Wednesday 9th November 2011

Spotted: 2005 Maserati Quattroporte

A lot of (rather good) car for 18 grand?

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Maserati haven't always hit the proverbial ball out of the ground when it comes to styling their four-door cars. Just look at this front-wheel-drive, Citroen-based offering from the late-seventies. Unsurprisingly, customers were few and far-between.

It's hard to believe that the basic shape of the current Quattroporte has been around for nearly eight years now, and the general consensus is that it's always been a bit of a looker. Certainly it's the best-selling saloon to carry the famous trident emblem, and has rightfully earned Maserati a seat at the high-performance executive saloon table. Reviewers consistently point out one or two shortcomings, but by and large these things seem to be good news.

A brand new top-spec example will set you back well over £100,000, but if you want a bit of the Maserati magic in your life and you don't happen to be in the position to part with the required wheelbarrow of cash, then something like this Quattroporte could be well worth your consideration.

As an ex-demonstrator it's loaded to the nines, and for most of its life it was actually owned by the head of the Warburton family (we're referring to the Lancastrian bakers by the way and not the American media tycoons...thanks Wikipedia). As such, maintenance wasn't an issue and the vendor assures us that the history file (all Maserati main dealers) backs this up. £17,995 seems like decent value for such a machine (not too much bread, you might say - Ed)...

But if you're happy to trade exclusivity and Italian flair for extra performance, then there are alternatives. Similar money would put you in a BMW M5 of similar vintage, like this well-serviced example or perhaps you might even consider a Mercedes CLS55 AMG?

[Sivraj]

Anybody on PH running one of these?

These to me are one of the few cars on the market with style and performance,
19k is unbelivable value for money!.... (still outside my price range at the minute though)

[///Mike]

I'd love one in black please.

I wonder how much an annual warranty would be on one of these. Fuel I could live with, repair and servicing costs I fear not.

[angusc43]

Thank God for the picture of the 70's one. I've seen one a few times round my way and was stumped by what appeared to be a Lancia Gamma Coupe with four doors......

As for the latest one I would love to run one of those.

but I'd end up with the CLS

[Schnellmann]

Nice and lots of car for the money. Based on magazine articles I'd probably go for one with a proper automatic gearbox but wonder what experience owners have had with the automated manual.

[RESSE]

Sivraj said:

Anybody on PH running one of these?

These to me are one of the few cars on the market with style and performance,
19k is unbelivable value for money!.... (still outside my price range at the minute though)

A colleague is running one (since 2007) - dark blue with cream interior.

He changed from CL600 to the Maserati* and love it. *No issues but it is a low use/mileage car.

[CampDavid]

Am I the only one that thinks this is the better looking of the two?

[Hyper10]

I once considered buying one of these but when I mentioned to the dealer that I was going to use it everyday, the look on his face said it all. Having said that, they are truly gorgeous and a pleasure to drive. As for a warranty, it would probably need to be manufacturers at approx 3K

[Balmoral Green]

CampDavid said:

Am I the only one that thinks this is the better looking of the two?

Fiat Argenta, not seen one of those for years. Wasn't it replaced with the Hyundai Stellar?

Edited by Balmoral Green on Wednesday 9th November 15:38

[the_hood]

Head says BM/Merc, heart says Maser!

[Justayellowbadge]

angusc43 said:

Thank God for the picture of the 70's one. I've seen one a few times round my way and was stumped by what appeared to be a Lancia Gamma Coupe with four doors......

If you have, it' a rare spot - there's only one runner in the UK as far as I know.

[CampDavid]

Justayellowbadge said:

angusc43 said:

Thank God for the picture of the 70's one. I've seen one a few times round my way and was stumped by what appeared to be a Lancia Gamma Coupe with four doors......

If you have, it' a rare spot - there's only one runner in the UK as far as I know.

This one was for sale at Coys with a six figure reserve

http://bringatrailer.com/2011/10/26/1974-maserati-...

Looks crap in those pictures but had so much presence next to a Ferrari Daytona in the auction hall (I kid you not)

[KIG1971]

The sound of this car alone would make me want to buy it. If only I could persuade the wife!

[robsco]

One of the best looking four door cars ever made.

[ZesPak]

I'd love one of these one day, if I'm brave enough!

I wouldn't have any requirements 'cept for the fact it should be black though. It looks horrific in that colour, keep it on the Audis and BMWs please!

[RESSE]

Damn you Pistonheads - I am desperately trying to do some work this afternoon, and am (now) distracted by this thread.





Hang on:

[Balmoral Green]

I've always liked the Quattroporte's. The new ones are a lovely shape, but I prefer the big old square rigged ones. Came close to buying once or twice.

[Dagnut]

The only problem is when you say "this level of performance"..the 400bhp in this doesn't feel as well used as in ..say an E39 M5..not that the cars are comparable but just in terms of outright performance they aren't really that quick

[sjc]

For me, in the right colour and GTS/Sport spec possibly the best looking big 4 door there is.If I only had one car and had family,it would be this.

[lionrampant]

That's a disturbingly good bit of metal of the money.

[MrReg]

There was one of these on flea bay a few weeks ago for £13k. It followed a thread in the maserati forum.
I did come close to jumping in the car and driving to Cardiff to buy it.