Advice on buying a Maser 3200

[lml698]

I would appreciate any advice and input from owners of Maserati 3200's on buying a second hand one.
I have had lots of Alfa's for 20+ yrs and fancy an upgrade. I gather that there are several areas to look out for - G'box, cambelts, suspension wear. I Also understand the post 2000 cars are better set up? What are the key milleage points for service work? What are the main service costs?
Any help much appreciated.

[mazzer3.2]

If you have'nt already have a look at Enrico's Maserati Pages, they are a veritable gold mine of info on the car. I brought mine a couple of months ago, has been fantastic, its thrown the odd very minor Italian hissy fit but otherwise just great

www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/

[3200gt]

lml698 said:

What are the key milleage points for service work? What are the main service costs? Any help much appreciated.

Had mine close on 5 1/2 yrs now (2000 model), and I can say it has been no more trouble than any other car I've owned. Got 36k on it now and although I don't use daily anymore, it definately hasn't been the nightmare ownership some of the doom and gloom mongers out there would have you believe. Dependant on mileage budget roughly 2k pa on service costs and another £1k on tyres. Parts are quite expensive but depending on your mechanical eptitude they can be obtained reasonably via various sources.
Services are every 1yr/12k miles after the initial PDI and 6k service, at about £600 (main dealer) standard service excluding anything unusual. Belts are at 3yrs/31k miles at about £800 for belts alone, or with a service also, about £1200.
If you would like to know anything specific let me know.
ps, go for it, choose carefully and you won't regret it, they are great grin factor.

[vulcan1208]

I can only second 3200gt's comments, I have had mine for a year now and put just over 20k on it and apart from some minor issues when I bought it due to lack of use (10k miles in 3 years !)it has been great and I have never had to use the warranty. I have an Alfa 156 GTA in which I have done 70k miles in three years and it has been faultless so I was a bit nervous of buying a 3200 and pushing my luck with a second italian car but but after a year of almost daily use I cannot reccomend them highly enough

[s70jps]

Absolutely love mine year 2000 Auto.
Had one or two problems with warning lights none of them serious.
Make sure you have a good dealer nearby. I have to drive a long way to mine and it's a pain.
This car turns more heads than most and attracts all the right attention. It brings a smile to my face every morning on the way to work.
Sadly up for sale as my wife is having another baby. (cant get 2 baby seats in without compromising the driving position) I am trying to hang on to it for as long as possible though.
Don't go into it with your eyes closed bank on around £1/ mile for maintenance. Worth every penny.

[spicy]

I love my 51 plate 3200GTM Maserati. Drive 70+ miles a day and love every mile. I smile every time I see the car and have had it 8-9 months! Touch wood I've been very lucky but I think that's because I drive every day. If I don't drive the car for a couple of days she can be temperamental at first and there is a petrol station that she doesn't like!!

Pick a good dealer who will give you good support, mine want her back when I'm finished and will source me any car I want.

[3200gt]

spicy said:

and there is a petrol station that she doesn't like!!

Did you ever find out what it was about that filling station that caused your problems?

[spicy]

They couldn't give me an answer and made me feel like I was a weirdo for asking. So I don't use them (BP) and all is well with the car. Nothing was found at the service and I didn't press for an answer. So I visit my local Shell and they are very friendly - I am a good customer!!

[lml698]

Thanks for the input chaps. I think I will be trying to buy ne this spring and hope to source one in the gloucestershire vicinity and service itin this area. Again any info on this would be helpfull. Sems like around 22K may get a 2000 model or should I wait for a 2001/2 model/

[purpleperil]

Go for an Assetto Corsa if you can - end of the 3200 line and a lot more bits were thrown at it as standard. Wish I'd not got rid of mine

[mr_tony]

see my profile- I owned a 2002 for 18 months - fantastic car loved (nearly) every minute.

[maser sod]

lml698 said:

Thanks for the input chaps. I think I will be trying to buy ne this spring and hope to source one in the gloucestershire vicinity and service itin this area. Again any info on this would be helpfull. Sems like around 22K may get a 2000 model or should I wait for a 2001/2 model/

Sounds like I'm not far from you (Bristol), I bought David A's 'X' reg 3200GT in the summer, so if you want any assistance in buying then give me a shout. Ex Alfa owner too (GTV 3.0).

Alfanet services down here sell 3200GTs, they are generally slightly on the pricey side but the mechanic who looks after them is good + cheap - I use him for straightforward bits of work.

[aeronut]

I've had my 99 3200 manual (24k) for about 2 months now and it's been fantastic. I'm probably tempting fate but I've had no problems at all and I use it every day (a bit like the petrol station now, but who cares? it goes with the territory!!) Go ahead, buy one and enjoy it!

[fred3939]

Had my 2001 GTA for about a month, to sum it up, fits 4 adults, has more than enough power when required and absolutley beautiful italian car in terms of its looks. But be prepared for the fuel costs as it has a 90Ltr tank which is consumed fairly rapidly. When you floor it be prepared for a massive surge of power, takes getting used to ( but not reccomended in the rain or gritted roads) You can also pick up consumables like (paraflu coolant and selenia oil) from your local alfa garage.
I test drove a 99' 3200 before buying this one and found it a bit more of a handfull to drive ( throttle more sensitive than my 2001) and didn't feel as tight and solid.
Hope this helps

[lml698]

Ok chaps the input has been v helpfull. I am definately going to go for one if I can find something in the 20 -24k window. I hope a 2001 model especially if it is an Assetto corsa. I also wanted a manual . Any comments on the Manual v automatic debate. Instinctively I would much prefer the manual.

Again if anyone knows of a solid car in my bracket I am very happy to go and look. I will be visiting Alfanet in Bristol and may have to ask Maser sod for his help!!!!
What sort of insurance fees are people paying ( 5 yrs no claims 40+ rural )?

[johnnyboy225]

For my 4200, I'm paying around £835 pa, (5yrs no claims, 43yr old, rural), if you need details of insurance, will happily give details.

Re: manual versus auto, get views of a few of each 'owners'. for example, Mazzer 3.2 has a manual 3200, and there anre a number of auto 3200 owners who can give you views. personally, I was always attracted to the auto, as I felt the manual was more difficult (although possibly more rewarding) to drive.....

good luck....

[maserati3200gt]

John
Take a look at my Profile for my Years Experience and costs on owning a 3200gt.
Enjoyed every minute of driving the car but the Main Dealer ruined the experience.

The Car is a wonderful experience if you buy the right example.
Pete

[maser sod]

lml698 said:

Ok chaps the input has been v helpfull. I am definately going to go for one if I can find something in the 20 -24k window. I hope a 2001 model especially if it is an Assetto corsa. I also wanted a manual . Any comments on the Manual v automatic debate. Instinctively I would much prefer the manual. Again if anyone knows of a solid car in my bracket I am very happy to go and look. I will be visiting Alfanet in Bristol and may have to ask Maser sod for his help!!!! What sort of insurance fees are people paying ( 5 yrs no claims 40+ rural )?

The Getrag manual box is a bit tricky when cold but soon warms up.

Call me odd, but I can't imagine having an auto sports car: nothing more fun than dropping a gear and flooring it when up against adequate opposition

I think Carmelo had a couple of 3200GTs in at Alfanet last time I looked, I was drawn to the burgundy one but the price was probably about 3K+ above what I would pay when looking privately.

[lml698]

A question to masser sod really but is "carmelo " the maion chap at Alfanet? Can you get them to do deals (get their listed prices down )?
They seem the best bet locally for access to a few 3200's or are there other places apart from hunting through the web etc.

Can you email me your mobile number so i can ring you?

[maserati3200gt]

The 3200 is getting hit hard at trade so bargain hard.
x regs with around 20,000 to 30,000 miles booking at between £15,000 and £17,000

Be prepared to walk away if the price is not right.