Pretty much decided on a 4200
Pretty much decided on a 4200
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s1m vp

Original Poster:

949 posts

259 months

Monday 11th December 2006
quotequote all
Been trying to decide which toy to opt for next.
Have enjoyed a 996 TT for the last 2 years as a daily drive, but fancy a change.
Limited to something which can fit a baby seat in the back (1st baby due on Christmas Day).

Was trying to decide between a DB7, Maserati 4200, Ferarri 456 or another 911.
- Test drove a DB7 which was nice enough, but let down by dated interior
- Test drove 4200 CC & Manual (preferred Manual - seemed quicker)
- Been to see a 456 today - just didn't appeal (looked dated IMHO)

Previously thought 4200 was too quiet but having heard Larini exhaust fitted to one (on a website vid) changed my mind and now heart pretty much set.

Is there much difference between a 3200 & 4200 (drive wise)
Only driven the 4200.

Having looked at quite a few, think the colour options I prefer are:
Black with red or cream leather
Silver with Tan leather
Grigio Grey (Gunmetal) with red or cream leather
Rosso Red with cream

Ideally looking to spend 30ish, with circa 20k miles - trying to avoid loosing too much in depreciation.

I'd especially like to hear from anybody who uses their car as a daily drive - what are they like to live with.
Have heard some bad reports, but equally some really good stuff.

My knowledge other than what I have read on past threads is limited, so please - any advice or help from people that have owned would be great.

Thanks in advance.


bad loser

259 posts

264 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
3200's a completely different drive as they're turbo boosted so gives more of a kick.

You've got to have a test drive of one, even if it's only to say you were right about the 4200.

I've got a manual 3200, which is great once you're out of first gear but I also had the auto.

I don't think you'll get a 20000 mile 4200 for £30k but somebody on here might think differently.

Edited by bad loser on Tuesday 12th December 07:32

subaqua

892 posts

237 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
I ran a 4200 spyder CC for 9 months... beautiful car, great sound. Arrived 3 years old with just 8000 miles on and it was my daily driver, put 9000 on it in that time.

Like you, I was a little concerned with reliability, but my only bills were for consumables, tyres, a little bit of oil. They are a bit thirsty, i averaged 14mpg, but a fair bit of that is around town - if you try hard maybe 20mpg on a motorway run.

dttheliman

29 posts

236 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
Hi,

I have a 05 4200 coupe manual - like you I prefered the manual - I have straight through pipes at the tail end - it sounds just like it should brilliant!!! - I use the car as a daily drive and have just over 20k miles on it now (I do about 350 miles per week) bar the odd niggle (headlight washer cover) the car is great - miles per gallon ? who cares ? plus you get the smile factor every time you drive it .

Do it anyway - you know you want to

Tim

jcosh

1,243 posts

257 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
[quote=dttheliman]Hi,

bar the odd niggle (headlight washer cover)

/quote]

Sorry to jump in here. I noticed at the weekend that one of my headlight washer covers is a bit on the wonky side/lose. Is this what happened to yours and was it fixed ok?

Cheers Jonathan

dttheliman

29 posts

236 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
Jon,

A design feature not .... One of mine is on the M6 somewhere - there is a factory mod/fix under warranty - only thing is the long wait to get the piece - then maserati have to get it painted +- 3 weeks - then it takes about 30 seconds for the greasemonkey to clip it in. Complain about it now if your still under warranty else order the part now - it includes a new fixing onto the washer jet.

cheers Tim

dttheliman

29 posts

236 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
Oh and another design feature is the rubberseal around the headlights - they are glued in - if you are too clever with the pressure washer the glue gives and the seals pull away - another warranty job but a whole day in the shop - sounds like I'm moaning I'm not I had more sh1te with the merc and with mercedes service!! The car is awesome

cheers Tim

jcosh

1,243 posts

257 months

Wednesday 13th December 2006
quotequote all
Tim

My light washer cover is just lose and wonky, do you think they will fix it? I have booked the car in for this and few other minor jobs to be sorted whilst the warrenty is still live. Any other jobs that you think are worth getting done? I've already mentioned the head light ubber seals.

Cheers Jonathan

johnnyboy225

431 posts

275 months

Wednesday 13th December 2006
quotequote all
I also had the headlight washer cover fun... (under warranty)

...at first one got stuck up!! then within weeks - got back after a 'spirited' drive, only to find it missing.. amusingly, I knew I'd only washed the windscreen/headlamps once on my journey that day, and my wife found the cover lying in the road - twas all in vain though, as needed to have a new part: ordered (3 days), painted (2 days) and fitted (30 secs)..!!

Other things, listen for any minor rattles, creaks (especially from dashboard), aircon/heater works ok? etc..

Cheers,
John

jcosh

1,243 posts

257 months

Wednesday 13th December 2006
quotequote all
johnnyboy225 said:
I also had the headlight washer cover fun... (under warranty)

...at first one got stuck up!! then within weeks - got back after a 'spirited' drive, only to find it missing.. amusingly, I knew I'd only washed the windscreen/headlamps once on my journey that day, and my wife found the cover lying in the road - twas all in vain though, as needed to have a new part: ordered (3 days), painted (2 days) and fitted (30 secs)..!!

Other things, listen for any minor rattles, creaks (especially from dashboard), aircon/heater works ok? etc..

Cheers,
John


A few squeeks, but I put this down to the amount of leather panels that rub together. Gets better once the cabin has warmed up a little. Air con has leeked into the passenger foot well on a couple of occasions during the summer, but not since. Is this worth a mention to the dealer?

Jonathan

johnnyboy225

431 posts

275 months

Thursday 14th December 2006
quotequote all
jcosh said:
johnnyboy225 said:
I also had the headlight washer cover fun... (under warranty)

...at first one got stuck up!! then within weeks - got back after a 'spirited' drive, only to find it missing.. amusingly, I knew I'd only washed the windscreen/headlamps once on my journey that day, and my wife found the cover lying in the road - twas all in vain though, as needed to have a new part: ordered (3 days), painted (2 days) and fitted (30 secs)..!!

Other things, listen for any minor rattles, creaks (especially from dashboard), aircon/heater works ok? etc..

Cheers,
John


A few squeeks, but I put this down to the amount of leather panels that rub together. Gets better once the cabin has warmed up a little. Air con has leeked into the passenger foot well on a couple of occasions during the summer, but not since. Is this worth a mention to the dealer?

Jonathan


Yep, most of the creaks are as you say - I had a particularly annoying creak from the dashboard on driver's side - they sorted it.

I forgot to mention the aircon leak - hadn't really noticed it myself - until my wife was in the passenger seat one day, and complained of a wet foot!!

I recall it was a kink in the aircon drainage pipe - and again fixed under warranty.... also reported by several 4200 owners - search for a thread a few months ago

Apologies to the author of the original post for hijacking the thread, all relevant 4200 stuff though...

Regards,
John

dttheliman

29 posts

236 months

Thursday 14th December 2006
quotequote all
jcosh said:
Tim

My light washer cover is just lose and wonky, do you think they will fix it? I have booked the car in for this and few other minor jobs to be sorted whilst the warrenty is still live. Any other jobs that you think are worth getting done? I've already mentioned the head light ubber seals.

Cheers Jonathan


Jon,

Its not the plastic cover its the cr4ppy clip that attaches to the washer - complain now it should save them hassle - its a no-brainer fix by the dealer

Cheers Tim

Maser-artist

144 posts

236 months

Thursday 14th December 2006
quotequote all
Had my 4200 CC for over a year now and also looked at Astons & Porsche. I am pleased to report that I know now that I made the right choice and the Maisy is one of the best / fun cars I have ever had. The washer cover clip was replaced, but with two dabs of superglue on either side - they stay on now. (Just don't clean windscreen with the lights on over 80mph)... Also had a few problems with rear suspension bush & rubbers - but @ 24,000 miles nothing too severe to report. I also tried all sorts before buying from Meriden Modena, and the car is serviced & maintained by Dick Lovett. I found the manual cars had heavy clutches, making for hard-driving in cities. The CC gearbox requires TLC when parking or on gradients (the clutch burns) - but if you find a good "smooth" one - then they are just as fun with the paddle shift. The bonus with the Maserati is the rear seats and the fact that for a 6'2" bloke, the car is still comfortable and roomy for four.

Go on, buy one - but look long and hard and compare all options. Each car is unique - and just put a few pounds away each week for the annual service and get a Maserati warranty.

s1m vp

Original Poster:

949 posts

259 months

Saturday 16th December 2006
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice and comments.
Although I think, looking at the above, I should check the washers before I buy !!

Think I will try a 3200 if they have that 'kick' just to compare, but almost certainly would go for a 4200. Ideally from a dealer to get the warranty.

Just need to put mine up for sale now (will get hammered if I part ex) ... will miss it when it goes, its by far the best car I have ever owned (SO FAR).

Thanks for the comments and will keep looking !!