When the subject turns to exotic Italian classics, the minds of many will immediately focus on vehicles produced by Ferrari or Lamborghini. However, Maserati has always been part of Italy’s automotive landscape, producing cars like this 2003 Coupe Cambiocorsa. This relatively rare vehicle features a fair amount of Ferrari technology below the surface, but adds the versatility of four seats. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P. for spotting the Maserati listed here on Craigslist in West Omaha, Nebraska. The seller set their price at $15,000, although they may consider appropriate trades.
Maserati has enjoyed a checkered history, although it achieved some of its greatest sales success when under the control of Alejandro de Tomaso. Ferrari gained control of the company in 1999, and it was during this period that several versions of its new Coupe came to market. More of a Grand Tourer than a genuine sports car, the Coupe featured elegant styling penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro at ItalDesign. This Maserati left the factory in 2003, ordered by its first owner in Blue Mediterraneo Pearl. The car’s condition is consistent with a survivor-grade vehicle from the era that has been treated respectfully. The paint shines nicely, although a close inspection reveals swirls that might disappear if worked with a high-end polish. The panels are straight, and the beautiful 18″ alloy wheels show no evidence of stains or other problems. I can’t spot any signs of rust, and the seller doesn’t mention problems in their listing. The glass is clear, and the trim is excellent.
Ferrari’s involvement in the Coupe is revealed when we examine the mechanical specifications. The car’s 4.2-liter V8 was a joint-venture development between the two companies, and would see service in various configurations across a wide range of models wearing both Trident and Prancing Horse badges. Shifting duties fall to a six-speed semi-automatic transmission, operated by paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. The engine should generate a very respectable 390hp and 333 ft/lbs of torque, allowing the Coupe to hit the factory-declared maximum speed of 177mph. Outright acceleration is all that you might expect from a vehicle of this caliber, but it is fair to say that Maserati viewed the Coupe Cambiocorsa as a Grand Tourer, not a supercar. The seller doesn’t specify a maintenance history, which is an important consideration. Mechanical repairs can be quite expensive, and this is a case where a professional inspection is probably warranted. They do say that the Maserati runs well, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
It is unsurprising to open the doors of this Maserati and discover that almost every upholstered surface is finished in hand-stitched leather. The Butterscotch shade chosen not only contrasts with the exterior paint, but it also makes a striking visual statement that is hard to ignore. This interior isn’t pristine, but it looks tidy for a classic of this vintage. The leather on the driver’s seat base is stretched, and I think that the stitching might be failing near the driver’s left shoulder. Otherwise, it is clean, tidy, and unaffected by UV exposure. In addition to the versatility of four seats, this interior features air conditioning and all of the creature comforts one might expect from a luxury classic.
Maserati has always enjoyed a hit-and-miss history when the subject turns to sales volumes. The Coupe, produced between 2001 and 2007, found 13,423 homes worldwide. Although the Cambiocorsa variant proved to be the most popular, its production tally of 5,371 vehicles still makes it relatively rare from a “big picture” perspective. The seller’s price looks consistent with market expectations, and some may view it as quite cheap for a car of this type. If you have always longed to own an Italian classic, could this Maserati be a contender?
Tyler Hoover of Hoovie’s Garage should get this
It’s not “hooptie” enough for Tyler.
Needs 3 pedals
Needs 3 pedals
Agreed Marc đ. One of the sweetest sounds you’ll ever hear is a V8 Maserati w stick going up and down the gears đŽđš
Well, not as sweet at all V8 FerrariâŚ
The biggest difference between F136 variants is that the Maserati ones have a cross-plane crankshaft (consistent with Maserati V8s of old), so they donât sound as racy as the flat-plane Ferrari version.
Agreed. This transmission is absolute garbage.
I’ve read the Achilles’ heel with these is that they didn’t anticipate Americans’ propensity to let automatic transmissions “creep” at idle in parking lots and traffic jams while riding the brakes to moderate speed, so this tended to wear the cambiocorsa clutch for 1st gear prematurely.
As such, try not to do that if you get one of these (and prolly a good idea for other automated manuals, too). Either be on the brakes at a full stop, or let it creep at idle unimpeded by braking, alternating between the two as needed to make progress in slow-speed conditions.
Is it though? I would certainly prefer this car with a proper manual, but in a world of disappointing paddle-shifted slushboxes pretending (poorly) to be this transmission, this is the real deal. And in a world (by which I mean the USA in 2003) where you couldnât buy a new Alfa thusly optioned, this was the most affordable way into an *actual* paddle-shifted gearbox (as opposed to a torque converter automatic pretending).
Just donât complain if what you actually wanted was a torque converter automatic.
Itâs not garbage; itâs just not the slushbox that some Americans evidently expected.
Joe the flat plane crank sound is unreal. Ford made a Mustang with one recently. It’s absolutely wicked to hear it accelerate. Believe it has to do with the firing order.
Stan, do all newer Mustangs have the flat plane crank?
You mention that the sound is wicked. I can tell you that most of the GTs around here have aftermarket exhausts and they do omit quite a sound. Some of them are obnoxious, and I am one not to normally complain about loud exhaust.
Dont look, Run away!
Like others, I think they really missed out by not building these cars with manual transmissions. The sound of those V8s is enough to make them very desirable, but an automatic eliminates a Maserati from my list of potential future buys.
They came with manuals as well.
I have a Spyder with the F1 transmission and a GT with the manual. They are actually very good and reliable cars.
Umm. They did offer them with (fully) manual transmissions, even in the USA. This one just has the Cambiocorsa option.
And this isnât an automatic, per se.
@Red FoxâŚ.they did offer a three pedal manual on these cars. The market just didnât take Maserati up on it all that oftenâŚ
Chairs and flares. Almost all street Maseratis from this era look exactly the same.
Yawn…
which is pretty smart as seen by the continued use of design (yes, stretchedân shrunken in various ways) across the world to this day (begun by fordâs ‘coke bottleâ in early â80s). Just now we see the âsquarish space shipsâ (esp Koreans) replacing it slowly. Quite a run compared to many other automotive arts movements (ponton, âhumps-over-the wheels’ of 60s muscle, short-deck/long hood/FB, mid/late 50s bulge-m0biles, etc). I like it…
nice
Joe the flat plane crank sound is unreal. Ford made a Mustang with one recently. It’s absolutely wicked to hear it accelerate. Believe it has to do with the firing order.