Ferrari and Maserati may be sister companies, but the service requirements are very different, making the cost of ownership for a Maserati much more attractive.
There are a couple of things that make a huge difference when it comes to Maserati service vs. Ferrari service. First, Maseratis do not have timing belts. Anyone who knows anything about Ferraris is aware of the cost concern with timing belts, and when Maserati built their car without them, they made these cars much more affordable. The second biggest difference with service is that Maseratis do not require their engine to be removed for service. As you can imagine, this is a very large cost.
Now, let’s look at some of the similarities these exotics share. First, just like Ferraris, Maseratis require an annual service. A regular annual service will cost about $1,000, which is thousands less than an annual Ferrari service. If your Maserati needs its 2nd year or a larger service the cost will be closer to $2,000. Another similarity that both makes are notorious for are sticky buttons. Unfortunately, as your Maserati and Ferrari age, the interior will develop a tacky feel that can easily cost $10,000 to have repaired. Also similar in these exotics as they age are oil leaks, which can run you around $2,000 -$4,000 to fix. The final similarity to point out is the issue that can arise depending on if you have an F1 or an automatic. An early Maserati with the F1 transmission, especially in the GranTurismo (up until 2009), can also require a clutch replacement just like the Ferraris. This can run as much as $7,000 so it is important to note this upfront.
Finally, it is important to look at two more Maserati services that are common, but are not common to Ferraris. First, Maseratis are known for failing window regulators and door handle issues. Chances are likely that, if you own a Maserati, you have had one or both of these services performed. The second service concern is mostly common in the Quattroporte model in the years 2005-2009, but it is important to point out since it can be costly. This is the timing variator issue, which other than a clutch, is the biggest repair you could face; it requires tons of labor and could run around $7,000.
Comparing and contrasting Ferrari and Maserati it is obvious in some areas of the manufacturing that they are sister companies. These Italian exotics share much in the beauty as well as the makeup. However, when both have the same issue, the costs can vary greatly. Servicing exotic vehicles is not cheap, so it is crucial to look at all the servicing costs as well as the purchase price.
