they know anything about the damage.

Maybe for the right price it could be worth a look, its the latest Ghibli I've seen, in my favourite colour (Verde Tundra) and I can fix most stuff myself so as long as its not bent or stolen. Unfortunatley its rather a long way from me and its difficult to go and have a look. I have dealt with Marios at Autoshield before, he kindly ran me through an inspection of a car on the phone, I viewed the car and he told me where and what to check. What a nice chap!

There is something that makes me feel a little uneasy about this car though, not sure what it is, it could be a bargain but it could be a nightmare. Have a look at the blokes in the background of the 1st pic on the ebay listing (top right of photos), they look like you wouldn't want to annoy them!! Also, he wants payment in cash....

Found this nice 222SE, http://www.mandmautomotive.co.uk/used/MASERATI/222-SE/AETV75154955#!prettyPhoto[gallery]/0/
Not driven a car with the 18v version of the 2.8, is it any good? 250bhp sounds a bit tame these days but from what I've read they're pretty quick.

Also found this Ghbili:

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classi...l545en/radius/1501/quicksearch/true?logcode=p

Like the colour, bit different (looks like Verde Foresta), not sure about the mileage, I guess if its been looked after there's no reason it can't do another 50k miles before needing serious work and if its been used regularly it shouldn't have too many problems. That would be one to use and enjoy I think.

 

[Parisien]

Gut feeling....then walk away....unless its been given away and you have lots of leeway, moneywise to make good


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[BennyD]

The rust inside the exhaust pipes tells its own story. It might be a good one although i doubt it and I wouldn't go near it.

 

[dickyb]

I think you guys are absolutely right, there's too much thats not quite right. I actually feel sorry for the car and wanted to rescue it from being thrashed and crashed but that's a pretty stupid idea really.

 

[BennyD]

I know how you feel. Heart says 'its got to be worth a punt at that price', head says 'bottomless money pit'.

 

[blue520]

Yes , sad but very true, just don`t think it worth the risk.

 

[dickyb]

Just spoke to H.R Owen who were very helpful and gave me the full run down of the servicing that they have carried out, unfortunately the last time they saw the car was for an annual service at 21844 miles in July 2005!! Quite a bit missing there and I guess the only way to find out more would be to contact the previous owner but with all the rest of the issues I think this one is best left alone.

Thanks for your views and opinons

 

[Andyk]

Liking the green Ghibli Dicky....High miles but not for year and not a silly price as when some at the moment....A bit of a haggle should see it the right side of 7k...

 

[dickyb]

er, the one on Autotrader isn't low miles, its done 81k.... I think its worth further investigation though, mileage isn't necessarily a problem, lovely colour combo and not too expensive, might clash a bit when parked with the blue one though .