Aside from a few missteps, Maseratis have always been stunning machines to look at. But due to persistent financial difficulties and several ownership changes, the driving experience has varied depending on the mechanical components that they could cobble together at the time.The arrival of the Maserati Quattroporte, and its two-door stablemate, the GranTurismo, in the early 2000s promised a new era of performance and style, thanks in part to the Ferrari-derived V8s that the firm was now using. However, the performance aspect of the equation was a little lacking in certain models...All vehicle data is from reputable sources. Pricing excludes destination charges and tax unless otherwise specified. This article focuses on the 4.2-liter Maserati GranTurismo models sold in the US between 2007 and 2012. The Maserati GranTurismo Bring a TrailerAt first glance, the Maserati GranTurismo looks like a sure-fire winner. It looks stunning and has a Ferrari-derived V8 that produces 400 hp. Then you start it up, and the exhaust burbles in a very satisfying fashion. Fitted with a traditional torque converter six-speed automatic transmission instead of the harsh single-clutch automated manual that was offered on the earliest four-door Quattroporte models, the GranTurismo shuffles through the gears in a pleasingly slick manner.Bring a Trailer Perhaps it's these positive first interactions that raise your expectations to unreasonably high levels, but the first time you push the throttle all the way down to the plush carpet, you are in for a disappointment. The GranTurismo just doesn't feel very fast. But how can this be, you say? It has 400 hp, a redline of 7,250 rpm, and a claimed 0–60 mph time of 5.0-ish seconds. All the ingredients are there.But even the fittest sprinter in the world will underperform when wearing a fat suit. And with a curb weight of a claimed 4,145 lbs, that is exactly what the GranTurismo has to contend with.BringATrailer Contemporary road tests found that even this portly figure was a bit conservative, giving this sporty-looking Maserati a power-to-weight ratio that is more comparable to a modern-day Volkswagen Golf GTI than a $100,000+ sports car. The high-revving nature of the engine also means that the 339 lb-ft of torque on offer is only achieved at 4,750 rpm, so you need to use all of the revs if you want to make meaningful progress.Maserati Once it overcomes the initial inertia, the GranTurismo is a pleasingly rapid grand tourer, and were the law to allow it, a top speed nudging 180 mph is possible. All the fun happens at 4,000 rpm+, preferably on a long stretch of road with no speed limits. That is a driving scenario that few owners ever get to experience. Perhaps if the gearing were a bit shorter and the curb weight a bit lighter, it would be as sharp to drive as it looks. Form Over Function? Bring a Trailer Okay, so the GranTurismo doesn't give you aggressive turbo-like shove off the line, but it's far from slow, and the rest of the package is great, even if the interior looks a little dated, nowadays. Speed is so accessible in new cars these days, but the cultured growl of a refined V8 is becoming a rare commodity. And that's something you can appreciate on every drive.Bring a Trailer Something that may not be readily apparent from images is the sheer size of the GranTurismo; it is long and wide, which makes it very spacious inside, even for passengers in the rear. The trunk space is slightly less generous, but still sufficient for a weekend's worth of luggage. It excels in the role of a grand tourer, perhaps not surprising considering that this is literally what it is called."To be 100% clear, I love the GranTurismo's design. I would buy it, if only to park it in my garden and look at it all the time. For a near 20-year-old car, it still looks fresh and desirable. It also sounds magnificent thanks to a cross-plane version of Ferrari's famous F136 engine."Unfortunately, this 400-hp engine couldn't cash the checks the curvaceous body was writing. It's not that it's slow, but it doesn't feel particularly fast either." – Gerhard Horn, CarBuzz Senior EditorMaserati The "base" 4.2-liter GranTurismo was on sale from 2007 through the end of production in 2019, but from 2008 onward, it was joined by the GranTurismo S. This version was fitted with an enlarged 4.7-liter V8, which produced 434 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque. Not massive gains, but just enough to give the large grand tourer that pep it was missing. While no official sales figures were released comparing the two engine variants, the 4.7-liter engine soon became the default choice.Bring a Trailer The 4.2-liter variant was discontinued at the end of 2012 for the US market, but continued to be offered in other markets until the end of production in 2019. A convertible GranCabrio joined the range in 2010, and was offered with both power units. The 4.7-liter cars were offered in various trims over the years, with the MC Stradale and Sport models offering up to 454 hp and sportier suspension setups. What Are They Worth Today? Maserati The GranTurismo When viewed from a used car perspective, the engine change from 4.2 to 4.7 liters is the biggest differentiator when it comes to values. That is why the earliest 2007–2008 cars can be found for very attractive prices.We analyzed the values of all 2007–2008 MY GranTurismos sold over the past year, and the average price of one of these gorgeous Italian machines is about what you'd pay for a base automatic Nissan Versa before it was discontinued. Just be aware that servicing and maintenance requirements can be a significant part of the ownership costs of old luxury vehicles, especially Italian ones. The GranTurismo S / MC/ Sport MaseratiAnd what about the more desirable and powerful GranTurismo S? Prices are significantly higher overall, but part of the reason is that they were introduced a bit later than the 4.2-liter cars. To ensure that we didn't get any 4.2-liter cars in the mix, we focused on the values of 2012–2019 GranTurismo S, MC, and Sport models sold over the past year. Unsurprisingly, prices are close to double that of the base models, with ultra-low-mileage examples selling for three times as much as the best 4.2-liter cars. Even the very earliest 2009 MY GranTurismo S models generally carry around a $10,000 premium. Transmission Differences Maserati A six-speed single-clutch MC Shift automated manual transmission was initially offered on the 4.7-liter cars, but it was replaced as the default transmission choice by the six-speed torque-converter automatic. It remained an option, but the torque converter-equipped cars are far more desirable thanks to the smoother shifts and better reliability of these gearboxes. The 4.2-liter cars were never offered with the MC Shift transmission, which is a point in their favor. Depreciation is also a concern, but more so on the pricier GranTurismo S models."Is the Mazer more appealing at $20,000. For sure. At that price, I can easily forget all the niggles mentioned above and cruise along at a leisurely pace while enjoying the soundtrack provided by the cross-plane Ferrari V8." – Gerhard Horn, CarBuzz Senior EditorMaserati In the final reckoning, you can have an excellent condition 2008 GranTurismo in your driveway for a little over $20,000. Mileages tend to be well below 60,000 miles at this price level, and most have been well cared for, with full-service histories. The 4.7-liter GranTurismo S adds a bit more pep, but on average, you'll pay at least $15,000 more for a similar condition car, which seems a bit steep.Gerhard Horn, CarBuzz Senior Editor surmised the problems facing the GranTurismo as such: "The 0-60 mph time is roughly five seconds. That's adequate, rather than mind-blowing. And let's not forget about all the interior bits it borrowed from within the FCA Group. A Maserati that uses the same touchscreen interface as a Jeep is just a big no."However, the GranTurismo's biggest problem was the Audi R8. Launched the same year, the Audi R8 V8 was cheaper, faster, more fun to drive, better built, and you could have it with a manual gearbox. The first-gen R8 V8 remains one of the best daily supercars ever made, which is why you still pay a premium for one today."Maserati Whichever variant you opt for, make sure you get the best-condition car you can afford. While overall reliability levels are considered to be good, maintenance costs are high, and even minor issues can be pricey to resolve. But let's not end on such a practical note. This is a car you buy with the heart as much as the head, and it's hard to ignore the allure of a 400-hp, Ferrari-engined two-door coupe that can be had for less than the price of a generic subcompact sedan. But perhaps keep a few bucks aside, just in case...
