3200 Auto or 4200 Cambiocorsa

[PeteS]

I'm in the fortunate position of being able to choose from both.

I would prefer the 3200 (usual the lights and it's cheaper) but understand the 4200 is a much better sorted car.

Is there much in it between the two in terms of driving. I'm going to Maranello at St Albans for test drives when I return from the Christam Hols.

I know the 3200 is more expensive to maintain, but it just looks better and understand has more character than the 4200. What's the cambio gearbox like?

Had a 987 Boxster S for a few months but was left a bit underwhelmed, so sold it back to the dealer.

Thanks

[300zxtt]

I too had the choice of a 2002 3200 or early 4200 cambio.Tried a 3200 auto, fell in love , tried a 4200 cambio, fell in love even more and paid a bit more for a 2002 cambio.
6 gears is better than 4 at the end of the day.

One year on not one thing has gone wrong; I think the 4200 is much better sorted than the 3200 at the end of the day.

The cambiocorsa shift takes weeks if not months to get used to; once you master it ,it is brilliant & I won't ever go back to an auto or manual box.Make sure all the gearbox software upgrades have been done (if it main dealer serviced they do them automatically)

[F355GTS]

300zxtt said:

I The cambiocorsa shift takes weeks if not months to get used to; once you master it ,it is brilliant & I won't ever go back to an auto or manual box.Make sure all the gearbox software upgrades have been done (if it main dealer serviced they do them automatically)

Totally agree re the time to learn the CC gearchange, once mastered it's brilliant, so impressed i've been toying with upgrading my 550 to a 575 just to get the paddle shift

[sco]

Only driven a 4200 manual (which I found very difficult to use until warmed up) and I own a 3200 manual.

I can't really see the point of the full auto on a car like a Maser so personally I would go for the 42CC (if you don't want a manual shift 3200) because it should be more involving than a full auto.

I think the 42 gets a bit of a bad press here for its looks, the rear lights wouldn't put me off upgrading when you think about all the other improvements as a package.

[David A]

Had a 3200 manual now in a 4200cc spider. Will not be going back to a manual (unless its in a cobra rep!)

They are very different cars - NA vs. two bloody great turbos etc

See what suits you.

Regards

[pvapour]

Agree with what has been said, took a while to get used to the CC, but would now have it agai.

2 years of ownership (4200) = 20k miles, including two track days, not a thing has gone wrong (apart from a new petrol filler cap replaced under warranty) 27k miles in total, 20k miles on the new factory uprated clutch.

Replaced the centre silencer with a straight through jobie for £100, sounds luuuurrrvly....

SatNav and electrics a little slow and a little scuttle shake (Spyder) and that's it for complaints from me

Hard part is deciding what to go to next

Good luck........

>> Edited by pvapour on Tuesday 13th December 18:30

[johnnyboy225]

agree with all that's been said

It did take some time to get used to the CC, but now its second nature, and I would not look back - its great - don't know about other 4200 users, but I now rarely use the 'auto' option (which allows the gearbox to change up when ready) - far too much enjoyment finding that sweet spot to change up with the paddle.....

as I've said before in this forum, please don't judge a 3200 v 4200 purely on the lights (which I admit are gorgeous).... you are doing the right thing by driving both - you will know....

IMHO (as I did exactly the same), the 4200 seems more sorted - felt far more solid a drive, and the engine is really really something else

Anyway, hope we can all welcome you to the maser 'family'.....

[F355GTS]

I think the Wifew sometimes uses the Auto option but other than the Dealer test drive I've not pressed it

[blindswelledrat]

The only thing I'd add to this is the price of owning the CC. Clutch life on those is 9-12k miles (maserati's figures) with a 2k replacement cost.
In my opinion it's not that good!
The engine sound on a 4200, however, is very special.

[singh]

I had the same choice to make and looked at a number of 3200's, didn't even consider the 4200 at the time. Then got a chance to drive one and with the exception of the light's(surprise comment)preffered the 42, felt more complete, better seating position, nicer interior(IMO) had the CC which at the the time I believed was a great half way house between manual and auto, reality is somewhat different(crap in auto IMO)but great in manual change. Engine is lovely in every way, the winning letter in this month's EVO concerned the modern move away from engine aesthetics (big plastic covers over everything tacky stick on badges etc) cited the M5 and Porsche (view akin to the back of a washing machine) It struck me that the writer would certainly appreciate the view under the bonnet of a 4200.
Back to the point..
Go along with everything said about the CC. Only ever used the Auto button the 1st day I bought it never since. My car has been faultless thus far(God willing may it long continue!)from looking at this forum over a period it does seem that the 32 has generally more niggles than the 42.
Drive both and see what suits you best.
Finally although they will never be as cool the 3200 the 42 back light's do grow on you over time...honest!

[David A]

singh said:

Finally although they will never be as cool the 3200 the 42 back light's do grow on you over time...honest!

3 months - they're acceptable, but not sure they're good!

The tubi however, since the day it was fired up in the dealership and all the tourists nearly s*at themselves and I'm beginning to notice how many car alarms it sets off in car parks!

[tiny]

David A,

Is your Tubi on a 4200?

Was there a significant improvement over the stock exhaust?

Did you have any resistance from your dealer over impact on warranty?

Thinking of putting a Tubi on a 2004 Coupe CC that I've just bought from Lovetts in Swindon so any imput much appreciated.

[singh]

Hi Tiny,

Congrats on your new purchase. Although I am yet to hear a Tubi on a 4200 I have heard one on a 3200 and there is a very big positive difference. I have straight through pipes on my 4200 and the difference between these and the stock is massive, car drives better as well, I am considering a few other exhaust tweaks but not quite sure which route to take yet. I had the exhaust changed whilst my car was still under warranty. I did a bit of scratching around to find out whether the warranty would be affected the consensus seemed to be that if you asked that question the official answer would be yes BUT in practice it was never queried. My car went back to the dealer's a few times(service/'campaign' etc) and they only ever commented that it sounded nice. If you think about it there are probably more Fezza's with aftermarket zorsts than without and some owners take delivery through Maranellos from new after the exhaust has been changed.
I think when you get into thinking about a DE-CAT (as I am) then the warranty is going to be an issue but I think sports zorst for your engine is a must, you will be very pleased with the difference.

If you want to hear some nice 4200 sounds with a sports zorst look at:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=227810&f=63&h=0

Having spoken to the guy's who supply these exhaust's the sound you are hearing is basically straight through(no acoustic chamber etc) but this system also has the centre silencer changed to straight through(unlike mine)It also has a in cabin switch that flips a valve so you can have it on 'silent mode' basically going through the rear box mufflers for when your feeling discreet

>> Edited by singh on Wednesday 14th December 21:59

[tiny]

singh,

Thanks for your detailed reply and link!

What options are you considering - did you look at a Tubi?

[sjp63]

blindswelledrat said:

The only thing I'd add to this is the price of owning the CC. Clutch life on those is 9-12k miles (maserati's figures) with a 2k replacement cost. In my opinion it's not that good! The engine sound on a 4200, however, is very special.

Maserati figures my arse