General opinion on the Biturbo Spyder?

General opinion on the Biturbo Spyder?

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Church of Noise

Original Poster:

1,481 posts

243 months

Sunday 23rd June
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Given that after 2.5y,my Gransport Spyder is ready-ish, I'm pondering about the Biturbo spyder (2.8 because more is better smile )

What is the general opinion on these? Run run run or hidden treasure or something in between?
I'm not madly in love with the looks but they're deliciously 80s in a way and I like the noise they make. Going to try one soon (had the chance of trying a Shamal recently and enjoyed that, I'm aware it is a very different animal though)

Looking forward to reading your experiences and input!

Azzurrinick

53 posts

67 months

Tuesday 25th June
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I am not informed enough make any comparisons to other Maserati's, but I love my Spyder. I should really be selling it but cannot part with it. I am told you need to drive it as an Italian, but being a 4 speed auto, it just loves cruising down the motorway or wafting down the A roads to the coast. I wouldn't say it is a sportscar for throwing around the lanes, more of a grand tourer. The eclectic mix of materials in the cabin really give you the 80's vibe, especially when you open the door after a period of storage, the smell is totally 80's. As for reliability, I am planning to take it to Italy next summer.

IMI A

9,590 posts

207 months

Wednesday 26th June
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Lets see a pic! Theres one in autotrader for £8,500. Tempting but they do need TLC if you intend to use them!

Azzurrinick

53 posts

67 months

Thursday 27th June
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I must have one of the good ones, I just clean it and drive it.

IMI A

9,590 posts

207 months

Thursday 27th June
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I love them and yours is stunning. Zagato did an amazing job.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406070...


Azzurrinick

53 posts

67 months

Thursday 27th June
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Not sure what to make of that one, first glance seems cheap. In my experience, the biggest issue will be finding the correct parts and at a reasonable price. Unless the photos are misleading, I would have expected the engine bay to be a lot cleaner for a 25k mile car. If you have the time and the space, it will be a great project, you won't want to let it go.

ex-devonpaul

1,261 posts

143 months

Friday 28th June
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Interesting advert - the car has obviously been used judging by the windscreen stickers and the first photo looking like a French farmhouse (though looking at the paint it is an old photo).

It would be interesting to find out who did the service 50 miles ago, and that corrosion looks serious - once it gets a hold of any car that age it spreads. The engine bay looks a bit tired, but a lot better than our Toyota which is only 5 years older (although 6x the mileage). The leather looks saggy, but all the cars I've seen of that age were similar as it was really soft when made, and it doesn't look split or worn which is good. Retrims tend to be in a tougher material so I expect it is original.

If you go in with eyes open and budget for quite a bit of recommissioning (brittle rubbers etc) and some paintwork then fine, but I could see that swallowing another 50% of the purchase price in short order and probably 100% to get it in good condition.

About the first thing i was told when looking at older Ferrari and Maserati was "If you can't afford an expensive one, you certainly can't afford a cheap one". I suspect it is even more true a decade or so later.