Blind, foolish impulse purchase of a 4200.

[Leicesterminiracer]

Restore it.. I did the same when purchasing mine a few years back.. I revved it up and said yeah I’ll have it

 

[madmanmart]

High miles, No Mot, and budget tyres.

You definitely paid up for it. Considering you can pick up a lower mileage moted car for £9k.

Depends if you can operate a spanner or two? If not then you could be in for a bank account bashing.

 

[rockits]

Ouch.....good luck. I hope it isn't so bad but the risk could outweight the reward potentially.

He who dares Rodney! This time next year.....

I would say it doesn't have much upside but you can't really lose. As long as you're with your spanners and don't get carried away on the spend it could work OK.

The WBAC online valuation is more than the price paid.

I've recently bought a nice facelift 2005/55 4200 with 59k miles with full history in very good condition for not a silly amount more so deals are certainly out there if you're vidulant, attentive and quick.

Looking forward to the new thread and the fun ahead. Nice different colour though.

 

[breezer]

Looks like this one

Maserati 4200 Coupe, 2004, Clutch & Heater Matrix Done, No Reserve | eBay

Maserati 4200 Coupe. Heater Matrix done - Dec '18, 500 miles ago. Xenon lights. Clutch done late 2017 - 6000 miles only since then (Inc F1 pump etc, £5k.). New battery this winter. If you're looking at this, I'm sure you'll have done your research.

rover.ebay.com

Yes, this is the one. Thanks to most of you for all the support! I'm very excited, and have made note of the potential for wishbones, full hunter alignment, and to check the cats. I'll do some research on how to identify which cats I have.

I'll report back as soon as my local garage has had a look later this week.

On the face of it, could be a bargain. Had some decent history and then left untouched but not for too long and the new clutch and heater matrix are big ticket items. Get to a specialist to check over and you will hopefully be fine. Whereabouts do you live?

I live in London but at first it's going to Cambridgeshire where my family lives as they have more space. Any specialist recommendations are welcomed.

High miles, No Mot, and budget tyres.

You definitely paid up for it. Considering you can pick up a lower mileage moted car for £9k.

Depends if you can operate a spanner or two? If not then you could be in for a bank account bashing.

I think if it gets through the MOT okay then it's not that expensive. That's the big if. I've not seen many cheaper though. I can do a reasonable amount of work myself and it won't be a daily so if it needs some time off the road while I get round to it / wait for parts that's not the end of the world.

For those of you who were talking about a poor reputation for reliability, read my signature...I'm used to that. All the most exciting cars are unreliable.

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

Yes guys. Read the signature. Breezer clearly sports a large pair of brass ones and is no stranger to danger. A TVR and a DB7? A Maserati ought to be a...... breeze? after surviving Blackpool and Newport Pagnell's attempts to steal his wallet and sanity.
Good luck!

 

[sbz8]

Welcome to the forum Breezer! It feels weird saying that, as it hasn't even been a week since I joined... I have to say however that there are an incredible bunch of people on this forum, and there are so many people that are willing to give advice/help. I'm still getting used to the place, and really enjoying it - I'm sure you will do to!

 

[rockits]

Sorry for my negativity. I'll start again. A very warm welcome to the forum and wish you well.

I know from experience as did 6 month w
4200 project car a while back how much time and money you can spend quickly. I did much of the work myself as well.

Best advice I can offer as I am doing the same with the one I've just bought. Get a PPI form a good specialist. A few hundred quite in the workshop for a few hours. Will just give you a nice list of faults and issues although I hope not of course. You can then make a good solid judgement on where to go and what.to do with the car.

You can't lose as even if it is broken into spares at any point it would be worth that and maybe more.

What are your signature cars btw as I can't see them on Tapatalk?

 

[breezer]

Sorry for my negativity. I'll start again. A very warm welcome to the forum and wish you well.

I know from experience as did 6 month w
4200 project car a while back how much time and money you can spend quickly. I did much of the work myself as well.

Best advice I can offer as I am doing the same with the one I've just bought. Get a PPI form a good specialist. A few hundred quite in the workshop for a few hours. Will just give you a nice list of faults and issues although I hope not of course. You can then make a good solid judgement on where to go and what.to do with the car.

You can't lose as even if it is broken into spares at any point it would be worth that and maybe more.

What are your signature cars btw as I can't see them on Tapatalk?

No apology necessary, I don’t think you were unduly negative? I’m really grateful for the advice and I know these can end up expensive to run. The banging my head smiley was aimed at my own idiocy at the cars I buy!

I’ve got a Tuscan and used to have a DB7V, both of which have occasionally thrown up large bills but are actually otherwise relatively reliable.

 

[rockits]

No apology necessary, I don’t think you were unduly negative? I’m really grateful for the advice and I know these can end up expensive to run. The banging my head smiley was aimed at my own idiocy at the cars I buy!

I’ve got a Tuscan and used to have a DB7V, both of which have occasionally thrown up large bills but are actually otherwise relatively reliable.

No worries. A Post Purchase Inspection is a great idea IMHO. Lets you know exactly what you have before you taking any steps forward.

I've been thinking for a while to move out of my Chimaera into a T Car. Just finding it hard to justify to cost to change. They all seem too much money and not great VFM IMHO compare to other options (granted different options!) other than the Chimaera.

Show me a pic of the Tam?

 

[TimR]

Bagged your self a steal, right there Id say...!
Specialist recommendations, from Cambridgeshire ? Try Bill McGrath's for an inspection. Im sure they can sort out any issues you may need addressing too. That said, from London, they are other, perhaps more convenient options...
Fortune favours the Brave, as they say...

 

[Vampyrebat]

Hey Breezer

I was watching this one with interest as it is only a few miles away from me!...............Well done! I think it is a bargain! As others have said, worst case scenario, if it turned out to be an absolute lemon then you could easily make your money back and maybe more if you broke her (But I hope not)!!

 

[Phil H]

Should I just drive it into the sea now and save myself the heartache/bankruptcy?

This will sound silly, but is there anything 'quirky' I'll need to know about getting into it, getting it started, changing gear with an automated manual gearbox, etc? Closest I've driven is a 3200 AC and that was (a) manual and (b) a decade ago.

No and No.

Even if it needs work you'll still have fun, and as others have said at that price it's worth the risk. CC is easy and you'll soon adapt your driving style to it.

It's a gutsy purchase but all the more admirable for that.

PH

 

[hunta]

It's worth considering Emblem even from where you are. If you drop them a line they can book you in for a (free) Saturday morning clinic, which is well worth it to have an expert walk you through every detail and help you understand the car and its foibles. You'll end up with a long to-do list, but they're also very helpful at sorting out what needs doing now and what can wait.

 

[Contigo]

**** I wish i'd have seen that as it would have been bought and stripped out for use as a track car!

 

[breezer]

Well that could’ve gone worse...

MOT failed on handbrake (as expected) and CO2 emissions.

Brake cables are utterly rotten, so we’ve ordered new ones.

The mechanic reckons the CO2 is only and issue because it’s been sat for a while so he’s going to take it out to get it thoroughly hot to see if that clears it.

Otherwise it would’ve passed!

 

[azapa]

that looks really nice, I love the colour, and at that price you really can't go wrong - breaking it would recoup more! But looking at it, that won't happen, it'll run well. Enjoy the journey.

 

[philw696]

A Good Buy I reckon and I still rate them for the money having had too.
Keep us posted on how you go.

 

[2b1ask1]

Well that could’ve gone worse...

MOT failed on handbrake (as expected) and CO2 emissions.

Brake cables are utterly rotten, so we’ve ordered new ones.

The mechanic reckons the CO2 is only and issue because it’s been sat for a while so he’s going to take it out to get it thoroughly hot to see if that clears it.

Otherwise it would’ve passed!

Not too bad, the handbrake is not an easy change but is DIYable, I did mine on the 4200 in 2014. Set aside a day, get the car at a good height and PROPERLY supported (unless you have access to a ramp/lift), because you have to work right under the car with the rear wheels and disks off. If you can, get the shoes reliined at the same time or get a new set, they are not too expensive if you go to people like Superformance. (I have a set you could get reconditioned from an 03 and send me yours back afterwards).

Wheels and disks off, free the ends of the cable and work in and forward releasing the clips and noting the routing, the fun comes over the gearbox as space is very tight! If like me you have huge hands it is a real bu99er! there are several clips to work out over the box but when free replacing is simply the reverse. If you are not putting new disks (actually even if you are) run the reconditioned shoes around the inside of the disks by hand a few times and then file off the shiny bits and repeat until you are getting full contact as this will give a massively more efficient handbrake. New forum disks should be available if you need them, PM Matt (Conearo) to find out.

Settle the shoes in the drums well on rebuilding and adjust the daisy wheels and only then tighten the cable fully. It is a very satisfying job and worth doing properly IMHO...

Oh yes an Italian tune up will sort the cold cats

 

[2b1ask1]

Oh yes, when done, the correct action is to drive along in 1st about 15-20mph and apply the handbrake for 20 seconds, maintaining the speed, repeat after cooling 2 or 3 times. Repeat every few months as part of your routine.

 

[davy83]

Agree with this. 4200 is a robust car compared to the 3200 which can be more finicky (sorry 3200 owners but it is true)

No need to apologise its reasonably accurate statement. The 3200 is more of an adventure than most cars!!