Used 24 FE V6 vs new 25 vs new 26

[redgarl]

From someone looking into an MCPURA/MC20 and an Emira, I am sorry, but I will go against everyone here and tell you to get a 2026 SE model.

First off, First Edition of any cars are not recommended. There was a lot of issues with seals, paint quality, engine thermostats and cooling system, leather quality, AC trouble without talking about the unknowns.

Secondly, you still need to pay taxes at your DMV anyway, so for a clear comparison, you should just compare the retail prices of the cars.

Thirdly, the Masserati will depreciate like crazy and the maintenance cost will be multiple times higher than the Lotus, not to mention way more unreliable.

I ordered my 2026 i4 SE Raceline fully equiped (Blackpack, KEF, 15 spoke wheels, red seat belt, Alcatera interior) for 103 000 USD (145 000 CAD) all inclusive before taxes. Buying the 2024 i4 FE would only have saved me about 12 500 USD (18 000 CAD) while having less than 8000 CAD of options and a color configuration that I hate.

For me, the choice was simple, not having my custom configuration was a deal breaker.

 

[randfunction]

From someone looking into an MCPURA/MC20 and an Emira, I am sorry, but I will go against everyone here and tell you to get a 2026 SE model.

First off, First Edition of any cars are not recommended. There was a lot of issues with seals, paint quality, engine thermostats and cooling system, leather quality, AC trouble without talking about the unknowns.

Secondly, you still need to pay taxes at your DMV anyway, so for a clear comparison, you should just compare the retail prices of the cars.

Thirdly, the Masserati will depreciate like crazy and the maintenance cost will be multiple times higher than the Lotus, not to mention way more unreliable.

I ordered my 2026 i4 SE Raceline fully equiped (Blackpack, KEF, 15 spoke wheels, red seat belt, Alcatera interior) for 103 000 USD (145 000 CAD) all inclusive before taxes. Buying the 2024 i4 FE would only have saved me about 12 500 USD (18 000 CAD) while having less than 8000 CAD of options and a color configuration that I hate.

For me, the choice was simple, not having my custom configuration was a deal breaker.

Lot of good points so thanks so much for the input! And for going against the popular view.. I always (legitimately) appreciate a contrarian view.

I am looking at new ones too, mostly because silver and a red interior isn’t quite my first choice. I like it but I’d prefer red or blue with a tan interior. But also as you point out I’ve always been a little wary of first model years.

In terms of the MC20, the maintenance will indeed be much higher from what I’ve seen. But having researched a fair bit the MC20s they seem to be quite reliable. They actually seem (shockingly) to have fewer problems than the Emira from what I’ve observed. I seen very few reported by any owners. That said folks who get them probably drive them less than the Emira and there are far fewer of them so it’s fair to poke at that.

And I’d def not be getting a new one. They are quite expensive new but the deprecation has been substantial and that’s part of what makes them attractive The used ones I’m looking at are in the 185k range vs a new Emira V6 at like 120k (The local Lotus has a few 25 SEs) Definitely a difference but not the deciding factor for me.

The general consensus is they probably will depreciate a bit more but as a fairly unique supercar they should stabilize at 150-160k. Some risk there but I think that’s a reasonable likelihood.

But thanks again. Definitely some good points!

 

[Jinba ittai]

I ordered my 2026 i4 SE Raceline fully equiped (Blackpack, KEF, 15 spoke wheels, red seat belt, Alcatera interior) for 103 000 USD (145 000 CAD) all inclusive before taxes. Buying the 2024 i4 FE would only have saved me about 12 500 USD (18 000 CAD) while having less than 8000 CAD of options and a color configuration that I hate.

Being in Canada, didn’t the new car also add a 9K luxury tax?

 

[Foxy87]

I am with @redgarl on this one. I ordered a new V6 SE with my favorite spec (fully loaded without the added co driver package). Being located in switzerland the situation looks a bit different though:

- only about ~ 8 V6 manuals are (or were) for sale in the whole country, none of them had the spec I like
- a brand new V6 SE with factory improvements and colored seatbelts, new wheel design and finally colored stiched steering wheel was only about USD 8.5k more than a new FE 3 years ago
- I got to spec my ideal configuration and have full warranty and hopefully less niggles