One of the most maligned Italian cars has returned to CICFS. The Maserati Biturbo was an effort to move the company from manufacturing high end supercars to producing sport luxury vehicles capable of bringing the fight squarely to BMW and Mercedes-Benz. This Biturbo for sale in Philadelphia looks clean and is well documented. But should someone wanting to scratch that Maserati itch take a chance?
Only 49k miles. One owner, no accidents, Autocheck certified. 5-speed manual, two turbochargers. Rear-wheel drive, luxury sports car. Air conditioning, leather, power windows, runs great!
With only one previous owner, this automobile is ready for you.The mileage represented on this vehicle is accurate.This is a smoke-free automobile.There are no signs of prior damage on this vehicle.There is no damage evident on this vehicle.All power equipment is functioning properly.The engine on this vehicle is running properly.
For a Biturbo, low mileage isn't always a plus as it is with other vehicles. As we've discussed at length, these cars were notoriously unreliable and are not looked upon favorably by enthusiasts of the marque or in general, for that matter. Sure, everything might be working now, but tomorrow, all hell could break loose. It's encouraging to see a slew of service receipts and $6,500 is cheap when it comes to Italian exotica. Potential buyers must realize, though, that their chances of nursing a Biturbo through a few thousand miles without fault is about as high as hitting 21 on the $100,000 Blackjack table.
Looking like a sharp edged BMW E30 sedan, few people in the market for a compact executive saloon noticed the Maserati 430 when it was new. It could have been the much higher price tag as compared to its German rivals. Either that, or they had nightmares from previous mechanical experiences with the related Maserati Biturbo. This was unfortunate, as the extra doors, newly added limited slip differential, revised suspension and more linear turbos attached to the 2.8 liter V6 made it a more pleasant driver. If you can find a good 430 today, it makes for an interesting modern classic and one that grabs the attention of the more astute passers by. This 430 for sale in Philadelphia has a low 26,000 miles on the clock and looks well kept.
1989 Maserati 430, 4 door, 5 speed. Rare Italian sports sedan. Under 26,000 original miles. Two owner car. Garage kept, well maintained and pampered. Excellent condition. All service up to date. Ice cold air conditioning. Power windows, power locks. Less than 1,000 miles on four new Dunlop tires. Must see in person to appreciate the value. Certain trades will be considered. Serious inquirers only. Barrett Jackson Quality. A true time capsule.
At under $15,000, most people would think this is a lot of Maserati for the money, but realistically, the best examples of the 430 may fetch between $10,000 to $12,000 at most. The 430 suffers from less mechanical gremlins than the earlier Biturbo, but you still would be wise to make friends with your local specialist in town, as these are not the easiest cars to go about repairing. The blue interior may be a bit too blue for some, but personally, I find it quite attractive. I have a feeling this car may sit around at close to $15,000 for a while. If the seller knocks a few grand off the price, it may be a worthwhile purchase, as this looks to be one of the betters 430s out there for sale.
By the late 1980s, Maserati was winding down operations in the US market. The Biturbo had done its damage to the reputation of the company and Maserati left the US market entirely in 1991. Before they left, however, they gave us this, the Spyder, which was the first Maserati in thirty years designed by Zagato. With a shortened wheelbase, this open roofed car was strictly a two seater. Like Biturbos, there are a decent amount of worn out Spyders hanging around on the used market, so finding a good one takes some perseverance. This automatic version in California is cosmetically sound, but could mechanical issues lurk underneath?
Up for bid is a 1989 Maserati Spyder convertible. Everything in this car is factory and original. I am selling this on behalf of the original owner, a lady in her late 70s who bought it brand-new for over $100,000 in 1989 and now does not have the ability to handle this car. Based on the service record book, the majority of miles were put on the vehicle during the first few years of ownership. The last fifteen years haven't had a lot of miles put on it. The factory service record book, factory service manual, and leather/suede factory owner's manual are included.
This car is in extremely good condition. This car has always been in the garage. The paint and interior are all original! The paint is still that bright factory Maserati red. The interior is mostly a grainy, creamy leather, with side panels in a creamy grey suede; the dash is in a light blue suede (very striking and unusual - typical Italian style!).
I have been driving the vehicle for the last few weeks to prepare it for selling as it has been garaged for a long time without being driven. I just had brand-new tires installed (including the spare). From driving the vehicle, here is what I have noticed: It's a little cold-blooded when starting it up in the morning, but the starting has been getting better and better the more the car is driven. It may need further tune-up work. The heating and a/c work, but the blower motor is going out. The speedometer sticks occasionally, but the sticking has decreased in frequency the more the car has been driven. The odomter and tripometer are working fine. All of the windows are working fine; all of the gauges seem to be working fine. The electric trunk release button and fuel door release button seem to be working fine. The car handles great and drives nice.
All in all, this car is in great shape, especially considering the year. It is a very clean, well-maintained car. With a little TLC, you will have an exceptional car. You'll be hard-pressed to find one as clean as this.
The one thing that alarms me about this car is that it sat for quite some time without being driven. Cars like these need to stretch their legs and be given an Italian tune up, from time to time. With that said, the seller has made an effort to be as honest as possible. The most you may see one of these later model Spyders go for would be around $15,000. With a no reserve auction, we'll probably see a car like this crest just a bit over $10,000, as I suspect the automatic transmission may hold it back a bit.
Italian cars are known for not being the most reliable, but the Maserati Biturbo took this known quality to new heights. TIME Magazine listed the Biturbo as the Worst Car of the Year for 1984. Noted for the bad rap it garnered over the years in the motoring press, just what is it with the Biturbo? In the 1970s, the De Tomaso ownership at Maserati sought to move away from their lineup of high priced supercars and introduce a more affordable luxury car. Offered initially with a 2.5 liter twin turbo V6, the Spyder was built on a shorter wheelbase which served as the basis for the hardtop Karif variant. The Biturbo could best be described as being developed on a shoestring budget, and it showed. Almost every piece of this car was a constant source of headaches for its owners, from it's engine to the various bits of trim. Subsequently, these Maseratis can be had for pennies on the dollar, but is it worth it? Offered for sale here is a low mileage Spyder for sale in Massachusetts that makes one ponder whether it was a collector that owned it or it was in the shop so often the owner barely got to drive it.
No description is provided by the seller, but if the mileage is correct, from the condition it looks like it could be a decent buy, provided a thorough mechanical inspection. The silver blue color with navy top is a nice alternative to the usual red. The interior needs a little bit of attention, specifically the leather on the seats, but if the mechanicals are sound enough and the seller can knock another $2,000 to $3,000 off the price, it would be a decent value for a brave enthusiast willing to take a chance on one of the most notoriously unreliable vehicles of our time.
Heading into the 1990s, Maserati was emerging from what could be described as an underwhelming decade. In the early 1980s, the last of their mid-engined sports cars rolled off the line and the Biturbo took over as a the mainstays of the lineup, along with the V8 engined Quattroporte III executive sedan. The Biturbos did to Maserati what the Beta did to Lancia: it soiled Maserati's reputation and labeled it as a builder of unreliable cars at a critical juncture for the company. On the cusp of Fiat's takeover in 1993, Maserati was exhausting what they could out of the Biturbo chassis with the introduction of the Shamal in 1989. This car had a 3.2 liter twin turbo V8 engine and updated styling by Marcello Gandini.
The Shamal formed the basis for the car you see here, the OPAC Spyder Prototype. OPAC is a company famous for its automotive convertible top engineering and recreational boat manufacturing. This Spyder Prototype has both a cloth top and removable hardtop, similar to the contemporary Mercedes-Benz R129 SL. First show in 1994, this car was subsequently bought by a Dutch collector and is now for sale in The Netherlands, wearing Quattroporte IV alloy wheels.
Unique and one-off prototype of the Maserati Spyder. This car was intended as a successor to the 80's Maserati Biturbo Spyder was first presented in 1994 at the motor show in Turin. In early 2000 this car is in the hands of a Dutch collector came and waited for the car perfectly, and was driven regularly. Technical features include a twin turbo V8 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. Specifications are identical to the Shamal. The manufacturer OPAC has also built a hardtop, which makes this car really complete. For collectors of this unique car is also an absolute must! Complete history and maintenance!
While this car is a mash up of Maserati and Ferrari elements, it pulls off a cohesive, wedge look. A one off prototype, no matter the marque, is a purchase that only the very serious and well informed should undertake, not only for one's sanity, but also to help preserve rare vehicles such as these. Unlike a lot of prototypes, this one is perfectly drivable, since it is based on the Shamal. Hopefully it is bought by a collector who won't lock it away, but bring it to events for other enthusiasts to observe and enjoy.
With two extra doors and a longer wheelbase, the Maserati 430 was the . Similar in size (and appearance) to the BMW 3 series, it cost a whopping $16,000 more than the 325i sedan. With two IHI turbochargers and twin intercoolers, the 2.8 liter V6 was good for 225 horsepower and a 0-60 time of around six seconds. This example for sale outside of Richmond, VA is equipped with an automatic transmission and has 61,000 miles on the clock.
Nice one owner example of Maserati 430. Runs and drives excellent. Everything works from seats to power antenna, no leaks. No rust, If you are looking at it you probably know everything about it. If properly maintained these late model Biturbos are solid and dependable like Mercedes. Car is located in Richmond Virginia. Reserve is $5,900.
I wouldn't fully agree with the seller with regards to the late model Biturbo reliability, but by the time the 430 came around, the Biturbo had been around for eight years. By then, at least, a few of the issues had been worked out. This 430 appears to be straight and the interior is in decent shape, so I'd wager to believe the mechanicals have been kept up in a similar fashion. It's not the most desirable Italian classic, but with 995 examples built between 1987 through 1994, this is an affordable way to sidle into exclusive and exotic motoring.
It's not much of a secret that the BiTurbo doesn't get much love from enthusiasts. Most were not well cared for and are difficult to bring back to respectable condition once they've gone too far. But every time I see a nice one in photographs I can't help but really like the lines. And on paper, a twin turbo V6 should make this a BMW e30 killer.
What I hadn't seen before was this 4 door variant. For sale in San Diego on eBay, this 425i looks pretty respectable. The seller is honest about the condition and the pictures are representative with worn but not destroyed seats and shiny but not perfect black paint.
For auction is my 1987 Maserati Biturbo 425i. The leather in the interior is extremely luxurious and supple. This is all original - no dyes or paint. The exterior paint is still the original glossy black, but shows it's age in some areas. It's hard to see in the photos. The car was often stored inside. This particular model was purchased with power steering and a sunroof. It was only driving on an average of 4,800 miles per year. The timing belt and oil have been changed and the valves have been adjusted. The clutch disk and pressure plate are new. The engine only has 49,500 miles on it!
The engine is beautiful and always starts on the first attempt, no matter how cold.. Please see the close up engine photos. It's the cleanest that I have seen in years and I own several. This Biturbo 425i has great boost from it's twin turbos. There are some fissures on the front windshield, but would not bother to replace it (see photos). The installation is never as good as the original. The driver and passenger side windows sometimes need assistance. I believe a fuse needs to be replaced for the rear windows and sunroof for them to operate. The paint is beautiful and very straight (no orange peel texture here). The paint is original, so of course there is normal wear, and some scratches here and there. There are several door dings which are hard to see in the photos. Lastly, there is NO RUST except some bubbling around corner passenger rear side window and the drivers side Maserati emblem (see photos). This Maserati Biturbo 425i is extremely rare in this condition and reasonably priced. Its very fast. In fact, you will not find a faster sedan or coupe for the price!
So is this a future classic? Probably not unless the other 2371 examples produced have disappeared off the face of the earth and it's 40 or 50 years from now! But it's unusual and I thought other might be interested in a look.
I know what they say about these and I don't care; in this case anyway. In most cases, a Maserati Biturbo is to avoided at all costs due to shaky electronics, build quality, and neglected service histories. But this car hasn't had the chance to be neglected yet with only 18k miles on the clock since new! And anyone who knocks the looks is a liar. This is a really good looking car. I know the interior is a bit gaudy, but at least it still shows like new.
quote from seller's listing:
Maserati Coupe one owner for the past 17 years. Purchased from original owner in 1993 w/12,300 miles, now has 18,616 miles. Never in a winter, always kept in heated garage . Interior still has the new car smell! Mint condition inside and out. Prelli P Zero tires with less than 100 miles. Front 205/50 ZR15 and rear 225/50 ZR15, mounted on three peice OZ racing wheels. The catalytic converter, Y pipe and air pump have been removed. All original items including the manuals, all keys w/original key fob, original wheels and tires are part of purchase.
Factory specifications quote the U.S. spec Si at 188hp, but with all the emissions equipment set aside, the power output from this larger-than-Euro-spec 2.5L V6 twin turbo, should meet or exceed the Italy-only 220hp rating. At about 2700lbs dry weight, this should be a quick little car. Interesting...
