Re: New Maseratis?

[James Bratek <james_bratek@domain.elided>]

Your analogy is not accurate to the topic. New Maseratis are not badged as
Ferraris so there is no confusion with branding. The difference here is that
Ferrari is responsible for Maserati operations, and that should add
credibility to construction quality, performance and reliability, and
therefore stronger resale values.

A more relevent analogy would be the new Range Rover (engineered by BMW),
and the new Mini Cooper (also engineered by BMW). The jury is still out on
the new Bentleys engineered by VW, the new Lamborghinis engineered by
Audi/VW. And as a contrast, blue-collar Ford has improved Aston Martin and,
mostly, Jaguar (the X-Type may need some work).

Porschephiles, those died-in-the-wool traditionalists that makeup a small
minority of total customer demographics, will never accept any Porsche model
that deviates from the 911. The Boxster and Cayenne are no exception. The
944 Turbo is one of the best sports cars you can buy for club racing, and
the 928S4 is a classic GT optimized for autobahn journeys. But try telling
that to a hardcore 911 owner.

Jim


On 2/22/03 12:37 PM, "Peter Marino" <alfa02189@domain.elided> wrote:

> Ask Porsche owners if the 924, 944 and 928 are considered "real" Porsches.
> 911s resale prices remain high.  The previously mention are easily gotten
> for $5000 and less. Grassroots had a comparison a few issues back between a
> 911 and 944.  They said that most Porsche enthusiasts believe that the 924
> and 944 are not "real" Porsches because they are front engine/ rear drive
> instead of rear engine/ rear drive.  I believe the same for Ferrari owners.
> Just because Ferrari makes it does not mean it's a "real" Ferrari. Those
> that are not Ferrari enthusiasts may not even know that Masers are built by
> Ferrari.  Lets also remember that there would be no Ferrari with out Alfa
> Romeo!
> 
> Pete
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: James Bratek <james_bratek@domain.elided>
> To: Alfa List <alfa@domain.elided>
> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 8:14 PM
> Subject: Re: New Maseratis?
> 
> 
>>> - - many digesters have said they'd pony-up cash for a new Alfa if it
> were
>>> available. How many of youse guys will be buying a used 2002 Maser in a
> few
>>> years after they've taken their big depreciation hit? I imagine, like a
> used
>>> Alfa or Ferrari, that the purchase price of a used one will be quite
>>> reasonable compared to the cost of proper checkbook maintenance and
> repair.
>> 
>> The new generation Maseratis are being built by Ferrari, and since
> Ferraris
>> tend to keep their values pretty high, I'd expect the same for the new
>> Maseratis. Yet another incentive for Ferrari to acquire operations of
> Alfa.
>> However, if that happens, the days of $5,000 used late-model Alfas are
> over.
>> Good news or bad news, depending on your income level.
>> 
>> 
>> Jim
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