Monday 29th October 2012

You Know You Want To: Maserati Merak

70s Italian supercar with temptation written all over it ... bella!

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Maybe it's riddled with tin worm and at some point in the first few miles of ownership some bits of metal within the engine stand a good chance of whacking some other bits of metal they shouldn't ever touch, but hang on a minute.

Utterly gorgeous and temptingly cheap...

Doesn't this look like a lot more than £25K to you?

I know, I know - it's only got a 220hp V6 and the one on Top Gear was producing about half that, but just look at it. I think it's so pretty.

Black suits it well, as do tan innards. It'll cost a reasonable sum to stop it falling apart and you can pretty much guarantee that on the few sunny UK days you actually want to use the thing it will refuse to start. At which point you will become a proper 70s Italian car fan.

If, like me, you would love to own a Bora but flinch at the prices, the Merak SS must be the next best thing. This or a Focus ST?

Actually, don't answer that.

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MASERATI MERAK
Price: £24,995
Why you should: Utterly seductive alternative to a modern hot hatch...
Why you shouldn't: ...the potential for financial and emotional ruin that any 70s Italian sports car threatens

See the original advert here. And while you're at it have a browse of some of the other stuff on the dealer's stocklist!

 

 

[V8 FOU]

Much as I love Masers, I think I would go for a 3200gt. Still a heartbreak car - but slightly less so....

[mister.t]

Can't remember the last time I saw one of these, very nice looking cars!

[mat205125]

The Top Gear ape trio ruined these cars.

Before their programme they were (and still are to "our kinds of eyes") fantastically interesting, aloof, and desireable pieces of automotive art.

To the majority of the population they are now those "crappy unreliable slow pieces of crap that break all the time".

Is the truth, with emotion and media influence removed, somewhere between the two? ..... Irrelevent really, as you could never buy such a car without it being an emotional decision.

Love this Maser, but its the Lambo Japla or Siloette that I covet.

[Dave Hedgehog]

very pretty car

[GranCab]

Lovely car - and the dealer's website is pure car and bike porn ...

[martyspain]

Lovely car, especially in black. But would I have one? No - I don't think my wallet could take the pain of running it!

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Loved these ever since I took one in PX for a Honda NSX in 1995. I ran it for 3 or 4 days and really enjoyed it.

[AshleyPatience]

I'll take the GT40 rep from the dealers stock...

[rtz62]

A few things to look for when buying;
Engine maladies
Electrical maladies
Rust
Rust
More rust
Hidden rust.
Did I mention rust?
And don't under-estimate the cost of interior trim, chrome trim, body panels.....
Sorry, but despite the fact it looks luscious, I'd have to give it a wide berth....

[rtz62]

Same dealer had an original Maserati Quattroporte and an Audi Ur Quattro with a Treser kit; both hung around for yonks and I think the Audi moved around the trade before and after (I may stand corrected...)
Iirc they get most of their stock from classic car auctions so there's a good mark up on the Maser IMHO.
I'd want to see copious bills for regular maintenance and driveline / body overhaul from a specialist before I parted with my savings....

[treetops]

Is that any quicker than a reasonable hot hatch or fast estate?

Edited by treetops on Monday 29th October 13:56

Edited by treetops on Monday 29th October 13:56

[drcarrera]

Think I'd rather risk/waste my money on the 456 GT they've got!

[SmartVenom]

As has been said before, lovely car BUT...

I saw one of these at auction a few years back (it didn't sell) and it seemed to me like a real potential bargain as it looked immaculate. Right up until the moment my friend (classic car restorer) talked me through the problems with it and how much it would cost to fix and thats before getting at the bits he couldn't see. I guess it was nice as a piece of art but nothing more.

[James MK]

All the above's true, but I still want it

[leon9191]

treetops said:

Is that any quicker than a reasonable hot hatch or fast estate?

Edited by treetops on Monday 29th October 13:56

Edited by treetops on Monday 29th October 13:56

I would think it would be much slower than any modern hot hatch but its not really the point.

[Shewie]

Had a black one of these as an Airfix model when I was a boy, I thought it was amazing as it had pop up lights and everything... I now realise it was probably better constructed and more durable than the real thing!! That said I still think they're fantastic looking cars.

Properly 70's exotic!!

[SprintSpeciale]

This looks like a good one. If it does have the history as described, I would be surprised if it is a bucket of trouble. The write up of the other cars gives the impression that the dealer is pretty straight in describing what is being sold.

These cars get such a bad review because they are not looked after properly and then (surprise surprise) fall into disrepair. A Ferrari of the same vintage would be nothing but trouble if some chancer had tried to run it on peanuts, neglected thes ervicing,etc.

[XB70]

rtz62 said:

Same dealer had an original Maserati Quattroporte and an Audi Ur Quattro with a Treser kit; both hung around for yonks and I think the Audi moved around the trade before and after (I may stand corrected...)
Iirc they get most of their stock from classic car auctions so there's a good mark up on the Maser IMHO.
....

Looks like they paid £20K

http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/21176828...

[IanMorewood]

Its pretty but £25k would see you in a 3200GT with enough money saved to replace the car completley should it go wrong.

[ES335]

You have to see these in the metal to appreciate how stunning they look.

I've always wanted one but I don't think I'll ever have the nerve to handle the potential downsides.

And for balance, I'd feel the same about any Ferrari.