| Product: |
Maserati Quattroporte V6 |
| Date: |
09/05/02 (410 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Cost, Comfort, Class
Disadvantages: Servicing cost, Replacement tyres
The facts:
2.8 litre, V6, twin turbo, 286 Bhp at 6000 rpm, 18-24 mpg, active suspension, body styled by Marcello Gandini (with quirky kink in the rear wheel arches), climate control, full leather interior with briarwood internal trim
don't really tell you what it's like owning and driving a Quattroporte.
A Maserati is an exotic Italian sports car. All exotic Italian sports cars are expensive to maintain. Maserati also has a low second-hand value. Consequently, some people who pick them up cheap can't afford to maintain them properly and Maserati gets an undeserved reputation for unreliability.
The Quattroporte is an understated, sophisticated, and powerful car. It is so understated that it doesn't attract the unwelcome attention of either boy racers or the Police. It will start reliably every time and happily do the early morning run to the station. It has a large boot and can easily accommodate golf clubs, the weeks shopping, or luggage. On long journeys it is comfortable, quick and, because of the twin turbo, capable of surprising and leaving all irritating BMW drivers struggling in its wake.
It does have its niggles. What exotic Italian sports car doesn't? The dashboard-mounted switchgear is fragile. If you press one of the switches too hard, it falls through and leaves a gap that looks a little like a broken tooth. Although it is possible to operate the microswitch by poking your finger into the hole, it's probably best to make another trip to the dealer - who has seen it all before.
There are a relatively small number of Quattroportes in the UK, perhaps about 200. Because of the wide range of colour, internal trim, and wheel options each one is unique and all V6 models have the famous clock. Many owners keep them as second or third cars. Therefore, a low mileage example with a full service history should be relatively easy to locate. Make sure you have it regularly serviced and enjoy
owning a subtle and distinctive set of wheels.
When no one is looking, find a clear piece of dual carriageway and floor it.
Summary:
|
|
