Just put Deposit Down on my First Masser! NeedAdvice please!

[MarkMasser]

Hi Everyone, I just bought my first Masser! I got it through the classifieds on Piston Heads (think its still listed and says "sold via piston heads". am a bit excited to say the least! I won’t have it for about 3 weeks and the sale is subject to me getting it checked over. I was going to have a full check done on it by the AA as I am buying privately, but if someone knows a better way or company to do this for me I would be grateful to hear from you?? Cheers Mark

[Jonny5]

Congratulations... Wouldn't bother with an AA inspection, would get a ppi done by a specialist independant. See you are in Herts, so maybe Karl Verdi www.verdiferrari.biz if not too far away

Edited by Jonny5 on Wednesday 27th September 08:48

[MarkMasser]

Thanks, will do! I think there is a maranelo showroom in stalbans that sells masserati, will see if they do too

[cccs]

Bill McGrath - www.maserati.demon.co.uk, in Herts

[Maser-artist]

Hi, I own and love my 2004 4200 GT Cambio, but things to be aware of: Check the pedigree. London cars tend to suffer from killed shocks & broken bush rubbers from speed humps.(Not covered under warranty)Easily damaged trim, faulty electrics - especially Crappy radio, due to aerial in windscreen (it is SatNav aerial on roof).. Some cars can be rough gearbox / cambiocorsa models, others (like mine) are smooth but would have needed electronic up-grades. I tested a few, saw many and eventually purchased from Meridien Modena, Hampshire (Southampton Way). Better to get from a dealer as much can go wrong & is costly to replace. Get a 2003 + CAR WITH 3 YEAR Maserati Warranty. You pays for what you get !!

[markmasser]

Thanks that all really good to know! Hey unfortunately I have put a deposit down on private sellers car, am getting a proper check done on it though! Am I mad? Do you think I should def only buy from dealer?

[catchme]

Depends - get the check done, ensure FSH, make sure all the bits are in the right places (Manuals, cards, etc). If not, walk away.

What sort of warranty will be offered? £1500 to purchase the dealer warranty, after a full check.

Have you offered a price that would cover the cost of putting any little problems right (tyres, wheel rims, clutch, etc.)?

Dealer have overhead, and they try to reflect this in the prices they charge for their stock. Compare the price you are paying privately against similar stock at a dealer. Does the 'dealer premium' give you peace of mind, etc.?

Step back and have a think about it. My car was sitting at the dealers for a couple of months before I eventually bought it, and by that time, I had got the price down a further 15% from the original sticker price.

[Maser-artist]

I would be very cautious about buying privately... Best to get a Maserati check-over. Could be a money-pit ...' specially if it has clutch / gearbox issues. Also must check belts, suspension (skyhook system can go horribly wrong mis-used) & gearbox softwear upgrades are a must....

[markmasser]

Thanks so much everyone for advice, will get it checked and let you know how I get on. PS how can you missuse the Sky hook system, also the guy I'm buying it off said to me the other day that I should only let the tank get half empty or quater minimum due to the cat converter that can get damaged, is this true???

[Murph7355]

Don't own a Maser, but as long as you get it checked out by a known specialist (or main dealer I guess), and get them to give it a thorough check I don't see why it should be a problem. And you should save yourself a bit of cash.

IME buying from the Ferrari (and therefore Maserati) main dealer network is no guarantee of anything other than (typically) paying more than elsewhere.

If it were me, I'd use a specialist to check it over - they have less of an ability to trade on the shiny tiled floor and backlit signs and only stay in business if they're half decent. I've heard good things of Bill McGrath in respect of Masers, and have used Verdis for about the last 3 (the only real hassle with them is that they're always very busy!! But like plumbers etc, that can be a good thing ).

[mr_tony]

markmasser said:

Thanks so much everyone for advice, will get it checked and let you know how I get on. PS how can you missuse the Sky hook system, also the guy I'm buying it off said to me the other day that I should only let the tank get half empty or quater minimum due to the cat converter that can get damaged, is this true???

Yep - sensible precaution not just for massers. Basically any crap accumulating in the tank could damage engine / catalyst etc (at least thats what maranellos told me when I bought mine a few years back). To be honest I've never heard of it being the reason for a fault, but I figure it's good advice.

If the person you're buying it off is a stickler for stuff like this then it suggests that they will have looked after the car properly...

[Maser-artist]

You can damage the skyhook suspension by going over speed-humps too fast. "Pitching" the car buggers the suspension bushes, ('specially on rear) and also forces the dampers into positions that then causes rattles and thumps... It was a problem when I got my 4200 and was remedied by Maserati. These cars were not designed for pootling around inner-city streets... But being blatted around.. Also remember whilst they are becoming cheaper to buy, you are not buying a Cart-Horse, you are buying a stallion ('scuse puns..) that needs careful and regular pampering and treatment. Also, if you buy the car invest in a trickle-charger... Unless used every 7 - 10 day.