These Quattroporte III's are a mess and we love them for it. Starting with a Biturbo chassis, Maserati engineers added some wheelbase. The front McPherson strut setup was maintained, while the rear trailing arm suspension was updated to ape the tubular design of the Maserati Shamal. Similarly, the V6 engines were derived from the units in the Biturbo and Ghibli, while the V8 was a revised version of the turbocharged V8 found in the Shamal.

As much as we like these, the contemporary automotive press did not see the appeal. And, neither did Ferrari, when they acquired 50% of Maserati from Fiat in 1997. So, they went about improving the basic formula into un updated model known as the Quattroporte Evolution. Introduced in 1998, the revised Quattroporte was said to have had roughly half of its main components reengineered. Curiously, the engine outputs do not reflect the updates, as V6 and V8 power outputs remain constant across both variants. Still, we have no reason to lament the 330hp 3.2L twin-turbocharged mated to a 6-speed Getrag gearbox in the top models.

Year: 2000
Model:  Maserati Quattroporte V8 Evolution 3.2
Engine: 3.2L turbocharged V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage:  124,101km
Price: € 16,995
Location: Waalre, Netherlands

CLICK FOR DETAILS: Maserati Quattroporte V8 Evolution 3.2

Not only one of the most reasonably priced (priced to sell), also a V8 and an Evoluzione.

Second owner from new (bought it from the first owner after only one year).

Best color combination: Grigio Alfieri with black leather interior

For a general description of this fabulous car, please read the other ads, then come back to me to talk about the details of this one.

Meticulously maintained.

We will contest the seller's assertion that this example comes in the best color combination - that, for us, would be green on green. But, we imagine that most will find this color to be fine. The Gandini design is decent, in light of the fact that he was working off of essentially lengthened Biturbo bones, and didn't have free reign to mold the proportions as much as he probably would have liked to. We like angle in the rear wheel arches, surely a tribute to Gandini's signature wedge designs.

A great driving experience transcends perfect road manners and reliability and interior quality, areas in which this car likely struggled. We welcome the raucous V8, and limited slip RWD layout, no matter how well it compared to its peers. And, priced the way it is, we think that it is an exceptionally value, especially considering the rarity. In 6 years, when these become legal to import to the United States, we hope to find one of our own.

-Graham