For Sale: 2017 Maserati Ghibli in Ft Worth, Texas

For those of you with extroverted personalities that think a Mercedes is too reserved, a BMW is too minimalist, and a Porsche sedan is just too sacrilegious (Seriously, have you seen the Panamera? How did that thing gest past the goalie in Stuttgart?), there's an exciting contender from a legendary luxury brand in Italy. German luxury automakers are the kings of executive car engineering, but nobody does style and unbridled horsepower quite like the passionate dreamers from the Bel Paese. Examples like this 2017 Maserati Ghibli S are prime examples of Italian design and performance at full strength, with this particular Blu Emozione Mica mid-sized executive car boasting a roaring 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine, an 8-speed flappy-paddle gearbox, a loaded Italian leather interior, and a scant 42,028 actual miles logged since new. Italian performance and flair just can't be faked, and this daily-driver exotic has both in spades.

With an original sticker price around $80K (I know it's hard to believe these inflated number these days, but $80K used to be a LOT of money to spend a car), you'd better believe this 4-door sedan is beautifully finished. Buyers at that price level don't put up with the niggles that plague lesser cars and the Italians seem to excel at creating paint that's so smooth and glossy that it still looks wet enough to smear. The Italians call the finish "Blu Emozione Mica," something we ordinary mortals might refer to as "Atomic Blue" but it sure is pretty. With just 42,028 miles on the clock, it is in fantastic condition with very few signs of use, because cars like this always see above-average levels of care. There might be a small chip or nick in the usual places, which only comes from using it as intended, but there is nothing that keeps this car from stopping onlookers dead in their tracks. Yes, it's really that pretty but it's only fully evident when you see it in person. All the chrome trim is metal, not plastic, and it has a cool, heavy feeling that suggests quality, and while the Italians have long been the butt of jokes in the quality department, this 5-year-old Maserati seems to be defying the passage of time.

Finding one of these with a Cuoio tan leather interior is none too easy, as it is one of the rarer color combinations offered. In the usual Italian fashion, the stitchwork is exquisite and the hides are almost sinfully soft. Plush carpets, real wood trim, and a sensible control layout are all plusses for the Ghibli S, which by virtue of its name (it means 'hot desert wind'), was designed to be a comfortable long-distance cruiser that's ready to set out on long voyages, wherever the wind takes it. Big, simple digital gauges are easy to read and offer a digital screen in the center to monitor ancillary functions, most of which are managed through the steering wheel controls. Yes, there are plenty of buttons and tech to satisfy the guy or gal who loves gadgets, and it all works properly just like you'd demand out of a first-class luxury car. A few nods to the car's ancestry can be found in the trident emblem on the center of the wheel and center-mounted clock, and the aluminum foot pedals and center console give this mid-size sedan a sporty feel that's distinctively Italian. The door panels, leather dash, plush carpets, and insanely expensive headliner look practically untouched, and even the back seat area is a thing of beauty. It also includes a good-sized trunk that shows no signs of wear and tear, further proof that this exotic can be used like a Honda.

Many will note that there's a lot of Ferrari DNA in the 3.0L F160 Twin Turbo V6, although the big difference is that this Chrysler cast block is a 60-degree unit, unlike the Ferrari-built Alfa Romeo 90-degree V6. Nevertheless, the power numbers are staggering with a 424-horsepower rating, but the maintenance bills will not be nearly as high as the Ferrari-based drivetrains. It loves to rev, and there's plenty of torque available at any speed, which helps with the Ghibli's easy-going nature. The ZF 8-speed automatic transmission is up to the task with paddle shifters that are incredible fun, and the torque converter takes some of the head snap out of the driveline, making it very easy to be smooth and fast in this car. The suspension makes handling positively heroic and very easy to control even when pushed to the limit, with zero understeer and responsive Brembo power 4-wheel disc brakes with drilled rotors that stop it on a dime, and the exhaust note from the dual pipes underneath is downright exotic - a Maserati staple. Weight distribution is just about ideal, so despite being a big, heavy luxury coupe, this car doesn't mind hustling through the corners. It is obviously beautifully maintained and has never seen winter weather having lived its entire life in Louisiana and Texas, respectively, so no worries there. Drop-dead gorgeous 20-inch alloys finish the look in perfect Italian fashion, wrapped in staggered 245/40/20 front and 285/35/20 rear Pirelli performance radials that stick to asphalt like bubble gum on a summer afternoon.

Beautifully maintained, exceptional to look at, and a joy to drive, this is a great opportunity to own an A-list supercar for a fraction of the price of a new one. Why do it any other way? Call today!