the Biturbo Market | Page 3 | FerrariChat

the Biturbo Market

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by 67bmer, Oct 16, 2019.

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  1. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    No offense but I think you have a profound misunderstanding of what historically the Biturbo market has been in the USA. A few of salient points:

    1. Most of the examples here in the USA are either total wrecks or are saddled with a ton of deferred maintenance.
    2. The launch of the Biturbo in the USA in 1984 was a disaster. I bought one and still operate it. I hasn't been easy but I love the car.
    3. Maserati abandoned the US market in 1990 and if the truth is told they just want these cars to go away.
    4. The knowledge base for how to work on these cars is pretty damn slim. Most mechanics don't want to even try.
    5. Parts availability is no where near as good as that of your comparison vehicles.
    6. Interior repairs can be quite expensive and finding the materials is not easy.
    7. They are NOT quite as ruggedly built as those other cars.
    8. Do they actually deserve the horrid reputation they have here? Probably not but you can't fight the market.
     
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  2. 67bmer

    67bmer Formula 3
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  3. AbarthDave1

    AbarthDave1 Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2015
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    I have a 228 on Ebay right now. It's a project but only has 18k miles. One of 40ish 5 speeds imported. Arguably the ultimate Biturbo.
     
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  4. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #54 staatsof, Mar 12, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2022
    This car was 5 miles from house in NJ but could never get the guy to keep an appointment to have a look see. Congrads on getting him to show up. Looks like it could be a nice car one day with a lot of work. At least it's not a basket case like so many.
     
  5. AbarthDave1

    AbarthDave1 Formula Junior

    Nov 7, 2015
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    I bought it from a baker in Philly. I actually thought it was in better shape than it is body wise. I always liked the silver/tan combo. I also have a good blue/oyster 228. I'm buying a commercial building so I am thinning the cars down. My blue 228 will probably go sooner than later.
     
  6. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    :rolleyes: That's the worst MY to own. Nice condition though. Just fine for a museum I suppose. An 87 would have looked the same, been far more reliable and run much better. Folks didn't do their homework.
     
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  7. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    May 10, 2006
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    Yeah 86 MY were a disaster. In Cozza's book he notes warning Detomaso about these carbureted turbo engines from the get-go, in the dyno room from what I recall, which of course fell entirely on deaf ears.
     
  8. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    It's that particular year, different carb ... one with an automatic choke, that's awful. The 84 & 85 can run quite nicely but with a manual choke too many morons were leaving the choke on and overheating the catalysts. That caused fires sometimes. Maserati couldn't afford the Bosch FI and only the Marelli after they got a deal. Besides after the encouraging results they got from the Merak Turbo I guess they thought well OK let's do it. In retrospect (Monday morning quarterbacking) they should have introduce the car to the USA in 87 with that system. But if you know what you're doing you can male the *$ & 85 cars work very nicely if not emissions legally. ;) The 86 just needs a manifold swap & carb from a 84/85 but that 3SPD auto and torque converter ... ugh!
     
  9. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    This one on BAT looks like a winner to me. Tons of recent service to fix a lot of things, crazy amount really. There's a dent in front left fender which is curious. Looks to me like the front seats have been re-painted. Now this is the earlier style spider but with FI so it has the earlier style seats which are far more comfortable and durable IMHO.

    https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-maserati-bi-turbo/
     
  10. 67bmer

    67bmer Formula 3
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    I can't wait to see if it gets more than the 86 auto!
    If it does, maybe biturbos are garnering some respect, if it doesn't, then it was a fluke...
     
  11. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    I actually told a couple friends two years ago, one of which's father owned the Maserati dealer in Pittsburg until Maserati left in the 90s, that biturbos would be the next Italian 'boxy' styled car to be far more collectible as there are so few survivors and everything Italian and 80s is a 'thing' now
     
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  12. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    That 86 WAS an idiots fluke. The 87's are decent cars because of FI and 5spd transmission.

    These will never be as sought after as BMW special model cars like the M3. They are also light years harder and more expensive to get worked on because there are damn few techs that know how. Apparently that dealer in Boston might be one of them. Algar in Philly was another if the techs are still there.

    This one should be a $10K to $15K car. We have a member here, Ivan, who's a long time Maserati specialist. He bought a distressed 89 and cleaned it up. He drove it for a while and then sold it on BAT as well. I think he actually made money on the car. This car is more original looking than his was and it has the better seats.
     
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  13. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Some one staked out the $15,000 position last night. I bet even that doesn't cover the service costs.
     
  14. 67bmer

    67bmer Formula 3
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    Will a rising tide lift all boats?

    I could be wrong, but I don't think that is the original radiator (103, 109) and the cover is missing. I suspect the antenna is also replaced. Otherwise, it's probably one of the nicest ones I have seen for sale!

    How about that Ghibli?
    https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-maserati-ghibli-3/

    I thought they had V8's, DOHC, and direct ignition?
    I guess the styling is loved or hated, I am the latter, but thought they were awesome cars.
     
  15. F1tommy

    F1tommy F1 World Champ
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    The Ghibli looks ok, but why on earth would he import an auto instead of a manual?
     
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  16. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    No V8. The later ones ABS, direct ignition and yes 4 valves per cylinder. This a 2.8K I beleive. Maserati sold most of those configured with the automatic. Not as fun to drive.

    These are much harder to maintain, almost zero parts in the USA so Eurospares or if you know a Dealer in the UK, Meridien is great. Parts are getting very hard to find. No collector value for this unlike the Shamal or Ghibli Cup cars. There are a ton of very ignorant replies on BAT. Caveat Emptor for anything stated on there.
     
  17. 67bmer

    67bmer Formula 3
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  18. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Things are a bit nuts. A really nice Bora sold for over $310K a couple of days ago. It had sold a little over a year ago for $170K+

    I guess it's that 7-8% inflation ... LOL!

    This Biturbo spider is a much better car than that 86.
     
  19. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    The same guy bought both the 86 & the 87 ...
     
  20. 67bmer

    67bmer Formula 3
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    I noticed that too! But you can't discount the runner up bid. I wonder what he will do with two? I hope he/she shows up and introduces themselves!

    I am not sure about the radiators. I noticed both cars have the same radiator and neither has a cover over it like the 89s. Ours are brass/copper and those two are aluminum/plastic. They were crazy times, I can't say for sure what is original.
     
  21. Mexico074

    Mexico074 Formula 3

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    Glad to see some good news on Biturbos for a change !!!

    On my 85 Biturbo the radiator is aluminum/plastic.. I believe this is original as I
    never changed/upgraded the radiator.. I think I have one or two spares of aluminum/plastic ones...

    Mike
     
  22. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Oh BMW, Audi. Jaguar have all gone to the plastic end tanks and aluminum radiators. Fingers crossed ... mine is still original but I think a larger capacity surely would be of benefit.
    All Aluminum ones from China are all over the internet. I'm certain the quality and warranty are both stellar ... :rolleyes:
     
  23. 67bmer

    67bmer Formula 3
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  24. 67bmer

    67bmer Formula 3
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    There certainly is a market now!!
    Sold for $48,500 on 5/12/22
    I will be interested to see if any more nice ones show up if they are not in the queue already.
     
  25. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Pure insanity.
     

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