Am I tempting fate with how I use the 3200GT as weekend family wagon?

[Monaco73]

Happy New Year all.

This is probably a stupid question and answers subject to so many variances, but I’m trying to use my car more as it runs the risk of just sitting and rotting during the winter months, albeit on a trickle charger.

I am planning a run with the Wife and kids to the in-laws in the Cotswolds tomorrow (70miles, 20 of which are on M40) and my Wife has put the fear of god up me saying we should pack a survival pack for when (not if) the car leaves us stranded. I bought the car in Oct and although it had a service and 68 point check, this is potentially subject to artistic licence by the selling garage, but 2 days later did a run to Worcs (110 miles each way) and apart from the heater controls needing resetting, it didn’t miss a beat.
Am I setting myself up for a fall with this car, as the more I use it the better it seems to behave and I don’t want the AA man to laugh at me as my family stand shivering by the roadside.

Thoughts and input welcomed.

Cheers,
B

 

[Oneball]

Use it. I think they need it.

I bought mine the same time as you and am slowly fixing all the things that are wrong despite being bought as a supposedly good car from a dealer too. I reckon it’s done such low miles because it was a piece of leaky **** so never got used and was never fixed. Hopefully I’ll have mine back on the road soon.

 

[Monaco73]

Cheers Oneball. Mine was used quite regularly but appears to have only covered 1k miles per year for the last 8 years. The electrical ‘gremlins’ mine had were merely down to it having been in bits in a former life and electrical plugs etc simply weren’t re-connected.

My Wife thinks I’m a plonker for buying it (probably true) but I’ve always loved them since I used to drive past a new one all those years ago and just think it’s a corker!

I’m going to use it tomorrow as it’s a spirit of adventure

 

[Oneball]

Awesome.

I’ve had some bodged electrics too.

Came back through the Cotswolds from Kent today. Lovely and sunny, little traffic, weather tomorrow looks the same.

 

[Lozzer]

I would tend to agree and say use it as much as you can, i had the weekend toy/nice weather only mentality when i bought mine 18 months ago, 9500 miles later and its all gone out the window

 

[Monaco73]

Lozzer, you’ve just put a smile on my face and totally convinced me We’re going to stop after 1 hour to feed the kids and then it’s only another 30 mins so should be a doddle.

 

[Adriasn]

Monaco73, speaking from experience. These cars get bettter the more they are being driven. Have them sit for any length of time and issues will start to appear... Drive them in any weather, get to know them and they will reward you. I have used mine as a daily driver for long distances for three years and it has been extremely rewarding. Lots of scary stories around about them but mine has thrown less CEL’s in three years time than my brand new Giulia Q did in three months. That is why I am getting to great pains to get it better than it was when it left the factory; I want to drive it for many years to come. This is one of those cars that fits like a glove, something that is difficult to find these days. Have fun!

 

[Monaco73]

Monaco73, speaking from experience. These cars get bettter the more they are being driven. Have them sit for any length of time and issues will start to appear... Drive them in any weather, get to know them and they will reward you. I have used mine as a daily driver for long distances for three years and it has been extremely rewarding. Lots of scary stories around about them but mine has thrown less CEL’s in three years time than my brand new Giulia Q did in three months. That is why I am getting to great pains to get it better than it was when it left the factory; I want to drive it for many years to come. This is one of those cars that fits like a glove, something that is difficult to find these days. Have fun!

Awesome to hear. I am so looking to get this car back to better than ever, plus the kids love it, well apart from Sport Mode which scares everyone

 

[allandwf]

Use it, they enjoy use. Mine had 83k on her when sold, was used regularly,did 3000 miles through Europe, they are great cars.

 

[FIFTY]

Drive it all maserati seem happier with regular use

Only objection would be running a 3200 on salted motorways regularly will increase the risk of the dreaded particularly as it the worst out of the M138 family for it.

 

[Monaco73]

I’ll sleep soundly tonight and report back. Thanks guys for the input, very much appreciated.

 

[Oneball]

I’ll sleep soundly tonight and report back. Thanks guys for the input, very much appreciated.

Photos too

 

[hunta]

So long as you have roadside recovery for the family and the vehicle, a couple of blankets in the boot and the mobile number of your favoured indie, what's the worst that can happen?

The more you use it the less likely it is to go wrong for sure!

 

[Rex B]

Use it, done 36k miles since l bought mine and been to Europe 6 times and it runs fine. Only think with the 3200 is to keep a check on hoses as they are old now and service each year oils and water and filters as per schedule and you will be OK.

Regards
Rex B

 

[Ewan]

Use it. If you’re worried it won’t make 70 miles you shouldn’t have bought it! But of course it’ll be fine. Have confidence, and arrrive in style, with a smile.

 

[Monaco73]

Looking forward too it now. Cheers again guys, I’ll report back

 

[safrane]

Fingers crossed.

 

[Lozzer]

Only objection would be running a 3200 on salted motorways regularly will increase the risk of the dreaded particularly as it the worst out of the M138 family for it.

Ya think?

 

[alfatwo]

Drive it all maserati seem happier with regular use

Only objection would be running a 3200 on salted motorways regularly will increase the risk of the dreaded particularly as it the worst out of the M138 family for it.

That's not strictly true, 4200's are worse for corrosion due to Fiat getting involved followed be early QP's

Dave

 

[AT3200AC]

Hope all went well Monaco. It seems to easy to talk yourself out of taking the Maserati out, especially with the family. I had the same dilemma on New Year’s Day for a trip to the coast and got inspiration from watching Harry’s Garage (Harry Metcalf, former Evo magazine editor) on youtube with him taking his Ferrari Testarossa from the Cotswolds to the Sahara Desert! Crazy and inspirational in equal measure.

Anyway, the 3200 ran perfect for me and it was great to share a run out with the wife and kids.