Looking to buy my 1st Maserati, any advice?
Discussion
Dicky Grace was always a good person to talk to and deal with. Also have a good look at sportsmaserati forum - loads of good info on there and a few cars come up.
Buy on condition and history, don't get massively hung up about clutch wear, mine was 5% worn when I got it and 45% worn when I sold it 20-odd thousand miles later. They really do not like being stood for months at a time, and do need regular use. A mint low milage carcooned one may look lovely, but will chuck some bills when you start to use it.
Buy on condition and history, don't get massively hung up about clutch wear, mine was 5% worn when I got it and 45% worn when I sold it 20-odd thousand miles later. They really do not like being stood for months at a time, and do need regular use. A mint low milage carcooned one may look lovely, but will chuck some bills when you start to use it.
I had a 4.5 Chim & considered a 4200 or GranSport (went Lotus Evora SC in the end).
From my old notes (others can correct as necessary);-
Late 2003 onwards there were software updates
2004/2005 Facelift versions, more software upgrades (upgrades for auto box & suspension?)
4200 - 2002 on. Check for F1 clutch, rear suspension, brakes, heater box, wiper assembly fails.
Cambiocorsa gearbox F1 clutch for paddles can fail (it's the Ferrari version), sometimes it stays on & can wear out. It has timing chains, so some savings there, but offset by clutch wear & costs.
GranSport 2004-07
10 more bhp, stiffer suspension, cabin amendments, spoilers, side skirts, chrome mesh grill, 19" wheels. CC gearbox only. Dash button for exhaust.
There was an odd thing about servicing. Minor service 6250 miles, main at 12500 miles, but some items on time not miles, so there was a sort of crossover at times, not made very clear by service manual. 15mpg avg. More supportive seats, different dials & centre console. 'Technical' cloth (check how well this wears compared to leather).
Options - Satnav (GranSport not full satnav system anyway), cruise control, heated seats, CD changer, Skyhook suspension (which became standard on later cars), rear parking sensors, full leather seats (half leather was standard). Quite a few options, so check what each car has.
Later cars more resolved, with better suspension & auto gear changes.
I think both JayEmm on cars & Number 27 has reviewed both the 4200 & Gransport cars recently. I went the Lotus route, email me if you wish for why & experiences on that if you wish (I tested both the N/A & SC Evora).
Have many happy driving miles whatever you choose!
From my old notes (others can correct as necessary);-
Late 2003 onwards there were software updates
2004/2005 Facelift versions, more software upgrades (upgrades for auto box & suspension?)
4200 - 2002 on. Check for F1 clutch, rear suspension, brakes, heater box, wiper assembly fails.
Cambiocorsa gearbox F1 clutch for paddles can fail (it's the Ferrari version), sometimes it stays on & can wear out. It has timing chains, so some savings there, but offset by clutch wear & costs.
GranSport 2004-07
10 more bhp, stiffer suspension, cabin amendments, spoilers, side skirts, chrome mesh grill, 19" wheels. CC gearbox only. Dash button for exhaust.
There was an odd thing about servicing. Minor service 6250 miles, main at 12500 miles, but some items on time not miles, so there was a sort of crossover at times, not made very clear by service manual. 15mpg avg. More supportive seats, different dials & centre console. 'Technical' cloth (check how well this wears compared to leather).
Options - Satnav (GranSport not full satnav system anyway), cruise control, heated seats, CD changer, Skyhook suspension (which became standard on later cars), rear parking sensors, full leather seats (half leather was standard). Quite a few options, so check what each car has.
Later cars more resolved, with better suspension & auto gear changes.
I think both JayEmm on cars & Number 27 has reviewed both the 4200 & Gransport cars recently. I went the Lotus route, email me if you wish for why & experiences on that if you wish (I tested both the N/A & SC Evora).
Have many happy driving miles whatever you choose!
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