Unless you get really lucky, or a dealer makes a mistake, buying a new Maserati won’t be easy on your wallet. On the used car market, though, it’s a different story, even in the current climate. Used Maseratis are often surprisingly affordable—at least to buy. But a secondhand car from the trident brand isn’t necessarily a headache waiting to happen. That particularly applies to this week’s Bring a Trailer bargain car: a 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC.

The Maserati GranTurismo is an unofficial Ferrari GT

Ferrari doesn’t own Maserati anymore, but for a time both storied Italian brands shared a metaphorical roof. As a result, a few Maseratis came not just with genuine Ferrari engineering, but Ferrari-developed engines, too. That includes the Maserati GranTurismo—sort of.

The Maserati GranTurismo started off as a Ferrari project to replace the outgoing Coupe, MotorTrend explains. However, that stalled after Ferrari sold the brand to Fiat in 2005. That in-development car ended up becoming the Ferrari California. But because Maserati still needed a Coupe replacement, it took the Quattroporte V sedan—which was also a Ferrari design—and spun it off into a two-door grand tourer. And so, the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo was born.

However, while the GranTurismo’s chassis was a tangential Ferrari design, its engine certainly wasn’t. Although it didn’t have a flat-plane crank, the 2007 GranTurismo’s 4.2-liter V8 was developed alongside the F430’s and 458 Italia’s V8s. So, yes, it’s a Ferrari V8. And it only got better with time.

The 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC closed off the gorgeous GT’s first chapter with more power, speed, and sound

In 2008, Maserati bumped the GranTurismo up to a 4.7-liter V8 with 434 hp. And in 2013, it got several updates and a power boost to 454 hp. But right before that, Maserati gave its luxury GT a sharper edge in the form of the 2012 GranTurismo MC.

Known as the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale overseas, the US-market version wasn’t as extreme. Our MC kept its rear seats, for example, and didn’t get the carbon bucket front seats or the F430-style six-speed semi-automatic transmission. But it did get a retuned ZF automatic, functional front splitter, rear lip spoiler, extra hood air intakes, new side skirts, and wider fenders. Maserati gave it stiffer suspension and anti-roll bars, too, as well as bigger brakes, unique 20” wheels, and launch control.

Also, thanks to a retuned engine and lighter performance exhaust, the GranTurismo MC was more powerful and more efficient than the standard car, MT says. Not to mention slightly lighter. But even with the performance and handling boosts, the Maserati GranTurismo MC “is still a grand-touring car in the finest sense,” MT notes.

So, while it can carve up swooping country roads in style, it’s also a comfortable long-distance cruiser. Its interior ergonomics and materials “are, as you’d expect, superb,” Evo reports. And its performance exhaust makes that 4.7-liter V8 sing with an even more spectacular roar.

There’s one up for grabs on Bring a Trailer

Although adaptive ‘Skyhook’ dampers were optional on the 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC, the car currently listed on Bring a Trailer doesn’t have them. However, from a longevity and reliability perspective, that’s arguably for the best. And otherwise, it’s a well-equipped example of the sporty GT.

Besides the previously-mentioned features, this 2012 GranTurismo MC has carbon-fiber interior trim, aluminum pedals, extended carbon-fiber shift paddles, blue dials, and a carbon-fiber-rimmed steering wheel. Also, a Bose audio system, leather-upholstered sport seats, navigation, dual-zone climate control, LED taillights, xenon headlights, and cross-drilled and slotted disc brakes.

With 26,271 miles on the clock and no notable flaws, this 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC is in practically mint condition. Plus, it has a zero-accident history and extensive service records. And speaking of service, the seller replaced the front and rear springs in August 2021.

If you treat it right, a Maserati GranTurismo MC doesn’t have to be an expensive luxury bargain

As of this writing, this 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC is listed at $20,000 with three days left in the auction. Keep in mind, it originally started at $143,850 back in 2012. And the cheapest 2012 GranTurismo MC with similar mileage on Autotrader is currently listed at roughly double that price. In short, this is a bargain exotic GT.

Yet given Maserati’s less-than-sterling reputation for reliability, it’s understandable that prospective bidders might be worried. As always, a pre-purchase inspection is recommended. But it’s worth noting that the GranTurismo is arguably the most reliable used Maserati, especially if it has a ZF automatic like this one.

Although early GranTurismos had some cam variator issues, those were sorted out by 2012. If the GT is driven and serviced regularly, it’s a reliable car, Evo says. The only glitches are rusting wheel bolts, sticky switches, random electrical gremlins, and occasional oil leaks. However, the GranTurismo is less susceptible to the latter than the contemporary Quattroporte. And most electrical issues occur because jump-starts can overload certain sub-systems; trickle-charge it instead, Evo advises. Or, you know, drive it.

The Maserati GranTurismo MC might not have a Ferrari badge, but it’s a bargain-priced way of getting some of that Prancing Horse spirit.

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