Maserati 3200 buying advice needed?
Discussion
I've been looking at getting a 3200, early model.
What should I be looking for,do they do different models, I've seen some advertised; GT, GTA, FH or something like that, are these different?
Which is better, manual or auto? I would normally prefer manual, but most seem to be auto!
Are they all twin turboed?
Any other things I should look at, like different spec for example?
Also, will the gransport wheels fit a standard 3200? they look much better!
thanks,
Lee.
What should I be looking for,do they do different models, I've seen some advertised; GT, GTA, FH or something like that, are these different?
Which is better, manual or auto? I would normally prefer manual, but most seem to be auto!
Are they all twin turboed?
Any other things I should look at, like different spec for example?
Also, will the gransport wheels fit a standard 3200? they look much better!
thanks,
Lee.
Great choice,
GT = Manual
GTA = Auto
All 3200's are 3.2 v8 t/turbo
GS wheels will fit no probs.
Personal choice is for the Auto. but that is personal choice, try both and you decide.
Things to look for,
Red key is a must, FMSH with recalls done, from memory I think there were 3.
They are getting to a age where specialists are looking after them at slightly less cost so if it has this history then make sure they are a specialist. They are not something fred in his shed could look after. They are sophisticated and need to be looked after properly.
Oil pressure should read 3.5 + at all times (many read 5 constantly).
NEVER, start the engine untill it has run its systems check and the "engine check" light has gone off.
If you need specific advice then PM either "nigelo" or "wicked1" on here as they both know them inside out.
They are not like massers of the 80's and early 90's, they are pretty reliable with most problems being niggles really,which are easily resolved.
Budget at least £2k pa for service which is every 12k miles. Belts at 36k and 64k.
Parts are quite exspensive but with a little resolve can be sourced elsewhere at less cost.
Any thing else you need to know?
GT = Manual
GTA = Auto
All 3200's are 3.2 v8 t/turbo
GS wheels will fit no probs.
Personal choice is for the Auto. but that is personal choice, try both and you decide.
Things to look for,
Red key is a must, FMSH with recalls done, from memory I think there were 3.
They are getting to a age where specialists are looking after them at slightly less cost so if it has this history then make sure they are a specialist. They are not something fred in his shed could look after. They are sophisticated and need to be looked after properly.
Oil pressure should read 3.5 + at all times (many read 5 constantly).
NEVER, start the engine untill it has run its systems check and the "engine check" light has gone off.
If you need specific advice then PM either "nigelo" or "wicked1" on here as they both know them inside out.
They are not like massers of the 80's and early 90's, they are pretty reliable with most problems being niggles really,which are easily resolved.
Budget at least £2k pa for service which is every 12k miles. Belts at 36k and 64k.
Parts are quite exspensive but with a little resolve can be sourced elsewhere at less cost.
Any thing else you need to know?
3200gt..so would you recommend one> i been offered one by a friend at 20,000£ its got 40k miles on it and isnt this a bit high mileage? would the running costs differ a lot from boxster S, considering it cost me £2000 for a 12k mile service recently?
i am going for a test drive in it later on this month, its a manual i think 2000 model
i am going for a test drive in it later on this month, its a manual i think 2000 model
Edited by k321 on Wednesday 18th April 16:32
I couldn't comment on a manual with any experience (other than a few test drives) however I would recomend an atuto without hesitation.
40k is probably about average for a 2000, mine has 37k on it and is a 2000. £20k is about right for a middle condition one also. I wouldn't let mine go for that money but then mine has been pampered beyond the norm.
£2k Running costs will obviously depend on mileage but should cover you for say 6-10k pa. Your biggest costs (barring any major faults) will be rear tyres (and anti grin cream), my last set of Pirreli's lasted 5-6k and at then, £340 each your £2k will soon be gone.
After much experimentation and exspense I have found the best compremise road tyre to be Toyo proxes. Decent life/grip and price.
A intermediate service will be approx £750 and a full service approx £1k.
Parts you will find exspensive compared to boxster prices so make sure the discs are not to badly worn (32mm new - 30mm knackered)
and the rear boxes are either in good shape or have been replaced by SS ones.
Check suspension for leaks and get on good terms with your local filling station.
Other than that general condition and the gut instinct you get will see you right.
Remember they are a heart decision not a head one or you would keep the boxster.
Whatever it was that drew your attention to a 3200 will make you smile everytime you drive it.
Good choice and enjoy!
40k is probably about average for a 2000, mine has 37k on it and is a 2000. £20k is about right for a middle condition one also. I wouldn't let mine go for that money but then mine has been pampered beyond the norm.
£2k Running costs will obviously depend on mileage but should cover you for say 6-10k pa. Your biggest costs (barring any major faults) will be rear tyres (and anti grin cream), my last set of Pirreli's lasted 5-6k and at then, £340 each your £2k will soon be gone.
After much experimentation and exspense I have found the best compremise road tyre to be Toyo proxes. Decent life/grip and price.
A intermediate service will be approx £750 and a full service approx £1k.
Parts you will find exspensive compared to boxster prices so make sure the discs are not to badly worn (32mm new - 30mm knackered)
and the rear boxes are either in good shape or have been replaced by SS ones.
Check suspension for leaks and get on good terms with your local filling station.
Other than that general condition and the gut instinct you get will see you right.
Remember they are a heart decision not a head one or you would keep the boxster.
Whatever it was that drew your attention to a 3200 will make you smile everytime you drive it.
Good choice and enjoy!
Edited by 3200gt on Wednesday 18th April 17:08
thanks a lot for your input 3200gt, and also i need the red key right? owning a maserati is definitely better , or sounds better than a porsche, but dont want to buy it then be riddled with massive expenses, i guess it will be driven as a 4th car, doing only 10k miles max a year
but if i get it, and sell it for 3 years at 70k miles will the depreciation be massive?
but if i get it, and sell it for 3 years at 70k miles will the depreciation be massive?
Edited by k321 on Wednesday 18th April 18:08
If no red key then walk away. You dont want to hear about the costs involved in resolving issues arising from not having a red key!
I would think at this stage in the cars life depreciation will not be kind to you, however it is the first of the "revitalised" marque so may become a valued classic at some point in the future? Whatever, if you intend keeping it that long then, as with all cars, its a gamble. If you worried by depreciation dont buy it, you boxster will fair better as it is more mainstrem and untroubled by the general publics impression of huge maintenance bills. Its german = its reliable, in joe bloggs mind. Its a Maserati = MMmmmm loverly BUT..............
As I said you will not find a rational motive to buy a Maserati, its a heart not a head decision. Once you have owned one for a few months you will either love it or loathe it, there is no middle ground.
6+ years on I think it is safe to say I love mine!
I would think at this stage in the cars life depreciation will not be kind to you, however it is the first of the "revitalised" marque so may become a valued classic at some point in the future? Whatever, if you intend keeping it that long then, as with all cars, its a gamble. If you worried by depreciation dont buy it, you boxster will fair better as it is more mainstrem and untroubled by the general publics impression of huge maintenance bills. Its german = its reliable, in joe bloggs mind. Its a Maserati = MMmmmm loverly BUT..............
As I said you will not find a rational motive to buy a Maserati, its a heart not a head decision. Once you have owned one for a few months you will either love it or loathe it, there is no middle ground.
6+ years on I think it is safe to say I love mine!
Just to add my 2p worth, I drive the manual 3200 and have had an auto. When I bought the manual in January 2005 it had 8500 miles on the clock, it's now on just over 27k.
The manual is only bad in lower gears so if you do a lot of town driving, then the auto is for you. Being so powerful, it's difficult to get a smooth start from stationary so if you've got passengers they've either got their faces pulled out of shape by the G forces as you hurtle away from traffic lights or you stall the engine. Also, the clutch is heavy - this doesn't bother me as I'm also heavy!! These are the only reasons IMHO not to go for the manual.
It's great in manual when somebody's up your @rse just to stick it in a lower gear at 4-5000 revs and the acceleration is immediate.
Make sure you choose a dry day for your test drive so you can give it a bit without worrying about weather conditions.
The manual is only bad in lower gears so if you do a lot of town driving, then the auto is for you. Being so powerful, it's difficult to get a smooth start from stationary so if you've got passengers they've either got their faces pulled out of shape by the G forces as you hurtle away from traffic lights or you stall the engine. Also, the clutch is heavy - this doesn't bother me as I'm also heavy!! These are the only reasons IMHO not to go for the manual.
It's great in manual when somebody's up your @rse just to stick it in a lower gear at 4-5000 revs and the acceleration is immediate.
Make sure you choose a dry day for your test drive so you can give it a bit without worrying about weather conditions.
big lee said:
thanks for that, what is the famous red key for?
The red key is the master key and the start chefck procedure checks the ignition key against the codes for all sorts of things. If your codes do not match key to car the you can only start the engine using the emergency start procedure. Otherwise the ECU will cut the engine (anti theft). Rematching the key code and ECU code can only be done using the master key. The next bit is grapevine stuff but why take the risk? Should this mismatch occur without a red key to rematch the codes then you will require a new set of keys and a new ECU. £3k?
PHer Nigelo could give you a difinitive answer, but do a search on here, I'm sure it has been discussed several times.
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