Newbie help needed

[Nrick]

Hi

I have made up my mind to enter the Maserati world after years of stalking. I have a TVR Tuscan for fun and until a 7 car smash on the M6 a few days ago a 5 series BMW E60. I used to drive 50k a year, but now don't. I am a good engineer and capable of having a go at most things.

I always liked the 3200, and there are some great examples around leaving plenty of cash for the repairs/up keep.
I love the 4200 and a good 2005 looks to be a bargain, I would rather a semi auto over a manual.
I absolutely love the GS (less so the technical cloth), but again there are some good cars around (Silver at ADG and Red), they would push my financial limit. There is a black car with 17k on that is just outside my budget, but I would give a kidney for it.

What should I do? Is the GS a better car than the 4200, what are the differences. Should I discount a 3200? I am more confused now than when I first started.

Help?

N

 

[RSM Masser]

Get a bank loan and buy them all
better still rob a bank save the interest (and the kidney)

Seriously though thats quite a choice and a variety of budgets, I am no expert but I love my 3200, its the boomerang lights that does it for me
There are plenty of experts on the forum whose knowledgeis second to none they will all say whatever the car get an inspection - I must admit I did not and seem to have got a reasonable buy with few problems other than the usual Maserati niggles although I should have spotted the hole in the radiator a £350 fix!

Good luck and happy hunting

 

[ZAM400209]

Hey Nrick-

I think the consensus is that the 4200 has less issues than the 3200 and also has the benefit of being naturally aspirated rather than enduring the stresses of a forced induction engine.

I've had it said to me a couple of times now that the GS is the one to go for...

good luck!

JimP

 

[YHTM]

Having just swapped a 4200 for a GS - I say GS all the way - definitely a step up all round - even with Tech Cloth!

 

[conaero]

GS is the one to go for. The 32 is a very charismatic car but £3-5k bills are common. A decent 32 will be £12k add a couple of heavy bills and your into GS territory. My GS was bomb proof just needing a clutch.

The drives are quite different go test them all and go for the one you feel most suited too.

 

[Parisien]

A late facelifted 4200 might be a good compromise if you can't quite stretch to a GS of your liking..........but........and its a big




BUT




Be sure to get an indie inspection done of any car you are near to buying.......£200 or so can save you £2/3/4K to start with!


Let us know how you get on and good luck with your search.


P

 

[Emtee]

Hi Nrick and welcome to the forum.

The 3200's, being the first of the new breed, are the longest of tooth. This is good from a price point of view, and arguably there'll be little further depreciation. There are some known issues, but again age (and the right example) may be on your side, as the issues may well have been addressed. These issues are well known on the forum so all you need to do is ask. The stunning looks of the 3200 are widely acknowledged. Parts are largely still available, but you may find more are 'order' items, rather than available off the shelf. AC's are like hens teeth, but if you can find one they carry a lot of kudos and will possibly appreciate over time. Being the turbo, it's the most 'entertaining' to drive compared to the 4200 and GS in stock form.

The 4200 is acknowledged to be generally sorted, with few engineering flaws. Where you loose the boomerangs, you gain the 4.2 engine, and the later facelift examples carry some, but not all of the GS setup. Less of an animal than the 3200, but in either manual or CC configuration (and some choice upgrades if you want to go down this route) and you'll have a smile inducing motor car. Prices seem to have stabilized a little over the past few months, but there's plenty of choice. The 4200 suffers from 'middle child' syndrome. It doesn't have the charisma of the 3200, nor the final resolution of the GS, and this is reflected in the values. (much like the GT / GT S comparisons of late)

The GS, from an engineering point of view, is the final incarnation and takes the 4200 Grand Tourer, ditches a bit of the 'tourer' characteristics and replaces them with 'Sport' characteristics. Some different geometry and suspension components, different mapping and a valved exhaust system, along with numerous body and interior style changes. As has been said above, the GS is the one to go for if price isn't an issue, but in spite of the prices softening a little of late, good examples are still at a premium. Tech cloth isn't as bad as it sounds, so it's worth seeing one in the flesh for yourself.

Servicing networks, both main dealer and indi' are well established and pricing is reasonable, particularly if you can find a MD that will price match.

If, as you say, you've been stalking these cars for a while, you'll know the basics and so my advice would be to view and drive all three. If you come to one of our meets you'll see all three incarnations together and there'll be further advice on hand.

Happy hunting and I'll hope to see you behind the wheel of a Trident in the not too distant future.

Cheers, Em.

 

[dem maser]

Welcome, i dont think i can add any more as to what emtee has said.....very good advice there & the model break-up is spot on
I drive a 3200 AC & love it, yes ive had niggles but when sorted there is no other car for me, the 4200 & GS are more reliable but you loose the lights, so go drive them all see how you feel.....

 

[bigbob]

Warning lights or rear lights?

 

[DaveT]

Warning lights or rear lights?

Both I think BB

 

[conaero]

Brilliant write up Miles, nail on the head mate.

Maseratis are like girls, you want to love them all, but ultimately you have to settle for one:

3200 - Italian mistress, great in the sack, rob you of every penny you have and end up running off with your best mate
4200 - The girl next door, she'll keep you entertained and her eyes wont wander.
GS - Hot Chick, but she wont cheat you, she has a great body but likes to show it off.

 

[Parisien]

....who said chauvinism was dead........Matt?!






Not far wrong mind you.........but you could always try a menage a trois first.....


P

 

[conaero]

Indeed Frank, apologies to Andrea and Tess, feeling a bit red blooded this afternoon, think it was all the octane I took in at Le Mans at the weekend!

 

[Parisien]

...am sure they didn't mind.......not including our other female member in that list............

Hoping Madame Conaero will be taking advantage of you when you get off.....


P

 

[dem maser]

Warning lights or rear lights?

Hahahaha yes yes i know......

 

[conaero]

Hoping Madame Conaero will be taking advantage of you when you get off.....

No doubt she will, the old minx...she doesn't need much encouragement these days, all my mates are jealous they all say as they get older they want it more and there wives want it less, must be something in the water down here in Chichester!

 

[dem maser]

ill be coming to live in chichester......in a separate house matt dont worry...........

 

[Parisien]

No doubt she will, the old minx...she doesn't need much encouragement these days, all my mates are jealous they all say as they get older they want it more and there wives want it less, must be something in the water down here in Chichester!

...unless of course Matt....shes .....self-prescribing................................................or is it called fluorine?!....


P

 

[k99]

Following on from Matt's comparison of the 3200 4200 & GS to women I'm going to start a thread called "if your car was a popstar?" - possibly a bit sexist but hey a Maserati has to be a woman.

 

[Andyk]

Big welcome to the forum nrick.....gs is the way to go....although as mentioned by frank a late 2005 4200 is a gs with a 4200 interior.