Know anything about the Maserati GranSport Coupe?

[Looneybomber]

I know they're real similar to the Jag XK, but what about depreciation, longevity/reliability, expense of ownership, etc...?

I ran across one priced about $14k under NADA low-retail value and less than half the NADA high-retail value. If a person could buy it and sell it a yr or two later at the same price they paid for it, it'd be an awesome buy! The interior is a HIDEOUS blue color though, so maybe that's why it's so cheap?

[Bubba1]

I know they're real similar to the Jag XK, but what about depreciation, longevity/reliability, expense of ownership, etc...?

I ran across one priced about $14k under NADA low-retail value and less than half the NADA high-retail value. If a person could buy it and sell it a yr or two later at the same price they paid for it, it'd be an awesome buy! The interior is a HIDEOUS blue color though, so maybe that's why it's so cheap?

I have a friend that's into them and he has owned two. He can afford it. Yes, you can pick them up fairly reasonably now, and they are fun/fast/sexy/ comfortable. but buying them is the cheapest part. The repairs will absolutely shock you. He went thru 2 transmissions in his first one, not from abuse, but because they're fragile. He was very happy they were covered under warranty. You're talking well into 5 figures (before the decimal point) for transmission work. He wrecked his first one, and has picked up a used replacement that had just gotten a fresh transmission. They are certainly cool cars, but unless you have very deep pockets, I'd suggest staying away from them especially now that they're out of warranty.


Here's his first one at VIR.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm a bit of a closet Maser whore. I was looking at these a few years ago (since they tend to go for much less than Quattroportes). The model is simply "Coupe." GranSport is the hottest trim. Of course there was the Spyder convertible variant as well. They all use a Ferrari 4.2 liter V8 which sounds magnificent and is still reasonably powerful by modern standards.

As Bubba noted (and as with all Masers of that period) transmission troubles are common and pricey. I think it's the "cambiocorsa" automated manual that has the most trouble...the traditional 3-pedal is not so bad.

To my knowledge, they don't have anything to do with the Jaguar XKR (or any other Jag/Land Rover/Aston product). They use a Maser platform with Ferrari powertrain stuff. They're a bit bigger than the XKR as well.

The thing about the Maserati Coupe is that it's a pretty nice car, but not in the same way modern Maseratis are. After the turn of the century, Maserati was just starting to figure things out again. The Coupe was an example of that. While the QP sort of evolved to get the bugs worked out (including ditching the fragile and harsh dual-clutch transmission for a more reliable and comfortable torque-coverter automatic), the Coupe sort of just kept on keepin' on. It never got the bigger variants of the Ferrari V8, either.

The GranTursimo is a LOT more car than the Coupe was.

Not saying they're bad cars. It's still almost 400hp in an Italian chassis for under $20k. But they're definitely showing their age these days.

[Looneybomber]

I thought I remembered hearing something on Top Gear about those two cars (Maserati coupe and jag XK) sharing a lot of the same bits, maybe even platform. Guess not. I did do some reading on their trannys after seeing a semi-local one for sale stating it had the standard transmission and not the paddle shift one prone to failure.

Hmm, cruising the Maserati forums shows some CRAZY prices on basic things. $1800 for a clutch and they're being replaced with less than 40k miles!?

[Bubba1]

I thought I remembered hearing something on Top Gear about those two cars (Maserati coupe and jag XK) sharing a lot of the same bits, maybe even platform. Guess not. I did do some reading on their trannys after seeing a semi-local one for sale stating it had the standard transmission and not the paddle shift one prone to failure.

Hmm, cruising the Maserati forums shows some CRAZY prices on basic things. $1800 for a clutch and they're being replaced with less than 40k miles!?

That's the problem with Italian exotics, the cost to keep 'em running, which is why you rarely find them with high mileage. The Ferrari V8 in that Mas is a great motor, but you'll poop your pants while you wallet smokes when you learn how much the 30K mile service costs.

If I recall the flappy paddle transmission was standard equipment on the gransport, and relatively few of them were sold here with the more desireable/reliable 6 speed.

[Looneybomber]

So much for thinking I could get a nice car, drive it a while, and be able to resell without losing money. Maybe I should stay away from Italian cars.

[Jesda]

They are built like GARBAGE. Everything rattles, creaks, and breaks off after only a couple years. It's almost as if they built them in some third-world bicycle factory.

The engines are sonorously pleasing.

I used to want one but after having driven (or limped) a few of them at car auctions, I refuse to let one into my home and crap on my carpet.


Later Masers are MUCH nicer though.

I thought I remembered hearing something on Top Gear about those two cars (Maserati coupe and jag XK) sharing a lot of the same bits, maybe even platform. Guess not. I did do some reading on their trannys after seeing a semi-local one for sale stating it had the standard transmission and not the paddle shift one prone to failure.

You were thinking Jaguar XK and Aston DB7, I believe.

[Bubba1]

On the topic of used Maseratis, the most affordable ones are the Biturbo's from the 80's. Very inexpensive. Stay away from them. They were awful, kinda like the " Cimarron' of Maserati.

[flohtingPoint]

It's Italian, meaning it will fall apart. We made only two types of road cars:
1) Expensive things that had horrible reliability
2) Extremely cheap, long lasting crap that you dont want to drive

The only quality vehicle my country has made over the course of 60+ years comes from Maranello, only shows up in pairs, and has won 15 drivers championships and 16 constructors championships.

[Looneybomber]

They are built like GARBAGE. Everything rattles, creaks, and breaks off after only a couple years. It's almost as if they built them in some third-world bicycle factory.

The engines are sonorously pleasing.

I used to want one but after having driven (or limped) a few of them at car auctions, I refuse to let one into my home and crap on my carpet.

Later Masers are MUCH nicer though.

Just confirms why I keep seeing so many "cheap" ones.

I thought I remembered hearing something on Top Gear about those two cars (Maserati coupe and jag XK) sharing a lot of the same bits, maybe even platform. Guess not. I did do some reading on their trannys after seeing a semi-local one for sale stating it had the standard transmission and not the paddle shift one prone to failure.

You were thinking Jaguar XK and Aston DB7, I believe.

Ahh yeah, that's it. I do love those DB7's and they were built under Ford's ownership. Likely better reliability than Maser? Too bad I can't find those "cheap" to drive around and resell...

[Bubba1]

I would advise against Aston Martins for the same reasons as the Maserati. Painful to the wallet to repair and fragile. Sounds like you're after an image sports car without breaking the bank. You might consider an older 911 Porsche, like a 993. They're not rare, but they're iconic, affordable and purists consider them the last real 911 due to their air cooled motor. They're plenty quick, fun to drive, well made, and reasonably reliable. Although pricey to repair, they're not as ridiculous as an old Mas/Aston/Ferrari/Lambo. Food for thought.

[OriginalWheelman]

That's the one thing you have to give Porsche over the rest. While they are just as expensive fix as any other niche brands, Porsche has a reputation for dependability. I remember someone on TopGear (I think Clarkson) complaining because the 911 was dependable enough to be a daily driver.

[Looneybomber]

I would advise against Aston Martins for the same reasons as the Maserati. Painful to the wallet to repair and fragile. Sounds like you're after an image sports car without breaking the bank. You might consider an older 911 Porsche, like a 993. They're not rare, but they're iconic, affordable and purists consider them the last real 911 due to their air cooled motor. They're plenty quick, fun to drive, well made, and reasonably reliable. Although pricey to repair, they're not as ridiculous as an old Mas/Aston/Ferrari/Lambo. Food for thought.

Heh, no I was actually looking at economical cars with 4 seats since I have two boys. I was looking at Ford Focuses (Foci?) and ran across a well priced Maserati...funny how that works. Anyway, it got me thinking that if I could resell the car for what I paid for it a year or two later, then the extra $$ I spend on insurance and maintenance would be in the ballpark of the depreciation of the Focus. And since I am single now, I thought I might look to see if I couldn't find a well priced "image" car.

[OriginalWheelman]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... ex=2&Log=0



http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... ex=2&Log=0

[Jesda]

911s are pretty dependable.

What's interesting is that on a lot of Italian and German car forums, people are trading in their MBs and Maseratis for less troublesome Astons and Jaguars.

Some members have even noted how bizarre it is to trade out of a Mercedes, BMW, or Audi and into a British vehicle to take a step up in reliability.


Of course, AMs and Jags are still a potential bundle of hell, but they've improved dramatically in a short period of time.

[gwoods]

If you want a flashy reliable car I'm with Jesda... 1998-2002 Porsche 911's are in the $12,000-$20,000 range. The water pump and IMS bearing are the only weak spots and there is a fantasitc aftermarket fix for the IMS bearing. Fix it when you change the clutch.

The Maseratti has nothing to do with Jag your thinking of Aston Martin. Masseratti uses Ferrari drivetrain bits that 400 hp 4.2 V8 is the same-ish V8 that was in the F430 Ferrari. The clutchs do need replacement every 30k and it is exspensive unless you teach yourself to do it. My boss had one for about 6 months got it from a guy he knew for cheap put about 15k hard miles on it flipped it for what he paid. He said in the last 2 months he could feel a very noticable difference in the shifts as the clutches came to the end of their tortured lives

[WDRacing]

It's almost as if they built them in some third-world bicycle factory.

[Looneybomber]

gwoods, I'd shoot you a PM, but you have that disabled.

[gwoods]

I don't think they are disabled?

[Jesda]

If you want a flashy reliable car I'm with Jesda... 1998-2002 Porsche 911's are in the $12,000-$20,000 range. The water pump and IMS bearing are the only weak spots and there is a fantasitc aftermarket fix for the IMS bearing. Fix it when you change the clutch.

What's the IMS fix? A few years ago I wanted a Boxster but the IMS issue scared me fof.

[Bubba1]

If you want a flashy reliable car I'm with Jesda... 1998-2002 Porsche 911's are in the $12,000-$20,000 range. The water pump and IMS bearing are the only weak spots and there is a fantasitc aftermarket fix for the IMS bearing. Fix it when you change the clutch.

What's the IMS fix? A few years ago I wanted a Boxster but the IMS issue scared me fof.

I remember Porsche's IMS fix was to suggest to the owner to "replace them before they fail". After replacing many engines under warranty and since they're out of warranty now, Porsche's essentially washed their hands of it. I believe the IMS issue also impacted the (non twin turbo) 996 as well. That's is one of the reasons I suggested an older 993 than the 996. 996's are faster, but 993's were more bullet proof. To put it in perspective. this problem is said to affect up to 5% of the cars, which means odds are you won't have the problem, but it can be financially catastrophic if it does happen to you.

When buying a old 996 or especially Boxster (particularly inexpensive earlier ones), friends of mine suggested having money set aside for a Porsche expert to inspect the clutch & IMS immediately. It's like $3K to replace the clutch/ IMS. But If you ignore and roll the dice, you could end up spending a lot more than what you paid for the entire car on a replacement motor.

[WDRacing]

I put Porsche in the same category as BMW, if you can't fix it yourself you need to have lots of money set aside for maintenance. Cool video of the IMS bearing and why it fails etc.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvLRMGs-Ti8#t=125[/youtube]

[Looneybomber]

I don't think they are disabled?

Your PM button does not show up below your name. I was going to shoot you a link to the Maser Coupe.

[gwoods]

IMS issue is clearly highlighted a few companies make an aftermarket solution that is better than what came from the German's. IMS bearing failure usually kills the drivetrain. The parts are about $650 the tools are $250. If you can do a clutch you can do the bearing. If you can't do a clutch used Porsche is not for you unless you have a 6 figure salary and then why not buy new (er).

http://www.imsretrofit.com/where-to-buy/

The 996 has cheap interiors unless the original owner clicked a bunch of boxes. The 996 non turbo, non S is not faster than a 2007-2008 G35 Sedan. The headlights went from a traditional single round light to a pod for many ruining the car. The 1998 911 (996) was the first water cooled production 911. There were many changes and much market pushback.

I like them, I like them as a 6th car something you drive to work once a week or take a weekend trip to the mountains. There is something just fun about rowing through the gears on a rear engine 911 with the top down that you can not duplicate anywhere else at any price.

I don't know what to tell you if you click my id it doesn't let you send me a PM? I don't get a bunch but I do see em.

[gwoods]

This is what I am talking about $19,999 94k miles (I have seen 996's with over 250k miles on the original drive train that still run great. Oil changes on Porsche are the key to long life) 20k over 84 months at 4% is $275 a month thats a payment on a CVT base Altima.

This car is nicely optioned, has GPS, looks like leather dash, 3 pcs rims in some of the pictures

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ctd/4013087552.html

[Looneybomber]

I like them, I like them as a 6th car something you drive to work once a week or take a weekend trip to the mountains. There is something just fun about rowing through the gears on a rear engine 911 with the top down that you can not duplicate anywhere else at any price.

Just looking for a good weather car. I'd like a bike, but I can't get two kids on a bike... As long as the back seat is big enough for a car seat and a booster, then we're good.

I don't know what to tell you if you click my id it doesn't let you send me a PM? I don't get a bunch but I do see em.

Nope, no button to PM, email, etc.

Here's the Maser I found.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... gId=0&mmt=[MAS[][]]&listingId=343865338&Log=0

With winter coming up, I probably have plenty of time to look for other good deals. Insurance between a '12 Focus and '02 911 Carrera 4 is ~$20/mo for me, so no biggie. An '06 GranSport Coupe is $10/mo more than that!

[gwoods]

Z06's are in the same 20k price range and have 405HP (vs the 911 300-315) just no backseat. The 911 has a back seat I can sit in and drive not comfortably but could work in a pinch with the top down.

Another thing to consider with the 911 is if the car is clean and in good shape most folks won't be able to tell the difference between a 1998 and a 2010 without a reference point. The overall shape and look of the car is evergreen people will assume you have money and are successful and you can keep being a broke bum (just kidding).

[Looneybomber]

I'm starting to really dislike owning a 12y/o vehicle. Just popped a coolant line while going to pick my kids of up from school. Was gonna leave straight from there and head to KC, so it would'a be real fun had that pop while on the interstate. Maybe I shouldn't look to get another >8y/o vehicle...I dislike working on cars. I can do it, but have yet to take joy in it. The 911 engine bays look awful for working in...

[gwoods]

Yep like I said I love it as a 6th car, everything in my car list is currently owned by me and all but 1 stored at home.

Daily drivers are 2011 and 2012 for the reason you said above

[Looneybomber]

Holy hell, $7 hose (just picked it up), but I gotta remove the intake manifold to get the thermostat housing out of the way just to get this 3" hose onto the thermo housing...WTF! I hate F'n working on cars for that G%# D@** reason. I better just look at a newer, more reliable car. F'n HATE working on cars >1980.