Maser QP

[furby]

Am i mad to be condidering a QP? One of teh last shape not a new one as my budget is not that big.

A while ago I was considering a coupe of some sort and out of the NSX, 911 and 3200 the Maser won my heart.

Now my budget isn't that big, and i am having my first kid soon so need to re-assess teh car situation. Will get rid of the Mrs's Civic, bag of old nails, give her the Mini and get a 4 door for me.

As far as i can see the QP is pretty much teh only way to go as long as it isn't astonishingly expensive to keep going.

Anyone here got one, had one, have any tales or advise on these beasts? Haven't driven one yet, will find one and testdrive if i am concinced this isn't a stoopid idea.

[Davey S1]

Very few rhd cars imported IIRC so parts / up keep might be a problem.

Cool cars though.

[mr_tony]

furby said:

Am i mad <snip> my budget isn't that big, <snip> astonishingly expensive to keep going. <snip>

Err, sorry to dissapoint you but it's not going to be cheap. Only one to consider IMHO would be a last off the line 3.2 Evo V8 (engine pre development verison of one in 3200GT).

To be honest though a good one of these say from Meridien will probably cost Over 20k. IT will still depreciate like a stone, and they are still pre full ferrari ownership so build quality isn't exceptional allegedly.

Maintenance will not be cheap, think large Jag and probably double it. Same engine as 3200Gt - means a 15k rebuild if it goes pop. Turbos are not cheap either..

If I really wanted a Maserati on reasonable cash, I would go for a ghibli (not a cup - even though they are great - but maintenance would be too high on a cup) - Look at a 2.8 GT. Theres one in the classifieds for 15k.

Best bet is to Ring Bill McGrath (do a google search on maserati and Bill McGrath) and talk to them about running a QP. They are the experts after all!

[furby]

Thanks Mr Tony, I was going to ask about the different variants. I did think it was a silly idea but was justifying it to myself.
15K rebuilds do not sound fun, I was thinking of say a £25K car, spending around £20K if not less, a few in the autotrader for around the £15K mark, and look at spending therest on getting it as good as new, full service, tyres, brakes etc, but if it is still gonna be a money pit, then maybe an XJR or M5, yawn, are better.
Did think of a Ghibli, but really wanted 4 doors.

Now i could get a Ghibli and get the wife something like an Accord and get rid of both the Mini and teh Civic.

Hmmmmm, really fancied a QP though

[mr_tony]

There is a buging guide in the EVO with the 25k supercar guide.

Their conclusion is that depreciation and running costs mean that a ferari 348 is a better bet...

Done right you could have a lot of fun with one, but you'd need to find a good un. Ring Bill MG, they are very helpful.

[furby]

WOW £3K 48000 service!! £1200 24K service!!
Just dug out the evo buyer guide, thanks for that.

That has shot that idea to bits really. Will have to give your chap a call when i get my funds sorted to see if a Ghibli is a better bet. Or just get the 911 as a safe option.