The Maserati Merak is a vehicle built from 1981 to 1991 over 3 generations. Between 1975 and 1981 it grew 25 cm longer and gained -133 kg. Too new for a verdict, since complaints and recalls take years to accumulate — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Merak is
The Maserati Merak is a vehicle that Maserati built from 1981 to 1991 — 11 model years. Our measurements put it at 3 generations, the current one starting in 1981. Its closest siblings in the Maserati range: Ghibli, Levante, MC20.
Merak generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Merak's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Merak that gives 3 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975-1976 | 432 cm | 260 cm | 1452 kg | - | - |
| 1977-1978 | 457 cm | 260 cm | 1318 kg | +25 cm | -134 kg |
| 1981 | 457 cm | 260 cm | 1319 kg | +0 cm | +1 kg |
Between 1975 and 1981 the Merak gained 25 cm in length (+5.8%) and -133 kg in weight (-9.2%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Merak that is -133 kg against 25 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Maserati Merak tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Merak owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Maserati Merak have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
The Merak by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Maserati Merak. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Merak | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | Not yet rated | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Maserati Merak?
The Merak is a vehicle, built from 1981 to 1991 across 3 generations.
How many generations does the Merak have?
3 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1981. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Merak grew 25 cm longer and gained -133 kg.
What is the Maserati Merak warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Merak reliable?
The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Merak?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Maserati
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maserati Ghibli | 2014–2026 | 35 | 20 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Maserati Levante | 2017–2026 | 13 | 18 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Maserati MC20 | 2022–2025 | 9 | 18 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Maserati Quattroporte | 1981–2026 | 45 | 20 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Maserati Granturismo | 2008–2026 | 23 | 87 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Maserati Grecale | 2023–2026 | 7 | 81 mpg | 4.5/5 |
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