Summer Fun for under £20k

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

Unless you can find a 4.7 Maserati GranTurismo I'd swerve the early 4.2 version the gearbox isn't the best & unless it's had the cam variator fix carried out (if it's been done properly Maserati will have it on there registar) you will be on the end of a big bill.

Get an Inspection by a specialist & you'll end up with a very special car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402066...

The other pick on your list would be a 5.0 XK:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401265...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302094...

5.0 XKR, you should get a years warranty with the first one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312014...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403187...

So a 4.7 Maserati GT is known to be more reliable than a 4.2? Does it make much difference?

Going to throw another curveball in there. What does everyone think about a 2011 model Mercedes C63 AMG? They seem to be good value at the moment and with the added advantage that they might be deemed a modern classic soon and therefore appreciate in value?

[GeniusOfLove]

GrandTourer100 said:

So a 4.7 Maserati GT is known to be more reliable than a 4.2? Does it make much difference?

Going to throw another curveball in there. What does everyone think about a 2011 model Mercedes C63 AMG? They seem to be good value at the moment and with the added advantage that they might be deemed a modern classic soon and therefore appreciate in value?

4.7 has a regular automatic not the automated manual I believe?

C63 is funny for what it is, but when all is said and done it's a wicked engine in a very ordinary cheap car and won't have anything like the feel good of the other cars discussed.

Look for an SL63 maybe? Or an SLK55 if you want the C class experience but with no roof.

[ZX10R NIN]

GrandTourer100 said:

So a 4.7 Maserati GT is known to be more reliable than a 4.2? Does it make much difference?

Going to throw another curveball in there. What does everyone think about a 2011 model Mercedes C63 AMG? They seem to be good value at the moment and with the added advantage that they might be deemed a modern classic soon and therefore appreciate in value?

Yes it does drive them back to back & you'll notice it straight away.

The C63 is a beast of a car & I'm very bias as I have a CLK63, my other half has had two C63's. I've also supplied a lor of them & have two close friends with 6.2's.

So what would you like to know?

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

Yes it does drive them back to back & you'll notice it straight away.

The C63 is a beast of a car & I'm very bias as I have a CLK63, my other half has had two C63's. I've also supplied a lor of them & have two close friends with 6.2's.

So what would you like to know?

Thanks ZX10. I guess the question for me is which one would you have in the £20k bracket between the Maserati and the C63? The Maserati feels like the more exciting pick. Are there any companies out there that can do a mobile inspection when viewing a used car to give peace of mind before purchasing?

[GrandTourer100]

Interested to hear about ownership experiences on the Maserati GT 4.7.

[ZX10R NIN]

I've driven a lot of 4.2, the muted exhaust so so gearbox & cam variator issues means the 4.2 would be off the menu & at 20k you won't get a nice 4.7 imo.

Now as an ownership experience absolutely loved my 4.7 Sportline it had a Novitec exhaust & springs along with a map, it wasn't cheap to run but it was amazing. The MC Shift added to the experience but if you do a lot of town driving then the ZF auto is the pick.

IMO you need to start at around 25k for a good Maserati.

One thing the 63 & the Maserati have in common is that they both have the ability to feel special at low speed but the Maserati edges it in that feeling.

With the 63 they really benefit from having an LSD due to the torque delivery, here's the thing though as much as I enjoyed the GT the maintenance was heavy & I find the CLK more nimble punchy (mines not standard) a very special car & the OH's 63's were similar.

So as for which one to go for here's what I'd take a look at.

CLK63, I'm bias

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207278...

C63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309121...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309152...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310313...

Performance Pack 63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

PP wagon:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403027...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 29th March 15:26

[maz8062]

I’m not a fan of the Maserati Gran Turismo. They sound awesome yes, but they’re huge cars, with a bonnet that goes on forever. Heavy as well with very few specialist dealers to service them, so they’re expensive to maintain - very expensive, and juicy on fuel.

If you’re looking at a Maserati:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235484075253?itmmeta=01...

Otherwise, the answer for your budget is a 911. The C63 is a nice and will hold its value.

Edited by maz8062 on Friday 29th March 07:02

[StefanYHU]

I’ve owned and melted pistons in a db7.

The only thing special about them in the badge, avoid!

[fflump]

At £20k I would eschew the Granturismo and go for a 4200 Coupe and pocket the change
I owned one a while ago and my local specialist found them easy to work on and parts readily available from eurospares etc.

The Coupe is considerably smaller than the Granturismo (though rear seats still very usable), has a timeless (IMO) Giugiaro design. They tend to be well looked after and are less risky IMO than a leggy 4.7.

As an added bonus you can get them in manual form.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207...

The other option is to go for the GranSport. The final evolution of the 3200/4200 lineage. They are holding their value better than the Granturismos but with a bit of haggling £20k may be attainable.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403227...

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

I've driven a lot of 4.2, the muted exhaust so so gearbox & cam variator issues means the 4.2 would be off the menu & at 20k you won't get a nice 4.7 imo.

Now as an ownership experience absolutely loved my 4.7 Sportline it had a Novitec exhaust & springs along with a map, it wasn't cheap to run but it was amazing. The MC Shift added to the experience but if you do a lot of town driving then the ZF auto is the pick.

IMO you need to start at around 25k for a good Maserati.

One thing the 63 & the Maserati have in common is that they both have the ability to feel special at low speed but the Maserati edges it in that feeling.

With the 63 they really benefit from having an LSD due to the torque delivery, here's the thing though as much as I enjoyed the GT the maintenance was heavy & I find the CLK more nimble punchy (mines not standard) a very special car & the OH's 63's were similar.

So as for which one to go for here's what I'd take a look at.

CLK63, I'm bias

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207278...

C63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309121...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309152...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310313...

Performance Pack 63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

PP wagon:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403027...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 29th March 15:26

Thanks, ZX10. Sounds like you are not a fan of the 4.2, unfortunately that’s the one that realistically falls within the £18-20k budget. There seem to be some good 4.2 examples out there for this money.

What about a Bentley (Continental GT or Flying Spur) or a Porsche Panamera? Which one would you have for some summer fun?

Opening it up for discussion to other PHers - Bentley, Maserati or Porsche for some summer fun?

[pb8g09]

fflump said:

At £20k I would eschew the Granturismo and go for a 4200 Coupe and pocket the change
I owned one a while ago and my local specialist found them easy to work on and parts readily available from eurospares etc.

The Coupe is considerably smaller than the Granturismo (though rear seats still very usable), has a timeless (IMO) Giugiaro design. They tend to be well looked after and are less risky IMO than a leggy 4.7.

As an added bonus you can get them in manual form.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207...

The other option is to go for the GranSport. The final evolution of the 3200/4200 lineage. They are holding their value better than the Granturismos but with a bit of haggling £20k may be attainable.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403227...

God can those cars throw up some bills…

[GeniusOfLove]

fflump said:

The other option is to go for the GranSport. The final evolution of the 3200/4200 lineage. They are holding their value better than the Granturismos but with a bit of haggling £20k may be attainable.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403227...

I do believe I watched that same car struggle to sell for what I believe was sub £8k at trade auction not long ago. These Maseratis turn up all the time, usually very broken, and sell for pocket money when they eventually sell. It's quite amusing to see them turn up polished up 2 weeks later with a 200% markup waiting for a misty eyed mug to raid his savings fund.

You'd have to be a total newbie to old smokers to buy one for more than "oh well I'll park that up and forget about it" money unless you went in with your eyes wide open expecting a long term abusive relationship with an old Maserati. The trade value is very relevant otherwise because that's how little you're going to get back when you finally break from the wallet abuse and the stress and get rid of it.

If you're looking to PH for suggestions for how to spend £20k on something for a bit of fun you really, really aren't someone who is going to enjoy owning a 15-20 year old Maserati

Edited by GeniusOfLove on Saturday 30th March 11:18

[ZX10R NIN]

GrandTourer100 said:

Thanks, ZX10. Sounds like you are not a fan of the 4.2, unfortunately that’s the one that realistically falls within the £18-20k budget. There seem to be some good 4.2 examples out there for this money.

What about a Bentley (Continental GT or Flying Spur) or a Porsche Panamera? Which one would you have for some summer fun?

Opening it up for discussion to other PHers - Bentley, Maserati or Porsche for some summer fun?

Out of the three I'd take the Maserati but only if I could establish that the cam variators had been done & I had enough change to buy an exhaust system.

The Bentley will break your wallet & heart

The Panamera is a good car but sterile.

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

Out of the three I'd take the Maserati but only if I could establish that the cam variators had been done & I had enough change to buy an exhaust system.

The Bentley will break your wallet & heart

The Panamera is a good car but sterile.

What’s your view on XKs, from the 4.2 convertible all the way to XKR? Maserati GT or XK for under £20k? XKs are much cheaper at the lower end, down to £10k.

[Mr Tidy]

That's quite a wide range of options so far.

It probably depends how you define "fun" and what running costs you can live with.

If fun means effortless power maybe Jag XKs and AMG Mercs fit the bill, unless you don't mind Aston Martin or Maserati bills.

But if fun means getting the engine revving and a manual gearbox Porsche Cayman or 911s might work better - or even a BMW Z4M/Nissan 370Z.

[ZX10R NIN]

GrandTourer100 said:

What’s your view on XKs, from the 4.2 convertible all the way to XKR? Maserati GT or XK for under £20k? XKs are much cheaper at the lower end, down to £10k.

I'd take the 5.0 XK in portfolio spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403278...

[fflump]

GeniusOfLove said:

I do believe I watched that same car struggle to sell for what I believe was sub £8k at trade auction not long ago. These Maseratis turn up all the time, usually very broken, and sell for pocket money when they eventually sell. It's quite amusing to see them turn up polished up 2 weeks later with a 200% markup waiting for a misty eyed mug to raid his savings fund.

You'd have to be a total newbie to old smokers to buy one for more than "oh well I'll park that up and forget about it" money unless you went in with your eyes wide open expecting a long term abusive relationship with an old Maserati. The trade value is very relevant otherwise because that's how little you're going to get back when you finally break from the wallet abuse and the stress and get rid of it.

If you're looking to PH for suggestions for how to spend £20k on something for a bit of fun you really, really aren't someone who is going to enjoy owning a 15-20 year old Maserati

Edited by GeniusOfLove on Saturday 30th March 11:18

Not saying you are one of them but most posters that slag off old Alfas or Maseratis have never owned them. You make a good point about low-end dealers flipping ex-auction stock but find a privately owned one with plenty of history and they are not an absurd proposition if you do a PPI, check for chassis rot, oil tightness etc.

[pidsy]

ZX10R NIN said:

GrandTourer100 said:

What’s your view on XKs, from the 4.2 convertible all the way to XKR? Maserati GT or XK for under £20k? XKs are much cheaper at the lower end, down to £10k.

I'd take the 5.0 XK in portfolio spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403278...

In real world terms - what’s mpg round town?
Do they sound good with the standard exhaust?
Can the infotainment be easily upgraded?

[ZX10R NIN]

pidsy said:

In real world terms - what’s mpg round town?
Do they sound good with the standard exhaust?
Can the infotainment be easily upgraded?

Teens to mid 20's depending on your usage.
They sound decent but a bit of exhaust work can get them to XKR levels & above.
You can add android auto/carplay for sensible money.

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd take the 5.0 XK in portfolio spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403278...

The 3rd one at £14k (94k miles) is stunning. Just thinking of resale, would tipping over into 100k+ miles affect resale vales dramatically (and also considering reliability issues at this vintage)? If mileage isn't a huge concern with these cars then there is a 2012 XK Convertible on at £12,995 on Autotrader. That looks awesome!