A Future 3200 GT Owner

[Contigo]

The clutch cannot be any worse than that of the RS4 B5 I can tell you that for a fact. The B5 I ad was in Avus Silver the most common colour and I sold it for circa 15K. Not bad for a 2001 car and similar price to the 3200 at list too.

I would rather have a manual I can tell that already because Auto's do not give you complete control of the vehicle, kick down can take an age and it's just not a proper sports car imo unless it's got a decent manual box. I did like the SMG on the M6 in M SPort mode but around town it was an absolute bugger to use, jerky as **** on take up and when on gravel (drive) it resulted i serious wheelspin.

 

[Phil H]

Drive-line shunt can sometimes be a bit of a pain in traffic, especially when slow moving and on rough roads. A difficult or tiresome clutch action may be due to a worn pedal bush.

PH

 

[Andyk]

Contigo, I had a Manual 3200 and loved it....Yes they can be a bit difficult in traffic/towns and I can understand why people have the Autos but I'll like you..even after saying that I would have a manual again and not an auto...You don't just jump in a 3200 you have to learn how to drive it and when you do you will not regret buying the manual....especially if its a 3200 AC....Go for it.

 

[Contigo]

So for track use how does it fare? I say this because I used to track the RS and I'm sure I'd be happy to give the Maser a good few laps of Castle Combe or Thruxton. I honestly cannot think of anything more dull than flying around a track and kicking down to get the right revs as you approach a corner etc and stomping on the loud pedal to kick down on the exit! I can see this being possible with a flappy paddle SMG type box but not on a standard auto box.

 

[Contigo]

Drive-line shunt can sometimes be a bit of a pain in traffic, especially when slow moving and on rough roads. A difficult or tiresome clutch action may be due to a worn pedal bush.

PH

Drive line shunt can often be ironed out with a decent suspension overhaul or ARB so it's not a major worry for me.

 

[Andyk]

I have been on tow track days with the Maserati crowd and much fun was had by all including the auto 3200's....but the manual 3200 seemed to have more fun......either way they performed well and big smiles form the owners. These are heavy cars and very tail happy though so need a different sort of concentration.

 

[dem maser]

the way i saw it was like this......

a "sports" car should be manual, i at the time had the GTV and that was my car for fun and the odd track....
everyday use

the maserati was going to be more of a "tourer", was going to be a cruiser to go nottingham and no track....
weekend use

auto it was......

things had to change after a few months of the maserati arriving as i got engaged and had pressure to pay for a wedding and buy a house so having the choice of a V6 or V8 in the morning was seen by her family as silly..also the debt my dad got into in cyprus meant the restaurant was taking a hit so selling the GTV and replacing it with a town car was my choice.....

 

[Contigo]

Fair point and it fits the purpose as an everyday car and if you are sat in traffic in a city it's a no brainer, You'd soon build up your left left if you were stop starting all the time anyway! I think I'm going to track down a manual box though but will be test driving both that's for sure. I was gojng to get an RS6 (C5) at one point but the Auto box put me off and it had to be the manual RS4 everyday of the week as I wasn't commuting in it and it was mainly motorway miles for me.

 

[dem maser]

each persons different thats my point....a manual sports car for me and an auto tourer......

 

[Andyk]

For me manual or a paddle shift......My wifes had lots of Autos and they were fine and fit for purpose but not engaging enough for me...but as my good friend Dem says...Everyone is different.

 

[Contigo]

I agree everyone is different and that's why I've put my case accross and explained my needs, occasional track use, complete control of the vehicle as I drive like a loon, not having to worry about kick down delay etc and no one has really convinced me that an auto will fit all of those criteria. I am not bothered about a cruiser, if I wanted a motorway muncher I'd get a Jaguar XJR or something similar. I want a car like the Rs4 that gives me an adventure every time I drive it and an experience I won't forget. I reckon the auto won't deliver that and that's why I need to drive both and gauge the drive.

 

[Andyk]

Contigo....Manual...Auto is not for you from what I have read...As you say I would drive both and see what you think.....

 

[dem maser]

you have to buy manual, for what you need it for....

like i said i got auto because i had a manual for fun aswel.....

 

[Parisien]

The manual 3200 manual sounds like the car for you.....BUT......do break it and you in gently Contigo......a few people have had a few unplanned adventures in their first few weeks!!!!


P

 

[Spike62]

Welcome to the 'Boomerang' club, I promise you will not be disappointed.

 

[Contigo]

Cheers for the input guys I will let you know how the hunt goes!

 

[Andyk]

Let the fun begin then Contigo

 

[Emtee]

Hi Phil and a belated welcome to the forum.

Loads of good comments already, so all I'll say is don't discount the 4200 without driving one if you get the chance. Yes it's linear compared to the FI of the 3200, but by no means dull in comparison. I tracked mine last year with Andy and some of the guys here on the forum and the engine, combined with the CC gearbox, came in to their own. I'm shortly going to install the FD DBW module, which should quicken the gear change and add a bit more spice to the torque curve. We have pretty regular meets, so if you can make it to one I'm sure we can get you a ride in both a 3200 and 4200.

Cheers, Miles.

 

[Andyk]

Phil, thats great advice from Miles......I'm a huge manual fan but would take a CC 4200 over a manual anytime especially if you are thinking of tracking...The box really comes into its own.....

 

[Contigo]

Yes I love the 4200 and I hear great things about the CC box so it's definitely a different option!