3200 vs 4200

[beau]

its always been a case of the 4200 being the safer option, but im now thinking maybe not!? yet everyone still bangs on about how the 4200 is better?

as there getting older im thinking the 3200 is going to be a safer option...

iv read on here for 4200

£1500 clutch changes
new engines needed after oil pump/water pump failure
someone had a gearbox actuator suddenly break - £4000

at least when the 3200's go wrong the prices would seem to be in the hundreds, not thousands !!

 

[Andyk]

Difference with the two is that the engine and electrics on the 4200 seems to be more reliable.....so yes a 4200 may cost more parts wise but you will be under a 3200 more than a 4200....sort of balances out.......to be honest all depends what you buy and you could have great ownership with both......Not sure I would buy a 3200 or early 4200 now....both getting old. When I had my 3200 it was a daily drive and 5 years old....it was reliable...but they they are over 12 years old and a 2002 4200 over 11 years old and as I need a car for everyday and just would be confident in both to...Maybe as a 2nd car for fun.

 

[conaero]

The parts priced on the 3200 are as if not more expensive:
Turbos £2k each
Actuators fail
Clutches collapse
Engines becoming scrap due to endfloat
Failing whisbones
No end if throttle issues
And that's before you get started on the electrics.

I am not bashing the 3200 just stating the facts.

Granted the 4200 clutch is £1500 but its a complicated bit if kit. Some 4200 engines have suffered from oil pump issues but it is quite rare.

As stated on here a few weeks back the 4200 oil pump is £1k and it should be changed as a service item at 65/70k miles or every 7 years or so.

 

[dem maser]

Interesting thread.....
We see this topic come up every now and again.....
Cars aside, just talking parts? As a 3200 owner ill admit the 3200 is more costly to run, ie parts but it does depend on the one you buy!

I have not spent anywhere near what some people spend on theirs but i still have receips in my ownership of 11k....everythings new almost.....

Something like that should keep the next owner happy for a few years, equally you could pick one up with low miles but has all these problems waiting to come up...TB, TP, radiators....

3200 is cambelt 4200 is not...thats another 1k every 3 years.....

The 4200 is not more reliable, its the electrics they have sorted out and looks like it is, both engines will go on forever if looked after

 

[Contigo]

Mine has been sat for a good few years and has got all the issues everyone on here knows about. I got the car at a good price and knew it's condition. so far in 6 weeks I have done the following.

TDC Sensor
Centre Cat Delete due to rotten section.
Cambelt
Service + Filters
New Thermostat.
Replaced fuse 16 in footwell.
Contactless Throttle Body.
Kevlar Brake Pads fitted.


ALl of the above are really wear and tear items apart from the TDC and the TB. I am actually happy to spend on what is a lovely car and don't like all the negativity on here about 3200's really. They are an aging car but with supercar performance. For me the 4200 doesn't have the emotion of the 3200. The lack of forced induction, the bonnet vents and distinctive boomerang's make it a very bland package imo. I've hankered after a 3200 for years and as Andy states it will NOT be my everydat car simply because I don't think I can rely on it to get me to clients and the family trips etc...

 

[dem maser]

Well said

 

[mjheathcote]

I've hankered after a 3200 for years and as Andy states it will NOT be my everydat car simply because I don't think I can rely on it to get me to clients and the family trips etc...

I can understand not using it as an everyday car, but not being able to rely on it for family trips? what is the point in having it then, if it wasn't for the family trips mine would hardly be used!

 

[Contigo]

I will use it for family trips well short ones as there is a lack of space for bags etc and with my seat back (I'm 6ft 4) we struggle to get the kids car seats in the back!!!!! We have 2 other cars which are far better suited to lugging the family gear around. What I am getting at is that it's more of a weekend/fun car which I will mainly use.

 

[BennyD]

Not once in all the time I been driving my spyder have I ever thought 'what I really need are boomerangs, bonnet vents or forced induction'. I've done the forced induction thing but these days I much prefer the linear power delivery of a big n/a engine. Bearing in mind the 0-60 times of both cars what does the boost give you apart from an illusion of power? If a 3200 is quicker when the boost comes in it must be slower just about everywhere else. Oh, and on a wet roundabout what you really need is a sudden rush of power especially on the exit......not. Also, the 4200 makes a better sound because it doesnt have turbos. BTW, quirkiness doesn't always mean character. Sure, the boomerangs gave the 3200 a distinctive look then but are starting to look like an early modern Volvo as most new ones have curved rear lights too. Don't forget that the basic concept of both cars must be about the same but models evolve and improve so it stands to reason that the 4200 is an improved 3200 with some of the troublesome bits removed. For the record Beau, I use mine really quite hard and on a regular basis and in nearly 30k hard miles virtually nothing has gone wrong. She has character in spades, I will never sell her and I won't be buying a 3200 any time soon. I have enough problems as it is.

 

[Contigo]

Each to their own I don't like the styling of the 4200 or Spyder.

 

[conaero]

I would be interested to know if the 3200 owners who don't like 4200's include GranSports in that equation?

Having owned a 3200 a 4200 and a GranSport, the GranSport is a country mile the best of the bunch (my opinion of course)

Coming from Alfas the same principle applies:

The more the car is revised the better it gets.

I saw this in the GTV (except the JTS unit) and in the 156 and it also applies to the Maserati Coupe.

Loved my 3200 but it was the best and worst car I have ever owned....very frustrating but rewarding.

It would be interesting to see what would have happened if the Americans had not gotten rid of our beloved Boomerangs.

 

[allandwf]

With respective owners singing the praises of their particular model aside, I do believe that as the cars get older the early 4200 will come out bottom, the GranSport will always be sought after, as will the spyder. I also believe that the 3200 will become the "enthusiasts" choice, almost, as an examle, early 911s are more sought after than the middling years.

 

[dem maser]

Exactly what i was going to say.....above

The 3200 will be the one people look to own! A good example is already more money than a 4200!!

 

[dem maser]

Benny, i have enough problems, selling my Maserati for a prelude will just add to them

 

[philw696]

Again the debate goes on and as individuals we know what we like. One point Andy you drive a 11 year old Bmw that has also shown issues this year and certainly more than my well thrashed and used early 4200 has in 3.5 years mate.

 

[philw696]

Dem 3200's may be asking more money than a 4200 but I don't believe they are selling.

 

[BennyD]

Each to their own I don't like the styling of the 4200 or Spyder.

Not a problem. At least you can admire the oh so different styling of the 3200 while you are waiting for the RAC.

 

[Parisien]

I only jest with the 3200 guys to keep Ian happy.......aint got a problem with the 3200 guys.....except for their cars.....


P

 

[Phil H]

Having had the 3200 and 4200 I can definitely, absolutely, say without fear of contradiction that one model might be better than the other, although that view could be challenged.

PH

 

[Andyk]

With respective owners singing the praises of their particular model aside, I do believe that as the cars get older the early 4200 will come out bottom, the GranSport will always be sought after, as will the spyder. I also believe that the 3200 will become the "enthusiasts" choice, almost, as an examle, early 911s are more sought after than the middling years.

Think you may be right on that....