RE: chris_crossley's Maserati 3200
Discussion
Chris -
I test drove one of these yesterday.
Same model and year, even colour! Anyway, I thought it's a great car but ... there's always a but! I found the gearshift stiff and awkward, and the throttle pedal far too light.
Is yours the same? Do you get used to it, does it get better/smoother with practice, or is something wrong with this particular one?
The official combined fuel consumption is 17mpg. How does that compare with what you actually get?
And why, oh why, did they design it to need the engine removed for a cambelt change????
I test drove one of these yesterday.
Same model and year, even colour! Anyway, I thought it's a great car but ... there's always a but! I found the gearshift stiff and awkward, and the throttle pedal far too light.
Is yours the same? Do you get used to it, does it get better/smoother with practice, or is something wrong with this particular one?
The official combined fuel consumption is 17mpg. How does that compare with what you actually get?
And why, oh why, did they design it to need the engine removed for a cambelt change????
Gearshift is always stiff from cold, let it warm up and it's fine.
Throttle is light, but check all oftware updates ahve been carried out. It is something you learn to live with though - took me about 2 weeks of looking like an idiot at traffic lights stalled before I could be confident I had it sussed.
Fuel - 17mpg is about right - in town it'll drop well below that (I figure about 13mpg) out of town I figure I'm seeing around 23-25mpg on longer runs.
As for the engine out issue - well someone more qualified than I should answer that one! But seeing as the dealer will pay on a fixed price basis, the cambelt will cost me no more than a uaual service anyway
>> Edited by mr_tony on Wednesday 3rd December 13:12
Throttle is light, but check all oftware updates ahve been carried out. It is something you learn to live with though - took me about 2 weeks of looking like an idiot at traffic lights stalled before I could be confident I had it sussed.
Fuel - 17mpg is about right - in town it'll drop well below that (I figure about 13mpg) out of town I figure I'm seeing around 23-25mpg on longer runs.
As for the engine out issue - well someone more qualified than I should answer that one! But seeing as the dealer will pay on a fixed price basis, the cambelt will cost me no more than a uaual service anyway
>> Edited by mr_tony on Wednesday 3rd December 13:12
Gearbox was fine in my opinion - try an 02MY 4200 to see how lucky you are!
I averaged 18mpg.
When the cylinder head gaskets were replaced on mine, the belts were also changed. I presume this means that it is a lengthy process? It might be Italian cars I guess but don't you need the engine out to change the belts on an Alfa 156 also?
I averaged 18mpg.
When the cylinder head gaskets were replaced on mine, the belts were also changed. I presume this means that it is a lengthy process? It might be Italian cars I guess but don't you need the engine out to change the belts on an Alfa 156 also?
Don't ask me mechanics; I have never been bothered in how they work. I love how they sound, drive, look and cosit you. I can tell you when the engine needs oil, and the timing is a bit off. It’s a knack you learn having owned TVR’s. I have driven so many different cars that I can settle into a cars gear changes quite easily. The maser has a longer gear throw than most cars, so to get a slick change you have to be quick so the revs don’t drop. You get used to the turbo power bands. The accelerator is very light, but you will get used to it.
The only thing I can say is that it’s quite heavy (Like an Aston). So temper sharp corners. Slow in, foot down coming out of the Apex. The traction control has kept me safe. I would not ever recommend switching traction control off in the wet, unless you have an empty space to spin (due to short travel on accelerator). Worth trying just for a giggle (Just get ready for when the tires bite).
It is a very rear car! In more than it’s numbers.
The only thing I can say is that it’s quite heavy (Like an Aston). So temper sharp corners. Slow in, foot down coming out of the Apex. The traction control has kept me safe. I would not ever recommend switching traction control off in the wet, unless you have an empty space to spin (due to short travel on accelerator). Worth trying just for a giggle (Just get ready for when the tires bite).
It is a very rear car! In more than it’s numbers.
I agree with the above, I think it took about 1000miles to properly get used to the throttle, but when you do any other car seems to lack response in comparison. The gearbox too gets better, but it is never going to be ultra slick. The 3200 is a real old scholl driving challenge but when you get used to it is really great and put lots of smiles on your face.
Thanks guys. Sadly the potential buyer is my father rather than me (growing family to pay for ... me that is!). However, it sounds like what I had thought of as a problem will disappear with a spot of practice. He noticed it less than I anyway - a better shifter of gears, probably!
Just now he's wrestling with the running costs vs. liking the car a lot. But he can afford it and he only lives once, and all that.
On the service costs - the (main) dealer said that it needs a service every 8,000 miles at a fixed £600, and a timing belt every 24,000 at around £1,500 - £2,000. But do you reckon the timing belt one should be included in the £600 fixed cost? And is it 12k miles service or 8k miles? The salesman did seem a bit clueless
Just now he's wrestling with the running costs vs. liking the car a lot. But he can afford it and he only lives once, and all that.
On the service costs - the (main) dealer said that it needs a service every 8,000 miles at a fixed £600, and a timing belt every 24,000 at around £1,500 - £2,000. But do you reckon the timing belt one should be included in the £600 fixed cost? And is it 12k miles service or 8k miles? The salesman did seem a bit clueless
Servicing is every yr or 10k miles. The first three services are subsidised to £600 ea for most 3200's. After that Glenvarigill will charge your roughly £900-1000 for yr 4, £1100-1200 for yr 5 and £1600+ for yr 6 (cambelts).
Given that there are few 3200's less than 2 yr's old, you would therefore only have one subsidised service at best.
PS The 4200 has much lower service costs but is not subsidised for the warranty years.
Given that there are few 3200's less than 2 yr's old, you would therefore only have one subsidised service at best.
PS The 4200 has much lower service costs but is not subsidised for the warranty years.
Alex
That's what I was told when I was looking to change my 3200 for a 4200. I was led to believe that the 1st and 2nd year services would be under £600 on a 4200 anyway! I also seem to remember that the 4200 has a chain driven cam and so it should need changing much less frequently than the belts on the 3200. Therefore the big service bill might be only every fifth year?
It struck me that with the above and the fact that the 4200 does not have turbos and hoses to go wrong, it would be quite cheap to run. Anyway I bought an Impreza WRX PPP wagon instead which sticks to winter roads which would have had the 3200 sideways!!
[PS I had my belts changed at 3 yrs as part of the £600 service also but it was the price of the 4th yr service and re-newing the warranty (and tyres) that was putting me off keeping it]
That's what I was told when I was looking to change my 3200 for a 4200. I was led to believe that the 1st and 2nd year services would be under £600 on a 4200 anyway! I also seem to remember that the 4200 has a chain driven cam and so it should need changing much less frequently than the belts on the 3200. Therefore the big service bill might be only every fifth year?
It struck me that with the above and the fact that the 4200 does not have turbos and hoses to go wrong, it would be quite cheap to run. Anyway I bought an Impreza WRX PPP wagon instead which sticks to winter roads which would have had the 3200 sideways!!
[PS I had my belts changed at 3 yrs as part of the £600 service also but it was the price of the 4th yr service and re-newing the warranty (and tyres) that was putting me off keeping it]
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