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I'm looking for an interesting second/weekend car.
Budget is around £25k and I am open to suggestions.
I have been researching this for a while and someone suggested considering the Maserati 3200.
Not a car I had ever thought about. My main Maser memories being of Biturbos committing suicide.
Reading the threads here, they seem to be well liked, but prone to expensive things breaking.
Would you consider that a fair reflection on your 3200?
However, they do "look" fantastic.
I'm still working on a short list - which is under constant apraisal. the 4 on the list just now are
3200GT
Alfa 3.2 GT
BMW Z4 3.0
Mazda RX8
Before I start organising test drives etc, is there anything else out there I may not have considered?
I'm not into Porsches at all, don't fancy a Merc, the Elise is just not for me and none of the "kit" cars, are either, nor TVR.
cheers
Peter
PS
Located in Edinburgh. Are there any good independant Maser garages in the city or close? And has anyone here had dealings with Graypaul, Edinburgh?
Budget is around £25k and I am open to suggestions.
I have been researching this for a while and someone suggested considering the Maserati 3200.
Not a car I had ever thought about. My main Maser memories being of Biturbos committing suicide.
Reading the threads here, they seem to be well liked, but prone to expensive things breaking.
Would you consider that a fair reflection on your 3200?
However, they do "look" fantastic.
I'm still working on a short list - which is under constant apraisal. the 4 on the list just now are
3200GT
Alfa 3.2 GT
BMW Z4 3.0
Mazda RX8
Before I start organising test drives etc, is there anything else out there I may not have considered?
I'm not into Porsches at all, don't fancy a Merc, the Elise is just not for me and none of the "kit" cars, are either, nor TVR.
cheers
Peter
PS
Located in Edinburgh. Are there any good independant Maser garages in the city or close? And has anyone here had dealings with Graypaul, Edinburgh?
Hi there,
As a previous 3200GT owner I'd recommend you get out there and drive one. It's the only way to be sure.
To be fair, the cars on your list are in two brackets - the new for around 20-30k (alfaGT / Z4 / RX8 etc) and the 3200GT. The Maserati is a fantastic car, but does cost money to run properly - no point denying it. However, with a good choice and good advice and a warranty theres no reason why you wouldn't be happy with the car and have a much more exciting time at the weekends than you would in any of the others.
My profile details running costs (see previous cars). As a weekend car it has all the right ingredients too - fantastic looks presence and style. Just don't forget to get a sports exhaust - I really miss the sound of mine!
Good luck!
As a previous 3200GT owner I'd recommend you get out there and drive one. It's the only way to be sure.
To be fair, the cars on your list are in two brackets - the new for around 20-30k (alfaGT / Z4 / RX8 etc) and the 3200GT. The Maserati is a fantastic car, but does cost money to run properly - no point denying it. However, with a good choice and good advice and a warranty theres no reason why you wouldn't be happy with the car and have a much more exciting time at the weekends than you would in any of the others.
My profile details running costs (see previous cars). As a weekend car it has all the right ingredients too - fantastic looks presence and style. Just don't forget to get a sports exhaust - I really miss the sound of mine!
Good luck!
I think that's probably fair, but they do have an unfair reputation for reliability/quality that arose when the car was new and wasn't properly sorted (that is a real advantage when buying secondhand). As a secondhand buy with a lot of the mega-depreciation out of the way and the initial gliches fixed under warranty it is a better proposition.
I still think it is one of the coolest cars around (I know I am biased) because its a great luxury brand that avoids some of the negative comments from joe public that other marques suffer from.
I still think it is one of the coolest cars around (I know I am biased) because its a great luxury brand that avoids some of the negative comments from joe public that other marques suffer from.
Wrong forum, and doesn't answer your 3200 question but for the money I'd seriously think about a Honda NSX! You should be able to get a 3.2 (the later one) and maybe even a facelift (without the pop-up lights). Great cars! I looked at a couple but didnt buy because I wanted it as a daily driver - it just seemed too special!
328 GTS / GTB - surely the best looking car ever made?
www.rs-ferrariverhuur.com/ images/F328Geheel.JPG
www.rs-ferrariverhuur.com/ images/F328Geheel.JPG
As Rich says there is one super car on the list and the other 3 arn't. An intersting grouping. The cool factor, the "holy crap I've got a maserati" thing in the mornings can't be avoided. Nor can mental fun, and 170+ mph with nigh on 400bhp . . .
Liked my 3200 so much I've bought a 4200. 25K will also get you a very good example - potentially with balance of warranty remaining (as pat knows!)
Liked my 3200 so much I've bought a 4200. 25K will also get you a very good example - potentially with balance of warranty remaining (as pat knows!)
You won't get a 328 GTS (good) for 30k surely unless its a LHD - most 328s at dealers seem to be hanging around the 40k mark for a good un as far as I've seen.
(at least for a good low milage later car with ABS etc as all the cars in the list are so equipped...)
As David says the Maserati is the only supercar there on the list and the only one that will stir your soul and have the ability to leave you speechless with the sheer thump of the thing.. Dealers that drove mine were convinced it was faster thana 360. It ain't but the power delivery is stupefying nonetheless...
And lets face it there ain't anything much cooler than a trident on the bonet... (Except amybe a Morgan emblem
)
(at least for a good low milage later car with ABS etc as all the cars in the list are so equipped...)
As David says the Maserati is the only supercar there on the list and the only one that will stir your soul and have the ability to leave you speechless with the sheer thump of the thing.. Dealers that drove mine were convinced it was faster thana 360. It ain't but the power delivery is stupefying nonetheless...
And lets face it there ain't anything much cooler than a trident on the bonet... (Except amybe a Morgan emblem
) 
mr_tony said:
As David says the Maserati is the only supercar there on the list and the only one that will stir your soul and have the ability to leave you speechless with the sheer thump of the thing.. Dealers that drove mine were convinced it was faster thana 360. It ain't but the power delivery is stupefying nonetheless...
And lets face it there ain't anything much cooler than a trident on the bonet... (Except amybe a Morgan emblem
And therein lies my quandry, I think.
The Maserati appeals on a different level from the others. I am aware that it is in a different class from the others. I may be able to pick up a good 4 year old 3200 for my budget, or a brand new RX8 and still have a couple of grand in my pocket.
Very different cars, I know.
One good thing - all this chat has probably moved the Beemer and Alfa down a couple of spots.....
I was in a bmw showroom (car sharing day, his car service etc not for any other reason.) Anyway there was a brand spanking new 630 with lots of toys for mid £40s which is what I'm paying (or there abouts) for the 4200 spyder. Having had a 3200 the thought of getting an uber german easy running, uber reliable, safe, depreciation friendly (well maybe) car never crossed my mind. Before I bought the first 3200 I was a little nervous but not now !
You only live once and you can't take it with you. Defninatly urge everyone to do the crazy italian car thing at least once in their life.
Have you driven a 3200 yet
different league in everyway.
Dave
Dave
You only live once and you can't take it with you. Defninatly urge everyone to do the crazy italian car thing at least once in their life.
Have you driven a 3200 yet
different league in everyway. Dave
Dave
missed my test drive for mother-in-law related reasons....
however, dragged Mrs Sno up to Maser dealers in Edin(after closing time unfortunately) and she is now much more in favour. So much so, that she rummaged around in the bank account and has agreed we can spend a bit more -
So now, I've got around 35K - which is early 4200 territory !!
That opens up a whole new search area
altho' I did notice a 2001, 3200 with only 7000 miles for sale.
however, dragged Mrs Sno up to Maser dealers in Edin(after closing time unfortunately) and she is now much more in favour. So much so, that she rummaged around in the bank account and has agreed we can spend a bit more -
So now, I've got around 35K - which is early 4200 territory !!
That opens up a whole new search area
altho' I did notice a 2001, 3200 with only 7000 miles for sale.
The cars you list are a tad "eclectic".
You really need to decide a few fundamentals about what you want:
- 2 seats, 4, 2+2
- complete driver orientation, or a lot of compromise
- only car or not?
- company car or not?
- "spare cash pot" limited?
etc.
If you don't think about this stuff very carefully, your pants will come down and you'll get spanked so badly you'll weep. Even on the cars you mention.
You really need to decide a few fundamentals about what you want:
- 2 seats, 4, 2+2
- complete driver orientation, or a lot of compromise
- only car or not?
- company car or not?
- "spare cash pot" limited?
etc.
If you don't think about this stuff very carefully, your pants will come down and you'll get spanked so badly you'll weep. Even on the cars you mention.
murph7355 said:
The cars you list are a tad "eclectic".
I know, I want something a little different.
murph7355 said:
You really need to decide a few fundamentals about what you want:
- 2 seats, 4, 2+2
- complete driver orientation, or a lot of compromise
- only car or not?
- company car or not?
- "spare cash pot" limited?
etc.
2 + 2 (proper +2 as I may on occasion have passengers)
I'm not a racing driver, I'm a 41 y.o. bloke who sometimes like to drive in a spirited fashion, sometimes likes to drive fast and sometimes likes to bimble along enjoying the view.
We have 2 other cars and a motorbike.
The spare cash fund has been approved by SWMBO and is around £35K (and maybe a bit more if needed)
Thanks to Mr Tony I have a good idea of running costs etc.
murph7355 said:
If you don't think about this stuff very carefully, your pants will come down and you'll get spanked so badly you'll weep. Even on the cars you mention.
Hence all the questions.
snodog said:
As David says the Maserati is the only supercar there on the list and the only one that will stir your soul and have the ability to leave you speechless with the sheer thump of the thing.. Dealers that drove mine were convinced it was faster thana 360. It ain't but the power delivery is stupefying nonetheless...
And lets face it there ain't anything much cooler than a trident on the bonet... (Except amybe a Morgan emblem
And therein lies my quandry, I think.
The Maserati appeals on a different level from the others. I am aware that it is in a different class from the others. I may be able to pick up a good 4 year old 3200 for my budget, or a brand new RX8 and still have a couple of grand in my pocket.
Very different cars, I know.
One good thing - all this chat has probably moved the Beemer and Alfa down a couple of spots.....
Consider also whether you are likely to lend the car to the missus occasionally.
The 3.2 block in the Alfa GT is a good engine, and will get you from 0-60 in around the low sixes, but it is also a refined drive. I'm sure beamers are the same (never driven one in anger).
The 3200GT on the other hand is a lot rawer with the twin turbos; the gearbox requires much more concentration; heavy clutch but light-as-a feather dbw throttle; you need to be careful in the wet; etc.
I'm not hinting that your missus is a bad driver by the way ;-)
mmmm £35k....2+2....something a bit "special"....weekend use only....gotta be a Ferrari 456 GT for me...can now be bougt for £33k....and I can't believe its any more expensive to run than a 3200GT - but ask Karl Verdi - a guy who regularly sees both and will give you an upfront and honest opinion on the relative merits and demerits of both
456 is a great car and a very nice subtle car but mid 30K is entry level money as far as I can see - and might not be the best cars in the long run.
I have heard that they are one of the most expensive cars to run (456mgt has a useful cost breakdown on his profile) and I suspect would be more han a 3200.
I think it may slightly less usuable than a Masser, I couldn't imagine slogging up the M6 in it to get to a meeting.
Having said that it is on my list of possibles for the next motor!
I have heard that they are one of the most expensive cars to run (456mgt has a useful cost breakdown on his profile) and I suspect would be more han a 3200.
I think it may slightly less usuable than a Masser, I couldn't imagine slogging up the M6 in it to get to a meeting.
Having said that it is on my list of possibles for the next motor!
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