Maserati GranTurismo (2008 to 2019) buying guide

The first car made 399bhp from the 4.2-litre V8, according to evo. The S raised that to 454bhp from a 4.7-litre unit. The MC Stradale was unveiled at Paris in 2010 with 444 hp and was initially strictly two-seat. The Sport arrived in 2012, and evo calls the 454bhp Sport the most appealing used buy for balance of value and performance.

The MC Shift is an automated manual fitted to selected S and MC derivatives, and RerEV says it was standard on MC Stradale variants in 2009 to 2012. For the best GT experience evo recommends the standard ZF torque-converter gearbox, and describes the MC Shift as a lumpier shift paired with firmer suspension.

CarsCounsel names 2018 to 2019 and 2013 to 2017 ZF cars as the best years, and advises avoiding 2007 to 2008 and MC Shift cars. It also calls the 2012 to 2015 MC Stradale the best enthusiast choice, but track-focused and in need of expert inspection. The sources disagree on the facelift: one points to 2018 for a comprehensive update, another to 2013 for the Sport. The GranTurismo MC market page shows the MC cars for sale, and the price guide covers the rest.

MC Shift clutch wear

CarsCounsel says the automated manual wears clutches quickly, especially in stop-and-go traffic, and that actuator failures lead to expensive repairs. Cars with the Cambiocorsa gearbox also use clutches sooner than a traditional manual because of the number of shifts.

Variator rattle

Some early cars were delivered with faulty camshaft variators, which cause a rattle on a cold start. Replacing all variators and related wear items can run to €10,000, per carchecker.pro.

Cracking coolant hoses

Coolant hoses and crossover tubes can crack, and water pumps fail. Labor is heavy, so a modest part can still mean a big bill, and replacing all the engine-bay rubber hoses is put at up to €3,000 by carchecker.pro.

Engine oil leaks

Oil leaks are not uncommon, usually from perished valve-cover gaskets. The front covers can fail too.

Electrical glitches

Flickering rear brake lights and faulty rain sensors are often cured by reflashing the ECU. Blown control modules are likely if the symptoms follow a jump-start, evo says.

Interior wear

Early cars suffer worn switchgear and peeling leather, and interior buttons can turn sticky.

Rusty wheel bolts

Rusty wheel bolts are an issue but cheap to replace.

Servicing figures from evo are UK numbers: a minor service is about £600 at an independent or £1600 at a main dealer, and a major service about £1000 independent or £2600 main dealer.

Evo also says tires may be needed every 12,000 miles or so. For the larger items, carchecker.pro puts all variators and related parts at up to €10,000 and a full set of engine-bay hoses at up to €3,000. For ownership costs beyond repairs, see how much a Maserati costs.

CarsCounsel's advice is to look at 2013 to 2017 or 2018 to 2019 cars with the ZF automatic, and to avoid 2007 to 2008 and MC Shift cars. Evo calls the ZF automatic virtually bulletproof and rates the 454bhp Sport as the most appealing used buy. The MC Stradale suits enthusiasts willing to pay for an expert inspection first.

Do not compromise on a cold start you witness or on service records that name the gearbox. Hoses and variators are where carchecker.pro puts the biggest bills, up to €3,000 and €10,000.