Its here and its awesome!!!

[mr_tony]

kanes said:

Looking great, have you tried a 996? how did it stack against it? £30k is a pretty impressive value for that amount of car, kind of a generic question but how's it in the wet and for city driving? Looks stunning in black though, like an Aston with a slight edge and without the high 2ndhand pricetag :P

[evangelical mode =on]

Drove a 3200 and a 996 back to back in one day earlier last year. 911 unquestionably more nimble, didn't feel as quick though. Probably is, just hides it more.

On real road I find I can happily keep up with a spiritedly driven 911 (or even a turbo if my evening run down through haslemere the other night is anything to go by!). It's a smooth drive but you won't corner as well as the 911, but then little else does, but the turbo power available means that down the next straight you'll be back in touch.

Compared to a 911, inside the masser wins by a country mile, 996 interior is frankly dull and utilitarian, Maserati has more hide than a Bentley (leather dash, centre console, sun visors headlining you name it), beautiful chrome details and is very solidly constructed. No flimsy plastic cupholders here (in fact no cupholders at all!).

Rear seats are fully usable by 6'+ adults (transported mates home from a weekend away over christmas, and two large rugby playing passengers comfortably slept in the back for 3 hours whilst I cruised down the M1 at 'good velocity'.

In the rain the T/C is very good (and in the dry with 370bhp it's useful too!). In sport mode you can spin the rears on dry tarmac at 90mph in 4th on my manual :Evil: then of course you could get it chipped up to 420bhp.......

Only problem is the cost, you'll see a few for low 30's and there are without doubt a few bargains to be had if you know what you're looking for, but the class acts are rarely available for that money, 35 is more realistic for a decently sorted car that hasn't done mega milage and has all the toys, and the last of the run on 02 plates are still changing hands for over 40k.

Overall it's a brilliant car, it's not quite the pure drivers tool that a 911 is, but it does iron fist / velvet glove thing with a great deal of style.
[evangelical mode=off]

[mr_tony]

Beasty said:

Is battery drain a common problem?

Not heard anything anywhere, but you can disconnect the battery when you leave it standing - theres a 'string' that does this next to the battery compartment in the boot.

Longest mine has stood is 2 weeks, and it's never has a problem though...

[Andrew Richmond]

My 3200GT sat in the garage for 5/6 weeks a few times and apart from over inflating the tyres to 3 psi to stop flat spotting and leaving the handbrake off, I did nothing else. It always started first time back.

The problem with a lot of Ferrari/Maserati's is that they sit at the dealer for months which trashes the battery. Mine sat at Maranello for six months before the second owner bought it (with new battery) and when I bought it a year later it had only done 2k miles extra.

Best ask how long a car has been at the dealer and get the battery replaced if its been idle for a few months. You can replace the battery easily in a Maser - my Lotus 340R had to have the body off to replace the battery!

[Beasty]

Andrew Richmond said:

My 3200GT sat in the garage for 5/6 weeks a few times and apart from over inflating the tyres to 3 psi to stop flat spotting and leaving the handbrake off, I did nothing else. It always started first time back. The problem with a lot of Ferrari/Maserati's is that they sit at the dealer for months which trashes the battery. Mine sat at Maranello for six months before the second owner bought it (with new battery) and when I bought it a year later it had only done 2k miles extra. Best ask how long a car has been at the dealer and get the battery replaced if its been idle for a few months. You can replace the battery easily in a Maser - my Lotus 340R had to have the body off to replace the battery!

It wasn't at the dealer long, as I had it as soon as it came in. I suspect it may not have done much with the last owner, which might be the problem. The nice man from the AA changed the battery without a problem though, so hopefully no more issues.

[exint2]

the real Flash said:

exint2 said: Dumb question but you wern't in Northampton yesterday by any chance? YEP!! Spotted I bet! We had a fun blat with my mate and his wife who own a 2001 Corvette and then lunch where we caused a stir in the car park. Plus......I love the Maser 3200GT and have wanted one for ages...and it's superb!

Saw you both going past my front door ....... Not seen the vette before but if it's the same guy who used to have the Tamora then I live at No5 (same road)

Hopefully in the next 4 weeks I will be able to add a 4200 Coupe to the list of desirable cars "down my street"

>> Edited by exint2 on Monday 9th February 14:49

[kanes]

mr_tony said:

lots of useful stuff

Thanks

I've managed to take a 911 out (tip c2) and i plan to take a manual out again but hopefully for more than 3 minutes, but i don't see it swinging me to buy a manual.

3200GT is definitely on my look list (well ATM it's 996, 3200GT and older Cerb if I don't find anything). The problem is dealerships, short of showing up with cash most of them think i'm trying to blag a ride, rather than actually interested in buying one, but i'll just have to sort that. But does anyone have any good experiences of London based dealers?

Can't deny it's getting ahead of the 996 based on exclusivity, but at the moment it's a question of waiting to see what comes up in my budget to the spec I want. As for chipping, I think i'll skip that, at my age insurance is bloody painful without mods