Hopeful Newbie

M

matt_w

New Member
Messages
2
Hi All

Looking for a bit of advice. Having owned a 4200 CC while out in Oz (hope you are still enjoying it Gary) and now been back in the UK for a full year, the 'Boss' has accepted I have a Maserati itch that needs scratching - call it mid life crisis if you want!!!

I have a relatively modest budget (10-12k) but can't make my mind up which way to go. I have been and looked at a facelift 4200 CC with high miles and 'high usage' but wasn't sure. A 3200 Manual was then pointed out by the dealer with half the miles and much better condition for the same price.

I am now in a quandary. Do I go for a high miles late 4200CC (70-80k) or a low (40k) miles 3200 manual. (or even something in the middle - early 4200 CC with 60k)

I have no doubt this will spark an age old debate but interested in not just driving experiences but also ownership experiences (reliability, parts prices, etc). My 4200 ownership was relatively painless but I am aware of the potential costs.

Whatever I go for I will follow the advice on the forum and have a PPI just to make sure no big bills are looming. Based in the south east so appear to have a good selection available. Obviously the above are just examples but most prices seem to follow this trend.

Any advice gratefully received.

Matt
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
15,006
Welcome to the madness Matt. We all have our thoughts on which car you should go for; 4200 owners will be right and 3200 owners will be wrong, obviously! Best ring an Indy and ask their opinion as to which cars have the most problems. I know Marios at Autoshield is a fairly neutral sort of guy as to which is best so it might be worth giving him a bell on 0161 8813463. I am sure there are lots of other Indys that will give you similar advice. Good luck. 4200s are best but don't quote me! :wink:
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
Good luck in your search.......just buy the best you can and get that indie report done


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CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,875
There are a couple of very nice 4200s for sale by forum members that would fit your budget.
I cant compare 3200 vs 4200, but when I was looking last winter with the same budget you have, there were no low mileage 3200s around.
I've got 70k on my 4200 and in 8 months (touch wood) it's not let me down at all.

C
 
Emtee

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
Hi Matt and a warm welcome to the forum.

My advice for what it's worth is drive a 3200 if you haven't already. It's a different character to a 4200 and you may well be smitten.

You already know to buy on condition and care rather than age and mileage and an inspection will take some of the uncertainty out of the transaction, but both certainly seem to age well if cared for.

A well cared for 3200 with the few known weaknesses taken care of will be as rewarding a drive as a notionally more historically stable 4200, but with quite different characters.

Which ever you choose, do let us know how things progress?

Regards, Miles.
 
alfatwo

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
Miles, your not in an around about way saying 4200s are a bit boring are you :wink:

Dave
 
Last edited:
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,188
Hi Matt, I take it the face lift is the silver car at £11995...Looking at the history there is some bits missing but it has had a clutch etc recently and must be worth a look.
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
4200s unstable Miles....come off it..........I mean.....they do Prozac for them for Gods sake......;)


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Emtee

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
alfatwo said:
Miles, your not in an around about way saying 4200s are a bit boring are you :wink:

Dave
Click to expand...

Haha, No Dave not at all. The 4200 is a scintillating motor car. Glorious power and very forgiving whereas the 3200 is a scintillating motor car. Glorious power.......
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,188
Yes, I wouldn't be put off by high miles if the price is right and the car has good service history and is great condition.....For this age of car for me it's about history and condition...
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,896
I sold my first 4200 with 7200k on the clocks and still today I wonder why.

Ther is a sliver face lift 4200 down in Surrey with the same miles for £11.500 which if its got a good history could be a steal if the car is ok
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,896
I sold my first 4200 with 7200k on the clocks and still today I wonder why.

Ther is a sliver face lift 4200 down in Surrey with the same miles for £11.500 which if its got a good history could be a steal if the car is ok
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,188
safrane said:
I sold my first 4200 with 7200k on the clocks and still today I wonder why.

Ther is a sliver face lift 4200 down in Surrey with the same miles for £11.500 which if its got a good history could be a steal if the car is ok
Click to expand...

Agree on the silver one Pete...Reall suprised it's not been snapped up...
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,188
See, I reall like that combination..plus its the deep red not the bright stuff.....The history is patchy but not that bad and has had a clutch recently....Got to be worth a look if you are in the market for a 4200......its a face lift for the price of a 2002 car...
 
M

matt_w

New Member
Messages
2
Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the replies. I really think I need to drive a 3200 manual before making a decision although going out in the 4200 on Friday did rekindle the desire for the CC gearbox.

I do think the facelift one is good value however I have some concerns regarding bringing it up to the condition I would like. There were a few dash lights on which I'm sure would be sorted but also some of the interior needs tidying up, nothing drastic but it all costs money.

Is there a specialist that is recommended around this area (Surrey) for a PPI. The history looked good although a big gap mileage wise between two of them. Also looks like it has had 3 clutches and at least 2 F1 actuators.

Can't wait to get one but don't want to rush it - need to get the right one.

Matt
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
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Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,188
Yes, you are right Enzo....Have been for a year or two now as I understand it.....
 
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