Running a 3200 or a 4200 as a 2nd car in 2011?

[GhostyDog]

So chaps,

It's a question that gets asked a lot over the years but to be fair I could search the forums and come up with a thread thats a year or so old that would give me great information but wouldn't give me current information.

I've browsed around and noticed one or two issues with obsolesence and have to wonder what problems I might encounter if I went for a 3200 or a 4200.

I'm planning on doing no more than 6K a year in it as I often have access tomy other halfs company car because she is a home worker and recently has tended to fly to work rather than drive although there's no guarantee's that will remin the case.

Also, does anybody want to swap for a sported 147 GTA?



Sean

 

[Andyk]

Sean, I had a 3200 and loved it but the 4200 will be more reliable...Thats progress ..... If I had the choice now it would be the 4200. The 3200 engine was pretty reliable it was just all the bloody sensors they stuck in it that go wrong and these are not cheap to replace ... I had the knock and air sensor pack up and Dick Lovett changed under warrenty but the cost was £2400. I would imagine evrn today a 3200 will cost you more to run .... Sure others will have different opinions.

 

[GhostyDog]

Thanks Andy, I really do like the look of 3200s though, those rear lights are something else, I'm discovering that I have a serious problem with compromise

 

[Emtee]

Hi Sean,

It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Insurance is frightening, petrol is staggering, service costs are biting, and if it breaks down...... well let's not even go there....

Do it.

None of the above matters. Some things don't stack up but you do them anyway because they reward you in other ways....

Maserati's are one of those things.

Cheers, Miles.

 

[dem maser]

Same as miles post......
I use mine as a 2nd car i do 4k a year and spend loads on running it all because i get people telling me its a nice car......the smile when you drive.......
I got my 3200 as i love the rear so upto you but the 4200 is more reliable....

 

[Rex B]

I have a 3200 manual and I agree with Miles it makes no sense but you only live once and it makes me smile every time I drive it.

Mine has never let me down but at £48k I had to replace the Throttle Body, some sensors, starter motor, water pump and a bottom arm, all of which are 3200 age related problems.

Would seem from articles on forum that 4200 is more reliable but depreciation on good 3200 will be small so this may balance the scales.

If one has a£25k plus budget then the 4200 Grand Sport would seem to be the best bet and should hold price fairly well, if on a tighter budget then drive both and then get an independent inspection resport on any car you intend to purchase.

Rex B

Maserati 3200
Manual

 

[conaero]

Had a 3200 and a GS, ok the GS is a cut above the 4200 but basically they are the same car. The 32 is old school and mad as a box of frogs which gives it a lot of personality but it did rob me of about £3k a year, and was niggly, there was always something...you know?

The 4200 on the other hand was a dream, easier to drive and I loved the paddle shift box and in 2 years had a clutch, but it is subject to cost cutting. The interior on a 32 is all leather where as the 4200 has PVC on the dash and seats etc. You can't deny those rear lights on the 32 are to die for.

If I had my time again, I would still have had both, 32 first then a GS second.

 

[urbanmaser]

3200 or 4200??????? two different cars

I would agree 3200 has bags of character and completely bonkers whereas the 4200 does it without all the drama and more refinement.

The 3200 has the to die for tail lights whereas the 4200 is lumbered with the very ordinary Honda tail lights.

If I was buying with my heart it would be the 3200 every time but in the real world the 4200 is easier to live with and you would probably have more security of reliability.

 

[Andyk]

Thanks Andy, I really do like the look of 3200s though, those rear lights are something else, I'm discovering that I have a serious problem with compromise

I'm with you one the lights Sean they drag you in and just looks so much better than the 4200 ...... Te other thing is you will get a 3200 for a lot less than a 4200 and the money saved could go towards first year of owner ship .... Most say bank on 3k a year as per Matts experience ..... And it you look at mine....2400 for the knock sensors and 1200 for a service backs up Matts ownership .... Mind you service can be cheaper these days and someone like Roberts Aerospace is brilliant but very reasonable.

I think you need to drive both to decide as they are totally different cars .... The 3200 will feel old compared to th 4200 but as most have said it is a car you have to learn to drive fast.....What every you decide I'm sure you will have fun in both...

The one pice of advise that everyone will gove you and must be a given is get an indipendant inspection done on the car no matter who you buy it off as £250 paid out now could save you £2500 later.

 

[philw696]

My 4200cc is my first Maserati and have done over 7k in her since August last year using her as a daily driver apart from the snow last December and she lives in the open.
The biggest bill for me was at the weekend with DMS but worth it to have nearly 460 ponys at the flywheel and nearly 380 at the wheels.
Just got to try and get the mpg back above 13.4.
Phil.

 

[dickygrace]

Ghosty, there's a good 3200 on ebay at £8k at the moment. Only done 46000 miles, 2 owners FMSH. Think the seller's on here. At sub £10k 3200 are good value IMHO, anything above £12k you need to be looking at a 4200 unless you're not fussed with reliabiility.

 

[GhostyDog]

Cheers for all the input, I've started looking around, theres a 3200 in Sheffield and a 4200 in Barnsley so first step is to have a sit in them and a drive to see if my back can handle it, drove to work in the GTA this morning and my behind was numb by the time I got here

My right knee's started playing up now as well, I feel like I'm falling to pieces

 

[bigbob]

Had a 3200 from 2001 to 2003 and it drove me mad with little things. That said mine was an early car (1999) and they did improve with time.

Had my 4200 now for a couple of years and it is a big improvement. These cars will never be cheap to own but there are no turbos and timing belts on the 4200 to fail/replace.

My car is going sometime in the next few months when my GranTurismo arrives. If you fancy a red with black manual 4200, 2005 facelift, 44k miles then drop me a PM.

 

[Andyk]

BB, like the sound of your 4200 ...Do love red....

 

[GransportFan1]

Red on a Maserati looks great.

 

[DaveT]

Red on a Maserati looks great.

 

[GransportFan1]

I thought you would like that comment Dave, to be fair though, Red seems to suit Italian cars in general, Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo's.

 

[DaveT]

Yes indeed.

Almost the same car as Bigbob mine is 4200 GT manual, 2005 facelift in Red.

I thought they were rare!!

 

[DaveT]

Cheers for all the input, I've started looking around, theres a 3200 in Sheffield and a 4200 in Barnsley so first step is to have a sit in them and a drive to see if my back can handle it
Sean

That 3200 in Sheffield is that the one at the foot of Bramhall Lane?

Saw it a few weeks ago when I was up there but didn't get too close a look. Up for about £11,500 IIRC?
Didn't look the most upmarket of establishments selling it but you never know!

PS if you are looking for a car at that money then I'd definitely look a Spike's car.
Well known car on the forum.

 

[GransportFan1]

Yes indeed.

Almost the same car as Bigbob mine is 4200 GT manual, 2005 facelift in Red.

I thought they were rare!!

Not rare enough, mind you Dave, Masers are not rare in Loughborough are they?