Which car? I am thinking of buying a Maserati 4200?
Discussion
Its been a while since I have frequented these forums as my time being involved in the FTO owners club and playing with cars generally has been replaced with work almost 7 days a week.
The thing is I currently own a Mk2 MR2 turbo which has been written off (not our fault).
We could repair the MR2 as the damage is not too bad but with it being an import the insurance approved repair centre are quoting silly money.
So it seems like a good time to buy something else. The big question is what? The MR2 was/is fast I modified it to a state where its doing 0-60 in about 5 seconds and my last standing qtr at santa pod was 13.2 seconds. The downside of the car is it being only 2 seats and a bit uncomfortable on long journeys. Its been bullet proof, even with several track days and regular trips to santapod its only been routine maintenance all the way.
What I am looking for in a replacement is something ideally with 4 seats (although a 2 seater would be ok). Something that can do long journeys of 200 miles without too much discomfort. Something fast which looks stylish and something which has done most of its depreciating. I would love something with the same reliability as the MR2 but I understand that is a big ask.
Now I loved the styling of the FTO but its performance was not quite up to the looks. I also hated the fact it was FWD. All things considered the 4200 looks a little like an FTO and the performance numbers seem to indicate after the MR2 I will not be disappointed. I don't do track days anymore as I don't have the time. Most of my work is done a 40mile drive away. I have another vehicle but would use whatever I bought at least once a week doing this journey. I may consider doing the odd day at santa pod or the odd bit of track time at a show but generally there would be few and far between.
I am based in the midlands. Is there any reason why I should not consider a 4200?? with a budget of around 20k is there something else I should consider that might hit the spot. My other half hates BMW's and Audis and as we both drive the car they are out of the question.
Thanks in advance
Chris
The thing is I currently own a Mk2 MR2 turbo which has been written off (not our fault).
We could repair the MR2 as the damage is not too bad but with it being an import the insurance approved repair centre are quoting silly money.
So it seems like a good time to buy something else. The big question is what? The MR2 was/is fast I modified it to a state where its doing 0-60 in about 5 seconds and my last standing qtr at santa pod was 13.2 seconds. The downside of the car is it being only 2 seats and a bit uncomfortable on long journeys. Its been bullet proof, even with several track days and regular trips to santapod its only been routine maintenance all the way.
What I am looking for in a replacement is something ideally with 4 seats (although a 2 seater would be ok). Something that can do long journeys of 200 miles without too much discomfort. Something fast which looks stylish and something which has done most of its depreciating. I would love something with the same reliability as the MR2 but I understand that is a big ask.
Now I loved the styling of the FTO but its performance was not quite up to the looks. I also hated the fact it was FWD. All things considered the 4200 looks a little like an FTO and the performance numbers seem to indicate after the MR2 I will not be disappointed. I don't do track days anymore as I don't have the time. Most of my work is done a 40mile drive away. I have another vehicle but would use whatever I bought at least once a week doing this journey. I may consider doing the odd day at santa pod or the odd bit of track time at a show but generally there would be few and far between.
I am based in the midlands. Is there any reason why I should not consider a 4200?? with a budget of around 20k is there something else I should consider that might hit the spot. My other half hates BMW's and Audis and as we both drive the car they are out of the question.
Thanks in advance
Chris
Do it! I ran a 4200 for 2 years as a daily driver living in London and loved it. Also, the car was surprisingly reliable although I think it halps to use these cars regularly rather than let them sit unused for a week or two. Having said that you will not want to let it sit, it never ceased to put a smile on my face whenever I got in and fired her up, simply wonderful cars, if you buy carefully. £20k is probably still a little tight to get a good one and you must buy on condition and service history, not mileage.
If you find one and it checks out OK there are plenty of independants who can service them for reasonable money, given what it is, which is an exclusive Italian exotic! I had a full manual which are harder to come by and if you are going for the Cambiocorsa (paddle shift box) then the later ones were better sorted than the earlier ones. There are plenty of tales of F1 pump failures and clutches being burn through in 5000 miles but if driven sensibly and with some care the clutches can last considerably longer. It is a learning process and I guess some people never really learnt how to use them. For me I couldn't live with it in the city but on the open road it was fine.
Let me know if you need anything further and there is plenty of information on Maserati Life (a US site but very informative and helpful) and Maserati Forum UK, which is getting much better than it used to be. Good luck!
Carl
If you find one and it checks out OK there are plenty of independants who can service them for reasonable money, given what it is, which is an exclusive Italian exotic! I had a full manual which are harder to come by and if you are going for the Cambiocorsa (paddle shift box) then the later ones were better sorted than the earlier ones. There are plenty of tales of F1 pump failures and clutches being burn through in 5000 miles but if driven sensibly and with some care the clutches can last considerably longer. It is a learning process and I guess some people never really learnt how to use them. For me I couldn't live with it in the city but on the open road it was fine.
Let me know if you need anything further and there is plenty of information on Maserati Life (a US site but very informative and helpful) and Maserati Forum UK, which is getting much better than it used to be. Good luck!
Carl
I am not sure if you need 4 doors, but have you considered a 993 or 964 Porsches? These have done almost all their depreciation (which is usually the biggest cost of motoring by far) will cost a bit more to run but you can have classic insurance etc. which make them a reliable and very cool (in contract to the MR2;)) alternative perhaps? Performancewise, they will be around equal to what you have now but with much more character and better sound.
Just a thought....
Just a thought....
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