2nd Bargain Maserati: 3200 Pain Again, Quattroporte V or GS/Spyder

urquattrogus

urquattrogus

Member
Messages
857
It's been about 5 years since I sold my 2001 3200 Assetto Corsa (Auto) https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/assetto-corsa-winter-works.21984/

After selling it I replaced it with a TVR Griffith 500 and then a BMW Z3M coupe, both of which I enjoyed but also sold and gone.

I'm now looking for another fun car for £15-20k or maybe more if I save for longer.

I've found myself looking at the 996 911 which is something I thought was never very me. But i do like the early 996 Carrera 2 3.4 Manual, with the earlier headlights. They weight 1320kg and are supposed to be an engaging drive. It would also tick off the 911 as it were on my list and over the years the "not as good as a 911" of whatever Maserati or Jag come up with has worn me down!

Before I do that however, it's hard not to consider another Maserati as it's a brand I love and there are so many bargains to be had, and they all have their own character.

So the options on my current £15-20k budget are:

1) Another 3200, but this time a manual for more engagement and performance. I think the 3200 looks better by the day and much prefer the looks to the 4200.

2) A Quattroporte V - love the looks and the interior, have heard it's fun to drive for a big saloon; oozes class etc.

3) A Gran Sport - Not sure about this, would be very spec dependant and I don't necessarily like the looks. And is it a bit gutless for a sports GT?

4) A Spyder - I've seen the lovely dark red manual one advertised at castle motors.

3200 wise I'm a bit scared of doing all of the same jobs again, a case of deja vu. And despite having a contactless throttle body and throttle pot, and all new kock sensors etc on my old Assetto Corsa it would still throw limp codes with regular abandon. SO ANNOYING! I see Davy now has the volvo throttle bodies. If it was sorted once and for all then great! Wish it had a manual throttle cable like the Shamal etc. Love the peaky boosty delivery of the 3200 and the circa 400bhp that you get when running well. But I always wanted a manual!!

Quattroporte V Wise: Which cars drive the best? I'm tempted by an early car because of the transaxle etc, or should I make sure I go for a ZF car? I would like a raw and characterful driving experience if possible. Appreciate it's a saloon...

GS and Spyder; Sort of wish the GS was a manual, and like the idea of the Spyder being drop top and shorter wheelbase, esp with a manual box.

Anyway, if anyone can help me decide or advise then I'm all ears.

Has the 3200 game moved on in 5 years? Looks like the same old issues and same low values??
 
3hcp

3hcp

Member
Messages
255
I’m no expert but just my experience is that a 4200 is a lot better than a 3200, the one I tried had an erratic throttle response and was difficult to drive. I bought a manual 4200 2003 which I loved for the driving experience. Graduated to QPV Duoselect but was disappointed as it didn’t excite me. After several German marques I’ve now got a manual Spyder 2002 which is everything I remember raw visceral exciting although I wish it was a later one as they were better sorted chassis wise but jumped at it as it was a manual with less than 30k miles.
This one is worth a bid.

www.handh.co.uk

Lot 42 - 2004 Maserati 4200 GT

Lot 42 - 2004 Maserati 4200 GT
www.handh.co.uk www.handh.co.uk
 
Last edited:
R

RichTaps

Member
Messages
199
Agree in regards how the 3200’s design is aging well.

(Unpopular opinion, please forgive me) but the 4200’s loss of bonnet vents and boomerangs really affect it. Then throw in the raised ride height and higher bonnet and I’m not keen. 4200 also loses the 3200’s seamless panels (lead loaded I believe) and the interior has vinyl and loses lots of the real leather that was in the 3200.

Gransport interior is very nice, but as time goes on I think the the exterior is dating quickly. Maserati added unnecessary vents in the bumpers, extended the sills and added spoilers, which creates quite a busy aesthetic and perhaps is aging faster because of it.

There are now cost sensible solutions to all the common throttle issues (davey on here) and the same for wishbones. (VPS). 3200 is becoming a more viable option for those previously scared off.

Also worth noting that the 3200 may well go down in history as the fastest manual Maserati ever made…. Bearing in mind as standard they rolling road around 410 to 420 bhp.
 
Last edited:
Phil H

Phil H

Member
Messages
4,169
IMHO it's incorrect to say that one model is 'better' than another; each one reflects the tastes and design intent of the day, and their present performance and handling very much depends on the level of maintenance over the years. An older car that's been well maintained will usually drive better than a younger one that's been used and abused, and cost you less in the long run.

The 3200 is beautifully styled and a cracking car, and raw enough for most, but I don't think that all the spares problems have been resolved so there is a risk to ownership.

The 4200 lost the boomerangs but gained a more modern interior, moved away from the turbos without a huge loss of performance, and you can have the F1 set up if you wish. Although it may not have the raw feel of a 3200 it's no slouch, and a good one is a delight. If a 4200 is set up properly, jerky gear changes are more likely to come from driver inexperience or bar room talk. The GS can be ******* the posterior.

I've not had a Spyder, but apart from scuttle shake on some of the earlier ones I've heard nothing against them. It's more an issue of carrying capacity versus wind in the hair motoring.

You can't compare a 4 door QP of any sort with a coupe due to the totally different configuration and dynamics. The choice depends on your 'needs' and driving requirements; do you want to play on twisty roads or travel in comparative luxury? Within the QP family there's enough choice to cater for personal tastes and driving styles, and once again they are not slow cars - and they all have 'presence'.

Maseratis from year 2000 onwards can be exceptional value for money, or they can break your spirit, so once you've decided what you want go looking with your eyes wide open and not with your fingers crossed.

Good luck.
 
urquattrogus

urquattrogus

Member
Messages
857
Yes it would have to be a very good 3200, also manual and not silver, how I ended up with a silver auto at the time I'm not sure, but it was the best one I'd seen out of 5 I looked at before buying.

I still have the scars from replacing all of those hoses and connectors from my last one; the heat from the turbos seems to just cook everything!

Some of these 4200 manual Coupe's do look like a tempting bargain, need to drive one really.

Day to day I now drive a Jag F Pace SVR, it may be an SUV but it is a lot of fun and actually quite good to drive, it does cover a lot of the day to day and long distance duties so well.

I think having a manual box plays high on the priorities, as long as it's not a dreadful one.....

This 3200 *might* be worth a look? (they also have another one in the same colour)

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

One thing is that my car was a 2001 OBD car, is it a major issue to read codes on the earlier ones? It's a laptop job yes? I used to carry my code reader.... lol... Let's pull over and re-set her....

Here is the Spyder that Pistonheads were touting in a recent article, looks like a 20k car if it checks out...?

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk
 
highlander

highlander

Member
Messages
5,223
the 32 looks the biz and did look at that one when i had the "sell the GT wobble" ............not so keen on tobacco leather thats in the spyder tho (or whatever italian is for tobacco :)) but that is personal taste, not a fact :)
 
urquattrogus

urquattrogus

Member
Messages
857
Two Gran Sports in arguably the best colour and with the full leather:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

GS have dropped in price a bit, are these going to be in dissapointing condition? Some others are asking £28-30K?
 
Ewan

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,813
The 3200 is still a risky choice. Especially the manual version, which is more prone to end-float issues (and some of the parts required for an engine rebuild are NLA).

Given the prices of a GS now, I’d take this over a standard 4200. Plus I happen prefer the looks of the GS (in the right colour).

Spyder - no thanks. So wobbly as to spoil the whole ownership experience. Not keen on the looks either. Heaven knows why I bought 2!!!

QPV - at the budget, I’d aim for a 4.2 GTS. Best looking QPV of them all, and drives brilliantly. But it is auto only, so you may prefer the duo-select Sport from 2008.

Overall, of the above and as a weekend fun car, I’d go for a GS.

Though at your budget, you could also consider a Ghibli (1994-1999) or a QP IV. More of a classic-car experience, and certainly quirky. And quite fun.
 
makeshiftUK

makeshiftUK

Member
Messages
1,091
The motoring press often regarded the GranSport as the ultimate realisation of the 3200/4200 Coupe lineage… I’ve not driven either of the predecessors, but having owned a GranSport the experience was a wonderful thing. Mrs MakeshiftUK tried to live with it as a daily driver which sadly didn’t work out, but as a weekend proposition for me I’d seriously consider getting back into one… funds/driveway space permitting etc. But, it’d have to be an MCV.
 
Motorsport3

Motorsport3

Member
Messages
886
If you are like me and a proper auto is not an option and looking for a fun weekend/roadtrip car Maserati then GrandSport should be up there as a top choice with the QPV being a close 2nd. Not sure you'll get a good GrandSport for £15k but you will be able to get a really good DS for that kind of money or source a cheaper one and invest accordingly.
 
Nibby

Nibby

Member
Messages
2,092
urquattrogus said:
It's been about 5 years since I sold my 2001 3200 Assetto Corsa (Auto) https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/assetto-corsa-winter-works.21984/

After selling it I replaced it with a TVR Griffith 500 and then a BMW Z3M coupe, both of which I enjoyed but also sold and gone.

I'm now looking for another fun car for £15-20k or maybe more if I save for longer.

I've found myself looking at the 996 911 which is something I thought was never very me. But i do like the early 996 Carrera 2 3.4 Manual, with the earlier headlights. They weight 1320kg and are supposed to be an engaging drive. It would also tick off the 911 as it were on my list and over the years the "not as good as a 911" of whatever Maserati or Jag come up with has worn me down!

Before I do that however, it's hard not to consider another Maserati as it's a brand I love and there are so many bargains to be had, and they all have their own character.

So the options on my current £15-20k budget are:

1) Another 3200, but this time a manual for more engagement and performance. I think the 3200 looks better by the day and much prefer the looks to the 4200.

2) A Quattroporte V - love the looks and the interior, have heard it's fun to drive for a big saloon; oozes class etc.

3) A Gran Sport - Not sure about this, would be very spec dependant and I don't necessarily like the looks. And is it a bit gutless for a sports GT?

4) A Spyder - I've seen the lovely dark red manual one advertised at castle motors.

3200 wise I'm a bit scared of doing all of the same jobs again, a case of deja vu. And despite having a contactless throttle body and throttle pot, and all new kock sensors etc on my old Assetto Corsa it would still throw limp codes with regular abandon. SO ANNOYING! I see Davy now has the volvo throttle bodies. If it was sorted once and for all then great! Wish it had a manual throttle cable like the Shamal etc. Love the peaky boosty delivery of the 3200 and the circa 400bhp that you get when running well. But I always wanted a manual!!

Quattroporte V Wise: Which cars drive the best? I'm tempted by an early car because of the transaxle etc, or should I make sure I go for a ZF car? I would like a raw and characterful driving experience if possible. Appreciate it's a saloon...

GS and Spyder; Sort of wish the GS was a manual, and like the idea of the Spyder being drop top and shorter wheelbase, esp with a manual box.

Anyway, if anyone can help me decide or advise then I'm all ears.

Has the 3200 game moved on in 5 years? Looks like the same old issues and same low values??
Click to expand...
Really it’s what you want the most at the end of the day.
 
drellis

drellis

Member
Messages
808
I find my qpv duo select a more clinical balanced drive than my 3200ac auto was, as other have said its what you are after , as you know when pushing on in a 3200ac your just glad you made thw journey, the handling never felt progressive\ totallt predictable, whereas the qpv is so you can drive it more aggressively with confidence.
Ideally need to drive one of each
 
Guy

Guy

Member
Messages
2,144
plus of course a bad example (worn or maladjusted suspension) of a better car will more than lose any benefit of its original design. I have found full alignments transformational. I wonder how many poor handling reports are due to cars poorly set up or worn dampers or bushes?
 
urquattrogus

urquattrogus

Member
Messages
857
Today I went to have a look at two Gran Sports

The Med Blue ADG car did not impress me for a number of reasons to be honest, won't list them here on the forum but not for me.

Shame as it is a nice spec.

Then as I was in the area I did have a look at a black one that Giallo Cars have for sale. This presented better and had more history than the ADG one but I'm not quite sure on the spec and as it was absolutely pouring with rain I didn't stay too long.

It was nice to catch up with Matthew as he inspected my old car before it was sold.

It's also a shame that I've still never really driven a Gransport, apart from a 5 minute test drive 6 years ago on the north circular from which I learnt nothing and spent most of my time stressing about the weaving traffic.

Will be keeping an eye out.

Ruling out silver cars to be honest. I had also previously ruled out cars with the tech cloth dash and seats, but they do seem to offer good value?

There is one with a smurf blue dashboard though, just no!
 
Last edited:
makeshiftUK

makeshiftUK

Member
Messages
1,091
urquattrogus said:
Today I went to have a look at two Gran Sports

The Med Blue ADG car did not impress me for a number of reasons to be honest, won't list them here on the forum but not for me.

Shame as it is a nice spec.

Then as I was in the area I did have a look at a black one that Giallo Cars have for sale. This presented better and had more history than the ADG one but I'm not quite sure on the spec and as it was absolutely pouring with rain I didn't stay too long.

It was nice to catch up with Matthew as he inspected my old car before it was sold.

It's also a shame that I've still never really driven a Gransport, apart from a 5 minute test drive 6 years ago on the north circular from which I learnt nothing and spent most of my time stressing about the weaving traffic.

Will be keeping an eye out.

Ruling out silver cars to be honest. I had also previously ruled out cars with the tech cloth dash and seats, but they do seem to offer good value?

There is one with a smurf blue dashboard though, just no!
Click to expand...
My QP handles corners in a way that defies its length and tonnage… but by comparison it’s a total boat compared to the GranSport which is more akin to a go-kart. The guy who sold me his GranSport also had an F430 and a track day Lotus, to him the GranSport contrasted against those felt like a boat (everything’s relative, right) - but for the price point we’re talking about here it’s a compelling package.

I personally think the tech cloth is interesting, but I hear that it’s not easy to clean nor quite as upmarket as the leather interior. Leather headlining is a nice option, but can sag and creak (coming from the interior B pillars) over time on account of the weight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.