3200GT vs XKR ?

[paulg390]

Sorry for starting yet another "help please" thread... But I'm looking at trading up my 1997 Xk8 to something a bit newer and quicker. I need seats in the back for a 7 year old so the XKR and 3200GT seem in the right ball park. Looking to spend circa £18k -£19k.
The car is not for everyday use but does need to be pretty reliable (I've got a Lotus and TVR already thanks !) as it would be used to ferry the family up and down the M1 quite a bit.
I know I should drive both first but thought some basic questions might help eliminate one or other earlier....

So has anyone got experience of "ownership" / "driving experience" as diret comparisons of these ?

Have heard the early 3200's suffer from an on/off throttle and have read soem of the usual scary stories about unreliable ones (electrics, short lived clutches etc)(but thats what I read about my XK8 too and its been completely trouble free for 3 years now)

Also I know its sacriledge to ask on Pistonheads but just how thirsty are these ? I used to have a v12 XJS and the consumption even on M/ways was enough to make me think twice about driving it !!

I get about 23-24 out of the XK8 on a reasonable A/b road run and as much as 25/26 on M/way. To be honest I drive pretty conservatively in the XK8 as I get my kicks in the Tiv / Lotus...

Read some horror stories that the 3200 averages about 16-17 on A road/Motorway - whats the real life expectation (not woried about town use as it wont get much).

Thanks in advance

[3200gt]

You wont see 20mpg from the Mas. 16 - 17mpg average is right on the money.
Even with that, I know where I'd spend my money, and in fact did!

[CraigW]

I had both, a 2001 3200GTA and a 2000 XKR Cab.

performancewise v similar, i reckon the jag might be marginally quicker but not much in it.

Mas worse on fuel.

Both reliable (I looked hard & got warranties)

The jag was smooth, had all the toys, very comfy (back seats much smaller than masers),looked nice in black. HOWEVER......

The sense of occasion from driving the maserati was soooooo good, it always felt a special place to be and got so much appreciation.

any other questions ask away!

[stevenM]

all round, through m/way, local and town i always average 12-14mpg. have seen low 20's on a trip from wales to scotland travelling from 12am - 6am so empty roads, constant speed - as good as it'll ever get.

[mr_tony]

Fuel - average for me was around 15mpg.
On a good spirited drive in the am - nearer 12mpg
Driving miss daisy with no turbo usage I could manage upto 23mpg - but its no fun...

[paulg390]

Thanks for the feedback on mpg figures guys... much as I feared, not sure the "budget manager" is going to be too pleased with these numbers tho

Think I need to drive them both and see if the extra "experience" outweighs the extra fuel costs.... although I am aware that in teh grand scheme mpg is probably going to be the least of my costs

[mr_tony]

I think the thing is there is a price overlap here.

However, it will be a dog of a jag that is more expensive to run than the masser.

Still the Masser may not depreciate as fast as the Jag undoubtedly will - so maybe it's worth factoring that into the equation...

[3200gt]

paulg390 said:

Thanks for the feedback on mpg figures guys... much as I feared, not sure the "budget manager" is going to be too pleased with these numbers tho

It's only petrol, it's not as if the planets life or death depends on it.

[rs48635]

Nobody buys a maserati for the fuel economy, but keep speed steady when transporting the family on the M1 and you will easily get 23-24 mpg, which should please the budget manager. We managed this on first two tankfuls of trip to southern france. Stretched my right leg more often after that but but still made into 20's.
How you drive on you own is a matter for you and Shell V power (other premium fuels available). We bought ours as a "sensible family car, with four proper seats and a boot", to replace the 166. Do it anyway.