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Garage Find with 16K: 1989 Chrysler TC Maserati

The Chrysler TC by Maserati has been written about in great detail on these pages, better known for being a bit of a sales disappointment, that didn’t stop consumers from buying them at full price and eventually watching their values plummet just a short time later. This example is claimed to have just 16K miles on the clock and was originally purchased as a Christmas present for the dealership owner’s wife. Find it here on eBay in Norfolk, VA with bids just over $5K.

The seller says the dealer owner’s wife barely used the TC, primarily using it for driving duties around the couple’s vacation home. It didn’t see rain or snow and the original dealer wrappings on the carpets are still with the car. The ridiculously cushioned leather seats are said to be in mint condition, along with the dash surfaces and every light bulb in the dash display. Never smoked in, either, which is likely rare considering how many of these ended up on sleazy used car lots.

The odometer supposedly can be validated by paperwork showing the modest annual mileage increases year-over-year. With the Turbo II mill from the Daytona on board, the Maserati was still well short of its performance aspirations, especially considering the brands involved in its creation. The one to buy is the 5-speed manual example with the Maserati-built engine, but only around 500 of those were built – and certainly not the kind of car a dealership owner’s wife would want to drive to the country club.

Still, if you accept the TC for what it is, it will deliver an acceptable driving experience if your expectations are low. And if you have to own one, looking at an example like this with its impressive condition and low time capsule-grade mileage is well-advised unless you want to hold out for the 200 bhp 16-valve “Maserati” engine. Bidding seems quite lean for nearly new in the wrapper TC – do you think it will crest $10K by Monday night or stay closer to the current number?

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Comments

  1. Avatar Uncle al

    hello…just curious….which had the higher original MSRP…..the TC or my Reatta ?
    ….why are these prices so low now on “collector status “?

    Like 0
    • Avatar James

      Prices are based on demand for a vehicle. The higher the demand the higher the price. If no one wants to buy a certain make and model prices reflect that.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar TMD

    Scrolled down to see if anybody had anything good to say about this car…crickets!

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Miguel

    The driver seat looks odd to me for such a low mile car, like the leather is loose or something.

    It couldn’t have been that way from the factory.

    Like 3
    • Avatar CanuckCarGuy

      Looks like it’s seen more arse time than the odometer suggests.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Miguel

        It is very possible the odometer broke years ago.

        It was a common problem.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Fiete T.

    My 17 year-old daughter drives one around. 45k mile, “Bitsumishi” V6, triple black and in nice shape. Upgrades on brakes & suspension are easy & cheap (K-Car glory), just keep in mind it’s a cruiser-mobile. 17″ Konig Lace rims, good Hankook tires, modern head unit & speakers…done
    And people only notice the badges & interior anymore. Fun ‘starter’ summer car for her

    Like 4
  5. Avatar chrlsful

    MITSUBISHI 3L in a N.Amer. K-car w/lux Italian interior.
    The Regatta can’t compare…
    8^0

    Like 0
    • Avatar RichS

      Did you even look at the pictures? This one has the 2.5 turbo motor.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar chrlsful

    MITSUBISHI 3L in a N.Amer. K-car w/lux Italian interior.
    The Reatta can’t compare…
    8^0

    Like 0
    • Avatar ACZ

      Where’s the thumbs down button when you need it?

      Like 2
  7. Avatar Beatnik Bedouin

    Obviously, the USA wasn’t ready for a late-’80s, post-Stock Market Crash interpretation of a ’55-7 T-Bird, considering the lack of sales.

    Current bidding remains under USD $6K which perhaps would make this good buying for someone wanting to drive something a bit different. Add some of Fiete T’s suggested suspension upgrades for a additional fun.

    Like 1

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