2017 Maserati Ghibli

Finished in Blu Passione with an Ivory leather interior, this Maserati Ghibli DV6 3.0 TD Auto’s name might be a bit of a mouthful, but it does have the legs to match: with 275bhp and a massive 443lb.ft of torque on tap from the three-litre turbo-diesel, the Maserati goes incredibly well reaching its limited top speed of 155mph after passing 62mph in only 6.3 seconds.

The semi-automatic ZF gearbox can be left to do its thing when you’re tired of flicking your way up and down the eight-speed ‘box and, perhaps best of all, that stellar performance comes at little cost: the official figures say an average of 50mpg should be achievable, which means the 70-litre fuel tank should give you a range of around 750 miles. There are three additional buttons (see photo of gear lever) that allows selection of Sport, ICE (economy) Manual modes.

With 50:50 weight distribution, double wishbone suspension on the front, a sophisticated multi-link setup at the rear, and a limited-slip differential, EVO magazine wrote of it in 2016: “In sport mode, with its optional adaptive dampers switched to their firmer setting, the Ghibli is competent and composed across a winding road.” The sellers tells us that switching to Sport mode also changes the exhaust note to a lovely throaty sound (if one likes that sort of thing.)

Having had just the one previous keeper, ‘EF17 LYC’ has been in the care of the seller since 2020 and is only for sale due to a change in personal circumstances.

The Blu Passione coachwork is very good indeed. With ultra-tight and consistent shutlines, ripple-free flanks, and a distinct absence of the sort of dents and dinks that are common even on newer cars like this, the is still a luxurious grand touring car that could usher you to Glyndebourne with the same nonchalance as it would your local Waitrose.

Further signs that it’s been looked after with uncommon care include excellent badges, and lamp lenses that are free of cracks and chips.

Even the four corners and the two door mirror casings, the places that always betray a careless driver, are free of marks and scuffs.

The wheel and tyre package is just as impressive because the matching Bridgestone Weather Control tyres are fitted to a set of rather lovely 19-inch Poseidone Elegance alloy wheels whose open 15-spoke design allows you to admire the black-painted brake calipers and huge ventilated discs that are clamped by Maserati’s Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist systems.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

All of which means flaws are minimal. We spotted two tiny scuffs on the alloy wheels but that’s about all.

The electrically adjustable front seats – eight-way adjustable plus four-way adjustable lumbar support – feature heating elements too, and all four seats feature the Trident logo on their headrests.

Of course, there’s a smattering of very good dark wood in the cabin, as well as some nice brushed-metal controls. Contemporary and very Italian, it’s a lovely place to be, not least because those seats are barely marked, are still as firm and comfortable as they were when they were first fitted, and work as they should.

Other signs of careful curation include taut netting pockets on the back of the front seats, oatmeal overmats that protect the (very good) factory carpets, and a clean and undamaged headlining.

The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel offers fingertip control of the cruise control system as well as some of the functions of the touch-screen, double-din infotainment system. Infotainment includes USB, Aux, & SD card sockets & Fm & DAB radio. It also works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can access your favourite apps.

The infotainment screen has a blue background to match the instrument dials; it’s another thoughtful touch on the part of the Italian firm.

You’ll get to enjoy dual-zone automatic climate control too, and the air-conditioning even includes the glovebox, which’ll help keep your chocolate safe in the heat of summer.

(There is also a perimetric and volumetric anti-theft alarm to keep your car safe all year around.)

Other goodies include:

• Front and rear parking sensors
• A reversing camera
• Keyless entry
• A FitCam webcam integrated driving mirror housing
• Speed-sensitive power steering
• Heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors that fold at the touch of a button
• Automatic headlamps and wipers
• LED front running and rear lamps
• Front and rear electric windows

Plus, of course, the iconic Maserati clock.

And the presence of the Sport driving mode and Maserati Active Sound System mean the only real sign that you’re sitting inside an oil-burner, even when you’re on the move, is the rev counter’s 4,500rpm redline, and the delightful change in the exhaust tone.

The boot is both vast and clean, which is about all you can expect of it, isn’t it?

You want more? Well, the tool kit that lies within is both completely and probably unused. As is the case with modern cars these days, there’s no spare wheel, just a compressor.

There’s a lead for a trickle charger too, which’ll come in handy if, like the seller, you don’t use it as everyday transport.

The Maserati’s service history is recorded as follows:

• 21.05.2018 and 2,925 miles – service by Lancaster Colchester
• 23.05.2019 and 5,557 miles – service by Lancaster Colchester
• 12.06.2020 and 8,379 miles – service by Lancaster Colchester
• 26.02.2021 and 9,930 miles – service by Jardine Select
• 16.03.2022 and 12,542 miles – service by JCT600 Maserati
• 16.03.2023 and 15,304 miles – service by JCT600 Maserati
• 02.04.2024 and 17,637 miles – service by H.R. Owen Maserati

That’s impressive, isn’t it? And it’s paid off because the V6 turbo-diesel engine starts well and idles perfectly; check the video for details and a tour of the car.

Cosmetically, the engine is in exactly the condition you’d expect of a seven-year-old car that’s been serviced on the dot every year. Clean, neatly presented, and seemingly free of oil leaks, it needs nothing other than continued pampering.

The underside is similarly impressive being both clean and free of scuffs and scrapes.

The first owner was a Mrs Childs from Colchester who bought it in 2017 from Lancaster Colchester, the local Maserati & Ferrari main dealer. She did 9,200 miles in it in the four years she owned it, entrusting its annual servicing to the supplying dealer.

She sold it in 2020, with the seller buying it shortly thereafter from Jardine Select Stratstone in Bracknell, Berkshire. They delivered the car to Yorkshire in February of that year during the lockdown.

He told us: “Since then I have put just another 9,000 miles on the car and despite loving the car (even more than my previous two five-litre XK Jaguars) have decided to sell it due to ill health.”

The Ghibli’s MoT certificate is valid until February 2025, and it was issued with no advisories, like every single bar a marker for tyres in 2021.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the car comes with two keyless entry fobs, the Maserati wallet and book pack, and a sheaf of invoices.

With a showroom price new that would have been north of £50,000, our estimate of between £17,000 and £22,000 offers remarkable value.

And this is a remarkable car: as fast as any sane driver needs, it offers luxury, a sporting chassis, parsimonious fuel consumption, and a vast fuel range.

It is the consummate grand touring car and probably all the car you’ll ever need.

Best of all, it’s being offered with no reserve so will sell from the very first bid.

Feels like Christmas has started already, doesn’t it?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.