Cheap Masser Coupe (manual), will you regret it?

[rapidophile]

My mate is thinking about getting a Masser Couple (not the Grandsport).

He has read the reviews and knows it not quite the Grandsport, but thinks it'll be a fun car for the money.

How reliable are they, will he regret getting a cheap Masser?

[Gring]

rapidophile said:

will he regret getting a cheap Masser?

YES

[3200gt]

Depends if he is buying it for an ornament or a mode of transport.

[rapidophile]

Fun and transport.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MASE...

I thought it was a bad idea..

I suggested increasing the budget and getting a Gransport, ideally with some warranty.

[Gring]

For £15k you should get a decent 3200, but a dog of a 4200. Just have to make sure you keep it well maintained. As it will quite quickly turn into a dog if you do not keep it well maintained.

[patmahe]

Does he have a big budget to run the car? Better to buy a good on and maintain it well than to buy a dog, fix it and then pay to maintain it properly.

[andy355]

the advert link is to a 3200 with 45k on it. Looks rather nice.

[P700DEE]

3200s with Manual gearboxes should be fine, but need to be well looked after to stay reliable. Beware the flappy paddles.

[CCCS]

3200 automatics don't have flappy paddles.

[3200gt]

and the manuals seem to be more trouble than the auto's

[Gring]

Is'nt the manual box exactly the same as the auto box, I am sure it is in the 4200 F1 CC box and the manual.

[3200gt]

Maybe that was a bit of a sweeping statement, crank end float and obviously the clutch on manuals would have been more accurate.

[Gring]

No, I do mean exactly the same. Gear lever operates switch's in the same way the paddles do.

[3200gt]

3200 auto's are true auto's, they dont have f1 paddles.

[Gring]

3200gt said:

3200 auto's are true auto's, they dont have f1 paddles.

Crossed wires, I was talking about 4200.

[3200gt]

Then we are both right.

[rs48635]

FTR

Maserati Coupes 1999 -

3200 full 4 seat coupe, Maserati engine, always twin turbo, boomerang lights, bonnet vents.
No convertible option
6 speed manual
Full (slushmatic) Auto (4 speed?)
Assetto Corsa - ltd edition with handling modifications, susupension, steering, brakes, LSD

4200 full 4 seat coupe, Maserati/Ferrari N/A engine, Mondeo rear lights
Full convertible "Spyder", 2 seater only on shortened wheelbase.
6 Speed manual (v. Rare)
6 Speed robotised manual - Cambiocorsa

GranSport - like a 4200, with (rare) Spyder option.
Extra kit as standard, and handling updated to make it drive sharper.
Smarter interior.
Deleted big screen (removes NAV and other non-essential tools)

[masermartin]

As with any car, service history and careful ownership is essential. Cheap doesn't have to mean a dog when it comes to Maseratis, the second hand values are a result of the newer models ever since the Ghibli being notable giant leaps forward in most respects, and consequently denting resale values of the previous models. Unfortunately this means that people tend to treat them with the required respect and attention only while their second hand value holds up, at which point their needs tend to be ignored. This unfortunately tends to coincide with the time that they require the major work doing.

A Maserati doesn't make a good "only car" though, and be prepared for minor niggles to turn out to be a lot more complicated to sort than it first seemed.