Maserati 3200 Assetto Corsa / 4200GT

[CraigW]

Chaps,

Considering a mixup of the fleet. getting a cheaper estate than the RS6, keeping the old 911 for roof off days.

Now, in an ideal world I'd get a Gransport as I was blown away when I drove & passengered (with racing driver) in one. However..

looking at varying ways of doing this and also thinking maybe could get an RS2 which leads me onto my original question...

Given the choice what do you think do either a last of the line 3200AC with the lowered & adjustable suspension, slightly more power & better looks than the 3200 (which I had previously) OR... go for a later 4200 cc or manual, newer car, more advanced etc. they arent disimilar money at around 18-22k. HEEELLPP

[3200gt]

Two word answer, TAIL LIGHTS

[Aeroresh]

3200gt said:

Two word answer, TAIL LIGHTS

I wouldnt get too hung up over them. Afterall, you cant see them when you're driving!

[3200gt]

But you still know that they are there!

[CraigW]

anyone driven an Ac or owned one following driving/owing a standard 3200 ?

[David A]

CraigW said:

anyone driven an Ac or owned one following driving/owing a standard 3200 ?

No but have gone from 3200 to 4200 CC Spyder - different car altogether (ok so its got no roof). Depends what you're after - the fun of turbo lunacy or fun of flappies and better reliability?

Its a tough choice.

[andy355]

i went from 3200 to spyder (albeit via 3 other cars) - they drive totally differently. 3200 massive mid range punch and 4200 needs to be revved high like ferraris. driving wise i prefer the 3200, 4200 is prob more reliable (tho touch wood i had no problems with either except the 3200 started to rust)

[rs48635]

Aeroresh said:

3200gt said:

Two word answer, TAIL LIGHTS

I wouldnt get too hung up over them. Afterall, you cant see them when you're driving!

Can't see those DB7 alloys on your XJS either, but I bet you still love 'em to bits.

Tough choice, but with all older perfomance cars buy on condition only. Unless you are prepared to wait for a long time. The real choice is turbo rush or high revs, any model can be unreliable.
Touch wood, my Assetto Corsa has not missed a beat in two years.

[CraigW]

god it looks good in black rob, manual or auto?

[shirazjiwa]

I prefer the boomerangs to the 4200 lights.

[runway78]

CraigW said:

anyone driven an Ac or owned one following driving/owing a standard 3200 ?

I had a 3200 GTA followed by a 3200 AC Auto, then a 4200 CC and then a Gransport (phew, no more initials) My take is this: the 3200 is a hoot when the turbos are singing, and devilishly quick. But the handling is as you would expect from a GT cruiser when you push it really hard through the twistys. The AC was a lot 'tighter' and more fun when hooning down country lanes but... was still no Lotus Elise. Nevertheless, I did find that the mods made the car more entertaining to live with. That car just had 'something' about it. And in black it looked Evil with the matching alloys. Always get an AC over a non-AC. The 4200 is a different beast. More refined, smoother and ultimately not as tempremental as the 3200's. The CC sounded better, the paddles were ultimatelty more involving but the 3200 AC 'felt' quicker, more brutal - a man's car, if that makes sense. But the daddy - the GranSport. It just works on every level. It feels so good when you're pounding up and down through the gears, then encountering the twisty stuff, and is ultimately the most developed of the bunch. Only minor gripe was I felt it lacked a bit of poke so I added a Tubi and it livened things up nicely

Now, in my opinion, the 3200 is a real tempremental beauty - you better use it regularly as they don't like to be left standing around. The 4200 is a safer bet, main dealers are better experienced with them etc etc. BUT, the 3200's are at the bottom of their depreciation curve surely. The GranSport is not and waiting to take an even bigger dive. Next year 25k WILL by you a GranSport.

ps. The boomerang lights are nice, but not a deal maker/breaker, and the novelty will wear off once the 'Check Engine' Light comes on for the 100'th time (you know what I am talking about 3200 owners) However, the general public do seem to really like those lights, and compliment them accordingly.

Edited by runway78 on Tuesday 5th August 01:58

[rs48635]

CraigW said:

god it looks good in black rob, manual or auto?

Thanks - seen a nice red one as well, but black does look good when clean, best AC colour IMHO.
Mine is manual - why choose the track focused model, then add auto-box? Never understood that one, but each to their own. I now have a newer 166 with slush box and I don't hate it all of the time.

Many reasons that check engine lights appear, but regular use seems to help the 3200.
Just try and get a few test drives, buy the best you can afford and enjoy as often as you can afford to fill it up. happy hunting

[CraigW]

thx runway 78, v useful. i have to say, when i had my 3200 I did the millbrook day in a gransport & was blown away by the difference.

[chillo]

runway78 said:

But the daddy - the GranSport. It just works on every level. It feels so good when you're pounding up and down through the gears, then encountering the twisty stuff, and is ultimately the most developed of the bunch. Only minor gripe was I felt it lacked a bit of poke so I added a Tubi and it livened things up nicely

I thought the gransport had a switchable exhaust valves\flaps so made the right noises as standard?
What difference did the tubi make noise and performance wise?
Who supplies tubi for masers? how much?
cheers!

[runway78]

chillo said:

runway78 said:

But the daddy - the GranSport. It just works on every level. It feels so good when you're pounding up and down through the gears, then encountering the twisty stuff, and is ultimately the most developed of the bunch. Only minor gripe was I felt it lacked a bit of poke so I added a Tubi and it livened things up nicely

I thought the gransport had a switchable exhaust valves\flaps so made the right noises as standard?
What difference did the tubi make noise and performance wise?
Who supplies tubi for masers? how much?
cheers!

Yes that is correct, the sound is mellow low down and louder higher up BUT the Tubi is on another level all the way through the rev range. Think Ferrari 430 meets Maserati Performance seemed better but then agin one never can be too sure with these things, but the sound was ace. Scuderia Systems are the TUBI guys here, and they sponsor the board. Speak to (Karl) Verdi too as he may be able to help. I think, from memory £1500 odd plus the dreaded.

[Dave B S3]

Thanks guys im consifering moving fromthe S3 to a diesel snotter and toy and have always loved (for better or worse) the 3200 and the AC looks .
I mainly am looking for some thing fun to tske me and the wife on Euro tours in 2009/10, I was tempted by a 996 Turbo but I like the special nature of a 3200, personally I'll live with the costs for some reason I really dont like the 4200 lights, and as its toy.

Question, is the 3200AC "Wife Comfortable"?

[runway78]

Dave B S3 said:

Thanks guys im consifering moving fromthe S3 to a diesel snotter and toy and have always loved (for better or worse) the 3200 and the AC looks .
I mainly am looking for some thing fun to tske me and the wife on Euro tours in 2009/10, I was tempted by a 996 Turbo but I like the special nature of a 3200, personally I'll live with the costs for some reason I really dont like the 4200 lights, and as its toy.

Question, is the 3200AC "Wife Comfortable"?

I'd say yes, definitely. Or as much as any 996 Porsche is. And being female she will appreciate the finer interior detailing Seats in the 3200 are not as comfy as those in the 4200 mind.

[CraigW]

yeah i'm afraid to say the seats in the 3200 are about the only thing thats putting me off another one, when i had mine I tried to change the seats but it proved tricky. The 3200 arent uncomfortable just not quite supportive enough i felt.