Help! Maserati Spyder

Help! Maserati Spyder

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propaganda

Original Poster:

407 posts

247 months

Saturday 4th October 2003
quotequote all
Hi,

I am close to buying a used maserati Spyder. The car is a well specified 51 plate (jan 2002) model 1 owner + demo with 4k miles. I noted a few cosmetic problems - damaged leather interior (can this be repaired?), a few stone chips (to be expected) and a very small rust patch below the rear light cluster - it is the last item that really concerns me - as the car is still under warranty should this be repaired under warranty? Should I walk away? I must admit the car looks fantastic but should I hold out for a later model year?

please help - ANY responses welcome.

Andrew Richmond

1,475 posts

253 months

Sunday 5th October 2003
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Depends on the price. This is a very early car. If its a private sale then it should be under £40k.

frostie

428 posts

275 months

Sunday 5th October 2003
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Personally I would walk away from it. A 2002 car with rust and damaged leather and only 4k miles has either been extremely badly treated or has been in an accident.

Frostie

propaganda

Original Poster:

407 posts

247 months

Sunday 5th October 2003
quotequote all
mmmm.... my thoughts too. I think I'll pass on it.

However on the positive side the engine is awesome, and the CC box was also pretty good in higher gears - perfect up and downshifts, although a little more lumpy when engaged in lower gears. I suspect there is a little art to using the CC box at lower gear ratios.

Anyone have any idea what the depreciation curve is like for masers at the moment? I am very wary of ordering a new car as the initial depreciation appears very steep, and I do wonder whether in light of this the dealers are selling mainly low mileage demonstrators. Which would be the best buy Coupe or Spyder? My head says Coupe because of the extra stiffness of the bodyshell and the 4 seats, whilst my heart says the Spyder.

Andrew Richmond

1,475 posts

253 months

Monday 6th October 2003
quotequote all
New cars are theoretically £63-70k whereas 03 demo cars can be picked up for £50-55k. The trade value of one year old cars is low £40k's so if you buy new best to keep it a few years whereas ex demo cars kept for two years or so are not bad value depreciation wise for the type of car.

My experience of having recently sold a four year old 3200GT is that the depreciation curve gets very gentle after the car is three years old. The high dealer margin is the same however long you own the car so best to amortise this over as long a period as possible.

I have never driven a spyder but felt that the 03MY coupe was far better than the 02MY. Also I hear that 02MY spyders' are easy to get and are cheap but that the 03MY car is far stiffer and more expensive. Hope this helps.

propaganda

Original Poster:

407 posts

247 months

Monday 6th October 2003
quotequote all
Andrew,

when you bought your MY03 coupe, was it an ex demo? How flexible did you find the dealer on price? What do you think is the best spec for the car i.e. required as opposed to desired.

Andrew Richmond

1,475 posts

253 months

Monday 6th October 2003
quotequote all
Mine was a 3200GT not a Coupe (4200GT). A quick look at the Maserati Used Car Locator will show up nearly new cars in the £50-60k bracket.

I believe that there was a big dealer incentive to sell new cars by the end of September so the deals on new cars may not be as good now as recently. If you are happy with an 02MY coupe then they are easier to pick up at dealers for c£45k. Gearbox wise I prefer manual but most cars are cambio'. Skyhook suspension is the only must have option. Other options will probably add little to your sale price.