thinking of buying a 3200
Discussion
I'm just starting to think about buying a Maserati 3200GT (this is only a wild wacky idea at the moment). I currently have a Chimaera 450 which I'm keeping and a Volvo T5 (also keeping) and a Focus (with the vague idea of selling). We now have a 2 year old little boy and another due in a few months and my wife really misses going out in the TVR (great wife!)as we used to a few years ago (I bought it new in 1999 and it's been the best car I've owned).
Question is, how does the 3200 stack up as a 'family' car - i.e. with two car seats in the back and some mclaren buggies in the boot. Can you even do it?? Are they good to drive in the same vein as a TVR. It appeals more than a cerbie for the safety angle (ABS, airbags etc) when you've got a family on board. My son loves going in the Chimaera to nursery (!) but my wife is fed up as it is only ever the boys who get to go out in it - she always gets left behind.... We will still have the Volvo for the serious pratical stuff.
Any advice please - and please be gentle - I normally lurk in the Chimaera group!
Question is, how does the 3200 stack up as a 'family' car - i.e. with two car seats in the back and some mclaren buggies in the boot. Can you even do it?? Are they good to drive in the same vein as a TVR. It appeals more than a cerbie for the safety angle (ABS, airbags etc) when you've got a family on board. My son loves going in the Chimaera to nursery (!) but my wife is fed up as it is only ever the boys who get to go out in it - she always gets left behind.... We will still have the Volvo for the serious pratical stuff.
Any advice please - and please be gentle - I normally lurk in the Chimaera group!
Stephen- there's very little doubt the Maser will cut it as a practical family motor. Carseats, buggies and all the usual kiddie crap fits no problem- it's a real 4 seater too. Boot is a bit small, but adequate. I had one for the weekend when they first came out and tested all this, though didn't buy one in the end, partly because there were a few things that bugged me, but mainly because the seat made the backs of my thighs ache after 30 mins. I suspect if you asked them, they would organise something similar on a used 3200GT; even if you don't buy the car you keep getting invited to have a car for a weekend (this time a 4200) or controlled hooning sessions somewhere in Hampshire 
but dangerous!
Whether or not it's a good car depends on who you ask. I have heard of a few problems with it, but the only person with one on this site, Alex Hancock, seems pretty damned happy with his. I see more of them around now, including a lovely black number today in Burford, and the attraction is still there. Loads of charisma. Best thing to do is to try one out, and if you like it, delve a little deeper into the ownership proposition. Even though it's pretty superficial, there's a buyers guide in the May 2003 issue of EVO. If you don't have it, drop me an email and I'll send it to you.
Kevin
but dangerous! Whether or not it's a good car depends on who you ask. I have heard of a few problems with it, but the only person with one on this site, Alex Hancock, seems pretty damned happy with his. I see more of them around now, including a lovely black number today in Burford, and the attraction is still there. Loads of charisma. Best thing to do is to try one out, and if you like it, delve a little deeper into the ownership proposition. Even though it's pretty superficial, there's a buyers guide in the May 2003 issue of EVO. If you don't have it, drop me an email and I'll send it to you.
Kevin
456mgt said:...I see more of them around now, including a lovely black number today in Burford...
I was in Burford today and saw the same car - very nice!
I took my mum out for a spin in the Porsche (first time she's been out in it properly) I think she quite enjoyed it, though I got the odd comment regarding the speed I was doing and that 'it is a 50 limit' etc
AJLintern said: I was in Burford today and saw the same car - very nice!
I took my mum out for a spin in the Porsche (first time she's been out in it properly) I think she quite enjoyed it, though I got the odd comment regarding the speed I was doing and that 'it is a 50 limit' etc
Sorry I missed you Andy- I was on the lookout for exotica too, so I'm pretty sure we must have gone by the time you were coming through. We were in the 911 and having great fun (OK then, just me) on largely empty roads. I had my speed limiter with me too, but she doesn't usually cut in until a long time after the rear wing's popped up....
Kev
shadowninja said: interesting thread (just finished reading the Evo article too).
Was wondering, IIRC the engine is a detuned ferrari V8? What would the 3200GT sound like with ... a sports exhaust fitted, then?
I believe that Alex is having/has had a Tubi put on his. Agree it would be most interesting to hear it!
I've had the Tubi for just over a week and I'm not too sure. It does sound great but I'm not sure it suits the car. I should be able to post a sound file tomorrow so you can all give an opinion (Manu/AJ no bribes).
As for the car - I'm very happy, read my posts for details.
Cheers
Alex
As for the car - I'm very happy, read my posts for details.
Cheers
Alex
Here's a URL to a recording of the Tubi fitted to my Maserati 3200 GTM
www.DaBoomSoftware.com/sounds/Maserati3200Tubi.wav
I think it sounds good but does it suit the car?
www.DaBoomSoftware.com/sounds/Maserati3200Tubi.wav
I think it sounds good but does it suit the car?
Hi Alex,
Sorry to hijack the thread but my questions along the same lines. . . I'm looking to get a 3200GT Y/02 reg for high 30's low 40'(£) get the warranty for the extra year, fixed price servicing etc. One killer part that's bugging me is fuel consumption - how much to fill the tank and how many miles from a tank? I'll be doing 12 to 15K a year (only going to keep it for two years). I'm coming from a 225 TT where I get around 260 to 280 miles from £44 of super.
Cheers
Dave
Sorry to hijack the thread but my questions along the same lines. . . I'm looking to get a 3200GT Y/02 reg for high 30's low 40'(£) get the warranty for the extra year, fixed price servicing etc. One killer part that's bugging me is fuel consumption - how much to fill the tank and how many miles from a tank? I'll be doing 12 to 15K a year (only going to keep it for two years). I'm coming from a 225 TT where I get around 260 to 280 miles from £44 of super.
Cheers
Dave
Hi Dave
You're thinking of doing what I did for pretty much the same reasons.
The car has a 90 litre tank which I usually fill up when the light comes on and it takes about 65 litres. Most of my normal driving is in London and I usually have to fill up every 200 miles. On a run, where I'm sitting in 6th most of the time, I get about 400 miles from the same amount of fuel and it doesn't seem to make too much difference whether thats cruising at 80 or 120+. Before the 3200 I ran a TVR Griffith 500 and, on the same London trip, I was getting less than 4 mpg!!!
Cheers
Alex
You're thinking of doing what I did for pretty much the same reasons.
The car has a 90 litre tank which I usually fill up when the light comes on and it takes about 65 litres. Most of my normal driving is in London and I usually have to fill up every 200 miles. On a run, where I'm sitting in 6th most of the time, I get about 400 miles from the same amount of fuel and it doesn't seem to make too much difference whether thats cruising at 80 or 120+. Before the 3200 I ran a TVR Griffith 500 and, on the same London trip, I was getting less than 4 mpg!!!
Cheers
Alex
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