Bought 09 QS with 19k miles on it (my 2nd first got totaled after 6mo). First repair was transmission seals leaking around 30k (now have 38k) I attributed it to it not being driven as I am the 3rd owner and it probably sat for a while and the seals dried out as the 2nd owner never drove it. However my mechanic said it's fairly common. Today the lower pully seized up and the belt caught fire from the friction. Hopefully it didn't push any metallic parts into the system. It cost me $2,100 for the transmission and will probably run 2k+ for the for the latest issue. While I expected the quirkiness and the periodic problems (had some electrical issues as well). As much as I love this car, especially the engine, I am hoping this is not going to continue or I am going to have to sell it.
QM139S
Italian Exotic Ownership
When you say the "lower pulley," are you referring to the AC compressor? The fact that you mentioned metal parts leads me to believe yes. If not, then the fixed tensioner pulley above it does fail but that's $100 and 15 min to replace. The AC compressor fails no more frequently than any other car in my opinion and is fairly simple to replace also. I replaced mine in 30 min. The most time-consuming part is vacuuming the system and recharging. But again, there is nothing special about these AC systems - 900ccs of refrigerant and you're good to go.
I would check a few lines for debris but considering the pulley "froze," then the odds are slim that the compressor continued to pump contaminated refrigerant too far.
Be sure to replace the drier also, which is a very easy job.
There are rebuild units available, however your tech should be able to source a new compressor from the local dealer for about $1,100.00. Rebuilt, I wouldn't pay a dime over $500.00.
I would check a few lines for debris but considering the pulley "froze," then the odds are slim that the compressor continued to pump contaminated refrigerant too far.
Be sure to replace the drier also, which is a very easy job.
There are rebuild units available, however your tech should be able to source a new compressor from the local dealer for about $1,100.00. Rebuilt, I wouldn't pay a dime over $500.00.
Thanks for the feedback yes A/C -power steering unit got it new for $850 plus $200 for the tensioner. Have a great local tech he'll be flushing it out hopefully will have it finished early next week. The Dodge Challenger SXT loaner makes my commute boring.
Here's an easy rule of thumb:
Maseratis are approximately 25% off of Ferrari prices.
Ferrari prices are about 50% off of Lamborghini, Bentley and RR prices.
Lamborghini's are about 50% that of Mclaren.
Knowing what some of my friends spend on their cars, I certainly don't mind the Maseratis or the Ferraris.
Maseratis are approximately 25% off of Ferrari prices.
Ferrari prices are about 50% off of Lamborghini, Bentley and RR prices.
Lamborghini's are about 50% that of Mclaren.
Knowing what some of my friends spend on their cars, I certainly don't mind the Maseratis or the Ferraris.
Plus look at it another way - with Maserati, as "interesting" as they can be to keep rolling, you are saving big on the initial purchase. E.g. a 2009 911 base model with 54K miles just sold on Bring a Trailer for $38,500. This car was MSRP $72K! That is incredible value retention! How much did you pay for the 2009 QP with only 19K miles? Maybe about $38K? There is a lot of life left in your car and it deserves some expensive fixing because it was so cheap to begin with.
I think an accurate comparison in driving experience would be a F430. If you were to turn an F430 into a sedan, it would be an early QP5. Yes, there's extra weight, but the sport feel and performance was retained well in the design in my opinion.
I've said this before, the F1 transmission is the most durable, reliable and serviceable way to shift an exotic car, hands down. The Getrag DCTs are full of little issues that have created problems that extend beyond the warranty coverage. I've seen/heard this personally and many issues are well documented on Ferrari forums from owners. At least with the F430/QP5 era cars, you can replace a clutch, and you're back to square one again, rolling out of the shop like a new car.
My friend recently sold his 100K mile 360 spider. If that was a DCT 458, I would suspect he'd be on his 3rd tranny by then.
I've said this before, the F1 transmission is the most durable, reliable and serviceable way to shift an exotic car, hands down. The Getrag DCTs are full of little issues that have created problems that extend beyond the warranty coverage. I've seen/heard this personally and many issues are well documented on Ferrari forums from owners. At least with the F430/QP5 era cars, you can replace a clutch, and you're back to square one again, rolling out of the shop like a new car.
My friend recently sold his 100K mile 360 spider. If that was a DCT 458, I would suspect he'd be on his 3rd tranny by then.
I'm just a regular guy who is a total car nut, and really love exotic cars. Over the years I've owned several Ferrari Testarossa's when they were considered an "entry level Ferrari". Those cars were simple enough that I could do all of the repairs and maintenance myself, including engine-outs. Once you understand those machines, they make sense in an emotional sort of way. The flat-12 engine is built like a battleship and is rock solid. While the TR's do have their quirks, none of them ever let me down or stranded me....they were very good cars.
As I got older, fatter, and slower...I decided to get something more for a "mature man" so I started looking for a nice used QP. I eventually found an awesome 2006 Sport-GT with every available option, it was an incredible machine! Whenever the car was going to set for more than a couple of days, I would always hook up a trick-charger to the battery. I also knew how to properly drive with the Duo-Select transmission and never had any issues. All I ever had to do was replace the battery, fix one of the wheels, and change the oil. The QP did have the rattle at start-up but it stopped in the first second or two, and if I drove the car frequently it never made any noises at all. And the sound of the Sport-GT exhaust....well....it was one of the best sounding V8's I'd ever heard! The QP was my wife's absolute favorite car of all the cars I'd ever owned, and I've had over a hundred cars.
Fast forward to today, I may be back in the search for a QP again. My wife wants me to get rid of my Audi Q7 and get something a bit newer. I'm considering a newish VW Golf GTI, but while browsing on line my wife spotted a nice QP and said "oh....that looks nice!". I reminded her that her orders to me were to get something newer, economical, reliable, and fun to drive. And she said...."well....I'll make an exception if you get another QP!" I nearly fell off the sofa! So the search is on....!! This will be my daily driver....call me crazy....!
As I got older, fatter, and slower...I decided to get something more for a "mature man" so I started looking for a nice used QP. I eventually found an awesome 2006 Sport-GT with every available option, it was an incredible machine! Whenever the car was going to set for more than a couple of days, I would always hook up a trick-charger to the battery. I also knew how to properly drive with the Duo-Select transmission and never had any issues. All I ever had to do was replace the battery, fix one of the wheels, and change the oil. The QP did have the rattle at start-up but it stopped in the first second or two, and if I drove the car frequently it never made any noises at all. And the sound of the Sport-GT exhaust....well....it was one of the best sounding V8's I'd ever heard! The QP was my wife's absolute favorite car of all the cars I'd ever owned, and I've had over a hundred cars.
Fast forward to today, I may be back in the search for a QP again. My wife wants me to get rid of my Audi Q7 and get something a bit newer. I'm considering a newish VW Golf GTI, but while browsing on line my wife spotted a nice QP and said "oh....that looks nice!". I reminded her that her orders to me were to get something newer, economical, reliable, and fun to drive. And she said...."well....I'll make an exception if you get another QP!" I nearly fell off the sofa! So the search is on....!! This will be my daily driver....call me crazy....!
SEANFULOP....I will be looking at model years 2006 through 2008. I have never driven a QP with the ZF Automatic transmission, not sure it's for me as I like the level of engagement I get with the duo-select. If I do get another QP it will probably be the standard model or maybe an executive model, as they are more readily available than a sport-gt. I'll have to modify the exhaust to get the sport-gt sound or maybe something a bit louder. I'm still on the fence at this point.
Regarding the Testarossa being an "entry level Ferrari"...at one time it was, due to what most buyers perceived excessively high maintenance costs. Being a do-it-yourself kind of guy, I would get one that needed the major service performed...which reduce the price by $10k to $20k or so. The good thing is when I would do the engine-out service myself, I would then know what has been done. When your working on your own car, you tend to take more care and pay more attention to details than the typical shop. Bottom Line....my last TR was a 1990 model, red/tan, 36k miles on it, and she had some needs but overall very solid. I paid $37,500. Alas...those days are long gone now!
I recently watched a Mecum auction where they had a near perfect Ferrari 328 owned by Steve Matchett - a former Ferrari F1 mechanic...sell for a measily $68,500 or something like that...a great buy. I'm sure there are still some deals to be had out there, but knowing my luck...I'll never be in the right place at the right time.
The 70s and 80s were dark ages for car design. The 308/328 are absolutely atrocious looking , poor performers and real shame for Ferrari. I think Enzo was thoroughly embarrassed to produce these. The sooner they are forgotten the better. The speculators and flippers won't let that happen unfortunately. We should completely skip late 70s and the whole 80s and maybe early 90s as far as the emotional car inspiration is concerned...
I agree that mostly the 80s and definitely 90s should be forgotten. But there are a few notable exceptions, e.g. Porsches were still great and the cars which defined the period (944, 928) were especially interesting and still look great today. Porsche 928 will always be one of my favorites (I owned a 1988 model for 6 years until recently) but too hard to keep going anymore.
The Ferrari 308 and especially 328 are also worth preserving in my opinion, alongside the Lamborghini Countach of the period. I realize the power of these cars was not stellar, but there were growing pains surrounding emission controls that took a long time for manufacturers to sort out.
Plus look at it this way - if you want to criticize Ferrari because the 308 QV "only" made 230 hp from its 2.9 litre engine, let's remember that the 1982 Corvette could only muster 200 hp from its massive 5.7 litre engine!
The Ferrari 308 and especially 328 are also worth preserving in my opinion, alongside the Lamborghini Countach of the period. I realize the power of these cars was not stellar, but there were growing pains surrounding emission controls that took a long time for manufacturers to sort out.
Plus look at it this way - if you want to criticize Ferrari because the 308 QV "only" made 230 hp from its 2.9 litre engine, let's remember that the 1982 Corvette could only muster 200 hp from its massive 5.7 litre engine!
Yes the 80's was the "wedge" era, but we have to keep in mind that it's easy to look back and criticize those designs, but at that time of the 308/328 that was the way progress was going. Personally I really like the 80's cars, and the 90's cars....and I'd be proud to have any one in my garage. As for the Miura...that is an absolute work of art...nothing less. I'm still amazed that Lamborghini actually made that car in 1966, it is truly a ground breaking car, a milestone in automotive history.
)JACEK....It is your right to disagree. Styling is subjective...and we all have our opinions of what's beautiful and desirable. I think it's great to have such a wide variety of car designs. There will never be one design that suites everyone's tastes. I've owned V8's and V12's, front-engined, mid-engined, and rear-engined. They each had their own personality, and their own quirks....and I loved them all.
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