halbe01
Junior Member
- Messages
- 281
Evening all,
I had an interesting test drive yesterday. I'd been thinking I'd like to upgrade my 4200 and see if I can find something which improves on some of the inherent flaws i feel it has (namely lack of low-end torque, imperfect CC gearbox and suspension which is both rough over bumpy roads and not really that sure of itself when driving fast). Don't get me wrong, I love the 4200, which is why though I keep threatening to go drive a new M3 I've so far not done so (because I fear it'll be better at all three of those factors, though I'm certain it won't be as cool, or sound as good, or look anywhere near as pretty).
Anyway, so I thought I'd try a GT and found one which looked perfect for sale at ADG. I went for an auto box to get away from the clunky-round-town CC box and a 4.7 because otherwise it might feel slower than my 4200. I realised quit quickly what I suspect many of you here already knew, which is that the 4200 and the GT are very different cars. I knew the GT was so much bigger of course, but thought they'd be more similar in driving than they were. The GT is much more a slightly sportier looking QP than it is a newer 4200 or GS in my opinion. It was too sane, too quiet, and nowhere near exciting enough. Wen I got back in my car to drive home I found I was able to revel in all the little idiosyncrasies which had led me to look elsewhere. S I'm back in love with the 4200 again which is nice, and now I'm not looking at a GT any longer.
I suspect if I were to try an MC shift I might find it a little more 4200-like - anyone able to comment on that?
So then I'm thinking maybe I should stick with what I have but with possibly maybe just a little upgrade - perhaps to a GS. Everything I read in reviews of the GS when it was launched says its leaps and bounds better than the 4200 - though what conversation I've been able to find on the forums only talks about the obvious differences - the spoilers, the seats, the internal switchgear etc. So my question, and the point of this thread, is whether there is much difference in reality between the 4200 and the GS in terms of handling, torque, suspension (both when pooling around town on poor quality roads, and when really pressing on over some nice B roads) and how the CC gearbox works.
Anyone got any insight to share?
Cheers,
Ben.
PS The chaps at ADG said trade value on my 2005 4200 in perfect condition with new rear tyres and a clutch done just 4k ago was £10-£11k. It's got 41k on the clock. I assume he was merely starting negotiation early as that seems really rather low given I paid £23k less than 2 years and 6,000 miles ago (of course that wasn't a trade price and I bought it from Nuvola - whom I know aren't the cheapest).
I had an interesting test drive yesterday. I'd been thinking I'd like to upgrade my 4200 and see if I can find something which improves on some of the inherent flaws i feel it has (namely lack of low-end torque, imperfect CC gearbox and suspension which is both rough over bumpy roads and not really that sure of itself when driving fast). Don't get me wrong, I love the 4200, which is why though I keep threatening to go drive a new M3 I've so far not done so (because I fear it'll be better at all three of those factors, though I'm certain it won't be as cool, or sound as good, or look anywhere near as pretty).
Anyway, so I thought I'd try a GT and found one which looked perfect for sale at ADG. I went for an auto box to get away from the clunky-round-town CC box and a 4.7 because otherwise it might feel slower than my 4200. I realised quit quickly what I suspect many of you here already knew, which is that the 4200 and the GT are very different cars. I knew the GT was so much bigger of course, but thought they'd be more similar in driving than they were. The GT is much more a slightly sportier looking QP than it is a newer 4200 or GS in my opinion. It was too sane, too quiet, and nowhere near exciting enough. Wen I got back in my car to drive home I found I was able to revel in all the little idiosyncrasies which had led me to look elsewhere. S I'm back in love with the 4200 again which is nice, and now I'm not looking at a GT any longer.
I suspect if I were to try an MC shift I might find it a little more 4200-like - anyone able to comment on that?
So then I'm thinking maybe I should stick with what I have but with possibly maybe just a little upgrade - perhaps to a GS. Everything I read in reviews of the GS when it was launched says its leaps and bounds better than the 4200 - though what conversation I've been able to find on the forums only talks about the obvious differences - the spoilers, the seats, the internal switchgear etc. So my question, and the point of this thread, is whether there is much difference in reality between the 4200 and the GS in terms of handling, torque, suspension (both when pooling around town on poor quality roads, and when really pressing on over some nice B roads) and how the CC gearbox works.
Anyone got any insight to share?
Cheers,
Ben.
PS The chaps at ADG said trade value on my 2005 4200 in perfect condition with new rear tyres and a clutch done just 4k ago was £10-£11k. It's got 41k on the clock. I assume he was merely starting negotiation early as that seems really rather low given I paid £23k less than 2 years and 6,000 miles ago (of course that wasn't a trade price and I bought it from Nuvola - whom I know aren't the cheapest).