A Texas car enthusiast has spent two years planning a custom build, and a cheap Maserati may finally give him the chance to start. The problem is that the car has serious issues, including a missing part on top of the engine.
The Maserati Cambiocorsa is listed for less than $5,000. According to the seller, it was once worth around $30,000 and only needs a few things put back together. The buyer isn’t quite convinced.
He works with fiberglass, carbon fiber, and custom body panels, so repairing the outside doesn’t worry him. What he needs is a car with good mechanical parts that can support an entirely new body.
After sharing the listing on Reddit, he asked other car enthusiasts to rate the idea from one to ten. Several gave it scores well beyond ten, and some had expensive stories to explain why.
A Perfect Fit
On a scale 1-10, how bad an idea is this?
by
u/rallyfanche2 in
projectcar
The buyer, posting as u/rallyfanche2 on Reddit, specifically wants the Maserati because its wheelbase is only 1.5 inches longer than the custom body he plans to build. That’s a little too convenient to pass up.
A Mustang, Camaro, or Charger would be too long, but he could adjust his new body slightly to fit the Maserati without making a major change to its shape.
The Ferrari-derived V8 engine is another selling point. With a budget of less than $10,000 for a donor car, finding one at half that price seemed like a rare chance.
Unfortunately, the seller’s explanation raised concerns. A truck reportedly backed into the Maserati, damaging its exterior and possibly the engine. The seller also claimed that parts were removed to repair an oil cooler.
What the buyer called a missing airbox turned out to be the intake manifold, according to people examining the photos. That left openings into the engine exposed, something the buyer feared could cause trouble in the humid Texas climate.
When he raised that concern, the seller told him the openings had been covered during repairs. The seller also claimed the car had passed inspection and showed no fault codes. It supposedly needed only a battery and the missing parts reinstalled.
An Expensive Gamble
Several commenters questioned why the seller hadn’t completed those repairs before listing the Maserati. A running car would be easier to sell, especially if the work were as simple as described.
Others pointed to the Cambiocorsa transmission, which uses a computer-controlled clutch and shifting system. The buyer had considered replacing it with a traditional manual setup, but commenters warned that the conversion could bring its own problems.
One person who claimed to have sold a Maserati Spyder described a particularly costly experience. Despite extensive service records, the car developed repeated faults and later needed a gearbox repair quoted at £9,000.
Another commenter rated the project a 13 out of ten, citing the transmission, engine concerns, and difficulty finding parts. Those problems were especially worrying because the buyer openly admitted that mechanical diagnosis wasn’t his strength.
He also wasn’t offended by the criticism. While comfortable following repair manuals and maintaining his Porsche, he said he was far more skilled with bodywork than engines.
Still Tempted
Not everyone discouraged him. One mechanic argued that difficult projects can be rewarding, provided the owner has the money and patience to see them through.
The buyer also wondered whether the seller simply wanted the damaged car gone. That could explain the low price, although it offered no proof that the engine was healthy.
Even his wife found some humor in the situation. After hearing the warnings, she reportedly supported the purchase, reasoning that a few frustrating weekends with an Italian sports car might finally end his desire to start a major project.
For now, the buyer has not announced a purchase. His original plan remains a custom-bodied car built around a suitable chassis, with the Maserati’s size and engine still making it an appealing, if risky, candidate.