Early Maser 3200GTs

[chris_n]

I've always fancied a 3200GT as it seems to fit pretty well with the fast-coupe-GT-kind-of-thing that I enjoy. Having searched threads on here and read the Evo buying guide I am coming to the conclusion 3200GT's are pretty sounds motors if they've been well maintained and have had all the "campaigns" done.

My budget could just about stretch to a 2001 car from a Maser dealer but I don't want to spend more than I have to, so wondered whether an earlier car ('99 say), again from a main dealer, was worth considering?

Presumably all campaigns would have been done on a car being sold by a Maser dealer? Would that automatically include the head gasket fix I've read about, and the rear wishbone upgrade? With those things taken care of, and an approved used car warranty backing things up, should it make a reasonably sound buy?

Thanks in advance!

Chris

[chris_n]

craigw said:

chris n, have you seen the evo buying guide, was very helpful when I bought mine.

Yes, I missed it when it first came out but sent off for the back issue. I agree it is very useful.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will give really early cars a miss if they are mainly ex-demos (there's one for £28k at Stratstones). Sounds like 2001 or later is "nice to have" rather than critical so long as I can confirm fixes have been done.

So my current thinking is now a '00 manual from a main dealer for low £30's. Next job is to get myself down to Meridien Modena who have a couple of cars that appear to fit the bill! Quite like the look of a Verde Mexico one-owner 18k mile May'00 car they've got. It's up at £34,995 - does that seem sensibly priced, at least as a starting point for negotiation?

thanks,
Chris

[chris_n]

Thanks for the help guys

Meridien have got 2 or 3 cars in my price range so should be a good place to drive some back to back.

As for ...

mr_tony said:

Verde (not a 'strong' selling colour BTW)

... I thought as much. I seem to be the only person around who likes green cars! I do need to think about this from the resale perspective as well, though at the right price I could be tempted to go for Verde anyway.

Watch this space!

Chris

[chris_n]

Alex H YHM!

Kingswood - good luck with the search!

Everyone else thanks for all the input, keep it coming, I feel much better equipped to go hunting already.

Chris

[chris_n]

Thanks again for all the help guys, it was invaluable and has helped contribute to me becoming (subject to parting with the balance of the cash!) the proud owner of a '00 3200GT Manual in Verde Mexico! For those who keep an eye on these things it is the one on the Meridien Modena stock list.

I went down there on Saturday and had a good look over the three manual cars they had in my price bracket. Main impression from the test drive was the sensitivity of the throttle but I soon got used to that and decided this car is right up my street.

The sales guy was very helpful and confirmed all their used cars are fully up to date on the campaigns so my choice came down to deciding which of the three was the best colour/spec/price combination for me. Call me weird but I loved the Verde/Beige combination, plus this car had sports suspension, memory seats, CD & Tracker. Only challenge was the price, which as had been commented on here, seemed a bit steep for an '00 car.

At that point, my girlfriend let me know I had the necessary seal of approval from her, before announcing "this is the bit I hate" and wandering off to sit in a 360 Challange Stradale and leaving me to it.

Suffice to say, I let the sales guy know my view on the price, and also that I knew they'd had the car in stock a while possibly due to Verde not being the most popular colour, and before I knew it a deal had been done that involved a much nicer price, some new tyres and a cambelt change!

I should be picking the car up at the weekend and I'm like a little kid. I keep having to go on the Maserati website and look at the pictures of it! Roll on Saturday!!!

Chris

[chris_n]

mr_tony said:

guess chris is too busy off driving this week!

You're not wrong! I've hardly been able to stop myself driving the thing since I got it! Good to meet you at V/W on Sunday, and thanks for the compliments on the car.

So, my initial impressions ...

ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!

It's still early days but I've put about 400 miles on the car since Saturday so I do feel I'm beginning to get to know it. The combination of performance and handling, together with creature comforts and decent build quality is spot on for my purposes. For me at least, it appears to be the perfect all-rounder, more than willing to be thrashed and deliver the fun factor, but equally is a nice place to be for the crawl home on a wet February evening after a hard day's work.

I posted previously that I initially got a shock on the test drive in relation to sensitivity of the throttle, but I’m completely used to it now to the point of it seeming normal. The performance is electrifying, just plant your foot at pretty much any speed in any gear and it just goes. And it sounds great too. I haven’t made much use of the stereo so far! I’ve read that some people find it a bit muted, but for me it’s about right. I know you can get Tubi’s for them but I’m not sure I would see the need.

I’ve not really explored the limits of the handling since most of the time I’ve had it the frost warning has been flashing so the traction control has been ON! But when I have had the opportunity to push it a bit it feels nice and responsive and certainly doesn’t feel like a big car. Reminds me a bit of how I remember an old 928S4 I used to have (but much better ).

Looks-wise, I think they’re fantastic. At the dealer where I bought it they had a DB7 up for sale, and side by side the 3200GT was the better looker (IMHO!) In day to day driving it seems to turn more heads than any other car I’ve owned, including Porsches and a Cobra replica. I’d put that down to the combination of good looks and rarity.

So no regrets so far, and for anyone else considering one of these, I’d say don’t hesitate. Those of you who have got one already know how good they are for yourselves and all I can say is thanks for helping to guide me towards the light!!!

Chris