Comparing 3200 gts

[Gogs253]

I've considered some 3200 gts since Xmas, starting nearer home but didn't really expect to find a car which ticked most of the boxes right away.
However, looked at a really nice car with low mileage and good service history on Thursday and plan to return to examine the service history more closely next week.
Spent today starting to clear out the garage as the second car spot is full of parts for the SAAB turbo that I'm restoring. I couldn't consider buying one without a garage space so we'll see how it goes this weekend, shifting parts into the garage rafters.

The car is a little older than I was looking for ( late 1999 ) and it is manual, when I had thought an auto would be easier to drive. Still I wont be doing a lot of city driving and I am interested enough to start clearing the garage.
Do the improvements on the later cars make a huge difference and are manual boxes so hard to live with?

Gogs

 

[Trev Latter]

Manual or auto is purely down to personal preference. I prefer a manual, but I've not driven an auto 3200. Contigo will be along shortly and be able to advise best as up until recently, had both at the same time.

Do your research on the cars you're interested in and unless buying from someone like Richard Grace, get an inspection on the car. There may be some very expensive repairs lurking underneath, especially with cracked wishbones and worn ball joints on the rear lower arms to name a couple.

Edited to correct the auto correct!

 

[allandwf]

I drove both prior to getting mine, it was an AC so in my opinion manual was the best option for this. Shunted a little in stop start town driving, but who buys one for this? Both drive really well so down to what you will use it for. Personally I would be wary of low mileage, they really do relish being driven. Niggles seem to appear if not used.

 

[highlander]

These are truly under-rated cars, get a good one and it smiles all day.......get a bad one, and it is remortage time! Lol

 

[allandwf]

Mine just turned 80k miles when I sold her, after over three years trouble free motoring. Those that I let drive her all commented on how well she drove. Don't be swayed by low mileage with these cars.

 

[highlander]

Mine just turned 80k miles when I sold her, after over three years trouble free motoring. Those that I let drive her all commented on how well she drove. Don't be swayed by low mileage with these cars.

True words, they love to be driven, regularly!

 

[Contigo]

Both the 3200 and 4200 manual boxes are very notchy and clunky when cold. They get better as things warm up but there is always a cut in power as the clutch engages and disengages which makes progress slow at times, in town the clutch on the 3200 can get heavy.

The Auto is very intelligent and smooth and being able to select 1,2 and 3 makes it all the better.

I urge you to drive both and make your own mind up!

 

[Gogs253]

If I was doing a lot of town driving, an auto would probably suit better but normally I prefer a manual anyway (never had an auto ). I lived comfortably with the box on my early 'E' type and is notoriously clunky.
Greg and Allan, Phil in Edinburgh has worked on both your cars and seems to know most of the cars around. He has been servicing this car and rates it highly.

 

[allandwf]

If I was doing a lot of town driving, an auto would probably suit better but normally I prefer a manual anyway (never had an auto ). I lived comfortably with the box on my early 'E' type and is notoriously clunky.
Greg and Allan, Phil in Edinburgh has worked on both your cars and seems to know most of the cars around. He has been servicing this car and rates it highly.

Phil knows his stuff, it would put my mind at rest that he knows it and rates it.