Hi,

I hope that some of you guys, being more knowledgeable that me, can offer some advice on buying a Maserati 4200.

I currently have a Porsche 987 S (new shape Boxster) but generally change cars every 12 months. I have a budget of around £18-£20k and was recently at Auto Sportiva in Tonbridge Wells where they have a range of 4200's that fit the budget. Looks, luxury and Ferrari V8 are all appealing.

I have heard a few horror stories and there is even a 4200 on Autotrader at the moment that is "boasting" a new engine that went in at 40,000.00. How can this be a good thing??

I am getting really mixed opinion from the people a have spoken to, ranging from my former boss who has owned 4 and now has a Gran Turismo to people who have known them to have nothing but problems.

I know that servicing and a potential clutch could be pricey but am prepared for that. I just don't want to buy a car that will spend more time in the garage than on the road.

Any help / advice / experience / buying tips will be much appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

Ashley

try www.maseratiforum.com (or maybe .co.uk), loads of info there, also search on here, been discussed loads. good luck.

I wrote some stuff about my experiences/thoughts here if it's any help...

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

No problem at all, glad it was at least a bit useful.

I can only speak from personal experience and say that for me, the pre-2003 CC gearbox was a deal breaker. But obviously there are quite a few people out there who don't mind it as they've bought one! It really is each to his own I suspect. Living in town means you notice it more, as I've said before it takes me 15 mins to get onto vaguely open road so it's much exacerbated for me. Also bear in mind that it is, IMO, no way a sports car - don't be fooled by the sport button/skyhook suspension etc. It's a beautiful Italian GT that they've stuck an epic V8 into (it really is by far the best part of the car, until you see your mpg..), that can do a bit of the sporty stuff as a nod in the right direction. But don't think the MSP will help too much if you are doing the sporty-ish stuff either: I could spin up the rears changing from 2nd to 3rd on a damp road with it on! Anyway, I digress. Coming out of a Boxster I suspect it'll feel painfully inadequate compared to what you're used to unless ou're booting it in a straight line in which case you'll be grinning ear to ear with the V8 singing to you! Which is fine as long as you're after a change in that direction.

TBH, I'm glad I owned the Maser, and I don't regret it, but they just are horrifically expensive to run given that they are supposed to be every day useable cars (I'm currently trying to get a Fezza F355, so higher running costs, but more special which makes up for it). I'm like you and tend to change cars once a year or so (hoping to put a stop to that with the F355) - you only have to look at my profile to see how much the Maser cost me to run, depreciation over one year was rather large, and mine was still absolutely mint when I sold it. In an ideal world, I'd hold onto the Boxster for a while longer of you could, then scratch the Maser itch with a Gransport - a 4200 with every problem fixed - if you could stretch to one. That is a car I would be very happy to own, even over something like a Fezza 456!

I think Mario has hit it on the head, you are likely to be disappointed with the handling of a 4200 coming from a Boxter. I ran my '03 for nearly 3 years and it was incredibly reliable and as a proper manual did not have any of the F1 and software issues that came with the earlier CC cars. Having said that, I suspect you would over look the lack of handling sophistication (it actually is not that bad in normal daily use) because it will give you a much better overall driving experience, that V8 engine is simply amazing and puts a grin on your face every time you fire it up.

If you do decide to go for one and I suspect now is not a bad time to take the plunge, make sure it has been regularly driven. Many of the problems and issues can be traced back to lack of use, these cars absolutely thrive on being driven. Whilst they may be more expensive to maintain than a Porsche it does not have to be much more if a good independant is used and the whole ownership experience will be at a completely different level. Best of luck

Top stuff, you're going to have a lot of fun it sounds like! First on your list of todos should be to take it on a European road trip, it's exactly what these cars are for. Find a nice stretch of motorway, and where safe and legal to do so, open her up. The rate at which these cars can gather pace even well into three figures is something to be experienced as soon as possible! And the noise, oh dear god the noise

Picked my spyder up on saturday. Oh wow! This week will go slowly for you!

Andy

Update please!!!!

How's it going with the 4200? Just seen a lovely one at ADG and now thinking evil thoughts.