Hampshire Newbie looking for buying advice

[SimonJWilliams75]

I am new to the forum, based in Hampshire and looking to buy a 4200CC as my first foray into Maserati ownership. Can you point me in the right direction for a buyer's guide? I am budgeting up to £15k but there seem to be a few on ebay and Autotrader at around £10-£12k with moderate mileage and some with limited service history.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Maserati-Coupe-4200-33k-miles-Stunning/174617798373 or at the other end of the scale:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maserati-4200-Cambiocorsa-2003-77k-miles-FSH-Priced-to-sell/154346149448 or

2003 MASERATI 4200 COUPE CAMBIOCORSA **56,000 MILES ONLY** | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 MASERATI 4200 COUPE CAMBIOCORSA **56,000 MILES ONLY** at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Any words of wisdom gratefully received.

Now need to persuade my wife that maserati ownership is a higher priority than the children's education!

 

[Hawk13]

I will leave others who have ownership knowledge of the 4200 to chip in but the general principle with buying is to buy the best you can afford and that a fully documented history is a must.

Personally I would steer well clear of any sellers who try and sell with (for example) 1 tyre than needs replacing or who can't be arsed to valet / polish before advertising.

 

[FIFTY]

Welcome. There are a few of us in Hampshire so you are in good company

I suggest spending as much of your budget as possible on the best kept car you can afford. These are not cheap project cars so getting one needing TLC is not fun unless you have a full set of mechanics tools and a lift (or love crawling around under the car when it's on jack stands)... I have been through it with my manual 4200

@dickygrace is a highly regarded Maserati sales specialist on here. While I have not bought a car from him a few of my friends have and are extremely happy with their Bella's.

Give Richard a call and have a chat https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/

Also if you really desire a project I did a thread on my journey with the 4200GT. It had a few service stamps missing like those cars and it all does add up for someone who eventually owns the car.

https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/fiftys-manual-4200-build.28073/

 

[dickygrace]

Thanks for the mention @FIFTY.

@SimonJWilliams75 I’m happy to advise if you wish to call, nothing springs to mind but they are about....

 

[SimonJWilliams75]

Thanks for the responses. I will be in touch @dickygrace
I took a punt on a Porsche 964 a few years ago and thankfully paid off but seems I may need to take my time.

 

[Dan!]

Also, if your Hampshire based, a visit to Sports Italia would probably be worth while. Owned by this forum's owner @conaero (Matt)

SportsItalia Ltd
Lake Farm House Business Park,
Allington Lane,
Fair Oak,
Hampshire,
SO50 7DD

 

[Wattie]

I am new to the forum, based in Hampshire and looking to buy a 4200CC as my first foray into Maserati ownership. Can you point me in the right direction for a buyer's guide? I am budgeting up to £15k but there seem to be a few on ebay and Autotrader at around £10-£12k with moderate mileage and some with limited service history.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Maserati-Coupe-4200-33k-miles-Stunning/174617798373 or at the other end of the scale:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maserati-4200-Cambiocorsa-2003-77k-miles-FSH-Priced-to-sell/154346149448 or

2003 MASERATI 4200 COUPE CAMBIOCORSA **56,000 MILES ONLY** | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 MASERATI 4200 COUPE CAMBIOCORSA **56,000 MILES ONLY** at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Any words of wisdom gratefully received.

Now need to persuade my wife that maserati ownership is a higher priority than the children's education!

My advice. Skip early cars.
Continue saving, granturismos and qp’s are gonna meet u in the middle.
Hold out for a 4.7 sport/Mc or gts Qp
If u venture here get the best experience u can.
I still miss mine.

 

[DaveT]

Welcome.

Good to have another Hampshire member.

As already stated, Dicky Grace is a great place to start your search and Sports Italia for inspection/servicing.

Good luck.

 

[Hawk13]

Thanks for the responses. I will be in touch @dickygrace
I took a punt on a Porsche 964 a few years ago and thankfully paid off but seems I may need to take my time.

Far be it from me to promote any bashing of the Maserati brand but you are really not comparing like with like when using 964 and 4200 in the same sentence.

The 964 drivetrain is pretty much bullet proof and beyond that there is nothing necessarily unique to them as cars. And there is a strong dealer / indie network and parts availability.

The 4200 engine / gearbox is a little more fickle (I would say it is reliable if looked after / serviced but few are!), parts available is less than perfect and f#cking expensive!

Moreover, residuals are not great and neither is demand. So whereas you can punt on a 964 with limited history for a decent price you are likely to be stuck with a 4200 or have to sell cheaply.

 

[safrane]

There was a similar green one on ebay late last year with bashed bumpers, accident scrapes and being sold off privately for c8k... may be the same one.

 

[Ewan]

You'll be able to get a nice 4200CC for your budget. Miss out the earliest cars, or those with missing (especially recent) history, or those needing anything more than minor tidying work. And it's compulsory to have it inspected by a specialist. Definitely chat with Matt at SportItalia and/or Myles at Emblem (Poole) in case they know of one for sale.

 

[SimonJWilliams75]

Some of the previous threads suggest that post 2004 cars are preferred. Is there any reason one shouldn’t consider well looked after early ones with a proper history?

 

[conaero]

Happy to inspect any car you find.

Personally if I were buying a 4200 a facelift 4200 is probably the best bang for your buck if you can’t stretch to a GranSport.

As with any aging car, condition and service history is more important than mileage.

 

[midlifecrisis]

2002, 33k miles means 1700 miles a year. They would have been around £65,000-70,000 new maybe more. So a lot of car for the money.
The seats should be fresh, the driver's seat bolster is indicative of this as it always wears. I can see wear higher up where the seat belt rubs.
It's definitely an older 4200 as the chrome goes all the way across the rear of the lip for the boot above the reg plate, later ones stop short of the end. Also the rear wing antenna. Nice headliner though.
I'd be concerned about the subframes, front ones tend to go on the driver's side where the lower wishbone attaches. Check the oil pipe nut too due to dissimilar metal corrosion and fatigue. Wheel bearings at that age might be grouchy but are a doddle to replace.
Not a bad looking car but get it checked first.

 

[Saigon]

I am new to the forum, based in Hampshire and looking to buy a 4200CC as my first foray into Maserati ownership. Can you point me in the right direction for a buyer's guide? I am budgeting up to £15k but there seem to be a few on ebay and Autotrader at around £10-£12k with moderate mileage and some with limited service history.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Maserati-Coupe-4200-33k-miles-Stunning/174617798373 or at the other end of the scale:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maserati-4200-Cambiocorsa-2003-77k-miles-FSH-Priced-to-sell/154346149448 or

2003 MASERATI 4200 COUPE CAMBIOCORSA **56,000 MILES ONLY** | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 MASERATI 4200 COUPE CAMBIOCORSA **56,000 MILES ONLY** at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Any words of wisdom gratefully received.

Now need to persuade my wife that maserati ownership is a higher priority than the children's education!

When I bought my first 4200 it wasn’t as you put it a foray into Maserati ownership, I specifically wanted a Maserati 4200. I liked and still love 4200’s, but that’s maybe just me. So if you desire a 4200 go for it. 2004 onward you will not be disappointed, doesn’t have to be a face lift by any means. I looked for the basics, full service history from a known main dealer or known reputable Maserati indie, new or recently new clutch, and a seller with some good history. Whether it be the likes of Richard Grace or Nareman of Nuvola as examples. Or the next best thing is a forum member who has nothing to hide and will still be morally accountable in one way or another if it’s not as advertised, gives you a bit of confidence. Or risk it on an unknown on E bay or the likes for a lower price which may be costly in the long run. Pay a little bit extra for peace of mind, I bought my present 4200 from Nuvola, I have it serviced by Mario’s at Autoshield and if I come to sell it I’m sure those facts will help the future owner make a decision. Do the same thing, do your history, and make sure the clutch is as new as possible.

 

[GeoffCapes]

Personally I think the earlier 4200’s are better looking.
Are they more unreliable? Or is it just an age thing?
I loved mine. Yes it was in the garage for a long time.
but that’s another story.......

 

[RoaryRati]

I spotted a green 4200/3200 last Saturday heading towards Malvern. Being driven cautiously - they were tricky conditions along the road. ?The same one.

 

[Dman666]

Also Hampshire member but sadly i cannot help with advise on the car,Sports Italia will help you out and great people on here

 

[MrRMB]

I spotted a green 4200/3200 last Saturday heading towards Malvern. Being driven cautiously - they were tricky conditions along the road. ?The same one.

I think there is one for sale in Malvern. I'm quietly looking for a manual 4200, could be a long wait, but I'm patient and want a good long term keeper.

 

[philw696]

I have had two 4200 cambio corsa the first 2002 Classico and I'm for the underdog loved the rawness of the first cars paid £10K for that in 2010 it was the cheapest in the Country at the time ran it for 4 years pretty much bulletproof.
My second was a 2004 project car with a failed oil/water pump unit.
I was just going to repair and move on but it was so good I shipped it to NZ when I emigrated there in 2014 and still going strong today I paid £5K for that one.
Good Luck in your search and ask as many questions as you like.