Hello Forum!

ThursdayCar

New Member
Messages
15
Hi there everyone!

I am new to the Forum and hoping to make new friends here!

I am considering my first Maserati later this year and want to take my time, listen to your experience and opinions and make my search, purchase and ownership that much more enjoyable because of it.

I've got a bit of a mixed bag in terms of my car background - I used to be a huge Ferrari fan as a kid but ended up owning a lot of BMWs (15) since my first car (a VW Polo). I am lucky enough to have briefly owned a 911 GT/3 and a Radical but have calmed down a little now that I've hit 42 and am a little more realistic about what is 'wise' to spend on a car. That said - I want a Maserati because I want something with some soul and individual style! I am sure no one here is going to argue with that!

What else... I am a big McLaren fan, too, having worked for them in Woking for a number of years and having ended up building the Mother of all 1/43 scale McLaren collections (F1, Indy, Can Am).

That's me in a nuthshell ;-)

I want to spend about £20-25K, in July, when the current BMW goes back to the lease company. I was thinking I could find a GrandSport in that sort of ballpark.

But first, I will need to understand the model years, the versions and options.
Stuff to look for, stuff to avoid, etc.

"Nuvola" in London have one or two nice ones that I had been drawn to.

Anyway - I am rambling... look forward to hearing from you!

Hope you're all out enjoying quality motoring in your Masers! :)

Matt
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
Hi Matt

Welcome to the best forum in the World! :D

GranSport is a great choice but you will struggle to get a good example for £20k and even £25k unless it is a private sale. Nuvola are great I agree.

Let us know what you need to know and enjoy being part of the Trident club!
 

ThursdayCar

New Member
Messages
15
Hi Contigo! Thanks for the warm welcome! Nuvola just sold this car, just below 25,000 - I guess you could say it's leggy for a Maserati? But it looked good.

I love the earlier tail lights - when was the model refreshed? Is the gearbox as jerky as I have been led to believe? I should drive one sometime really...
 

maverick

Member
Messages
1,982
Hi matt and welcome along , grand sport is a great choice ! I Don't know to much about the grand sport but some one will be along to advise .
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
Matt, I recommend coming to Auto Italia on Saturday as there will be many owners who you can ask about ownership.
 

ThursdayCar

New Member
Messages
15
Ooh, that's a good idea! And not too far away. Will I need to buy tickets in advance or can I get them at the gate! Be lovely to meet some of you guys there!
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,187
I think you can purchase them on the gate

Yes you can. Or in advance online for a few pieces of money less.

Matt, a warm welcome. Nuvola has a great reputation and from personal experience I recommend them highly. Nareman is a good man and as decent as they come. Also look at ADG in Sevenoaks, and Dicky Grace (Richard Grace Cars) in deepest Cheshire.
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
Hi Contigo! Thanks for the warm welcome! Nuvola just sold this car, just below 25,000 - I guess you could say it's leggy for a Maserati? But it looked good.

I love the earlier tail lights - when was the model refreshed? Is the gearbox as jerky as I have been led to believe? I should drive one sometime really...

Yes a forum member bought that car over the Bianco Fuji one also for sale at the moment.

The earlier tail lights? What the iconic boomerangs of the 3200? Yes I agree far better than the Honda Prelude ones fitted to the 4200 and GS!

Get a 3200, priced very cheap now but will be the one to own in the future.
 

ThursdayCar

New Member
Messages
15
Hi all! Thanks for all the kind replies - I will hopefully meet some of you next Saturday then, will get some tickets! Thanks for the recommendations F-C!
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
I've not booked my tickets yet and doubt that there is time now to book in advance and get them despatched in the post. Will pay on the gate!
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,164
A big warm welcome to the forum....McLaren.....Lucky you...great cars....

The GS is a great buy and one that is rising in price on the used market so get in quick...Nuvola is well thought of on her and Richard Grace is well worth a call as he will be able to find you a car or just give great advice....

Good luck with your search and keep us updated....
 

ThursdayCar

New Member
Messages
15
Yes, sorry, Contigo, I need to get the names right! Sorry! The 3200 indeed - used to love seeing them in the dark with those boomerangs. That said, that 'forum member' bought a nice car methinks.

Might be opening up a can of worms here... but where do you connoisseurs stand on SOUND? I've heard some pretty amazing GranTurismo's... what do you all think of the sound of 3200 and 4200?

By the by - I am embarrassed to ask, but it would be worse not to want to find out: how is a 'Grandsport V8' different from a 4200?
 

MAF260

Member
Messages
7,662
Yes, sorry, Contigo, I need to get the names right! Sorry! The 3200 indeed - used to love seeing them in the dark with those boomerangs. That said, that 'forum member' bought a nice car methinks.

Might be opening up a can of worms here... but where do you connoisseurs stand on SOUND? I've heard some pretty amazing GranTurismo's... what do you all think of the sound of 3200 and 4200?

By the by - I am embarrassed to ask, but it would be worse not to want to find out: how is a 'Grandsport V8' different from a 4200?

*GranSport*

 

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,995
Larinis on the 3200 sound great. Very deep and gurgle. You can vary them all to suit your taste.
 

MrPea

Member
Messages
3,015
Matt, welcome along! You sound like you're coming to your senses in a very good way.

You can get a pretty good, mostly accurate story of the 4200 engined cars by looking at the wikipedia article. Search for Maserati Coupe.

When you're ready for one, it's probable that a car will be known on this forum so you can get the back story as well. That certainly helped me out. Also, you should be picky about getting a car with colours and trim that suit you just right. Be patient and you'll be greatly rewarded.

Although... interested in a GS for ~£25k... take a look at this thread - http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/20587-GS-How-much-Wtf - and you'll see that prices are about to go up by around £10k this year.:swing:
 

ThursdayCar

New Member
Messages
15
Thanks again guys - any way I can meet up with some of you / any GranSport owners, 3200 and 4200 owners I can hook up with for a chat and a look at their cars?