Description
Every year I'll buy a car just to experience whatever that may bring. Last year it was this Maserati. I've owned many Italians, a few Ferrari's but never a Mas.
Got to say I love the marque and I will buy a newer lower mileage something as a forever car - probably a GranCabrio. This was a great experience but it was just a taster, an experiment.
But don't let me undersell it, these are fantastic cars. And for a 2 ton GT it's pretty crisp to drive - has been supremely reliable. I would trust driving it to the South of France and back, it wouldn't miss a beat.
Beautiful sound, smooth pull, smooth gear changes, stops in a straight line (it has red pads ie soft compound which I should have replaced as they're too timid but I'm 52 and no hooligan. Discs last longer with the softer compound but I replaced the discs when I bought it and in retrospect should have done the pads too, but they were pretty new).
The last owner was a mechanic and I trusted him a bit more than I should have. These cars * all* suffer with front sub frame corrosion and he would have known that but didn't tell me. It's a design flaw as they * all* rot, so if you're buying one of these buyer beware - even a 10 year younger one, you will almost definitely be replacing the sub frame.
This one has just passed it's MOT (no advisories) because when I got it I had it waxoyle'd to try an eek out a few more years. To be frank, that time has now come and it needs replacing, or soon. (The main chassis is galvanised I believe, no rust - just the subs).
New MOT, last serviced this time last year, so I'd do a service now but it's only done 1500 miles since the last oil change.
When I bought it I spent £4. 5k to get road ready for me - did front suspension geo, 4 wheel alignment, 2 new tyres, new front discs, tie rods, TR ends, replaced the oil sender unit. The TPMS light would come on and off and is now on permanently. The ECU is the next step - not expensive but they're really hard to find. I ignore it but my OCD fizzes whenever it comes on.
Engine - no problems - it purrs. You'd think half the mileage and it'll go twice round as they're really solid units. This model is a 4. 2-litre (4, 244 cc (259. 0 cu in)) V8 engine developed in conjunction with Ferrari. The engine generates 405 PS (298 kW; 399 hp) and is equipped with a 6-speed ZF automatic transmission. The 2+2 body was derived from the Maserati M139 platform, also shared with the Maserati Quattroporte V, with double-wishbone front suspension and a multilink rear suspension.
Gearbox smooth. No questions in manual or auto. Up and down exactly as you need.
Coachwork is surprisingly good for the age but the nose cones get scarred. The pics actually may make it look worse than it is in places but I've added high res images hopefully you can zoom in. Biggest offending scar is on the bonnet. the noses are low, they get stone chips etc.
No rust or major marks. Straight and smooth paint. Of course there will be marks but looks extremely presentable and very tidy. Mainly the nose could be sharper. I can't quite tell if the drivers side door has had paint or not but it's of an age now. Possibly. But very tidy all the same. All the stickers are where they should be and original.
Interior is pretty much time warp except the A pillar material looks like someone with big hands has grabbed the foam - slight indentations. Headliner has a small pull away from the small front ceiling unit by a few inches. Just don't look up. You could probably stretch and seal back. Never bothered.
Leather is pretty much perfect, a few nicks here and there if you look, could do with a leather treatment but super tidy. Carpets are good, all intact, passenger mat rides up the tunnel a bit when used as it's lost some of its structure. Glasswork all perfect, I'm sure some minor scars but hard to see.
New blades, everything electrical works, the stereo and inflight entertainment is just rubbish. Even the 2019 model is the same. Just bad. But it all works. Yes it has sticky buttons but I'll try and get some rubbing alcohol to get rid. A few of the buttons stick so it could use some electrical contact cleaner too. I have some in the garage. It won't bother you too much but Italian cars around this age all suffer with sticky button syndrome.
Annoyingly only one key but they're not expensive to buy, full service pack, original books, key folder, mostly Maserati Dealer up until around 70k but last few with other garages. Old receipts and MOTs and a bunch of paperwork.
Plate not included. It'll go back on original plate - LJ57 FUE. I've tried not to under or oversell this car. I highly recommend these cars for smiles - and so so much metal for the money.
