Maserati 3200GT
Discussion
i got lent one by Maranello for the weekend last year, to the best of my knowledge they are still lending them out for evaluation purposes
After the weekend I wanted one as did flasher, the twin turbo'd engine is very rapid in conjunction with the auto in kick down
now a bargain as well from 35k at a dealer
Ben
After the weekend I wanted one as did flasher, the twin turbo'd engine is very rapid in conjunction with the auto in kick down
now a bargain as well from 35k at a dealer
Ben
Test drove one when replacing my Tuscan. Found the drive by wire throttle impossible to use smoothly in traffic but easier on the open roads. The turbos came in with a shove making the car feel quick low down, but then tailed off quite early as well. In fairness an involving car but a bit too frustrating for me.( Apparently the auto is easier and smoother to drive and I was told to aviod the really early ones)
Yeah, as benno says we had some fun when he borrowed it!! 
we got both our wives in the car easily, four comfortable adults (no bullshit) and TVR style power. I still want one. More an everyday car than a weekend fun thing though. I would love one. as benno says now a bargain at £35k.
we got both our wives in the car easily, four comfortable adults (no bullshit) and TVR style power. I still want one. More an everyday car than a weekend fun thing though. I would love one. as benno says now a bargain at £35k. My early example lost £20k in the eighteen months I owned it.
The automatic is certainly the one to go for, the manual is very difficult to drive at low speed and an autobox suits the character of the car a lot better. The interior is fabulous, perhaps the best in a modern car. It has none of the tacky plastic or carbon fibre beloved of many performance car manufacturers and will happily accomodate 4 adults and their luggage.
The later cars are better than the early ones, but sadly the latest cars have lost the boomerang rear lights though they're going to gain the Ferrari-derived normally aspirated engine as found in the Spider.
The styling is very contentious. I thought it striking, but it was not quite right from some angles. I decided to trade it in against a used 456 as I needed an lhd car. The 456 has better build quality and is faster but, in my view, lacks the charisma of the 3200. My advice, if you are in the market for a large, high performance, vehicle would be to seriously consider a 456. The running costs are similar (bearing in mind that there are no independents who can deal with a 3200) and older 456s can be had from £45k lhd or £60k rhd. The only obvious disadvantage of the 456 is that you cannot carry 4 adults as easily. They will fit, but it's a squeeze.
Yours, Jon Dokic
Edited by jaydee on Saturday 5th January 18:28
The automatic is certainly the one to go for, the manual is very difficult to drive at low speed and an autobox suits the character of the car a lot better. The interior is fabulous, perhaps the best in a modern car. It has none of the tacky plastic or carbon fibre beloved of many performance car manufacturers and will happily accomodate 4 adults and their luggage.
The later cars are better than the early ones, but sadly the latest cars have lost the boomerang rear lights though they're going to gain the Ferrari-derived normally aspirated engine as found in the Spider.
The styling is very contentious. I thought it striking, but it was not quite right from some angles. I decided to trade it in against a used 456 as I needed an lhd car. The 456 has better build quality and is faster but, in my view, lacks the charisma of the 3200. My advice, if you are in the market for a large, high performance, vehicle would be to seriously consider a 456. The running costs are similar (bearing in mind that there are no independents who can deal with a 3200) and older 456s can be had from £45k lhd or £60k rhd. The only obvious disadvantage of the 456 is that you cannot carry 4 adults as easily. They will fit, but it's a squeeze.
Yours, Jon Dokic
Edited by jaydee on Saturday 5th January 18:28
I can add very little to Jon Dokic's advice, but having seriously considered the Maserati last year I finally decided against it because the new 4200 model due next August promised to be a much better proposition. The forecast improvement in performance and build quality were the decisive factors, and I was not unduly worried about the car's appearance. In fact its relatively plain design would have been a plus here in the Scottish countryside.
If the intention is to go for a used Maserati 3200 GT it might be worth waiting until shortly before its replacement arrives; 3200 GT prices are likely to fall further, and it shouldn't be too difficult to find a good example. The appeal of the Ferrari 456 won't have diminished very much at all by then, and a good used one will be more expensive than the Maserati equivalent.
Agreed, the 456 is the better car - I have to say that don't I, as an ex-Ferrari dealer! Can't ignore the Maserati mystique though....
If the intention is to go for a used Maserati 3200 GT it might be worth waiting until shortly before its replacement arrives; 3200 GT prices are likely to fall further, and it shouldn't be too difficult to find a good example. The appeal of the Ferrari 456 won't have diminished very much at all by then, and a good used one will be more expensive than the Maserati equivalent.
Agreed, the 456 is the better car - I have to say that don't I, as an ex-Ferrari dealer! Can't ignore the Maserati mystique though....
Thanks Guys, Very helpful. I'm looking for a replacement for my 348 GTS (need back seats!) Its now either a 3200GT or a 911 C4, was thinking about a Cerbera but as its my everyday car think it might be better to wait until prices come off and get another Griffith for weekends. Despite what I'm sure I'll get told from the Cerbie boys I need constant reliability.
I couldn't personally recommend an XKR. I drove one and it hopped about like a Kangaroo with bunions. Mind you, I test drove it at highish speeds on a german motorway.
If a 2+2 will do you, then there is more space in the back of a 911 than in the XKR. My 4-year-old son would only just fit in the back seat if my wife pushed her seat most of the way forward.
Its by no means comfy in the back of a 911, but my wife managed to squeeze in for a 25 min. spin. That would have been impossible in the XKR.
Rgds, WalterU
Edited by WalterU on Wednesday 9th January 12:48
If a 2+2 will do you, then there is more space in the back of a 911 than in the XKR. My 4-year-old son would only just fit in the back seat if my wife pushed her seat most of the way forward.
Its by no means comfy in the back of a 911, but my wife managed to squeeze in for a 25 min. spin. That would have been impossible in the XKR.
Rgds, WalterU
Edited by WalterU on Wednesday 9th January 12:48
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