Maserati Quattroporte M139 two year ownership report.

We just sent our '07 Quattroporte to a new home.  I recently added a classic car to the garage and that pushed my wife's car out to the driveway.  Not popular.  So it was decided to part with the Maserati.

It has been a wonderful ride for the past two years.  Awesome to drive.  An outstanding trip car.  100% trouble free.

I bought the car with 41k miles on it after having a pre-purchase inspection done by Maserati.  It passed with only a rear seatbelt buckle needing replacement ($20 on eBay).  In the last two years we have driven it just over 10k miles including a few long trips.  We have had to do nothing to it except routine oil changes and I replaced the rear tires.

I did my homework before purchasing the car and selected the right year, options, and color.  Most important was the ZF 6-speed automatic NOT the trouble prone paddle shift Duo-Select F1 gearbox.  That gearbox is completely unsuited to this car and burns through clutches and actuator pumps.  In auto mode it shifts like a 16 year old practicing for their drivers test.  Skip it.  Get the ZF which is the same box as the 7 series BMW.

The Executive GT package provides nice equipment and the burgundy color is popular because of the Nieman Marcus limited edition.  The quality of the materials, fit, finish, and paint is amazing.  You can see why they cost so much when new.  Now they are very undervalued in the marketplace.  Maserati's checkered history keeps values depressed.  A nice one of these can be had for the cost of a new Toyota Corolla.

When this series of Quattroporte was built, Ferrari owned Maserati.  These cars were designed and built by Ferrari.  The engine is a version of the V8 found in many Ferrari models.  The suspension is based on the Ferrari 612.  Body is by Pininfarina, etc.  It is not an exaggeration to say that this is a four door Ferrari.

So why sell it?  First, I got an offer for $5k more than I paid for it.  Secondly, use anxiety.

Unless you are rich enough to not care, you worry about using it.  Yes, I know that it really is just the price of a Corolla but it is not the price of a Corolla to fix.  Should I park it at WalMart?  Overnight at a motel?  I don't worry about where I park my Boxster.  On a trip, the car was showered with gravel in a construction zone by an A-hole who just had to pass.  I about had a fit!  Lots of paint chips and a cracked windshield. It all got repaired, though I didn't dare call insurance and jack up my rates.  I just about canceled Christmas last year as I dropped a box of decorations onto the hood of the car and dented it.  Finding someone to PDR and aluminum hood is not easy.  The worry and stress takes some of the fun out of it.  Some of the fun.

Would I do it again?  You bet!  It is worth it for the amazing sound of the 400hp Ferrari V8 alone!  Everyone needs to own an "exotic" car at least once.  Go for it.

These things make glorious sounds, but I can completely understand the use fear.  

Yeah, just wait until some dumb berkeleying kid in a Jeep rear ends you and totals it.

The guy I bought my Elise (RIP) from had one.  Last place I worked at, the CEO had one.  In Florida.  The entire interior "fell off."   Apparently Italian glue and Florida summers were not compatible.

Dr. Hess said:

Yeah, just wait until some dumb berkeleying kid in a Jeep rear ends you and totals it.

The guy I bought my Elise (RIP) from had one.  Last place I worked at, the CEO had one.  In Florida.  The entire interior "fell off."   Apparently Italian glue and Florida summers were not compatible.

True enough.  In hot climates, Ferraris, Lambos, and Maseratis are famous for "sticky" buttons as the heat softens the finish they use (and still use).  A good shopping tip: Don't buy one from a hot area.

Dr. Hess said:

Yeah, just wait until some dumb berkeleying kid in a Jeep rear ends you and totals it.

The guy I bought my Elise (RIP) from had one.  Last place I worked at, the CEO had one.  In Florida.  The entire interior "fell off."   Apparently Italian glue and Florida summers were not compatible.

I once saw a brand new one, stickered at $130,000, with parts of the interior falling off. The worst was the center console; the console lid leather was lifting off! Again, this was a BRAND NEW CAR. 

Beautiful car.

I saw a woman today driving one of those Maserati SUVs - first time I've seen one in the flesh.

I always wanted to buy one. How can you tell which has the zf trans? 

stuart in mn said:

Beautiful car.

I saw a woman today driving one of those Maserati SUVs - first time I've seen one in the flesh.

I was behind one last fall for several miles before I noticed the font & realized it wasn’t an older Infinity. 

In reply to Pete Gossett :

That's cold. Very cold.

In reply to Pete Gossett :

You mean Buick.

yupididit said:

I always wanted to buy one. How can you tell which has the zf trans? 

A quick look at the center console.  The ZF cars have a pretty standard looking automatic shifter.  The Duo Select F1 gearbox cars have a small "T" handle, a push button, and only one cup holder.

Pete Gossett said:

stuart in mn said:

Beautiful car.

I saw a woman today driving one of those Maserati SUVs - first time I've seen one in the flesh.

I was behind one last fall for several miles before I noticed the font & realized it wasn’t an older Infinity. 

This is actually a true statement - not only about the SUVs.  Maseratis don't attract a lot of attention.  Those who know,know.  Those who don't, just assume it's a Lexus, Jag, or something.  My XK8 coupe got a lot more attention on the road than the Quattroporte did.   Don't buy a Quattroporte to get noticed.  Buy one because they are great to drive, especially in Sport mode.

I've been watching these forever. Still haven't driven one! Thanks for the ownership report. 

I almost regret owning the Lexus GS i had. It's hard not to compare the faults of things that might otherwise be considered good (such as the Quattroporte interior, or the interior of the Cayenne i recently bought) to the extremely high level of 'perceived quality' i experienced inside the Lexus. 

I think i just need to drive one, because the driving experience will probably totally make up for any faults it might have compared to a 'standard issue luxury car' i could get for the same money. 

In reply to Vigo :

There have been a few posts here about interior quality issues.  I will just say that, except for a couple of sticky buttons, mine was flawless and of exceptional quality.  Far above the normal BMW, Mercedes, etc.  The leather was of very high quality.  The polished real Rosewood was exceptional.  Leather covered dash.  Double pane windows. Amazing feel of how the doors close.  Just a very nice place to spend time.  No doubt that it's the next level up in quality.

My father in law has been casually shopping these for years.  "Use anxiety" is exactly what has kept him from pulling the trigger.  Thanks for the write up.  

Ok.  But will it do 185?

https://youtu.be/063LYBBlR3c

My only reason for wanting one

yupididit said:

My only reason for wanting one

Yes, that never gets old.  Can I get an Amen.

Top Gear Quattroporte comparison test.

BTW, the Quattroporte weighs 500 lbs less than the Panamera.

Oddly enough, I see quite a few of these driving around.   Some day it would be nice to be in a position to own one without use-anxiety.  

Argo1 said:

BTW, the Quattroporte weighs 500 lbs less than the Panamera.

You sure about that? Maybe a bottom spec quattroporte vs a top spec Executive LWB Panamera, but a base Panamera weighs less than a base Quattroporte. (3900 lbs vs 4100 lbs)

dculberson said:

Argo1 said:

BTW, the Quattroporte weighs 500 lbs less than the Panamera.

You sure about that? Maybe a bottom spec quattroporte vs a top spec Executive LWB Panamera, but a base Panamera weighs less than a base Quattroporte. (3900 lbs vs 4100 lbs)

Depends on where you look it up.  And, of course, Italian manufacturers NEVER get creative with specifications...

In reply to Argo1 :

Fair enough, and neither do ze Garmans of course.

Thanks for sharing your ownership experience! It looks like a ZF-equipped Quattroporte may be the top contender to replace my G35 as a daily in a few years.

With so many luxo barges being incredibly painful to the eyes, especially the Panamera, it's nice to see a beautiful one.

they are a pretty car. Only the Italians could get away with naming a car "four door"