An interesting meeting

[GhostyDog]

So there I am driving home tonight along what can only be described as one of the worst roads in yorkshire for disrepair (I only use it as it knocks 20 mins off my journey time) and what cruises up behind me but a 4200 CC.

So when we get close to the end of the road and traffic builds up close to the junction I jump out and go chat to the driver about his thoughts on the ride along this atrocious road. He said to be honest that it wasn't great at all and that in general it wasn't great and that the only place it was okay was on Motorways but as it was his 'toy' he wasn't that bothered, he also said he hadn't become a great fan of the CC box either but he'd driven other Maserati 4200's with manual box and said they weren't much better.

I got the feeling that what he liked about the car was how it made him feel and I have to ask all you guys (and gals) out there if this is the main reason why you drive one?

I've been a bit knocked back now as one of the reasons I was looking to swap was in the hope of it being a nice comfy cruiser with style and ooooomph but is the truth closer to the cars being all style and no substance?

conflicted I am

Sean

 

[Parisien]

GD...as ever.....doing your research and making your own mind up is what its all about.

It is a comfy cruiser, no doubt about it, avoiding poor surfaces in any high powered car with low profile tyres is pretty important.

You have to go into a Maserati relationship/ownership with an open mind...asking what you want from the car and the experience you wish to achieve.

I had my usual 56 mile round trip today on mostly B class roads, swooping in and out of traffic, overtaking on long sweeping bends, window down listening to the muttered warble of my NON-Larinied exhaust..........so much fun and enjoyment....thankfully the roads were dry again!

I smiled a lot today.....

Back home shes been washed and dried off.......looking a million dollars....or is that two .........................on my driveway......................automotive bliss!!


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[Emtee]

Sean, I take mine on the road from the M1 (J37?) down into Hudderfield (can't remember the road number?). It's a truly atrocious road! Is it comfortable? No it b****y isn't, but that isn't anything to do with the car, I've done it in Mrs Tee's Focus and it's still b****y awful. The road surface is shameful and Kirklees should be had up in court!

Does it make me feel good to drive my car, of course it does (even on that damned road), it's a classy motor and I couldn't justify the costs if it didn't, but that's only the tip of the lettuce. It's got a heeaauuumungous V8 under the bonnet and as a GT it's awesome. You take the (relatively few) downs with the (plentiful) ups.

Get yourself a drive in one and see for yourself. I personally don't think you'll regret it.

Cheers, Em.

 

[Andyk]

The thing with Maserati you either get it or you don't...It is not the perfect car and there are cars out there that are faster, handle better and are more reliable but.....and its a big but...They are not a Maserati...........There is something in the way they make you feel when you drive them yes but its more than that.....Great engine, wonderful sound and the 4200 I drove was comfortable to be honest...I also loved the CC box....It was not as good as the one in my CSL as it is a bit more relaxed but there is a reason why the manual 4200 is a rare sight.

Sean get out there and drive a few and make your own mind up........

 

[GhostyDog]

The thing with Alfa is you either get it or you don't...It is not the perfect car and there are cars out there that are faster, handle better and are more reliable but.....and its a big but...They are not a Alfas...........There is something in the way they make you feel when you drive them yes but its more than that.....Great engine, wonderful sound and the GTV I drove was comfortable to be honest...

Sean get out there and drive a few and make your own mind up........

Point taken (and edited for clarity)

 

[GhostyDog]

Sean, I take mine on the road from the M1 (J37?) down into Hudderfield (can't remember the road number?). It's a truly atrocious road! Is it comfortable? No it b****y isn't, but that isn't anything to do with the car, I've done it in Mrs Tee's Focus and it's still b****y awful. The road surface is shameful and Kirklees should be had up in court!

Cheers, Em.

stay on the M1 til J38 and take huddersfield road past yorkshire sculpture park thats a GOOOOOD bit of road between the 20mph villages.

Road I'm talking about is this one

 

[Andyk]

Hahaha...Sean...you are right it works for both....Alfa and Maserati have the same pull....You would love a Maserati...

 

[BennyD]

The fact that the guy in question put up with it's perceived shortcomings speaks volumes about the character of the car. I love mine because of the sheer theatre of the experience of driving it. It's fast, sonorous, classy and it ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. Bystanders also appreciate them; as I was about to drive onto Oulton Park today one of the marshals stopped me and said 'that's a lovely car mate, far too posh to be used on a track day". It didn't stop me driving the kn4ckers off her and she didn't miss a beat. Just get one Sean, and you too, will understand.

 

[Dan!]

You can't leave them anywhere that you can't keep your eye on them, most parking spaces are too small, the electrics sometimes have a mind of their own, they drink more than a thirsty camel, they endanger your licence and your bank balance in equal measure, they aren't all that comfy over bumpy surfaces, you'll constantly remind yourself that the more you drive it the less it will be worth when it comes to selling, they attract attention 24/7, it is impossible to go anywhere unnoticed, chavs will try to race you others will pull up next to you demanding that you rev it, when at the petrol pump the number 1 question asked is about mpg, the 2nd is what engine has it got, motorbikes will want to show you that they are faster, everyone thinks you're speeding and waves their arms about for you to slow down because of the noise the car makes and because it's a "fast car", the only gear that can legally get to the redline is first......but.....

It's all worth it!

 

[BennyD]

.......and then some. Buying one is, without doubt, the best car related decision I have ever made,

 

[2b1ask1]

Buying my Maserati was the most impuslve thing I have done in many years; it was stupid, I can't really afford it, it demands more time than my family and social commitments. I will be forever poor owning it I'm sure. We are in the depths of the deepest depression for 80 years, petrol has gone up 20% in the last year, Insurance by 50% in the same preiod. Maserati will not help with any parts directly from their suppliers. I will have to go back to my insurance company any day soon to renegotiate as I'm about to bust through my annual mileage allowance after only 8 months with the summer still to go!!!

But I have an Italian mistress with serious demands, clad in tight leather, she loves to be spanked when hot till the smell of burnig rubber fills the air..... She makes me have the biggest ***** smile every time I enter her! and best of all my wife approves of her!!!!

Yes buying a Maserati was the most impulsive thing I've done in years but boy am I sooooo pleased I've done it I don't want that Aston Martin I promised myself any more ; would I have another Masser? You bet I would.....

 

[Parisien]

............so...............another huge smiler..........................adding up now.....


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[RonnieMack]

I remember seeing my first 4200 in the flesh at our local Jaguar main dealer about 3 years ago. It was silver and I just thought it looked stunning. After many months of research and a few different test drives I found "The One". Several hundred miles later and she was home and I can honestly say that I've never regreted it. Whether you're going to a social function or just down to the shops it's a joy and you always get a good reception in the Masa. If you have any doubts get a test drive from one of the garages and I'm sure the doubt will have disappeared.
All the best,
Ronnie
P.S. It had to be manual for me, no contest, but suggest a good run in both.

 

[Elliott653]

I've just got back from a couple of days down in Kent.The 4200 was enormous fun. Shes ridiculously able on motorways. In fact, at high motorway speeds, the car's not stretched whatsoever. SHe probably doesn't notice that she's moving. And, in the twisty Kentish lanes, she's a hoot. Mostly surefooted and polite, she's ready on occasion to remind me that there's plenty of power whenever I need it and sometimes more than I bargained for!

I love the way she looks and it was fun to tuen up at our hotel in Tunbridge Wells when the Missus pointed out that a bunch of women who she assumed were on a Hen party getaway, were all looking at us as we cruised up the drive.

I, of course, feigned total and complete indifference.



I ONLY drive the car with the CC in SPORT mode. I find the change too slow otherwise. I'd like to have had the benefit of the recent group ECU upgrade. Maybe I shall get this done later in the year? I'm definitely getting some Larini X pipes soon. It's a shame that I can't hear what everyone else hears when I blast (in a sensible, road legal manner) by.

 

[Parisien]

Hi Elliott, do register your interest even now, so as to avail of the deal at some stage.....agreed......it has plenty of grip and loves to be opened up, it does it all so effortlessly....brilliant!

When they are parked up against lesser cars......they do look so very nice.........

These are always funny situations...........I always say to the Missus when she gets out of the car...slams the door and shouts back........

"I'm not doing that no matter how much money you offer me....!!""


Wait for a seconds for it too sink in then smile at assembled group.....and says...."Only kiddin"'....lol


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