Mid life crisis Maserati!
Discussion
I have always loved fast and sexy cars, but I have always been a bit, actually very, frugal!
This story of how I recently came into ownership of a Maserati Ghibli. Nearly three years ago a mate came round to my house in his new car... a 2015 Maserati Ghibli, in my favourite colour scheme, off white with cream leather. I instantly fell in love with it when I had a drive in it! After that I had always said to him, before you go to sell it give me first refusal.
Fast forward to this year and I thinking of selling my ol' faithful Vauxhall Insignia. I started looking at Porsche Caymans due to the combo of speed, handling and looks but occasionally I have to drive family members about so it had to rear seats. I then looked at BMW 6 series coupes, again a bit of speed and sexy looks. However when I looked at the work car policy it stated it needed four doors, which rules out most nice cars. I looked at the Porsche Panamera which was beautiful inside but I didnt like the rear end on the mk1 models. Alfa Stevio was an option but looked a bit tame. That's when the car came, it must have been fate!
My friend called and said he was bored of the Maserati Ghibli, so he was going to take it to WBAC so I do I want it for the same price he was being offered? I said yes and the deal was done. I had seen it a few weeks earlier and saw a few issues. I didnt worry too mate as he is a mate and usually looks after the stuff he has and is not afraid to splash the cash (or so I thought). He was out of the country so I picked the car up and took it home smiling from ear to ear. It's a 3 litre V6 turbo with less than 40K on the clock and only 6 years old which were mostly motorway miles, so I wont need to spend much... Or so I thought. I have so far spent a fair bit making sure she was mechanically fine, and now mostly cosmetic stuff.
1 thing I have realised is that anything that needs fixing on a Maserati is never, quick, cheap or easy! Anyway, more of what I have done in the next post....
This story of how I recently came into ownership of a Maserati Ghibli. Nearly three years ago a mate came round to my house in his new car... a 2015 Maserati Ghibli, in my favourite colour scheme, off white with cream leather. I instantly fell in love with it when I had a drive in it! After that I had always said to him, before you go to sell it give me first refusal.
Fast forward to this year and I thinking of selling my ol' faithful Vauxhall Insignia. I started looking at Porsche Caymans due to the combo of speed, handling and looks but occasionally I have to drive family members about so it had to rear seats. I then looked at BMW 6 series coupes, again a bit of speed and sexy looks. However when I looked at the work car policy it stated it needed four doors, which rules out most nice cars. I looked at the Porsche Panamera which was beautiful inside but I didnt like the rear end on the mk1 models. Alfa Stevio was an option but looked a bit tame. That's when the car came, it must have been fate!
My friend called and said he was bored of the Maserati Ghibli, so he was going to take it to WBAC so I do I want it for the same price he was being offered? I said yes and the deal was done. I had seen it a few weeks earlier and saw a few issues. I didnt worry too mate as he is a mate and usually looks after the stuff he has and is not afraid to splash the cash (or so I thought). He was out of the country so I picked the car up and took it home smiling from ear to ear. It's a 3 litre V6 turbo with less than 40K on the clock and only 6 years old which were mostly motorway miles, so I wont need to spend much... Or so I thought. I have so far spent a fair bit making sure she was mechanically fine, and now mostly cosmetic stuff.
1 thing I have realised is that anything that needs fixing on a Maserati is never, quick, cheap or easy! Anyway, more of what I have done in the next post....
Interesting. I'm pleased that you've decided to keep a thread on this as I was looking at one this evening in a Cuban cigar type colour (a Merc version would be called Cubanite, I guess) and was wondering about the ownership prospects and potential for bork. They're a handsome thing and we'll resolved one my eyes, much more so than the shoutier coupe (is it the GT?).
Edited by bolidemichael on Friday 30th July 10:24
Congrats. I’ve had my Ghibli for 3 years now and had no problems at all. All the services have been pretty standard and cost less than £1000 at a Maserati dealer. Only issue I can think of is a loose wheel arch lining which needed fixing. Otherwise flawless.
It’s a handsome car, nicely appointed inside, roomy, lovely to drive and sounds great in Sport mode. Only thing I would say is it is quite a large car, and feels it on smaller roads and parking spaces.
The one in this ad looks like mine, and liked the slogan…
It’s a handsome car, nicely appointed inside, roomy, lovely to drive and sounds great in Sport mode. Only thing I would say is it is quite a large car, and feels it on smaller roads and parking spaces.
The one in this ad looks like mine, and liked the slogan…
Is it petrol or diesel?
They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
clarkmagpie said:
Is it petrol or diesel?
They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
You have to go for the petrol. The noise of that engine is what makes it feel like a real Italian car, and in Sport it is genuinely fun. Without it, you’ve just got a pretty taxi. You’re buying a Maserati, might aswell go the whole hog.They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
I worked at a dealer when these were new, the diesels were immensely popular on lease. Very rarely saw any petrols. Remember pressing sport in the diesel activated the speakers under the car for a faux petrol noise.
Has yours had the bumper painted or does it have PPF? Looks an odd shade on the last image.
Has yours had the bumper painted or does it have PPF? Looks an odd shade on the last image.
67Dino said:
clarkmagpie said:
Is it petrol or diesel?
They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
You have to go for the petrol. The noise of that engine is what makes it feel like a real Italian car, and in Sport it is genuinely fun. Without it, you’ve just got a pretty taxi. You’re buying a Maserati, might aswell go the whole hog.They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
bolidemichael said:
67Dino said:
clarkmagpie said:
Is it petrol or diesel?
They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
You have to go for the petrol. The noise of that engine is what makes it feel like a real Italian car, and in Sport it is genuinely fun. Without it, you’ve just got a pretty taxi. You’re buying a Maserati, might aswell go the whole hog.They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
I’ve got the 330 hp 3.0l V6 and it’s a good match for the car, spritely enough to hussle along when you want to but not excessively sporty.
67Dino said:
Congrats. I’ve had my Ghibli for 3 years now and had no problems at all. All the services have been pretty standard and cost less than £1000 at a Maserati dealer. Only issue I can think of is a loose wheel arch lining which needed fixing. Otherwise flawless.
It’s a handsome car, nicely appointed inside, roomy, lovely to drive and sounds great in Sport mode. Only thing I would say is it is quite a large car, and feels it on smaller roads and parking spaces.
The one in this ad looks like mine, and liked the slogan…
It looks lovely in that blue, what year is yours? It’s a handsome car, nicely appointed inside, roomy, lovely to drive and sounds great in Sport mode. Only thing I would say is it is quite a large car, and feels it on smaller roads and parking spaces.
The one in this ad looks like mine, and liked the slogan…
clarkmagpie said:
Is it petrol or diesel?
They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
This is the diesel model, and part of the reason for buying was because it came from a friend! If I had a choice I am not sure what I would choose. The 3l V6 is fast enough for me in sports mode, although I wouldn't say no to the extra 125 horses the top petrol model has. The one thing that would sway me is the sound. There is a bit of beefiness to the diesel sound (especially in higher revs) but it doesn't compare to the petrol sound. They are very much on my radar as well so will follow this thread closely.
I'm torn between petrol and diesel.
Obvs petrol sounds better and goes better but its more expensive to buy, tax and run.
Coming from an older RS6 and now a SL500 I do rather like the idea of 40 + MGP!
Interestingly I looked into changing exhausts for a better sound but it would not make a different because the diesel sound comes from a sound actuator, so to get a louder sound I basically have to get a (more expensive) better speaker!
I have only really used the car for fun so far but at some point I will have to start commuting into the office again so maybe thankful for the diesel engine. However when I put my foot down in sports mode it seriously drinks fuel!
Jimmy No Hands said:
I worked at a dealer when these were new, the diesels were immensely popular on lease. Very rarely saw any petrols. Remember pressing sport in the diesel activated the speakers under the car for a faux petrol noise.
Has yours had the bumper painted or does it have PPF? Looks an odd shade on the last image.
No I think its just the light and my crappy phone camera.Has yours had the bumper painted or does it have PPF? Looks an odd shade on the last image.
I didnt go into this sale with my eyes closed. I knew Maserati's were like weddings, you put that word infront of anything you wish to purchase and the price instantly quadruples. However having to part with cold hard cash in real life is very different from any theoretical ownership costing models on a spreadsheet.
First purchase was tyres as the ones on the car were barely legal, 245/40R20 on the front and 285/35/20 on the back. Usually I go to black circles and pay around £70 a corner on my Insignia. However they were not 20" tyres. Looking on Black Circles for the Ghibli was showing I wouldnt get much change from a £1k, quite a difference.
Luckily I had a look on Ebay and a chap was selling brand new Pirelli P Zeros that fitted my rears, 2 for £240. He was 100 miles away but in the same town as my Mother in Law who we were visiting that weekend. What a stroke of luck! I picked them up and got chatting, turns out he is a tyre dealer and sells a lot to Maserati owners club members.
I took them to my local trusted tyre fitters and bought 2 front tyres (not Pirelli) for £130 each and they fitted my rears. All in all I managed to get 4 corners fitted for half the original cost.
Below is one of the tyres on the back seat as they wouldnt both go in the boot.
First purchase was tyres as the ones on the car were barely legal, 245/40R20 on the front and 285/35/20 on the back. Usually I go to black circles and pay around £70 a corner on my Insignia. However they were not 20" tyres. Looking on Black Circles for the Ghibli was showing I wouldnt get much change from a £1k, quite a difference.
Luckily I had a look on Ebay and a chap was selling brand new Pirelli P Zeros that fitted my rears, 2 for £240. He was 100 miles away but in the same town as my Mother in Law who we were visiting that weekend. What a stroke of luck! I picked them up and got chatting, turns out he is a tyre dealer and sells a lot to Maserati owners club members.
I took them to my local trusted tyre fitters and bought 2 front tyres (not Pirelli) for £130 each and they fitted my rears. All in all I managed to get 4 corners fitted for half the original cost.
Below is one of the tyres on the back seat as they wouldnt both go in the boot.
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