Maserati 4200 - Buying Tips?

[Z4ToGo]

Well the replacement for the Z4 has finally been decided on, so I'm out looking for a 04ish 4200 cc.

Having trawled through the various forums, I've picked up lots of tips, but was hoping someone with some experience can give me some tips in what to look for so I don't get a dog of a car!

I know the clutch can be a big talking point, but what else do i need to look out for, and what tests can I do?

Also whats the deal with warranties, as I've read a few horror stories there too!

Thanks a lot.

PS. Does anyone want to buy a 53 Plate Z4 2.5SE? Looking for a quick sale as I can't wait to get the maserati!

[maser sod]

The Maserati scan tool can read clutch wear, so if you buy from a garage then it would make sense to have the check done - could save you a few bucks.

[bennno]

Z4ToGo said:

Well the replacement for the Z4 has finally been decided on, so I'm out looking for a 04ish 4200 cc.

Having trawled through the various forums, I've picked up lots of tips, but was hoping someone with some experience can give me some tips in what to look for so I don't get a dog of a car!

I know the clutch can be a big talking point, but what else do i need to look out for, and what tests can I do?

Also whats the deal with warranties, as I've read a few horror stories there too!

Thanks a lot.

PS. Does anyone want to buy a 53 Plate Z4 2.5SE? Looking for a quick sale as I can't wait to get the maserati!

I wouldnt bother with a 4200 a VXR monaro is a million times more fun, much less expensive to fix / run and much more robust

If that not exclusive enough then try a back to back drive with a 996 Porsche

If you are fixed on a Maser red key must be present and expect 10k depreciation first year even if buying a chapy from an independent

bennno

[doodlebug]

bennno said:

I wouldnt bother with a 4200 a VXR monaro is a million times more fun, much less expensive to fix / run and much more robust

If that not exclusive enough then try a back to back drive with a 996 Porsche

If you are fixed on a Maser red key must be present and expect 10k depreciation first year even if buying a chapy from an independent

bennno

Maser 4200s, unlike the earlier 3200s, don't have a red key, boomerang rear lights or bonnet vents.

They are also considerably more exclusive than a 996.

[bennno]

doodlebug said:

They are also considerably more exclusive than a 996.

Which arguably is because they didnt sell as many due to them not driving as nicely, depreciating at a vast rate in comparison and costing 5x as much to service.

A friend bought a 99 3200 a few years back that was a relatively cheap £27k at the time (there werent many about for less at the time). When he sold 6 months later he did well to get £17k.

Bennno

[bad loser]

Why do people advise drivers what 'other' car to get? If someones asks about 4200's why suggest a Porsche?

It reminds me of the bloke who polishes my car who's always telling me that I'd be better off with a Mondeo, or that the Maserati is just a glorified Fiat.

[bennno]

bad loser said:

Or that the Maserati is just a glorified Fiat.

I think its a case that people consider them as they are percieved to be a bargain but the reality is that the combined depreciation and running costs are probably well in excess of a new 997 or used Ferrari 360 - both of which are percieved as expensive.

Bennno

[t1grm]

bennno said:

A friend bought a 99 3200 a few years back that was a relatively cheap £27k at the time (there werent many about for less at the time). When he sold 6 months later he did well to get £17k.

Bennno

Would that be Flasher?

[bennno]

t1grm said:

bennno said:

A friend bought a 99 3200 a few years back that was a relatively cheap £27k at the time (there werent many about for less at the time). When he sold 6 months later he did well to get £17k.

Bennno

Would that be Flasher?

no comment....

[Flasher]

bennno said:

t1grm said:

bennno said:

A friend bought a 99 3200 a few years back that was a relatively cheap £27k at the time (there werent many about for less at the time). When he sold 6 months later he did well to get £17k.

Bennno

Would that be Flasher?

no comment....

You are over 2K out Bennno, and we had it for a year not 6 months....

Edited by Flasher on Tuesday 24th July 10:24

[bennno]

Flasher said:

bennno said:

t1grm said:

bennno said:

A friend bought a 99 3200 a few years back that was a relatively cheap £27k at the time (there werent many about for less at the time). When he sold 6 months later he did well to get £17k.

Bennno

Would that be Flasher?

no comment....

You are over 2K out Bennno, and we had it for a year not 6 months....

Edited by Flasher on Tuesday 24th July 10:24

Ok, 8k not 10k loss - yours was a superb buy at the time though, there werent many about for £27k at that point.

Would you buy another then?

I didnt mention the grief you had with the gearbox etc.

Or having driven a 996 would you go that way? For 10k of depreciation you could probably own a 997 for a year for similar overall cost to a 4200.

Bennno

[Flasher]

I would still say get one actually. We had a problem with the gearbox which would have cost £7K if it hadn't been for the warranty. Yes, it lost 7K in a year but what doesn't? Ask Benno what he lost on his 456 in half that time and your eyes will be watering.....

I think if you buy to keep at the right price it's a great car to own. It's just getting the right car thats the issue. My Dad's golfing buddy is on his 4th car now, 2 x 3200's and 2 x 4200. He says the 4200 is a much better car than the 3200 and I have been in it and hes right! I would still have one despite being burned by the experience of buying one that had issues........

[Flasher]

bennno said:

Ok, 8k not 10k loss - yours was a superb buy at the time though, there werent many about for £27k at that point.

Would you buy another then?

I didnt mention the grief you had with the gearbox etc.

Or having driven a 996 would you go that way? For 10k of depreciation you could probably own a 997 for a year for similar overall cost to a 4200.

Bennno

I'd have a nice 996 now I've driven one! But if the guy wants a Maser he should get one. Running costs are not that bad, it was only fuel bills that bothered me!

[bennno]

I paid £55,000 for my 456 and sold for £51,500.

No servicing or running costs, during 5 months ownership.

That was reasonable imho for the ownership experience.

Bennno

[bennno]

Flasher said:

bennno said:

Ok, 8k not 10k loss - yours was a superb buy at the time though, there werent many about for £27k at that point.

Would you buy another then?

I didnt mention the grief you had with the gearbox etc.

Or having driven a 996 would you go that way? For 10k of depreciation you could probably own a 997 for a year for similar overall cost to a 4200.

Bennno

I'd have a nice 996 now I've driven one! But if the guy wants a Maser he should get one. Running costs are not that bad, it was only fuel bills that bothered me!

I remember somebody that looked identical to you cussing about the depreciation of said car, red key problems and gearbox issues at great length

Must have been somebody else....

I just realised this is the Le Mans 'Croque Monsieur' situation all over again...

Bennno

Edited by bennno on Tuesday 24th July 10:36

[Flasher]

bennno said:

I paid £55,000 for my 456 and sold for £51,500.

No servicing or running costs, during 5 months ownership.

That was reasonable imho for the ownership experience.

Bennno

It must have been another bloke I knew that had a blue 456 that the windows and doors needed thousands to fix from the infamous "sagging" problem. And another mate with a blue 456 that had the boot fill with water on the way back from France....£51,500 my arse.

Edited by Flasher on Tuesday 24th July 11:01

[Flasher]

bennno said:

I remember somebody that looked identical to you cussing about the depreciation of said car, red key problems and gearbox issues at great length

Must have been somebody else....

I just realised this is the Le Mans 'Croque Monsieur' situation all over again...

Bennno

Said the bloke who had a £7K service on said Ferrari.....

Twas me with the red key. It cost me 2 buyers and the guy I eventually sold it to would have given me £1K more if I'd had it....

But it didn't cost me anything other than fuel and depreciation. Neither did the gearbox which was covered by the warranty, although it was rather annoying using a courtesy car for 2 months....

Edited by Flasher on Tuesday 24th July 11:05

[fieldl]

I've just bought a 4200 Spyder, manual not CC.
Part exchanged my 2002 911 (996) C4S in against it. Did I lose much on the C4S yes. Only had it a year and lost £9k primarily as I ran the mileage up but even if I hadn't I'd have lost a fair amount. Has the C4S been reliable or cheap to run, nope in my ownership it has had:

• Both radiators replaced
• Flat bedded back to OPC as they forgot to replace the O rings when changing the above so the coolant poured out after 1 day.
• 2 yes TWO new alternators
• Idle Pulley bearing replaced
• Replacement offside sports exhaust baffle
• New clutch
• New pads and disks all round

This is from a car which was given a 111 point check and under warranty which covered some of the above.

Not to mention tyres (rears are over £200 each) and servicing costs.
So a 911 996 Carrera 4S has cost me approx £13-18k in the last 13 months. Unlucky maybe. It has been a GREAT car and has just covered 3k miles around europe including the ring, route napoleon and stelvio. All of which were great and the car never had a problem, apart from me catching the pads alight.

Just wanted something exciting to drive again that wasn't quite so competent.
Also wanted something more exclusive as the 996 is nothing special. We also went to Modena as part of the EU trip and that sold me on a Maser.

[bennno]

Flasher said:

bennno said:

I paid £55,000 for my 456 and sold for £51,500.

No servicing or running costs, during 5 months ownership.

That was reasonable imho for the ownership experience.

Bennno

It must have been another bloke I knew that had a blue 456 that the windows and doors needed thousands to fix from the infamous "sagging" problem. And another mate with a blue 456 that had the boot fill with water on the way back from France....£51,500 my arse.

Bought from main dealer and therefore fixed under warranty without cost to myself.The service bill and warranty were both paid by previous owner as part of sale.

The sale price is accurate. I bought the car for a good price as owner was selling 456, 288GTO, F50, F40 to buy an Enzo and agreed to sell via dealer for £55k. It then had a 3 page spread in Evo on my car, which helped demand and in the end I had 3 different dealers making offers on it. Forza 288 bought it from me and sold it for slightly more than I paid.

You are quite right about the boot filling with water, to add the wipers fell off when it rained, the window mechanisms were shocking - and to add this car was £170k new, had been maintained by a single (very) affluent owner and still suffered a batch of problems. I sold and went back to Porsche, happy to have owned the Italian exotic without the financial ruin they offer.

Back to original point. A £35k 4200 will drop £17k in 2 years. In which case a new 997 would be cheaper to own. Personally I dont think you can beat a 6L Monaro however as they are bulletproof, lunatic fun and recent cars are available for £20k.

Bennno

[300zxtt]

[quote=Z4ToGo]Well the replacement for the Z4 has finally been decided on, so I'm out looking for a 04ish 4200 cc.

Having trawled through the various forums, I've picked up lots of tips, but was hoping someone with some experience can give me some tips in what to look for so I don't get a dog of a car!

I know the clutch can be a big talking point, but what else do i need to look out for, and what tests can I do?

Also whats the deal with warranties, as I've read a few horror stories there too!

Thanks a lot.

An 04 4200 will only just be going out of warranty so if it has been main dealer serviced (including the major 3 year service)there should be nothing too much to worry about.

The 4200 is generally reckoned to be a much more "sorted" car than the the 3200 and generally is thought to be pretty reliable in service if properly serviced compared with the 3200.

There is a lot of rubbish talked about cambiocorsa clutches. Yes, if abused/driven incorrectly they can wear out quickly, but the cost of replacing has fallen at both specialists and main dealers and is only about £1300 fitted.
The cluch also has an F1 pump that runs the clutch hydraulics; these can fail any time and cost around £1000....no checks or tests , they just fail. My 02 cambio is still on its original clutch and F1 pump.

Sooner or later cam cover gaskets will leak (arond £400)
and as the cars age shock absorbers can fail (expensive fronts)