Faults:

Window winder mechanism failed (stuck down).

General Comments:

Fabulous torque with superb handling.

Cabin exemplifies real Italian exotica.

Purposeful powerful stance, a real head turner without being over the top.

I have had many performance cars including a mighty Skyline GTR and the Ghibli is in a different class altogether. It combines class, passion and soul like no other car I have driven. Although not as powerful as the Skyline, it has more torque which makes it equally as fast yet more pleasurable in town. When looking for some serious fun head for a country road but be warned it can be a little bit of a handful in the wet - even in a straight line! But this can only be expected from a front engined rear drive GT with nearly 300hp and no traction control. As for reliability, I had one incident where the window got stuck down, annoying but not really a massive problem. I had a new mechanism (very reasonably priced) sent from Italy and had it changed out with little drama. I think a lot of comments about Maseratis being unreliable are based around these niggly problems. The main parts such as engines etc are wonderful and extremely reliable. This car manages to stir emotions which have no right existing between man and machine. But I can finally see why motoring journalists always affiliate sultry Italian temptress references with the brand Maserati.

Faults:

Nothing really. The car needed its engine out chains job, so I took the opportunity to do the clutch, ball joints and all the other issues that crop up with an eight year old car.

General Comments:

Bloody fantastic!

You have to be some kind of perverted fool to want a Ghibli Cup; they are simply as individual as your finger print. Think of an obscure but fine and underrated wine, and you are on the right path. None of Maserati's more recent creations reach the plateau of purity this car achieves. Admittedly they are more accomplished - faster, prettier, better finished, but they lack the purpose and intent of the Ghibli Cup. Urgency and precision have been traded mercilessly against the sins of weight and excess. No longer is one able to foster the reward imbued by the extra effort required to extract the urgency from this car. This car has soul like no other I have tried - period.

Faults:

Exhaust needed replacing.

Bodywork tends to rust.

Minor electrical fault with windscreen wiper controls.

Design flaw in sectional wheels mean that all 4 tires gradually deflate. (Sorry about spelling mistake, but the U.S. spell-checker insists on "Tires" rather than the correct spelling).

Interior lights have a mind of their own!

General Comments:

The E.C.U. is great, protecting the engine from wear when cold.

Rear space is cramped, and the boot is only big enough for modest weekly food shopping.

Fast at high revs, and road holding is very good. However, must regularly check tire pressure.

Hard to get serviced and replacement parts are costly.

Faults:

Electric window motor (6months).

Leather trim over Instruments.

All 4 alloy wheels replaced - new ones going the same way (corrosion under lacquer).

Air conditioning control panel.

Drivers seat mounting broken.

Boot lock faulty.

General Comments:

A wonderfully fast, understated, and elegant alternative to a BMW M3.