RE: Spotted: Maserati 3200 GT

[marshall100]

VictorMeldrew said:

Me too, 40th birthday treat. For me the 3200 was 2nd to the Exige. Instructor rated me as the only one to master the fly-by-wire on the day; seemed just like a bike throttle to me so not an issue. Blindingly fast and gorgeous, I'd have one if I could afford to run it. Lambo was a shed, Viper equally agricultural, XJR was mental flying slipper. Hated the 911. Exige was most fun by a long way, but 3200 left a very deep impression.

I was thinking back on this the other day. that throttle was a real shock, no weight or real spring to it all. Got lucky with the Noble by all accounts, and how could you not like the hillarity that was the viper? like a badly built bus in someones shed with a truck engine lobbed in the front. Amazing soundtrack.

I really need to have another go in a quick car soon....

[David A]

johnnyBv8 said:

More room in the back in a 2 seater than a Cerb?!

There's a boot! What more do you need - you're not going to sit in the back are you.

[chris_crossley]

Loved my car for all the years i had it.
Cheaper to run than my 2 TVR cerberas and considerably more reliable with no water leaks!.
Remember bailing the boot out of the cerbera with a pint jug (i kid you not!).
Everything worked, including the Aircon (it worked too well!, unlike the expensive TVR option)

Pointless comparing the cars as they are completly different Maser is a GT, Cerbera is a racecar for tracks. What i needed was a fun back road rass machine thats reliable. Hence Porsche Boxster.....

p.s.
Still love TVR Cerbera as its as mad as a bag full of badgers, with rabies
Forget Alfa (nice cars!), to be a petrol nut you should have owned a TVR at some point.
Shame TVR went under

[johnnyBv8]

v6alfisti said:

Same with the Gransport, one recently popped on at 16k and sold within two weeks, unlike those stuck at 23-24k that have been up for at least 6 months. Most buyers aren't stupid!

You need to compare like with like though - the £16k one had done nearly 80k miles, hence the price....£23-24k will get you one with less than half that mileage. The Gransport is pretty rare and far more desirable than the 4200, so don't expect them to follow the same depreciation curve.

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Friday 10th February 13:19

[johnnyBv8]

v6alfisti said:

Same with the Gransport, one recently popped on at 16k and sold within two weeks, unlike those stuck at 23-24k that have been up for at least 6 months. Most buyers aren't stupid!

You need to compare like with like though - the 16k one had done nearly 80k miles, hence the price....22-23k will get you one with half that mileage. The Gransport is pretty rare and far more desirable than the 4200, so don't expect them to follow the same depreciation curve.

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Friday 10th February 13:45

[mr_tony]

David A said:

Well buy one then !

See you've been keeping Morgan afloat since the maser. Nice set you've had.

I went from a 3200 to a 4200 Spyder and too would have another. After nearly 7 years with the spyder I still haven't found a decent alternative.

Dave

AgreedI should!
Cannot and will not sell the Aeromax though! Too special.
Might manage to convince mrs_t that a GranTurismo/Grancabrio is a good bet. Next year.
Better go sell some spare body parts...

[rgracin]

How about one of these for a comparison: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3529879.htm

Just about eclipses the Maserati on the looks (externally anyway). I haven't driven either, but I reckon both are about at the bottom of their depreciation curve and could make good weekend cruisers.

Discuss...

[blindswelledrat]

THis thread has given me the proper horn for another one, or a 3200.
Just browsing-look at the utter crap spouted on this ebay advert:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Y-MASERATI-3200-/16...

ridiculouspervert said:

RARE COLOUR

THe car is blue like most of them.

ridiculouspervert said:

The Best Model Made Is The 3200 Unlike The Underpowered 4200 Naturally Aspirated Model With Poor Reviews,

I would never buy a car from someone who said things like that.

[CraigVmax]

just so foolish because you know in 6 months time they'll be selling a 4200 saying, much better than the troublesome turbocharged 3200"

[redgriff500]

rgracin said:

How about one of these for a comparison: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3529879.htm

Just about eclipses the Maserati on the looks (externally anyway). I haven't driven either, but I reckon both are about at the bottom of their depreciation curve and could make good weekend cruisers.

Discuss...

I'd never considered a DB7 - I had no idea they were that cheap.

[Sam_68]

johnnyBv8 said:

The Gransport is pretty rare and far more desirable than the 4200, so don't expect them to follow the same depreciation curve.

OTOH, am I the only one to think that this series of Maseratis, whilst undeniably becoming more reliable and usable, has become steadily less desirable from a 'classic' point of view?

The 3200 had mad-as-a-badger performance and handling and those rear lights.

The 4200 became softer and more of a boulevardier, and gained 'Honda Prelude' rear lights.

The Gransport is basically a 4200 with some dodgy aftermarket side skirts (OK, not as dodgy as those on an '80's Aston Martin, but you get the idea)?

[V6Alfisti]

johnnyBv8 said:

You need to compare like with like though - the £16k one had done nearly 80k miles, hence the price....£22-23k will get you one with half that mileage. The Gransport is pretty rare and far more desirable than the 4200, so don't expect them to follow the same depreciation curve.

Agreed but it sold and I bet for less than asking, whilst the 23k cars simply aren't moving and from memory the Gransport wasn't much more expensive 4 years ago when a colleague bought one. Looking a bit like artificial pricing to me and stubborn sellers.

The Alfa GT went through a similar phase and then one month the prices across the board literally dropped (and not related to the Brera)

£7k for a 40-50k mileage difference is substantial. Would be very interested to see what the trade pay as the price guides indicate 10k+ differences between trade and retail.

Edited by V6Alfisti on Friday 10th February 12:55

[Phil Dicky]

Sam_68 said:

The Gransport is basically a 4200 with some dodgy aftermarket side skirts (OK, not as dodgy as those on an '80's Aston Martin, but you get the idea)?

Don't really agree here, think this car is fantastic, the skirts aren't at all dodgy, add a tubi and I'll have one in heart beat...but each to his own and all that

[David A]

Sam_68 said:

OTOH, am I the only one to think that this series of Maseratis, whilst undeniably becoming more reliable and usable, has become steadily less desirable from a 'classic' point of view?

Maseratis are an odd beast, they are "exotic" and quirky but also combine Ferrari engineering and Italian flair and lots and lots of leather inside. I do believe its the fear of big bills and stories from a bloke down the pub about them that contribute to the low prices now. Which for anyone purchasing an old one is good news. Personally I hope the grancabrios follow suite and then I'll be in one a lot quicker.

[CraigVmax]

Sam_68 said:

johnnyBv8 said:

The Gransport is pretty rare and far more desirable than the 4200, so don't expect them to follow the same depreciation curve.

OTOH, am I the only one to think that this series of Maseratis, whilst undeniably becoming more reliable and usable, has become steadily less desirable from a 'classic' point of view?

The 3200 had mad-as-a-badger performance and handling and those rear lights.

The 4200 became softer and more of a boulevardier, and gained 'Honda Prelude' rear lights.

The Gransport is basically a 4200 with some dodgy aftermarket side skirts (OK, not as dodgy as those on an '80's Aston Martin, but you get the idea)?

the Gransport was a leap on from the 4200, you virtually cant compare them. i drove them back to back on road and track and they were lightyears apart

[johno333]

-It's got the correct rear lights, not the ones from a Rover 600.

[ELVO]

I know I'm biased, as an owner of a 3200, but the 4200 is a watered down version of the 3200 albeit a better car mechanically. However the Gransport is both easier on the eye and a better car mechanically than them both. Just to add that for these 3 models you do ned to see them in the "flesh" though. The pictures don't do them justice. When I had a my eye on my 3200 I was hooked by the pictures but the first time I actually saw one on the road - that was it! - I went out and bought one!

[m44kts]

For anyone wondering about the glorious noise they make...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjE1LSjr6u0

[CraigVmax]

The day after I got my 3200 we were going to a hotel, it was parked beneath our window, I spent far too long looking down on it, particularly at the bonnet vents, very sad indeed. As an aside, its slightly Aston like from above..

[m44kts]

CraigVmax said:

The day after I got my 3200 we were going to a hotel, it was parked beneath our window, I spent far too long looking down on it, particularly at the bonnet vents, very sad indeed. As an aside, its slightly Aston like from above..

When I traded mine in, the guy had a DB7 for sale, parked the 3200 next to it and they were remarkably similar.