4200 CC Questions. Potential Purchase

[dem maser]

This is the car.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...esearchad=used,nearlynew,new&page=1&logcode=p

Was wondering if I could get a bargain. Could buy this at the weekend, and get a bargain.
But then, I could buy it and regret I ever saw it.

Maserati and bargain don't go together

 

[Swedish Paul]

Offer 7k. Wait a month, offer less.

 

[zagatoes30]

Neutral selection is normally because the electronics can't be sure the gear is selected and therefore it goes for the safe option. Often a symptom of wear but could also be another fault with the CC system. Any significant work on this can cost bundles so walk away.

 

[Phil H]

I wonder if it just has a dodgy door lock or wiring? A cc will drop into neutral if it thinks a door is open due to an intermittent lock/micro-switch although you'd then expect (hope) to see the door warning illuminate, and might a U/S lock also be the cause of the alarm triggering?

The price is still OTT for a car with 65,000 miles and undiagnosed faults.

PH

 

[GeoffCapes]

This is why this forum is the best.

Honest answers to questions.

I'll offer to take it off his hands for scrap and see how I get on. Otherwise. Ammm Oooot!

 

[CatmanV2]

US locks have the same part number.

At a guess an intermittent fault may do that and you may simply not see the door warning illuminate.

Big chance though.

C

 

[Steve GS]

Sounds like to much hassle. Unless your into restoration of cars. I like to buy and enjoy.

 

[rockits]

I agree with the general sentiment here. If it is available much cheaper & you are handy so can do much of the work yourself it could be worth it. If not there is too much risk & it's not worth it.

I bought a 4200 for more than my budget but the car was a fairly unique find so thought it worth the money I paid. It wasn't silly much more than this and will always be worth much more so when you take this into consideration. A cheaper car can often not make sense for this reason.

I am not sure how it can be a 1 owner car though if the last owner had it for 5 years and it is a 55 plate. That doesn't work.

Gut feeling it is a no from me. I agree with MAF about the owner putting up with locking with a key. Often a sign of someone who is not bothered about stuff therefore doesn't deal with other issues. What else is there that is not disclosed & not known about. From a dealer you have some recourse. From a private seller....nothing.

 

[outrun]

Price is too high given the faults but it is a late car in good colour/spec. I'd have that for 9-10k and take the chance I reckon.

 

[Swedish Paul]

The real question is if you take the car cheap, fix it up and learn where the faults are, will you still see them when nobody else maybe does? If so, buy the absolute best you can. A "fixer upper" can play on your mind and make you dislike the car. You don't want to wish you waited......

 

[Contigo]

Too high that, I'd want that at 11k tops to factor in repairs of those niggles.

Walk away and get a sorted car in the first place!

 

[maverick]

Gearbox tcu are easy to get hold of and should only cost around £300 but sounds more like a poorly set up clutch . Easy to check with the right diagnostics , ref the locking I can see why he hasn't bothered to fix it , I have a similar problem all though I can lock the car on the fob inc the alarm it won't unlock it , I have to use the key . Frustrating but I can live with it untill some one can can come up with a solution , I have had a couple of people look at it but no luck . But of course I would look to get it fixed befor selling or adjust the price .

 

[Trev Latter]

Looking at the pics, it appears to have some tags on the keys in the ignition and the photos are certainly not taken at the owners house. I would suspect that it may be a trader selling the car as a private sale. How many of us have paper tags on our keys for cars we use regularly? Not many, I'll bet. I could, of course, be completely wrong too.

I can't really comment on the issues with the car other than agree with what's already been said about a simple problem being put right prior to sale. I can't get my head around people who try to sell cars with "easy to fix" faults. Why not just fix them! Personally, I'd wait for a good, sorted one from a reputable source.

 

[safrane]

Its been for sale on and off for years...I recall the faults.

Get one you can enjoy from day one...not one that make you flinch at every noise/light or trip to the garage.

 

[StuartW]

Maserati and bargain don't go together

Quote of the day - walk away I'd say, you want your first Maserati to be a pleasure not a chore

 

[zagatoes30]

Quote of the day - walk away I'd say, you want your first Maserati to be a pleasure not a chore

Totally agree with this sentiment.

My first was and still is a chore, my second is a pleasure, if slightly expensive but a pleasure all the same.

 

[Spartacus]

you lot just wearing out your keyboards , he wont buy it lol ;P

 

[Stewart]

Little wonder these motors get a bad name....any one reading this forum not an actual owner would think you would be off you head to buy one..and little wonder the prices are a bit iffy.

For the record I have done 9k mls mostly with top down and no trouble.

Time all the second car salesmen and mechanics within changed the tune..

 

[CatmanV2]

Little wonder these motors get a bad name....any one reading this forum not an actual owner would think you would be off you head to buy one..and little wonder the prices are a bit iffy.

For the record I have done 9k mls mostly with top down and no trouble.

Time all the second car salesmen and mechanics within changed the tune..

In general, I agree. I've done something close to 30k in mine with no issues at all. However, in this specific case, I think you're wrong. And I would have said the same to anyone new to the forum looking for advice. Nothing gets cars a bad name faster than someone saying 'It'll be fine' and then finding the 'simple' fault is a 2k bill.

YMMV


C

 

[Gp79]

Little wonder these motors get a bad name....any one reading this forum not an actual owner would think you would be off you head to buy one..and little wonder the prices are a bit iffy.

For the record I have done 9k mls mostly with top down and no trouble.

Time all the second car salesmen and mechanics within changed the tune..

Very true, we should talk these cars / values up. Even one needing work is still an absolute bargain compared with a porsche 964, 993, lotus esprit and any ferrari....