Maserati 3200/4200 GT - what are they like?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm vaguely thinking of treating myself to something a little more exotic in the future and if I do, one possibility would be the Maserati 3200 or 4200 GT.
I wondered if anyone could give me an indication of what they're like to own and drive? Can you give me an idea what fuel economy and servicing costs are like? Are there any major problems with reliability and how do they cope with high mileages (15k a year, mostly on motorways)? The idea is that unlike the other exotics a GT might be realistic as a daily driver, without losing too much value in the process.
The other big issue is the handling - the press constantly tell us they're very twitchy on the limit - is this true? Can anything be done to reduce this?
Finally, forgive my ignorance, but what are the major differences between the 3200 and 4200GT?
Chris.
I'm vaguely thinking of treating myself to something a little more exotic in the future and if I do, one possibility would be the Maserati 3200 or 4200 GT.
I wondered if anyone could give me an indication of what they're like to own and drive? Can you give me an idea what fuel economy and servicing costs are like? Are there any major problems with reliability and how do they cope with high mileages (15k a year, mostly on motorways)? The idea is that unlike the other exotics a GT might be realistic as a daily driver, without losing too much value in the process.
The other big issue is the handling - the press constantly tell us they're very twitchy on the limit - is this true? Can anything be done to reduce this?
Finally, forgive my ignorance, but what are the major differences between the 3200 and 4200GT?
Chris.
drive em before you make a choice.
Lots of info over on maseratiforum.co.uk but essentially, 3200 is a rwd 3.2 v8 bi turbo setup & either a traditional auto or manual gearbox. The 4200 is a 4.2 v8 normally aspirated with either a manual or electronicly controlled manual (cambi corsa) gearbox. Both are pushing out close to 400bhp.
the 4200 seems to be a more all round sorted car & the later models have few problems. The 3200 has the boomerang lights.. need I say more.
Twitchy on the limit? I honestly have no idea? I'm not a driving god & haven't come remotely close to finding them in my gransport. I have no problems with handling (though mine obviously has skyhook, the 3200 & 4200's can be had without), or anything else with the car to be honest.
Drive a few of each as once they have miles on them, they can vary considerable in condition & quality of maintenance. Oh & pay for a PPI at a specialist. Worth every penny (expect around 500 quid)
Enjoy the hunt... the hardest will be picking the colours & options you want & playing the waiting game lol
Lots of info over on maseratiforum.co.uk but essentially, 3200 is a rwd 3.2 v8 bi turbo setup & either a traditional auto or manual gearbox. The 4200 is a 4.2 v8 normally aspirated with either a manual or electronicly controlled manual (cambi corsa) gearbox. Both are pushing out close to 400bhp.
the 4200 seems to be a more all round sorted car & the later models have few problems. The 3200 has the boomerang lights.. need I say more.
Twitchy on the limit? I honestly have no idea? I'm not a driving god & haven't come remotely close to finding them in my gransport. I have no problems with handling (though mine obviously has skyhook, the 3200 & 4200's can be had without), or anything else with the car to be honest.
Drive a few of each as once they have miles on them, they can vary considerable in condition & quality of maintenance. Oh & pay for a PPI at a specialist. Worth every penny (expect around 500 quid)
Enjoy the hunt... the hardest will be picking the colours & options you want & playing the waiting game lol
It's not a hunt just yet... I'm not really in the Maserati income bracket, but I have a large lump sum on the way and I have to decide whether to put it into the bank or the, er, garage. So I'm just looking at the feasability.
Speaking of which I'm hearing worrying comments about depreciation and economy (apparently 10mpg is completely realistic?) Are these being exagerated?
I think the 3200 is incredible value given some cars are down to the mid teens and it's hard to imagine it falling much further, but some people insist it will.
So is the naturally aspirated, sky-hook equipped 4200GT significantly easier to drive? I'm not a racing driver either and I'm used to rear wheel drive (and reasonably sensible) but I'd still feel happier knowing that I'd get some warning of impending doom and some chance to correct it.
Speaking of which I'm hearing worrying comments about depreciation and economy (apparently 10mpg is completely realistic?) Are these being exagerated?
I think the 3200 is incredible value given some cars are down to the mid teens and it's hard to imagine it falling much further, but some people insist it will.
So is the naturally aspirated, sky-hook equipped 4200GT significantly easier to drive? I'm not a racing driver either and I'm used to rear wheel drive (and reasonably sensible) but I'd still feel happier knowing that I'd get some warning of impending doom and some chance to correct it.
If you want some sort of warning of the back end letting go, then the 3200 is not for you. It can be savage in the dry, and ridiculous in the wet. But I think you will find I am not alone in finding that one of the cars plusses in alot of ways - the surge when turbos are firing is better than most commonly available drugs, and will never fail to leave you grinning like an escapee. Most of us owners are aware of our cars' desire to kill us, but we love them just the same. The 4200 is far more progressive in its delivery, and therefore more predictable, although just as quick. Just a pity that Maserati went to the Honda parts bin for the tail lights.
drive one and see, can't agree with ^^^^ about 3200. I am no driving god but the 3200 does not scare me senseless. I do grin like Ronaldinho's goofy brother when the turbos light up. They all have traction control, and some have sport mode (skyhook). Beware depreciation looming like the housing meltdown. Who know what they will sell for in the future, if at all. You WILL get a bargain from a dealer.
I had a 4200 with CC and it was great. Handling was alright I suppose
but not anywhere like my Porsche.
But I think you are missing the point. They aren't really designed for the track. They are motorway munchers and in that respect wonderful.
Huge power, wonderful noise and the awesome looks.
Its sooo much car for the money.
But yes. I did regularly see 11MPG when I put my foot down. You could double that though if you drive normally.
but not anywhere like my Porsche.
But I think you are missing the point. They aren't really designed for the track. They are motorway munchers and in that respect wonderful.
Huge power, wonderful noise and the awesome looks.
Its sooo much car for the money.
But yes. I did regularly see 11MPG when I put my foot down. You could double that though if you drive normally.
Currently own a 4200 GT (stick shift) which I use as a daily driver without any problems. In many respects it has surpassed all my expectations about being a fragile Italian exotic, in my experience they are as reliable if not more so than my previous M series Bimmers. I have driven down to the South of France with the wife and kids (surprising amount of room in the back)and the car was fantastic, coped very well with the motoerway and was fun when we got there on the mountain roads. Fuel consumption can be heavy in town driving, I currently average 13mpg in central London but improves to about 20mpg on the motorway if you are not canning it too much.
Whilst I have not driven a 3200 speaking to owners it would appear that they have far more issues to contend with and are not nearly as well built but certainly offer a huge amount of bang for your buck. Values of the 4200 have taken a tumble recently and it should be possible to pick up a bargain if you do your homework and buy sensibly. Servicing costs are about £850 for an annual service and more for the bigger mileage related ones but not excessive given what it is. Compared to a Ferrari, which has a related engine, it is a bargain.
Hope this helps and to sum up all I can say is that I have never regretted the decision to buy for a moment and although the 911 is the "better" car, I enjoy driving the Maser so much more.
Whilst I have not driven a 3200 speaking to owners it would appear that they have far more issues to contend with and are not nearly as well built but certainly offer a huge amount of bang for your buck. Values of the 4200 have taken a tumble recently and it should be possible to pick up a bargain if you do your homework and buy sensibly. Servicing costs are about £850 for an annual service and more for the bigger mileage related ones but not excessive given what it is. Compared to a Ferrari, which has a related engine, it is a bargain.
Hope this helps and to sum up all I can say is that I have never regretted the decision to buy for a moment and although the 911 is the "better" car, I enjoy driving the Maser so much more.
I thought I would bring this back up to re-canvass opinion again.
I've always loved the idea of having a 3200 GT for normal every day driving but it's been put off. I hope to get rid of my Alfa 156 this year - around April - and get something more interesting and the Maserati still fits the bill. Although it would be an "every day" car, in reality it would only be used around 4 days a week and I would still keep my Elise for weekend fun.
I had never looked properly at the 4200 due to their being historically a relatively big price differential. But that's not so much the case any more although there seems to be a lot of variance when it comes to 4200 pricing. But no boomerang lights of course.
So, based on your experience of both or one or the other, if you were buying now with a budget of around £15 - 20k would it be the 3200 or 4200?
Some for sale:
Gorgeous 2001 3200 for £15,000, 32,000 miles
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/774940.htm
Not as gorgeous 2003 4200 for £17,000, 53,000 miles
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/857516.htm
I've always loved the idea of having a 3200 GT for normal every day driving but it's been put off. I hope to get rid of my Alfa 156 this year - around April - and get something more interesting and the Maserati still fits the bill. Although it would be an "every day" car, in reality it would only be used around 4 days a week and I would still keep my Elise for weekend fun.
I had never looked properly at the 4200 due to their being historically a relatively big price differential. But that's not so much the case any more although there seems to be a lot of variance when it comes to 4200 pricing. But no boomerang lights of course.
So, based on your experience of both or one or the other, if you were buying now with a budget of around £15 - 20k would it be the 3200 or 4200?
Some for sale:
Gorgeous 2001 3200 for £15,000, 32,000 miles
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/774940.htm
Not as gorgeous 2003 4200 for £17,000, 53,000 miles
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/857516.htm
As has been advised before you really have to get out there and drive them both.
I was all but sold by a 3200 on paper, but really did not like the way they drove. On early cars the throttle is hyper sensitive and quite laggy too, so that the (admittedly lovely) turbos spool up when you don't really want them. On a nice open road this is great, but around town I found it far to difficult to drive normally - it was either super slow with no throttle or a heap of wheelspin (which was then cut by the TCS if left on). Sport mode made it slightly better. I was assured the auto boxes are smoother, but personally I wouldn't buy a car of this type without a clutch. MPG over a variety of conditions was 15 - 17mpg.
Have not driven a 4200, so can;t offer any advice on that.
I was all but sold by a 3200 on paper, but really did not like the way they drove. On early cars the throttle is hyper sensitive and quite laggy too, so that the (admittedly lovely) turbos spool up when you don't really want them. On a nice open road this is great, but around town I found it far to difficult to drive normally - it was either super slow with no throttle or a heap of wheelspin (which was then cut by the TCS if left on). Sport mode made it slightly better. I was assured the auto boxes are smoother, but personally I wouldn't buy a car of this type without a clutch. MPG over a variety of conditions was 15 - 17mpg.
Have not driven a 4200, so can;t offer any advice on that.
carryondentist said:
As has been advised before you really have to get out there and drive them both.
I was all but sold by a 3200 on paper, but really did not like the way they drove. On early cars the throttle is hyper sensitive and quite laggy too, so that the (admittedly lovely) turbos spool up when you don't really want them. On a nice open road this is great, but around town I found it far to difficult to drive normally - it was either super slow with no throttle or a heap of wheelspin (which was then cut by the TCS if left on). Sport mode made it slightly better. I was assured the auto boxes are smoother, but personally I wouldn't buy a car of this type without a clutch. MPG over a variety of conditions was 15 - 17mpg.
Have not driven a 4200, so can;t offer any advice on that.
Driven lots of both.I was all but sold by a 3200 on paper, but really did not like the way they drove. On early cars the throttle is hyper sensitive and quite laggy too, so that the (admittedly lovely) turbos spool up when you don't really want them. On a nice open road this is great, but around town I found it far to difficult to drive normally - it was either super slow with no throttle or a heap of wheelspin (which was then cut by the TCS if left on). Sport mode made it slightly better. I was assured the auto boxes are smoother, but personally I wouldn't buy a car of this type without a clutch. MPG over a variety of conditions was 15 - 17mpg.
Have not driven a 4200, so can;t offer any advice on that.
The 3200 gives a lot more manic grins, especially manual ones. Ferocious acceleration when the turbos kick in. Autos are a bit more sedate but still face-achingly brilliant. I personally think the auto matches the engine superbly, especially if you do a bit of town/city driving. Manual is a bit hairy, but you soon get used to it, and when you do, it is sublime.
The 4200 pulls much more linearly, so it depends whether you prefer the kick-up-the-backside feel of the turbo, or the push of a train or jet on take-off. I like both.
The clincher for me was the 'feel' of the 4200. It had better (more sympathetic) handling, it sounds a whole lot better, felt more solidly built and was cheaper to service. Everything I needed in a daily driver, apart from a bit of a drink problem. But so have I.
I chose a manual over a CC because I do a lot of stop-start driving. I wish I could have the best of both, but Masers aren't meant to be cars bought with the head.
I also suspect 3200s will give a bit more heartache when it all goes wrong - 4200s seem a bit more bomb-proof. Now where did I leave that bit of wood?
But what the hell - they are both becoming ridiculously cheap. Why not get one of each? 3200 for the weekend and a 4200 as a daily. Job done!
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