Used Cars – Magnificent Maserati
Like Ferrari, Maserati is owned by Fiat and shares engines and many other components with its more famous sibling. Yet, for some reason, Maserati is always seen as the poor relation to the prancing horse. This is good news for second hand buyers because for less than the price of a new Ford Focus you can own a genuine Italian supercar. How can you resist?
Maserati 3200 GT (1998 to 2001)
The 3200 GT was a muscular 2+2 coupe powered by a twin turbo 3.2 litre V8 that kicked out an impressive 370bhp. The performance wasn’t to be sniffed at either, 168mph flat out and a 5.7 second 0-62 time. To my eyes it is a lovely looking car, particularly the famous boomerang tail-lights, and the engine makes a fabulous noise. The main downside is the handling which really doesn’t cut the mustard for a sports coupe. Also, the ride is back breakingly hard and the semi-automatic gearbox is best avoided. This car is a huge bargain; you can pick up a 2001 model with 49,000 miles on the clock for £11k.
For: Looks, performance, value, Italian glamour
Against: Handling, it’s a thirsty beast
Maserati Gran Turismo (2007 to present)
The Gran Turismo is the successor to the GT Coupe and is an improvement in every way. This car was conceived as more of a grand tourer; it has a bigger 4.2 litre engine mated to a smooth shifting 6 speed automatic and it is a bigger, more spacious car with a ride that could almost be described as comfortable. Don’t be fooled, though; that 400bhp engine can punt it up to 177mph, the handling is as sharp as a razor and the styling is seriously aggressive. All of this costs rather more than the 3200, but it is still a relative bargain; expect to pay £30,000 for a 2007 car that has covered 60k miles.
For: Hardcore styling, sporty handling, everyday practicality, value
Against: Occasional reliability niggles, heavy depreciation
Maserati Spyder GT
In 2001 Maserati replaced the turbo engine in the GT coupe with a Ferrari sourced 4.2 litre V8. They also introduced this pretty little 2 seater convertible version. The new engine endowed it with a sub 5 second 0-62 time and 176mph top speed, but removing the roof made the ride and handling even worse. It’s a bit like owning a TVR that doesn’t break down every 5 minutes but also doesn’t go round corners. I found a 2003 model with a tiny 32,000 miles on it for £16k; not bad.
For: Pert styling, strong performance, wind in the hair motoring
Against: Worse handling and even thirstier than the 3200 GT
Maserati Quattroporte V (2004 – 2012)
Quattroporte means quite simply 4 doors. That’s what this car is: a big 4 door luxury saloon with the roominess of an S Class and the opulence of a Rolls. But there’s so much more to this car; it is arguably the best looking saloon on the road, it performs like a Porsche and handles like a Ferrari. The same 4.2 litre V8 as the Gran Turismo lurks under the bonnet and endows it with a 168mph top speed. There is only one problem; the semi-automatic gearbox fitted to the early cars is great on a racetrack and hopeless anywhere else. Even so, this is one of the great luxury bargains; pick up a 2004 car with a reasonable 80k miles on it for £14,000 or, if you really can’t live with that gearbox, pay £20,500 for a 2007 fully automatic with a modest 31k miles.
For: Gorgeous looks, unalloyed luxury, indecent performance, sports car handling
Against: That stupid gearbox
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