Maserati Cambiocorsa vs. Other Exotics

G35stilez · 11-18-04, 11:28

So I get a call last night from my dad challenging me to find better. He has been browsing eBay for a replacement for his Cobra Mustang. He was originally looking for the 2006 Mustang Cobra, but branched out a bit further. He uses his CTS daily since the commute is a bit long and harsh. So he figured, "Why not venture into the exotic market as a replacement?"

He mentioned to me looking at early 90's Porsche Turbos, Lotus Esprit Turbos (V8), SL500's, Jag XKR's, Ferrari 348, and a couple others. Well he stumbled over the Maserati and did some research...

First off, it's made by Ferrari...Right off there he knew this had an edge over some of the more mainstream 2-dr converts/coupes. Ferrari 390hp engine with the F1 tranny (paddle shift). Navigation, all leather, all high grade appointments, hardboot convert, etc etc etc. After looking through a bunch of info on the Maserati, he decided it was the car to buy. After all the things above said, it's also VERY rare.

Anyways, I wanted to run it by Autopia here to see their thoughts. I mean to be made by Ferrari and have all the appointments of one and then to be priced considerably less...you tell me what I'm missing

Here is the one he had his heart set on...2002 Spyder with 5k miles for $57,xxx

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6313

Thanks for any insight in advance

vdog0531 · 11-18-04, 11:31

ummm how about HELL YEAH! unfortunately my "extensive" car research has not ventured into that market seeing how i am a few years away from being able to afford that ("few" meaning many!), but hey, if they weren't a quality product, why would they still be around. its not like Ferrari makes a bad product! he should definatly get it, then you can do maybe some FMJ x billion and then top that with some trade secret or natty's

Vernon

MongooseGA · 11-18-04, 11:32

Love the color, but I've never been a fan of the Maseratis' shape. The boot remind me of a convertible Beetle, which isn't what I tend to think when I see an exotic. I'va always favored the Aston Martin's shape.

I've seen the cars on TV and other pictures, but it looks smaller. Might just be the dead on side shot.

Congrats!(well, to your Dad...

)

Who gets to do those wheels?

G35stilez · 11-18-04, 11:56

Clarification...He didn't purchase it (yet)...He's still in the deciding stage but he knows he pretty much wants one. He just wanted to see if there was a better buy out there. I figured the Autopian standard would allow the other options to come out

As far as the Aston Martin's...In that price range, the Aston DB7 Volante's were 6 cyls with only 335hp and an UGLY softboot.

MongooseGA · 11-18-04, 12:08

Yes, I agree with you on the boot of the Aston. I've been more patrial to the coupes myself.

Those wheels look like they'll be as hard to clean as BMW wheels!

I love the confiuration of the interior on said Maserati. Very clean and classy. Definitely looks like a custom job the way the console flows up to where the shifter [would] reside[s].

Lowejackson · 11-18-04, 12:35

Aston Martin, ugly? Surely you mean beautiful

From memory, I am sure there were some reported problems with the paddle shift buttons but for the life of me, I cannot remember what the issues were.

I Roll · 11-18-04, 12:48

If he is looking for a Grand Touring car, and not a hard core sports car, he probably can't do much better than that. If he wants a pure sports car, then there is definately a bunch of cars in that price range that can put up better numbers.

BoxsterCharlie · 11-18-04, 12:51

With the 2 caveats being that it is really a plush GT, and that you would definitely have to research the maintenance costs/reliablity, I'd give it a big thumbs up!

It is a beautiful car I have admired since it came out. The only comparable car I would like better would be a BMW Z8.

pigeonbus · 11-18-04, 02:12

Those are nice vehicles. Very rare, indeed. But the others listed are also amazing machines....the Mercedes SL's are B-E-A-UTIFUL! Except the new 2003-present body-style pretty much starts at $75,000 and goes way up, even for used. So I guess the Maserati is a bargain!

MongooseGA · 11-18-04, 03:13

That thing would look killer with some 1Z WPS after a nice layer of AIO.

Aurora40 · 11-18-04, 03:50

FYI, Maserati is *owned* by Ferrari. They aren't *made* by Ferrari. The engine is made by Ferrari, though.

I think they are attractive cars, there's a dealer right by where I work, and there are a couple in the garage where I park. But I'm not sure I'd buy one for the price. Honestly, I think a 348 would be kind of neater, or possibly save some money and get an 850 CSi (the last year of them seem to run in the 40's).

Has he considered a CTS-V? Just curious. And what do DB7 V12's tend to run? What about an XKR? They have similar style to the Aston. An Esprit V8 seems like it would be more of a head-turner, but I'd worry about the reliability.

:

G35stilez · 11-18-04, 04:29

Thanks for all the repsonses thus far.

LoweJackson: I'm referring to the convertible tucked away...or lack thereof. He will only use it on nice days so pretty much top down all the time. I don't see how you can spend that much money and not have the top stow away flush. Personally I'm a coupe guy and the Aston Martin Coupes are gorgeous!

I Roll: He bought his Cobra for muscle but doesn't use it much for that...ie: never tracked or dragged. Don't get me wrong, he loves to hit the back roads or an open freeway and open 'er up...but I don't think he needs or is looking for a pure muscle/sports car like a vette or something, just more of a quick car that handles and looks great.

Boxster Charlie: We will DEFINATLEY look into the maintenance before doing anything

Aurora: Owned by...built by...Along the lines of the same thing.

The downside to an 850 or 348 is the lacking of technology that the Maserati just supercedes in.

CTS-V is my dream machine...He thought about it but jumped on that 0% financing bandwagon with his current CTS. The DB7 posted above is a 97 (5 yrs older) with 19k miles (14k more) for $65,xxx (Buy It Now) (7k more)...To me it's a no brainer

Yeah I think reliability is definately an issue with any of these. It will be garaged all the time though and driven only on nice days. We'll see.

Thanks again for everyones input