Understanding 4200 & looking

[RoaryRati]

Interesting to see the 3200, 4200 Classico & 4200 Facelifts together. Not really dramatic differences.

View attachment 67538
View attachment 67539
View attachment 67540

- it's a case of 'spot the difference'

 

[Nibby]

- it's a case of 'spot the difference'

Price of the grilles,lol

 

[safrane]

If the difference in driving style does not clinch it for you consider two other things.
Will you rely on the car as your primary form of transport? Yes? 4200.

Are you prepared to spend many a weekend sorting out little annoying faults? Yes? 3200.

 

[philw696]

If the difference in driving style does not clinch it for you consider two other things.
Will you rely on the car as your primary form of transport? Yes? 4200.

Are you prepared to spend many a weekend sorting out little annoying faults? Yes? 3200.

Absolutely spot on Peter.
My first MY 02 4200 4 years pretty well daily driver and not garaged in the UK.
My second MY 04 bought as a project with a failed water/oil pump unit repaired on my driveway in Somerset and shipped to New Zealand for 4 years and used a lot one broken wire to the Alternator meaning a ride on a tow truck and again lived outside.
Great Cars for the money performance and probably the best car for long distance touring.

 

[TimR]

8 years ago I was in the same situation.
Speaking to independent specialists the answer was the 4200.
Today you only have to research the engine parts availability, or non availability of certain 3200 engine parts that have put cars off the road.

I came from a similar place, having no experience of either..
Chatting with McGrath's, a well known indy here in the UK, and the two cars were more easily differentiated as ownership propositions...
Not wanting to read too much into the comments but put simply...'we recommend a 4200' was pretty much the conclusion..
LookIng at the pics of all three that rockits posted, I can see the perspectives on the three images varies slightly. That said, the facelift has the edge for me. Cant believe Ive never seen how very pointy the 3200 is. Or how well the slight squaring off of the front end via facelift works.

Does anyone know who penned the aesthetic updates..? Was it Frank Stephenson ?

Ive previously only conceded that the guy has carved a niche as the ultimate 'copycat'..I hadnt understood the scope of his work with Maserati until recently. Whilst clearly very good at the 'reworking' thing- I do believe the 3200 through 4200 to facelift is impressive. Putting the boomerang lights aside, it is a better looking car than the 3200..Can't believe I just said that...(soz Giugiaro, I know not what I say !)
Its okay though...they fooked it up again when they penned the GS updates....!! lol

 

[TimR]

If the difference in driving style does not clinch it for you consider two other things.
Will you rely on the car as your primary form of transport? Yes? 4200.

Are you prepared to spend many a weekend sorting out little annoying faults? Yes? 3200.

Yeah..I can't believe the cars are really even that similar to drive...
4.2L N/A vs 3.2L with a whack of twin turbos...Chalk and something resemb;ling cheese Id say !
Drive them. Its what they are made for ultimately....

 

[safrane]

Original drawing of the coupe. The then head of Fiat had a thing for striking rear ends hence dropping the 456 style rear end.

 

[rockits]

I concur. I spent a long time thinking then decided a facelift 4200 was the way forward for several reasons.

It was rare enough to be well....rare but I'm enough quantity there was a reasonable amount of choice.

It was possibly the first decent built Maserati with no real major inherent design or engineering flaws. Much of the car including engine/gearbox is strong and reliable.

They look decent enough inside and out. Not too shouty but an elegant understated look.

They sound great and the F136 is one of the top sounding engine's ever. Granted stock they are a bit quiet and need an exhaust tweak or two but the raw ingredients are there that some will never have or get close to.

They are not ruinous to service or maintain in the main. Especially of you are a little handy with a spanner.

They drive really well and are a great GT. They are not a sports car and weren't designed that way.

I think the CC box suits the car well and is another characteristic some say is a flaw but I think is another thing that adds even more character to the car. You need to learn and work with the car. It is no German teutonic thing.

They are a fantastically packages car. Decent back seats, decent boot and front passenger space.. well proportioned and not to big. You can get kids of any age in the back and also adults. You can get two sets of golf clubs in the boot if required.

I genuinely cannot think of many other options that do all of what the 4200 does and offers. It is a master of being a jack of all trades and master of none. It does make sense I think!

I just wished I could drive and enjoy mine more.

 

[DaveT]

Buy a good 3200 and be done

Yes, but tough to find one these days.