Should I buy a Masser 3200GT or Porsche 911
Discussion
After buying the wife a 4x4 for family use I can now indulge myself with a car for me. Trading in the BMW 5 series will give me about £32,000 to spend. Have narrowed the choice down to either Masser 2000 GT or older Porsche 911.
I am keen to know how much a 12,000 mile service costs for the masser.
Anyone help!!!!
I am keen to know how much a 12,000 mile service costs for the masser.
Anyone help!!!!
I had exactly th esame situation as you. My 1998 5 series was getting a bit long in the tooth, went to change it for the new 5, told them that they should have kept the same build quality and declined the car. Bought a new e270 merc which they crashed on day of delivery, so popped down to lyndhurst and parted with 34 k and got a 2001 3200 in black with tan. Can't recommend it enough. Just make sure it has a warranty. Send me an e-mail as mine was always a short term proposition as I have a big house extension to pay for quite soon and guess where the contingency money is. So it may be for sale soonish thus saving you a few pounds for me having it for 4 months !! I wouldnt talk down the porsche as ther is nothing wrong with it, but dont ever decide to get one without first sitting in the maser, it is pure luxury.
Cheers
Ian
Cheers
Ian
I've had my 3200 for just over a week and love it to bits.
It's my first supercar so I can't compare it with the Porsche as I've never driven one.
Mind you, I see a load of Porsches but not one Maser around here.
You don't need to restrict yourself to any particular dealer - look on the used car site at Maserati's UK website. www.maserati.co.uk at a guess
I drove to Greypaul, Sheffield and Stratstones Manchester and enquired at the place in Leeds but eventually bought one from Dick Lovett in Swindon.
From the dealer, I got the 30k service, a year's warranty, nearly new rear tyres (in fact, they could be brand new), any slight scratches removed, a new headlamp glass as one was scratched, a full tank of petrol, a Maserati key fob. I noticed a trim that was flaking when I picked up the car and they've odered one and will deliver it when it arrives ( a 240 mile round trip).
On top of that, all the staff were brilliant, not condescending or patronising at all, so I'd recommend them every time.
(OK, send me the fiver lads
)
PS Maserati warranties are applicable nationwide so you can buy a car at one place, and have it serviced/fixed at the dealer of your choice.
It's my first supercar so I can't compare it with the Porsche as I've never driven one.
Mind you, I see a load of Porsches but not one Maser around here.
You don't need to restrict yourself to any particular dealer - look on the used car site at Maserati's UK website. www.maserati.co.uk at a guess
I drove to Greypaul, Sheffield and Stratstones Manchester and enquired at the place in Leeds but eventually bought one from Dick Lovett in Swindon.
From the dealer, I got the 30k service, a year's warranty, nearly new rear tyres (in fact, they could be brand new), any slight scratches removed, a new headlamp glass as one was scratched, a full tank of petrol, a Maserati key fob. I noticed a trim that was flaking when I picked up the car and they've odered one and will deliver it when it arrives ( a 240 mile round trip).
On top of that, all the staff were brilliant, not condescending or patronising at all, so I'd recommend them every time.
(OK, send me the fiver lads
) PS Maserati warranties are applicable nationwide so you can buy a car at one place, and have it serviced/fixed at the dealer of your choice.
I am very fond of 911s and am on my 5th one right now, but in your situation, I'd buy the 3200 - for its rarity, looks, sound and class.
You'll always be able to find a decent 911 for your money, but who says how long the 3200 (and even the Maserati name) might be around for?
Cross post on the Porsche forum for an alternative opinion (but I think most of the denizens of that area also lurk here).
You'll always be able to find a decent 911 for your money, but who says how long the 3200 (and even the Maserati name) might be around for?
Cross post on the Porsche forum for an alternative opinion (but I think most of the denizens of that area also lurk here).
frankb40 said:
After buying the wife a 4x4 for family use I can now indulge myself with a car for me. Trading in the BMW 5 series will give me about £32,000 to spend. Have narrowed the choice down to either Masser 2000 GT or older Porsche 911.
I am keen to know how much a 12,000 mile service costs for the masser.
Anyone help!!!!
Looked at this question in the past myself and would make only a couple of comments.
i) Do you want a 4 seat automatic cruiser or a 2+2 sports car?
ii) Would you rather lose a further 6k tops in depreciation or are you happy to lose 10-12k over 3 years.
iii) How many miles are you planning to do, the porsche is fairly bombproof the maser perhaps slightly less so.
A 996 service is about £220 all in, I think a Maser is 3/4x that, plus it needs cambelts every now and again!!
Bennno
DRive both.
Basically comes down to the following trade offs - which way you prefer to go is up to you in the end!
3200 is brillian inside - leather / carbon fibre - 911 is cheap plastic.
911 much cheaper to service / run than 3200.
3200 will return 15mpg - 911 will do 25.
3200 has big V8 and gorgeous sounds, 911 sounds ok...
3200 has proper rear seats for full size people, 911 has enough room for a short journey for 1 adult..
911 more focussed car in terms of handlin. 3200 by no means bad, but it wouldn't be mu first choice track car!
3200 will depreciate a bit, 911 probably not as much (though with the number of used 996's on the market don't be too sure the 911 will stay rock solid)
3200 will be unique - you don't see many on the road, 911's are everywhere!
In the end you pays your money and takes your choice, I guess I went for mine mainly because it was different, and the interior is amazing (and I love the sound!!!)
Basically comes down to the following trade offs - which way you prefer to go is up to you in the end!
3200 is brillian inside - leather / carbon fibre - 911 is cheap plastic.
911 much cheaper to service / run than 3200.
3200 will return 15mpg - 911 will do 25.
3200 has big V8 and gorgeous sounds, 911 sounds ok...
3200 has proper rear seats for full size people, 911 has enough room for a short journey for 1 adult..
911 more focussed car in terms of handlin. 3200 by no means bad, but it wouldn't be mu first choice track car!
3200 will depreciate a bit, 911 probably not as much (though with the number of used 996's on the market don't be too sure the 911 will stay rock solid)
3200 will be unique - you don't see many on the road, 911's are everywhere!
In the end you pays your money and takes your choice, I guess I went for mine mainly because it was different, and the interior is amazing (and I love the sound!!!)
Had the same choice. I picked a Masser.
1) The sound of a V8 and the turbo's.
2) It's more practical.
3) The rear lights
4) The look's
5) Charm and unique nature.
6) Damn the cost (Cerbera used to cost me more!)
If you want an A to B car get a Porche. If you want and A to B via GRIN then get a masser.
1) The sound of a V8 and the turbo's.
2) It's more practical.
3) The rear lights
4) The look's
5) Charm and unique nature.
6) Damn the cost (Cerbera used to cost me more!)
If you want an A to B car get a Porche. If you want and A to B via GRIN then get a masser.
Servicing on the 4200 is much cheaper than the 3200 ..... (not sure how that helps this discussion but its a good point for the future!)
Depreciation 3200's will probably bottom at around £20 - 24K at 5 years old after that it'll be down to the individual condition spec of the car - it is certainly a gentle curve downwards after the horrible drop in the first 2 years.
However with the reputation of the current generation of Maseratis growing all the time the residuals will firm up (not to Porsche levels but much better than at present)
Porsches are bullet proof - and common as muck - exclusivity tends to have a down side.
Depreciation 3200's will probably bottom at around £20 - 24K at 5 years old after that it'll be down to the individual condition spec of the car - it is certainly a gentle curve downwards after the horrible drop in the first 2 years.
However with the reputation of the current generation of Maseratis growing all the time the residuals will firm up (not to Porsche levels but much better than at present)
Porsches are bullet proof - and common as muck - exclusivity tends to have a down side.
mr_tony said:
DRive both.
Basically comes down to the following trade offs - which way you prefer to go is up to you in the end!
3200 is brillian inside - leather / carbon fibre - 911 is cheap plastic.
911 much cheaper to service / run than 3200.
3200 will return 15mpg - 911 will do 25.
3200 has big V8 and gorgeous sounds, 911 sounds ok...
3200 has proper rear seats for full size people, 911 has enough room for a short journey for 1 adult..
911 more focussed car in terms of handlin. 3200 by no means bad, but it wouldn't be mu first choice track car!
3200 will depreciate a bit, 911 probably not as much (though with the number of used 996's on the market don't be too sure the 911 will stay rock solid)
3200 will be unique - you don't see many on the road, 911's are everywhere!
In the end you pays your money and takes your choice, I guess I went for mine mainly because it was different, and the interior is amazing (and I love the sound!!!)
errm
1. 911 has full hide?? for sure a couple of the switches are plastic but thats no different in the maser?
2. 911 is pure mechanical noise, you need to drive one for a bit too relise just how good it sounds between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm with the throttle open.
3. Porsche handling is in a different league as is manual gear change, which is very notchy on a 3200.
Apart from that then as per your mail above the 911 is pretty much the all round article.
The Maser wins only on number of seats and on the basis of 'I dont want a 911'.
Bennno
bennno said:
errm
1. 911 has full hide?? for sure a couple of the switches are plastic but thats no different in the maser?
2. 911 is pure mechanical noise, you need to drive one for a bit too relise just how good it sounds between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm with the throttle open.
3. Porsche handling is in a different league as is manual gear change, which is very notchy on a 3200.
Apart from that then as per your mail above the 911 is pretty much the all round article.
The Maser wins only on number of seats and on the basis of 'I dont want a 911'.
Bennno
Hmmm well fair play if you can find a full hide 911 (and I'm sure they're out there somewhere!). You certainly dont get hide dash, headlining, centre console, door trims on the 996's I've test driven (and definately not as standard), but maybe I was looking at cheapskate cars.
Certainly the centre console is dodgy plastic on the ones I've been in (watch it flex!), though admittedly most of those ahve been pre 2002 cars which might make a difference. (though you'll be pushed to find a 2002 911 for <40k like you will a 2002 3200!)
As for pure mechanical noise we'll ahve to agree to differ there
Porsche engine note just sounds like a guy rattling a bunch of loose nails in a tin dustbin to me. On a GT3 / RS it's different I grant you but the stock 911 just doesn't do it for me. But you pays your money etc.. Handling I 100% agree on - the 911 handles far better than the 3200. Especially on or around the limit! However the 3200 is perfectly tractable and behaves well even over the limit (watch out in the wet but then you should in a 911 too unless you're 4WD!). In my opinion this only reall makes a difference if you're going on the track in your car.
all UK supplied 996 911's have a full hide interior, thats a leather dash, leather doors, seats and so forth.
if leather everywhere is a priority then until recently you could have spent the extra 6k or so that the Maser cost to choose to have extra bits in leather. The options list can cover almost every part of the interior in leather including leather electic seat controllers, leather air vents, leather seat buckles and so forth if its essential.
Alternatively you can have wood, leather, carbon or painted to match the bodywork.
To be fair much of this is just tat and doesnt enhance the driving pleasure one jot.
Bennno
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