While it’s a car many of us love to hate, the Maserati Quattroporte remains a stunning road car that rarely appears in condition as well preserved as this one. Claimed by the seller to be the lowest mileage example in existence with a tick over 15,000 miles on the clock, the Maserati has had just two owners from new and comes with its factory luggage and near-perfect cosmetic condition. Find it here on eBay where it’s listed with a few bids and the reserve unmet.
Whether there’s actually a realistic reserve is the bigger question. The seller says the Maserati is listed as being on consignment in their Sarasota, Florida showroom and that they will field best offers on behalf of the owner. While I’m a firm believer that an auction is designed to tell you exactly what the market’s thirst for a particular vehicle is at that moment, I suppose the impressive low mileage and preserved condition could tempt an enthusiast to lob out a price that far exceeds the maximum bid. It’s hard to deny how rare it is to find one of these with its original luggage still in the trunk.
These are labor intensive cars even when in healthy condition, but buying one that’s been loved is certainly the less painful option. The seller notes that the 4Porte has been a West Coast car since new, only visiting Florida as a result of the selling dealer being hired by the owner to find a buyer. The Maserati began its life in Los Angeles, moving to Portland, OR in 2003. The leather interior remains near-perfect and there’s no sign of an obvious wear and tear to the trim, door panels or seats. You could spec these with a manual transmission, but the “Torqueflite” was far more common.
The seller notes that despite the high levels of originality – including this unused tool kit – the Maserati’s body does show some signs of age. The paint is weak in spots, but the seller claims it runs quite well and it is the desire of the seller to see it remain in the hands of a collector. While it could likely be pressed into something approaching weekly duty, these are fragile beasts – even when in preserved condition like this one. With functioning A/C, sound tires and brakes and the Maserati V8 humming up front, this is the Quattroporte to buy if you need one of these high-maintenance road queens in your garage.
Neat find. I do like the style of these.
In regards to the auction, this Mazerati should stay in a showroom. There probably aren’t many that actually run let alone remain pristine.
I’d rather bid on the luggage. You’d get more miles out of it.
labor intensive is an epic understatement, but I bet it cruises nice when running. GLWTS
The ebay ad shows the dashboard having a “consumption” gauge along with the fuel gauge. Anyone know what that’s for?
It is an engine vacuum actuated gauge. The harder you put your foot into it the more vacuum it draws, and that can be (roughly) equated to fuel consumption. Mid 70’s GM products were equipped with a similar gauge.
It’s the other way around. More accelerator, and therefore less throttle restriction, gives lower manifold vacuum. The highest vacuum readings are at idle.
To paraphrase a line from the Godfather … Take the luggage. Leave the car.
Beautiful car. A dream to drive. A nightmare to own. 15K miles since new with two owners. Both were afraid to drive it for fear of being left stranded on the side of the highway.
How many of you wizards of smart have ever owned one of there? I have two right now and owned one more in the 90’s. These are not a junk Biturbo or Citroen but the real deal. One of my cars, I bought as a Parts car for my running one that has some rust. It had been vandalized decades ago and the carbs stolen. We scrounged up a set of carbs and in an hour it was running. My other car was part of an estate sale and had sat for 5 years. Fresh gas and it was running. They have Chrysler transmissions, a very Jag like suspension and rear end. A 4 cam hemispherical head V8 with 4 2bbl Weber’s stacked down the intake like an old Indy car. These are a car to make retirement money on. Bora’s with the same (for the most part) engine are bringing 250K and are not fitted out as sumptuously as these. They will never equal the cost of a Bora but will be 100,000 in the next couple of decades. Where else are you going to find a rare high quality Italian car for 10K with appreciation potential like that. I also have a 1973 300SEL 6.3 that I dearly love but a good one of those is well over 50K today……..it doesn’t have the appreciation potential of this car and as great as it is, the Italian is much sexier. Now, I have the dilemma of owning a great running no rust or damage 10,000 mile car I bought for parts (needs emblems, tail lights, front seats and some trim) that is too good to part out and another identical 30,000 mile car that runs equally well but needs some rust repair. You bright guys are the type that buy into the stock market after a run up and wonder why someone else makes the money. Please keep it up……I love taking your money.
I can’t argue with anything you’ve said Dave, the thing that turns me off is that these always looked like a bloated 70s Mazda to me. Maserati was so up and down with styling through the decades. I know its a matter of personal tastes but Ive always felt the Bora and the Ghibli from the 60s/70s were worth the price of admission just based on looks alone.
Yeah, despite the great interior, engine, suspension, etc. the styling is atrocious. There’s no getting around it. The Bora, while maybe not the sexiest car of its generation, is still light years ahead, curb appeal-wise. That alone will limit appreciation and collectability.
Above I rated thumbs up (ish). I’ve heard the same about Qportes v. Biturbos and it counts as valuable input. But, Internet snarkiness is getting old. At least among enthusiasts, some civility would be a welcome respite.
I’m off the soap box.
You gotta wonder how a car in Portland ends up with a dealer/seller in Florida
My thoughts on this car are the following. Yes it is a low mileage example with probably a luscious italian interior. However, How many people when seeing this car in person are either impressed or lust for it! It’s basically a huge boxy boat! It does nothing for me and other than the enthusiast that knows what it is, it’s a huge Italian Luxo barge that loves gasoline and can be very expensive to repair. Sorry, but I just don’t get the appeal. There are so many other semi exotics out there that are more interesting. For the individual that want something exclusive, buy this car, and you will have it. I’m sure you can park it most places without anyone really noticing it either. Good luck to any potential purchaser. Enjoy.
Seat back pockets are sagging….pass
“…but will be 100,000 in the next couple of decades.” $15K in a couple of decades invested in an index fund will be worth more without maintenance, insurance, registration, storage, etc.
You buy these for the fun of owning, not to make money.
Some people enjoy sitting in a dark room and counting there money…….some enjoy doing other things with it. I have about 20 enthusiast cars, many Mercedes but a spectrum of others too. These cars are very interesting, women love the name and interior and gearheads are enthralled by the F1 type engine. The styling is subjective and tastes change. It took a while for my Mistral Coupe to grow on me but it is lovely today. I sold exotic cars at a large dealer part time in the early 70’s. Most Ferrari’s were problematic, they invariably would heat when stuck in traffic and required a lot of tinkering. I was stuck in traffic north of London on the A10 one time in my Mistral, took hours to move a few miles, the old car never hiccuped. It always started and ran even after long periods of slumber with the original Lucas fuel injection. I drove it for 7 years without changing as much as a tail light. The Webber’s on these cars are good, probably not as good as the fuel injection and common issues with cheeper Italian cars like rubber trimming belts and tensioner issues are non existent. I don’t know about the newer cars, but they seem to be alright.
nice
These, as well as the Maserati Biturbo are on a long list that includes the Lotus Esprit, E-Type Jag, DeTemaso Pantera, GT40 and a few others with terrible reputations, that I desperately want to own. I just want to own a well sorted version for say, a year. That’s it. I seriously doubt that they are quite the nightmare described, mostly by people who have never owned one, and they are so outrageously cool!
I have owned Maserati’s, and I have a brace of Lotus as I write this. I have had Jag v-12’s, and while I have not owned a GT-40 or Pantera I have driven the cars of friends and helped them keep them on the road.
Stig if you know the machines vices, and limitations and live within them most of the problems noted by many go away. Push any machine too hard, do not maintain it properly it WILL FAIL. However care for it properly, drive it spiritedly but responsibly and the cars you mentioned can be wonderful machines and long lasting machines.
I have a E-46 BMW as a daily driver and it has very specific requirements for operation in terms of oil, antifreeze and items that wear out like brakes. That is also a car with a less than sterling reputation but I have friends who have well over 200K on their machines and have never had any trouble. They helped me find a good one and what to do to keep it running properly.
Understanding your machines, what they were designed to do, what care they need is the most important thing. Take care of them and they will go up in value if they are fun, useful and beautiful. Even if they are not any of those things if they make you smile go for it.
This Maserati is a huge car, not my taste but I have worked on them and mechanically and in many other ways they are very good cars. Electrical systems are a area where they can be weak. This is a good buy if you are looking for the kind of machine it is and they do attract attention almost everywhere they go. I agree most who put down this car and the ones you mentioned have never owned one or have not owned one properly.
Bruce,
I can’t agree more with your comments. They apply to virtually any thoroughbred vehicle as well as most European cars, even those that are considered everyman’s cars. Understanding your machines, what they are designed to do and what care they need is the most important thing.
The simple truth is that cars of this type cannot tolerate the ‘get in and drive ’em’ approach that most US drivers practice because that is how they have learned to treat their cars.
Classic example is the negative reputation Fiats have received. I’ll spare you the dreaded cliche that all Fiat aficionados have to suffer but it deals with some mechanic named Anthony. Fiats are not in the same category as this Maserati, yet they will suffer from the same lack of care.
I have had a Fiat 124 that I drove for 134,000 miles with no major mechanical issues mainly because I used the proper fluids and changed them regularly and maintained it as intended. I also have a close friend who is approaching 360,000 in his Fiat and another who has over 250,000 because they did the same thing. Once the car is well sorted and properly maintained they can be delightful cars to own and enjoy.
I have a Yugo which is more or less a Fiat. Everyone says it’s the worst car ever. I have been very impressed with the reliability; it’s basically outstripped the reliability of every Chevy truck in our fleet. I change the oil regularly, and changed the timing belt first thing when I bought it. I have no idea how many miles it really has, but it will need a rebuild soon. I’d buy another one like it in a second.
I had always read the 3rd gen 4Portes were extremely reliable and robust. The weak point being the body’s susceptibility to rust… Please don’t confuse them with the Biturbo.
Yeah, despite the great interior, engine, suspension, etc. the styling is atrocious. There’s no getting around it. The Bora, while maybe not the sexiest car of its generation, is still light years ahead, curb appeal-wise. That alone will limit appreciation and collectability.
I don’t blame Dave Wright for his excitement but what he has to say is valid. The only reason to turn the car down (other than I have no room) is if you don’t like the styling. I think it’s hunky and individualistic, a hallmark of Maserati for ages.
It’s also true that you have to understand these machines and absolutely drive them. It’s what they were built for. I would buy this car and it would deliver miles of joy if I had the room and was near any kind of competent service for these cars. Somebody else do it. Jump on it. You’ll love it.
I rather doubt Maserati would have put their badges on Samsonite luggage from the 1950s, this is not Maserati luggage.
magnifico
These are a blast to drive; big but fast and steady. Big issue is the extended wiring system on these long cars; three fuse boxes with 19 pages of wiring diagrams in the owner’s book! Good idea is to obtain MIE’s 50 pages of further explanations of all that is important, complete with their 3×4 foot ‘map’ (like reading a road map with coordinates). Always have the accelerator pump diaphragms on the 4 Webers replaced as often as you would change belts on a Ferrari Boxer! A full tank of gas will have the fuel level ABOVE the position of the carb bodies; any leaks in the diaphragm, and you guessed it, a toasted Italian hulk.