Manual or Auto

[Gareth P]

Which is the better gearbox on the 4200?

[troesma]

Hiya,

Mine is a Cambiocorsa, and I love it. You will see shitloads of posts about issues, from clutch premature wear (bottom line: do not drive in automatic if you get a CC) to clunking, and so on. Comb the forums for you to have all opinions. My own experience has been great, I think it is more driving style than anything (you need to develop your ear, rather than looking at the revs, to shift gears at the right moment). The CC will pull-out the best of the engine.

My recommendation is to go for a test drive if possible, and get a hands-on feel. But, again, be warned of somewhat higher maintenance costs (because the clutch does eventually wear-out, and that is a hefty ticket to pick-up). If buying used ask the dealer to certify the wear on the clutch, if anything above 60% ask for a replacement (or better still, a rebate on price). If buying privately, it's your gamble. Always ask for a car maintained exclusively at a Maserati franchised dealer. Unfortunately they tend to be crap when dealing with any substantial issues, if they happen, but for scheduled maintenance they do reasonably OK (none will accept cars as PE if not serviced through the network).

Ed

[David A]

Not driven the manual 4200 but after having had the 4200 CC Spyder for 10months and 8.5K miles I would not have a manual over paddles if given the choice.

Also FYI manuals are much harder to find than CCs. They take a couple of weeks but are great

[johnnyboy225]

yep, another vote for the cambiocorsa gearbox - like David - haven't driven a manual - but after my 8 months and 10K miles - wouldn't even consider one now.... it's great..

[crikeymikey]

I know it's splitting hairs but, for those who just come on to the forum to read up, can I point out that a paddle shift on a Masser, Ferrari or Lambo is still a MANUAL gearbox not an automatic in the traditional sense. In other words you still have to choose which gear and when to select it.
These shouldn't be confused with proper auto boxes, that have a 'manual' override by way of paddles or gearlever.
I'll shut up now. Sorry.

[troesma]

Yep mate.

Which brings an amusing Q : suppose your kid is ripe for his license test, you've been a great dad and gave him some "practical" driving lessons on your Maser CC. Theory test a piece of cake, he then turns to get his practical test (would be so fun to see a Maser with L plates!)

How would the DSA catalogue the car for licensing? As a Manual? As an Auto? It's a MANUAL, but wonder if any of those folks ever had a drive in a Maser for a practice test, or how they have it registered in order to determine licesning restrictions (because if they think it is an Auto...)

Just a thought.

Ed

[David A]

Agreed - its more like you tell it what gear you want by the paddles and there is a bit of engineering hidden away that does the clutch and gearstick movement for you.

As opposed to the new XK I drove which just felt like an auto with manual override.

Dave

[Gareth P]

Great advice, but I have heard the change can be lumpy, what I want to know is does the clutch wear out quicker on the CC or the GT? Also you chaps with the spyders, is the scuttle shake a problem? I don't drive particularly hard but wan't to feel the car is planted on corners.:-)

[David A]

Gareth P said:

Great advice, but I have heard the change can be lumpy, what I want to know is does the clutch wear out quicker on the CC or the GT? Also you chaps with the spyders, is the scuttle shake a problem? I don't drive particularly hard but wan't to feel the car is planted on corners.:-)

Takes at least a couple of weeks to get used to it.

One tip is to always have it in sport mode (unless icy) the gear change is faster and therfore smoother. It all comes down to learning to drive it properly i.e. drive it like you drive a jag flappy paddle and yeah the experience will be not as good, learn the gearbox properly and you will be fine.

Scuttle shake - sure its there - its a rag top after all! Is it bad enough for me to think "hmm this car has bad shakes" no it isn't. You would probably worry on track days or racing the car on track - but for hard driving on country lanes I'd rather have the roof off and a little bit of shake than a roof on the car !

Dave