Hope to join you all soon

[Chrisbassett]

Well, I was going to take a run down to ADG and test drive a Spyder this morning, but someone beat me to it...a shame 'cos it sounded great when I was there at the weekend, Larini exhaust and all.

Looks like that was just the first steps on the road to getting myself a trident badge! Hopefully not too long a road.

As I'm a newbie, I have a question: for those who have driven both pre- and post-facelift spyders, how much worse is the scuttle-shake on the pre-facelift ones? For my first Maserati I know I'm not going to be able to reach any of the driving limitations of the car (well, not on purpose) so I thought a pre-facelift spyder would be a great, fun introduction. Then maybe buy a hard-top 4200 or a GrandSport if the bug bit and my driving looked like it could improve enough to make it worthwhile.

The scuttle-shake on the early spyders is the only thing I can't try out, because there are no later cars on sale - any pointers?

Anyway, Hello to all.

After lurking for a while, I'm looking forward to some great company on the journey and the rewards it (hopefully) brings.
Cheers...
Chris.

 

[dem maser]

Benny is a good one to answer this and also rob who had a lovely black wit red leater one that hes now looking to buy again!
Thats how addictive these cars are....


Welcome to our forum!!

 

[blue520]

Pity you missed out on the Spyder. the 52 reg silver grey one with red roof and leather? If so that was my old one.
Now got a facelift 2005 Spyder and yes a lot different. The 2005 model has all the upgrades suspension set up, hill start, less scuttle shake, GS bumbers etc tc. Certainly worth holding out for if you got the cash.

 

[Chrisbassett]

That's the one...sad to have missed it.

all those extras do sound nice (and yours looks great!), but I can't find anything out there so I'm not even sure how much one should cost...maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places?

I'm off to see another tomorrow, further up north. Another 2002 but with the standard exhaust (may be better for my neighbours!). I'll try to find a bit of bumpy road to test it out.

Thanks for the help.

 

[blue520]

Good luck with your search, with weather changing you should see a few more coming on the market at reasonable money.
I bought mine in Jan 2010 from Maranello`s who were more than happy to do a deal with half inch of snow on the ground!
Btw Larini`s are a MUST in fact should be deemed illegal to drive a Spyder without!!

 

[Andyk]

Big welcome Chris......Dicky Grace is a good lace to start...He is well resected on here and could find you you dream Maserati or point you in the right direction....Well recommended.

 

[BennyD]

Btw Larini`s are a MUST in fact should be deemed illegal to drive a Spyder without!!

Larinis do sound nice but there are other, usually cheaper, options that can liberate even more sound. I've driven both as well and can confirm the post 04my cars are quite a bit better than the early ones. IMO, the CC is the one to go for rather than the manual as the manual linkage can be fairly notchy. If you can, drive all 4 (pre04 CC and manual and post 04 CC and manual) then make up your mind. My choice was a post04 CC and I haven't regretted it for a second.

 

[Taliesyn]

That's the one...sad to have missed it.

all those extras do sound nice (and yours looks great!), but I can't find anything out there so I'm not even sure how much one should cost...maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places?

I'm off to see another tomorrow, further up north. Another 2002 but with the standard exhaust (may be better for my neighbours!). I'll try to find a bit of bumpy road to test it out.

Thanks for the help.

Did it have 8 owners in 8 years? If that's the one, I looked at it a couple of months ago. Sounded too loud to be honest.

 

[adam01]

Did it have 8 owners in 8 years? If that's the one, I looked at it a couple of months ago. Sounded too loud to be honest.

Did each owner buy it just for the summer vacation?

 

[Emtee]

Welcome to the forum Chris. Hope the advise is proving helpful and that you find a Spyder that fits the bill. Let us know how you get on?

Regards, Miles.

 

[Andyk]

Btw Larini`s are a MUST in fact should be deemed illegal to drive a Spyder without!!

All depends what you use your car for...If its your every day transport then I found them too much. Too much drone on the motorway at 70....It really annoyed me.........As a toy then not so bad...

 

[Chrisbassett]

It was a bit overwhelming, especially for starting up in Hampstead at 6am, would put a smile on my face, but maybe not my neighbours!

But maybe I shouldn't care too much about that...
Ha!

Off to meet a man called Matt about a blue one this morning. Hopefully he won't sell it before I get there.

 

[Chrisbassett]

Hope the advise is proving helpful and that you find a Spyder that fits the bill.

Thanks Miles. The advice is proving very useful, and hopefully I'll end up paying the right amount for a good car.

I saw one today, feels good and looks good. Only real blemish is a Grandsport nose that has been fitted with a bit of coaxing (the fit isn't quite perfect) and that has peeling paint / lacquer with a slight nudge that's creased the paint. Maybe £200 to get it re-sprayed apparently. It's here...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201237484534783

We drove it over to Grimaldi's in Essex, where Roberto will give me a full inspection report, so we shall see. Report is due Tuesday am.

Then I've just got to get the current owner to accept my offer - he's a reluctant seller to start with!
: )

 

[Andyk]

Thats nice...Love the GS front end....Good luck hope it's the one for you..

 

[Chrisbassett]

As I'm a newbie, I'll keep my questions here for now : )

What's the red key that I hear about, and should I worry if it's not present when buying a car?

Are there recommendations for after-market ways to plug in an ipod/iphone to the audio equipment on a 4200/spyder? Not too interested in bluetooth phone connection, just for music (and charging at the same time).

cheers!

 

[Andyk]

I believe the red key is the code key...So if you every loose you keys this is the code for you car so when you need new ones this is the key that is relevent to your car............Now if you do not have it it will cost a fortune to get new keys etc........

 

[dickygrace]

As I'm a newbie, I'll keep my questions here for now : )

What's the red key that I hear about, and should I worry if it's not present when buying a car?

Are there recommendations for after-market ways to plug in an ipod/iphone to the audio equipment on a 4200/spyder? Not too interested in bluetooth phone connection, just for music (and charging at the same time).

cheers!

No red key with a 4200, just 3200's. You should have 2 keys, that's all. I have found all sorts of iPod solutions over the years, my favourite being a dension ice-link. It is hard-wired in to the stereo, however there may be more up to date solutions available now.

 

[Andyk]

Ah, never new that Dicky...I know I had one with 3200......

 

[Chrisbassett]

Off to Sevenoaks on Saturday to pick up a silver 2003 spyder CC with black leather & black top. It's a safe option for my first plunge, hoping it doesn't look too "SLK" in those colours!

Being prep’d and serviced ready for the drive to her new home in Hampstead.

It's looking like fair weather, so I may even get my hair ruffled on the way!
Big grins all round
: ))

 

[Andyk]

Brilliant news Chris, look forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing pictures when you get a chance.