Interesting idea here. If one was going to buy a nice Italian GT car, here are two fine choices. The Maser is 40% less expensive and a few years newer. Also available in a snappy convertable and with paddle shift if one so desires. This seems like quite a lot of car for the money. The 550 gives you that gloriuos ferrari 12 cylinder, and 0-60 about 1/2 second quicker, (would you even notice this on the street?). Has anyone here ever owned one of each? Let's hear some pros and cons!
Yup, had a Maser Spyder F1, went to a recent 550 afterwards Wow, what a difference. The 550 is in a very different league. That has nothing to do with just figures. Drive both, and you'll want the 550-
I've got both at the moment although technically the Maser is my Wife's 550 is sublime, just did over 2k miles in Europe and it didn't miss a beat, easy to cross Countries, more than adequate space and sounds fantastic with a Tubi only thing I don't like is heavy gearchange but that is a minor grumble o na fantastic car Maserati is great, I love the CC gearbox and the engine noise is real Nascar, loads of grunt as well, some of the detailing could be a little better and the electrics have a bit of a mind of their own but the Cabin's a nice place to be! pics at http://www.collinsclan.co.uk/Pages/Cars/Carpage.html
Nice website, Mark. Could either of you, or anyone else for that matter, add an EDUCATED guess as to future depreciation of these cars? I'd guess the used 550's are going to drop slowly from here. Meanwhile, the Maserati's have dropped 50% in just 3 years! How long can this continue?
Wax i take that as a compliment I'm looking for a 575 at the moment as I love the F1 boxes also I'm looking at the car below, bit of fun for track alongside the Caterham Powder coated frame (grey) Brand new body in BRG Properly plated suspension, calipers etc. Proper magnesium wobbly web wheels Original seat, wheel, fittings throughout Tuned Kawasaki engine (150hp) with integral 6 speed box Quaife reversing differential Fastidious attention to detail Image Unavailable, Please Login
Compliment it remains. What with the fastidious attention to detail on this Formula Jr sized companion you're considering, you don't-a have to speak-a the language-a to appreciate the finer points on http://www.stanguellini.it/ Once there, Click on Storia and Modelli for fotos & storias. For example, in '57, Lotus & Stanguellini did the 440 kg, Webered, Mk.11.
No disrespect to the Maser, the 550 at the right price is the right car. My daily driver is a 645 and the 550 is a weekend car. I had not driven it for approx 2 weeks and took it out yesterday and it is just a great car. IMO, there is not even a comparison , candidly when I was considering an F car the Maser did not even come in to the picture , it was the 550 or 575 all the way. Over the past 4 years I have wanted a garage queen and cycled a lot of nice cars, from XKR, SL 500, SL55, CL 55 , several 996 - turbo and Bi's , but if you want to own a good car that is also exotic, rare and will hold its value a well purchased 550 with the right mileage will do it . Alican 1
Alcan, I agree--I've done the same, a bit of cycling of similar cars but the 550 is one that will not be so easily dismissed from my garage. However, I still have the same basic question...what is a two or three year Maser Spyder in excellent condition with low miles and the Cambriocosa option (F1 type box) worth in today's market versus what it cost new from the dealer? Is is comparable to a new Corvette convertible in price and/or performance? (remember: Z06 doesn't come topless).... If so, is it a better buy in this market given this value matrix and future depreciation?
550. with Ferrari out of the maserati business and FIAT taking it back over (are they tagging ot with the Alfa's slaes line???), prices will drop like a rock. Get the Ferrari. There is nothing like one of these cars.
Henry '04 Cars onwards are much better, not fully resolved but better. As to value my car although in the UK may give a view of values. Others re residuals It was list around £74k, it was pre registered by the dealer (a ploy to claim better sales or meet manufacturer sales targets for rebates etc) then sold ot a Markettign Company ot be given away in a competition for Vodafone. It spent 12 months of it's life moving around phone showrooms, then was won by a 20 year old student!, He couldn't get insurance so it came back to the dealer. I paid £45k with the car 15 months old and 400 Miles on the clock!. 5n reality in a further 3 years time and say 30k miles I expect it will be worth circa £20k
