New boy on the block

[Trev Latter]

Hi, Trev here.

Not bought yet, but will soon be looking to join the clan. I seem to have an attraction for slightly obscure Italian cars and bikes. One of our daily drivers is an Alfa 159 which we've had for just shy of 8 years and despite Alfa's reputation, has been one of the most reliable cars we've owned! It's also turned my wife into a petrol head . Bike wise I have a Moto Guzzi V11 Le mans as one of my rides. Shame I can't say the same about that for reliability, but I love it anyway.

I'm torn between a 3200 or a 4200. I know, you've heard it before, but those rear lights on the 3200 are soooo seductive. A 3200 pulled into the car park of the gym next door to work just before Christmas and now I'm hooked. Did I mention the rear lights? There have been a few 4200s for sale near(ish) to me recently, but every time I try to get to view one it gets sold before I get there, so haven't managed to get a proper look and drive in one yet. Much the same goes for the 3200s, but there seem to be fewer nice ones about. I am quite taken by the red one at Richard Grace cars, so if anyone has any knowledge of it, I'd be grateful. It's a bit of a trek for me as I'm over near Lowestoft, but I will travel for the right car.

 

[conaero]

3200's are great cars, why not start there and work your way through the range.

I am on Maserati number 5,

1. Maserati 3200GT
2. Maserati GranSport
3. Maserati GranTurismo S MC Shift
4. Maserati Spyder
5. Maserati GranSport

Having tried all the range extensively, they are all great but you can probably work out that the GranSport is my favourite.

The 3200 was a milestone for me because it was my first Maserati and the looks I got, the power...being forced back into the seat, amazing, but, ultimately, it robbed me of every penny I had. Clutch collapsed, front shocks, front wishbones, suspension actuators, braking issues, engine rebuild, the list just went on and on but I did love it and would never put anyone off owning one, you could say it was the car that got Maserati back on track and also, arguably, the last proper Maserati built.

The Spyder was bags of fun, I do miss that car. The only thing I did not like was the scuttle shake, it was terrible, but later models are better apparantly. It was a great car to hack around it, really responsive, really quick and the 2002 CC gearbox was better than the rest as it was softened probably due to Mr Clarkson's review of it.

GTS, well, what a car. Totally different, both in drive, feel and price. Had it for a year, one of the all time best production stock exhaust systems. Massive presence but it is not a drivers car, it lacks feel that the GranSport does and hence why I find myself back in a GS and here to stay.

GranSports really are that good!

 

[dickygrace]

Hi, Trev here.

Not bought yet, but will soon be looking to join the clan. I seem to have an attraction for slightly obscure Italian cars and bikes. One of our daily drivers is an Alfa 159 which we've had for just shy of 8 years and despite Alfa's reputation, has been one of the most reliable cars we've owned! It's also turned my wife into a petrol head . Bike wise I have a Moto Guzzi V11 Le mans as one of my rides. Shame I can't say the same about that for reliability, but I love it anyway.

I'm torn between a 3200 or a 4200. I know, you've heard it before, but those rear lights on the 3200 are soooo seductive. A 3200 pulled into the car park of the gym next door to work just before Christmas and now I'm hooked. Did I mention the rear lights? There have been a few 4200s for sale near(ish) to me recently, but every time I try to get to view one it gets sold before I get there, so haven't managed to get a proper look and drive in one yet. Much the same goes for the 3200s, but there seem to be fewer nice ones about. I am quite taken by the red one at Richard Grace cars, so if anyone has any knowledge of it, I'd be grateful. It's a bit of a trek for me as I'm over near Lowestoft, but I will travel for the right car.

I have a great deal of knowledge about it! Lovely car, exactly as I have described it.

 

[dickygrace]

Seriously, if you need to know anything don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Trev Latter]

@dickygrace - Many thanks. Your (excellent) reputation has preceded you and I'll be in touch shortly.

@Conaero - That's quite a list. I guess you're addicted.

Admittedly, it will only be a weekend plaything, but I do anticipate a few euro trips along the way.

 

[Andyk]

A big warm welcome to the forum...Dicky's red looks lovely...a good place to start....

 

[conaero]

@Conaero - That's quite a list. I guess you're addicted.

You could say that. If you go view a car, advertise it on here, I am sure one of our resident experts will be near you and offer to come look the car over with you.

My personal advise is to go for a well cared for private car that has had an independent inspection.

Or trade and still get the inspection.

 

[zagatoes30]

Welcome this is a really helpful Maser place

3200 or 4200 the old heart & head decision. I have been looking at 3200 for years and never brave enough to buy one.

Recently bought Conaeros old Spyder and all I can say is I wish I had done it earlier. The scuttle shake is bad but I have seen much worse and after a while you get used to it. The 4200 is a stinking car, well balanced, comfortable and fast. I also have a a QP IV which has the same 3.2 Twin Turbo V8 as the 3200 with a bot less power and it is a stunning engine, i.e. feels much quicker than the 4200 but that might be just that mid range rush as the turbos spin up.

Best advise, pay to get it checked out - even good ones may have little issues hiding below the surface, it will be the best £250 you will ever spend on a Maserati

 

[Trev Latter]

Thanks. That Alfa SZ is a sweet looking car.

 

[zagatoes30]

Thanks. That Alfa SZ is a sweet looking car.

Cheers, always been an Alfa fan and the SZ is my favourite although she does get a fair bit of abuse in my hands as I believe in using it and where better than on the track

 

[Contigo]

Welcome Trev, As a new 3200 owner I may be a bit biased but listen to the guys on here as they do know what they are talking about. Drive both cars back to back and see how they feel. The 3200 has its fair share of issues but then again most cars do!