So... I want a Maserati...

[Contigo]

It's interesting I was talking to a Swedish car nut about UK car prices and when I told him about the price I paid for my 3200 as we settled down to watch WD's episode he said yeah one of the reasons cars like this are so cheap in your country is because people run them on a shoestring and simply don't look after them properly and then the owners panic sell them for a ridiculously low amount. I think there is a certain amount of truth in that!

 

[zoros]

It's interesting I was talking to a Swedish car nut about UK car prices and when I told him about the price I paid for my 3200 as we settled down to watch WD's episode he said yeah one of the reasons cars like this are so cheap in your country is because people run them on a shoestring and simply don't look after them properly and then the owners panic sell them for a ridiculously low amount. I think there is a certain amount of truth in that!

Mmmm, I don't know about that. Living in Sweden is horrendously expensive, Petrol, booze, tax. Everything is more expensive than it is here in the UK....for one. Secondly - up until the GranTurismo / QP came along - Maserati had a terrible reputation for reliability and this definitely included the 32/4200's. That is why they were rock bottom 2nd hand prices in the UK. First Tier owners of exoticars tend NOT to worry about the running costs of their cars - they pay whatever is asked of them to pay to keep them running. Money is no object. So I can't see "shoestrings" coming into it until after the depreciation factor has kicked in anyway. It's 2nd and definitely 3rd tier owners one needs to be aware of.

 

[highlander]

I have only had bother once, and that was when some **** in a Subaru followed me all round town so he could floor it and shoot past, seemed to get most irate when I wouldn't rise to the bait. He did it about six times, even waiting for me to come out of the petrol station!

what? there is a petrol station in forfar?

 

[Contigo]

I'm not talking new cars, I'm talking older 2nd 3rd hand cars... Sweden is expensive but so is the rest of Scandinavia. I still think he's right there are some real dogs out there and once into the hands of those who can afford to buy them but can't afford to run them that's when the cars turn into dogs...

 

[bigbob]

what? there is a petrol station in forfar?

A nice Shell. I have been in it before.

 

[allandwf]

what? there is a petrol station in forfar?

Hahaha! I was in Dundee! I know ... my own fault.

 

[allandwf]

A nice Shell. I have been in it before.

My "local".

 

[mgreenaw]

It was seeing a Ghibli at an Ace meet which first got me into Maserati ownership. I agree with you that it has a "presence" about it. However, after some investigation, I went all sensible and bought a 4200. Y'see, I don't like the boomerang rear lights of the 32. There, I've said it.

The Ghibli didn't have Boomerang lights either...

Haven't seen you at the Ace in ages ...

 

[mgreenaw]

Back on topic - you have to buy on condition and history. I originally wanted a manual, but in the year or so leading up to buying mine, I ended up only seeing one manual on the market and it was very tired. The one I bought was excellent and well cared for, and as a result I kept it 6 1/2 years instead of only a 6 month fling, which was what it was supposed to be.

Your £1.5 - 2k budget would be fine for a sorted Ghibli, I can't comment on the 3200.

 

[Kessler]

Gents - thanks once again for the responses.

I'll drop you a PM at some point Ian, would be great to look over a car and see what they're actually like in person - I've never so much as sat in one or done anything of the like. Seems The Maserati Shed is a winner then, it's certainly a good thing to have a respected specialist close-by. If I decide to buy privately and find something reasonably near, I wonder if I can get him to look over the car before I buy it.

I've been somewhat convincingly put off the idea of a Ghibli, I have to admit. I actually thought it might be the cheaper option of the two, but the lines of the 3200 just appeal to my taste that much more when the sums are directly comparable. Wonderful cars, but I just don't have 15-20k to spend on one.

You're quite correct Andy, the Boxster is a lovely everyday car - the whole package to me feels like it's been hewn from one piece of granite. I'd absolutely endorse them as a daily driver but I'm in a fortunate enough position to not have to drive every day, hence something with a little more flair is on my agenda. Also, try as I might, I just don't 'get' convertible motoring.

Going to Richard Grace seems to be a good idea, I note he has a 3200 up for 13k at the minute, though it's an Auto. I'm certainly not above the idea of waiting another 6 months or even year to build up the extra cash reserve to go to a full on specialist, so we may see on that one. The idea of a warranty very much appeals!

Interesting aside on mileage; is there a point where these cars just roll-over and die? Is 100k+ possible, heard of or...?

I have the look, height and complexion of a twelve year old; I feel this may well contribute towards the abuse in the Boxster. I frequently get verbal when driving around town with the roof off in city centres, and have been spat at a couple of times. I have to admit, the idea of getting away from that is massively attractive.

On this note, I'm 5"6 (laugh it up...) am I, err, going to have any trouble reaching the pedals or with the driving position as a whole?

 

[Parisien]

Size doesn't matter..................just depends on how big your balls are when piloting a Maserati at full chatter..............


P

 

[highlander]

have owned a porker and agree, some people take offence at the driver for some reason or other, have heard the same from my mate who has a Ferrari.........have to say in the near 2 month of owning a 3200 I have only ever seen smiles and waves from everyone coupled with lots of photos
if you have not tried the cars you fancy, then that needs to be your first order of business imo, nothing beats real life experience. as a side story to searching, I never originally considered either an auto or a 3200, I was intent on getting either a 4200 or a QP till I tried out marci.......love at first sight and drive for me, might not be for you but the thrill of those twin turbos, the vents and boomerangs.........cannot imagine myself in anything else now.

 

[Trev Latter]

I bought my 3200 earlier this year from Richard Grace. You won't go wrong with him at all. The whole buying experience was a pleasure and he's a great guy to deal with. The car's pretty ace too

I was fortunate enough (I think) to experience the "first" drive twice with my 3200. Obviously when I first got into it and then again as a passenger on the way back from the Auto Italia car day recently when I let my bestie Daniel have a drive. I think our reactions were pretty much the same.... and he was still grinning and talking about it on Thursday evening when we met up with some friends.

 

[Kessler]

Ok, well Richard Grace is definitely an option in six months or so then.

In other news, what about one of these?
I can't say I even knew they existed - has a hint of junior Ghibli to it. Anyone had any experience with them?

 

[dickygrace]

Love it, been considering having it myself but haven't had chance to view it.

 

[mjheathcote]

Ok, well Richard Grace is definitely an option in six months or so then.

In other news, what about one of these?
I can't say I even knew they existed - has a hint of junior Ghibli to it. Anyone had any experience with them?

Looks really nice, nicer lines than the ghibli that followed personally, the ghibli boot lid is all wrong in my eyes.

 

[Ewan]

The 222E is lovely, and rare. Definitely worth a look, and at less than £6k you'll have plenty of budget left for maintance over the coming years. Go and drive it and see what you think. But how much more cool can you get for that little money?

 

[Kessler]

I've mailed the seller, we'll see what he says.

 

[JonnyCJ]

I love them - I'd happily have one and oodles of cool factor !

 

[Kessler]

I swear the more I look at it, the more attractive it gets in my eyes.

Kinda bummed out at the fact it's unlikely I'll be able to get my Boxster sold in time to pick this one up. Does anyone know how often these come up for sale?