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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  A Year Later - 2002 Maserati Coupe
  By woodman - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned the Maser Coupe Cambrio for a year now. Amazing Car. As good as it gets, period..... Break the mold

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  Excellemt - 2004 Maserati Coupe
  By klp1505 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Its a keeper. Ill get other cars, but wount give this one up. Iver kept my other classics, like my 840Ci BMW & the Maz will also stay

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  Stop vile excuses ! - 2015 Maserati Ghibli
  By Romolo Battisti - December 31 - 10:44 pm

  Before I bought my 2015 S Q4 I was very concerned reading reviews with some level of criticisms for this car. At the same time I was also very intrigued by other very positive reviews and comments. It looks like objectivity is not a parameter commonly used to review the Ghibli ! So.... I tested (test drive) against other upscale cars I was interested in and decide to buy the Ghibli based on my own taste and driving experience. As of today I am sooooo glad.... Yes, objectively, there are aspects that needs improvement (gear paddle, belt locking mechanism easier to reach, quality of audio system) but compared to the car style (class on its own), the performances and (sublime) handling these are just minor issues (or vile excuses for a few detractors). I have only 1200 miles on the car and cannot completely assess the reliability, but as far as brake, handling and overall performance (these not subjective...) I really cannot (logically) explain negative comments in those areas, go figure !

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  Not a Race Car But Still Fun - 2006 Maserati Gransport
  By Ryan Andrews - November 17 - 8:50 am

  While this may not have pure adrenaline rushing performance, its still very fun. Its quick in the straights, brakes well, and quick in the curves, but it lacks the swiftness and agility of a track car like say, the Porsche GT3 or Lotus Elise. Although this is probably good, its soft over bumps yet turns in sharply on the corners. F1 shifting is very fun, hitting 0-62 in 4.9 seconds an the needle swings to higher sppeds very quickly. The seats are comfy an hold you in while manuvering like a fighter jet and look, oh so nice. Hit the sport button an the sound of the exhaust becomes a beautiful symphony. Turn the radio off an let the engine be your music and your right foot be the volume control.

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  Maserati... Not Ready for Prime Time! - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By jdt - November 5 - 10:30 am

  I bought my car in May and its been in the shop for a total of 3 out of the 4 months Ive had it. Computer problems, leak in interior (that Maserati cant reproduce but is reproduced every time it rains), bad CD player. The quality of the car is poor and Maserati does not have the maintenance supply set-up to handle mass produced cars. (Theyre used to Ferrari owners whose cars arent needed on a daily basis.) For example, it took 2 weeks just to get the window leak fixed. While the engine and the handling of the car are excellent, Maserati is 5 years behind in terms of electronics and gadgetry that is common on most other mid and high end vehicles. I do not recommend this car!

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  Better than expected - 2008 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Minneapolitan - October 5 - 7:20 pm

  I was very much ready to lease my third S class when I decided that I should at least explore the possibility of a Quattroporte. Now I cannot fathom ever buying from the Germans again. The car was bought for the looks and sporting credentials but I have been surprised by the quality and reliability. Despite the 20 in wheels the car rides well in the city where it spends most of its time. On the freeway there is plenty of power on tap though the car is downright lazy compared to the AMGs of my past. Regardless, the car is so well balanced, I prefer it. Ive always loved cars but now I really love MY car.

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  Maserati Quattroporte Dream - 2005 Maserati Quattroporte
  By jimmy - September 28 - 2:30 pm

  I have put 3,500 miles on my Maserati Quattroporte so far. This car is of lots of fun. It gives you a sense of power, security, elegance, and speed when you desire.

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  A sexy, impresive car; it is a pleasure! - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Barsallo1 - September 10 - 8:33 pm

  Fantastic driving and engine; really is a four door Ferrari. Interior is super. The sound of the engine is like music! Great car to own.

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  Love it - 2006 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Mark - August 28 - 5:20 am

  It takes a little while to learn how to drive it. Once you do, you will love it.

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  Maseratis Pros & Cons - 2004 Maserati Spyder
  By }{ {} }{ - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Pros: High qaulity engine, great interior, and comfort was exellent. Cons: Handling is not perfect, fuel economy wasnt good, and the exterior design is not the best.