Maserati 430

[Shaun @ Tru6]

This generation of Maserati seems to have a bad rap but have also heard the later ones like '89 were better. Anyone ever have one?

[Nostril Cheese]

This is a joke right?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

[kaisen]

I like the twine holding the intake hoses to the fuel rails. The funny part is that knowing the way Maseratis were built back then, it might have come from the factory that way

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I like the twine holding the intake hoses to the fuel rails. The funny part is that knowing the way Maseratis were built back then, it might have come from the factory that way

Yeah but that was fine Italian twine. Probably been replaced with some inferior French stuff.

[G60SuperCharger]

One of my friends is big into all Maseratis, even the Biturbo generation. He has a '89 Zagato convertible. He says the '89s are the ones to have, but they still break a lot and suffer from parts availability.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

This is a joke right?

no, just interested. met a guy who has this car and an Espada, which was beautiful. He talked it up quite well, if parts weren't an issue, it might be a fun daily driver.

[DonDavis]

I don't think that one does 185.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

no, just interested. met a guy who has this car and an Espada, which was beautiful. He talked it up quite well, if parts weren't an issue, it might be a fun daily driver.

As a daily? I can think of other cars that would be just as much fun with less hassle.

Older M3 for example.

Maserati guys in general are obsessed with their cars. They really don't like driving anything else.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

I don't think that one does 185.

But it does do 185, it does, it does..it goes 185M and breaks down.

[Ferraripete]

shaun, you will do well to avoid the biturbo (any variant even the 228). all manner of bad!!

[MrScott]

Looks like the twine's in place of missing airbox straps.

I have an '85 Biturbo
By '89 they ironed out most of the kinks and added a bunch of modern electronics like climate control, power locks, etc.

Driving vs the 911:
More GT than sportscar, comfy for long drives.
Aerodynamically, the faster you go the more planted it feels, rock solid into triple digits.
I think the '89 had power steering -- '85 did not, steering's direct but a lot heavier than the 911 with all that engine weight over the wheels.
Heavy clutch (hydraulic)
Turbo lag is present despite the twin-turbo setup but reduced (I think) in later versions.

Repairs:
Mine's required less maintenance/mile than the 911 -- buying a good example is key.
Rust: similar to other '80 italian cars (i.e. not good) I wouldn't leave it parked outdoors and avoid driving in the rain, but later years may be better rust-proofed.
Parts: limited availability and generally expensive.

These cars get a lot of criticism and for sure there are some design flaws but for a low-volume manufacturer Maserati did a respectable job. The engine's indestructible, 4 piston calipers up front makes for solid braking, suspension is pretty much BMW E30 but a lighter rear end and the push of the turbos makes it a little tail happy (probably less of an issue in the longer wheel base 430.)

It's been a while since I kept up but there are probably good resources on the web.

[Robert Adams]

going to the dark side are we Shaun?

[G60SuperCharger]

Try talking him out of the espada...now that might be worth the trouble you will inevitably find with a small Italian automaker. Always loved those.

Quote de Nostril Cheese

This is a joke right?

no, just interested. met a guy who has this car and an Espada, which was beautiful. He talked it up quite well, if parts weren't an issue, it might be a fun daily driver.

[Bill Douglas]

Imagine talking to some chick in a bar who wants a ride home in a Maserati and she walks outside and sees that POS.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

As a daily? I can think of other cars that would be just as much fun with less hassle.

Older M3 for example.

Maserati guys in general are obsessed with their cars. They really don't like driving anything else.

An E28 M5 and 91-92 Saab 9000Turbo would be a good comparison, super fun cars that are interesting. I would never drive an M3, dime a dozen, boring looks, and I like quirky. I liked the looks of this thing and the manual box in a sedan.

I worked on a Merak a long time ago, I wasn't impressed with the build quality, didn't get to drive it.

Originally Posted by Ferraripete

shaun, you will do well to avoid the biturbo (any variant even the 228). all manner of bad!!

Now that just spurs me on. Not a serious consideration, just curious about the car. Now if several folks replied in the way of MrScott, I'd consider it.

Originally Posted by MrScott

Looks like the twine's in place of missing airbox straps.

I have an '85 Biturbo
By '89 they ironed out most of the kinks and added a bunch of modern electronics like climate control, power locks, etc.

Driving vs the 911:
More GT than sportscar, comfy for long drives.
Aerodynamically, the faster you go the more planted it feels, rock solid into triple digits.
I think the '89 had power steering -- '85 did not, steering's direct but a lot heavier than the 911 with all that engine weight over the wheels.
Heavy clutch (hydraulic)
Turbo lag is present despite the twin-turbo setup but reduced (I think) in later versions.

Repairs:
Mine's required less maintenance/mile than the 911 -- buying a good example is key.
Rust: similar to other '80 italian cars (i.e. not good) I wouldn't leave it parked outdoors and avoid driving in the rain, but later years may be better rust-proofed.
Parts: limited availability and generally expensive.

These cars get a lot of criticism and for sure there are some design flaws but for a low-volume manufacturer Maserati did a respectable job. The engine's indestructible, 4 piston calipers up front makes for solid braking, suspension is pretty much BMW E30 but a lighter rear end and the push of the turbos makes it a little tail happy (probably less of an issue in the longer wheel base 430.)

It's been a while since I kept up but there are probably good resources on the web.

Thank you, this does make me want to consider it, wish there were 3 more voices like this. What is a "decent" 41K mile 89 430 worth these days? Any appreciation in the future? If anything were to break, what would it be?

Originally Posted by Robert Adams

going to the dark side are we Shaun?

Hey Rob, the real darkside for me would be a Giulia GTA or the little black Alfa Clarkson drove on an older Top Gear episode, can't remember the name of it.

Originally Posted by G60SuperCharger

Try talking him out of the espada...now that might be worth the trouble you will inevitably find with a small Italian automaker. Always loved those.

Not likely, values have climbed along with early 911s.

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Imagine talking to some chick in a bar who wants a ride home in a Maserati and she walks outside and sees that POS.

I've taken women out in my 01 beat to hell Tundra. They are just happy that the ExtraCab is super roomy.

[MrScott]

Market wise similar to the 944 -- lots of bad examples for cheap and pristine examples fetching reasonable prices, but with a more limited buyer pool. Classic Maseratis have appreciated significantly in the last decade but it hasn't affected Biturbo prices and I don't expect it to.

Good overview of the biturbo range here: A brief technical guide to the MASERATI BITURBO

If you're stuck on Maserati's also consider an 80's Quattroporte, kind of an Italian Lagonda. Despite the similar styling it's closer to a proper maserati, expect avg MPG in the low/mid teens.

What is it that draws you to this range? I have a sentimental attachment, not sure I'd consider it otherwise. These cars are in kind of in limbo -- not as raw or sporty as an e28 M5, not as practical as a 9000 Aero. Though I have to say that turbo rush is enjoyable.

If you want Italian the Alfa GTVs are great cars though prices have spiked. An early Alfa spider gets you the same engine for less. Rust is a serious issue with both as with early 911s. Probably not the case with a 430 or the more attractive 228 coupe. I like the early biturbos because they're nimble and relatively simple, and styling-wise true to intention (think 1st gen esprit vs later esprits.)

[MrScott]

Ah, one point I forgot to mention: the dog leg transmission. It's a solid unit (ZF) and I actually prefer the dog-leg pattern but switching between that and the 911 is always an adjustment. The automatics in theory have an advantage because the turbos can stay spooled between shifts but I've never driven one.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thank you, good reading. Cars are something of an addiction, met this fellow, a real car guy, this car sparked my interest. In all my reading, the one thing that would keep me from one more than all else is the potential for rust. I would drive it in the winter and it seems it would last as long as an 850 Spyder.

[lowyder993s]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Imagine talking to some chick in a bar who wants a ride home in a 430 and she walks outside and sees that POS.

Fixed...But then again, I might be biased