Real world reliability Maserati 4200??

[jagdpanther]

Mrs Jagdpanther has recently come into some money and decided she wants to buy a car to replace her aging SLK230K

Now Ive suggested, if shes willing to come down in years, a number of cars, one of which is the Maserati 4200...particularly the Cambiocorsa (sp?)

The one thing she wants to know is what the general build quality and reliability is like?

Costs and such?

Ta in advance

~S~

[Catchme]

All depends. Mine's been totally reliable in the year I've been running it. Build quality is fine, in my opinion. Nothing has fallen off yet. It's a daily driver too. There's been various comments regarding the issues of paddle v manual gearboxes and there are a number of people on this site that have experienced to downside of Maserati ownership - which can get expensive if things go wrong....

[sjp63]

Im on my second with no real problems - no less reliable than all the BMW's I've had. Servicing can be expensive.

Mines a daily driver too.

[Troesma]

Ditto with above. As with every car, it had a couple of issues but nothing really serious in the end (when something is not working you always, immediately, tend to think it's serious...) Servicing could be expensive but if out of factory warranty better to go to one of the known, reputed independent, which would charge sensible rates and are much more knowledgeable of the car. You will find many refs in the Forum if you do a search.

In my case, I'm overly happy with the car, to the point I'm replacing the Maser for a new Maser, which should be in end of next week. The 4200 has given me great pleasure to drive.

If you're looking for a mint used example, PM me as the baby is obviously now on sale (and ready to be Zymol'ed next week by Dave Z).

Good luck!

[jagdpanther]

Thanks for the replies chaps

I know the missus is looking at buying something, but not sure how soon

At the moment Im trying to talk her away from a Tuscan and into something a bit more solid...which I know I will receive endless amounts of grief from my TVR bretheren about looking at Italians for better build quialty and reliability, but its a possibility

Thanks again for the info

[Troesma]

Jags

Tuscan vs Maser are 2 very different propositions. In the end, you should buy what you feel will give you joy. For example, people either love or loathe the cambiocorsa gearbox; I must say those who loathe it invariably don't know how to use it. Period.

Anyway, good luck with the search..!

[jagdpanther]

Troesma said:

Jags

Tuscan vs Maser are 2 very different propositions. In the end, you should buy what you feel will give you joy. For example, people either love or loathe the cambiocorsa gearbox; I must say those who loathe it invariably don't know how to use it. Period.

Anyway, good luck with the search..!

I agree completely, but every car shes looking at are completely different beasts

The current list of possibles:

TVR Tuscan/Tuscan 2/Tamora
Jaguar XK8/XKR 4.2
Porsche Boxster S
Merc SLK - Anything with 6 cylinders or more
Merc SL/SL55AMG
Maybe a CLK??
BMW Z4/Z4M?
Maserati 4200

[Troesma]

jagdpanther said:

I agree completely, but every car shes looking at are completely different beasts

The current list of possibles:

TVR Tuscan/Tuscan 2/Tamora
Jaguar XK8/XKR 4.2
Porsche Boxster S
Merc SLK - Anything with 6 cylinders or more
Merc SL/SL55AMG
Maybe a CLK??
BMW Z4/Z4M?
Maserati 4200

Pheww, that's a long and varied list. What is she looking for? Performance, looks, space, reliability, flair, daily driver, combo? Seems IMHO she needs a bit more of focus and then narrow down things, otherwise it is a mixed bag with a complex decision tree. And, of course, look at budget and "bang for the buck."

Seems she would go for whatever has the most visual "impact" and hits the right notes (performance-wise) in that particular day.

Oh well... hope she gets it sorted!

[jagdpanther]

To narrow it down a bit

Shes after something quick, pretty, useable, reliable (my addition as I dont want to get it in the neck if something goes wrong!) not too old and with a budget of 40k ish with a trade value of 12k on her old motor

Only problem is she wants something with more of a striking colour which has ruled out most her favourite german stuff like the SLK and SL

[Troesma]

jagdpanther said:

To narrow it down a bit

Only problem is she wants something with more of a striking colour which has ruled out most her favourite german stuff like the SLK and SL

See, that's what I mean above by visual "impact" but then, as you say, it narrows options considerably.

If she has Mercs top of her list, dunno how that would blend with, say, Italian flavour. Mercs feel (drive) rather bland and soul-less when compared to a Maser, or even a TVR for argument sake. That's a fact anyone can tell. Beauty is so subjective that it's difficult to box into specific dimensions; in fact, aesthetic beauty is so linked to the mix of emotions which surface when driving the car...

With 40K in hand I would say she has a reasonable choice set (03 to 04 models) without even sacrificing her existing wheels to a low trade-in value.

Just my 2c.

[F.C.]

Late model maser spider (one with the glass rear window and modded chassis) should be WELL within budget, it's a lot of car for the money and very under-rated, my missus wants one blue with crema interior, trouble is I can't find a manual one and according to the dealers all but a couple of spiders in this country are CC's.
F.C.

[jagdpanther]

F.C. said:

Late model maser spider (one with the glass rear window and modded chassis) should be WELL within budget, it's a lot of car for the money and very under-rated, my missus wants one blue with crema interior, trouble is I can't find a manual one and according to the dealers all but a couple of spiders in this country are CC's.
F.C.

I think the Blu Mediteranio with Cream leather is a lovely combination to

If it was my money, it would be a toss up between a Blu Mediteranio/Cream Spyder like this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/184650.htm

Or a coupe the same spec as Troesma which is beautiful

[Brandeego]

I have gone from a Tuscan to a 4200 Coupe. Car is used daily, apart from today when it would not start. Seems that Maserati & rain do not mix well.

[johnnyboy225]

Brandeego said:

I have gone from a Tuscan to a 4200 Coupe. Car is used daily, apart from today when it would not start. Seems that Maserati & rain do not mix well.

Brandeego - I've never had that problem with mine - has always started first time, every time (rain, sun etc)... [rapidly touches every wood surface he can find]

Blu Mediterraneo with Beige - now there's a combo... .....

Seriously though, mine's a daily driver, and I've put 24,000 miles on in last 20 months - very happy with reliability personally [more frantic touching of wood] - can be a daily driver - as said by Troesma - you need to narrow that list down... trust me, a 6 cylinder SLK through to a Maser????

Best wishes.....

John

[Brandeego]

It sounds like mine has a fault, which hopefully can be easily sorted. Have to say that I had no major reliability problems with the Tuscan, other than engine rebuild The build quality on the Maserati is in another league. Agree that you need to narrow the choice down. I went from an Evo VIII to the Tuscan then the 4200. All completely different beasts. The 4200 is a good compromise for what I need.

If you go for a Maserati, I am told that Rosso Mondiale with Nero leather piped red and Carbon pack is quicker than the rest

[Cardiff]

i wanted a red when i bought my 320 but they are quite rare, best colour though!

[LittleBro]

F.C. said:

Late model maser spider (one with the glass rear window and modded chassis) should be WELL within budget, it's a lot of car for the money and very under-rated, my missus wants one blue with crema interior, trouble is I can't find a manual one and according to the dealers all but a couple of spiders in this country are CC's.
F.C.

I think Top Gear have that exact car for sale (not sure about the rear window)

[not applicable]

jagdpanther said:

F.C. said:

Late model maser spider (one with the glass rear window and modded chassis) should be WELL within budget, it's a lot of car for the money and very under-rated, my missus wants one blue with crema interior, trouble is I can't find a manual one and according to the dealers all but a couple of spiders in this country are CC's.
F.C.

I think the Blu Mediteranio with Cream leather is a lovely combination to

If it was my money, it would be a toss up between a Blu Mediteranio/Cream Spyder like this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/184650.htm

Or a coupe the same spec as Troesma which is beautiful

I have a manual Blue Mediteranio with cream leather, 2003 (53) Spyder which has done 12K miles. It is also happens to be for sale! PM me if you would like further details.

n/a

[Pvapour]

agree with Cardif, if you can find a Rosso Boulogne with cream then I ould'nt but as it turns out I've loved the Med blue with cream.

Into 3 years ownership now, done 30k miles;

- three services with no additions needed outside what is set out within guidlines

- new CC clutch fitted after having coverded 25k miles (38k on clock) £2500, good coverage from what i've read

- MIL light came on once, found to be loose HT lead, no cost fixed whilst I popped in

- CC pump failed shortly after clutch was fitted, this can happen pparently due to new load on pump, duno, cost £1800 though

fitted a Tubi recently which sounds simply awsome, but had just the centre pipes replaced for the 1st 2 years which was an easy, cheap and effective mod.

Love CC, would have it again

all in all very pleased with the car, would be ordering the GT but has the same power as before so am in fact looking at the other car on your list the SL55, to be honest I think the SL55 for a lady and everyday use would be better, but you question was around reliability so 4200

saying that I'm looking at modding my 4200 further, untill i find the right car will miss it when it does go

hope this helps