Let's get some facts straight - MANUAL TIPO 4200

FIFTY

FIFTY

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After 6 years of ownership, frequenting this forum and getting thoroughly stuck in with this community I have come to the conclusion that there is quite a lot of sh!t talking about the manual Tipo 4200 on here and it seems to be spreading outside of this little corner of the Maserati community

So I think it is time to set a few things straight before anyone else gets the idea that these cars should be undervalued as they extremely rare prized possessions... There are a few key points to consider

  1. The Coupe GT is faster accelerating than the Cambiocorsa because it is lighter; a skilled driver can get off the line quicker and shift gears faster than the F1 actuator. 0.2s faster to 60mph in standard form
  2. The Coupe GT handles better than the Cambiocorsa because it is lighter and has a more even weight distribution without all of the F1 gubbins
  3. The manual variant is more reliable than the F1 transmission - do I really need to explain this? How about the F1 relay or pump failing and stranding you in the outside lane of the motorway... Or remind me how much it costs to replace the non-serviceable actuator and all associated valves?
  4. The manual variant does not require specialist software to set up (refering to PIS here)... It is relatively easy now but how much of a PITA will it be to get done in 10, 20, 30 years time when these cars are even more obscure?
  5. Just down to numbers the manual variants are considerably rarer than Cambiocorsa's and notably there are half the amount of manual Coupes than Gransports in the UK and a truly minuscule number of Spyders... https://www.maseratilife.com/threads/maserati-4200-production-numbers.90546/
  6. Based on point 5, collectors are buying up low milage manual variants as they hit the market. The Car Crowd is a very well publicised example of this
  7. Depending on driving style clutch lifespan is potentially longer than a Cambiocorsa car
I'm sure the nay sayers will be along in a moment to object and say "my CC was better" or "it's no manual porker 911" and perhaps "the pedal box is a little tight". I'm sure it suits some people who just don't like manual cars or when you are angling for bragging rights at the pub saying you have a paddle shift transmission like Michael Schumacher's F1 car which is really sweet when it's set up right and expensive when it breaks makes you feel like Barry with the big wallet but let's not spread folk law and rumours about other people's cars.
 
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makeshiftUK

makeshiftUK

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Does it really matter what others think if you enjoy yours in manual flavour? :)

I have to admit the GS with a manual box would have been a very interesting proposition, had they ever made one.
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

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makeshiftUK said:
Does it really matter what others think if you enjoy yours in manual flavour? :)

I have to admit the GS with a manual box would have been a very interesting proposition, had they ever made one.
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It really does not at all but I feel as though the manual owners have quietly been enjoying (and extensively restoring) their cars while the general forum rhetoric on them has been consistently negative so I thought why not attempt to challenge the conventional way of thought on here and have a good old debate about Maserati (instead of whatever the off topic flavour of the day is).
 
R

Ramp

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makeshiftUK said:
I have to admit the GS with a manual box would have been a very interesting proposition, had they ever made one.
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This ^^ I really wanted the GS for a number of reasons (had a coupe previously) and like the CC but would also like to have GS with a good 6spd. To Fifty's point though, that the manuals have a bad rap as well as the CC (for different reasons), they do and possibly for no good reason - I actually have no idea and only base that on what others have said.
 
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muttit

muttit

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I have the original Autocar road tests...the Coupe GT was almost half a second quicker to 100mph and over the quarter mile than the Gransport, but don’t get me wrong I love them both. But yes mine is a stick shift :)
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

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The other place has it completely around. The F1 detonates every alternate Thursday and the clutch needs changing every time you fill it up.

You stick to your guns, sir

C
 
Gazcw

Gazcw

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FIFTY said:
It really does not at all but I feel as though the manual owners have quietly been enjoying (and extensively restoring) their cars while the general forum rhetoric on them has been consistently negative so I thought why not attempt to challenge the conventional way of thought on here and have a good old debate about Maserati (instead of whatever the off topic flavour of the day is).
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Sorry, but I am not seeing this and I think that is quite harsh.

People have their preferences and that is fair. If someone asks for thoughts on cc or manual,their preference in the response is going to be obvious. That's not negative that is opinion. If they answer they are a pile of **** and can provide genuine experience then again is that wrong?

If I could have a manual Strad I would, the mc shift is great when on it. When you are not it is not.

I cannot believe that anyone on this forum who owns or owned a Maserati would genuinely or purposely slate any model.
 
spkennyuk

spkennyuk

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Just out of interest how much weight difference is there between like for like same generation cars ?

Facelift 4200 is 10 kgs lighter than a 4200 Gransport for example.

I cant find anything that gives the actual weights for 4200cc vs 4200 GT in either facelift or pre facelift variants.

Parkers and the like show the same weight for both.
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

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Gazcw said:
Sorry, but I am not seeing this and I think that is quite harsh.
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Did I hurt your feelings Gary?

Incredible what passes for banter on here... but pointing out something I have both heard in person and posted on this forum is somehow harsh...

Surely the Barry big wallet comment was the harsh bit ffs.
 
Gazcw

Gazcw

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FIFTY said:
Did I hurt your feelings Gary?

Incredible what passes for banter on here... but pointing out something I have both heard in person and posted on this forum is somehow harsh...

Surely the Barry big wallet comment was the harsh bit ffs.
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Nope I don't give a ****. But suggesting it was a general opinion of the forum when a good number of newer members have never owned <4200 and would have no comment to make about how **** manuals are is a broad accusation.
Note the reason I did not have a 4200 was I could not locate a decent manual at the time not because they were worse or better than cc. I just wanted a manual for my sporty gt.
And anyway. We all know 4200 are better than those 3200 wrecks. :p

And when has Barry ever had a big wallet!
 
Gazcw

Gazcw

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Phil H said:
I've had four Maseratis over a period of fifteen years and can confirm they are absolute rubbish.






(When the keyboard warriors read that the prices will crash, and I'll make it five :))
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Get someone else to choose them for you then Phil. Or stump up more cash. ;)
 
midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

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As a former 4200 CambioCorsa owner, I've never looked down at a manual. As said earlier, manuals are rarer so the vast majority of us only ever got to own the CC.
When these cars were new, the F1 robotised gearshift was still new and was still clearly being developed over the years.
The 2002 TCU was good, the 2003 TCU soft, the 2004 onwards progressively got better culminating in the GS and manuals were unavailable.
For me, coming from motorbikes, I like the quick flick of a sequential box and still 'knock it down two' to accelerate rapidly, I'm just using my left hand rather than my left foot.
I have much respect for those with a manual 4200 or even 3200 as I've not had the chance to experience driving one yet...
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

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Gazcw said:
Nope I don't give a *. But suggesting it was a general opinion of the forum when a good number of newer members have never owned <4200 and would have no comment to make about how * manuals are is a broad accusation.
Note the reason I did not have a 4200 was I could not locate a decent manual at the time not because they were worse or better than cc. I just wanted a manual for my sporty gt.
And anyway. We all know 4200 are better than those 3200 wrecks. :p

And when has Barry ever had a big wallet!
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I don't sling mud for the sake of it

Ramp in post #5 hit the nail on the head. They have read the odd recent post here and there along with some legacy comments about manuals that has made their mind up that manuals are bad/overrated and they don't understand why... Think about it, this is a public forum which is frequented by a lot more people than just the usual suspects on the posters leaderboard.

Since I like a balanced debate the reasons someone might talk down a manual are as follows:

  1. Poorly maintained examples are horrible to drive just like Cambiocorsa's. My car is an excellent example as it was a neglected thrashed car at only 52k miles and I have majorly overhauled it. My wife had not driven it for a few years and recently used it as a daily while the other car was being serviced. She used to say it's what she thought an old Lamborghini would feel like to drive, heavy clutch and a vague notchy gearbox... Now everything connected to the clutch and gear shifter has been renewed she described it as easy to drive as her VW Scirocco R. The clutch was heavy as the original thrust bearing was stiff in operation and the shifter mechanism which dangles exposed underneath the car was not serviced in 15 years... Forget the busted torque tube and gearbox input shaft bearings from some idiot ex owner likely doing burnouts in it. CC cars are vulnerable to set up issues and similar problems with the TB that makes them jerky and horrible to drive when neglected.
  2. You don't like or can't drive a 3 pedal car, it's personal preference
  3. As Safrane suggested someone could have commercial motivations to sway someone against a manual and into a CC that they or their friend happen to have for sale
In conclusion an individual could stumble accross posts made as a result of the above 3 points (and others I have missed) as a result think the manual 4200 is over hyped youtoob trash because of these expert opinions on SportsMaserati but it's all rather contrived surely?

I thought an owners perspective would be useful to help provide a more in depth accurate understanding on the manual 4200 and why it is awesome... I hope that is less harsh now.
 
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