3200 GT Manual or Auto?
Discussion
Test drive organised for saturday in a 00 auto.
Just wondering if anyone has any strong preferences for or against either transmission? Anything I should know to ask about also?
PS The photos of you guys' cars do not do them justice. I always thought it looked like a fantastic car, but in the "flesh", it is just jaw droppingly beautiful.
I only hope the drive lives up to the looks.
Just wondering if anyone has any strong preferences for or against either transmission? Anything I should know to ask about also?
PS The photos of you guys' cars do not do them justice. I always thought it looked like a fantastic car, but in the "flesh", it is just jaw droppingly beautiful.
I only hope the drive lives up to the looks.
In all honesty there is very little difference in performance between the Auto and Manual until you crack the 100mph barrier, when the manuals 6 gear ratios begin to tell vs the autos fewer cogs.
If you're driving in town a lot then the auto is probably the sensible option - the manual gearbox (from the M5) is very solid, it's got a decent feel but I never really enjoyed sitting in traffic changin up and down a lot - you'll also get a tired clutch foot as the clutch is pretty heavy.
If you're driving open roads a lot the the 6 speed edges it for me because you've got a bit more flexibility. Ok that only really displays itself on continental trips when the 100+ speeds to really use it are there...
Manual does take getting used to though - compared to something like a porker you'll find it tricky with the sensitive throttle, heavy clutch etc to start with. Just persevere and accept that until you've got some practice in you will stall and look like a pillock exactly when you don't want to! Once you've got the knack though you don't even think about it...
Awesome cars - loved mine to bits
Both gearboxes are pretty solid by all accounts - just make sure you've got a full service history and buy a warranty - you shouldn't need it - but if you do you'll be very glad othat it's there!
If you're driving in town a lot then the auto is probably the sensible option - the manual gearbox (from the M5) is very solid, it's got a decent feel but I never really enjoyed sitting in traffic changin up and down a lot - you'll also get a tired clutch foot as the clutch is pretty heavy.
If you're driving open roads a lot the the 6 speed edges it for me because you've got a bit more flexibility. Ok that only really displays itself on continental trips when the 100+ speeds to really use it are there...
Manual does take getting used to though - compared to something like a porker you'll find it tricky with the sensitive throttle, heavy clutch etc to start with. Just persevere and accept that until you've got some practice in you will stall and look like a pillock exactly when you don't want to! Once you've got the knack though you don't even think about it...
Awesome cars - loved mine to bits
Both gearboxes are pretty solid by all accounts - just make sure you've got a full service history and buy a warranty - you shouldn't need it - but if you do you'll be very glad othat it's there!
I had an auto until recently, mainly because I do a lot of driving in London. It's not a bad gearbox and by all accounts makes for a more relaxing drive than the manual. Main drawback is that it's an old fashioned gappy 4 speeder with no tiptronic/paddles. Shifts smoothly enough, but the engine can fall in a hole at times because of the gap betwen ratios and once you get over 90 or so you can't kick down out of fourth, so it isn't very punchy. At lower speeds, the flipside is that kickdown leads to a very big ramp up which has seen some owners exiting the road at strange angles.
My First 'True' High Performance car was the 3200 GT M
In my Humble opinion the Gearbox is poor when cold.
I kept putting the car into reverse at traffic lights when first purchased, which raised a few eyebrows I can Tell you !
But its basically a case of getting used to the cars Pro's and con's.
The Manual Does take a little getting used to and is not the easiest car to drive.
The gearbox is fine once the oil has warmed up but when driving from cold, its simply a pain when compared to a BMW for example.
But the Character of the 3200 is amazing and worth the purchase in either man or Auto.
The Pro's totally outway the small Con's.
If you do a lot of city driving then go for the Auto otherwise get the Manual.
Clutch is Very Heavy but then again what do you expect with the Power of the Car. Not a Problem really.
The car takes a short time to warm up and the gearbox is perfectly fine once the Man is given a good drive.
Like a true RaceHorse Basically - It Needs a Good Run.
Manual is very rewarding as well but you need clear traffic and long roads.
Oh and the Other option to consider is the Exhuast.
I Went for Larini for what its worth and its Brilliant!
>> Edited by maserati3200gt on Thursday 4th August 22:19
In my Humble opinion the Gearbox is poor when cold.
I kept putting the car into reverse at traffic lights when first purchased, which raised a few eyebrows I can Tell you !
But its basically a case of getting used to the cars Pro's and con's.
The Manual Does take a little getting used to and is not the easiest car to drive.
The gearbox is fine once the oil has warmed up but when driving from cold, its simply a pain when compared to a BMW for example.
But the Character of the 3200 is amazing and worth the purchase in either man or Auto.
The Pro's totally outway the small Con's.
If you do a lot of city driving then go for the Auto otherwise get the Manual.
Clutch is Very Heavy but then again what do you expect with the Power of the Car. Not a Problem really.
The car takes a short time to warm up and the gearbox is perfectly fine once the Man is given a good drive.
Like a true RaceHorse Basically - It Needs a Good Run.
Manual is very rewarding as well but you need clear traffic and long roads.
Oh and the Other option to consider is the Exhuast.
I Went for Larini for what its worth and its Brilliant!
>> Edited by maserati3200gt on Thursday 4th August 22:19
See this:
www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=21921
This was my first Maserati 3200 GT in Switzerland, not too much traffic to worry about
... but even after 3 years of driving her I was still "afraid" of the manual and its clutch! because, as soon as I drove into Zurich or some other big town in France etc I would somehow manage to stall the car at traffic lights. Perhaps I never fully mastered the starting off bit on busy road - the manual gearbox to me was a real pain in the...
Now, back in UK. Look at this:
www.pistonheads.com/members/showprofile.asp?memberId=46028
This one is an automatic. I am very happy with it because of all of the pros mentioned by other forum members above.
To be all honest, though I am much happier with the auto over and above the manual, I do sometimes wish it would kick down a little a tag more often, though in Sports mode the gearbox does stay on lower gears for a little longer and kicks down a litte more often which kind of helps a bit. Having said that I also discovered there is an "art" to this auto box that can make it perform a little more in my favour - I wont go into detail about that as I am sure ll auto owners will discover it themselves in time.
I learnt from some inside sources the auto gear box is from a Ferrari 456 GTM. So, with that in mind this gearbox can handle close to the 500 BHP mark whereas the manual is more likely to break (I know of a couple of 3200 owners who had to replace their manual boxes!).
Let us know which one you choose in the end.
And have fun!
Only a 3200 GT will do.
Gavin
www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=21921
This was my first Maserati 3200 GT in Switzerland, not too much traffic to worry about
... but even after 3 years of driving her I was still "afraid" of the manual and its clutch! because, as soon as I drove into Zurich or some other big town in France etc I would somehow manage to stall the car at traffic lights. Perhaps I never fully mastered the starting off bit on busy road - the manual gearbox to me was a real pain in the...
Now, back in UK. Look at this:
www.pistonheads.com/members/showprofile.asp?memberId=46028
This one is an automatic. I am very happy with it because of all of the pros mentioned by other forum members above.
To be all honest, though I am much happier with the auto over and above the manual, I do sometimes wish it would kick down a little a tag more often, though in Sports mode the gearbox does stay on lower gears for a little longer and kicks down a litte more often which kind of helps a bit. Having said that I also discovered there is an "art" to this auto box that can make it perform a little more in my favour - I wont go into detail about that as I am sure ll auto owners will discover it themselves in time.
I learnt from some inside sources the auto gear box is from a Ferrari 456 GTM. So, with that in mind this gearbox can handle close to the 500 BHP mark whereas the manual is more likely to break (I know of a couple of 3200 owners who had to replace their manual boxes!).
Let us know which one you choose in the end.
And have fun!
Only a 3200 GT will do.
Gavin
I've had both and (as per bloody usual 
) I go along with much that Mr Tony said.
Manual - great once out of first gear.
Automatic - great if you don't want to get too involved.
I was talking to the engineer at Greypaul who said that everybody he knows (including himself) still stalls in traffic in the manual. This is particularly bad if you're in a line of traffic going up a hill, unless you rev a bit (then people think you're showing off).
But there's nowt like being in third with somebody in a Audi TT / Mondeo ST up your backside - then putting your foot down (in the dry weather, obviously
)
>> Edited by bad loser on Friday 5th August 07:53
) I go along with much that Mr Tony said. Manual - great once out of first gear.
Automatic - great if you don't want to get too involved.
I was talking to the engineer at Greypaul who said that everybody he knows (including himself) still stalls in traffic in the manual. This is particularly bad if you're in a line of traffic going up a hill, unless you rev a bit (then people think you're showing off).
But there's nowt like being in third with somebody in a Audi TT / Mondeo ST up your backside - then putting your foot down (in the dry weather, obviously
) >> Edited by bad loser on Friday 5th August 07:53
Slightly off topic this, but noting what Gavin said above about Sport mode altering the gearing on the automatic ... what does Sport mode do on the manual 3200?
Obviously it's not going to do anything with the transmission, but does it only stiffen up the suspension as the owners' manual suggests, or is there more going on?
Obviously it's not going to do anything with the transmission, but does it only stiffen up the suspension as the owners' manual suggests, or is there more going on?
mr_tony said:
Stiffer suspension is your lot.
Though on some occasions I'd swear that in sport mode the rev limiter was softer than when not in sport mode, though I've no documentation to back that up at all!!!
I bounced quite hard off the limiter on my second day of ownership - it was quite a surprise to me.
Though I wouldn't bother personally (the car is plenty quick enough as it is), has anyone on here had the limiter reset as part of a performance upgrade?
maser sod said:
I bounced quite hard off the limiter on my second day of ownership - it was quite a surprise to me.
Though I wouldn't bother personally (the car is plenty quick enough as it is), has anyone on here had the limiter reset as part of a performance upgrade?
Limiter is doing a damn useful job though - I'd hate to pay for a rebuild on that engine!
Not aware of anyone upping the rev limit - sure it could be done though - the block is rated by engineers I spoke to as being incredibly strong.
Usual performance upgrade is to up the turbo boost a bit. 420-430 bhp should be easily achievable without any serious modifications, more than that would required more extensive modifications - though there are companies out there that for a price will get you 500bhp...
Jeez - mine was scary enough with 380ish bhp.. If anyone wants details mail me and I'll pass on all the info I collected on performance upgrades...
Agree totally about seeing these cars in the flesh, they are not very photogenic, the lines look a bit flat until you can see them in 3D (sounds obvious but you know what I mean).
Manual/Auto depends on what sort of driving you plan to do as has been said above. Unless you are going to do a daily commute do try to have a decent test drive in a manual and don't be put off by any initial difficulty. You do get used to it and it is rewarding.
Hope you enjoy it.
Manual/Auto depends on what sort of driving you plan to do as has been said above. Unless you are going to do a daily commute do try to have a decent test drive in a manual and don't be put off by any initial difficulty. You do get used to it and it is rewarding.
Hope you enjoy it.
maser sod said:
Slightly off topic this, but noting what Gavin said above about Sport mode altering the gearing on the automatic ... what does Sport mode do on the manual 3200?
Obviously it's not going to do anything with the transmission, but does it only stiffen up the suspension as the owners' manual suggests, or is there more going on?
It also tones down the ASR so it kicks in a lot less often (which it does quite a lot in non-sport), this is why its not a good idea to use sport mode in the wet because the ASR is the get out of jail card for a car with too much power for its handling ability.
This is the main difference for me as I am probably not a good enough driver to tell the difference with the suspension settings.
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