Sort of looking at a QIII as a semi-daily driver...

JessN16 · Nov 6, 2015

I drive weird stuff a lot anyway; current daily driving activities are split between an 89 Jag XJS V12 and a Jag XK8. But I need a sedan of some sort for the few times I need to transport 3-4 people in the course of my job duties.

I have found a QIII in good running condition but what I would consider high mileage (90,000+) for a car of its age. I have a personal theory about that, though: If a car is allegedly a troublemaker but it's already run up 100,000 miles or so, it's probably a solid car. Otherwise it'd be dead already. Case in point, my V12 XJS has 151k on the clock and it's always ready to go when I need it to.

I just don't want a lot of shocking surprises if I choose to go this route. The QIII would replace my XK8 in the rotation. Meaning, it would go to work probably 3 days a week. The commute is short. I'm interested to hear whether I'm completely barking up the wrong tree here.

Jess

maseratiguy · Nov 7, 2015

I agree with you. if someone has driven their Qporte 90,000, 9as long as it is still in use and hasn't sat for the past few years), It is probably a good car. I would bet any bugs have been worked out and that the current owner has maintained it a long the way. That being said, he may be selling because some sort of maintenance is coming due. If it is driving well, has good compression and things check out like brakes, (though those are easy) and suspension bushings, ...and the price is right. I say go for it!
I believe it is the cars that are sitting with low mileage which are going to give you all sorts of problems as you start to use them.
My 2 cents

JessN16 · Nov 7, 2015

Thanks for the response. And I agree with you about the barn-sitters with 38k. Nice to collect but I get scared to drive those.

My best purchase over the years was finding a 1988 Jag XJ6. For those that are familiar, the 88-89 Jag sedans are regarded as hellishly troublesome. The dashboards are as gremlin-filled as an Aston Martin Lagonda's.

I paid $627 for one with 131k miles. I drove it 6 years, got rid of it at 210k miles, and it still was reliable. I gave it to my brother-in-law. Over 6 years, I did nothing but fix standard wear items (tires, brakes, etc.) and replaced an alternator once.

The reason for its low price? A bad coil wire that caused it to shut off when warmed up.

Jess

Jalpa_Mike · Nov 7, 2015

I owned a 1980 4PORTE for 18 years. Loved that car! I knew every square inch of it.

After fixing little electrical gremlins, I think the only issues I had, were a bad air pump that was causing the headers to glow red by dumping too much air into the exhaust. And, both fuel pumps went bad.

I did a write up in the Maserati Owners Club magazine talking about the restoration work I did. I can't remember what issue of VCM it was in.

I owned the car from 1988 through 2009 when I traded it for a 2002 Maserari GT Coupe. I kept that car for 4 years and traded it for my current Maserati, a 2005 Quattroporte.

My old '80 4Porte is now with another enthusiastic owner in Norway. He completely repainted the car and now I would say ita probably one of the nicer older series III cars out there.

Here it is in 1988 the day it was delivered.

bundas · Nov 7, 2015

I am having a shop work on my 7th QP3.five did not work out, six got restored. repair cost $18,000. that car ran fine and had motor work done. but after the shop got into it the worms showed. every electrical thing had to be replaced. the current car came from ebay as did all the others. $3,000. runs perfect. the front A arms are almost rusted in two. scary. so all the lines are being replaced. the front suspension has been replaced. they are very nice road cars. Lexus wheels fix perfect and are cheap and tires are easy to buy. I put 18x8 wheels on mine. rust is a serious problem.

QP3mslwf · Nov 24, 2015

This is my 1985 QP3, 4,9 automatic, witch i own and drive now since May. I restored it last winter. Mainly electric problems. I repaired all the tedel-boxes and some switches, all windowlifters and so on. Now everything is working flawless.
Luckily the body was nearly rustfree. Needed some paintwork.
Renewed the breaks, but they are still a little soft, especially the first few kilometers (any ideas for that?)
Removed the Headliner and cleaned it in the Washingmachine - looks like new.
Till Last Weekend i drove it nearly everyday without any problems. Now i garaged it for winter (here in Austria Winters are poisonous for old cars)....
Love the Car!

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bundas · Nov 24, 2015

beautiful car, I think the color is one of the best. I am on my seventh one. still getting bugs out. the brakes are soft and really not good enough in my opinion. always a concern when I am driving. I changed the tires on mine to 18" x 8" to get a speed rated tire. using Lexus and Pirelli all weather. they fit without changing or adding anything

mg17755@aol.com · Nov 25, 2015

Very nice color. I have not seen that color this side of Europe. Very clean as well!

Mike

QP3mslwf · Nov 26, 2015

So. The soft brakes seem to be "normal" ? I hope i can test drive another qp3 in my area (Austria) to get this worries out of my system. What does "speed-rated tire" mean? Love the color too, but dark blue is also really really beautiful. The pic is from my last ride after waxing and preparing for the winter sleep..

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bundas · Nov 28, 2015

there are letters that the manufacture puts on the tires. that indicated the top speed. 'V' rated tire is safe for 140. tires older than 3 years are not safe at high speed. they are OK for town driving and 60km stuff for years. I drive 90-125 here so I take no risk. old tire become hard. the car will not handle properly and becomes dangerous in wet/snow.

Sort of looking at a QIII as a semi-daily driver...

JessN16

maseratiguy

JessN16

Jalpa_Mike

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