QP V DS (2006ish) vs 4200 CC (2004ish - late prefacelift or early fl)

granturismo

Junior Member
Messages
192
As I am looking to get back into Maser ownership and looking for something (admittedly) cheaper to buy I am considering either 4200 cc or QPV DS.

Looking for a view from people who owned both and can share the their thoughts on the two cars and how the experience compares.

4200cc I am thinking MY2004 at least so it has revised cc software and doesnt have antenna. Facelift would be nice but I would rather get better prefacelift then dog facelift.

QPV I am thinking DS rather than Auto as I owned Auto Granturismo S and looking for that more raw experience. Sport GT trim preferably rather than Executive GT.

I am comfortable with running costs and clutch change costs for both so thats not a factor.

QPV would be newer car, newer platform, better spec possibly and more practical (2 kids but not a main family car).

I am concerned about QP feeling heavier compared to 4200... owned BMW m235i until recently and it was brilliant to be back in a smaller, nimble car.

What about standard exhaust note? Does one sound different from the other?

Which one is better ownership prospect long term as I am not looking to change for a while (lost too much money selling cars too soon after buying them)...
 

doodlebug

Member
Messages
913
On the 4200, the antenna was not fitted on a few of 2003 models. It was also fitted on a few 2004 models. Mine doesn't have one and it is a February 2003 car. Like all things Maserati, I think they built them using whatever parts happened to be in the parts bin that day.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
I can't comment on the QP but have owned both a revised MY 2004 CC and a face lift CC.

The former was much more 'raw' with the latter more rounded/smoother to drive.

The older car looked more pure and never let me down in 5 years.

In the 4200 you do get far more engine noise than the QPs I have been in, but their ride can be more choppy due ro size and damper rates.

Good luck.
 

Phil H

Member
Messages
4,107
Our 4200 was an ’04 pre-facelift and the QP an ’07.

It’s horses for courses really; if you want to hustle along B-roads and like playing, the Coupé is great fun but beware of potholes which will rattle your teeth. If you fancy a more relaxing drive with the ability for spirited progress when required the QP is a good choice (although mine is a full auto with paddles rather than DS). A compromise might be the GT-Sport you mentioned if you can find a good one within budget, and for practicality the QP will obviously be easier to live with as a family car.

As for noise, well they both sound good but I’m really too old and decrepit to care about such things. You can tweak or change the exhausts on both models if that’s your bag - Ebenezer on here has a rather raucous QP V to frighten little old ladies.

Beware of any QP with 18” rims as tyres are nigh on impossible to get in that size. Alternatives are 19” (which I’m happy with), and 20”.

As ever, the advice is to buy the best you can and get a ppi done, and in your case drive both models; good though the Coupé is, I suspect that a QP V of the right spec would do you and the family quite nicely.

PH
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
Never owned but driven both lots....For me QP every day. Just as much fun as a 4200.... More comfortable and to my eyes better looking.....I have also driven both on track and I had more fun weirdly in the QP....Think it's that split personality of the QP.....But drive both and then decide.
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
Go for a QP Sport GT. Better car in virtually every way. Unless your garage is small, in which case, go for the 4200.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
I think the 4200 maybe of better quality and reliability than a QPV, now they are getting older more so, and due to the usability of the QP possibility all year including winter, watch for under body rust! There has been some well documented serious chassis rust issues.
Was speaking to Arfa on here on the Sunday run, and the costs to run his QPV DS have been eye watering. He has just had to pay £2K for a new headlight, not because it was broken glass, but because the wiring had corroded behind and a new complete replacement from Maserati was the only option.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
2k....WOW.....That's taking the rise......Maserati have always taken the **** out of customers where parts are concerned....
 

Mattp

Member
Messages
501
I love my QPv Duo Select...

I am surprised how agile it is for 2 tonnes and 5m of car! Is not small, by any stretch of the imagination, but it is easy to forget the sheer size!

This is what mine sounds like on a cold, cold winter morning...

 

Mattp

Member
Messages
501
That QP looks nice... I have black seats with red piping other than that, same colour & spec as mine by the looks of things and a very good price! I was hoping to get £13 for mine with 60% clutch wear
 

granturismo

Junior Member
Messages
192
So a bit of an update... i have test driven 4200cc and qpv sport gt back to back and Quattroporte felt a lot better. Both were decent examples so I dont think any other 4200 would be any different. QPV next class up easily. Beside that for some reason couldnt get a comfortable driving position in 4200. Just felt really crammed and especially found it odd that I couldnt get comfortable position for my left foot. Foot rest was way too small.... QP felt more like granturismo I had although seat was a bit higher.... dynamically I dont think there was much in there, 4200 felt sportier as you sit lower down and suspension was a lot stiffer.... I think I made up my mind that due to dimensions inside and the fact its is and feels generation older car 4200 is not for me... so QPV it is... that bordeaux one looks nice... blue would be my first choice although never had red car....
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
The 4200 and QP are indeed very different but are meant to be very different cars for very different needs or owners.

They are the same generation though and I wouldn't say either feels any older or newer. They both came out 2002/2003 with pretty much same engine and gearbox so quite similar in that respect. Just that 4200 and GS were ceased 2007 when GT arrived. Then QP was revised slightly in 2007 with intro of ZF Auto then facelifted in 2008.

I think either 4200 or QP are both great VFM. The 4200 is harder and much sharper and a quicker than a QP. The QP rides better and better all round daily car. Depends what you want it for I guess.

Either way neither is a bad choice.
 

granturismo

Junior Member
Messages
192
Surprised no one commenting on my observations re size inside.... I am 6'3 so quite tall and couldn't quite get right position in the drivers seat... steering wheel wouldnt come out or go high enough for me to hold legs comfortably...
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,557
I'm 6'4" and was fine, although getting in was described by (unreliable) observers, as 'origami'.....

C
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
The coupe will feel older as its based on the 3200, designed back in the mid 90s.

The QP was some 10 years later allbeit with the 4.2 engine.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
So a bit of an update... i have test driven 4200cc and qpv sport gt back to back and Quattroporte felt a lot better. Both were decent examples so I dont think any other 4200 would be any different. QPV next class up easily. Beside that for some reason couldnt get a comfortable driving position in 4200. Just felt really crammed and especially found it odd that I couldnt get comfortable position for my left foot. Foot rest was way too small.... QP felt more like granturismo I had although seat was a bit higher.... dynamically I dont think there was much in there, 4200 felt sportier as you sit lower down and suspension was a lot stiffer.... I think I made up my mind that due to dimensions inside and the fact its is and feels generation older car 4200 is not for me... so QPV it is... that bordeaux one looks nice... blue would be my first choice although never had red car....


New you would come that conclusion after driving. I think the QP was a new platform where as the 4200 was based on the 3200 so much older. I have found exactly the same as you when driving both.......and yes the Bordeaux one is worth a look and inspection. The colour looks stunning in the flesh and sunlight and from the other thread it sounds like it could be buy of the year if an inspection checks out. Have fun finding the right car.