Manual Maserati 4200GT | Spotted
That V8, three pedals and fewer than 50,000 miles - for even less than you'd think...
Let’s all sit back for a moment and ponder the magical combination that is a naturally aspirated V8 and a six-speed manual. Bliss, right? Well, what was a reasonably familiar configuration not so long ago is now basically extinct, meaning recent cars that boast the layout are really in demand: think of stuff like the BMW E90 M3 and E39 M5, the B7 Audi RS4, the final Ferraris that could be had with a manual, the Aston Martin Vantage and so on. While some remain accessible (relatively speaking), there’s definitely been a step up in recent years.
Not here, though. What we have here is a Maserati 4200GT, and if you’re after nat-asp V8, six-speed manual, rarity and style for not much money then it’s hard to think of very much better. Launched when automated manuals were all the rage, quite a few were specced with what Maserati called a Cambiocorsa. More than two decades later, that looks less desirable than ever. Whereas a Ferrari derived V8 that makes peak power at 7,000rpm, allied to an actual six-speed manual, sounds brilliant.
Nobody’s pretending that the 4200 was the greatest GT in the world. It didn’t have the turbo torque of the 3200 that came before it, or those amazing lights. It was a less spiky drive, at least. A Jaguar XKR was typically regarded as better to drive, and the arrival of the Bangle 6 Series made the Maserati look as modern as the colosseum. The Gransport, without doubt, was the best this car got, but you’ll pay for the privilege. And still not get a manual gearbox.
Whereas this one does, and that makes it really cool. Imagine how good it could sound with a special exhaust and you entirely in control of the shifts. It would surely become a lot easier to overlook the cost of parts and iffy Skyhook dampers. Especially at just 12 grand.
That’s right, £11,995 for a manual Maserati that looks like this. One with fewer than 50,000 miles and just three owners in almost 25 years, the most recent keeping hold of it for a decade. There’s said to be a full service history across Maser dealers and specialists, with nothing enormously concerning in the MOT history. Indeed the biggest worry may simply be that it hasn’t been used very much for a few years, but as concerns go for modern classic Maseratis that doesn’t feel major.
Of course it’s going to cost a lot to run. Perhaps it’ll need some money spent initially to get it set for the summer, though just from the photos there are four matching tyres, really nice wheels, a smart interior and well preserved paint. There are good signs, basically, however much they’re worth. In a world where it can seem like even £20k doesn’t buy very much, a Maserati of this calibre for not a little more than half that sounds great. The advert even suggests values are ‘rising steadily’ - so it might even be worth £15k one day, if you’re lucky…
SPECIFICATION | MASERATI 4200GT
Engine: 4,244cc, V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 385@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@4,500rpm
CO2: 430g/km
MPG: 15.2
Recorded mileage: 47,486
Year registered: 2002
Price new: c. £65,000
Yours for: £11,995
If it was just mechanical and electrical complexity I might think a decent specialist and some spanner-time would buy me some nice days out. Add the cost / availability of parts and it become a proper roll of the dice. It’s a roll of the dice it turns into a pile of parts, and I don’t roll that high.
If it was just mechanical and electrical complexity I might think a decent specialist and some spanner-time would buy me some nice days out. Add the cost / availability of parts and it become a proper roll of the dice. It s a roll of the dice it turns into a pile of parts, and I don t roll that high.
This is around £4,000 overpriced
I think I'd buy an M3 or get a manual conversion on an XKR
At that point, you might as well go EV and hope to save enough to get something fun as a weekend toy.
If it was just mechanical and electrical complexity I might think a decent specialist and some spanner-time would buy me some nice days out. Add the cost / availability of parts and it become a proper roll of the dice. It s a roll of the dice it turns into a pile of parts, and I don t roll that high.
I never realised how many people rule out something because of the possibility (however remote) that a part might fail. Europe is probably rich with breakers' yards happy to sell you a replacement if and when the time comes.
I'd happily trade my Fulvia for this, if someone could make my garage 20% bigger.
This appears to be the company he spoke of: https://www.vps-eu.com/product-page/maserati-4200-...
I remember him showing me a picture on his phone of the car up on stilts in his garage whole the bits were all off for reconditioning.
Never likely to be in a position myself where I could make such a silly purchase myself, but I 100% see the appeal.
I never realised how many people rule out something because of the possibility (however remote) that a part might fail. Europe is probably rich with breakers' yards happy to sell you a replacement if and when the time comes.
I'd happily trade my Fulvia for this, if someone could make my garage 20% bigger.
An old Maserati that was not produced in large numbers is different to something like an SL Merc or equivalent Jaguar or even a later Maser. I'd put up with that on something that was a real head turner and exceptional to drive, but not on a car lie the one featured. Others may like the shape but I think it's totally underwhelming.
I later had a 440 that was faster than the Maser, better screwed together, handled better. But it could never be cooler than it.
That Japanese cars don't have
Contrast that with my Granturismo, whereas no one said a word.
Go figure!
Whereas the Cambiocorsa (CC) when it is sport it's instantaneous (obviously nowhere near as quick as todays autos, but still quicker than you can change gear manually).
The CC makes for a much better drivers car.
Yes, they can be ruinously expensive (ask me how I know!) but, they get under your skin, especially in the gorgeous Grigio Nuvolari that mine is, and this one, although the pics don't do it justice!
Here's my old beast.
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