Do you think I should buy a 3200?
Discussion
Hello there,
I've been a very happy TVR owner for a few years now, but times change and I'm yearning for something different...
I love the look of the Maserati 3200 (manual) and I'm trying to convince my head to follow my heart.
To that end, I have a couple of quick questions:
Having done a bit of research through old topics and dealer sites, I notice that, for the first 3 years, the servicing is fixed price. After that, though, what have people had to pay?
I am looking at a year 2000ish car, so fixed price bills are not such an option. Other than basic servicing, has anyone had any unexpected horror bills (the bread and butter of TVR ownership)?
Mileage seems to vary wildly. Obviously, the more miles the car has, the less I am going to have to pay. On the other hand, cars can get a little tired. To that end, how do these cars fair after larger mileages? What wears out? What gets loose?
Finally, as I cycle to work, I expect to use the car only on long trips or fun-runs at the weekend. Has anyone had any reliability issues that would put me off a 3200 for a long European trip?
I'd really appreciate your thoughts, as this feels a bit like a 'leap into the un-known'.
Cheers
I've been a very happy TVR owner for a few years now, but times change and I'm yearning for something different...
I love the look of the Maserati 3200 (manual) and I'm trying to convince my head to follow my heart.
To that end, I have a couple of quick questions:
Having done a bit of research through old topics and dealer sites, I notice that, for the first 3 years, the servicing is fixed price. After that, though, what have people had to pay?
I am looking at a year 2000ish car, so fixed price bills are not such an option. Other than basic servicing, has anyone had any unexpected horror bills (the bread and butter of TVR ownership)?
Mileage seems to vary wildly. Obviously, the more miles the car has, the less I am going to have to pay. On the other hand, cars can get a little tired. To that end, how do these cars fair after larger mileages? What wears out? What gets loose?
Finally, as I cycle to work, I expect to use the car only on long trips or fun-runs at the weekend. Has anyone had any reliability issues that would put me off a 3200 for a long European trip?
I'd really appreciate your thoughts, as this feels a bit like a 'leap into the un-known'.
Cheers
The only thing I miss is that "weekend toy" feeling the TVRs gave me. Build quality is better and they are useable every day (mine gets used every day!)
I would advise buying off a dealer as the trident warranty is going to better than anyone elses. However, buying privatley is going to save you around £5K.....
Problem wise, all I've had is gearbox fault which was covered under warranty and a rotten exhaust back box. All the other guys on here tell me theirs are extremely reliable. I went to Le Mans in mine with four adults and had no problems whatsoever.
Go and test drive the auto and the manual and see which one suits you best, you'll be suprised how quick the auto is in "sport" mode....
I would advise buying off a dealer as the trident warranty is going to better than anyone elses. However, buying privatley is going to save you around £5K.....
Problem wise, all I've had is gearbox fault which was covered under warranty and a rotten exhaust back box. All the other guys on here tell me theirs are extremely reliable. I went to Le Mans in mine with four adults and had no problems whatsoever.
Go and test drive the auto and the manual and see which one suits you best, you'll be suprised how quick the auto is in "sport" mode....
robert farago said:
If you're worried about reliability and service costs, buy a pukka Porsche and live happily ever after.
Boring! [ ok I'm biased - see my profile ]
911's are very nice to drive, but if you want a nice car, the the 3200 dumps all over it (IMHO!).
3200 has the power and [most] of the poise of the 911, but room for 4, decent luggaage space, looks better, sounds a lot better, and doesn't proveoke aggro from other drivers on the road. Best of all a bespoke leather interior fit for a 550, not the 911's dodgy plastic. Don't get me wrong I love driving a 911 and did nearly buy one, but the 3200 is just so much more special. Ok on track a 911 will have a definite advantage, on the road however that just isn't there.
My (2002) 3200 has been absolutely on the money all year, weekend use, only done about 9k so far. Lapped up Le Mans and is currently aching for me to take it off on a proper european jaunt - just need to find the time off work to do it.
a 2000 car from a non official dealer is a slightly risky proposition though. Mileage doens't seem to matter too much as long as the car has been looked after properly. More important is proper service history, showing that any 'campaigns' have been carried out on the car.
Interior fit and finish is more hit an miss on pre 2001 cars, so look carefully at that.
Evo did a buyers guide, and I've assembled a fair whack of info myself on the car, so if you want details drop me a mail.
I too am a recent purchaser. I got mine in March 04, it's a 2001 black with tan ( my personal favourite scheme)I had a toss up between a non-warrantied private car at £28K and a dealer car fully warrantied at £33.5K> the private car was OK but it had a dent in the side (not major) and obviously would have been sold as seen. The seller agreed to let me take it to graypaul for warranty inspection and therefore a new 12 month maser warranty. That would have put about 2k on the price. So we were at 30K for a warrantied private car, not prepared and only covered by warranty items. I went for the dealer car,which gives you the following.
Min 4mm tyres all round
Courtesy car when yours is in
Absolutely flawleess bodywork and wheels
I had a couple of problems that privately would not be covered, but the dealer sorted out no quibble, which were uneven tyre wear (they replaced the 2 fronts) clutch slipping (they replaced a threaded rod of some sort) These were all done without charge and a courtesy car into the bargain. I really cannot recommend anything but dealer purchase unless you know that the car came from a dealer in the last 6 months.
My dealer FYI was meridien lyndhurst who have been great so far.
If you can wait 3 months mine will be for sale as I am running it on the money for my house extension which i need to pay for in 3 months time !!
Good luck
Ian
Min 4mm tyres all round
Courtesy car when yours is in
Absolutely flawleess bodywork and wheels
I had a couple of problems that privately would not be covered, but the dealer sorted out no quibble, which were uneven tyre wear (they replaced the 2 fronts) clutch slipping (they replaced a threaded rod of some sort) These were all done without charge and a courtesy car into the bargain. I really cannot recommend anything but dealer purchase unless you know that the car came from a dealer in the last 6 months.
My dealer FYI was meridien lyndhurst who have been great so far.
If you can wait 3 months mine will be for sale as I am running it on the money for my house extension which i need to pay for in 3 months time !!
Good luck
Ian
I recently went from a Griff to a 3200 and I haven't looked back. There is the odd sunny day when I have a pang for the Griff, but most of the time I'm happy to be in a usable car with character, plenty of grunt, comfort, excellent build quality (way better than my wife's Merc) and reliability (100% so far) that doesn't fill up with water whenever it rains. I drive into Canary Wharf every day and it's nice to be in something different to a 911, which is as common as a Mondeo around those parts.
I bought my 3200 early this year. Would I recommend one to someone else? Absolutely, any chance I get I bore anyone who'll listen about what great cars they are.
Has my ownership experience been entirely without problems? Unfortunately not. My car has currently been in at the main dealer for several weeks with an electronics fault they cannot diagnose. I won't bore you with the whole sorry saga but they have tried everything, in discussion with the Maserati factory, to isolate the fault and still cannot. As we speak I think they might be getting close so I've got my fingers crossed.
Strangely enough this has so far still not put me off the car, I am just longing to get it back. Thankfully I've been reassured every is under warranty but imagine if that was not the case!
I don't tell you this to put you off, but so if you do decide to go ahead (and of course you should!) you do so with your eyes open. Is it coincidence that my car is a year 2000, pre-quality improvements example? Who knows. I do genuinely believe my experience is the exception rather than the norm. I wonder if I will ever really fully trust the car on the reliability front once I (eventually) get it back. I'll have to wait and see.
Chris
Has my ownership experience been entirely without problems? Unfortunately not. My car has currently been in at the main dealer for several weeks with an electronics fault they cannot diagnose. I won't bore you with the whole sorry saga but they have tried everything, in discussion with the Maserati factory, to isolate the fault and still cannot. As we speak I think they might be getting close so I've got my fingers crossed.
Strangely enough this has so far still not put me off the car, I am just longing to get it back. Thankfully I've been reassured every is under warranty but imagine if that was not the case!
I don't tell you this to put you off, but so if you do decide to go ahead (and of course you should!) you do so with your eyes open. Is it coincidence that my car is a year 2000, pre-quality improvements example? Who knows. I do genuinely believe my experience is the exception rather than the norm. I wonder if I will ever really fully trust the car on the reliability front once I (eventually) get it back. I'll have to wait and see.
Chris
Thanks guys,
Your replies have been more comprehensive than I could have hoped for.
I did consider a Porsche, but as may have said, there seems to be so many of them out there. Also, I am looking to take my next car into Europe a fair bit with Mrs NG, who demands, shall we say, 'a certain minimum luggage allowance'.
The TVR has been fantastic for those sunny mornings when I want nothing more than to tear a hole in the countryside. That's not everything, though. I've never really trusted the thing to last on a long European trek, miles from the nearest TVR hands.
Having driven the alternative (an M5) recently, and been left cold by its ruthless ability and efficiency at eating tarmac, I think the 3200 is for me. Mrs NG is on side, so all that remains is to find the right one. It sounds like dealers (or at least dealer-checked private) are the way ahead, so I'll start looking.
See you at Le Houx, with a bit of luck, next Summer in a 3200.
Thanks again.
Your replies have been more comprehensive than I could have hoped for.
I did consider a Porsche, but as may have said, there seems to be so many of them out there. Also, I am looking to take my next car into Europe a fair bit with Mrs NG, who demands, shall we say, 'a certain minimum luggage allowance'.
The TVR has been fantastic for those sunny mornings when I want nothing more than to tear a hole in the countryside. That's not everything, though. I've never really trusted the thing to last on a long European trek, miles from the nearest TVR hands.
Having driven the alternative (an M5) recently, and been left cold by its ruthless ability and efficiency at eating tarmac, I think the 3200 is for me. Mrs NG is on side, so all that remains is to find the right one. It sounds like dealers (or at least dealer-checked private) are the way ahead, so I'll start looking.
See you at Le Houx, with a bit of luck, next Summer in a 3200.
Thanks again.
chris_n said:
I bought my 3200 early this year. Would I recommend one to someone else? Absolutely, any chance I get I bore anyone who'll listen about what great cars they are.
Has my ownership experience been entirely without problems? Unfortunately not. My car has currently been in at the main dealer for several weeks with an electronics fault they cannot diagnose. I won't bore you with the whole sorry saga but they have tried everything, in discussion with the Maserati factory, to isolate the fault and still cannot. As we speak I think they might be getting close so I've got my fingers crossed.
Strangely enough this has so far still not put me off the car, I am just longing to get it back. Thankfully I've been reassured every is under warranty but imagine if that was not the case!
I don't tell you this to put you off, but so if you do decide to go ahead (and of course you should!) you do so with your eyes open. Is it coincidence that my car is a year 2000, pre-quality improvements example? Who knows. I do genuinely believe my experience is the exception rather than the norm. I wonder if I will ever really fully trust the car on the reliability front once I (eventually) get it back. I'll have to wait and see.
Chris
pre-quality improvement era? - anyone got a chassis no for when things changed?
What was the electrical problem after all?
It seems with Maserati that the later the chassis number the better in general, even true on the 4200.
Regarding the 3200, roughly 4500 cars were made from spring 98 through spring 02. I ran a 700ish chassis number for a couple of years without major problems but they all have a habit of showing warning lights for little reason which is a little disconcerting. If cars have had all the recalls ('campaigns') done and have FSH then worth a peek.
Regarding the 3200, roughly 4500 cars were made from spring 98 through spring 02. I ran a 700ish chassis number for a couple of years without major problems but they all have a habit of showing warning lights for little reason which is a little disconcerting. If cars have had all the recalls ('campaigns') done and have FSH then worth a peek.
lone granger said:
What was the electrical problem after all?
It eventually got sorted to my complete satisfaction. After swapping out just about every sensor one at a time they worked out it was some sort of complex interaction caused by two components that were both within their tolerance in isolation but together were causing an erroneous reading. There was lots of talk of crank angle sensors and other stuff I didn't fully understand! Since then the car has not missed a beat or produced a single error message (touching wood now).
Chris
chris_n said:
What was the electrical problem after all?
It eventually got sorted to my complete satisfaction. After swapping out just about every sensor one at a time they worked out it was some sort of complex interaction caused by two components that were both within their tolerance in isolation but together were causing an erroneous reading. There was lots of talk of crank angle sensors and other stuff I didn't fully understand! Since then the car has not missed a beat or produced a single error message (touching wood now).
Chris
good for you sir!
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