Black 3200GT - Advice needed

[the_raul]

Hi Everyone,

Im new to this forum and new to maserati's!!

I've been looking for a manual 3200GT for a while and I have seen a few.
Now i've seen this one and i put a deposit on it, but im wondering what you guys reckon about it??
Does anyone know it? What do you reckon its worth?

It looks in good nick, the interior is a bit worn but i guess thats typical italian plastic?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../radius/1500/postcode/wd61da/page/1?logcode=p

Thanks,
the_raul

 

[Parisien]

Hi the_Raul.....thank you for joining and posting.

The one mantra that all buyers go by on this forum is....................have an independent inspection done, unless you are au fait with the 3200, it can be expensive to rectify any faults, or bring the service/maintenance of the car up to the standard required.

Looks are important....but nothing like as much as overall condiiton and history!


P

 

[dickygrace]

Welcome to the forum. Quite good timing considering there's just been a similar debate around another 3200. Personally, I'd be looking at buying an 03 4200 for that sort of price. If it's substantially reduced then it looks from the description that as it may be worth looking at it may be a nice one.

 

[dickygrace]

Parisien's spot on about the PPI. I've saved buying a shocker by having one done.

 

[the_raul]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice.

The car is located near Taunton, Somerset. Do you know any suitable places to get an independant inspection?

Thanks
the_raul

 

[Parisien]

....nearest might just be the guys at Emblem....Poole.....will post up a link for indie garages.........gimme a mo....


P

 

[Parisien]

INDEPENDENT MASERATI GARAGES UK

http://classicmaseratis.co.uk/

http://www.emblemsportscars.com/home.aspx

http://www.grimaldiengineering.co.uk/

http://www.cars.robertsaerospace.com/

http://www.autoshieldmaserati.co.uk/...rati/Home.html

http://www.davidaskew.co.uk/

http://www.giallo.co.uk/

http://www.mpsupercars.com/

http://www.auto-sportiva.com/

http://www.shiltech-ferrari.com/

http://www.ferrarimaserati.co.uk/

http://www.sgmsportsltd.com/

http://www.dadsspeedshop.com/

http://www.autofficina.co.uk/about-autofficina

http://www.bhpmsport.com/

http://www.verdi-ferrari.com/about.php

http://www.theferraricentre.com/service

http://www.auto-sportiva.com/maserat...icing-kent.htm




P

 

[conaero]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice.

The car is located near Taunton, Somerset. Do you know any suitable places to get an independant inspection?

Thanks
the_raul

I dont, but I know one you should avoid like the plague, Carrs in Exceter. Emblem in Poole is probably your best option. With any 3200 manual, endfloat is a must to have checked. Emblem will give you all the advice you need regarding this potential issue. As Frank/Parisien says, inspection, inspection, inspection!

 

[Phil H]

Welcome once again

The ad states 'FSH' but who has serviced the car? It needs to be either an appointed Maserati dealer or recognised independent (you will find various indies referenced on the forum), and the history should be comprehensive with few gaps if any, and ideally supported by old MOT's and invoices.

A few pointers:

The car should have three keys; two black and one red, the latter being of prime importance as it is the coding master. There has been some debate over importance and replication of red keys, but what cannot be argued is that the lack of one makes a 3200 much harder to sell and it knocks the value big time.

3200 interiors are not particularly fragile, and much of it is leather rather than plastic. Although you can expect some wear on a 12 year old car keep the condition in perspective; it's a Maserati not a hack, so previous owners should have been kind to it.

Be wary of rattles and squeaks, especially from the suspension as they can eventually hit your wallet more than you might expect.

Some 3200's suffered from excessive crankshaft endfloat, manuals more so than autos, and it is more likely to be found on earlier models. The endfloat should be measured during the PPI, and if it's out of limits walk away unles you want to risk an engine rebuild.

The only specialist I am aware of in that area is Carrs of Exeter.

Price-wise I agree with Dickygrace; this one is expensive, especially for an early example, and it would have to be truly exceptional for me to get enthusiastic about it even assuming that all the boxes were ticked.

PH

 

[dem maser]

Dont want to start a war with the pricing but yes raul like the posts above say i feel it is a little expensive but it does look good and it is a combo id like so worth getting inspection dont and negotiating the price of it goes well....emblem are best for you....

 

[Andyk]

Hi the-raul ..and a big warm welcome to the forum ....

Not sure if its worth giving Cortese a call in Bath ... I bought my 3200 from them buut no sure it they do inspections. I think they send all there cars to Emblem for work and inspection but worth a call.

The black car you are looking at is at the top of the price beacket and as such should be in great condition including the interior. For the money its up for you could get...as said above.... a 4200 which will be more reliable and should , as long as you get a good one, cost less to run than a 3200, butyou don't get those lovely rear lights on a 4200...

The best advice on her wil be and is ... Get an inspection as £200/300 now could save £2000/3000 down the road.....

Hope all works out for you and keep us posted...Cprtese web below.

http://www.cortesebath.co.uk/ They also have a very nice manual 3200 for sale as well at 11995...

 

[Spike62]

I know mine is an auto but it's all been sorted and Emblem know it now from back to front. Have a look at my ad in the classified section of this forum.

 

[dem maser]

spikes one is def one to go see raul....one of the best 3200s around.....and if your asking me i prefer the 3200 in auto....

 

[dickygrace]

spikes one is def one to go see raul....one of the best 3200s around.....and if your asking me i prefer the 3200 in auto....

Had a manual 3200 and wouldn't recommend. Only advantage over an auto is that the gear change is as fast as you can do it, and not a computer.

 

[dem maser]

there does seem to be a few of us dicky that prefer the 3200 in auto...when i was buying it was a must for me...the engine seems to suit the auto better and they sound a touch nicer....

 

[NickP]

Er....Dem, so how exactly does an auto sound nicer than a manual? Surely that depends on the exhaust system fitted?

You can't drive an auto to the limits like you can a manual. Sure you will burn the clutch out quicker in a manual but its each to his own I guess. If you have no muscles in your left leg you may find the clutch a bit heavy. Personally I won't be buying an auto until I am 60+....

 

[dem maser]

i would always buy a manual nick...just not a 3200....
the 3200 is a bit like the GT its a grand tourer like a bentley and the auto suits it better thats why maserati dropped the manuals and so have ferrari....things are moving on...it sounds better in the meaning of the change in gears...theres a little note as it changes but thats neither here or there, if it was an out and out sports car it has to be an auto but a car for comfortable long journeys in and the occasional track then an auto does it for me....

 

[NickP]

I agree with the direction that the modern cars have gone, i.e. paddle-shift auto, although the 4200 isn't great, the GS is much better. I found the 3200 auto a bit 1980's in terms of its gear change, kick down etc. I guess I'm fonder of sports cars than grand tourers, but each to their own.

Also you can't bump start an auto.... ;-)

 

[dem maser]

no your right you cant bump start an auto hahahahaha

 

[Andyk]

I had a manual and can understand why most go auto ... Its a much easier car to drive .... Still would have the manual though ....