Thread: Is there a Quatraporte Buyers guide somewhere?

Im looking at getting a quatraporte in the not so distance future (im not a very impulsive buyer especially with cars) and other than the early ZF transmission "issues" Im really at a loss as to what else to watch for or even what else was changed from year to year. So any help would be appreciated.

I dont own a Maserati, but I was looking into getting a QP not too long ago (about a year ago now) and I've keep hearing that the Transmissions are pretty much made out of glass and they're not just the most reliable things out there. For parts, you're paying almost Ferrari prices and whatnot. I would say do your research and then have a private mechanic go with you to look at the car and see how it is. Preferably one that knows Italian cars.

Originally Posted by Audi_Jim

I dont own a Maserati, but I was looking into getting a QP not too long ago (about a year ago now) and I've keep hearing that the Transmissions are pretty much made out of glass and they're not just the most reliable things out there. For parts, you're paying almost Ferrari prices and whatnot. I would say do your research and then have a private mechanic go with you to look at the car and see how it is. Preferably one that knows Italian cars.

That was my impression of the ZF transaxle (aka pre 2007) but i had heard the new automatica was much better. Plus i didnt like the way that old transmission shifted, too jerky.


Ok now heres a question.... which transmission is the duo select?

i remember Club 411 telling me that his Q transmission gave him some issues, and its not the first time either it has come across; id be weary of it

I have a QP and so far its been solid. This car is my daily driver. I also did alot of research and stayed away from the pre '07 fully auto ones. Of course to each his own... this is my daily driver so I needed the auto. It's a ZF transmission and probably one of the best in the world (according to all the research I did).

That being said.. it is an italian exotic car so things that go wrong will cost you more than if you had a honda accord. I would expect to pay double what you would a normal high-end luxury car (MB, BMW, Audi) to care and maintain your QP. The average thinking is anywhere from 2k to 5k a year.

That being said... the car is incredible to drive and to own. It's not like every other bimmer on the street and they are fairly rare and certainly turn heads.

for the money you can not beat it IMHO. You can expect to pick up an '07 for about 45-60k depending upon condition and mileage. The higher end if you get one on warranty still. And it might be worth your peace of mind to pay a bit of a premium to get one at a dealer with an extended warranty (100k). The only way you can get extended it to buy from an authorized dealer while it's still covered.

My car has random squeaks and has some odd behavior every once in awhile much more than my previous BMW 750, but hey that's personality! She's my quirky, eclectic italian mistress and I would not trade her for the world!

Good luck shopping.


Jim

Originally Posted by BlackQP

I have a QP and so far its been solid. This car is my daily driver. I also did alot of research and stayed away from the pre '07 fully auto ones. Of course to each his own... this is my daily driver so I needed the auto. It's a ZF transmission and probably one of the best in the world (according to all the research I did).

So wait im confused now, it though the early cars where "duo select" or the F1 system from ferrari and that was what was a major downside to these cars and you really wanted an 07 or later (automatica).

Originally Posted by BlackQP

For the money you can not beat it IMHO. You can expect to pick up an '07 for about 45-60k depending upon condition and mileage. The higher end if you get one on warranty still. And it might be worth your peace of mind to pay a bit of a premium to get one at a dealer with an extended warranty (100k). The only way you can get extended it to buy from an authorized dealer while it's still covered.

My car has random squeaks and has some odd behavior every once in awhile much more than my previous BMW 750, but hey that's personality! She's my quirky, eclectic italian mistress and I would not trade her for the world!

This is exactly what i expected, i dont want a sterile german saloon, nothing against em just not for me, I want something that still can somewhat blend in but has that touch of flair and flamboyancy and this car seems to fill that bill perfectly. Plus the sound.... the heavenly sound is impossible to beat in a DD. Thanks for the input


Do you have any major points to look out for as well.
ALso whats the easiest way to tell a "S" from a "sport GTS"?

From 2005- early 2007 all qp's came with the dou-select transmission. Late 2007 an on came with the ZF full automatic transmission. The duo-select is A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, stop trying to drive it like an automatic and complain about it being jerky, it's not an automatic and NEVER will be. The difference between an "S" model and a GT-S are, exhaust, suspension, and some interior pieces but not much else. These are solid cars and a great alternative to the boring BMW's. Mercedes and Lexus.

I like the quattroporte and explored the possibility of maybe purchasing one in the future but then I realized that I can get a nice m5 with warranty for about the same price, more fun and reliable and will spank it left and right.

I had the same choice essentially.... M5 vs. QP. Again, for me the M5 is a dime a dozen and though it's sweet.... they are nothing special when you see them often. The QP is something you rarely see on the streets and brings that exclusivity I was looking for.

My opinion anyway and that's why i made the choice for the Maser.

Brooks... no one is saying the duo select is a auto transmission. But it is jerky as hell in traffic which is where I spend 1/4 of my driving so for me it was not an option.

i too looked at getting a 08 or a 09 QP gts and ended up getting a Porsche Panamera v6. It is my DD and I did a lot of research. I need to get to the office and dont have the time to deal with the crap that goes along with owning a car that I can not count on. I had and have had many german cars and they are the best IMHO for a DD. I do have a ferrari 360 spider with tons and tons of mods and agree that the italian cars are just freakin sexy and there no other car that sounds or gives you the feel of sitting in her.