thinking of buying a 3200
Discussion
Yes Dave, mine's got "curvy lights". The (relative) fuel economy is probably due to lower revs and less time required to accelerate.
I've posted a few descrptions of my experiences of and thoughts about the 3200.
Try www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=63&h=0&t=15107 and scroll down to the Italian trip. There's a few others - click my name and look at my postings/replys.
I'm very pleased with this car - it's simply the best I've ever owned and, although I'm still tempted by a 360 or 550, I know either will cost me 2 or 3 times as much to buy and run but won't be 2 times as good. The Maserati is a good compromise - you can use it every day, carry 3 mates, take your girlfriend (and luggage) across Europe at speeds upto 160 mph with no complaint from girl or car, scratch through mountain roads scaring a few Porsche/Ferrari drivers (unless they're very good), etc.
Cheers
I've posted a few descrptions of my experiences of and thoughts about the 3200.
Try www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=63&h=0&t=15107 and scroll down to the Italian trip. There's a few others - click my name and look at my postings/replys.
I'm very pleased with this car - it's simply the best I've ever owned and, although I'm still tempted by a 360 or 550, I know either will cost me 2 or 3 times as much to buy and run but won't be 2 times as good. The Maserati is a good compromise - you can use it every day, carry 3 mates, take your girlfriend (and luggage) across Europe at speeds upto 160 mph with no complaint from girl or car, scratch through mountain roads scaring a few Porsche/Ferrari drivers (unless they're very good), etc.
Cheers
I coudn't agree with Alex more. Having owned my 3200 for nearly 2 years, I have had no problems with it. It accommodates my wife and 2 kids comfortably and we can even get a pram in the boot (just). Also owning a 355 allows me to make a back to back comparison - whilst both are obviously different, surprisingly it is the keys of the 3200 I often reach for, even when I'm not travelling with the family.
By the way, has anyone got experience of getting money out of their insurance company after an "incident" at the 'Ring?
By the way, has anyone got experience of getting money out of their insurance company after an "incident" at the 'Ring?
Alex - just noticed you said 'relative' fuel economy. The round town figures you said were light then? The mpg is worse?
Again the reason I ask is the 3200 is at the top of budget (new house, still only 28 etc) and I don't want to get it wrong - if its 5 mpg around town for me it would be unusable - if I could average 15 to 20 mpg say on a run like the M4 all the way from the M25 to Hyde Park that would be OK! (we all know what the traffic on that stretch is like!!)
Cheers
p.s. saw two coupes today - not as nice as the 3200
Again the reason I ask is the 3200 is at the top of budget (new house, still only 28 etc) and I don't want to get it wrong - if its 5 mpg around town for me it would be unusable - if I could average 15 to 20 mpg say on a run like the M4 all the way from the M25 to Hyde Park that would be OK! (we all know what the traffic on that stretch is like!!)
Cheers
p.s. saw two coupes today - not as nice as the 3200
No, David. I meant that talking about fuel 'economy' in the same breath as 12 mpg seems a bit daft.
You'll get about 12 to 13 mpg in traffic (without undue use of throttle) and about 24 mpg when cruising. I'm not sure what you'd get on that run but I'd guess about midway.
Why don't you 'borrow' one for a couple of days and find out? I'm sure you could talk Maranellos into it - particularly an older manual.
Also, I had a series of TVRs in my 20s (stretched my budget at first) and without doubt the 3200 is cheaper to run than even the 3 good TVRs. I had one Griffith that cost me £20K in maintenance alone over 2 years! The biggest issue will be the initial cost and resulting depreciation. I could've bought a new car but couldn't see the point in bearing the first £20K loss. If you don't mind - what's your budget?
>> Edited by AlexHancock on Tuesday 20th May 08:31
You'll get about 12 to 13 mpg in traffic (without undue use of throttle) and about 24 mpg when cruising. I'm not sure what you'd get on that run but I'd guess about midway.
Why don't you 'borrow' one for a couple of days and find out? I'm sure you could talk Maranellos into it - particularly an older manual.
Also, I had a series of TVRs in my 20s (stretched my budget at first) and without doubt the 3200 is cheaper to run than even the 3 good TVRs. I had one Griffith that cost me £20K in maintenance alone over 2 years! The biggest issue will be the initial cost and resulting depreciation. I could've bought a new car but couldn't see the point in bearing the first £20K loss. If you don't mind - what's your budget?
>> Edited by AlexHancock on Tuesday 20th May 08:31
I reckon I'm going to spend around 40 to 42 on the car, 1100 on the extra year warranty, 500 for a road angel/blue orign, ~600 for a tracker, 500 for non age related plate, 1500 for the insurance and finally ~800 for the first speeding offence
All based on a 2 yr old car low miles - blue paint, cream leather, manual.
Dave
All based on a 2 yr old car low miles - blue paint, cream leather, manual.
Dave
That's pretty similar to me, so you should get something that's less than 18 months old with less than 10K miles. This'll give you 18 months of warranty, European breakdown cover and fixed price servicing. I'd be surprised if the car didn't already have a tracker fitted in which case it's just a transfer fee.
I don't think you'll be disappointed with the car or the costs!
I don't think you'll be disappointed with the car or the costs!
Dave, thanks for the lead to Scotty. I've chased it up. There's an English guy who runs a great website on everything you want to know about the ring - ben lovejoy. Worth a look..
Alex, until the time I had my ding, the 3200 was amazing on the track, considering its weight. I have to confess I have an Assetto Corsa which due to lower ride height, different shocks etc. possibly gives it a bit of an advantage over a stock 3200...although I did see one at a trackday at Prestwold Hall a year or so ago that was leaving the 360 for dead...turbo overboost problem me'thinks!
I have taken the 3200 to a few trackdays and it is always the only one there. I'll think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you try....
Couldn't agree more about the comments on the 4200 - looks too boring at the back...nothing beats the rear lights of a 3200......
Alex, until the time I had my ding, the 3200 was amazing on the track, considering its weight. I have to confess I have an Assetto Corsa which due to lower ride height, different shocks etc. possibly gives it a bit of an advantage over a stock 3200...although I did see one at a trackday at Prestwold Hall a year or so ago that was leaving the 360 for dead...turbo overboost problem me'thinks!
I have taken the 3200 to a few trackdays and it is always the only one there. I'll think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you try....
Couldn't agree more about the comments on the 4200 - looks too boring at the back...nothing beats the rear lights of a 3200......
Test drove one yesterday Egham to Chobam and back.
Seriously fast car, I will need to get my feet surgically shrunk or have something done to the pedals - size 13's are NOT good in that car.
Just got the sell the house, get a good deal on the TT and find the nettuno blue, cream leather 3200 I'm after
Dave
Seriously fast car, I will need to get my feet surgically shrunk or have something done to the pedals - size 13's are NOT good in that car.
Just got the sell the house, get a good deal on the TT and find the nettuno blue, cream leather 3200 I'm after
Dave
I haven't heard of any pedal modifications - I'd like the clutch pedal to be nearer than the brake & throttle for comfort - but you may find that alloy pedals are smaller and therefore better for you. Otherwise it's the Auto or CC - just two pedals so more room. I assume you've never driven a Ferrari as I think you'd find them even worse.
No never driven a Ferrai - one day - what courtesy cars do they give out?
I guess I'll either have to look a the pedals and options for alloy plates etc, or adjust my driving position so its more toe than foot on the pedal. But then again after a couple of weeks I may have got used to it!
Whats the alarm like in the 3200 - does it conform to insurers spec - I wasn't convinced with what the sales man said. I will be getting a tracker though.
I guess I'll either have to look a the pedals and options for alloy plates etc, or adjust my driving position so its more toe than foot on the pedal. But then again after a couple of weeks I may have got used to it!
Whats the alarm like in the 3200 - does it conform to insurers spec - I wasn't convinced with what the sales man said. I will be getting a tracker though.
Had my 3200 for two weeks. It's 12 months old and 1,500 on the clock. Just have a few silly issues
1) Handbrake needs tighning up
2) Slight paint peel on left side (Easy fix)
3) Boot difficult to open (Probably locking mech too tigt)
4) Fake crome on boot handle chipped a bit.
Thats it. By the way i have have 2 Cerbera, 1 Griffith all new and these's still a perminent trench between my house and the garage!
Just Remember that it's a GT not a race car. Top motor. No regrets so far.
1) Handbrake needs tighning up
2) Slight paint peel on left side (Easy fix)
3) Boot difficult to open (Probably locking mech too tigt)
4) Fake crome on boot handle chipped a bit.
Thats it. By the way i have have 2 Cerbera, 1 Griffith all new and these's still a perminent trench between my house and the garage!
Just Remember that it's a GT not a race car. Top motor. No regrets so far.
Just the Standard 3200 
. It has a sport button (Apparently an extra?) as well as coloured brake calipers. It's Grigio Touring with a light grey and blue inside.
It's not a TVR. On the upside it's not a TVR
.
It has stuff like airbags, traction control, ABS. Hell the Aircon actually works!!!!!
Im chuffed with it
.
. It has a sport button (Apparently an extra?) as well as coloured brake calipers. It's Grigio Touring with a light grey and blue inside. It's not a TVR. On the upside it's not a TVR
. It has stuff like airbags, traction control, ABS. Hell the Aircon actually works!!!!!
Im chuffed with it
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