Why does the Maserati brand get so much respect?

Trying to figure something out guys.

It seems Maserati gets much credit for bring a great brand yet I can't think of one model in my era (past 35 years) that was a great car. People have complained about the sketchy reliability record due to the biturbo, yet when have we ever seen a reliable Maserati? Can't imagine the 70's Maserati were anymore reliable.

I admit that their previous designs are unique (biturbo, ghibli, quattroporte), but would not agreed they were beautiful designs. I also found them not fun to drive being so front heavy.

But people are willing to pay a premium just for the Maserati brand, new coupes and Q car are priced more than Porsches, yet I'm not sure if it is justifably deserved. The only worthy component is the Ferrari influenced engine.

I know Maserati had a great racing past, how far can that heritage carry the company? Same as Aston Martin which has not put out a great product for past thirty years until recently.

What am I missing guys?

Like the Grand Sport at 70k and Q car at 70k, do not think they are worth more.

 

Who do you contend gives the Maserati brand so much respect? Other than the people that own one, everyone I know thinks of them as expensive unreliable cars that they are scared to even consider buying...

 

What are you missing? A lot!

From the late 50's - early 70's, Maseratis always had far superior build quality to Ferrari or Lamborghini. A famous restorer was once quoted as saying that when you look at the quality that went into a Ferrari & a Maserati, you soon realize why Ferrari made money and Maserati went broke.

They were known as the "Car of Kings" mainly due to the 5000 GT, which was flat out the fastest road car in the world. Their in line 6 engines are more powerful and smoother than similar engines from Jaguar, Mercedes or Aston Martin.

The Ghibli is considered by many of the world’s designers as the most beautiful sports car of its era, and among the best of all time. In 1971 Maserati introduced the Bora, Ferrari the Boxer, Lamborghini the LP 400 Countach and DeTomaso the Pantera. If you ever drove same year models of each of these cars, you quickly find out that the Bora is the best overall car by a wide marring. Not the fastest, but without a doubt the best package.
Innovations on the Bora were later used on cars such as the Acura NSX.

Also the Maserati V8 while not as powerful as its 12 cylinder counterparts from Ferrari or Lamborghini, it is a low stress engine that is far more reliable.

Maserati's bad reputation came from the Biturbo years, while the cars did have more than their share of problems. They really weren't as bad as their reputation. More than half the problems with the cars can be directly traced to either the owners or the Chrysler appointed dealers.

Joe

 

Very interesting response. Thanks!

 

Ford, Chevy and Chrysler were also consiered "great" cars in the 1950s...but, you do not stay a great company by resting on your laurels and depending on your past accomplishments though...

 

90 years of history.
The right mix between a supersport car and a luxury sedan.
You can feel the passion beating inside that engine.

This is Maserati.

 

just for your info i am on my third maserati and love every one them and have had no major problems. do you honestly think that no other car mfg have problems with their cars. would you like to start with M.B? or even ferrari? last year alone i put in more money in a piece of Sh-t MB than the maser.

 

what makes MASERATI a great brand?can you spare me a minute?
let's see...they were the only cars in the NAZI dominated mid to late
30's that tried to compete with the 540+bhp AUTO UNIONS(audi) and
MERCEDES'.despite having 250bhp and crap aerodynamics and little budget.
(the auto union type c "streamliner" of 1936 managed to hit 274mph,
on what looks like mountain bicycle tyres!!!!!!!!)
let's see....they were always a dominant force in formula one,who could forget FANGIO?
what makes maserati special is not only did they always filter tech from their race-cars to their production models,they actually BOTHERED to make fantastic roadcars while ferrari were making "road-legal" racecars,hence the bad build quality,lack of comfort,bad ergonomics(still,this led to ferrucio lamborghini's frustration with ferrari roadcars,and the rest is HISTORY!)
maseratis have always been about pace,grace and comfort.
think of them as italy's answer to aston martin.
today they suffer from lack of funds and support...and still they're capable of masterpieces such as the 3200gt,spyder and gorgeous QUATTROPORTE!

 

Well the Qporte is the best handling sedan in the world, powered by a Ferrari engine, thats pretty decent in my books

 

I thought that was Alfa Romeo??

 

Maserati:
15,000 miles so far with no problems
Handles good
390 hp
nice interior, leather everywhere
not too many around town
nice lines
add tubi for audible enhancement

Whats not to like.

If the car didnt look good, ride good, feel good, sound good. I wouldnt have bought it.

I did check out the 911s before buying the maserati.

 

Very cool to know!
I also recommend watching "Victory by Design: Maserati" to complete the package of appreciating this venerable marque.

btw, the Alfa DVD is just as enjoyable!

 

That's what I was missing, their glory days were before my era.

I personally take a GS over a Porsche anyday.

 

you need to get new friends.
and for 14 months you cannot decide whether to get a QP or not.
you must be scared to even consider buying.

 

It deserves more respect! And to be its own company away from Fiat/Ferrari...

 

That's what I love about the marque!
Cheers

 

i bought my wife a quattroporte for Xmas, and the toss up was a CLS55 heap of **** benz, the maser is unique the benz is what someone here once said "something that is a status symbol in the subdivisions or trailer park" a maser a style plus
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very nice color choice, congrats!

 

Odd I daily drove one and had absolutely no problems minus the front tires that popped. Funny how everyone who thinks they're expensive unreliable cars fails to realize you can get a used 02 coupe or spyder for $55-60k and they're reliable from most owners I've spoken to who have cared for their cars.

Expensive for a breathtaking Italian car with Ferrari components? Hardly

Unreliable? Speak for yourself if you've never owned one.

 

While I have never owned one, during my decision making investigation on deciding between a new e60 M5 amd a Q-Porte I did speak with the mechanics at the dealer that have told me what they have had to repair on the cars...after they were flatbedded in! As a result thereof, I placed an order for a new M5 last Friday, I just couldn't pass up the 507hp with German quality and reliability ; Silverstone metallic interior with Indianapolic red full leather and Olive Ash wood trim interior. I should get the car in June...

 

Did you ask the BMW mechanics the same questions? You maybe suprised at the answers you recieve on the myth of German quality & reliability.


Joe

 

I was gonna say ... my last BMW ('02) was fun to drive but I sold it before the warranty was up. It took 2-3 weeks to get a service appointment at the dealer because they were always booked. Both power windows went bad, the automatic tranny clunked when downshifting at a stop, the sunroof mechanism had to be replaced due to a recall and the front brakes were done for $600 before the car hit 20K miles (after shedding more brake dust than any car I've owned). The car also stalled in traffic. I could restart it, but I wouldn't vouch for German quality anymore. Driving feel, sure. I loved that car.

At the same time, my SLK needed a new dashboard at 7K miles because the electronics on the "old" one went bad.

I'm beginning to think the choice is Lexus vs. Car with character.

 

During my investigation before I purchased my Spyder, I had everyone telling me the cars were unreliable. Everyone would tell me these horror stories of someone they knew or their uncle that had one. I actually did not hear one positive comment on the car, after buying one I found alot of these people hear myths and everyone who told me to stay away had never owned a Maserati 4200. I'm not saying there aren't any real horror stories out there about the cars but they're not as common as everybody thinks.

 

I did...and while my BMW dealer has had some new e60 M5s in for repairs, none have been flatbeddded in thus far...I bought my e39 M5 new in 3/00 and have had no problems with it that required a flatbed except a tire blow-out while in Florida. I have had a few minor problems such as erratic idle and LED malfunction in dash though .

 

FYI, brakes are covered for 4 years or 50k miles on ALL BMWs sold after MY 2000. So, if you paid $600 for new brakes, I would go to the dealer and demand my money back. And, why would you get an slushbox in a Bimmer?...not the sign of an auto enthusiast! Like a great sage once said "... driving an automatic is like hiring someone to make love to your wife...it gets the job done but it is much more fun to do it yourself..." Maybe the M cars are just built better because I have had an e34 M5, an 46 M3 and currently own an e39 M5 and have had only a few problems with any of them and have never had a problem that required a flatbed...