Newer Maserati?

One of my neighbors rolled his Maserati . The insurance company totaled it. But all the mechanical bits are supposed to be still good.  It's been under a tarp for about a year while waiting for the settlement.  
   I can have it for the $1000 deductible. Am I crazy thinking it would make a cool base for a retro kit car?  
    Or is it  going to be massively too expensive?  He was mentioning he'd just spent over $5000.  Doing the 30,000 miles service. 
     Is this a case of run don't walk away. Or can parts be found for these at affordable prices?  

In reply to frenchyd :

I remember some previous discussion here that the transmission was the weak/expensive link. I posted some questions here about an opportunity I had to buy a cheap running/driving one about 7-8 years ago & the overwhelming consensus was run - don't walk - away.

That said, mating the engine to another trans shouldn't require much more than machining an adaptor plate, right? So as an engine donor it might not be the worst choice, as long as you(or the future owners) are ok with Ferrari prices for engine parts/service. 

Not knowing exactly what year or model you are talking about, I would think the parts could be prohibitively expensive to buy


Which is a perfectly good reason to part it out.   I would research prices first, but there is a good chance you could make many times over your $1K purchase price.

In reply to frenchyd :

Something here just seems like it doesn't add up to your ability to get the car for $1k.  

The car has just over 30k miles (low mile, might mean it is newer and has a high value.)  

But, a Maserati likely depreciates quickly.  This depreciated value might be the reason that one year after the accident the owner has not yet settled with the insurance company.  

I would advance with caution buying a car (for $1k) from someone who might not be the sole title holder with a lender and an insurance company still in the picture (accident still unsettled.)

I'm guessing something like this:

$30,000 what the guy owes on the Maserati

$25,000 -1,000 deductible = $24,000 what the insurance company will pay out

$24,000 - $5,000 salvage value (buy back price) = $19,000 the insurance company will pay out if he chooses to keep the car.

Guy owes $30k but if he accepts the $24k then the insurance company wants the car to sell at auction.  If the guy accepts the $24k he IMMEDIATELY has to come up with the $6k to pay off the loan.  Since the guy doesn't like this (and thinks the insurance should pay the whole $30k) then he still has possession of the car and he is still making monthly payments on a car he can not drive.  

If he takes the $19k then he still possess a car that he owes $30k to the bank but can not drive.  He'll need to spend even more to get the car fixed and back on the road.  He then is still not the sole name on the title and he can not sell you the car until he has paid the bank the full $30k.  

Or, am I reading your post wrong?  Are you saying that now that a year has passed he has finally reached a settlement and holds free and clear title?  Really make sure he is the sole owner with no liens from the bank or insurance company.

It really depends on which model we're talking about, and if you're looking at a manual, cambicorsa or real automatic transmission. The Cambicorsa (automated manual) is notorious for eating clutches, which is probably one reason why the 30k service was so expensive. Clutch lifetime with the cambicorsa is supposed to be around 15k miles...

That said, the parts prices on these are very Ferrari like as a lot of the mechanical bits are Ferrari.

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) said:

It really depends on which model we're talking about, and if you're looking at a manual, cambicorsa or real automatic transmission. The Cambicorsa (automated manual) is notorious for eating clutches, which is probably one reason why the 30k service was so expensive. Clutch lifetime with the cambicorsa is supposed to be around 15k miles...

That said, the parts prices on these are very Ferrari like as a lot of the mechanical bits are Ferrari.

We are going to assume this is a 2001-2009 4200

The cambicorsa model is a paddle shift  , sort of an automatic but  not , 

clutch jobs are $5000-$8000 ,  a key is $500 not programmed and on and on , 

if it has 3 pedals , then someone would buy it to convert a  cambicorsa.

The 2002 model was $82,000 new , now they seem to be $15-20,000.

But the Engine looks cool  , makes great noises and would look great in a Miata :)

Hey - for $1000 it would make a great coffee table! (Pic is Miura, but you get the idea)

He (like many of my neighbors)  left for Florida before I could ask him much about it.  It's kinda a thing locally stay 'til after Christmas then snowbird away. If I remember it correctly it's a 4 door.  I couldn't remember much other than the trident in the grill.  
    His other car is a Porsche turbo.  Plus he has one of the nicer houses in the neighborhood.  
Situation with the car last I saw it it still looks straightish but there isn't a straight piece of sheet metal or unbroken piece of glass.  All 4 wheels looked straight and held air. 
     My wacko thought is to pull the mechanical bits, suspension etc. Weld  up a Birdcage frame and build a fiberglass birdcage body. The metal for the tubes wouldn't be more than a few hundred dollars. Since the cost of the mold doesn't matter. I'll only have a few hundred there too. 
Challenge budget?  

It wouldn't be Challenge legal without either factory frame rails or body.

If that was your ultimate goal.

Cooter said:

Not knowing exactly what year or model you are talking about, I would think the parts could be prohibitively expensive to buy


Which is a perfectly good reason to part it out.   I would research prices first, but there is a good chance you could make many times over your $1K purchase price.

You are most certainly right. 7 years ago a guy I worked with bought a relatively cheap  Maserati that needed a brake job. found out brake rotors were $7000  pads were $1300 and caliper rebuild kits were $630. 
He took everything apart and started ordering parts for Chevy pickups,  Dodge vans, etc. did the whole Job for $600. 

In reply to frenchyd :

What?  You find Jaguars too reliable and decided you need more of a challenge?

Cooter said:

It wouldn't be Challenge legal without either factory frame rails or body.

If that was your ultimate goal.

There is a Maserati 450S running around the vintage circles with modern mechanicals  and a recreated aluminum body. Since a tube frame is easy peasy  maybe that's the way to go.  I've got an English wheel.  sandbags, and body hammers.  Now all I have to do is find old Cinzano signs and you won't be able to tell the difference. 
 

Dont I remember a Datsun 240Z with a fiberglass front end? 

If it's a Quattroporte V, I'd go for it. If it's a Ghibli, that's a hard nope.

If it is in an insurance company lockup then they would auction it for best dollar and not sell privately. If it is in your neighbors yard then it seems funny that he has it and not the insurer, who would want to protect their investment. You sure he was not drunk and is fighting the denied claim? 

A couple years ago a maserati V8 popped up on craigslist. It was complete, with a five speed and four webers. I knew nothing about it but I still kick myself for not buying it. It was pretty cheap. 

Frenchy, go build the Jag rusting in your driveway. Your woman isn't going to like you bringing home a wrecked car no matter what it is or what your intentions are because you haven't done anything with the one sitting there awaiting your attention.

NOT A TA said:

Frenchy, go build the Jag rusting in your driveway. Your woman isn't going to like you bringing home a wrecked car no matter what it is or what your intentions are because you haven't done anything with the one sitting there awaiting your attention.

Just incase you miss it, Frenchy 

G_Body_Man (Forum Supporter) said:

If it's a Quattroporte V, I'd go for it. If it's a Ghibli, that's a hard nope.

I'd say, only if the QP has a proper auto box. And I don't think Hoovie had too much luck with his, either.

NOT A TA said:

Frenchy, go build the Jag rusting in your driveway. Your woman isn't going to like you bringing home a wrecked car no matter what it is or what your intentions are because you haven't done anything with the one sitting there awaiting your attention.

You're probably right. Although I see no rust on it.  As long as it's not driven on salt encrusted roads it's no worse than rain falling on it.  But I just last night I finished clearing out one side of the garage to get her car inside. My truck is still outside and probably will be for the rest of the winter  

Chances are he's gone until the ice is off the lake ( (Typically around April 15th )  so it's safely tucked away until then.  But you're right. At my age Ive got maybe a couple of cars in me and I'm determined to do the MGuar next. 

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) said:

It really depends on which model we're talking about, and if you're looking at a manual, cambicorsa or real automatic transmission. The Cambicorsa (automated manual) is notorious for eating clutches, which is probably one reason why the 30k service was so expensive. Clutch lifetime with the cambicorsa is supposed to be around 15k miles...

That said, the parts prices on these are very Ferrari like as a lot of the mechanical bits are Ferrari.

Doesn't the idea of Ferrari mechanicals tingle your spine though?  At that price will it it be the one that got away?  

John Welsh said:

I'm guessing something like this:

$30,000 what the guy owes on the Maserati

$25,000 -1,000 deductible = $24,000 what the insurance company will pay out

$24,000 - $5,000 salvage value (buy back price) = $19,000 the insurance company will pay out if he chooses to keep the car.

Guy owes $30k but if he accepts the $24k then the insurance company wants the car to sell at auction.  If the guy accepts the $24k he IMMEDIATELY has to come up with the $6k to pay off the loan.  Since the guy doesn't like this (and thinks the insurance should pay the whole $30k) then he still has possession of the car and he is still making monthly payments on a car he can not drive.  

 

If he takes the $19k then he still possess a car that he owes $30k to the bank but can not drive.  He'll need to spend even more to get the car fixed and back on the road.  He then is still not the sole name on the title and he can not sell you the car until he has paid the bank the full $30k.  

 

Or, am I reading your post wrong?  Are you saying that now that a year has passed he has finally reached a settlement and holds free and clear title?  Really make sure he is the sole owner with no liens from the bank or insurance company.

I didn't question him about things like that.  I just stumbled on him shoving it further into the corner and when he banged it into the wall was the first time he told me what happened. And offered it to me.  
   I'm guessing it took a year to settle everything  but I don't know.  You could be right but then why didn't either the bank or insurance company come and get it?  The Guys been living there nearly as long as I have. 
Besides; Race car

frenchyd said:

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) said:

It really depends on which model we're talking about, and if you're looking at a manual, cambicorsa or real automatic transmission. The Cambicorsa (automated manual) is notorious for eating clutches, which is probably one reason why the 30k service was so expensive. Clutch lifetime with the cambicorsa is supposed to be around 15k miles...

That said, the parts prices on these are very Ferrari like as a lot of the mechanical bits are Ferrari.

Doesn't the idea of Ferrari mechanicals tingle your spine though?  At that price will it it be the one that got away?  

I wouldn't complain about Ferrari bits , but I think this is one of the cars that you have to go into with your eyes wide open as it's got the abilities to savage your wallet in a way that makes a Jaguar look like a playful kitten.

frenchyd said:

    Or is it  going to be massively too expensive?  He was mentioning he'd just spent over $5000.  Doing the 30,000 miles service. 
     Is this a case of run don't walk away. Or can parts be found for these at affordable prices?  

Yes it will be expensive.  The driveline does not care what it is in it will still cost $$$$ to maintain.  If you are good with that then go for it.  They do make glorious noises!!!

Hi was an old Grassroots post from years ago , it was about a Craigslist ad for a Maserati 2004 

Don't need a 16k Paperweight? Of course you don't! How about an Italian money toilet!

Some of you may recognize this as a 2004 Maserati Coupe' (also known as the 4200 GT). Don't let that gorgeous Italian body fool you though, this car is Satan's chariot to Hell (or bankruptcy). 

I do not exaggerate when I say that this car has been in the shop HALF the time I have owned it. In the last 6 months, I have put ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS into it in parts and labor and the thing still isn't right.

I'm not rich. I'm just an average dude that always wanted a Maserati. Since I was a kid I lusted after those Italian curves and exhaust note. Now my own kids come to me and ask me why there's no food to eat and the electricity has been turned off and I have to tell them it's because Daddy's car is sick again.

This car has a new clutch, new clutch actuator, position sensor, F1 pump and relay, gear selector switch (a 2k SWITCH) new tie rods and new tires. It has the miraculous F1 transmission. As in if it works, it is a miracle. It is also seemingly inhabited by evil spirits.

The voodoo priests at the Maserati dealer insist it's fixed. But it's not. And I've seen their facility. There's no tools, just an altar to Alejandro DeTomaso where they place the still beating hearts and smoking wallets of Maserati owners and ask for a vision of what the @#$$ is wrong with their clients' cars.

Come take a look at it! It's Beautiful! It WILL let you down. You might think that since I poured so much money into it, that there must just be one more thing and then it will be perfect. You can drive it home and laugh at the poor slob that you bought it from who did all the work for you. Nope. Not gonna happen. This car will make you cry.

So why am I asking 16 grand for it? Good question. I'm taking a HUGE loss at that price and that's the lowest price I can let it go for and still be able to pay my mortgage. If that's too much, don't buy it. I don't blame you.

Come look at it! Bring a witch doctor and maybe, just maybe, if the stars are aligned just right you can drive it. DO NOT DRIVE IT. If you drive it, you will want it. It is fast. It is beautiful. It makes a sound like angels revving their angelmobiles. 

I want this thing out of my sight. I'm tired of sitting in it at night drinking and making engine noises with my mouth while I pretend it is not a huge pile of disappointment and debt.

Do not offer me 5k for it. The Trident badge alone makes it worth more than that. I don't have to sell it. It can sit in my garage and I can continue to hate it. I don't HAVE to sell it. I WANT to. There's a difference."   END

I  look at this and wonder why the local cheap Maserati  keeps trying to pull me into its web.......beware

frenchyd said:

Doesn't the idea of Ferrari mechanicals tingle your spine though?  At that price will it it be the one that got away?  

Just let it go, walk (or run) away. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and all that kind of wisdom applies here.