RE: Spotted: Maserati 3200 GT

RE: Spotted: Maserati 3200 GT

Author
Discussion

fatboy18

18,967 posts

213 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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Sorry but from a looks point of view I just rated that yellow thing 1

Horrid. getmecoat

jains15

1,013 posts

175 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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Interesting thread this. I think it says a lot about the car that so many people can say "I remember the first time I saw one of these".

Maseratis leave a proper impression on car people I think, and I can never really work out why. I get properly angry when people say "Poor man's Ferrari". It must be a guilty pleasure thing, or the proper 'car fan' appeal. It's weird.

The current generation do it as well.

davidcharles

400 posts

196 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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lovely, lovely cars...very nearly bought 1 about 5years ago...trouble was i was quoted £600 and £1200 for its next 2 services which frightened the **** out of me...alot were riddled with little faults which seemed to cost a fortune to fix.

...i still look now and see if i could get a cheap one -dark grey , black leather and a tubi exhaust would do...would just like a service plan for free thats all...;)

Contigo

3,115 posts

211 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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Stunning motor and nearly bought on but the running costs are worrying. Cam belt and rear cam chain is over 2K (specialist) and more at main dealer and early manual one's have end float problems. Do your research and buy the later models (2001 and later) as they were built to a higher standard. Enjoy, I love the turbo rush from the 3200.


B.J.W

5,786 posts

217 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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I had a test drive in a late plate Gran Sport in 2010 - 15k miles, in Black with a special order tan interior. Intoxicating, with an exhaust note to die for. I came very, very close, but the warning lights that appeared on the dash (which was countered by a "don't worry, they all do that" from the dealer) scared me off and in the direction of a B7 RS4 (which, ironically, was 4k more expensive). A Mazzer is on the box to tick list, especially with the Gran-Turismo's looking like they will dip under 40k soon.

CraigVmax

12,248 posts

284 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3628839.htm

not sure if "hpi report" means its a cad c or d or that it has a positive hpi report but nonetheless...

Contigo

3,115 posts

211 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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For me this has to be one of the best 4 seaters out there.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3603299.htm

prg123

1,309 posts

165 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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I have a Maserati Gransport MC Victory, and absolutely love it, it is completely standard, the noise is amazing.

As other have said, they do drink petrol, but servicing isn't as bad as has been made out, I am shortly going to be getting mine service at a main dealer, and it's going to be £650 all in which isn't bad.

The only other large expense is tyres, the standard Pirellis I think are at least £250 a corner.

Pete

S2_DPD

249 posts

231 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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I can remember the 1st time I saw one of these... neighbour in the car industry brought a pre-production one home for an evening.
We were all set to go out for a spin in it until his son cut his leg on the driveway and we didn't want dripping blood on the cream interior.

Anyway ~ 5 years later I bought one - loved and owned it for 6 years. Faultless car, just wear and tear items. Never looked back, other than a last glance whenever walking away.


Gizmo!

18,150 posts

211 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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jains15 said:
Interesting thread this. I think it says a lot about the car that so many people can say "I remember the first time I saw one of these".

Maseratis leave a proper impression on car people I think, and I can never really work out why. I get properly angry when people say "Poor man's Ferrari". It must be a guilty pleasure thing, or the proper 'car fan' appeal. It's weird.

The current generation do it as well.
Poor man's Ferrari = rich man's Fiat.

myhandle

1,198 posts

176 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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3200gt said:
They changed the lights to comply with the yanks regulations. It is Maserati's biggest market.
Yes there is a buying guide, I have a copy in amongst the mountain of info I have on 3200's, I'll try and dig it out.
I always suspected it was because of US legislation. All of the articles at the time said that the change to the dreadful Mk4 Astra-shaped lights was because of customer clinics - apparently people didn't like the boomerangs. Which seemed difficult to believe, as every review about the boomerang lights was positive and they were clearly its signature feature, as decreed by then-high up Fiat man Paolo Cantarella. Very nice misunderstood car. Fly by wire throttle is fine. Particularly good is the Assetto Corsa with its sharper steering, better suspension and brakes, which looks great in red with grey wheels and carbon interior, very much like a great value 550 Maranello, and which would have no problem keeping up with a 355 / 360 unless there was a particularly good driver in the Ferrari.

Paul O

2,742 posts

185 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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Lovely car, great writeup too. smile

sinbaddio

2,384 posts

178 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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Yep, lovely. Had one for two weeks until solicitors intervened and I was told to get rid. The perils of separation eh?

soad

32,959 posts

178 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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Stunning, nothing less. cloud9

Skid1769

21 posts

173 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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I am very lucky to currently own a Maz 3200 GT Assetto Corsa and it is one of the best cars I have ever owned. It has cost me a lot of money to get the car up to scratch, due to the previous owners lack of understanding about such things but she is now one of the best seen, as quoted by Maserati of Swindon. She is my every day car and as such, performs admirably. I love the whole styling of the car and it is a shame they lost the boomerang lights.

I would recommend anyone to buy one, just do your homework first.

CraigVmax

12,248 posts

284 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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pics!

RTH

1,057 posts

214 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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Friend of mine has one. Really really eye watering parts, repairs and servicing prices from Maserati dealers which would account for the low prices of the cars used. Lovely car in all respects.

Alfa159Ti

828 posts

159 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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I got to take a 4200 for a spin a few years ago. It was at an modified Alfa rolling road day we were doing in conjunction with a local dealer.

The head engineer had driven the 4200 off the sales lot and let me take it for a good blast with him in the passenger seat across some country lanes.

I remember the great engine note, the wave of power, the surprisingly low rent interior, but more than anything I remember the way it felt like the car wanted to kill me.

It felt twitchy, raw and intense to drive even in perfect dry conditions. Turning onto a quiet country lane I opened it up on the straight in second and the tail nearly stepped out - mental.

Must be a very exciting car to run as a weekend toy.

blindswelledrat

25,257 posts

234 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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Alfa159Ti said:
, the surprisingly low rent interior,
DId you mean to say that? Seriously?
Ill conceed that the sat-nav unit is slightly plasticky for something so luxurious but the 4200 has one of the most beautiful interiors of any car IMO.
SOmething like 9 specially-bred cows are mercilessly butchered for one interior. HOw can that be 'low rent'?


CraigVmax

12,248 posts

284 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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i agree