Running costs for a Maserati

[pbrettle]

Ok, stupid question I know - "how long is a piece of string", but I am seriously tempted by a Maserati Quattroporte or 3200GT - I know both of these cars arent and werent the best at the time, but I am some sad old fan of Maserati and would like to give it a spin....

But, would it be a ruinous experience that will make me bitter to all things Italian? Or is it reasonable and not as excessive as I might think!

As a guide I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a TVR as my cars - looking to drop the two and just have one... would it work? How much for a service?

[mr_tony]

I'm sure the several 3200 owners on here will chip in on this one. I don't ahve one, but I have done some research.

Note that a later plate car from an official dealer will have 'fixed price servicing' - 600 quid every 12k miles.

Salesmen have suggested than on an earlier plate car budgeting around a grand a year (for 12k mile service) would be about right. I've no facts to back that up though.

However, having said that, the various reviews out there seem to suggest that the 3200 is pretty reliable in terms of the major bits.

As for the quatroporte, I have no idea......

[edfez]

Cheapest Maser we ever had to run was the 222. Had 3 Quottroportes with no serious problems on high mileage from new. Build quality is not too good though. Things like the hand brake never work on Quattros and earlier. Not a prob on an auto.
Had a 3200 for 2 years now with no probs apart from depreciation, ouch....good for you though

[AlexHancock]

I've been told £900 or £1100 depending on which service with another £400 to change the cambelts.

I think Verdi's offer a fixed price service for 3200s which should be cheaper than the dealers.

If parts need changing it will cost a lot more.

Mine's still covered by the fixed price servicing and warranty so is a relatively inexpensive car to run if you don't count the depreciation.

[dictys]

The odd thing I found when looking into the 3200's was the insurance costs.

Ferrari 355 Spyder £1500
Diablo SV £1250

and the 3200 £2500?????

this is all for a 34 year old 5000 miles per year.

Rgds
Dictys

[craigw]

I'm finding the same thing at the moment

[mr_tony]

try privilege - they've just quoted me 1500 quid for 10k miles, 29 years old, parked on street in surrey full NCB one claim in last 3 years. (for a 99 car) .

includes protected no claims, and guaranteed courtesy car.

[craigw]

nice one! mine being delivered 8am tomorrow!

[mr_tony]

congrats craig! Bet you can't wait!!! Is it grigo / bordeaux then?

[AlexHancock]

I used the BMW website for insurance this year - saved me a few hundred.

Craig, I found an inexpensive sports exhaust for the 3200, apparently quieter than a Tubi at low revs but louder at high - interested?

[craigw]

hi guys, just got to work in it, grigio touring with bordeaux yes Tony. So far so good, well, so far......I LOVE IT!!

All looks nice&clean inside&out as described. Slight bit of cracked trim on the windscreen(piece of plastic which runs the width of the car and bolts on above windscreen wipers) but wont be hard to replace at some point.

Alex, will get used to it first but can't usually avois tinkering so would be v interested to know about it.

Its pretty quick too, and the seats v v comfy. Have a lot of driving next week so looking forward to that.

Bit of water under it after I parked, hopefully is aircon. Does yours do that Alex ?

[AlexHancock]

Er...no. Had they just washed it (some trapped water) or filled the wash-wipe (any excess just leaks out)?

I guess you'll just have to see if it continues.

[craigw]

will keep an eye on it. The Service manager @ main dealer seemed to think was aircon condenser & was normal so fingers crossed. I've got a trident warranty on it anyway so should be ok.

[chris_crossley]

Don't worry about the water. It's more than likley the Aircon. The last five cars i have had did it (They had aircon). Even my MINI does it!

My car's now nearly 6 months and everythings just spot on . So much more livable with than a TVR Cerbera. Still turning a lot of heads up here in the Northern regions (Sunny leeds)

[craigw]

thinks Chris, very reassuring.

[grant3]

A colleague has just got a 3200, found out that it was supplied without the "red master key", required for service & diagnostics. Cost of new one...£3000, you have been warned !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[craigw]

according to Maranello its not needed for service, only if there are any ecu/immobiliser faults.

[AlexHancock]

The dealer that I bought mine from couldn't locate the red key either. They had to pay for new locks, ecu, etc. I thought it was more than £3K but then the work was done at Maranello so that might explain it.

[murph7355]

Moral - don't ever buy a car from Fiat Group without the red fob (Punto, 156, 355, 3200, whatever).

A good idea in my opinion, as long as everyone is fully informed of the costs of buying a car without, and if you ask the dealers they're upfront about it.

[craigw]

can they not replace the spare keys without the red one ?