Wednesday 7th February 2018

Maserati Quattroporte: Spotted

A reminder of a time when Maserati wasn't focused on diesel SUVs...

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It feels like quite a long time since Maserati released a car worth getting excited about. The Ghibli was a missed opportunity and the Levante can only be judged a success in PH books if it brings in the money to build new 'proper' cars. There haven't been any of those for a while though.

This sees us casting our minds further back, to Maserati's re-emergence as a manufacturer of desirable sporting saloons, and to the fifth generation of Quattroporte. First produced in 2004, it boasted svelte Italian styling and a sumptuous, naturally aspirated, 4.2-litre V8, putting out 406hp and 339lb ft - and bestowing it with a 170mph top speed.

Today's Spotted seems a very nice example, too. First off, and most importantly, the original owner correctly specced it with the six-speed ZF automatic 'box, rather than the ruinous - mechanically and financially - DuoSelect automated manual which earlier cars were lumped with. Then there's the equipment list, which seems to include, well, almost everything that you could put in a car a decade ago. And finally, there's the appearance, with a nice subtle spec and everything - bar a little wear on the seats - appearing to be in tip top condition. For a shade under £16,000 it'd be hard to imagine getting much more Maserati for your money.

As our Buying Guide points out though, even in its best form, running a Quattroporte is not for the faint of heart. Maintenance costs can run into the thousands, while fuel economy can rarely be expected to rise out of the teens. This may no longer be the £70,000-plus car it once was, but it will certainly have retained the running costs of the automotive echelon to which it is accustomed. What the sleepless nights worrying about that rattle you think you heard, and newfound familiarity with your local petrol stations will earn you, though, is a fantastic example of what Maserati can do when it puts its mind to it. A magnificent engine, a spine tingling soundtrack accompanying you on every drive, and a level of style and sophistication that none of the German equivalents can hope to match.

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SPECIFICATION - MASERATI QUATTROPORTE

Engine: 4,244cc, V8
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 406@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 339@4,500rpm
MPG: 19.2 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 340g/km
First registered: 2007
Recorded mileage: 51,000
Price new: £80,220
Price now: £15,990

See the full ad here.

[Turbobanana]

Love it, and a lot of car for the money.

Can't help but think that Maserati should go back to doing what they originally did - building sports / supercars. A decent rival to the likes of McLaren, Pagani, Lamborghini etc, plus an SUV cash cow, should prove popular, no?

Plenty of history to reference back to...

[Turbobanana]

Never you mind said:

Turbobanana said:

Love it, and a lot of car for the money.

Can't help but think that Maserati should go back to doing what they originally did - building sports / supercars. A decent rival to the likes of McLaren, Pagani, Lamborghini etc, plus an SUV cash cow, should prove popular, no?

Plenty of history to reference back to...

They have an SUV cash cow, it looks terrible.

Agreed - should have said "an attractive SUV cash cow".

Although Porsche seem to have done OK with the Cayenne, which has all the visual appeal of a dustbin.

[Turbobanana]

Helicopter123 said:

That dash is horrific - its lit up like a Halfords special.

No it isn't. It's just not "German".

[Turbobanana]

pSyCoSiS said:

Been looking at these over the past year, and have even seen a few below the £10k mark, which will no doubt need some money pumping into them.

Love the looks and the exhaust note. but can't help thinking - will be any better to own and drive than my E39 M5? I know it's a different proposition, but given the potential financial bork - would it be worth getting rid of the M5 for a QP?

Any thoughts from PHers that have had experience in both?

Interesting question, which I can't answer, but I do have thoughts on the whole Italian vs. German thing.

A much lower level, I know, but I have owned an Alfa 156 Sportwagon and an Audi A6 Estate. Both were old-ish examples (around 10yrs old at my ownership). Both needed significant financial input, relative to their values at the time:

- Alfa needed a new radiator, sundry electrical issues sorting and was heading for a front suspension overhaul when I bailed
- Audi needed water pump, cambelt / tensioner, rear discs / pads, was rusting and the undertray fell off

My conclusion is this: you either love a car with soul and character (in which case buy the Maserati and put up with its foibles); or you love a car that is clinically efficient but is actually, however fast, just white goods (in which case buy the BMW and laugh at the broken down Maseratis).