2017 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 Year 1 Lease Review and Experience

Posted by sickautos on Saturday, 4 November 2017

Maserati. Once a storied brand, where only the few with enough means could get their hands on one. Now owned by FCA, they decided to produce a car that is more attainable, providing an entry point into the brand and giving it more visibility. The base Ghibli, with ~330hp from a 3.0L twin turbo V6, can be had in the low $70's excluding any dealer discounts/rebates.
That's E-Class and 5-Series territory. Realistically, most people will be leasing them, and thats where the value can be had. The top of the line S Q4 with 430hp and AWD has an MSRP starting at around $80k, but most dealers are selling them for much less. Leases can be had starting at $500/mo and up, with some aggressive dealers taking nearly $20k off the selling price. For 2-3k down, you can have a payment in the 8-900$ a month range for a well-optioned SQ4, on par with the M3/4 but with the all-season practicality of AWD and a bigger trunk/back seat. Not to mention there are like a million BMW's and M-cars on the road, so who wants another one, besides the hardcore BMW guys?

Now after selling my 2015 Evo X due to the inconvenience of driving stick in New York City, and moving to a Lexus NX200, I was ready for something a bit more fun and exciting. While a very practical and comfortable car, the NX200 was slow and extremely boring to drive. I also test drove the Jaguar F-Pace, and considered the Porsche Macan, but in the end, the Maserati won with extremely attractive leases (Jaguar had like a $5k first month payment, WTF?) and the most horsepower. Also, sedan driving dynamics win out every time.

I first took the Ghibli SQ4 for a test drive at Manhattan Maserati, who were great. My salesman, Tom Hale, was especially a pleasure to deal with. The showroom was quiet, and there was no pressure or anything -- they were courteous and respectful. On to the drive -- the first thing I noticed was the sound of the car at idle. I'm used to all my cars having modified exhausts, and the throaty growl of the car while just standing still brought back memories of my Evo and Camaro. It definitely got me excited for the drive. Going up the West Side Highway with the exhaust flaps opened, the sound of the engine reverberating off the median wall at around 3-4k RPMs, was intoxicating. It reminded me of a 2JZ or GTR, but with more rasp - it definitely had its own italian flavor to it. The car pulls hard, as expected, and shifts with enthusiasm thanks to the ZF 8-speed - a solid and well-respected tranny available in many other luxury sports cars. 404 horses in the stable make for a fun ride. The interior wasn't as upscale as the Quattroporte, as thats a $100k+ car, I would put it on par with a top trim 3-series BMW. The infotainment and HVAC switches are plasticky, which you wouldn't think should be in an $80-90k car, but with discounts making it $70k, I can forgive it, as it makes up for it with its performance and character. It's an italian car after all, they aren't known particularly for build quality. The bean-counters at FCA weren't any help either, I'm sure. There are nice wood touches and the extended leather feels great. The Harmon Kardon sound system is a worthy upgrade and the stock infotainment unit is one of the best I'ved used - the screen is high-res and feels snappy. Can't say the same for the piece of sh*t Lexus puts in their cars - the thing makes the original Nintendo Game Boy feel like an Iphone X.

So yes, the car has solid driving dynamics -- good grip, steering that ISN'T completely numb, thanks to a hydraulic steering rack, and an engine with a character that isn't found in a lot of new cars today. The ride is firm, but supple enough to absorb the bumps of New York City and let you keep your teeth. So I was sold - weeks later on Black Friday, my salesman Tom called me and offered me a great deal an SQ4 with the driver assistance package (adaptive cruise, collision warning, lane assist, 360 camera & sensors, etc) with a price I could swallow of around $800 a month and $3k OTD.

Fast forward almost a year later, and the Ghibli is still going strong. The only mod I've done is disconnect the exhaust flap vacuum lines, to make it louder. And boy can it wake the neighbors now on a cold start. The dome lights went out for some odd reason about a month in, and the dealer had to keep the car for a few days to fix it. At the time, the loaner fleet was being switched out, so they couldn't give me one -- unfortunate, but I'll give them a pass this time. Every once in awhile, I get looks and compliments on the car, which is surprising considering how common Maserati's are becoming. I feel like I see a few Ghibli's everytime I go out, so over time I don't expect the same amount of attention. But anyway, I didn't buy this car for the attention -- In fact, I wish it drew less. The general populace think you must be rich if you drive a Maserati, which isn't true anymore. All you have to do is be able to afford the lease payment, which a single guy on a modest salary can do. This leads to some awkward conversations at work or with friends where people think you must make a shitton.

Anyway, I recommend this car for anyone looking for a practical, all-season, performance car. I was able to drive through snowy/slushy city roads on all seasons with confidence, and I can fit a stroller and infant car seat in it as well. The relatively large trunk was able to handle trips to Costco and the adaptive cruise made chugging through traffic a breeze. Compared ot the C-class AMG43, the Ghibli is cheaper after discounts, and has more power and character. I'm sure the AMG wins on build quality/interior amenities though. The 550i is a strong competitor with more power, but its also several hundred pounds heavier. It also looks the same as every other BMW on the road and don't think theres as many discounts on the 550 either.. So if you're in the market for a performance sedan on a lease, I'd say the Ghibli is a great value compared to it's rivals, and I suggest you go take one for a test drive!

Comments

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

Why didnt I think about this? I hear exactly what youre saying and Im so happy that I came across your blog. You really know what youre talking about, and you made me feel like I should learn more about this. Thanks for this; Im officially a huge fan of your blog bokep jawa

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

I came to the exact conclusion as well some time ago. Great write-up and I will be sure to look back later for more news. bokep indo

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

Thrilled you desire sensible business online guidelines keep wearing starting tools suitable for the particular web-based business. cash bokep indo

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

Thrilled you desire sensible business online guidelines keep wearing starting tools suitable for the particular web-based business. cash bokep indo

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

Free online games… [...]First of all I want to say excellent blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts prior to writing. I have had difficulty clearing my mind in g… bokep viral

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website bokep viral

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

kattunge i hemmet… [...]s Not every blog has got the facts right but this one seems to have managed t qq[...]… bokep viral

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

Amazing this hit it at the dot we will post to Bebo and also Fb Город Электросталь активно застраивается | Профессиональные новости | ООО “Белго+” – Двери производства Белоруси. Продажа, установка was great bokep indo

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

I likewise conceive so , perfectly written post! . bokep jawa

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

Very informative and great complex body part of articles , now that’s user pleasant (:. bokep viral

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 09:06

Remarkably! It is as if you read my mind! A person appear to know therefore considerably relating to this, just like you authored the book inside it or something. I feel that you can do with a few images to drive the content residence a bit, on top of that, this really is great weblog. The outstanding study. I will definitely review again. bokep viral

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:25

It’s truly a great and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing. 강남퍼펙트가라오케

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:31

Yay google is my king helped me to find this outstanding site! . Asteroid4d

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:31

This really is such a awesome write-up. I’ve been looking for this information for quite a while now and then finally stumbled upon your internet site. Thanks so much for posting this, this has helped me out tremendously. By the way I love the style of the blog, looks good, did you create it all by yourself? Asteroid4d

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:31

Vi ringrazio, considero che quello che ho letto sia ottimo Asteroid4d

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:31

It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it! Situs Slot 4d

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:31

This is some agreeable material. It took me some time to finally find this web page but it was worth the time. I noticed this article was buried in yahoo and not the first spot. This web site has a lot of fine stuff and it doesnt deserve to be burried in the searches like that. By the way I am going to add this web publication to my list of favorites. Situs Slot 4d

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:31

I’m usually to blogging and i really admire your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and keep checking for brand spanking new information. Situs Slot 4d

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:42

Yay google is my king helped me to find this outstanding site! . paito macau

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:42

This really is such a awesome write-up. I’ve been looking for this information for quite a while now and then finally stumbled upon your internet site. Thanks so much for posting this, this has helped me out tremendously. By the way I love the style of the blog, looks good, did you create it all by yourself? paito macau

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:42

Vi ringrazio, considero che quello che ho letto sia ottimo paito macau

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:42

It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it! paito macau

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:42

This is some agreeable material. It took me some time to finally find this web page but it was worth the time. I noticed this article was buried in yahoo and not the first spot. This web site has a lot of fine stuff and it doesnt deserve to be burried in the searches like that. By the way I am going to add this web publication to my list of favorites. paito macau

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 01:42

I’m usually to blogging and i really admire your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and keep checking for brand spanking new information. paito macau

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 02:43

This really is such a awesome write-up. I’ve been looking for this information for quite a while now and then finally stumbled upon your internet site. Thanks so much for posting this, this has helped me out tremendously. By the way I love the style of the blog, looks good, did you create it all by yourself? best crypto to invest

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 02:52

Yay google is my king helped me to find this outstanding site! . top crypto

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 02:52

It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it! top crypto

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 02:52

This is some agreeable material. It took me some time to finally find this web page but it was worth the time. I noticed this article was buried in yahoo and not the first spot. This web site has a lot of fine stuff and it doesnt deserve to be burried in the searches like that. By the way I am going to add this web publication to my list of favorites. top crypto

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 02:52

I’m usually to blogging and i really admire your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and keep checking for brand spanking new information. top crypto

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 03:00

Yay google is my king helped me to find this outstanding site! . ws web

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 03:00

This really is such a awesome write-up. I’ve been looking for this information for quite a while now and then finally stumbled upon your internet site. Thanks so much for posting this, this has helped me out tremendously. By the way I love the style of the blog, looks good, did you create it all by yourself? ws web

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 03:00

Vi ringrazio, considero che quello che ho letto sia ottimo ws web

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 03:00

It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it! WhatsApp web

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 03:00

This is some agreeable material. It took me some time to finally find this web page but it was worth the time. I noticed this article was buried in yahoo and not the first spot. This web site has a lot of fine stuff and it doesnt deserve to be burried in the searches like that. By the way I am going to add this web publication to my list of favorites. WhatsApp web

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 03:00

I’m usually to blogging and i really admire your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and keep checking for brand spanking new information. WhatsApp web

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:08

An impressive share, I just with all this onto a colleague who was simply conducting a little analysis with this. And hubby the truth is bought me breakfast since I discovered it for him.. smile. So i want to reword that: Thnx to the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending time to talk about this, I’m strongly about this and adore reading read more about this topic. Whenever possible, as you become expertise, could you mind updating your blog post with a lot more details? It can be extremely ideal for me. Huge thumb up for this short article! 일본유흥

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:08

I happen to be writing to make you know of the terrific discovery our princess experienced going through your web page. She picked up many things, not to mention what it’s like to possess an awesome giving character to make the mediocre ones very easily fully grasp a number of hard to do matters. You really did more than our expected results. Thank you for producing those precious, healthy, edifying and as well as fun tips about this topic to Jane. 일본유흥

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:08

I simply could not go away your site before suggesting that I extremely loved the standard information a person supply in your visitors? Is gonna be back ceaselessly in order to check out new posts. 일본유흥

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:08

Your website is absolutely beyond belief. It’s really excellent to see such a lot of talented people working all together avoiding friction. I have connected to your site through my website and also my site. i’m sure that it will significantly improve the value and traffic to my web site. 일본유흥

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:08

i do paid online surverys and also monetize my blogs, both are good sources of passive income* 일본유흥

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:08

Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little investigation on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I discovered it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! 일본유흥

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:08

Help ! WikiLeaks is an multinational new media non-profit social group that publishes submissions of otherwise unavailable documents from nameless news sources and news leaks. Its website 일본유흥

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:08

Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work! 일본유흥

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:08

hello!,I love your writing so so much! proportion we be in contact more approximately your post on AOL? I need an expert on this area to unravel my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to peer you. 일본유흥

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:44

you employ a wonderful blog here! do you want to cook some invite posts in my small blog? 동탄출장마사지는

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:44

Hello, Might I export the image and usage that on my webpage? 동탄출장마사지는

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:44

you have an excellent blog here! would you prefer to make some invite posts on my weblog? 동탄출장마사지는

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:45

It’s difficult to find knowledgeable folks with this topic, however you be understood as do you know what you’re speaking about! Thanks 동탄출장마사지는

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:45

Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea 동탄출장마사지는

Robinjack's picture

Robinjack

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:45

oak wood seems to be the best thing to use on garden furnitures but hardwood is always the best;; 동탄출장마사지는

Pages