Maserati Dealership

DavidI · 03-19-2007, 03:12 PM

Recently, I received an invitation in the mail from Maserati to test drive a Quattroporte at a local dealership. Maserati partnered with Bose and is giving away a $179 set of Bose headphones for taking a test drive. This is a win-win for me because like most of you, I love sports cars and I am going to be given an outstanding set of headphones. I followed the steps registering online with limited personal information. Today I went to the Maserati of Orange County (Costa Mesa, CA) dealership. The saleman was a young, enthusiastic individual. He knew his stuff and was very pleasant.

I drove the car, and was impressed with it. It had paddle shifting, which worked very well. I did not like the time it took to actually change gears though.

All in all, it was a very good experience and will be even better once I receive the headphones. Just thought I would share, David

89911 · 03-19-2007, 03:20 PM

Didn't you feel just a little odd with him knowing the chance of you actually buying the car is maybe .01%? Seems more like a promotion for a Prius, not a $110k+ car.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I've loved the Maseratis for year - actually toyed with the idea of buying an 80s Biturbo (wife nixed it though). Maybe someday. . .

As with most exotics (Porsche, Ferrari, etc.) the price you'll pay on the car is a pittance compared to what you're going to get nailed for on service. That's where those guys REALLY make their $$$. Have you priced Maserati parts? I did. Yikes. Makes Porsche look like Chevy. And labor? [Italian-voice=on]FUGGEDDABAWDIT!!![/Italian-voice=off]

motion · 03-19-2007, 03:31 PM

That's what a warranty is for, Jeff.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

True 'dat. But warranties DO expire, unfortunately. . . And certain things aren't covered (like clutches, usually).

DavidI · 03-19-2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89911
Didn't you feel just a little odd with him knowing the chance of you actually buying the car is maybe .01%? Seems more like a promotion for a Prius, not a $110k+ car.

Not at all. I was upfront with the salesman. He treated me extremely well. They had a MC12 in the showroom as well as some other older cars (the same one that was at the LA Auto Show). I told him that I wish I had known the MC12 was going to be there because I would have taken my son. Unfortunately, the owner of the MC12 is going to pick it up tomorrow. He invited me back to bring my son so he could show us the Ferraris in the back as well. Top notch dealership.

David

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
[B]I've loved the Maseratis for year - actually toyed with the idea of buying an 80s Biturbo (wife nixed it though). Maybe someday. . .

Don't feel too badly about that, Jeff. I remember reading a line from some car mag many years ago where the author joked that the best car to give up in a divorce would be one of those Masers. Makes you look like a classy guy, and seems like a nice financial concession. But the reliability and maintenance headaches that will follow make for the perfect spiteful "gift."

the · 03-19-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
True 'dat. But warranties DO expire, unfortunately. . .

But on the upside, by the time the warranty expires, the car will have lost 60% of its value.

Joeaksa · 03-19-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89911
Didn't you feel just a little odd with him knowing the chance of you actually buying the car is maybe .01%? Seems more like a promotion for a Prius, not a $110k+ car.

Have owned one and a very good friend of mine owns 3 Masers right now. They are not that far out of reach.

silverwhaletail · 03-19-2007, 09:35 PM

Allan runs the service department at the Costa Mesa Maserati Dealership and can give you the low-down on what the service costs are on those Quatroportes... I have been threatening to buy my wife a 2001 or 2002 Gransport. He says that the maintenance is not nearly what you are used to compared to the Ferraris... The Gransports use timing chains rather than belts and that is a MAJOR savings right there. Plus, the Maserati is as close as youll get to a four seat Ferrari. Personally, I love the Gransports...

What you probably dont know is that Newport Beach Ferrari has no service department. All of the Ferrari maintenance is done by Allen at the Maserati Dealer in Costa Mesa.

Silverwhaletail
( used to love slutty women and run-down apartment buildings, not necessarily in that order)

89911 · 03-20-2007, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Have owned one and a very good friend of mine owns 3 Masers right now. They are not that far out of reach.

"There are three Quattroporte trim levels, and now each one will come as both a DuoSelect model and an Automatica model. The Automatica models are $1,250 more than the DuoSelect models (not including gas-guzzler tax and destination fees): the $112,500 Quattroporte, $122,400 Executive GT and $121,100 Sport GT."

Joeaksa · 03-20-2007, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89911
"There are three Quattroporte trim levels, and now each one will come as both a DuoSelect model and an Automatica model. The Automatica models are $1,250 more than the DuoSelect models (not including gas-guzzler tax and destination fees): the $112,500 Quattroporte, $122,400 Executive GT and $121,100 Sport GT."

I never buy new cars, instead getting one after letting the other guy take the hit when buying off of a showroom floor.

Take a look here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-Spyder-Cambiocorsa-Only-9k-See-FREE-Shipping-offer_W0QQitemZ300090072828QQcategoryZ6313QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-Maserati-Coupe-F1-Heated-Power-Seats-Xenons_W0QQitemZ170089264661QQcategoryZ6313QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem

If anyone could not be happy in one of these, then they need to be driving a Kia.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Have to agree with you. The depreciation "game" has gotten so ridiculous and contrived it's almost unimaginable why anyone would EVER buy new, unless they can get it as a tax write-off or something.

Pretty good finds, actually but unless it came with a lengthy and comprehensive warranty (didn't dig that far into the listings, maybe they do) I'd be scared off by the thought of paying $6,000 (or whatever) to pay for a clutch job or a set of brakes.

89911 · 03-20-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
I never buy new cars, instead getting one after letting the other guy take the hit when buying off of a showroom floor.

Take a look here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-Spyder-Cambiocorsa-Only-9k-See-FREE-Shipping-offer_W0QQitemZ300090072828QQcategoryZ6313QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-Maserati-Coupe-F1-Heated-Power-Seats-Xenons_W0QQitemZ170089264661QQcategoryZ6313QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem

If anyone could not be happy in one of these, then they need to be driving a Kia.

Yeah, but you don't get headphones with these cars!