Maser 3200 purchase

[charlienic]

Ok, just about to purchase a Maserati 3200GTA.

What are the running/servicing costs like?

Not too worried as I have owned a couple of TVR's before, but is there anything I should look out for?

[mr_tony]

They don't have any serious weaknesses - indeed so far they've proved pretty reliable for everyone on here who's had one as far as I know.

I think advice is to buy the latest car you can, make sure it's all up to date in terms of all 'campaigns' and that you're getting a decent warranty backed up by the Manufacturer - whether you buy private or dealer.

Good luck, tell us (and show us!) what you buy in the end.

What kind of spec are you looking at - year / colour etc?

[Beasty]

Have you considered the merits of a manual? I have driven both and found the manual to be a much more engaging experience. All down to personal taste in the end though.

[mal]

I was always told that post 2001 and after cars were built to a much higher standard than the earlier cars.

I loved mine and in many ways am regretting selling it.

[craigw]

chalienic, pls mail me offline asap, your email doesnt seem to be working.

[shnozz]

you played for Arsenal in the 80's

[Alastairm]

I went from a TVR to a Maserati 3200GT (currently for sale) and i did stacks of research before taking the plunge. I looked at cars over and below my budget and the chaps here are right about 2001 build quality being much imporved. There are no known major problems with the cars and the 12k service intervals with fixed price servicing is a welcome joy over the TVR! In the time i've had mine it's not missed a beat and draws lots of glances. The only thing i would say is test the manual as well as the auto. The auto i drove really did blunt the performance and put me off the car altogether until i drove the manual which is far more precise and gives more interaction with the car. Good luck with your search-alternativly email me if you want detials of my car-Ciao!

[ettore]

I`m also currently looking very seriously at a maser`. It looks like the personal life means that I`m going to need a back seat!.

I had a proper look round at Maranello`s over the weekend and was very impressed - clearly I`m looking for a pre-depreciated car but how much better is the 4200 over the 3200? The latter can be bought for an attractive price (and has the boomerangs!)whereas the latter probably still has a fair amount of depreciating to do...

Is it worth it?

[exint2]

If you want an auto then the 3200 is the only option.

The 4200 is a vastly improved car in just about all areas (especially with the 03 model year upgrades)

Cambiocorsa Transmission is now pretty good, manuals are recalcitrant when cold but then improve - which you go for is a personal thing but it's safe to say the gearbox is the weakest (in terms of performance not reliability) part of the car.

Interior is improved - more modern with a screen based centre console allowing "proper satnav" to be fitted. Fit and finish, ergonomics all improved - but you lose the standard Alcantara headling of the 3200 which is replaced by bog standard "fuzzy" cloth stuff.

Engine is a completely different animal being a normally aspirated unit- again preference is a matter of choice - but the 4200 engine is well put together and based on the Ferrari 360 unit. Fuel consumption is better with the 4200, but 20 mpg or 22 mpg is the least of your worries given insurance, depreciation etc.

3200 are bargains at the moment, 4200s are also keenly priced but do have further to go on the depreciation curve, however with the newest 3200s now being 2 years old to get a decent factory warranty period you'll need to go for a 4200

to sum up this rambling diatribe er..... you pays your money and you takes your choice!

[ettore]

I`d actually want a manual - plenty of people on here seem to prefer them but does it make a difference in terms of used cost?

[craigw]

dealers regard manuals as worth £1000 less than autos.

[David A]

Got a manual X plate 3200 - love it to bits.

Dave

[Andrew Richmond]

Guy

In the 3200, the manual is far better as long as the campaigns have been done to lighten the first few mm of throttle opening. In the 4200, the 02 cars have a very poor shift from 1st to 2nd (an old Ferrari problem) until they have done quite a few 000 miles. The 03 cars are much better. Incidently, I fell into the trap of buying a3200 due to the arrival of a baby. You need to be careful as few car seats fit in the back, the boot is small and your back will suffer! Best only if you have a four door also (Mind you with the airbag switch off I found the front seat fine for the right 9-18kg child seat).

exint2

Only the early 3200's had the alcantara headlining as standard - it was an option on later cars. Incidently, some 4200's have the optional fluted leather headlining which is devine!

Cheers


Andrew

[ettore]

Thanks Andrew - B*gger about child seats - I`m trying to find a decent solution that keeps me out of a saloon!- I thought the maser` was a better bet space-wise than a 996...

[Andrew Richmond]

Guy

Depends if your partner is happy to sit in the back! Porsche make a seat which fits in the back of a 911 (poss just 9kg (9 months) upwards) and they also have a buggy which goes in the boot of the C2 but won't fit in the C4.

I found it easy getting a buggy to go in the boot of my 3200 but the rear seat scoop and the way that the top of the seat belt overhanged the baby seat was not ideal. Perhaps go to a baby shop with a car seat fitting service on the test drive!

[chris_crossley]

Managed to get a baby <9 months, seat in the Cerbera you just need to try a few seats. So the masser was a doddle. Now have a Full size seat for my 3 year old and a booster for my 6 Year old. They seem perfectley happy, no issues at all.

[Andrew Richmond]

I'm sure you are right Chris but the problem I found was seats for really young children and babies. Shame Maserati don't have a seat made for them - my current cars all have manufacturers' seats fitted, most with Isofix which is brilliant.

[chris_crossley]

We had a Rear facing seat in the Cerbera!. In case you don't know, it's a 2+2. You had to move the passenger seat forward a bit. It had rocker feet on as well. In fact we have still got it in the loft. There is nothing quicker to put a baby to sleep than a sound of a V8 and high G excelleration . If i get change i'll try it in the masser tonight.