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New Buyer, Simple/Basic questions and pointers

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12K views 98 replies 19 participants last post by  GT/MC 4ME  
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#1 ·
Hello and please excuse my ignorance, but the learning curve has started and it will be good to hear from those with experience. My background is 911s, and I'm taking a break from them for awhile. Since Maserati and Porsche are only comparable in the looks and power departments, the Known Glitches is where I am wanting to fill in my knowledge.

Looking at earlier models (Coupe or cabs, only)from 2002, seems that heater core leaks, F1 leaks, and clutch R&Rs top the list of repairs that are pretty regular and pretty pricey. Sticky interior buttons are mentioned, but a lot of nice cars had that issue (as did our Jag XJL).

If I move up to a 2011 GT with the 4.7L engine, what of the earlier issues go along with that model year, and what other issues are likely to be worth checking on a PPI?

thanks to all that respond and help me along this path. Like most of you, Maseratis have been on the radar for years, just now getting to be able to look for one seriously.
 
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#3 ·
The ones in the Jag got cleaned using a mixture of baking soda and water, and elbow grease. It was a coating over the paint that turned sticky with age. How did you address your buttons? NOTE: the writing was fine, just the coating was bad, and baking soda/water didn't hurt the white letters.
 
#5 ·
I tried everything but the only thing that seemed to work was 99% rubbing alcohol and a ton of elbow/finger grease. I did wipe away a couple symbols on the vents but that was worth it. There is no easy solution....the best solution is to remove all the sticky areas and send them to a company to fix, but I do not have the time to go and take apart my car for damn sticky buttons. I personally will research cars better next time and never buy one that has this issue.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I have a 2013 , put 58,000 miles on it, have not had a single issue yet ! And no sticky buttons at all .

Others here are much more knowledgeable , so I could be wrong but I believe some 2011 models and earlier years may experience variator issues, although I believe you can’t rely on the year alone, the engine number is what will be telling . Do a forum search on the variator pinned thread and I’m sure the information will be there . Also check the other pinned threads , there are just a few other issues, somewhat common ( to , again, mostly earlier than 2011 models , as I understand it ) like failure of the heater hose / crossover pipe located behind the engine, or valve cover gasket leaks, but otherwise these cars seem to be bulletproof.
 
#6 ·
A GT is a very reliable car. I had a 2008 for 4 seasons and aside from tires I only had a couple minor issues. I've now had my 2013 for 5 seasons and last year I installed a new AC compressor and one fuel injector. Aside from that just tires and oil changes.
 
#9 ·
I would go with the 4.7 2011 or newer. I have a 2011 and it has been a great car! going into my 3rd summer with it and I am so happy I got it! They are unique cars, not a lot of them out there like Porsche or Jag. Get a good PPI done by a shop that knows GT's though, even if it looks like a great car. Mine only had 16k km on it when I bought it in 2019 and I still had a PPI done.
 
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#10 ·
Agreed on your thoughts about 2011 or 4.7L, but does that put into pasture prior year models that might not be afflicted with the issues I mentioned in the first post?
While all of us want the latest and greatest, I'm dipping my toe into the Masi water and will likely upgrade soon if what I find is as good as it looks. That said, I want to find a car that's easy to buy pricewise, so I can sell it easily and get a newer model. They will always be 2 doors, and a Cab would be nice but haven't researched reliability in cabs on Masis.
 
#11 ·
I'm also one of those owners that lurked for years before deciding on my 2014 MC.
From my present vantage point I don't think I'm concerned at all of the potential issues that may arise............ they are that good.
I have friends with older as well as newer read much more expensive other brands Porsche/Mercedes/Audi ect and they have mind numbing expenses with all of them.
These wonderful machines appear to be unsung hero's of European entry level exotica if I can call them such........... Hope I have not offended anyone. ;)

Ciao
 
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#17 ·
Unfortunately, Can and Want To aren't matching up for me. I'd like to stay under $35K since it's not going to be a daily driver and I have to keep my selfishness under control or who knows what my bride will buy next, lol. Looking for an S from 2008 should get me into that bracket, but was the variator issue common enough in the early 4.7L to warrant spending extra for a '12?
 
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#26 ·
I purchased a 2008 4.2l GT a little over 3 years ago, it had less than 29,000 miles on it. I bought it from a guy in New Jersey and drove it home to the Dallas metro. A year and a half ago my wife and I along with our toy Aussie took a trip to Yellowstone in the GT, this car absolutely loves to be driven on the highway, at least 3 trips over 100mph while passing cars in WY. , climbing mountains and arriving back home with info center showing an average of 25.6 mpg. For me 405 hp. Is all I need. The car just turned 40000 miles. My car destroyed the inside of my tires in about 6000 miles, so I had a less aggressive four wheel alignment performed, I did a differential oil change, and changed the rear brake pads even though I think they were good for another 20000 miles. Minor sticky button cleanups , the lord is with me and I have not had any variator issues. I don’t believe that all early model cars are guaranteed to develop that issue. Other than a couple of oil changes, I have not had to do any other repairs or maintenance. On occasion you may need to do a battery disconnect to reboot EPB error shown on dash, The Granturismo is a great dependable car that loves to be driven all day long.
 
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#28 ·
For reference, the 996 Porsche models had a known defect with their engine's intermediate shaft bearing, and roughly 8% of the cars saw the failure. It lunched the engine. The fix was about $5,000 for those that didn't like to gamble and wanted their car to be both bulletproof and easily re-salable. These cars have a heater core, variator, clutch and they all seem to be $5,000 fixes. Have you guys all accepted that fate might rear it's head, and just hope that you don't hit a tri-fecta in the repair dept? Am I chasing my tail with cars from 2004 to 2011, or is there a point in miles (either high or low) where the problems might not happen?
 
#29 · (Edited)
I have a 2008 4.2 and if you work on it yourself everything’s not too bad. The Cam cap issue is easy to do, just take it off while you’re doing the valve cover gaskets and send it TEM performance to be machined. I haven’t done it yet, I’m still wondering if I should do it.

My roommate has a 2006 gransport with the f1 clutch and we just finished doing that also in our garage, it took some time but it wasn’t as bad as we thought. The f1 is a way better driving experience.

italianautotech.com

Setting Clutch PIS

What is the PIS The PIS, or point of initial slip is a important clutch parameter on any F1 or Cambiocorsa based transmission. It’s the parameter that tells the TCU (transmission control unit…
italianautotech.com italianautotech.com

craig-waterman.com

Home Page

[masterslider id="1"] Craig Waterman (Exotic Automotive Technician) Hi, welcome to...
craig-waterman.com craig-waterman.com

 
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#33 ·
These are the dangers of doing research and becoming book-smart without knowing how important the information is. Maybe it's the mid-2000 cars that had these problems, and seemed as though a clutch was a problem no matter the type of tranny. Glad to learn otherwise. Leaking heater cores manifested with smell of antifreeze in the cabin, and is an expensive fix due to the location and time needed to R&R. Variators seem to be hit or miss up until 2011 MY. Is that about right? Again, I'm hoping to stay on the south side of $30K so getting a lower miles GT puts me into the mid-2000s. I can also bite the bullet and get a 2011+ and the extra money spent on cost is outweighed by the peace of mind with older-model issues?
 
#34 ·
Mid 2000 is not a GT - it's a 4200. 2008 was the first year of the GT. Don't take this wrong but you are reading too much. It's a reliable car - find a low mile, good condition car and buy it. Don't over think it.
 
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