3200gt

Author
Discussion

Andrew Richmond

1,475 posts

253 months

Saturday 2nd August 2003
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Alex, talking to the dealers I've used, I get the impression that my car is pretty normal! I have had similar problems with German cars - my new shape Audi S4 Avant is just back after a week to fix a faulty knock sensor and its wiring - and don't think that the 3200GT is too bad!

I've no plans to sell it and buy another as I'm waiting to get a cheap 03 spec 4200GT in a little while.

craigw

12,248 posts

282 months

Tuesday 5th August 2003
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anyone got any idea if a child/babyseat fits in the back ?

kenyon

1,269 posts

257 months

Tuesday 5th August 2003
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Does anyone if the 3200 GT Assetto Corsa is better then the standard 3200 GT and is the 4200 GT a beter car. A LHD 4200 GT cab be bought for the same price as a late 3200 GT RHD.

Can you remove the cats, install a Tubi exhaust on the 3200 GT and 4200 GT ?

AlexHancock

466 posts

268 months

Tuesday 5th August 2003
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Craig, I've heard that they do but haven't tried myself.

Kenyon, I drove an AC before buying my 3200 and couldn't tell the difference. From what I could work out you could order the mechanical differences as options on a standard 3200 for less money so... I think the 4200 is a better car in many ways - no turbo means easier to drive, better suspension (if skyhook is installed). But it also seemed to have lost something - no turbo means less kick, those lights and vents. Personally, I'll probably upgrade to a 4200 in a year or so. I tried a Tubi on the 3200 - nice sound but I didn't think it suited the understated Maserati.

Andrew Richmond

1,475 posts

253 months

Tuesday 5th August 2003
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Craig,I went down to Mothercare for their car seat fitting service. My son is in the 9-18kg range of car seats and the 3rd Britax forward facer we tried fitted in the front (nb turn off the airbag). You must get the proper advice as the first two Britax seats we tried looked fine to me but I was told that they would have ripped off the seat belt buckle in an impact.

In the back we had a problem and could not find a forward facing seat with harnessses that fitted. I was sold a Britax booster seat which uses the seat belt over the child's shoulder but I am unimpressed with how much it moves around and how the 3200's upper belt housing means that the belt passes very close to the child's neck.

Not being able to find a suitable child seat for the rear is one of the main reasons my 3200 does'nt get used much. I would like to upgrade to a 4200 but the rear seats look even more scooped (for headroom?). Therefore I have contacted Maserati UK for advice. If Maserati intends to boost sales then they need to offer a solution to this.

In my CLK 500 Cab I have the Mercedes child seat which fits perfectly in the front and back. In the front its transponder switches off the airbag and the quality of the seat is excellent. Despite costing about £250 this is small beer if it keeps the nipper safe and means that I actually use the car!

PS I think that <9kg car rear facing seats fit more easily into the 3200.

craigw

12,248 posts

282 months

Wednesday 6th August 2003
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thx guys, I'm really only changing cars so that we can all fit in so if child seat doesnt fit it could be a problem. I dont think gf would like going in the back the whole time really!

456mgt

2,504 posts

266 months

Wednesday 6th August 2003
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I had a 3200GT for a weekend a while back and my car seats (and buggies, umbrella type) fitted just fine. Both the 'baby' seat and the booster are made by 'Klippan'. These have a narrower base than most, which fits quite well into a deeply scooped seat. They also fit well in the 456M, which has very deeply dished rear seats. It's not perfect, but seems pretty damned solid to me else I wouldn't risk it.

craigw

12,248 posts

282 months

Wednesday 6th August 2003
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now thats what I wanted to hear

granville

18,764 posts

261 months

Wednesday 6th August 2003
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craigw said:
now thats what I wanted to hear


Excellent! This is sounding most promising...do we know their top end? If not, I think you should officially arrange for conditions suitable to the proving thereof.

Effing brilliant cars: those boomerang lights are just sensational and the pick up on extreme throttle was, I recall (from a 'Tangerine' SuperCar day featuring other notable big hitters), ever so slightly immense - I'm sure it'll seem fleeter of foot than your outgoing stallion...

Oh yes - and they make the most unusual whelping sound to the enthralled bystander.

Somehow, a genuinely classy car, in the very best sense.

craigw

12,248 posts

282 months

Wednesday 6th August 2003
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oh dear, its started, I'll never escape without buying one now will I.

mr_tony

6,328 posts

269 months

Friday 8th August 2003
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and you might be in good company craig if all goes well over the next few weeks! (finally new job = new car so bye bye fiesta hello mazzer.. fingers crossed

Andrew Richmond

1,475 posts

253 months

Friday 8th August 2003
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If anyone wants any advice on prices I think I have a pretty good handle on absolutes and trade-retail spreads on 3200's.

I don't think that mine is for sale (99V manual) unless I can get get a cracking deal on an 03 spec 4200GT manual, new or used!

mr_tony

6,328 posts

269 months

Friday 8th August 2003
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Andrew,

Feel free to contact me via email - I'm looking at a 2000 / 2001 car to take advantage of the fixed price servicing. Also debating the Assetto / not Assetto dilemma - I like the look of the few I've seen, but as others have said most assetto 'enhancements' are all available as options on a standard car anyway, so I'm not looking to pay a premium just for the badge..... (and I do see the irony of that statement!)

Davel

8,982 posts

258 months

Monday 1st September 2003
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Just seen a 3200 GT in Autotrader '99' on a V with 15k miles @ £28,950.

Seriously thinking of selling my Kougar and buying this.

Anyadvice on this model and whether, or not, the price is reasonable please?

craigw

12,248 posts

282 months

Monday 1st September 2003
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I've been looking at a lot recently. Pricewise sounds about right, however, check that its had all it campaigns(recalls) done.

On an early V plate it may have been a dealer demo car. I think some of these had head gasket problems. Personally I dont worry too much about mileage although that sounds almost a bit low, I'd be asking if it had spent a lot of time off the road.

Also, you may be able to get others at around that price so I'd shop around for your preferred colour combos/options etc. I'm in the process of buying an 01Y car with similar mileage. I really like them.

Have a read through the posts here and the info supplied by Alex and Andrew who both have 3200's and seem to love them Best of luck.

Andrew Richmond

1,475 posts

253 months

Monday 1st September 2003
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Do love my 3200GT but I am selling it to buy an Impreza for the Scottish winter! May buy an 03 4200 if they are cheap next year.

If anyone is interested see the classified - V reg 3200GT manual, 24k miles, £27,500 ono.

Ciao everyone...