3200 Running costs ?

[Neil Surrey Labs]

Despite them looking pretty much the same they're supposed to be very different in character

 

[Contigo]

Very diplomatic Nick, I like it

I think Neil has it right they are both different, I think the 4200 is easier to live with as an everyday proposition, some say cheaper to run but has its common issues (F1 pump, hydrolocking potential intake etc..) but so does the 3200 (Endfloat, DBW issues) but both of them have their own charm, some say the 3200 is mad as a box of frogs which I agree with and has more soul than the 4200. Each to their own, I know one thing and that is the 3200 looks stunning with the lower bonnet height, vents and boomerangs.

 

[highlander]

I know one thing and that is the 3200 looks stunning with the lower bonnet height, vents and boomerangs.

Oh, you had to go poke the Benny bear didn't you! Lol

 

[BennyD]

Lots to admire while waiting for the AA flat-bed to arrive.

 

[highlander]

Lots to admire while waiting for the AA flat-bed to arrive.

That is your "1" per night used up.........

 

[neilcharlton]

Thanks for all the input guys; very valuable. So I guess the general consensus is :

- Buy a good one with inspection
- 1-1.5k in a normal good year
- 3k in a bad year which are every few years.

Say average is 1.5k plus insurance £500 plus tax £285
2.28 K a year before petrol.

Guess I need to think if I can justify that sort of expense for a car that will get relativity little use.

 

[highlander]

Thanks for all the input guys; very valuable. So I guess the general consensus is :

- Buy a good one with inspection
- 1-1.5k in a normal good year
- 3k in a bad year which are every few years.

Say average is 1.5k plus insurance £500 plus tax £285
2.28 K a year before petrol.

Guess I need to think if I can justify that sort of expense for a car that will get relativity little use.

You need to think " why am I buying a weekend car?"
If you cannot justify 1-2k a year aside from petrol, then I doubt any of the "supercars" will fit the bill so to speak......sorry for being blunt.
I am lucky, no kids, low mortgage, thoughtful better half so I get away with it! Lol

 

[zagatoes30]

My experience is that both my Masers are in a different league as far as running costs are concerned. The QP has been relatively as expected although rust has been a bigger issue than I planned probably £2k over 2 years. The Spyder on the other hand has been the real surprise, in the last 15 mths and 10k miles it has had 2 yearly services, a gearbox actuator, new tyres and some minor paintwork issues sorted and has left me just over £8k out of pocket which I wasn't expecting.

On the other hand Emblem commented that the work put into it has moved it up the scale, from a good starter to one of the better early 4200s they look after and that they other than the pending clutch replacement they can't see much more that it should need in the next year or two - wishbones excluded as they haven't been checked yet.

 

[Nick B]

Very diplomatic Nick, I like it

I think Neil has it right they are both different, I think the 4200 is easier to live with as an everyday proposition, some say cheaper to run but has its common issues (F1 pump, hydrolocking potential intake etc..) but so does the 3200 (Endfloat, DBW issues) but both of them have their own charm, some say the 3200 is mad as a box of frogs which I agree with and has more soul than the 4200. Each to their own, I know one thing and that is the 3200 looks stunning with the lower bonnet height, vents and boomerangs.

Yep, would definitely miss the looks of the 3200, particularly the bonnet scoops, maybe more so than the boomerangs...

and a manual 4200 wouldn't have an F1 pump to go wrong so that's one advantage to the manual

 

[NickP]

I don't think end float has been an issue on any 3200 for a while? all those that had it have had it by now. The oil pump issue on the 4200 is far more prevalent, I'd steer clear simply because of that, oh and the shoddy looking back end.

 

[Nick B]

Hydro locking is also a concern on the 42... is there a preventative measure in the works for that? Thought I remembered seeing a thread a while back but can't find it now

 

[highlander]

I don't think end float has been an issue on any 3200 for a while? all those that had it have had it by now. The oil pump issue on the 4200 is far more prevalent, I'd steer clear simply because of that, oh and the shoddy looking back end.

Benny the bear has had his one a night dig.......so that is unfair poking him again.

 

[philw696]

I don't think end float has been an issue on any 3200 for a while? all those that had it have had it by now. The oil pump issue on the 4200 is far more prevalent, I'd steer clear simply because of that, oh and the shoddy looking back end.

If you catch the oil/water pump issue straight away it can be successfully replaced and give a engine another 10 years.
I did mine at home on my back £1500 in parts.
So again keep an eye on your coolant level if its leaking find it asap because if its the water pump section it will destroy the drive shaft.

 

[philw696]

A year ago my 360 Modena F1 cost me £6000 when the engine ECU goosed and with a annual service to keep the history all Ferrari.
Still not as bad as a £13,000 transmission job on my old 456 GTA thankfully paid by the previous owner biggest bills for me on the V12 were fuel but she got us in the Guineas World Record at Silverstone.

 

[Neil Surrey Labs]

When I came to buy one I was recommended to go for the 3200 as the engine is supposed to be longer lived.

 

[Contigo]

Yep these running costs are not for the feint hearted at all. I sometimes wonder why we bother but then when driving them it all comes back. Falling in and out of love with them really.

 

[Neil Surrey Labs]

Yeah just booked 2 European holidays in my 3200. Will need to prep the car in advance

 

[highlander]

When I came to buy one I was recommended to go for the 3200 as the engine is supposed to be longer lived.

Don't know about that, there have been some quality high miler 42s on here as well. I was recommended to go for the 42 or a QP because they are meant to be "easier to live with" but hey, who wants easy to live with, sounds like someone describing a comfortable old spaniel!

 

[NickP]

Benny the bear has had his one a night dig.......so that is unfair poking him again.

haha best thing that could happen to a 4200 is to get a rear end shunt ;-)

 

[NickP]

Hi, my costs roughly. 1st year £500ish normal service, 2nd year £2,500 major service, cambelt, plus pulleys water pump etc. 3rd year £800ish sevice, plus couple of hoses. Prior to me getting the car, previous owner, £2400 discs pads all round, and handbrake repairs. So budget £1500/year I'd say. Keep om top of any little jobs as once they build up can become very costly. Hope this helps.

Disks and pads less than £500 if you use the 550 disks.