A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a Maserati Gransport and mentioned in that piece that I think the Maserati Quattroporte (Tipo M139) is one of the best-looking saloon cars ever. So I thought I'd labour the point in today's Spotted. It is, isn't it? Ian Callum thought so, because I seem to recall him waxing lyrical about it and, correct me if I am wrong, saying it influenced his design of the last Jaguar XJ. It was designed by Ken Okuyama when he was creative director at Pininfarina, and he's a man who knows about design judging by his back catalogue. He penned the original Honda NSX, Ferrari 456M and 599 GTB Fiorano to name but a few of his greats, but perhaps even cooler than those, he designs trains for Japan's railways. And if you don't think trains are cool, just have a look at his 2014 E3 series Toreiyu.
I remember when the Quattroporte was first launched in 2003. I studied it in the glossies at that time and, the truth is, I wasn't that impressed. In two dimensions it seemed a little...flat. But then I saw in the flesh, and it floored me, instantly. In three dimensions it was simply spellbinding, and I still cannot walk by one today without stopping and staring at it. My favourite angle is the rear three-quarters, but it works from every vantage point. The sculpted sides give it solidity, the flow of the arches into the sills and bumpers gives it grace, and its rising hips over the rear wheel gives it muscularity. How many of times do you hear clichés like that being trotted out at new car launches and you think "really?" Well, this car didn't need any explanation by its creator. I saw all those things instinctively.
So it's beautiful, then. But there have been many beautiful cars that weren't very good cars, but the Quattroporte isn't one of them. It was a joyous thing to drive as well. I discussed some of the detail of the F136 V8 in the Gransport Spotted, so I won't go over the same ground here, but suffice it to say it's a stunning engine in warbling, cross-plane crank form. Somehow, I think even more inspiring in the Quattroporte than any coupe, because you don't expect a big, luxury saloon to be quite so tuneful. Well, this one absolutely is. I remember there's a point in the rev range where it just hits a magic moment - somewhere around 4,000rpm if I am not mistaken. Once, while out with a prospective customer in one (when I was selling Masers) we hit upon this piece of musical gold as we passed under a bridge. We ended up turning round several times to pass back under and hear its glory again and again. We were two (supposed) adults on a typical test drive that became consumed with wonder like two little kids. That's a special thing, and moments like that stick in the mind. It still makes me smile.
It was fast, too, but also one of the best set-up saloon cars I've had the pleasure of driving. It didn't feel like a barge because the steering was ultra-quick and full of feel, and its Skyhook suspension kept the body nicely damped. You could drive it properly hard and enjoy its precision. You could also provoke it to go very sideways, but it was on your side and made you feel like a hero. Plus, it was a very good luxury car. It was comfortable and beautifully trimmed, with sumptuously stitched and piped leather and rich veneers with inlays that were polished to perfection. I like a Mercedes S-Class a lot, but pull up in one you're just a mere mortal. Pull up in a Quattroporte, even today, and you feel like royalty.
To have all that for under £10,000 seems to me to be the deal of the century; that's all that's being asked for this early DuoSelect model with 73,000 miles under its belt. I've chosen the DuoSelect because I like it, by the way. Yes, it's terrible in auto mode. That's fine because it forces you to use it as a manual and when you do, you relate to the car more than you would with a torque converter auto or a dual-clutch. At this point many people will be thinking "it'll break and break you financially." Well, you're not going to run it on a shoestring, that's for sure. But why does that have to be the default response? An Aston Martin DB5 or something of the ilk will cost you dearly to run but it'll also a couple of hundred thousand pounds to buy. This car won't. Just be prepared to spend a bit to keep it going, and if you're not, don't buy it. It's as simple as that.
What are the possible costs? Well, for a regular service expect to pay around £850 and £2,000 for a major one every four years. A new clutch is about £3,000, but if you drive it carefully (that is, don't ride it in traffic) it should last between 20,000 and 30,000 miles. A set of front brake discs and pads is in the region of £500 - roughly what they cost on my old E39 M5. One thing that's worth checking is the dampers, because these are £2,000 for a pair. It's pricey, yes, but this stuff isn't crazy next to other exotic, 15-year-old models like the Bentley Continental GT. And despite what you might think, Maseratis from this era aren't as fragile as a butterfly. My experience was that they were pretty reliable. And still relatively rare, too, so if you buy this and look after it, I doubt that it'll lose money. Whatever, I guarantee it'll make you smile.
SPECIFICATION | MASERATI QUATTROPORTE (M139)
Engine: 4,244cc, V8
Transmission: 6-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 400@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@4,500rpm
CO2: N/A
MPG: N/A
Recorded mileage: 73,000
Year registered: 2006
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £9,994
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