Maserati 4200 as a daily driver?
Discussion
For the past 18 months I have used an old shape XKR for work (20k pa) which has cost me a staggering £10k + in repairs. I am now looking for a replacement and wondered how a 4200 would compare? Does anyone on here use theirs daily? Not a major concern, but what is fuel economy like? Do they have to use super unleaded? Thanks. (XKR has averaged 19mpg but at least is happy on ordinary unleaded...)
Hi,
There's loads of info on here that would go a long way to answering your questions - do a search and read through the threads (its asked quite regularly).
In a nut shell, from reserch I have done, they're very capable of being dailys. Go for as late a model as you can (def. post 2003) as they were improved as they aged. The Gransport (late 04 on) is considired to be the one to have.
Happy reading!
There's loads of info on here that would go a long way to answering your questions - do a search and read through the threads (its asked quite regularly).
In a nut shell, from reserch I have done, they're very capable of being dailys. Go for as late a model as you can (def. post 2003) as they were improved as they aged. The Gransport (late 04 on) is considired to be the one to have.
Happy reading!
Fuel economy will be marginally lower probably 15-16.
Running costs will be lower too, unless you buy a shocker. No problems with the car handling the mileage.
An 04+ car is your best bet not too important it it's a GS vs Coupe/Spyder.
Lots of info in previous posts on here and at Maseratiforum.co.uk
Running costs will be lower too, unless you buy a shocker. No problems with the car handling the mileage.
An 04+ car is your best bet not too important it it's a GS vs Coupe/Spyder.
Lots of info in previous posts on here and at Maseratiforum.co.uk
notax said:
For the past 18 months I have used an old shape XKR for work (20k pa) which has cost me a staggering £10k + in repairs. I am now looking for a replacement and wondered how a 4200 would compare? Does anyone on here use theirs daily? Not a major concern, but what is fuel economy like? Do they have to use super unleaded? Thanks. (XKR has averaged 19mpg but at least is happy on ordinary unleaded...)
Hi, I had a 2003 4200 for a while. For what it's worth, main points you should consider are, in no particular order:- 15ish mpg on average if you drive normally, but the engine is fab so you'll want to wind it up which'll eat petrol and you should treat it to super unleaded. Motorway cruise may see 21mpg if you have a very light foot
- I suspect the car wouldn't particularly have a problem doing 14k miles a year (based on what you did in your jag) if looked after, but remember it's Ferrari servicing costs. I'd be putting aside at least £3-4k per annum for servicing and consumables assuming nothing major goes wrong. It'll be quite difficult to shift a high miler 4200 though
- If you want a cambiocorsa gearbox, you'll need a 2003 onwards car with the revamped one, otherwise you'll prob find just too horrific after the jag. Note that when the pumps fail for these it is horrifcally expensive £5k or something ridiculous. Manual is also an option
- engine warning light will come on religiously once a month (or at least mine did! for somethign or other). Not a massive worry, best bet initially is to isolate the battery to reset it rather than take it to a dealer and get charge £80 for it to be plugged into their machine. If it's something serious you'll know about it
- skyhook suspension is quite clever, but it won't be as comfy as a jag. And don't be fooled by the sport button too much, it's not a sports car
- ideally, I'd go for a Gransport, I've not driven one but apparently it's a bit night and day to a 4200, bit better mpg, better handling, better sound, better interior, better exterior. Basically, the 4200 as it should have been made originally!
IMHO
Mario makes a number of good points and I think you would find the 4200 a completely different beast to the Jag. I ran one for 2 years as a daily driver without any real problems and suspect you would have less issues with one that gets used in this way than a sunny weekend plaything.
I did not spend quite the sort of money Mario mentioned (a "big" main dealer service is somewhere around £1,500, but that can go up quite quickly if there are any issues to resolve) but don't forget, these cars are now starting to get on a little and as such I would try to go for a leter one if budget allows. My own preference was for the manual, the CC 'box was never that sophisticated, but undeniably good fun when you are caning it. Not so much fun in town. That said there are far fewer manuals to choose from.
In addition, if the F1 pump fails the costs can be steep as Mario has mentioned. I think some of the American owners found a cheaper fix but as it was something that would not affect me I never paid that much attention to it, but is the only real weak spot the cars appear to have.
Whilst I did not put on quite the mileage you do, I did put on about 22,000 miles in two years (with several trips abroad) and the car ran without fault. It was infact more reliable than any of the M Series Bimmers I had previously. Yes the engine light does have a habit of sporadically coming on (it invariably goes off again the next time you start it, it seams to have a very healthy appetite for rear tyres (the original Pilot Sports mine came with only lasted 6000 miles - the replacement Goodyear F1 Eagles were much better in the wet and lasted 10,000, likes to drink petrol (15mpg out of town would be about the norm) but never failed to put a smile on my face every time I got into it. Then there is the engine, which is simply stellar and is every bit as good as you will have heard it is.
If you buy well it will be relatively painless and considerably more fun than the Jag. Try one for size and see how you like it, my guess is you will never look back! Best of luck.
C
I did not spend quite the sort of money Mario mentioned (a "big" main dealer service is somewhere around £1,500, but that can go up quite quickly if there are any issues to resolve) but don't forget, these cars are now starting to get on a little and as such I would try to go for a leter one if budget allows. My own preference was for the manual, the CC 'box was never that sophisticated, but undeniably good fun when you are caning it. Not so much fun in town. That said there are far fewer manuals to choose from.
In addition, if the F1 pump fails the costs can be steep as Mario has mentioned. I think some of the American owners found a cheaper fix but as it was something that would not affect me I never paid that much attention to it, but is the only real weak spot the cars appear to have.
Whilst I did not put on quite the mileage you do, I did put on about 22,000 miles in two years (with several trips abroad) and the car ran without fault. It was infact more reliable than any of the M Series Bimmers I had previously. Yes the engine light does have a habit of sporadically coming on (it invariably goes off again the next time you start it, it seams to have a very healthy appetite for rear tyres (the original Pilot Sports mine came with only lasted 6000 miles - the replacement Goodyear F1 Eagles were much better in the wet and lasted 10,000, likes to drink petrol (15mpg out of town would be about the norm) but never failed to put a smile on my face every time I got into it. Then there is the engine, which is simply stellar and is every bit as good as you will have heard it is.
If you buy well it will be relatively painless and considerably more fun than the Jag. Try one for size and see how you like it, my guess is you will never look back! Best of luck.
C
Thanks for all the comments 
. I have just come back from enthusiastically test driving a Gransport at Auto Sportiva. I was hoping to be impressed by the look of the basic 4200 (which are about £8-10k less expensive) but the GS looks SO much better both internally and externally that this is the only model I would now consider.
Very impressed with the driving experience - similar to my F1 F355 perhaps not surprisingly! Car was fast, just the right amount of noise and rode far better than my SLK55 AMG. Also pleasantly surprised by the 12,000 mile service intervals. All looking good so far. I am also going to test drive several 911s in the few weeks and we'll see how they compare...
. I have just come back from enthusiastically test driving a Gransport at Auto Sportiva. I was hoping to be impressed by the look of the basic 4200 (which are about £8-10k less expensive) but the GS looks SO much better both internally and externally that this is the only model I would now consider.Very impressed with the driving experience - similar to my F1 F355 perhaps not surprisingly! Car was fast, just the right amount of noise and rode far better than my SLK55 AMG. Also pleasantly surprised by the 12,000 mile service intervals. All looking good so far. I am also going to test drive several 911s in the few weeks and we'll see how they compare...
Lots of sensible comments here.
Choose which gearbox you want (GS is paddle shift only) and allow about £2k pa for maintenance over a few years. You will need an annual/mileage (mileage in your case at 12.5k miles) service and then clutch and brakes depending on where they are on the replacement cycle.
Mine was happy starting in the cold whether despite being kept outside.
Agree about 15/16 mpg but its got a big tank.
Lots of smiles and waves from other people. Not so many in a Porsche!
Choose which gearbox you want (GS is paddle shift only) and allow about £2k pa for maintenance over a few years. You will need an annual/mileage (mileage in your case at 12.5k miles) service and then clutch and brakes depending on where they are on the replacement cycle.
Mine was happy starting in the cold whether despite being kept outside.
Agree about 15/16 mpg but its got a big tank.
Lots of smiles and waves from other people. Not so many in a Porsche!
Colossus said:
In addition, if the F1 pump fails the costs can be steep as Mario has mentioned. I think some of the American owners found a cheaper fix but as it was something that would not affect me I never paid that much attention to it, but is the only real weak spot the cars appear to have.
When I was chatting to Mike from QV the other day, I seem to recall him mentioning that they (or someone they knew) had managed to find a cheaper fix/replacement for the F1 pump. Something about getting one from a 360 which was cheaper(!!). Anyone come across this? I may have got my wires crossed, he may have been talking about replacing the pump on and 355 F1, but I can't for the life of me remember.As a daily driver it is superb.
With regard to costs it depends if you want to be fleeced by the dealers or get it looked after by a decent indie. My service costs were approx £600 pa which is on a par with the various Porsches I owned.
Personal view but the Gransport is a far superior car to the 4200 in all ways. I initially went looking for a 4200 and test drove a number and was left unimpressed, to similar to a 996 and uninvolving with GT handling. The GS is a different proposition with tighter handling, fantastic exhaust and excellent gearchange.
The F1 pump has been a problem on earlier cars but seems to have been blown out of all proportion, also have never heard of a Gransport having this type of failure. If you go to http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk there is plenty of info on it and I think that there is a direct replacement from alfa.
Finally a lot of talk about the cost of the clutch and its life. The cost is on a par with the 911 and is considerably cheaper if you use an indie. Clutch life is down to how you use the car, drive it like a teenager from lights and it will last a short while and you will need to replace your rear tyres a lot as well. My Gransport had its first clutch change at 35k and there are other examples of clutches lasting longer, it is all down to how you drive the car, which is the same for any high performance car.
Bottom line, get one, especially the Gransport!
With regard to costs it depends if you want to be fleeced by the dealers or get it looked after by a decent indie. My service costs were approx £600 pa which is on a par with the various Porsches I owned.
Personal view but the Gransport is a far superior car to the 4200 in all ways. I initially went looking for a 4200 and test drove a number and was left unimpressed, to similar to a 996 and uninvolving with GT handling. The GS is a different proposition with tighter handling, fantastic exhaust and excellent gearchange.
The F1 pump has been a problem on earlier cars but seems to have been blown out of all proportion, also have never heard of a Gransport having this type of failure. If you go to http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk there is plenty of info on it and I think that there is a direct replacement from alfa.
Finally a lot of talk about the cost of the clutch and its life. The cost is on a par with the 911 and is considerably cheaper if you use an indie. Clutch life is down to how you use the car, drive it like a teenager from lights and it will last a short while and you will need to replace your rear tyres a lot as well. My Gransport had its first clutch change at 35k and there are other examples of clutches lasting longer, it is all down to how you drive the car, which is the same for any high performance car.
Bottom line, get one, especially the Gransport!
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