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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  Awesome value - 2006 Maserati Gransport
  By Andy - April 1 - 7:46 pm

  I have been driving this car every day to work since the end of summer. It has proven to be a totally reliable, strong performing GT which is much more fun and exciting to drive than anything German. It feels like a bargain Ferrari - which is exactly what it is. If you need four seats and a supercar you can use everyday, this is it. I own and have owned several BMWs, Ferraris and Maseratis, and the Gransport is one of the best balanced cars Ive ever had. It combines strong performance, great looks and solid build quality.

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  Everyday Driver - 2008 Maserati GranTurismo
  By The Sexy Italian - February 11 - 12:50 am

  A bargain considering Pininfarina styling and Ferrari based technology with a 4yr/50,000 mile warranty. The 2+2 seating is larger than the BMW 6 series and the hand assembled interior is awesome. Of course, the engine sound is intoxicating and everyday driving is a pleasure. I enjoy this car more than my 911 and Lamborghini Gallardo.

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  Equal parts of fun and class - 2011 Maserati GranTurismo
  By the_owl - January 24 - 11:32 pm

  I normally research a new car to death before making a purchase. All it took with this car was starting the engine one time. The exhaust note negates the need for the high end stereo, the exterior lines are sensual, and the luxurious interior is comfortable with four adults. I have owned the car for two months and it is always parked front and center by parking valets, who I have seen scuffle for the chance to drive it. This car is elegant, perfect for anyone who wants the performance of an exotic without the ego of a Ferrari or Lambo. Fair warning, it will be photographed, people will mill around it, and pretty women will smile at you. Buyer beware!

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  Two cars in One - 2013 Maserati GranTurismo
  By tekman69 - August 13 - 8:07 pm

  I have driven sports cars in the 60-100K range before, and have enjoyed the speed yet didnt always enjoy the stiff suspension driving on the pot hole filled streets and highways in and around New York City. I just upped the ante and purchased a new 2013 Maserati Granturismo Sport about 1000 miles ago and it is worth every last penny and then some. This is two cars in one. A sports car with plenty of power, great handling and a sound that you never get tired of (sport on). This car is beautiful and will not get old. But the absolute best thing about this car is a push button on the dash that turns this car into the most comfortable long distance luxury tourer for the entire family of 4

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  excelent car - 2004 Maserati Spyder
  By spyderrob - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I previously owned 3 mercedes bens 500 sl I was very surprised hte first time I drove the Masserati Spyder. It is a great car and very fun to drive. The SL felt like a car for older people. The maseratti spyder feels like a car for all sorts of people as u can drive it in various mods.

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  Creating a buzz - 2004 Maserati Coupe
  By mjkmd - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Maserati coup 2 months ago and I have loved every minute driving this powerful yet elegant machine. This head turning vehicle has been the talk of the community. It is fast, has highly responsive tight handling, and an incredibly sticky braking system. The sound system is awesome and the seats are the most comfortable Ive ever experienced. The leather work and interior details are magnificent. My father in law drove the car last week and was regretting the fact that he just bought a Porshe 911.

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  Just One Problem - 2002 Maserati Spyder
  By joseph Herman - July 13 - 10:00 am

  Everything about the car has been up to, or exceeded my expectations. I have been very surprised by how many people recognize this rare and unfamiliar car, and by the number of unsolicited compliments I have been getting from total strangers. The most frequent remark is about how elegant the car looks on the street, compared to photographs.

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  Maserati Coupe Corsa - 2002 Maserati Coupe
  By R. Strain - May 19 - 2:00 am

  Received car in late 2002. The cambiocorsa (F-1)transmission program had been upgraded so it was less clunky sounding. Build quality is excellent and the interior exudes italian leather class. Ordered the skyhook suspension and even with lower profile tires the car is better riding than my Lexus SC 430. The thrill factor and engine sounds are great. The car is better looking from the rear than pictures illustrate. Prefer the Michelin tires and tread design. All in all I am very happy with the car--the car I had on order and changed was a 911 Carrera 4S with tiptronic--I think the Maserati has more cache and better sounds

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  Perfect balance between a smooth and sporty ride - 2015 Maserati Ghibli
  By Paolo - January 12 - 10:32 pm

  If your priority is a very smooth ride there might be other good choices, however, if you (like me...) actually also enjoy driving, this is a GREAT choice. I agree with some criticism about the interior, a few marginal features could have be done better, but overall I tested many other cars in this class and no one came close to offer the same emotions. Update: after 6 months still very happy and deeply in love with this car !! Best vehicle I ever (& proudly) owned.

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  A lot more automobile - 2003 Maserati Spyder
  By JCAP - December 14 - 2:00 am

  This is a lot more automobile than a Mercedes with style that turns heads and performance which is a joy to drive.