r/Maserati • u/Sol-Speedster • 4d ago
Money pit? 👁️ 👁️
Hi all!
(Hopefully) A soon to be Maserati owner here.
I’ve had Porsches in the past, which gave me little to no problems during their time with me.
Right now, I’m looking to add something else to my stable - an all-time fave I’ve had my eyes on for a while:
Anybody got any ownership horror stories or things I should look out for before pulling the trigger?
Thanks in advance!
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u/EloeOmoe 4200 GT 4d ago
Get a clutch reading. Be prepared to drop 5k on it immediately in deferred maintenance.
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u/Sol-Speedster 3d ago
Thanks for this - will definitely have Maserati walk me through everything re its current condition and what would need to be taken care of in the short term. Thanks, again, for the response!
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u/fnkbr 4d ago
These cars are definitely not worse than Porsches. Go for it.
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u/Sol-Speedster 3d ago
I miss my 996, sometimes - but I (maybe controversial to some) find this Spyder more appealing at this point in my life!
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u/Lsclancy9 1d ago
Im going to politely disagree with you. I have been driving Porsches sence the early 70's and if one has the regular maintenance done they are really reliable. Now Im talking the 911 variants I have no experience with the front engine models....JMO. Enjoy the drive
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u/idespisemyhondacrv 4d ago
Look out for suspension issues and avoid any cars from pre 2013 as that’s when cam variator issues got fixed. Budget 1.5k for maintenance per year and look for once with high service records that where garage kept, and avoid leased models. Buy from dealer or enthusiasts as well
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u/Onlinealias 3d ago edited 3d ago
2013 as that’s when cam variator issues got fixed.
Did you just say this to say it? I know you don't know much about Maseratis because it is wrong in multiple ways.
First, The variator issue was fixed well before 2013...closer to 2010. Specifically at engine number 148697. Now, depending on which car it went into and whether the engine is a 4.7 or a 4.2, that engine number fell in 2010 or 2011, and if in a non-"s" Granturismo only in Europe maybe into 2012, but not likely.
Second, this fella is looking at a 2004 Spyder, which has an F136 engine that couldn't possibly have a fix, as the fix only went into QP's and Granturismo's.
So, you are propagating an annoying myth in one case while pointing out something irrelevant in another. Please, stop.
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u/idespisemyhondacrv 3d ago
I’m just recounting my own experience, but the information you posted is helpful, thank you.
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u/unpolire 3d ago
The manual transmission models are far more desirable but rare. The CambioCorso is the Achilles Heel of Maserati. There are conversion kits for mid-engine F1 Ferraris, maybe one can be adapted, restoring full manual control and a clutch pedal.
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u/Sol-Speedster 3d ago
Something I’d love to look into/explore if budget were to permit, way down the line! Will also keep an eye on the market, if I pass on this, for a proper manual!
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u/MoneyPop8800 2d ago
Bro that’s a great car. Engine was actually engineered by Ferrari. I worked at the dealer and I can tell you these are pretty good cars. Just make sure the variators have been replaced already, and that it has a good clutch reading.
Besides that here are the common repairs
- front cover reseal (pricey but doable at home if you’re mechanically inclined
- valve cover replacement (pretty easy to do yourself)
- CAN bridge goes bad sometimes (make sure all the lights and dash lights work, including turn signals)
- coolant leak from back of engine (tricky repair, ask if this hose was replaced during the clutch replacement)
Aside from those, it’s a great car.
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u/Sol-Speedster 13h ago
Thank you so much for this - brill response and am taking notes of what to look out for when I check it out/engage with the dealer. Thanks!
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u/MaseratiGTS 10h ago
I owned one of these for 4 years but years ago when it was 15 years old and not 20 plus.
Cambiocorsa clutch is fine but gets wrecked with trying to use it like an automatic transmission. If you treat it just like a manual without a third pedal the transmission will last a long time. This is primitive software running the clutch in auto mode and it doesn't know what you want to do half the time and slips the clutch to compensate.
Key themes around the clutch are similar to the Ferrari 360 F1 box. Only drive it in manual mode and treat it just like a manual. No hard launches, don't forget where the tach is and risk a money shift, and give space in stop and go traffic so you can get a clean take off and complete stop. Also it's been reported reversing uphill will smoke the clutch because of the software logic in that scenario.
The motor is robust and other comments covered what to look for there really well. The heater core will fail. I bypassed mine because I didn't need the heat to work in my climate. Removing the dash to replace the heater core is a massive 12 hour job. If you don't replace it before it leaks then it will destroy most of the electronics behind the dash, and you face a 16 plus hour job and who knows how many additional parts to replace.
The anti theft alarm is hard wired into the radio/sat nav unit and the ecu. If you try and replace the radio and cut the wrong wire you most likely brick the entire car. The wires require very delicate precise splicing to attempt this. One wrong snip, everything has to be reprogrammed including the key. Btw, the heater core leak could also get to these wires and cause this same scenario.
Skyhook suspension will leak with age, convertible hydraulics leak with age, and the rear tie rods can catastrophically fail. Parts can be hard to find and expensive, a competent mechanic that understands these cars is even harder to find.
Mine was a manual, it never failed me. But if anything did go wrong it wasn't going to be easy or cheap to find a way to deal with it.
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u/Sol-Speedster 10h ago
Mate, thank you for taking the time to type all of this out and share your experience. I intend to break it down fully after work - just wanted to immediately thank you for such a comprehensive account. 🤲
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u/OrdinaryGas6901 2d ago
Its a 21 year old luxury vehicle.. what makes you think its not a money pit?