David Jones (aka limpsfield) tells Carpool how to buy a Maser the wrong way... and get away with it
"To start-off my Maserati ownership experience, I have to wind the clock back far too many years. I think that, like many people, although the car I want next changes far too frequently, there are always one or two that remain on the 'to buy' list.
"For me it was a Maserati coupe. It's hard to put into words just how many times over the years I would look online at used 3200/4200s - I had it bookmarked on my browser and in no week was complete without a bit of 'Maser time'.
"Then when prices dropped to a more achievable level there was the famous curse of Maserati to consider, the old adage that the cheapest part of Maserati ownership is buying the car... But in June last year I had the all-important 'sod it' moment, sold my Alfa 156 and started shopping for one of my dream cars.
"This is how you don't do it: I bought the first one I saw, and without even an inspection. It had loads of history; the owner seemed like a decent guy - a lawyer with James May as a client. This was clearly fate. With a bit of buyer's remorse a week later, I took it to a respected independent, Autofficina, who gave it the once-over, ran some diagnostics and gave it a clean bill of health.
"In the first couple of weeks I was convinced I had made a mistake. The thing just seemed like it wanted to kill me in terms of speed and I really struggled with the flappy paddle gear box, so left it in auto for a few days, which isn't a particularly pleasant experience. Early one evening I went for a long drive down the A3 and it finally all clicked - I finally understood the flappys and my right foot learned degrees of subtlety previous not required.
"One of the criticisms of the Maserati is that it is perhaps not sure what it wants to be; is it continent-hopping GT like a DB9 - or a proper sports car like, say, a 911? It can sit in the middle ground being one thing or another - until the "Sport" button is pressed. I have done a few 500-mile round trips to North Wales and this is where you can make the most of the split personality. Effortless mile-munching up the M40 and then, when you hit the A5 and the endless roundabouts, the 'sport' mode means a glorious sound, stiffer suspension and more stability around the bends.
"With two seats in the back I often think it's all the sports car you ever need - assuming you can get along with a small boot and being genuinely amazed to see an mpg figure in the early 20s (which I don't very often - normally late teens).
"Problems? Of course! There was a painful (emotionally, psychologically and, er, wallet-ally) period towards the end of last year where a couple of hard-to-diagnose problems meant that it made a few trips to the garage. And then we come to the infamous Italian electrics. About three times the sat-nav has reverted to its native tongue (although she is a very friendly-sounding Italian). And occasionally the car forgets that its seat and mirrors are electric. But with wonderful forethought, Maserati has installed its very own 'ctrl-alt-delete' button next to the battery, which isolates it and resets the system, solving the little glitches.
"For most of my ownership it has run like a dream. But I have moved house recently and, with three cars in the family but limited parking, it is time for some rationalisation - so both the Maserati and my Lotus are up for sale with the view to selling one of them. I have had the Lotus for three years, so part of me feels that it is time for that one to go, and a few more thousand miles to be covered in the 4200.
"If you are thinking of buying one, like I was, don't waste years doing nothing about it. If they have been looked-after and if you get an inspection, they do not have to be the troublesome prospect that internet opinion would have it.
"Yes, you would be stupid to try and run one on a shoestring, so apart from servicing I think it would make sense to budget for the odd shocker of a bill just north of £1000 from time to time. But for the money they are a wonderful experience. For the stat-obsessed Top Trumps fans I am sure Maserati gets overlooked. There is always something faster, more clinical, just better...on paper at least. But they, of course, are not Maseratis. If you can get one, then you should - if even only for a short time."