Overview & Reviews

Italian sports-car excitement doesn't have to come at super-steep prices. Maserati has made a name for itself as a maker of lust-worthy exotics that, though costly, are bargains relative to their stratospherically priced competition. Maserati cars currently come in a number of configurations that range from an open sports car to a spacious luxury sport sedan.

The company was founded in 1914 by six Maserati brothers: Carlo, Bindo, Alfieri, Mario, Ettore and Ernesto. Based in Bologna, Italy, the brothers were racing enthusiasts and planned to craft racecars for private use. Mario, an artist, was believed to have based the company's trident emblem on a statue of the mythological god Neptune found in a Bologna square.

Throughout the '20s and '30s, the Maserati brothers scored many wins around the globe in their custom-built racecars. In 1937, the surviving brothers sold their stake in the company to the Orsi family, who moved the company's headquarters to Modena. A couple of years later, one of the automaker's cars won the prestigious Indianapolis 500.

Postwar, Maserati continued to rack up impressive racing victories with cars like the famous Tipo 60 and 61 "Birdcage" models. The company didn't start building road cars until the A6 coupe, which was made from 1947-'57. With only 138 cars produced in that long span, most of Maserati's money came from its other products: spark plugs and car batteries. The Maserati 3500 GT, fitted with a double-overhead-cam inline six, debuted in the mid-1950s.

By the 1960s, the automaker had shifted its focus from racecars to road cars. The company rolled out sexy models like the Mistral Coupe and the Sebring. But it wasn't until 1966, with the introduction of the sleek Giugiaro-styled Ghibli, that Maserati fielded a truly powerful (330-horsepower V8) and sexy Italian sports car. In 1968, the marque was purchased by Citroën.

Throughout the 1970s, Maserati made the most of its partnership with Citroën, using some of that company's suspension and steering components in Maserati cars such as the V8 Bora and V6 Merak models. The decade's fuel crisis took its toll, though, wreaking havoc and killing demand for the sort of gas-guzzling sports cars that were Maserati's specialty. Citroën was driven into bankruptcy and Maserati was placed in liquidation. In 1975, the company was purchased by Alejandro de Tomaso, an Argentinean who had a previous life as a successful racecar driver. He quickly rolled out a new model, the Quattroporte III, a four-door luxury sedan.

The 1980s were an especially dark time for Maserati. Its main model for the U.S. market, the Biturbo, was bland and notoriously unreliable. In 1991, the company stopped importing cars into the U.S. Fiat bought Maserati in 1993 and variants of the Biturbo continued to be produced until the factory closed in 1997 for a total refurbishing. During this time, Ferrari bought 50 percent of Maserati and went on to acquire full control of the marque.

After the factory's rebirth, Maserati started production of a pair of world-class cars, the two-seat Spyder roadster and the four-seat Coupe. With powerful V8 engines, the availability of an F1-style gearbox, styling by Giugiaro and vastly improved build quality, the new Maserati cars were introduced to the U.S. market for 2002 and restored prestige to the Italian sports car company.

In 2005, Maserati was split from Ferrari but remained within the Fiat fold. That year also saw the reintroduction of the Quattroporte luxury sport sedan, which was followed a few years later by the voluptuous GranTurismo coupe and convertible. Today's Maseratis may lack the ultimate brand recognition of the marque's main rivals, but they hold the advantage of being considerably more affordable while still offering sexy Italian styling and impressive performance.

User Reviews:

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  2005 Gransport - 2005 Maserati Gransport
  By Phillip Ellson - December 3 - 2:13 pm

  I’ve had my car awhile now, and it has genuinely surprised me how positive the reaction is from all ages of onlookers at the petrol station and at the lights. Seems to bring a smile to everyones day that sees it. Driving it is great, learn how to use the CC box and on the move it is great and in traffic it is ok at worst. Reliability has been good with just normal consumables needed. The engine is a masterpiece and every trip is an event, even popping to the shops for the paper in the morning!

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  Mama Mia! - 2005 Maserati Gransport
  By Edward Mantini - December 13 - 12:16 pm

  Both the performance and the craftmanship of the 2005 Maserati GranSport Coupe reflect the passion of the people that make and own this vehicle. I have owned many BMWs and Porsches but none compare to this beautiful machine.

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  BEWARE! - 2008 Maserati GranTurismo
  By eyedoc - August 29 - 8:03 pm

  This is a gorgeous, fast, comfortable ride that definitely turns heads. Unfortunately, its full of quirks, and electrical problems. My car has been back to dealership eight times in as many months. Navigation, proximity sensors, alarm system, seat heater have all failed or not worked properly. Dealer has been responsive, but the car may disappoint for this reason.

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  Zippy - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Stinkerbellorama - July 11 - 3:33 pm

  Yowza, this is a roaring machine for a suburban mom. Thinking I was under the radar in a sedan I get thumbs up from every male between 12-60 years old. Super cushy interior, roomy back seat for passengers, cool analog clock in the dash make this a sylish ride. Beating every souped up honda off the line with a light push of the gas pedal also has its perks. Trunk space seems limited, weird portholes on the side made my mom comment it looks like a Buick (thanks mom). Gas mileage in sport mode is a whopping 9 mpg, 12+ in regular mode, but its not as fun. Best things my kids like are the ability to control the passenger seat from the rear center console. Nicknamed the chauffer button.

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  Grown-up Performance ! ! ! - 2002 Maserati Coupe
  By zerotoninetyfast - April 15 - 10:00 am

  So far, this car has been quite impressive! The engine is smooth but wakes-up fast when you need it to. The suspension is also very smooth yet responsive when you really need to use it. I really enjoy is the classy, high- tech interior and the sleek exterior looks. Whenever I park somewhere, everyones always stopping me to ask "What kind of car is that?" -- Everyone appreciates it for its originality. It seems everyone owns a Porsche, Vette or Lexus -- this is different!

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  Nice looking, great customer support, but question mark on Reliability - 2010 Maserati GranTurismo
  By lionking730 - July 29 - 2:54 pm

  Got mine in June 2010 and after 15 months, I only put 2600 miles on it. However, ENGINE light came up twice in the 13th month, 1st time it was cleared by computer but 2nd time, had to have it towed to dealer to fix a faulty valve. Then within last 3 weeks, I had both side mirrors glass piece separated from the base/frame with cord attached (driver side first then passenger side 3 days later). Dealer said same mirror glass problem only happened to some 2010 models, I guess I am the "lucky"one to have both sides failed. They determined that the adhesive between glass piece and base was weak, new replacements had them glued together. Well, funny issue with this luxury car.

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  mamma mia, now thats Italian - 2003 Maserati Coupe
  By Teo - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Great looks, head turner, very fast... true sports car. A combination of beauty and muscle. It does have some problems that require repair: radio, CD, oil leak, gear box noise, vacum noise and more.

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  Fast & Fun - 2004 Maserati Spyder
  By West8 - June 2 - 1:43 am

  After owning several comparable cars in the past the Maserati Spyder holds its own with preformance and style. Its great to drive a car that is unique and not typically seen on the road. Now my Porche spends much more time in the garage. The only problem I have found is in the design of the soft top. When the lid is up there is an over the shoulder blind spot that creates a problem. But who cares...when is the lid up anyway? Other than that, this car is well worth the price tag.

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  A Beast - 2014 Maserati Quattroporte
  By edgebot - May 14 - 5:33 pm

  Lets face it, this car is a beast! Very fast, very responsive, with an exhaust note akin to a deep low growl. A head turner too. So all in all, the Maserati nameplate is valid. But, my Jaguar XJL, at half the price, is more comfortable, spacious, tech forward, and stylish. And this one is really a head turner. So for style, comfort, pizzazz, its the XJL. For pure driving fun, exhilaration, and bragging rights, pick the QP GTS.

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  One of the best I have driven - 2015 Maserati Ghibli
  By will - April 17 - 4:39 am

  I really love the way this car drives. It is very comfortable. I have the sport suspension and it really is about perfect. The engine is really spectacular. I have read some reviews that mentioned that it did have to build boost, I can sometimes feel the hesitation when starting from a stop. It has incredible acceleration. The exhaust sounds fantastic. My main complaint in this car is the stereo. It just really does not sound that great. The infotainment system works really well. I have read where some critics have blasted using the same system from a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but I think it is one of the best I have seen. It is very easy to use. My last complain is the parking sensors. It would be nice to have a switch to toggle it on and off. The car really looks good and I get tons of compliments. I also think the interior is very nice. The seats look and feel great. If it werent for the stereo, I would say it was the best car I have owned.