RE: You Know You Want To: Maserati Merak
Discussion
[quote=Flares&Chestwig]Car is a tractor, dealers website is good though. Is this dealer linked to Justin Banks.....although whatever you do, dont google Justin Banks...you will thank me later
[/quote]
I know, that is seriously screwed up, I might have to change my name!
Our Merak is actually a good one also, not a complete hand grenade, great colours and enough money spent recently to reassure.
Great write up by Chris, I am in complete agreement.
Justin
[/quote]
I know, that is seriously screwed up, I might have to change my name!
Our Merak is actually a good one also, not a complete hand grenade, great colours and enough money spent recently to reassure.
Great write up by Chris, I am in complete agreement.
Justin
Nah. Nah. Naaahhhh!!
Ok, I admit I agree with many that it looks gorgeous. However, this is a guaranteed money pit, without the sort of rewarding driving experience that some more reasonably priced exotics might offer for less money in today's market.
A quick glance at Pistonheads classifieds reveals a lot of (more desirable and much younger) Porsche 928s for less than half the money. You could ave one of those with 10 grand left over to prepare for a possible mechanical disaster and a couple of grand left over for insurance, tax and fuel.
Ok, I admit I agree with many that it looks gorgeous. However, this is a guaranteed money pit, without the sort of rewarding driving experience that some more reasonably priced exotics might offer for less money in today's market.
A quick glance at Pistonheads classifieds reveals a lot of (more desirable and much younger) Porsche 928s for less than half the money. You could ave one of those with 10 grand left over to prepare for a possible mechanical disaster and a couple of grand left over for insurance, tax and fuel.
that Justin needs a 7.3 litre Pagani to make up for his rather small appendage 
Cars like this may not ever make a sound investment we all accept this. It’s an emotional purchase. If you had the spare cash and it’s a sunny day and you stumbled across the showroom took it out for a drive and before you know it the wife isn’t talking to you again. Two types of classic car buyers, those who buy purely for investment and will never drive the car & those who are the genuine enthusiast & keep the scene going. Fair play to Justin for responding good job his parents weren’t Johnny Cash fans. I would have to change the reg.
Edited by brucky74 on Tuesday 30th October 08:53
Ahh, Childhood memories..
We holidayed on Kingairloch, a small inlet off Loch Linnie, opposite Castle Stalker, on the opposite side of the bay there was one tiny croft, unreachable by car. The owner, a cousin of Gavin Maxwell, Ring of bright water Author, had a Maserati Merak, the only supercar I really got close to as a small boy. Not sure anything could ever really top that memory, a beautiful wild place and a very special car.
Luckily I am too poor and not quite mad enough......
We holidayed on Kingairloch, a small inlet off Loch Linnie, opposite Castle Stalker, on the opposite side of the bay there was one tiny croft, unreachable by car. The owner, a cousin of Gavin Maxwell, Ring of bright water Author, had a Maserati Merak, the only supercar I really got close to as a small boy. Not sure anything could ever really top that memory, a beautiful wild place and a very special car.
Luckily I am too poor and not quite mad enough......
mat205125 said:
The Top Gear ape trio ruined these cars.
Before their programme they were (and still are to "our kinds of eyes") fantastically interesting, aloof, and desireable pieces of automotive art.
To the majority of the population they are now those "crappy unreliable slow pieces of crap that break all the time".
Is the truth, with emotion and media influence removed, somewhere between the two? ..... Irrelevent really, as you could never buy such a car without it being an emotional decision.
Love this Maser, but its the Lambo Japla or Siloette that I covet.
? They are crappy, unreliable, slow pieces of crap that break all the time". They were before the TG show, they still are now.Before their programme they were (and still are to "our kinds of eyes") fantastically interesting, aloof, and desireable pieces of automotive art.
To the majority of the population they are now those "crappy unreliable slow pieces of crap that break all the time".
Is the truth, with emotion and media influence removed, somewhere between the two? ..... Irrelevent really, as you could never buy such a car without it being an emotional decision.
Love this Maser, but its the Lambo Japla or Siloette that I covet.
What has that got to do with any crap piece of rusting Italian metal being uber cool and desirable though? You run them knowing this, hell, half the time you run them because of this. Its part of the lunacy.
Supercars used to be so beautifully styled. I know todays versions are so much faster, more aerodynamic, with positive downforce, etc...but they just down make me swoon.
It doesn't matter that this Merak is slow, unreliable, and ungodly expensive to run. If I owned it, it would make me smile everytime I looked at it. Not sure the same could be said of an MP4 12C (even the names are s
t now!) a 458, or anything made by Porsche. All immensely talented, well screwed together, and nigh on perfect for their intended role as rapid cars. And all just a litle bit soulless. Maybe it's the imperfections in old supercars that make them so interesting. Perhaps, the fact they were designed primarily to satisfy a particular designers sense of beauty rather than an engineers aerodynamic or packaging concerns, or a focus-group session on what people want, gives them a purity in shape that can't be matched today. Who knows? I just like the old 'uns better than the new 'uns.
It doesn't matter that this Merak is slow, unreliable, and ungodly expensive to run. If I owned it, it would make me smile everytime I looked at it. Not sure the same could be said of an MP4 12C (even the names are s
t now!) a 458, or anything made by Porsche. All immensely talented, well screwed together, and nigh on perfect for their intended role as rapid cars. And all just a litle bit soulless. Maybe it's the imperfections in old supercars that make them so interesting. Perhaps, the fact they were designed primarily to satisfy a particular designers sense of beauty rather than an engineers aerodynamic or packaging concerns, or a focus-group session on what people want, gives them a purity in shape that can't be matched today. Who knows? I just like the old 'uns better than the new 'uns.brucky74 said:
Cars like this may not ever make a sound investment we all accept this. It’s an emotional purchase. If you had the spare cash and it’s a sunny day and you stumbled across the showroom took it out for a drive and before you know it the wife isn’t talking to you again. Two types of classic car buyers, those who buy purely for investment and will never drive the car & those who are the genuine enthusiast & keep the scene going. Fair play to Justin for responding
2nd that....Edited by brucky74 on Tuesday 30th October 08:53
I love the dealer statement of this Merak not being a complete hand grenade.
Good Point.
Always loved the loooks.(Because of Matchbox Bora and set of top trumps) Was
very underwhelmed by the reality of that V6 engine and citroen brakes, though.
In my mind those Citroen Maseratis are best used as static displays at the
entrance of a really cool club.
(Under the roof...)
P.S.: To anyone who is still undecided on the matter. Predating the unfortunate Top Gear story
by nearly 30 years. (I am not that old, am I?)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/5126...
Good Point.
Always loved the loooks.(Because of Matchbox Bora and set of top trumps) Was
very underwhelmed by the reality of that V6 engine and citroen brakes, though.
In my mind those Citroen Maseratis are best used as static displays at the
entrance of a really cool club.
(Under the roof...)
P.S.: To anyone who is still undecided on the matter. Predating the unfortunate Top Gear story
by nearly 30 years. (I am not that old, am I?)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/5126...
Edited by Martin 480 Turbo on Tuesday 30th October 13:04
Martin 480 Turbo said:
In my mind those Citroen Maseratis are best used as static displays at the
entrance of a really cool club.
(Under the roof...)
That's not a "really cool club" but the Museum Casa Enzo Ferrari. Well worth a visit. Note that the exhibits change periodically so check what's there before you go to avoid disappointment (though everything in there is well worth a look).
http://www.museocasaenzoferrari.it/en/
entrance of a really cool club.
(Under the roof...)
That's not a "really cool club" but the Museum Casa Enzo Ferrari. Well worth a visit. Note that the exhibits change periodically so check what's there before you go to avoid disappointment (though everything in there is well worth a look).
http://www.museocasaenzoferrari.it/en/
Edited by Martin 480 Turbo on Tuesday 30th October 13:04
365daytonafan said:
don logan said:
365daytonafan said:
Merak is nice but if you are going to go bankrupt buying a Maserati this is the way to do it IMO - Khamsin (yes I know it's a lot more than the Merak but it's a quarter of the price of a Ferrari Daytona!).
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C330141
Khamsin is nice but if we are looking at the Merak + bankruptcy then why don`t we go for a Bora!http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C330141
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C249806
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