3200 Thoughts so far...
Discussion
Just wanted to get some updates from the rest of you 3200 (or 4200) driving folks out there.
Heres a quick run down of observations, joys and irritations after 10 weeks of ownership. I'd be interested to hear what all of you ahve to say on any of the points below, or your own observations of driving a 3200GT.
1. Oil consumption - I was warned the car would drink a fair bit of oil, so far I've done about 2k miles and the oil level has hardly moved. How are you all fairing for oil?
2. Driving position, ok it's not great, but it would be pretty much perfect for me if the pedals were about 4 inches lower. Anyone know if this is an easy job?
3. Engine note, this has definately improved over my brief tenure so far, nayone else notice exhaust note changes or know if this is usual. Sound is deeper than originally, I put this down purely to the car getting used now I am driving it.
4. Reaction of others on the road, this is a fantastic suprise, I seem to be constantly let out of turnings etc that in my merc I would have been ignored / blocked in.
5. Sat Nav. Mine doesnt seem to recognise the CD it came with - anyone else had this issue?
6. Keeping it clean. So far I've been using autoglym resin polish / sealant and it comes up brilliantly. Damn had work doing it but it seems worth it. Anyone found anything better?
7. CD changer. I have found it is possible to corner hard enough to eject cd's from the cd changer. Anyone else done this?!
8. Overall I'm very impressed, build quality is better than most 996's I've been in! Fuel consumption is high, but on long runs I have extracted around 300miles from a tank (cruising at around 90, in germany obviously
>>> Edited by mr_tony on Wednesday 3rd December 11:35
Heres a quick run down of observations, joys and irritations after 10 weeks of ownership. I'd be interested to hear what all of you ahve to say on any of the points below, or your own observations of driving a 3200GT.
1. Oil consumption - I was warned the car would drink a fair bit of oil, so far I've done about 2k miles and the oil level has hardly moved. How are you all fairing for oil?
2. Driving position, ok it's not great, but it would be pretty much perfect for me if the pedals were about 4 inches lower. Anyone know if this is an easy job?
3. Engine note, this has definately improved over my brief tenure so far, nayone else notice exhaust note changes or know if this is usual. Sound is deeper than originally, I put this down purely to the car getting used now I am driving it.
4. Reaction of others on the road, this is a fantastic suprise, I seem to be constantly let out of turnings etc that in my merc I would have been ignored / blocked in.
5. Sat Nav. Mine doesnt seem to recognise the CD it came with - anyone else had this issue?
6. Keeping it clean. So far I've been using autoglym resin polish / sealant and it comes up brilliantly. Damn had work doing it but it seems worth it. Anyone found anything better?
7. CD changer. I have found it is possible to corner hard enough to eject cd's from the cd changer. Anyone else done this?!
8. Overall I'm very impressed, build quality is better than most 996's I've been in! Fuel consumption is high, but on long runs I have extracted around 300miles from a tank (cruising at around 90, in germany obviously
>>> Edited by mr_tony on Wednesday 3rd December 11:35
Mine seems to use a lot of oil, not nearly as much as the Cerbera. MPG/FPM is very good.
Still amused by people's reaction to the car. I still love it to bits, regardless of what VBH says on fifth gear. Breaks take a bit more effort than most cars. Handling is good for a GT. Engine sounds sweet above 4000rpm+. All in all a very well put together piece of kit. I'd buy another over a 996.
My only whine is the 3200gt rear lights not being on a 4200. Hence we had to buy a
3200 turbo rather than a 4200 (Looks being important). Which Muppet came up with
Changing the lights, they need a good kicking.
The only negative aspect is the garage. They always need hassling to do stuff. It went away for some paintwork (Minor bits, some of it caused by them!) and came back 2 weeks later half done.
Still amused by people's reaction to the car. I still love it to bits, regardless of what VBH says on fifth gear. Breaks take a bit more effort than most cars. Handling is good for a GT. Engine sounds sweet above 4000rpm+. All in all a very well put together piece of kit. I'd buy another over a 996.
My only whine is the 3200gt rear lights not being on a 4200. Hence we had to buy a
3200 turbo rather than a 4200 (Looks being important). Which Muppet came up with
Changing the lights, they need a good kicking.
The only negative aspect is the garage. They always need hassling to do stuff. It went away for some paintwork (Minor bits, some of it caused by them!) and came back 2 weeks later half done.
agreed on the oil, mine hasnt used much.
Pedels, yes, I could do with mine a little bit lower. Fuel consumption not great in town but fine on long journeys.
Personally glad I opted for the auto, suits my kind of journeys at the moment, only time I felt a bit sorry was at Bruntingthorpe when i watched Mr Tony pull away from me as I changed to my long lazy 4th gear but c'est la vie.
Other than that I still think it looks great, do prefer the looks to the 4200, its plenty quick enough, very very comfy and feels super opulent inside.
Wish I had red brake calipers - guess how much to change ?
Pedels, yes, I could do with mine a little bit lower. Fuel consumption not great in town but fine on long journeys.
Personally glad I opted for the auto, suits my kind of journeys at the moment, only time I felt a bit sorry was at Bruntingthorpe when i watched Mr Tony pull away from me as I changed to my long lazy 4th gear but c'est la vie.
Other than that I still think it looks great, do prefer the looks to the 4200, its plenty quick enough, very very comfy and feels super opulent inside.
Wish I had red brake calipers - guess how much to change ?
Craig bet you're looking at the thick end of a grand to change the calipers mate!
In the auto vs manual debate, well I like changing gear, but I do admit that having driven a fair amount in london that some mornings an auto would be nice. Over 100mph it does make a difference, but it isn't as big as you'd think.
I'm just looking forward to spring, and hopefully a trip to the Med, via Germany / Switzerland / Route Napoleon etc, the more I drive in the UK the more frustrated I get not being able to use the car as it's intended....
In the auto vs manual debate, well I like changing gear, but I do admit that having driven a fair amount in london that some mornings an auto would be nice. Over 100mph it does make a difference, but it isn't as big as you'd think.
I'm just looking forward to spring, and hopefully a trip to the Med, via Germany / Switzerland / Route Napoleon etc, the more I drive in the UK the more frustrated I get not being able to use the car as it's intended....
Glad you're a convert.
Mine doesn't drink much oil. I'd prefer the clutch pedal to be closer so that I could sit a comfortable distance from the brake and accelerator pedals and use the foot rest properly. I tend to move the seat back when out of town. Can't say I've noticed any changes in sound. Always positive reactions - no jealousy except for the German guy that keyed it. Fuel consumption is about 10 mpg in town and 20 on a run even if well into treble figures.
If you're going to Switzerland make an appointment with these guys www.digitaltuning.ch/english/index.html.
Mine doesn't drink much oil. I'd prefer the clutch pedal to be closer so that I could sit a comfortable distance from the brake and accelerator pedals and use the foot rest properly. I tend to move the seat back when out of town. Can't say I've noticed any changes in sound. Always positive reactions - no jealousy except for the German guy that keyed it. Fuel consumption is about 10 mpg in town and 20 on a run even if well into treble figures.
If you're going to Switzerland make an appointment with these guys www.digitaltuning.ch/english/index.html.
Throttle and gears do take a bit of getting used to - sensitive but also very powerful - wheelsping is a lot easier than a 225 TT!
Build quality - well it will probably break down tomorrow - but feels very very solid, interior is still incredible even after a few weeks.
Looks - F****n A mate
Steering - very direct, and again sensitive - guess this will take some getting used to.
Brakes - no probs there - it is a big heavy GT car so I bear that in mind compared to the Audi.
Far too easy to reach silly speeds, wouldn't let an uninitiated driver out in one due to the throttle sensitivity.
Sound - great - could be deeper for my liking but I'm skint so no Tubi for me! Still the higher the revs the better the noise.
Very glad I bought one - nettuno and avorio are sooo good. Perfect for the type of car. There is now 2 M3s and an M3CSL in the car park at work and an XKR - reckon I've got the coolest car there and yet as a used purchase no where near as much outlay as any of them.
Definately a one lesser known about 'bargains' out there.
Really chuffed - just got to get in a rag top before I'm 30!
Dave
p.s. Parked next to aston DB7 at the car park in London - difficult to choose between the two you know!
Build quality - well it will probably break down tomorrow - but feels very very solid, interior is still incredible even after a few weeks.
Looks - F****n A mate
Steering - very direct, and again sensitive - guess this will take some getting used to.
Brakes - no probs there - it is a big heavy GT car so I bear that in mind compared to the Audi.
Far too easy to reach silly speeds, wouldn't let an uninitiated driver out in one due to the throttle sensitivity.
Sound - great - could be deeper for my liking but I'm skint so no Tubi for me! Still the higher the revs the better the noise.
Very glad I bought one - nettuno and avorio are sooo good. Perfect for the type of car. There is now 2 M3s and an M3CSL in the car park at work and an XKR - reckon I've got the coolest car there and yet as a used purchase no where near as much outlay as any of them.
Definately a one lesser known about 'bargains' out there.
Really chuffed - just got to get in a rag top before I'm 30!
Dave
p.s. Parked next to aston DB7 at the car park in London - difficult to choose between the two you know!
Every car i have had has had its quirks. I Remember test driving one of the first cerberas (I think it was <10 out of the factory). Clutch was a total pain. I kept stalling it, you had to rev it to 3,000 just to get moving. The handbrake was a waste of time. Still, totally ace car. Had 2 cerberas and 1 griff 500 over a 4 year stint. The maser is just a lot more grown up and family orientated. Also, a lot better put together. As for the steering, the cerbera suffered full lock in two turns. A bit snappy on the public road but a total scream on the racetrack. Yet to get the masser on to a track but it feels competent on the road, just a bit bouncy (Hey, it’s a GT). So should translate nicely on to the track.
I really like my 3200GT. My work car is a MINI cooper. So i am completely content in my carage!
p.s. It has been mistaken for an Aston Vantage twice as well as a DB7. I prefer to think of it as an Italian Aston. NICE…
I really like my 3200GT. My work car is a MINI cooper. So i am completely content in my carage!
p.s. It has been mistaken for an Aston Vantage twice as well as a DB7. I prefer to think of it as an Italian Aston. NICE…
chris_crossley said:
I prefer to think of it as an Italian Aston. NICE…
It's the best description I've yet heard
BTW heres a tip:
Filled up the screenwash today, what a pain that is! The bottle neck is about 1/2" wide, not a hope of pouring it in out of the 5L container I bought. Worth having a funnel to save poruing screenwash all over the engine I would say.
>> Edited by mr_tony on Thursday 4th December 16:07
>> Edited by mr_tony on Thursday 4th December 16:09
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