Maserati 3200 or similar?
Discussion
Hi all, looking for a bit of advice around spicier car ownership.
There's a dealer local to me that sells quite fruity cars so every now and then I browse their stock and I've been left smitten for a number of months now on a 2001 Maserati 3200 (GT V8) manual on about 91k miles. It has a full service history and has the cambelt, throttle bodies, clutch and flywheel all replaced within the last 15k miles, and has a long MoT ticket. I know these things are often unknown, but can any previous owners share any knowledge on whether this is going to absolutely break my heart and my wallet on an annual basis?
Alternatively, can anyone suggest any alternatives for up to the £10-12k mark for something special? Criteria is less than 5000 miles a year, two trips to town and then a longer blast at the weekends each week. Boot needs to be big enough for weekly shopping or ideally a set of golf clubs.
There's a dealer local to me that sells quite fruity cars so every now and then I browse their stock and I've been left smitten for a number of months now on a 2001 Maserati 3200 (GT V8) manual on about 91k miles. It has a full service history and has the cambelt, throttle bodies, clutch and flywheel all replaced within the last 15k miles, and has a long MoT ticket. I know these things are often unknown, but can any previous owners share any knowledge on whether this is going to absolutely break my heart and my wallet on an annual basis?
Alternatively, can anyone suggest any alternatives for up to the £10-12k mark for something special? Criteria is less than 5000 miles a year, two trips to town and then a longer blast at the weekends each week. Boot needs to be big enough for weekly shopping or ideally a set of golf clubs.
With aging cars you can get nuche and helpful knowledge/people. If it's really luring you in there is probably a reasonably economic way to enjoy it.
research everything and see if it's for you, 5,000 miles a year and not needing it to work all the time, what have you got to lose......(could be the worse or best car decision you'll ever make!)
https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/3...
https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/j...
https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Maserati/3200/3200_GT...
research everything and see if it's for you, 5,000 miles a year and not needing it to work all the time, what have you got to lose......(could be the worse or best car decision you'll ever make!)
https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/3...
https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/j...
https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Maserati/3200/3200_GT...
pb8g09 said:
Hi all, looking for a bit of advice around spicier car ownership.
There's a dealer local to me that sells quite fruity cars so every now and then I browse their stock and I've been left smitten for a number of months now on a 2001 Maserati 3200 (GT V8) manual on about 91k miles. It has a full service history and has the cambelt, throttle bodies, clutch and flywheel all replaced within the last 15k miles, and has a long MoT ticket. I know these things are often unknown, but can any previous owners share any knowledge on whether this is going to absolutely break my heart and my wallet on an annual basis?
Alternatively, can anyone suggest any alternatives for up to the £10-12k mark for something special? Criteria is less than 5000 miles a year, two trips to town and then a longer blast at the weekends each week. Boot needs to be big enough for weekly shopping or ideally a set of golf clubs.
It’s hard to think of a spicier car for £12k!There's a dealer local to me that sells quite fruity cars so every now and then I browse their stock and I've been left smitten for a number of months now on a 2001 Maserati 3200 (GT V8) manual on about 91k miles. It has a full service history and has the cambelt, throttle bodies, clutch and flywheel all replaced within the last 15k miles, and has a long MoT ticket. I know these things are often unknown, but can any previous owners share any knowledge on whether this is going to absolutely break my heart and my wallet on an annual basis?
Alternatively, can anyone suggest any alternatives for up to the £10-12k mark for something special? Criteria is less than 5000 miles a year, two trips to town and then a longer blast at the weekends each week. Boot needs to be big enough for weekly shopping or ideally a set of golf clubs.
It seems to add up on paper - I’d go and see if it adds up in the flesh. What’s the reputation of the garage like? Any idea of warranty and general after sales interest in their cars and customers?
Thanks for all the replies and links.
Dealer is well reputed- I actually know the owner through an acquaintance - and also lists other similar cars. Warranty looks like the usual 3-6 month (longer ones available) dealership line. He actually has a number of interesting cars for sale but unfortunately is one of those “give us a call because all the cars are in storage” so can’t just turn up and see what looks best!
Dealer is well reputed- I actually know the owner through an acquaintance - and also lists other similar cars. Warranty looks like the usual 3-6 month (longer ones available) dealership line. He actually has a number of interesting cars for sale but unfortunately is one of those “give us a call because all the cars are in storage” so can’t just turn up and see what looks best!
I'd go for a 4200 unless you really want a 3200.
They are more reliable, and have ODB2 diagnostics. More common parts with Ferrari, more availability.
3200s have the cool bonnet vents and taillights and a better interior. 4200s are an absolute bargain junior supercar in my opinion. That you can buy a nice one for 10k would amaze car people anywhere else in the world.
They are more reliable, and have ODB2 diagnostics. More common parts with Ferrari, more availability.
3200s have the cool bonnet vents and taillights and a better interior. 4200s are an absolute bargain junior supercar in my opinion. That you can buy a nice one for 10k would amaze car people anywhere else in the world.
What about an XKR?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412137...
SL500
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502018...
Or budget creep and some haggling
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412297...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412137...
SL500
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502018...
Or budget creep and some haggling
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412297...
LayZ said:
I
They are more reliable, and have ODB2 diagnostics. More common parts with Ferrari, more availability.
I asked the OP his expected budget to run one, just look at the repairs its listed as having had in the last year - probably 10-15k worth.They are more reliable, and have ODB2 diagnostics. More common parts with Ferrari, more availability.
Sharing parts with Ferrari is unlikely to be a good thing, ive just invested in a pair of wiper blades that were a smidge under £280.
Be aware of the crank end float issue on manuals.
Thread with useful info https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
bennno said:
I asked the OP his expected budget to run one, just look at the repairs its listed as having had in the last year - probably 10-15k worth.
Sharing parts with Ferrari is unlikely to be a good thing, ive just invested in a pair of wiper blades that were a smidge under £280.
Yikes.Sharing parts with Ferrari is unlikely to be a good thing, ive just invested in a pair of wiper blades that were a smidge under £280.
My M235i probably costs around £1100 on average every 12 months. I could probably swallow double that, so long as the car felt special enough. I don't have a lot of appetite for £5k+ bills dropping out mid-service intervals if I'm being truthful.
I have a GranSport.
Parts prices can be cheap (my favourite so far is a coolant expansion tank from a FIAT Doblo Van for £6) or ruinously expensive, control arms for example. Ferrari stuff is sometimes cheaper than Maserati for the same part bizarrely enough. I won't sugar coat it though, parts prices and availability is probably one of the biggest downsides to these cars. Least favourite is the ABS sensors which are inside the wheel bearing (£600) and can't be done separately.
One big advantage of these cars though (probably true of XKRs also) is they are old enough for DIY. Mine hasn't seen a garage for 8 or so years, I've done it all myself. There's lots of information out there for DIY. Even clutches can now be done DIY with Chinese diagnostic equipment. As above, see the sportsmaserati forums for lots of technical detail.
Parts prices can be cheap (my favourite so far is a coolant expansion tank from a FIAT Doblo Van for £6) or ruinously expensive, control arms for example. Ferrari stuff is sometimes cheaper than Maserati for the same part bizarrely enough. I won't sugar coat it though, parts prices and availability is probably one of the biggest downsides to these cars. Least favourite is the ABS sensors which are inside the wheel bearing (£600) and can't be done separately.
One big advantage of these cars though (probably true of XKRs also) is they are old enough for DIY. Mine hasn't seen a garage for 8 or so years, I've done it all myself. There's lots of information out there for DIY. Even clutches can now be done DIY with Chinese diagnostic equipment. As above, see the sportsmaserati forums for lots of technical detail.
pb8g09 said:
bennno said:
I asked the OP his expected budget to run one, just look at the repairs its listed as having had in the last year - probably 10-15k worth.
Sharing parts with Ferrari is unlikely to be a good thing, ive just invested in a pair of wiper blades that were a smidge under £280.
Yikes.Sharing parts with Ferrari is unlikely to be a good thing, ive just invested in a pair of wiper blades that were a smidge under £280.
My M235i probably costs around £1100 on average every 12 months. I could probably swallow double that, so long as the car felt special enough. I don't have a lot of appetite for £5k+ bills dropping out mid-service intervals if I'm being truthful.
Or budget creep and some haggling
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412297...
[/quote]
Looks like a dealer masquerading as a private seller. You'll be 12th owner too - less than 18 month avr ownership which for a 'special' car is a red flag. Shut lines are a bit off on the bonnet, possible shunt at some point, unless they're meant to look like that, in which case I see Maserati reliability reputation is probably true.
And its Luton, of course.
pti said:
pb8g09 said:
bennno said:
I asked the OP his expected budget to run one, just look at the repairs its listed as having had in the last year - probably 10-15k worth.
Sharing parts with Ferrari is unlikely to be a good thing, ive just invested in a pair of wiper blades that were a smidge under £280.
Yikes.Sharing parts with Ferrari is unlikely to be a good thing, ive just invested in a pair of wiper blades that were a smidge under £280.
My M235i probably costs around £1100 on average every 12 months. I could probably swallow double that, so long as the car felt special enough. I don't have a lot of appetite for £5k+ bills dropping out mid-service intervals if I'm being truthful.
pb8g09 said:
Ha, well I'm happy for budget creep to £25k if it makes for lower borkage bills - just needs to have at least 6 cylinders!
If your budget can go to £25k then look at early Lotus Evoras. You want 6 cylinder? Tick. Exotic looks, tick, 4 seater (!) tick, fast - oh yes I've driven both and the Maser wouldn't see where the Evora went on a UK road, comfortable for touring - very much so. Practical, the boot and rear seat space can take a very large volume of luggage.Toyota mechanicals, easy to home spanner, lots of forum support, reasonable parts availability (no front discs for S1s at the moment though), and actually quite a simple car with an overall GOOD reputation for reliability (but do check the clutch....)
And you can get a set of golf clubs in the boot
pb8g09 said:
Ha, well I'm happy for budget creep to £25k if it makes for lower borkage bills - just needs to have at least 6 cylinders!
You would need to be mystic Meg to be able to make that a certainty. Some stuff might be cheaper but you could end up in a position of one big thing on the 3200 you’re looking at and a few smaller things on the likes of the GT shown and actually be worse off with the more expensive newer car Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff