4200, I'm getting nearer so more questions!

[sjc]

O.k bit by bit I'm getting pulled to one of these cars, the 4200's mix of an evocative name,performance, practicality and secondhand value are gradually winding me in,but I have a number of things bugging me.
1; GT or CC? Drove both last summer and wasn't convinced totally by either.The manual I assumed I'd like better as I don't generally go for two pedal cars but found it quite difficult to flow, and the CC just seems a bit of an ownership pain allround coupled with a few scare stories on bills for them.
2; Other than (I assume yellow maybe) any complete no-no's regarding interior/exterior colours and assuming I get a car from 03 to 54 plate any essential extras for resale?
3;Tubi or not Tubi that is the question.Anyone in Essex with one fitted that wouldn't mind a little demo of the music? Have heard the file on their website but not sure, are there any other options?
4;Trident warranty any good?, I believe it doesn't cover wear and tear and clutches etc.
5; Reliability, the newer the better I assume and how are they in general, it won't be an everyday car but please tell warts and all!
Many thanks in advance for any replies, this type of thing makes me nervous and excited at the same time!

[David A]

Buy one
1. CC, once you had it you'll never go back to those gear stuick thinggys, its great;
2. Dunno, thats personal more than anything I think - I quite like the yellow ones ....
3. Tubi, and get it when you buy the car, that way no deliberating during ownership and you get the best value (time per pound) out of it. If you want to hear one, you could give me a call when I'm driving and listen that way
4. Don't konw, but want to know
5. Touch wood, great so far (do these have a check engine light????)

6. Get one with Sat Nav - its pretty good really, the std hifi is just shit, I've spent another 1K plus on an upgrade and its hidden invisible but sounds amazing
7. Geta spyder summer is coming

Dave

[exint2]

Red appears bad for resale apparently.

Reliability is very good - they do do the odd "quirky" thing but it's amazing what switching off the ignition and waiting a few seconds can do!

Definately CC - takes a week or so to learn but then it's fantastic.

My one piece of advisw would be to buy a 2003 model onwards - you can tell these as they have a V8 logo on the wings - I had a 2002 and chopped it for a 2004 and they really had sorted out all sorts of little niggles in those 2 years.

[singh]

Agree with comments reg. CC box,get used to it and its great fun. My 4200 has been faultless(thank god)thus far. I am in Essex/Redbridge your more than welcome to have a listen to my car, custom made SS straight thru pipes, sound much better than the original's. I cannot compare it against a tubi as I am yet to hear one on a 4200(was about £500 cheaper though).
The car itself is brilliant and like you, coming from a recent TVR background I think it makes a great transition car,less or none of the niggles but still rare and special with plenty of poke and a great sound, the practicality of two proper rear seats makes it a unique proposition.

BTW my car is YELLOW...I think really it is horse's for course's. For me coming out of a reflex charcoal tuscan into a grey 4200(not that there is anything wrong with grey 4200's)would have been too great a admission of growing up.

Besides brighter hue's seem to be quite popular at the moment,just look at the vivid colours aston are offering for the AMV8.

[maser sod]

Singh, who did your aftermarket pipes?
I had an SS mid-section + dual back boxes done by Longlife a year or so ago for my previous car, results were ok but not sure I'd let them near a Maser though?!

[stepr1]

I would suggest a GT, CC is a real pain in the arse, imo. Can't comment about running cost difference, but my GT has had a gerbox replaced under warranty!!! Clutch is still original at 16k...

I have just put the Tubi on mine and its fantastic, but some dealers will not do warranty work until you put the original exhaust back on... My dealer was fine with it.. Harder for them now as the Gransport is around. they were also ok with the new ecu i fitted.

I would suggest go for it...

[johnnyboy225]

Andy,

The mix of things pulling you towards the Trident sounds all too familiar.. took me plenty of deliberation (nervous excitement and all that).. I tell you, I haven't regretted it...

1. CC - its fantastic - second nature, and learning all sorts of techniques, so a drive is never dull..!! Got used to it pretty quickly - now done 5K miles. Wouldn't go back to a stick. If you are anywhere near my part of Essex (Colchester), you are welcome to pop over at the weekend and I'll take you for a spin (and show you more of the car's capability than you can experience in a test drive)..

2. Dealer feedback was that the 'burgundy' (deep claret colour) was the one that doesn't re-sell well for what its worth - but agree its a personal thing. Regarding extras, try getting one with satnav (works pretty well), and park assist is good too. Also see if you can get one with the various interior trim options (I think it really enhances the interior - which is great anyway) - things like contrasting piping and stitching, and the other trim options covering dash, parcel shelf and door panels. Had my stereo upgraded (thought I couldn't live without a multi-CD changer) - but I never listen to the radio or CD, as the engine sounds much better...

3. I've haven't got a Tubi yet (guess I'm still bit concerned about really peeing off the neighbours).. but I would encourage you to get one if you can... I parked next to David A's Spyder with Tubi at VW, and it sounded mighty fine

4. Mine's on trident warranty and so far, so good - been in twice for list of 8 things - everything I wanted down was sorted without question (at Lancasters Colchester)... and as you say, it doesn't cover wear and tear etc.

5. I drive an 02 52 as my daily driver, and so far its been just perfect for 5 months...

Hope that helps. By the way, one of my pals is in the market for a 911, but caught him flirting with my car the other day , so am taking him to test drive a CC on Saturday!!

Good luck, and buy a Maser....

JBoy

[pvapour]

I big from me for the CC, as has beeen said, takes some getting used to, but once you do you'd have it again.

16k miles covered in 2 years for me and not a thing has gone wrong :touchwood:

I replaced the centre section of the exhaust which has given the deired result, not to loud, but enough. I actually did the schematics for mine and gave them to a fabricator so if you want a copy just let me know, it will work out about £200

Sat Nav is ok and stereo needs an amp wiring in (which I also have a wiring diagram for)

Dealers seem to vary alot on service costs, i found Dick Lovet in Swindon to be the most helpfull and cost effective.

PS - mine will be up for sale in the Spring, if your interested at all then drop me a mail.

Happy hunting

[sjc]

Thanks very much for such informative and helpful replies.Think I'll have to drive both versions at length to decide. Hope I didn't offend anyone with yellow cars,just thought that they "may" be a bit harder to move at resale time. Fortunately for me the two dealerships mentioned I have spoken to (Dick Lovett and Lancaster Colchester who would be my local) so that bodes well for future dealings. It was very reassuring to hear tales of good reliability, as I have some strange adverse phobia to big bills!( One dealer told me 16 grand for a CC gearbox)which you could say was slightly off putting!
Regarding the tubis or other exhaust option, does it entail a ECU re-map of sorts or not, and I assume as in the TVR/Noble world that a good relationship with your dealer is required for warranty work if you have one fitted. Regarding servicing, waht are average prices and what are the "biggies"
Thanks again for your replies and the kind offers of sound or drive demos, please keep them coming, now I'm off to the Maserati website!

[singh]

maser sod said:

Singh, who did your aftermarket pipes? I had an SS mid-section + dual back boxes done by Longlife a year or so ago for my previous car, results were ok but not sure I'd let them near a Maser though?!

Rosso Corsa in Park Royal had them made up.

Pvapour,

Thanks for the plans for the mid-pipes. I did speak to maniflow and they quoted me £250(may come down if someone else want's one)what they did say was that after fitting yours they had to make a small modification but they cannot remember what it was and suggested that I ask you first.
Make any sense?

Thanks again.

Zak

[pvapour]

singh said:

maser sod said: Singh, who did your aftermarket pipes? I had an SS mid-section + dual back boxes done by Longlife a year or so ago for my previous car, results were ok but not sure I'd let them near a Maser though?! Rosso Corsa in Park Royal had them made up. Pvapour, Thanks for the plans for the mid-pipes. I did speak to maniflow and they quoted me £250(may come down if someone else want's one)what they did say was that after fitting yours they had to make a small modification but they cannot remember what it was and suggested that I ask you first. Make any sense? Thanks again. Zak

Thats right, the first set I had made were a prototype and are fitted to my vehicle now, but were a little tight on the bore size, so when I had the rest made up for sale on ebay, I revised the plans to make assembly easier, nothing major but less hammer work

The plans I sent you were the revised ones so all should be fine, talk to the owner with paper in your hand and you should see the price drop

All the best

Nik

>> Edited by pvapour on Friday 10th March 14:33

[sjc]

pvapour said:

PS - mine will be up for sale in the Spring, if your interested at all then drop me a mail. Happy hunting

Pvapour, your car looks stunning, but it's got to be a coupe, as one of the reasons I'm selling the Noble is two kids!

[johnnyboy225]

Nik,

Quick question then.... has the pipes you had fitted had any effect on your warranty - does the dealer know? what did they say etc....

I'm keen on an aftermarket zorst - just not sure which to go for - Ideally one that is not too 'LOUD' at idle, but comes into its own when given wellie..... Other question is how much are the pipes to fit?

Cheers,
JBoy

[wicked1]

As yet i haven't driven a manual 4200 but it would have to be spectacular to beat the CC. I would also like to say the coupe is also the better car in my opinion, it is stiffer and thus more composed on the road,especially the back roads. Blue is probably the best colour with crema leather, most popular i have seen anyway. I have seen a couple in dark green with cream leather and wood effect, which does look very nice i must say.

I see them for servicing but they just come in, have the service done and they are off again, good news i think.

Good luck with the purchase, i don't think you will regret it.

[johnnyboy225]

So Andy, any news yet? how's the decision process getting on.....

Let us know.... cheeers

[sjc]

johnnyboy225 said:

So Andy, any news yet? how's the decision process getting on..... Let us know.... cheeers

Johnnyboy225, thanks for the interest, went up to Colchester but they only had one car and the Maser guy wasn't there.Think I may be close to possibly having a buyer for the Noble so if that happens it's teat drive time again.

[johnnyboy225]

sjc said:

johnnyboy225 said: So Andy, any news yet? how's the decision process getting on..... Let us know.... cheeers Johnnyboy225, thanks for the interest, went up to Colchester but they only had one car and the Maser guy wasn't there.Think I may be close to possibly having a buyer for the Noble so if that happens it's teat drive time again.

Andy, no problem - I think an owner's opinion or two can help - You must mean John McCarter (he's the Maser sales guy at Lancasters).. I know the car you mean (Blu Nettuno/creme) it's a good-un - went with a pal and we took it out for a test drive (he wanted to contrast it to the 911 he's likely to buy!!).

If you five me notice when you're next there, If I can, I'll pop along...

Cheers