3200 GT Selling Guide?

[Billy3200]

Hi all. We have an excellent buyers guide on the forum for a 3200 GT, but probably understandably not a selling guide! The time has come to move on my much loved 3200 GT. I have had 9 years of ownership with many highlights - two wonderful trips to southern Italy spring to mind, as well as some lows - the cost of a complete engine rebuild by Emblem at 35k miles due to "end float" will never be forgotten! So I was wondering what the current perceived wisdom is for the best way to make a really great car stand out in a challenging market. Thoughts much appreciated

 

[James3200GTA]

Hi,

Sorry your "affair" is ending, but sometimes it's time for something new. I believe that there's no one stop solution for a succesful sale, it depends on the buyer. What attracted me to my car a few months ago, aside from it being a 2001 model, colour etc, was the fact the add was honest and modest, also regarding price range.

It did not rave only about the good parts, but also was clear and open about the not so good parts. When I contacted the previous owner, he was open and forthcoming. That's wat ultimately sold me, as I hate going to see a car and finding issues which reasonably should have been known by the owner, that's a waiste of time imho. I knew most issues before setting off and took the drawbacks as is.

Also helps that he's a as mad about Italian cars as I am, sharing war stories also helped. I'm still in contact with the previous owner as he is remains interested in how the car is doing.

That's my 5 cents worth. Good luck selling your car.

 

[Billy3200]

Thanks for your thoughts James - I totally agree that being clear and honest "warts and all" is important to save everyones' time. I think "affair" is a very good word to describe 3200 ownership! I wish you well with yours, there will be pain, but also hopefully many more great moments.

 

[c4sman]

Totally agree with the advice above with a few additions. Do not believe anything the (unknown) buyer says until they’ve offered and paid you the cash. I had a quick flurry of high pressure chancers when advertising my super clean good history e93 M3 (with things that often fail such as throttle actuators proactively upgraded) that were totally full of it, as well as seemingly honest buyers who go cold when hey find out they cannot get a big discount with no reason at the last minute.

 

[Grays]

I guess the first thing is to be realistic.

The pool of 3200 buyers is diminishingly small for a whole host of reasons; economy, ULEZ, running costs, perceived maintenance challenges etc. On the other hand, if you find someone in a position to be able to consider your vehicle, be open and honest about everything. Your reasons for selling, your experience of the vehicle (highs and lows), what (if anything) that needs doing or could be done to improve the vehicle, all the work that has been carried out on it and by whom...etc.

Most importantly, manage your expectations around price. There are a good few 3200s out there that have been for sale for quite some time...why might that be? Almost invariably, it is down to the asking price being unrealistically high. Consider options other than cash. Could you consider an alternate vehicle that you might be able to sell on (or use) easier than your Maserati? Take good quality photos and make sure the car in clean inside and out, as well as in the engine bay; presentation will set you apart.

Good luck.

 

[CatmanV2]

The pool of 3200 buyers is diminishingly small

I wanted a 3200 when I bought my 4200 nearly 10 years ago. I didn't for *all* the reasons mentioned..... I can't imagine the situation has got any better but very much hope you find a happy buyer

C

 

[Grays]

I wanted a 3200 when I bought my 4200 nearly 10 years ago. I didn't for *all* the reasons mentioned..... I can't imagine the situation has got any better but very much hope you find a happy buyer

C

I wanted a 3200 in 2007 and bought a CLK55AMG instead....older and apparently wiser, I find myself looking at Maserati's again

 

[CatmanV2]

I wanted a 3200 in 2007 and bought a CLK55AMG instead....older and apparently wiser, I find myself looking at Maserati's again

They do that.......

C

 

[CatmanV2]

I mean, seriously. I've had two Jags and a Bentley in the inter-Maserati, and I just kept thinking 'Where's the Trident?!'

C

 

[philw696]

I mean, seriously. I've had two Jags and a Bentley in the inter-Maserati, and I just kept thinking 'Where's the Trident?!'

C

I would love another Trident but the value they hold this side of the Channel is holding me back at the moment

 

[CatmanV2]

I would love another Trident but the value they hold this side of the Channel is holding me back at the moment

I can get that. OTOH they don't exactly hold their value here, but I always buy at the bottom and prepare to buy another shirt (to replace the one I lose)
Why?
Because of the stupid ******* grin when I walk up to it, or (as a random example) I had to move it for the touch up guy the other day. One of the neighbours came out *just to listen*

C

 

[Grays]

I can get that. OTOH they don't exactly hold their value here, but I always buy at the bottom and prepare to buy another shirt (to replace the one I lose)
Why?
Because of the stupid ******* grin when I walk up to it, or (as a random example) I had to move it for the touch up guy the other day. One of the neighbours came out *just to listen*

C

I've got my eye on three at the moment. Thankfully my brain can't work out which one is the best option...paralysis by analysis...

 

[CatmanV2]

I've got my eye on three at the moment. Thankfully my brain can't work out which one is the best option...paralysis by analysis...

Option paralysis. Genuine thing. I'll decide for you as I have no vested interest

C

 

[allandwf]

Here's my tuppence worth. I would want a 2001 obdII compliant car, even when running well they can throw a cel, especially if you forget not to touch the pedals when it's running through its checks prior to starting, makes clearing so much easier. I'd want contactless pedal and throttle body, and indication of the state of engine bay rubber hoses they get very hot in there. Brake pipes are getting on a bit on these cars now, and can hide horrors even though looking good, (ask me how I know? lol) Other than that I'd want a well used car, not a garage queen as they really do hate not being used, so mileage wouldn't be an issue, and if a manual then any endfloat issues would have been addressed as they tended to manifest themselves around the 40k mark. Don't forget the auto can also succumb but appeared less often. Good luck.

 

[James3200GTA]

Option paralysis. Genuine thing. I'll decide for you as I have no vested interest

C

3 years I looked for mine, let some of them pass here and there for good and nonsense reasons. Finally I just took the jump. If it didn't work out worst that can happen I would have lost money. As long as you don't spend your last dime on this or sell your house to drive one, it'll just be a humbling one of life's lesson and a "resizing of one's ego" experience.

At least for a while, and then you forget (or just ignore) and history repeats itself .

The ODB and the fact that Maserati kept developing the 3200 over it's life, is what made me look for a 2001 model. I've noticed prices in the UK are lower than Dutch cars, which are lower than German ones offered. There's only 2 for sale in NL at the moment and have a feeling that prices are bottoming out. So I may be starting earning money with the car sitting in bits in my garage....

Anyway if buyer and you both have a good feeling after the deal is concluded, couldn't do fairer than that. Good luck selling your car.

 

[Billy3200]

Thanks for all the thoughts. Condition and the care taken in looking after a car is vital but difficult to really get across effectively in an advertisement. I have heard the 2001 debate about 3200s and the OBD. Mine is late 2000 and I have been told is "version 1.5" it does have OBD which version I don't know.

I think pricing is really interesting as these cars need to be looked after and properly maintained and for most that will mean garage maintenance and cost, therefore buying a car that has had as much attended to as possible is important. I can get the point across in an advert with a £16k rebuild that all that can be replaced in the engine and engine bay has been, but were do you stop? New clutch, drier for the A/C, Drive shaft, various wish bones, no sticky buttons, contactless throttle body, etc, etc.
So for what it's worth - I think that you just put the high level details and if someone is really properly interested in a 3200 they will make contact and ask the questions. We shall, see my car is currently advertised on the Maserati Owners web site and will be in the car park at Goodwood Revival on Friday and Saturday - if anyone would like to have a look. It would be great if it went to someone on this Forum.