4200 History and Facelifts

[saywellhq]

Hi there,

Longtime visitor first time poster.

I have decided that I'm going to get a 4200 in the next 12 months, I have a budget of between £18k - £23k. With this sort of budget for the purchase of the car, it gets me anything from 2003 - 2006, with good mileage and good history.

My question and something i have tried to find out, what were the revisions between the facelifts? am i right in saying there was one in 2003, 2004 and then 2005? I was looking at getting a late 4200 but if all this is doing is costing me more money say over a 2004 model when maybe the revisions were not noticeable on the driving side?

So if people could enlighten me and make my journey easier that would be great help? maybe someone has driven a 4200 from 2003 and 2005 and could advise?

Thanks guys.

 

[Andyk]

Hi and welcome to the forum...The difference between a 2002 and 2005 4200 is massive.........I will dig out my spec sheets and post later but basicaly a fac lift 2005 car has many of the Gransport upgrades.....The only difference between a 2005 4200 and Gransport is 10bhp, interior, side skirts and wheels. If you can stretch to a face lift car then I would...and from you budget you will get a great face lift...Lots of them for sale at the moment from 17k to 25k.......For me any more than 20k then its probably too much for a face lift as you are getting close to Gransport money........The face lift came with two grills...early face lift cars had the slat grill and the later ones the Gransport grill which to me is better looking and more desirable.

 

[saywellhq]

A spec sheet would be great - thanks Andy.

 

[Andyk]

Will see if I can dig it out..............But looking at your budget that is def face lift money......A face lift is a big jump from a 2003/2004 car...Because if was at the end of its life Maserati threw everything at it to sell the last ones........

It would be worth having a word with this chap below......He only sells the best and could probably source you a car........He is on here a lot as well....Top guy with some great stock...I know he would be more than willing to have a chat about it with you...

http://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/

 

[mjheathcote]

Hi and welcome to the forum...The difference between a 2002 and 2005 4200 is massive.........I will dig out my spec sheets and post later but basicaly a fac lift 2005 car has many of the Gransport upgrades.....The only difference between a 2005 4200 and Gransport is 10bhp, interior, side skirts and wheels. If you can stretch to a face lift car then I would...and from you budget you will get a great face lift...Lots of them for sale at the moment from 17k to 25k.......For me any more than 20k then its probably too much for a face lift as you are getting close to Gransport money........The face lift came with two grills...early face lift cars had the slat grill and the later ones the Gransport grill which to me is better looking and more desirable.

I think thats a little unfair saying the difference is massive. Cosmetically there was a change for sure, whether for the better is debatable, the mechanically changes where only minor, certainly nothing to make an early car a bad one, and if you wish the changes can be retro fitted to early cars.
More importantly is condition, would you buy a high mileage 'weathered' car just because it was a 2005 model...over an immaculate low mileage early car? Well that was my choice with my budget, and I decided on the latter. Personal choice of course.
Cheers
Mike

 

[nfm]

Mike, I thought there were substantial revisions to the suspension as part of the upgrade?

 

[mjheathcote]

Mike, I thought there were substantial revisions to the suspension as part of the upgrade?

Only the coil springs where changed from the very first early cars. From the first revision through to including the GS the suspension was the same.
Same regarding the steering rack, a couple of changes along the years.

 

[Andyk]

Mike, not saying early cars are bad...Believe me they are brilliant but the face lift was a bit more than just a...well facelift.....After having one for a week it felt a far better car than a non face lift car and very close to a GS in the way it drove......Just my thoughts mate from my experience and to me it felt a far more sorted car than any of the non face lift cars I've driven.......Now I know ever car is different but Maserati I believe gave the face lift the GS set up with the gear box, etc or at least the later face lift cars....Yes you can do all this to any 4200.......

But, the money that our chap is wanting to spend will get him a late 4200 which will be a face lift 2004/2005 and not a non face lift......Agree you should always buy on condition and history and not year..........But, and again this my me no one else.... a non face lift the car would have to be wrapped in cotton wool and come with a naked lady in the back as well for me to spend over 18k on a non face lift 4200...

Oh and yes beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I know a few people who prefer the pure look of a non face lift 4200.....EIther way they are both Maserati and brilliant......No offence meant Mike....

 

[mjheathcote]

Thats fine Andy, just don't want any future owner reading this thinking the early cars are ****, the difference between a BL Mini and BMW Mini!!
cheers
Mike

 

[philw696]

Been more than happy with my 2002 4200 and can't fault it for what i want she is not concourse and probably won't be now at her age and on her way to 105,000 hence my decision to keep her and see how far she will go.
My next adventure with a prancing horse and 12 cylinders up front is going to be older and cost a bit more so we will see how we get on.
As for Mini's i would rather see a classic Mini Cooper on the monte carlo rally than any other modern one.
Phil.

 

[saywellhq]

Thanks for all this guys.

I have always bought the lowest mileage and best condition cars i can find, done this with all my recent cars. I think i will follow the main suggestion and go with condition over the year, but a face-lifted one is the one i was aiming at and i think i will stick with that.

I have been following the 4200 on PH and Auto whatsit and have copies of all recent adverts for the face-lifted 4200 so when i do pull the trigger i know what prices they have been selling at and mileage etc.

I suppose the main reason for the question was the gear box and whether this was changed to help with the shifting, but having read up, it seams that the CC gearbox is the same but with newer software.

Thanks again guys, and you views are much appreciated.

 

[philw696]

My opion but the Cambio Corsa gearbox is the best thing about my car do not ever put it in auto mode and keep her in Sports unleash a little extra noise from the rear silencers and you have the perfect combination.
Just about to give mine a thrash around the Somerset Costas as i have just washed her and she is looking mighty Horny.
Phil

 

[saywellhq]

Like it Phil!

having watched loads of youtube videos i cannot wait to experience the noise!

 

[Andyk]

Yes, you are right it is software updates I believe from 2002 to 2005....I believe the gear box is the same.........There are some very nice cars for sale in you price range...There was one on ATrader in grey with Gransport wheels and miles in the 20's for around 19k.......Had the slat grill......One of my favs is the blue one with 36k on the cloch that has been dropping its price for the last month or so...Started around 23k and is now at 20k......

Also Nuvola have one at 19995...For them that is well priced and they are a well respected dealer on this forum...Have a look at the other thread about them........

http://www.nuvolalondon.com/home.php

 

[blue520]

Having had a 2002 and now a 2005 Spyder they are certainly miles apart in driveability the 2005 cc gearbox is much more precise ,less jerky and the chasis feels tighter .

 

[Andyk]

I do love the colour of your Spider blue520....Sorry to change subject butu do you have any more pictures you could share with us...

 

[conaero]

Been more than happy with my 2002 4200 and can't fault it for what i want she is not concourse and probably won't be now at her age and on her way to 105,000 hence my decision to keep her and see how far she will go.
My next adventure with a prancing horse and 12 cylinders up front is going to be older and cost a bit more so we will see how we get on.
As for Mini's i would rather see a classic Mini Cooper on the monte carlo rally than any other modern one.
Phil.

I think you have made a very wise choice, shoot for 200k miles or go out in a cloud of smoke and oil, either way, very exciting!

 

[conaero]

Hi there,

Longtime visitor first time poster.

I have decided that I'm going to get a 4200 in the next 12 months, I have a budget of between £18k - £23k. With this sort of budget for the purchase of the car, it gets me anything from 2003 - 2006, with good mileage and good history.

My question and something i have tried to find out, what were the revisions between the facelifts? am i right in saying there was one in 2003, 2004 and then 2005? I was looking at getting a late 4200 but if all this is doing is costing me more money say over a 2004 model when maybe the revisions were not noticeable on the driving side?

So if people could enlighten me and make my journey easier that would be great help? maybe someone has driven a 4200 from 2003 and 2005 and could advise?

Thanks guys.

If you can go to early £20's then there is only one car you should have in your target and that a GranSport. Over the next 5 years, the GranSport will devalue very little, I would say not more than a grand a year, probably less.

Its also by far the best car out of the entire coupe range (3200/4200 mk1/4200 mk2/GranSport).

You would be able to get an 05-06 with circa 40k miles on the clock.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3620375.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3518131.htm

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...radius/1501/page/1/postcode/po207eg?logcode=p

 

[Andyk]

And thats my point 20k for a face lift no more and that would need to be a great example.......At the top of your range you must be thinking Gransport...Unless you prefer the 4200 that is...

 

[Emtee]

Only the coil springs where changed from the very first early cars. From the first revision through to including the GS the suspension was the same.
Same regarding the steering rack, a couple of changes along the years.

Mike, Did the first 4200's have MSP? Also I thought the 2003 revision brought new Cambiocorsa gearbox software along with steering rack and ARB? On the GS, the car sits 10mm lower, so certainly different geometry and MSP programming along with the other changes and again I thought the ARB was further strengthened?