Maserati Spyder: Spotted
A drop-top Italian V8 GT is a surefire way to make the most of the winter sunshine
There are few better places to while away a sunny Sunday than behind the wheel of an Italian grand tourer. Top down and, ideally, with a high-revving V8 on vocals. Bliss. But what car to choose if you can't stretch to the budget of an Alfa Romeo 8C Spider or Ferrari California? The Maserati Spyder, of course.
The open-top version of the 4200 coupe is not particularly concerned with presenting a particularly vivid sporting image; it's more about the badge, the look and, yes, the sound of that Ferrari-built motor beating a path to your eardrums.
With 390hp available at 7,000rpm, it's obviously at its most brisk with a head of steam whipped up. although there's a not insignificant 333lb ft of torque available at 4,500rpm as well, so if you'd rather waft along, it'll happily oblige. Certainly the surroundings - gorgeously hand-crafted and swathed in soft leather - encourage the latter technique.
Not that the Spyder is entirely incapable of being driven quickly. With the gearbox - either a six-speed manual or a steering wheel paddle-shifter-controlled electrohydraulic six-speed 'Cambiocorsa' - located at the back axle, the car's weight distribution gave it sharp-ish, predicable handling.
Less predictable of course is how far you'll get without a significant problem cropping up. With the last Spyders built in 2007, even a late one is now 12 years old. If you're looking at one, the soft top will obviously require inspection - you won't want any moisture wreaking havoc on that cabin. Some owners report issues with the latches on the roof, others experience a rattly exhaust manifold because the inner layer (they're double skinned) can split and there are a number of minor electrical gremlins that can arise. It's Italian, after all. But the main ingredient, that eight-cylinder heart, is considered to be a strong one.
Just don't assume your used Italian convertible will offer the running costs of a similarly priced new car. With eight cylinders to feed, the claimed economy figure of 16.1mpg is probably optimistic. Then there's the question of tax, because the 4.2-litre puts out 430g/km of CO2, so you'd be charged £315 a year for access to Her Majesty's highways. Ouch.
If that doesn't put you off, here's a lovely one that's recently been serviced by Dick Lovett Maserati. With 65,000 miles on the clock it's lived a life, but it doesn't appear to have been very hard on its exposed surfaces. The paint, bodywork and wheels look to be in fine fettle, as does the leather-wrapped cabin and very clean engine bay. Several key bits of hardware have been recently renewed, including the hydraulic pump of the Cambiocorsa gearbox and suspension, plus there's a full service history to bolster buyer confidence. All for the price of a new Ford Focus. Dare you, sunseeker.
SPECIFICATIONS - MASERATI SPYDER
Engine: 4,244cc, V8
Transmission: 6-speed electrohydraulically-controlled manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 390@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 333@4,500rpm
MPG: 16.1
CO2: 430g/km
First registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 65,000
Price new: £61,830
Yours for: £23,950
I liked mine, felt old in some respects, gearbox etc but had a charm about it....mine had only 18000 miles on it, at 13000 miles it had had a new gearbox and clutch and some other bits at a cost of £13K at Maserati (covered by warranty). I think they can be run sensibly these days barring a catastrophic failure, and they are rare car....sports exhaust a must IMO
The bad rep they received stems from a time when consecutive owners did not service it correctly if ever, drove like madmen and neglected the things in general.
Sure it is italian, so electrics can play up but this are minor distractions.
If you can service in your own, then you can get your fair share of parts-interchangeability for the CC, which is the commonest part to take care of.
The engine and the rest of the car is pretty reliable.
Even compared to your Porsche C2 S from similar vintage...
If you can live with a full 4-seater in compact dimensions (as a coupe of course), reasonable running costs when treated right, undeniably better looks than everything that came afterwards from that company, and that cherry of an engine...
Seems they still suffer from that bad reputation pricewise, wonder if they ever are worth anything...
However, the many niggles wore me down in the end. Niether car did weather. Both were defeated by heavy rain. And the 42's cambiocorsa clutch gave out on the Brent Cross flyover on Friday rush hour. I made the travel news that night.
Of the two cars, it's the QP that I miss the most. The 42 was far more fun to drive, but the QP had a regal quality that made each journey an occasion.
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Generally not that cheap to keep on the road, but within expectations...more so with a good specialist.
Some things to take note of:
Some of the bigger things like discs/pads are the same as a BMW model (can't recall which), this helps with keeping costs down
Some parts are straight from Alfa e.g. Selespeed pump £200 instead of £1000 plus at Maserati, the interior light cluster is from a GTV e.t.c
However anything Maserati specific does cost rather a lot, e.g.
1) Doing a clutch change was about a £2.5k job even with a specialist as you have the clutch, bearings and then you have to set the alignment points which you can only do with a maserati box. Luckily the previous owner of mine, had just done it.
2) Small bits like a bit of tiny L shaped 6cm pipe from maserati can cost an arm/leg e.g that was a quote of £140 ish...part only.
The facelift version is desired more, as it came with a number of tweaks and the last of the line the Gran something takes this to another level.
Just buy a good one, with a recent clutch, also preferably a F1 pump if you plump for that model. The previous owner of my one had spent 4.5k on it in the 12 months before I bought it, then I had to chuck on a F1 pump/relay when it left me stranded.
I do remember resetting the car quite a bit, for some reason or other. It always felt like it was built when complex car electricals were being developed but weren't quite there....Maserati have always been behind the pack here imo.
It did have it's oddities as well, the handbrake was useless and with the later software updates Maserati pulled off the hill hold assist from the F1 cars.
Oh, I would still have another !
I've run a hardtop GranSport for a few years now and echo other comments that say they are pricey to run, but more manageable with specialists. Biggest cost for me has been a suspension rebuild - £6k from Giallo using pattern parts. HR Owen quoted me a much much higher figure than this.
If you stay on top of maintenance they take the miles very well. Mine's now at 67k and feels tighter and fresher than it did when I bought it at 30k.
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