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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  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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  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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  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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  MAZ - 2004 Maserati Coupe
  By KLP - August 12 - 2:00 am

  excellent ride, great pick up, terrific cornering, and best of all great braking

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  Impressive Performance and Quality - 2017 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Ken - July 3 - 11:35 pm

  Although the purchase was recent, Im impressed with the performance, solid build, overall design and impressive interior.

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  Amazizizing - 2008 Maserati Quattroporte
  By Mazeraty Finatico - January 14 - 11:13 am

  The Maserati Quattroporte is about the sexiest sedan youll ever see, and its Italian craftsmanship reflects passion. Its styling, by the legendary Pininfarina, shows them all how it should be done, without tricks. The lines are so shapely theyre striking. Its cabin is roomy for a car this low and stylish, but its really all about the quality of its materials, with nine shades of leather and six types of wood to choose from. The controls could and should be simpler, but thats true of all the top luxury cars today.

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  Man what a car!! - 2014 Maserati Ghibli
  By happy1147 - December 18 - 10:31 am

  I love my car. Fast and handles well on WV roads. Makes my Corvette look like family sedan. Great performance and an eye pleaser especially when my blonde wife drives it. Made a few Camaro and Mustang believers when the old man leaves them in the breeze. Go Trident!!

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  Very Impressed - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
  By jb7227 - December 16 - 6:13 am

  My 2007 QP has been nothing short of spectacular since the day I picked it up. I am happy I went went w/the DuoSelect. It is one of the best features of this car, smooth and very easy to master. I have owned BMWs, MBs, Jags. Nothing attracts as much attention on the road. It may be one of the most beautiful cars ever built! The engine sounds terrific (it is difficult to keep the revs below 4-5000 rpms on the upshifts, the engine is so willing to sing) and the interior would put a Bentley to shame. Gas mileage has averaged about 14 mpg overall. No problems so far after 2 months and 2800 miles. I would highly recommend this car for anyone who wants a car with real personality.