Masa 3200 vs 4200?

[Greasy Joe]

Just sold my gorgeous little Porsche 993,
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/220473.htm
Don't know whether to laugh or cry.

I do know that I am car-less and need a new set of wheels.
I quite fancy a Maserati but have driven neither a 3200 or 4200.
For under £30k it seems that I could get either.

Coming from a Porsche, I've come to expect bomb proof reliability but little in the way of comfort.
Do Maseratis deserve their reputation for poor reliabilty?

Apart from the obvious difference in engine size, how different are they?

Thanks in advance.

[3200gt]

Not on a par reliability wise with your old un but not anywhere near the fabled dogs that some believe. Ive had mine 6+ yrs now without anything major occuring. Yeah, small things have happened but its a complex bit of kit so you should expect the occasional hiccup. Certainly nothing that has required it to be collected from the side of the road.

3200's are the more sportier with turbo power delivery and a hair trigger thottle that takes a while to get used to, handling, do not switch off the traction in the damp unless you prefer a "interesting" journey (due to the hair trigger they step out very easily). Interior they are pretty similar.

4200's are a more refined car in both power delivery and handling but dont have the TAIL LIGHTS or bonnet grilles or Turbos.

If you plan to use it everyday in the traffic go for a 4200. If you want a wild animal as opposed to a circus act then go for a 3200.

:Ducks and waits for the 4200 owners smilie:

[kentmotorcompany]

Greasy Joe said:

Just sold my gorgeous little Porsche 993,
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/220473.htm
Don't know whether to laugh or cry.

I do know that I am car-less and need a new set of wheels.
I quite fancy a Maserati but have driven neither a 3200 or 4200.
For under £30k it seems that I could get either.

Coming from a Porsche, I've come to expect bomb proof reliability but little in the way of comfort.
Do Maseratis deserve their reputation for poor reliabilty?

Apart from the obvious difference in engine size, how different are they?

Thanks in advance.

4200 is widely considered the better car.
But for under £30,000 I think you would be better off getting a very good 3200, rather than an average 4200.

[Aeroresh]

Id test drive both and see what you think. I was fortunate enough to drive them back to back before settling on the 4200 purely because i didnt want my wife, who also drives the car, spinning it every time the weather was wet!

If it was down to me I think Id have a 3200 but it would have to be a manual.

[Cambio]

I had the same decision to make - ended up getting a 4200 but drove several 3200s first. Main reasons - newer car, better sorted, more reliable. Downside - you lose the boomerang taillights and bonnet louvres, which look good on the 3200. It is now possible to get a good 4200 for well under £30K if you don't go to a main dealer. Look on the Maserati forum (www.maseratiforum.co.uk) where there are often good examples of both for sale. You could also try ADG Sevenoaks who usually have a selection and are good people to deal with.

3200 comes in traditional auto (GTA)or manual
4200 comes in Cambiocorsa or CC-based manual (GT)

If you do a lot of driving in stop start traffic the 3200 GTA could be the best bet.

Cambiocorsa is excellent but takes a little getting used to. Not great in traffic jams though - and don't try reversing uphill!

All excellent cars - but there are some dogs out there - take the time to find a good one with service history and ideally get it checked over by a specialist eg Emblem.

[Greasy Joe]

Thanks for the info. Who are Emblem?

[Cambio]

Emblem Sportscars, Maserati and Ferrari specialist in Bournemouth/Poole area. Very thorough and highly recommended. See http://www.emblemsportscars.com. I have no connection with the company other than as a satisfied customer.....