prospective 4200/GS owner

[miura]

Hi All,

I am in my early thirties, French (nobody is perfect), I have lived in the UK for 10 years. In that time I have enjoyed my beloved Caterham as much as possible but have now sold it because of lack of use (living in London, you need to drive 40mn minimum to get to remotely interesting roads) and Impending fatherhood

As life without toys is too hard to contemplate, I am now looking at interesting 2+2s and Maserati 4200/GS are really top of the list.
I admire the company, its heritage and in that universe of blandness (and yes anything frm Audi or BMW fit in that category) modern Maserati do still stand out (more than Aston Martins in my opinion)


I want to buy with my eyes wide open so will be doing my research thoroughly with (a lot of) help from you guys
I hope to meet some of you at your Autumn meet in Rickmansworth

 

[Parisien]

Bienvenue Miura,

You've come to the right forum....

Make sure you're sitting comfortably, join in the conversation...ask lots of questions and let us extend the old entente cordiale to you and your desires.

A great car, a great marque, a great time to buy one......

First and foremost an independent specialist inspection is a must.



P

 

[ENZ525]

Hi Miura and welcome to the forum,
Regards,
Enzo.

 

[2b1ask1]

Hi Miura and welcome, hope you can make the meeting.

I would say there is a world of difference, nay even a gulf of difference between a Caterham and a modern era Maserati; but if you have put up with the highs and lows of a Caterham for a long time I would think you will find Maserati ownership a walk in the park, albeit a posh park! Most startlling to you will be the apparent heavyness of everything about it, although this will pass as you are cosseted and lulled into the temptresses embrace.... Just remember that Maseratis are true Italian mistresses with expensive tastes and they can be crewl and bite if you are not giving them 100% of your attention when you are driving them! But all of this is as nothing to the fixed smile ownership guarentees!!!

 

[Andyk]

Hi Miura and welcome to THE forum......Good choice of car.....You should get loads of info off here to make you purchase a joy.....Keep us up to date...

 

[Pibbow]

Welcome aboard mate.

 

[conaero]

Hi Miura,

I myself have a young family and the GS is the perfect blend of short distance family car and out and out sports car. When I say occasional family car I only say this due to the boot being on the small side, the rear seating is very usable. You wont get a suitcase in there, but you will be surprised how many squishy bags you can get in there.

The GS is bullet proof if you buy the right car and get an independent inspection done. I would shy away from general car dealer forecourts as these cars are generally tarted up for sale. Your best to buy from an enthusiast/private or a main or specialist dealer but you will pay more.

If the GS and the 4200 are well maintained then they are ultra reliable. The clutch is only the real pricey item, but you can get them done for around a grand now. They only last 12-30k miles depending upon how they have been treated. Slow lazy changes, reversing up hills and using the auto mode kill the clutch, and surprisingly the more aggressive you drive it, the longer they last (within reason) as the more revs you use, the quicker the clutch slams shut, and hence not slipping / wear occurs.

You obviously have to check all the usual things, brakes, tyres, suspension etc and try and get one with an aftermarket exhaust on, its well worth it and will save you money in the long run.

Any question, or advice on a particular car you have seen do ask.

 

[miura]

Thank you all for the friendly welcome

I would say there is a world of difference, nay even a gulf of difference between a Caterham and a modern era Maserati; but if you have put up with the highs and lows of a Caterham for a long time I would think you will find Maserati ownership a walk in the park, albeit a posh park! Most startlling to you will be the apparent heavyness of everything about it, although this will pass as you are cosseted and lulled into the temptresses embrace....

I don't see the Maserati as a direct replacement for the Caterham. I enjoyed the 7 at the most when I was single and had a lot of spare time to tinker with it. Now with GF, work life and baby, the Maserati would offer a different experience : sense of occasion when visiting family on the continent, going to nice restaurants in the countryside and to be honnest just the pleasure of owning something beautiful and special. This would be my first italian car as well, what a way to start

 

[lozcb]

Thank you all for the friendly welcome



I don't see the Maserati as a direct replacement for the Caterham. I enjoyed the 7 at the most when I was single and had a lot of spare time to tinker with it. Now with GF, work life and baby, the Maserati would offer a different experience : sense of occasion when visiting family on the continent, going to nice restaurants in the countryside and to be honnest just the pleasure of owning something beautiful and special. This would be my first italian car as well, what a way to start

Maserati will more than fufil thase criteria , added bonus is the Kudos , even the oiks and hoodies give you the thumbs up , instead of keying it at every oppurtunty , not as in your face as owning a ferrari , more of a gentlemans racer................... ark at me , it does like some stick tho , but you'll have to treat her respectfully round the corners in the wet ,



regards loz

 

[philw696]

Muira,
Defineately a gentlemans racer and a proper Grand Tourer have had my 4200cc for nearly a year and it has all been positive from everyone i meet and such good value for money and as everyone on here keeps saying smiles for miles.
Phil.

 

[Emtee]

Hi Miura and welcome to the forum. Hope you find a Maserati with your name on it.

 

[Easyplan66]

welcome Miura, had my car for just over a year, best car I have ever owned, get yourself one and you won't regret it......go on you know you want to.......

 

[miura]

Well, I can't believe I have written my introduction post almost a year ago.
My little one is now 10 months old and with a couple of big family gathering planned in the next year both in France and Sardinia, I think it is now time I acquire suitable means of cross continetal transportation (in the interest of the family you see )

I took my first modest step today by visiting a well known specilaist who showed me a 4200 and a GS (no test drive, both cars spoken for). I have to say the GS made the strongest impression ,with i would say a greater sense of occasion (and i did not even drive one)

So if you are considering selling your 4200 or GS, please get in touch. With my budget, I am realistically looking at early GS but most 4200 are in range. Ideally after a blue car but am open minded at this stage

 

[2b1ask1]

Welcome back Miura; congrats on the littlun and sure you will find plenty of help on here and possibly even your perfect car...

 

[Emtee]

Nice to hear from you Miura and good to hear that things are moving in the right direction towards Maserati ownership. My advice for what it's worth......From your preferences either a face lift 4200 or GS are the way to go with the facelift 4200 offering better entry price points. Mechanically there's not much between them, though I do agree with you on the looks of the GS. All the best in your search.

 

[Andyk]

Hi miura, good to hear from you again.....Miles has a good point on the face lift 4200.....these have the Gransport front end and rear apart from lip spoiler...some had this as Ann option added......these late face lift 4200 have most of the GS upgrades as well....only real difference is that they don't have the side skirts, GS wheels and the interior....Worth a look.