3200GT What are the problems?
Discussion
I've been trawling the internet for information about these cars as I am interested in buying one. It seems that everyone reckons that they have heard nightmare stories about reliability, but aren't really specific. I know that there are a couple of owners on here and I have read all the posts they've made. Basically all seems positive. Could current owners please give me an insight into any costly failures on the car and where you did your research before you bought. Why has the 3200GT got the image of being an unreliable car?
Thanks
Thanks
I think it has a hang over from the dreadful Masers of the 80s and early 90s.
The 3200 is really pretty reliable with no one big problem (electrics can be a bit Italian!) the only issue with maintenance is that when on the rare occasions something does go wrong it tends to be pricey to fix....
The 3200 is really pretty reliable with no one big problem (electrics can be a bit Italian!) the only issue with maintenance is that when on the rare occasions something does go wrong it tends to be pricey to fix....
I had exactly the same three problems which Dave refers to and the warranty paid mine also. Sometimes you need to ignore the electronic warning lights - the dealers' can tell you how to do this!
The only think to watch is that the warranty costs are rising rapidly so price this into any deal -try and get the 24 month warranty thrown in if you can.
The only think to watch is that the warranty costs are rising rapidly so price this into any deal -try and get the 24 month warranty thrown in if you can.
Andrew - seriously the same three? - any more I can expect!! or is it plain sailing from here on? "the dealers' can tell you how to do this" - Do you mean anything more than "bring it in if it keeps coming on every drive and the car goes into limp mode"
Dave
p.s. No problems, just buy one - heres hoping at low 30s high 20s the depreciation has leveled off . . .
Dave
p.s. No problems, just buy one - heres hoping at low 30s high 20s the depreciation has leveled off . . .
Dave
In two years, four or five sensors and a damper...oh and the leaking cylinder head gasket!! You're about right on the technique for dealing with it. The view seems to be that most cars will be in the service bay three or four times a year for bits and bobs so they download from the memory and sort things out then!
Prices for early 3200's do seem to have bottomed I agree - nine months ago mine was sold for £23.5k into the trade at four years old but needed a service and tyres. I doubt it would be different now for the same car.
In two years, four or five sensors and a damper...oh and the leaking cylinder head gasket!! You're about right on the technique for dealing with it. The view seems to be that most cars will be in the service bay three or four times a year for bits and bobs so they download from the memory and sort things out then!
Prices for early 3200's do seem to have bottomed I agree - nine months ago mine was sold for £23.5k into the trade at four years old but needed a service and tyres. I doubt it would be different now for the same car.
Got mine in February and loved it, however, it has now been in the garage for the last two months with electical problems they can't diagnose, and bear in mind this is the largest main dealer in the UK working in close co-operation with the factory technical department!
People often joke about their cars having been in the garage more time than they've had it on the road - well in my case I am days away from that becoming reality!
I'm seriously thinking about chopping it in on something reliable, like a TVR!
(ducking for cover now).
On a serious note, buy carefully and you will love it, but remember just keep one word in your mind at all times - WARRANTY
Chris
People often joke about their cars having been in the garage more time than they've had it on the road - well in my case I am days away from that becoming reality!
I'm seriously thinking about chopping it in on something reliable, like a TVR!
(ducking for cover now). On a serious note, buy carefully and you will love it, but remember just keep one word in your mind at all times - WARRANTY
Chris
Can only speak from my experience - I bought a very late 2002 car and it's been nothing but 100%, it's done nearly 9k in my posession on all types of road in the UK and in Europe, even a brief run or two up to VMAX at Bruntingthorpe.
Only 'problem' is the ability to eat rear tyres and drink petrol!
As others have said major mechanical issues are rare - as it seems are the problems that chris_n is finding (no consolation for you though chris )
More info on my thoughts on the car on my profile.
Only 'problem' is the ability to eat rear tyres and drink petrol!
As others have said major mechanical issues are rare - as it seems are the problems that chris_n is finding (no consolation for you though chris
) More info on my thoughts on the car on my profile.
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