The official Maserati Merak Value thread

I'll bet it sounded glorious!

 

Before I realized what I had I done. I need a source of the most recent Merak SS sales. Would possibly point me in the correct direction? Needed for insurance valuation

 

Even though nothing broke he could still have damage though. I've done the same thing at the track with a missed shift and later on when the engine was apart the valves no longer seated well.

A leakdown test will reveal the story.

 

Possibly, I know the redline starts at 6,500 but if it was just s quick trip to 8K maybe ok. Like you said need leak down test.

 

So, where is the Market for a Merak? How big, how much?

 

Thanks. Now I need to find a shop😩. The local one o have been using really screwed up. He is really sharp but Rewired the QP3. Installed a battery cut off. I got in to start the car and it burnt to the ground. Fire department said that the fire started at the battery. Mechanic says it is not his fault sure. He has no garage keepers insurance. I pissed. This week he burnt the Ferrari SD computer up first day. I dun with him. No recourse to recover money. Turnip. So unless I can fix it the cars will set. Some have been setting for ten years or more. I may try changing the 12 weber jets in the 365 this week. I was told it takes less than 30 min. Stay tuned

 

Hi Mitchell,

far be it from me to tell you how to run your business or restore your cars, but I get the impression that you get more than your share of bad luck with quite a few shops and mechanics, based on the stuff you post here.

Maybe some of the good people here on the list, who've restored (or had restored) numerous cars on their own could suggest some reputable, and trustworthy places for you to get your cars done? I'm sure that between Ivan, Frank, Bob, and many other long standing list members, they could connect you with places that won't give you all the stress and hassle you seem to find otherwise.

I'm sure they've all been "burned" at some point themselves and can give you a few tips as to who to avoid, and who does good work.

Just a random thought and constructive suggestion on an early Sunday morning.

 

Let me tell you about the results. First Maserati. Sent it to MAG Columbus. Ohio in 2003. The car had less that 2,000 miles. I sent it up by car transport. MAG CLSIMED THERE WAS NO KEY told me to haul it out or buy a $4,700 key kit. My first dealings. Went to get the car and they charge me for five shocks. At $1,100 ea. pay or no car. 😡. Second education. Bought two Merrak SS and a Bora. Took to a local recommended shop. David Hume. Green fluid specialist as well as Maserati. He had a Bore already in the shop. What I did not know the poor guy's car had been there 12 years! Results 40,000 dollars later. Bora heads were planed with a body grinder. Neither Merak had more than 5 lbs of oil pressure. More to come

 

So now up to 2004. Sent the three, Bora and two Meraks to Columbus Ohio. That is where Bora head problem was found. Intake full of water! Carbs needed overhaul on all three cars.

 

While that was I process I bought three Ferrari V12's one week and sent them there without seeing them. So the shop now had six of my cars. The first three came back. I was so happy they all ran perfect. Idled at 800RPM and started on the first turn. BUT. 😡 the two Meraks still had only 5 lbs. of oil pressure. I called about that and the friendly owner did not want to talk about the problem. At that point two of the three Ferrari were back. One left had the motor out. Cost estimate kept going up every time I called. From $12,000 to $30,000. With a $8,000 bill just for the estimate I hauled it back in boxes. Obama gets elected. My customer base died. Income dropped in one month from $250,000 to less than $100,000😳. Every thing got parked 2007

 

Has the capacity to work on 40 cars at a time. Big place. Fast forward to 2013. I sold real estate and paid all debt��. Shipped the 365 to Canada. Highly recommended shop. Other cars went to another shop in Columbus. Two 400ai, a Ferrari 550 two Maserati. Well established shop with know none problems. What I did not know. The mechanic left and opened his own shop. Every car became a nightmare. $100,000 later I got all back home. Added note. I just about got kicked off here for saying shop names and telling my story. That is why we never find out about these things

 

Have you thought about sticking to just Fords and Chevys instead?

You have the some of the worst stories with service garages and cars.

If it makes you feel any better I know of people with nice cars and years of exotic ownership that also have received rotten service from well know places, places you've heard of too. They had to go elsewhere and many tens of thousands of dollars later it gets fixed.

That being said "stuff" can happen at ANY shop and it's how they deal with it that counts.

You can't just hand them them the keys and expect it all to come out perfectly IMHO and when the fan does stop dead with huge turd on it you have to be willing to confront them and work with them. If that's impossible then you really are at the wrong shop.

I think I can honestly say that I've had my cars damaged in some way at almost every shop I've used. But I've never needed an attorney. I think only one shop did I just walk away from because in the end the dollar amount was about $300. Document everything you want to have done in writing and get them to respond to it. That's what saved me earlier this year when I had to pull my Espada's interior from a shop. But I lost almost a year in the process. When people know your on top of everything there's less shenanigans but "stuff" can still happen ... everyone is human.

I hope you can get your many errant irons back in the right fire and forge ahead.
Perhaps you should hire a collection manager? It might be cheaper in the end.

Gary, fellow Espada owner over in the Espada thread, didn't have it exactly easy with his Espada but managed to end up with a wonderful car eventually. He like the guys at RM in Canada a lot.

 

I though about hiring him. But I can do the job just as well. Besides it only cost me 25 cents😉

 

Listing to my e bay buys. The last two are Chrysler 300's. 62-64'. Real tanks😄

 

Of these losses would be avoided if we were allowed to post our problems and the shops names

 

Cars all home now. Big long list got whittled down a lot. Still every car had issues. 550 cannot keep the climate control functioning consistent. No AC. Of course it's summer😀. Right now no car has AC. Wait! The 91' Camray does. First thing tomorrow the 1966 Chrysler 300 convertible goes to MAACO FOR A MONTH. Hope they can do a semi pro job.

 

WOW you are having MAACO paint your car????? Really? May I ask exactly how much they are charging you? The last restoration project we did the paint materials, sandpaper, tape, etc. cost $1,500. The materials were purchased thru a good friend's body shop so I reaped the benefit of his discount. One gets what he or she pays for.

 

This should be interesting😉. 1966 Chrysler 300 convertible. I told the manager there was no cap on cost. Their top price $1,750. The 550 I had done, paint was $4,000 a pint. I was told this will be about a month

 

Can we get back to Merak values?

 

Posted on the wrong thread. Sorry folks. Chalk this up to old geezer

 

Was topped quickly

 

Forgive me for being slightly off thread, but who exactly manages the Merak Registry at Maserati Merak Registry » Everything about the Merak! ?

Thank you,

Henry.

 

Hi,

Thank you.

It says on the Merak Registry site that "This website is controlled by the Merak Group, a few individuals who share their passion for the Merak."

I was wondering if Dimitrios M***********, who attended the recent Grande Raduno Merak, is one of those passionate individuals.

Henry.