3200 Buyer's guide
Discussion
I dont think they are a bad used buy from a Maserati dealer. Its suicide buying out of it in my opinion and that was my mistake for trusting a dealer outside of the network. A non Maserati warranty would appear to be pretty useless also. Yes you will get one considerably cheaper outside the network, but the perils are there to see with what happened to me.
The original question on this thread was to show both sides and I am trying to be objective. As far as a four seater performance car goes I still dont think the 3200/4200 has a rival. There are pitfalls though and parts are a massive issue.
The original question on this thread was to show both sides and I am trying to be objective. As far as a four seater performance car goes I still dont think the 3200/4200 has a rival. There are pitfalls though and parts are a massive issue.
Pulled out of the Porker Lisa. I just couldn't afford it at present as I'm thinking about moving. Check my profile just bought a CLK. A 911 is definitley on the agenda now though as it's easily the best car I have driven in years.
The other lads have had a far better experience than me but when they come to sell they are in for a shock!!
The other lads have had a far better experience than me but when they come to sell they are in for a shock!!
Nothing wrong with the masser, excellent car. I can't recommend it enough.
Still think my Masser 3200 is so much MORE reliable than any of my previous TVR's. I can drive it without worrying what will fall off next. So far all i have paid for is my servicing (which is about the same as a cerber). It's still on the last year of its THREE year warrenty. I will be getting another. The only fly being the depreciation but I Don't think there's much in it, between My ex Cerbera Speed six and the Maserati in depreciation. Also i have had my car 99% of the time to use, as apposed to the TVR wich spent 25% of it's life back at the garage being fixed engine, suspension, electrics, leaks and bits not glued on properly. They main downtime with the Maserati has been the dealer damaging the paintwork whilst fixing some other part of the paint work.
I also have the red Key and went through a main dealer. Can't say i would deal with anything else for a performance car.
Still think my Masser 3200 is so much MORE reliable than any of my previous TVR's. I can drive it without worrying what will fall off next. So far all i have paid for is my servicing (which is about the same as a cerber). It's still on the last year of its THREE year warrenty. I will be getting another. The only fly being the depreciation but I Don't think there's much in it, between My ex Cerbera Speed six and the Maserati in depreciation. Also i have had my car 99% of the time to use, as apposed to the TVR wich spent 25% of it's life back at the garage being fixed engine, suspension, electrics, leaks and bits not glued on properly. They main downtime with the Maserati has been the dealer damaging the paintwork whilst fixing some other part of the paint work.
I also have the red Key and went through a main dealer. Can't say i would deal with anything else for a performance car.
chris_crossley said:
Nothing wrong with the masser, excellent car. I can't recommend it enough.
Still think my Masser 3200 is so much MORE reliable than any of my previous TVR's. I can drive it without worrying what will fall off next. So far all i have paid for is my servicing (which is about the same as a cerber). It's still on the last year of its THREE year warrenty. I will be getting another. The only fly being the depreciation but I Don't think there's much in it, between My ex Cerbera Speed six and the Maserati in depreciation. Also i have had my car 99% of the time to use, as apposed to the TVR wich spent 25% of it's life back at the garage being fixed engine, suspension, electrics, leaks and bits not glued on properly. They main downtime with the Maserati has been the dealer damaging the paintwork whilst fixing some other part of the paint work.
I also have the red Key and went through a main dealer. Can't say i would deal with anything else for a performance car.
Indeed Chris, nothing wrong with yours. Mine however, was a heap of shit. The guy asked at the top of the thread what to look out for, and I decided to break my silence and report some of the issues I had.
My exhaust did drop off. My gearbox ate itself, the door solenoids packed in and amongst other things the depreciation is horrendous. No dealer in the UK will offer you above £20K for one so be prepared for TVR type losses when you come to trade.
Apart from that I did state the benefits of ownership although once mine had spent 2 months being fixed I lost all confidence in it, which I think is understandable.
flasher said:
Pulled out of the Porker Lisa. I just couldn't afford it at present as I'm thinking about moving. Check my profile just bought a CLK. A 911 is definitley on the agenda now though as it's easily the best car I have driven in years.
The Porker is an impressive kit. The only thing I have against them is that I find them a little lacking in soul. It does everything brilliantly and the performance is awesome in a car thats bulletproof. Perhaps thats why it doesnt have the soul! its too bloody well made!
As for the Merc, looks a lovely car. Nice colour too! Plus I have to say its a remarkable feat to have a diesel car that has such performance. 150 mph for a diesel must have pricked up the ears of a lot of company car drivers in the past thinking of the tax relief.
Yup, almost bought a C-Class AMG 32 but the terrible residuals put me off. The CLK 270cdi has a long waiting list and I was lucky enough to blag the dealer demo car after 3 hours of haggling, meaning its specced up to the nines. I wanted something bombproof for a couple of years or so until I can afford another toy. My main problem these days is needing something I can use every day. The Maser is prohibitive really because of the depreciation, reliability and fuel useage.
I just cant justify having a mad car just to take to Le Mans, especially as I may be hitching a ride in a motorhome next year....
I just cant justify having a mad car just to take to Le Mans, especially as I may be hitching a ride in a motorhome next year....
TUS 373 said:
Ah, this money thing is changing us all, we are selling the T350c too and pulling out of the TuscanS order.
Really Lisa!So no more TVRs then?
One day we WILL go back to TVR, maybe with a nice Tamora, but for the next year or two it will be a Lotus instead.
Sorry to hear you had so many problems Flasher.
I'll keep you posted as to how I go on as I've only had my 3200 for 3 weeks and so far (touches wood) just the one error message and I think that was caused by me turning the ignition key too quickly.
My car was missing the radio code, the dealer rang with it the following day and I had no radio manual. After trying to suss it out for 3 weeks (the male way of doing things) I took my wife's advice and rang the dealer. Again I received the manual the following day.
Proves your point, I guess, that you need to buy off an official Mas dealer.
I'll keep you posted as to how I go on as I've only had my 3200 for 3 weeks and so far (touches wood) just the one error message and I think that was caused by me turning the ignition key too quickly.
My car was missing the radio code, the dealer rang with it the following day and I had no radio manual. After trying to suss it out for 3 weeks (the male way of doing things) I took my wife's advice and rang the dealer. Again I received the manual the following day.
Proves your point, I guess, that you need to buy off an official Mas dealer.
The 4200 is much more sorted in many ways than the 3200, not least in servicing costs.
Flasher is right about residuals. Once the cars are in the 4 year old range, the dealers don't want to know.
Look at the stats. When mine was 4 years old last autumn I could only get ONE bid from the network - £20k! Most of them said they would ring back with a bid and never did. In the end it went for £23.5k, jobbed onto an independent from the Subaru dealer I got my WRX from. And before you ask it had full service history, the red key, a great colour combi and only 25k miles. The only downsides were it needed a service and it had the gearbox that requires use of your left leg!
Flasher is right about residuals. Once the cars are in the 4 year old range, the dealers don't want to know.
Look at the stats. When mine was 4 years old last autumn I could only get ONE bid from the network - £20k! Most of them said they would ring back with a bid and never did. In the end it went for £23.5k, jobbed onto an independent from the Subaru dealer I got my WRX from. And before you ask it had full service history, the red key, a great colour combi and only 25k miles. The only downsides were it needed a service and it had the gearbox that requires use of your left leg!
singh said:
It's hardly a conclusive conclusion but my brother in law, proud owner of a 03 996 c4 drove my car at the weekend and is now looking for a 4200, draw whatever conclusions you wish.
Having driven his car I can sincerely say that I would do the same.
so you want a 996 and he wants a Maser?
flasher said:So is the CLK the 270 then?
Yup, almost bought a C-Class AMG 32 but the terrible residuals put me off. The CLK 270cdi has a long waiting list and I was lucky enough to blag the dealer demo car after 3 hours of haggling, meaning its specced up to the nines. I wanted something bombproof for a couple of years or so until I can afford another toy. My main problem these days is needing something I can use every day. The Maser is prohibitive really because of the depreciation, reliability and fuel useage.
I just cant justify having a mad car just to take to Le Mans, especially as I may be hitching a ride in a motorhome next year....
Its a nice looking car, thats for sure. Brabus do a good performance kit for it too Andy, when you get bored!
Cheers,
Greg
GregE240 said:
So is the CLK the 270 then?
Its a nice looking car, thats for sure. Brabus do a good performance kit for it too Andy, when you get bored!
Cheers,
Greg
Brabus performance kits for a diesel? Is that chipping it? Blimey, I was fairly impressed with 150mph top end and a 0-60 of 8.5 as standard! The torque must be pretty impressive too.
I think we should remember that Flashers was an very high milage car (for a Maserati) - which really kills any residuals on a 3200. I remember about a year ago seeing a 3200 at a main dealer that was 2 1/2 years old but with 56000 miles up for just £25,500,
On a plus point for Flasher now he's got a 270CDI he can put on a "bypass chip" (no changing the ECU - removal and fitting take 5 minutes) which will give another 27 -33BHP and 40lbs of torque for just under £400! - I fitted one to my Grand Cherokee Jeep (same basic engine) and it transformed the car - If your interested PM me and I 'll send you the link and details.
On a plus point for Flasher now he's got a 270CDI he can put on a "bypass chip" (no changing the ECU - removal and fitting take 5 minutes) which will give another 27 -33BHP and 40lbs of torque for just under £400! - I fitted one to my Grand Cherokee Jeep (same basic engine) and it transformed the car - If your interested PM me and I 'll send you the link and details.
I think flasher is right to point out the things that have gone wrong with his car. That is what this site is about, allowing us to make informed decisions. It was exactly that help that made me choose my 3200, and I have to say it has been a joy to own and drive. I havent driven any of the other cars mentioned so no comparisons to draw there. However I knew what I wanted and the Maserati delivered.
Cheers
Ian
Cheers
Ian
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