eBay Spyder Manual

[marcos]

I'm probably looking for a manual Spyder soon as I no longer need to commute by car... This one turned up on a search yesterday.

Yes it's scruffy, yes it's got a partial history BUT it's the right colour inside and out, the MOT history/mileage is consistent and it has the right sort of gearbox.

Anyone who remembers me will know I will want to mod it up anyway (GS bodykit, Formula Dynamics everything) so spending cash getting it right isn't as issue, especially from such a low starting point. A new roof minimum to make it useable and then plodding along having something done every month by Emblem or AN Other.

Thoughts or definitive reasons why it would ruin me..?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Maserati-Spyder-4200/113926868825

 

[CatmanV2]

It's a Maserati

C

 

[Spartacus]

Manual Spyder you say ? I bet that a laugh to drive .

 

[zagatoes30]

Manual Spyder must be a rare thing, the price looks keen and the mileage not silly. Yes it will need some work but could be worth the investment in an indy inspection to check out the known cost points.

 

[azapa]

That looks like a lot of fun for the money, I'd snap it up but for one problem (this is how the Ebay add shows up): May not post to United States

 

[Rex B]

New roofs are very expensive around £3k so something to be avoided unless the price is around 10K.

Rex B

 

[Vampyrebat]

This has been discussed on here a few weeks ago. A few pro's and con's but I agree, It could make a nice project for some one especially the ultra rare manual box in a cabriolet. But I would definitely have a PPI check done in the first instance. There are some convertible roof manufacturers out there that could make you a new mohair hood if you can offer then the old one for a template for about £800.

 

[hladun]

I have had a 2002 Spyder with the manual transmission for 5 years. Great car; a buy of a lifetime. Most of the problems with these cars is the CC shift mechanism so you're way ahead here. The shift linkage is good, but it's handling 400 hp so it's not a two finger Honda shift. But it is an expensive exotic so you need the money to have one. That said, I've had no major expenses over 5 years of ownership.

If you're interested in modifications the thing to realise is that Ferrari wasn't going to have Maserati's with too much power so by not using a variable-length intake manifold they choke the engine at high rpm. Fix that and I think you'd be well rewarded. Look at the F430 intake manifold.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Nice to have you here Lewis. Been a while.
PM me of you need info re - Formula Dynamics and tuning info in general.

 

[TimR]

It was MikeX car. Recent new clutch IIRC...

https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/e-bay-4200-gt-spyder.29725/

 

[FIFTY]

They are rare, something silly like <50 cars in the UK

 

[Raulpereg]

I don't understand how these cars can be so affordable in the UK, also in rest of Europe even if they are more expensive. It is an incredible car for the money even if you need to spend some thousands on it!

 

[marcos]

There are some convertible roof manufacturers out there that could make you a new mohair hood if you can offer then the old one for a template for about £800.

I agree, a re-skin can be done relatively cheaply and nicely as long as there are no issues with the mechanism. It'd need to survive outside, although a little 'shower cap' could probably be fabbed up...!

 

[marcos]

It was MikeX car. Recent new clutch IIRC...

https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/e-bay-4200-gt-spyder.29725/

Thanks - that is solid gold knowledge! If I am in a position to consider it (outcome of a job interview) I'll try and get in contact.

 

[marcos]

The shift linkage is good, but it's handling 400 hp so it's not a two finger Honda shift. But it is an expensive exotic so you need the money to have one.

I have had a manual couple and after 70k+ miles, it was a struggle to select second on a cold box. It was still useable, but no matter what the Emblem team tried with linkage adjustments and replacements, ultimately the synchro had probabl'y gone. This mileage seems ok so I'd hope it'd be good to go.

If you're interested in modifications the thing to realise is that Ferrari wasn't going to have Maserati's with too much power so by not using a variable-length intake manifold they choke the engine at high rpm. Fix that and I think you'd be well rewarded. Look at the F430 intake manifold.

Have you heard of anyone else doing this mod..?

To be honest, I never thought the standard car lacked power for what it was - a high-speed, long distance cruiser that corners ok. I had a very free flowing exhaust on mine and there was always plenty of grunt. The coupe was enough of a handful, but with the roof chopped off, I'd say 200bhp might be sufficient...

 

[marcos]

anyway, lets see if it's relisted. I'm a few weeks away from knowing.

It''s the right colour and a great price. Plenty of scope for some mods on there.

I added Formula Dynamics springs and wheels spacers onto mine, lowering and widening the car. It was transformed overnight.

 

[hladun]

marcos,

Concerning your first comment the shift linkage can be adjusted as you know. I know you said you don't have the car any more, but for the benefit of others who do the little turnbuckle needs to be removed to adjust it's length (it's threaded wrong to be a turnbuckle). When in second the shift lever should move to the left about 3/4" before hitting the stop.

On your second comment, I don't know of anyone who has done this. Everyone wants the exhausts which make the car LOUD. I agree that my car has more than enough power for me but I'm an engineer and when you look at the engine the intake manifold is obvious. The long runners of the stock manifold are made for low end torque and that's what a GT needs. Oh well, at least Ferrari made the manifold very pretty.

 

[marcos]

On your second comment, I don't know of anyone who has done this. Everyone wants the exhausts which make the car LOUD. I agree that my car has more than enough power for me but I'm an engineer and when you look at the engine the intake manifold is obvious. The long runners of the stock manifold are made for low end torque and that's what a GT needs. Oh well, at least Ferrari made the manifold very pretty.

I'm not an engineer so it's interesting to hear this. I always assumed it was just geared low because flooring it in 6th to pass someone on the motorway, my coupe always pulled hard! Running out of puff at 7krpm is fine, another 1k up there barely gets used anyway. In my experience 350-400bhp is a max for the road anyway, then you can use it all. These modern 700bhp+ Ferraris make no sense to me, although it's nice to see them driving through Knightsbridge at 4mph.

Loud and tuneful is where I am at for the exhaust. I've made friends with some good exhaust guys locally who I would trust to make a manifold-back set of pipes.

 

[TimR]

Ferraris make no sense to me, although it's nice to see them driving through Knightsbridge at 4mph.

Perhaps they go better with the computer electronics...

Loud and tuneful is where I am at for the exhaust. I've made friends with some good exhaust guys locally who I would trust to make a manifold-back set of pipes.

The car in the first post has also had fitted some modified rear boxes.
Something else to quiz the vendor on if you get to that point...

 

[hladun]

I'm not an engineer so it's interesting to hear this. I always assumed it was just geared low because flooring it in 6th to pass someone on the motorway, my coupe always pulled hard! Running out of puff at 7krpm is fine, another 1k up there barely gets used anyway. In my experience 350-400bhp is a max for the road anyway, then you can use it all. These modern 700bhp+ Ferraris make no sense to me, although it's nice to see them driving through Knightsbridge at 4mph.

Loud and tuneful is where I am at for the exhaust. I've made friends with some good exhaust guys locally who I would trust to make a manifold-back set of pipes.

I'm not talking about gearing, I'm talking about breathing. I do agree with you and in my opinion the car has more than enough power, but some guys, like you I guess, want to keep modifying it. Why not modify something that works rather than something that just annoys bystanders?