Is the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo Sport Still Worth Buying Today?

As I slide behind the wheel of the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo Sport, the scent of aged leather and polished wood fills the air, triggering memories of when this car first captured my imagination. Having evaluated luxury sports cars for over a decade, I've developed a particular fondness for vehicles that balance heritage with performance, which brings me to today's question: does this six-year-old Italian masterpiece still deserve your hard-earned money? The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think, and it reminds me of something I recently came across in an unexpected context - a basketball player's philosophy about consistency. Roger Pogoy, a professional athlete, once emphasized to his teammates before a crucial game: "I told them, no bad games for us. We can't afford a bad game because we're needed. If we want to win, we need to be good always." This mindset perfectly parallels what ownership of a 2018 GranTurismo Sport demands - consistent excellence without room for off days, a philosophy that becomes increasingly relevant as the car ages.

Let's talk numbers first. When new, the 2018 GranTurismo Sport commanded approximately $150,000, but today you can find well-maintained examples between $65,000 and $85,000 depending on mileage and condition. That's nearly a 50% depreciation in six years, which sounds dramatic until you compare it to competitors like the Porsche 911 of the same vintage, which has retained significantly more value. But here's where my perspective might surprise you - this depreciation actually works in favor of smart buyers. You're getting a car that originally competed with vehicles costing twice as much, with that glorious Ferrari-derived 4.7-liter V8 engine producing 454 horsepower, capable of reaching 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The driving experience remains utterly intoxicating; that naturally aspirated engine sings to 7,200 rpm without any turbochargers to dilute the drama, something becoming increasingly rare in today's turbo-happy automotive landscape. The steering communicates road textures with an intimacy that modern electric power steering systems simply can't replicate, and the brakes - massive steel discs all around - haul down the 4,200-pound coupe with authority.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room - reliability and maintenance costs, because this is where the "no bad games" philosophy truly applies. Maserati has never topped reliability charts, and the GranTurismo is no exception. Through my experience with Italian cars and conversations with specialist mechanics, I've learned that preventative maintenance isn't just recommended - it's mandatory. The average annual maintenance cost for a GranTurismo runs between $2,500 to $4,000 if you want to keep it in peak condition, with major services at 30,000-mile intervals costing significantly more. I recall one owner telling me about his $7,000 service bill that included replacing the hydraulic suspension components, but he followed up by saying he'd do it all over again because nothing else delivers the same theater for the money. Electrical gremlins can occasionally surface, particularly with the infotainment system that already felt dated when new, and brake replacements can easily exceed $3,500 due to the sophisticated hardware. This isn't a car for those who balk at unexpected expenses, but for enthusiasts who understand that passion often comes with a price tag.

What continues to astonish me about the 2018 GranTurismo Sport is how it transcends mere transportation to become a rolling piece of art. Pininfarina's design has aged magnificently, with curves and proportions that still turn heads more effectively than many contemporary supercars. The interior, while showing its age in technology, wraps occupants in Poltrona Frau leather that feels substantially better than what you'll find in most new luxury cars. The analog clock, the perfectly weighted metal paddle shifters, the way the doors close with a solid thunk - these are sensory delights that modern cars are systematically engineering out in pursuit of efficiency. I've owned cars that were faster, more technologically advanced, and more practical, but few that delivered this level of emotional connection every single time I drove them. It's what keeps me coming back to older performance cars like this - they're not appliances, they're companions that demand engagement.

When considering the 2018 GranTurismo Sport today, you're not just buying a used car - you're buying into a specific philosophy of motoring that's rapidly disappearing. The automotive world is charging headfirst into electrification, with many manufacturers abandoning naturally aspirated engines altogether. In this context, the GranTurismo represents one of the last great analog super GTs, a car that prioritizes theater and sensation over lap times and efficiency metrics. Yes, a new Porsche 911 is objectively better in nearly every measurable way, but driving one feels more like operating sophisticated machinery, while driving the Maserati feels like conducting an orchestra. There's something to be said for that intangible quality, especially when you consider that well-maintained examples of the earlier GranTurismo are already beginning to appreciate as collectors recognize their significance in automotive history.

So, is the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo Sport still worth buying today? From my perspective, absolutely - but with crucial caveats. This car demands the mindset that Roger Pogoy described: "If we want to win, we need to be good always." You must commit to its maintenance needs, embrace its quirks, and appreciate it for what it is rather than what it isn't. It won't be the most reliable car in your garage, nor the most practical, nor the most technologically advanced. But for those moments when you're carving through a mountain pass with that glorious V8 echoing off the canyon walls, or simply admiring its silhouette in a parking lot, you'll understand why this aging Italian aristocrat continues to captivate enthusiasts like myself. In a world increasingly filled with competent but soulless transportation appliances, the GranTurismo Sport remains a passionate, flawed, but utterly compelling masterpiece that rewards the right owner with an ownership experience few modern cars can match.