Maserati Coupé

[Crispy]

$30k burning a hole in your pocket? Buy an air-cooled (pre-1974 if possible) 911. Those things will always be cool, always look good, and someone will always be willing to buy it if you decide to sell it later on. Very charming cars.

$30,000? Over here there are SO many older 911's for 5-13,000 dollars its unbelievable. Most of them in the 70's with AC. Great cars too, really fun to ride in.

 

[Eric.]

Poor man's Ferrari. Rich man's Corvette.

 

[Tornado]

This whole Mustang comparison needs to stop. Might as well tell people to buy goddamn Corvettes instead of Vipers, M3s, & NSXs just because they'll do everything better than them too. Why buy anything over $100,000.

And what exactly is your problem?

It's the fact that it's the OP's dream car.

How you got that from what is essentially "in a few years I'll have the money for one, so why not" I doubt I'll ever know.

 

[bradford]

Remember: it might have shed most of its value, but it didn't shed any of its maintenance costs.

 

[McLaren]

Kind of different in this sense. The OP is willing to spend 30k I'm assuming, so why not get a superior car for your buck? Obviously if he had a 100k to blow, People would suggesting brand new Vipers, Corvettes, maybe a 997 Carrera?

He's not asking what sports car he should get for $30K, though. He's asking for our opinions on a $30K Maserati.

$30,000? Over here there are SO many older 911's for 5-13,000 dollars its unbelievable. Most of them in the 70's with AC. Great cars too, really fun to ride in.

Those end up being incredibly high risks as far as I've found. Don't skimp out when it comes to the right, used Porsche.

And what exactly is your problem?

It's you guys suggesting a car the OP clearly does not want. If he had wanted a Mustang for $30K, he would not have made this thread asking for opinions on a Maserati.

As far as I'm getting, he wants the Maserati b/c it's a Maserati, not because it'll be a quick or relatively well-built car.

 

[astrosdude91]

Sounds like people ARE voicing their opinion on the Maser Coupe: that it's not a wise buy and the OP's money is better spent elsewhere like towards a/n [insert car here].

But in any case, it sounds like the OP has already made up his mind, so suggesting otherwise seems futile.

 

[a6m5]

Man, awesome cars & trucks I could buy for $30 grand, if I didn't have to keep it drivable.

One thing to spend a lot of money on a car like that, but the real question I think is, will the parts still be available?

I think you'd be doing much better with a loaded V6 Mustang(new, 2011) or something like that.

Edit: Missed the entire second page. Sorry guys.

 

[niky]

He's asking for our opinions on a $30K Maserati.

And people aren't allowed to voice their opinions?

It's you guys suggesting a car the OP clearly does not want. If he had wanted a Mustang for $30K, he would not have made this thread asking for opinions on a Maserati.

As far as I'm getting, he wants the Maserati b/c it's a Maserati, not because it'll be a quick or relatively well-built car.

If the OP really wanted a Maserati, he wouldn't be asking for opinions. He would be buying it. He merely seems enamored of the idea of owning an Italian V8... not necessarily that specific Italian V8, though.

---

A Mustang just isn't going to fee as special inside as even a naff Maserati... but at least it's not going to be a White Elephant pooping oil all over your lawn after a few months...

---

I was just talking to a cousin last month in a similar predicament. I'll say the same thing here that I said to him: Pick the car you'll enjoy more, regardless of the badge... actually... in spite of the badge. His budget is similar, and for that much money, there's a hell of a lot of fun metal that you can buy, whether brand new or secondhand. And some of it will even sound as good as a Maserati, without being as difficult to own.

 

[McLaren]

And people aren't allowed to voice their opinions?

Didn't say that. However, suggesting a Mustang b/c it's a superior car is quite clearly not the sort of opinion the OP is looking for; I'm sure he's well aware of how it would do everything better.

Might as well start suggesting anything relatively sporty at $25-30K since it'll probably do anything better than the Maserati.

If the OP really wanted a Maserati, he wouldn't be asking for opinions. He would be buying it. He merely seems enamored of the idea of owning an Italian V8... not necessarily that specific Italian V8, though.

That's basically my point. Why suggest something like a Mustang that will be a different sort of car compared to the Maserati?

I could make the same argument against my buddy getting an older Elise when he could have bought a 5.0. Better DD, a proven track car, more reliable, cheaper maintenance. But, it wouldn't change his mind b/c the Mustang just doesn't come with the sense of ownership like the Lotus would. Same with the Maserati; not a very good Maserati, but still a Maserati.

 

[niky]

Well... we're all trying to keep the OP from making a mistake, aren't we?

Personally, I would like an Elise... but I figure most of the charm of the Maser would be as a tourer... not something the Elise is great at.

 

[TheCracker]

I like the Maserati Coupe. They are at rock bottom prices at the moment too. There's an early 'boomerang' lights 3200GT for sale near me at £11,500. That's a hell of a lot of badge for the money. But like others have said, it's the maintenance that will bankrupt you.

That's one of the reasons why they're so cheap, the costs are so prohibitive. My boss has an immaculate 4200 GT Spyder which he's been trying to off-load for a couple of years now. It's a great colour combo, dark metallic blue with a pale tan interior and it's low milage and priced well, but he just can't get rid of it.

 

[Keef]

This whole Mustang comparison needs to stop. Might as well tell people to buy goddamn Corvettes instead of Vipers, M3s, & NSXs just because they'll do everything better than them too. Why buy anything over $100,000.

Meh. Half the crop over that price either catches fire spontaneously or simply doesn't work half the time. If I'm paying that much for a car I expect to have zero problems with it, ever. If it causes me a lick of trouble it simply isn't worth it, especially if I have to ship it to the only dealer in the state 100 miles away. A new Accord has it's troubles, sure, but I can get friendly service quickly at any one of 3 dealers near me, and free coffee too.

Owning a car isn't just about owning the car. There's a lot more too it than that, especially when risidual value factors in. Good luck selling a Ferrari with 60,000 miles and mediocre paint 5 years from now for any reasonable price.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

If he truly wants a great sounding Italian grand tourer that actually is worth of the money he wants to pay, is practical and has space for four, there is one more option..

 

[Tornado]

It's you guys suggesting a car the OP clearly does not want. If he had wanted a Mustang for $30K, he would not have made this thread asking for opinions on a Maserati.

As far as I'm getting, he wants the Maserati b/c it's a Maserati, not because it'll be a quick or relatively well-built car.

You see, I'm confused. Because you didn't seem to have any problem when you suggested how

a Viper, NSX, or Corvette would do you better, but personally, the NSX & the Viper would be better bought with $35-40K to spare.

None of which are any more like a Maserati 4200GT than a Mustang is. But actually bring up a Mustang, even off-hand like I did, and oh boy do the floodgates open.

 

[Keef]

If he truly wants a great sounding Italian grand tourer that actually is worth of the money he wants to pay, is practical and has space for four, there is one more option..

A true classic. With that title comes responsibilities, just like the Maser, but at least this one is worth it. Plus, it's a very cool car because nobody knows what it is. You can have your Lamborghini - a Lamborghini - and drive it too, without looking like a complete tosser.

Plus it's a free license to wear a white satin shirt unbuttoned with your chest hair hanging out, sweat dripping off you and a big cigar in your mouth, and it would be perfectly legit.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

And it also sounds manly and gives nightmares to Prius owners..

 

[McLaren]

Meh. Half the crop over that price either catches fire spontaneously or simply doesn't work half the time. If I'm paying that much for a car I expect to have zero problems with it, ever. If it causes me a lick of trouble it simply isn't worth it, especially if I have to ship it to the only dealer in the state 100 miles away. A new Accord has it's troubles, sure, but I can get friendly service quickly at any one of 3 dealers near me, and free coffee too.

Cars are not indestructible. Things break. So sorry Ferrari & Porsche can't build the perfect the car from ever breaking. But ha, joke's on you, they get pretty damn close.

This is why your opinion is probably not worth listening to 90% of the time regarding high dollar vehicles; because you'll always be more concerned with owning something cheap & exaggerate the cost of owning a $100K car.

Owning a car isn't just about owning the car. There's a lot more too it than that, especially when risidual value factors in. Good luck selling a Ferrari with 60,000 miles and mediocre paint 5 years from now for any reasonable price.

Thank you Cpt. Obvious. Near any sort of sports car that's managed to do 12,000 miles/year isn't going to be getting looks; shows the car was daily driven & more than likely needing maintenance.

But, considering the fact that 30,000 mile Ferrari's are stilling selling for $70-$130K, (328's still go for $50K w/ 40,000 miles) I think the cars are doing just fine. There's an '01 Diablo going for $115K w/ 65,000 miles as well, which also tells me that the cars will probably remain out of the general public's range regardless.

[
None of which are any more like a Maserati 4200GT than a Mustang is. But actually bring up a Mustang, even off-hand like I did, and oh boy do the floodgates open.

What I suggested are a lot closer to the kind of car people buy the Maserati for; weekend drivers. As I told niky, they are also the kind of car people buy for a sense of ownership.

The only people who buy brand new Mustangs just because are people who probably don't even remember the original 5.0's.

 

[Tornado]

As I told niky, they are also the kind of car people buy for a sense of ownership.

I have to imagine people don't buy Maserati 4200GTs for a sense of ownership, because if they did they wouldn't have second hand values that on a graph would look similar to the arc of a rock falling off of a cliff. Nor do I have any belief that someone would buy a used Corvette for similar prestige.


I also see that you are still supporting your reasoning using "facts" about why the OP was wondering about this car from some source that isn't the OP.

 

[Keef]

Cars are not indestructible. Things break. So sorry Ferrari & Porsche can't build the perfect the car from ever breaking. But ha, joke's on you, they get pretty damn close.

I was mainly referring to the Italians, all of whom have a universally bad reputation for reliability, both historically and among modern cars. I was also referring to the Big 3 from Germany, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, all of whom have had E60-and-newer models stranded on the highway near me within the last 3 months. But I've never seen a broken Porsche, especially not an air-cooled model. If I were to buy a high-end sports car I would go straight to Porsche. Not very flashy, not very distinctive, not the most prestigious thing in the world, but they're simply good cars with a glorious past and a kick in the pants.

This is why your opinion is probably not worth listening to 90% of the time regarding high dollar vehicles; because you'll always be more concerned with owning something cheap & exaggerate the cost of owning a $100K car.

How can one possibly exaggerate the cost of owning a $100,000 car? That's the entry price for cryin' out loud! As I said before, if I'm paying that much for a machine I fully expect it to perform day in and day out.

Those flames my car shoots out the exhaust? That's my nod to Italy. At least my flames come from the exhaust, and not everything else.

Thank you Cpt. Obvious. Near any sort of sports car that's managed to do 12,000 miles/year isn't going to be getting looks; shows the car was daily driven & more than likely needing maintenance.

What sort of maintenance are we talking here, an oil change and water pump or a brand new frickin engine?

I have to concede one particular example though. That guy Road & Track teamed up with a few years back, he put gargantuan miles on his Enzo driving it around the country.

There's an '01 Diablo going for $115K w/ 65,000 miles as well, which also tells me that the cars will probably remain out of the general public's range regardless.

I'm going to learn to fly in a 1985 Cessna 172 that's still worth more than that. It's a Cavalier with wings.

The only people who buy brand new Mustangs just because are people who probably don't even remember the original 5.0's.

I don't know what high school you went to, but no 17 year olds have $25,000 burning holes where I'm from.

 

[HighSeasHoMastr]

$30k burning a hole in your pocket? Buy an air-cooled (pre-1974 if possible) 911. Those things will always be cool, always look good, and someone will always be willing to buy it if you decide to sell it later on. Very charming cars.

+1
Take it from an owner of 2, there is no, and I mean no better driver's car than a longhood 911.
And for $30K, you can get a pretty nice one if you get a non-S, non-concourse car. A real driver, possibly with a hotrod engine and sorted suspension. Of course, there's people who think their old 911s are worth more than they are, but you could find a great one in that price range if you looked.

OT: The Mas is a pos as a driver from what I've heard, the gearbox falls to bits after like 10 miles (well maybe not that bad, but still...) Remeber the old BiTurbo? Know why you can find them for like $0.50 these days? Not a lot has changed...

 

[McLaren]

I have to imagine people don't buy Maserati 4200GTs for a sense of ownership, because if they did they wouldn't have second hand values that on a graph would look similar to the arc of a rock falling off of a cliff. Nor do I have any belief that someone would buy a used Corvette for similar prestige.

The only reason to own a 4200GT is just to have a Maserati. The car has no other redeeming qualities.

I was mainly referring to the Italians, all of whom have a universally bad reputation for reliability, both historically and among modern cars.

Modern Italians have been much more reliable than the past. Perhaps you should stop reading into the silly "OMG, a Ferrari caught on fire, LOL" reports & start speaking to the owners.

I was also referring to the Big 3 from Germany, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, all of whom have had E60-and-newer models stranded on the highway near me within the last 3 months.

And I've seen 0, so your argument doesn't really hold any ground. Actually, I've owned an E60 & a newer BMW. Let me recall my issues....Hmm, none.

How can one possibly exaggerate the cost of owning a $100,000 car? That's the entry price for cryin' out loud! As I said before, if I'm paying that much for a machine I fully expect it to perform day in and day out.

You exaggerate that half of them blow up, & act like they should work without ever breaking down.

The ironic thing is they do work day in & day out as you claim. They are at the point where they can be daily driven.

Those flames my car shoots out the exhaust? That's my nod to Italy. At least my flames come from the exhaust, and not everything else.

Oh wow, another fire joke.

Hence again, why your opinion isn't taken very seriously.

What sort of maintenance are we talking here, an oil change and water pump or a brand new frickin engine?

And here's the exaggeration at it again....

I'm going to learn to fly in a 1985 Cessna 172 that's still worth more than that. It's a Cavalier with wings.

Terrible, terrible attempt. The market on planes is completely different to exotics, not that you probably have the slightest clue in either.

I don't know what high school you went to, but no 17 year olds have $25,000 burning holes where I'm from.

Has nothing to do with actually owning one. They don't have to have the money to buy one to simply want one for no reason. I don't have the money for a Lamborghini, but I'd own one for no other reason if I could.

 

[Motorcitydriver]

You could look at a Jag XK8 from the late 90's even into early M2K for anywhere from the low teen's up into the 20k range. Both coupes and convertibles.

 

[BrutherSuperior]

Terrible, terrible attempt. The market on planes is completely different to exotics, not that you probably have the slightest clue in either.

This, coming from the person who had to consult Wikipedia to know what shuffle steering is?

pfft.

If anyone is lacking a clue, it sure isn't Keef.

 

[ExigeEvan]

For anyone interested in brief summary of modern super cars used daily and driven had more than occasionally I point you in the direction of Evo magazines long term from Jan 2007 to November 2009.

It was track driven, and it did chew up 4 clutches, at £5k each.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/242623/lamborghini_murcielago.html

 

[Mike0105]

I toyed with this idea a while ago. There was a 4200GT with 60k on the clock for £10k on autotrader. However, after 5 mins i woke up to reality. This would be fabulous to own an drive, for the 5 minutes it wasn't trying to bankrupt me.

The fact that it is an Italian supercar makes it special. Doesn't matter if it's not fast, is outhandled by a sleeping pig, isn't as good looking as a Ferrari or whatever.
Just remember that it is like a beautifull woman (or man, not trying to be sexist!) who is after your money, great fun in the good times, heartbreaking in the bad.


If you can afford the time, effort and heartbreak to run one by all means go for it.

But if it feels to good to be true, it most certainly is.