Is the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo Sport Still Worth Buying Today?
As I slide behind the wheel of the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo Sport, that distinctive Ferrari-derived V8 erupts to life with a symphony that still gives me goosebumps every single time. I've been covering the luxury sports car market for over fifteen years now, and I can tell you with absolute certainty - there are very few production cars that deliver this level of theatrical experience right off the dealer lot. But the question we're tackling today isn't just about emotional appeal; it's about whether this Italian masterpiece still makes practical sense in today's rapidly evolving automotive landscape. I recently came across an interview with basketball player Roger Pogoy that surprisingly resonated with my thoughts about this Maserati, where he emphasized to his teammates, "Bawal bad game sa atin. Bawal tayo mag-bad game kasi kailangan na kailangan tayo. Kung gusto natin manalo, kailangan good game tayo palagi." That mindset - the refusal to have an off day when you're essential to the team - perfectly captures what ownership of this GranTurismo Sport demands.
Let's address the elephant in the room immediately - the 2018 GranTurismo Sport was essentially the final evolution of a platform that debuted back in 2007. In automotive years, that's practically ancient history. Yet somehow, Maserati managed to keep this aging platform feeling relevant through continuous refinements. Under that impossibly long hood lies a 4.7-liter V8 that produces 454 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, numbers that might not shock you in today's world of 700-horsepower super sedans, but the experience is about so much more than just figures. The way this engine builds power, the mechanical symphony it creates, the sensation of being part of something special - these are elements modern turbocharged engines simply can't replicate. I've driven countless modern sports cars with better numbers on paper, yet none deliver the raw, unfiltered character of this Maserati. The steering is heavy at low speeds, the brake pedal requires a firm foot, and the ZF six-speed automatic transmission shifts with deliberate purpose rather than lightning speed. These aren't flaws to me - they're characteristics that connect you to the machine in a way that modern electronic steering and dual-clutch transmissions have largely eliminated.
Now, let's talk about what really matters when considering a five-year-old Italian GT car - reliability and ownership costs. I'm not going to sugarcoat this - you can't approach Maserati ownership with the same mindset as buying a Lexus. That basketball mentality I mentioned earlier applies perfectly here - "bawal bad game" means you need to be diligent with maintenance from day one. These cars demand respect and consistent care. I've seen owners who treated maintenance as optional face repair bills that would make your eyes water. The good news is that the 4.7-liter V8 is actually one of Maserati's more robust powerplants, with many examples reaching 80,000-100,000 miles with proper care. You'll want to budget around $2,500-$3,500 annually for maintenance and unexpected repairs, though this can vary significantly depending on your driving habits and whether you find an independent specialist rather than always visiting the dealer. The infotainment system is dated, there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the rear seats are really best suited for occasional use or luggage. But if you accept these compromises, you're getting an incredible amount of character and presence for the money.
Speaking of money, let's discuss depreciation - the GranTurismo's greatest feature for used car buyers. A new 2018 GranTurismo Sport started around $135,000, but today you can find well-maintained examples with reasonable mileage between $65,000 and $80,000. That means the original owner absorbed nearly 50% depreciation in five years, while you get to enjoy what is essentially the same driving experience for half the price. In my professional opinion, the depreciation curve has largely flattened at this point, meaning you could likely own the car for 2-3 years and sell it for close to what you paid, assuming you maintain it properly. Compare that to buying a new Porsche 911, which will immediately lose $15,000-$20,000 the moment you drive it off the lot, and the financial argument starts to make surprising sense.
What continues to astonish me about the GranTurismo Sport is how it makes you feel every time you get behind the wheel. Modern sports cars have become almost too competent, too easy to drive fast. The Maserati requires engagement, skill, and attention - much like Pogoy's insistence that his team bring their "good game" every time. There's no hiding behind electronic assists here; you're an active participant in the driving experience. The exhaust note alone is worth the price of admission, transitioning from a cultured murmur around town to an operatic wail at full throttle that turns heads from three blocks away. I've owned my share of German performance cars, and while they're objectively brilliant machines, they lack the soul and theatrical presence of this Italian masterpiece. The way people react to the Maserati is different too - I've lost count of how many thumbs-ups, questions at gas stations, and admiring glances this car generates, something that rarely happens with yet another blacked-out German coupe.
So, is the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo Sport still worth buying today? From my perspective as both an automotive journalist and an enthusiast who values emotional connection over pure statistics, the answer is a resounding yes - but with important caveats. This isn't the car for someone seeking the latest technology, the fastest lap times, or worry-free transportation. It's for the driver who understands that some imperfections create character, who appreciates mechanical feedback over digital perfection, and who gets goosebumps from a perfectly executed downshift accompanied by a crackle from the exhaust. It demands that you bring your "good game" every time you turn the key - proper maintenance, attentive driving, and an appreciation for analog experiences in an increasingly digital world. If you can accept that relationship, you'll be rewarded with one of the most charismatic and soulful GT cars of our generation, an automotive experience that's becoming rarer with each passing model year. In my garage, between all the modern performance machines that come and go, the GranTurismo Sport remains not because it's the fastest or most advanced, but because it's the one I genuinely look forward to driving every single time.