He buys a Maserati Granturismo V8 for less than €20,000 classified as «at risk»... and discovers whether it's a real bargain.

Buy a Maserati Granturismo S auction, with a Ferrari V8 under the hood, an MC Shift robotized gearbox and a risk note clearly visible on the sales sheet, it's not exactly the most rational purchase in the world. Yet that's precisely the gamble taken by British youtuber Shifting Metal, who walked away with a 2011 Granturismo S for a very low price. And against all odds, what looked like a future source of trouble turned out to be a very nice surprise.

A Maserati Granturismo S sold as a high-risk car

The car in question is a 2011 Maserati Granturismo S, equipped with Ferrari's famous 4.7-liter naturally-aspirated V8. At the time, this version developed 440 hp and 490 Nm of torque, transmitted to the rear wheels via the MC Shift gearbox, a single-clutch robotized transmission close to the operation of the old Ferrari F1 gearboxes.

This brand-new Maserati cost around €110,000 before options. More expensive than an Audi R8 V8 or an Aston Martin Vantage at the same time. Fifteen years later, it passed through British Car Auctions with a not very reassuring classification: grade 4. On a scale where 1 corresponds to the best vehicles and 5 to the worst, this didn't exactly make you want to go for it with your eyes closed.

The purchase was finally concluded at £14,000. Adding auction fees, BCA platform control and delivery, the car comes to around £14,737, or around €17,500. In short, a Maserati Granturismo S V8 for less than €20,000. At first glance, the deal seems almost too good. With around 64,000 miles (104,000 km) on the odometer, this Granturismo could reasonably be worth around €40,000 if its condition was confirmed.

A much better first impression than expected

Externally, the car doesn't really look tired. The Granturismo's elegant lines have aged remarkably well. The large, trident-style 20-inch wheels still give it plenty of presence, and overall condition seems far better than the classification would suggest.

Nevertheless, there are a few flaws. The tip of the Trident logo is starting to peel off, the buttons are worn, a seat element needs refastening, the rearview mirror control moves slightly and the headliner is starting to sag. Nothing dramatic for a car of this age, especially in this range.

As for the interior, it retains that very Maserati charm, with an ambience more grand touring than radical sports car. The seats are firm but comfortable, and the equipment remains correct, with electrically heated seats, air conditioning, cruise control, automatic headlights, Bose system and steering-wheel-mounted paddles. Even the electronics work, which, on a Maserati of this age bought at auction, is already good news.

The Ferrari V8, the real star of this Granturismo

From the very first kilometers, it's above all the sound that impresses. The 4.7-liter naturally-aspirated V8 delivers a typically Italian soundtrack, with characterful upshifts and downshifts accompanied by natural crackles, far removed from modern artifice.

The MC Shift gearbox takes some getting used to. When cold and at low speed, it can be rough, almost clumsy. But once warmed up and used more openly, it really comes into its own. Passages become more coherent, faster, and contribute to the car's very special character. This is no sterile modern sports car. It's a great old-fashioned GT, with its imperfections, its mechanical drama and that little extra soul that newer cars often lack.

Mechanical inspection

The real moment of truth comes when the Maserati is mechanically inspected. And then, surprise: the car is far from worrying. Under the hood, the levels are good, the coolant is clean, the oil is clear, the brake fluid seems fresh and there are no major leaks.

Best of all, several expensive components have recently been replaced. The car has discs and brake pads in very good condition, new braided brake hoses, recent Bridgestone Potenza tires, Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach springs. The exhaust system is original. The only real comment concerns a slight leak in the gearbox, described as usual on this type of model, but without any worrying leaks. A few exhaust collars have been replaced, but nothing that looks like a nasty surprise.

A well-maintained Maserati

The service record confirms the good impression. The car was serviced in July of the previous year, just 1,000 miles before purchase. On this occasion, several important interventions were carried out: air-conditioning compressor, hoses, brakes, oil change, brake fluid and even starter.

Even more impressive, the car recently received a new clutch, F1 gearbox sensor, gearbox potentiometers, seals, transmission system servicing, original Maserati front suspension kit, rear bearings, reconditioned injectors, new battery and even a new windscreen. In other words, the previous owner clearly spent a considerable amount of money to keep this Granturismo in top condition. The mechanic even estimates that over £30,000 (€35,000) could have been invested in maintenance and repairs in recent years.

A bargain almost too good

In the end, all this Maserati Granturismo S needed was a few minor cosmetic details. So what was supposed to be a risky purchase turned into a spectacular stroke of luck. A Ferrari-powered Maserati V8, bought for less than €20,000, with a long service history, a recent clutch, brakes in good condition, recent tires and a sound worthy of an Italian supercar. It's hard to beat that.

Of course, not every Granturismo purchased at auction will be such a pleasant surprise. But in this case, the risk paid off. And for less than €20,000, it's hard to find an Italian GT as charismatic, as sonorous and as desirable.