Maserati 3200 GT
Discussion
New to the forum....bear with me.....
I'm toying with getting a used Maserati 3200 GT (probably manual, possibly auto). Having 'owned Italian' before, albeit modestly through Alfa's, I know the special electrics and temperamental nature of the beasts.....and know the good times make the bad times bearable....and that issues/problems that would make my Merc car keys meet the dealer at high velocity, are put down to 'character'!
My head says go 'German' (or possibly XKR) but my heart is with the Italians...and if I pass up the chance to own a genuine Italian sports car while I can, I'll never forgive myself.
But.......
I'm keen to know of any ownership tales/encouragement/discouragement......
The car WILL be a daily driver, but commute is only c15 miles e/w. Fuel is paid for so consumption not a major issue, and the local Maserati/Ferrari Dealer is only 3 miles away from home, so the impact of problems are diminished...
Fankoo!
I'm toying with getting a used Maserati 3200 GT (probably manual, possibly auto). Having 'owned Italian' before, albeit modestly through Alfa's, I know the special electrics and temperamental nature of the beasts.....and know the good times make the bad times bearable....and that issues/problems that would make my Merc car keys meet the dealer at high velocity, are put down to 'character'!
My head says go 'German' (or possibly XKR) but my heart is with the Italians...and if I pass up the chance to own a genuine Italian sports car while I can, I'll never forgive myself.
But.......
I'm keen to know of any ownership tales/encouragement/discouragement......
The car WILL be a daily driver, but commute is only c15 miles e/w. Fuel is paid for so consumption not a major issue, and the local Maserati/Ferrari Dealer is only 3 miles away from home, so the impact of problems are diminished...
Fankoo!
Hi Gary, welcome, was just about to reply to you on fchat too!
I have a silver with bordeaux leather 3200GTA, 2001Y. Have had it exactly 6 months & it's been great. I've covered about 3k miles. Its fast, comfortable and exotic enough to get the right kind of attention.
Auto is definitely slightly slower but suits me more. I have covered motorways, london commutes, winding a & b roads and a runway at 155mph and it excels at all.
The only problems I have had are very minor (passenger sunvisor light wont go out & cant remember the other so nothing major!)
When I bought it, my other options were: jag XKR, Merc clk55 and porsche 996 and for me, I'm happy with my choice.
Try to get a copy of the EVO buying guide & also do a search here under "3200" and there is some more info & buying tips. Best of luck.
I have a silver with bordeaux leather 3200GTA, 2001Y. Have had it exactly 6 months & it's been great. I've covered about 3k miles. Its fast, comfortable and exotic enough to get the right kind of attention.
Auto is definitely slightly slower but suits me more. I have covered motorways, london commutes, winding a & b roads and a runway at 155mph and it excels at all.
The only problems I have had are very minor (passenger sunvisor light wont go out & cant remember the other so nothing major!)
When I bought it, my other options were: jag XKR, Merc clk55 and porsche 996 and for me, I'm happy with my choice.
Try to get a copy of the EVO buying guide & also do a search here under "3200" and there is some more info & buying tips. Best of luck.
Thanks Craig 
- have spent the 40 minutes since posting looking through the archives, and a generally mixed response does seem to have a positive bias!!
Heart is already sold, just trying to persuade the head!! It's an enormous pull.....and I don't think I could live with myself if I DIDN'T go for it while I can...!! I've got the rest of my life to be sensible and live in fast-saloons.....!
One question coming out of the archives - the servicing. Local dealer, when talking about early(ier) 3200s quoted £6-700 every 12k/12mths and £13-1500 every 3 years/36k for the cambelt - but other posts talk of subsidised servicing at the level, and later servicing being more expensive??
Thanks again.....
- have spent the 40 minutes since posting looking through the archives, and a generally mixed response does seem to have a positive bias!! Heart is already sold, just trying to persuade the head!! It's an enormous pull.....and I don't think I could live with myself if I DIDN'T go for it while I can...!! I've got the rest of my life to be sensible and live in fast-saloons.....!
One question coming out of the archives - the servicing. Local dealer, when talking about early(ier) 3200s quoted £6-700 every 12k/12mths and £13-1500 every 3 years/36k for the cambelt - but other posts talk of subsidised servicing at the level, and later servicing being more expensive??
Thanks again.....
I've just done exactly what you're considering, bought a 2000-W 3200 manual a couple of weeks ago. So far, I haven't been able to resist using it daily so have covered 1500 miles and enjoyed every one of them. Obviously it's still early days but so far I would have to say it's been fantastic.
As mentioned, a search of previous threads is well worth doing. The guidance from the guys on here was invaluable when I started looking. The Evo buying guide is good too - they still have back issues available.
After 2001 the build quality of 3200's got better. I looked at both pre and post 2001 examples and there are some differences but in the end I went for an earlier car that was the closest to my ideal spec and it still feels really well put together to me. I think if you buy carefully ensuring all servicing and campaigns have been done and you've got warranty cover you won't go far wrong (at least that's what I'm hoping!)
Good luck!
Chris
As mentioned, a search of previous threads is well worth doing. The guidance from the guys on here was invaluable when I started looking. The Evo buying guide is good too - they still have back issues available.
After 2001 the build quality of 3200's got better. I looked at both pre and post 2001 examples and there are some differences but in the end I went for an earlier car that was the closest to my ideal spec and it still feels really well put together to me. I think if you buy carefully ensuring all servicing and campaigns have been done and you've got warranty cover you won't go far wrong (at least that's what I'm hoping!)
Good luck!
Chris
Gary, go for it.
Bought my 2002 (last of the line it seems) 3200Gt Manual in September with only 8k on the clock, now has 13k and rising steadily. Only cost so far is one subsidised service at 600 quid. Car is well built 100% reliable so far, perfect for cruising and an absolute rocketship if you want to press the pedal into the carpet. Waaaaay nicer than a 911 / jag to sit in, and much more exclusive than either. Rear seats fully usable too unlike either of the above...
You'll find some secondhand cars from private buyers still have the official Maserati UK warranty on the which is transferrable so don't discount private (but get it checked out by a reputable garage like you would any other sports car - recommendations are available off line from myself / others).
Subsidised servicing is 600 quid per 12k miles (including cambelts). Otherwise I figure it'll creep higher, but you can always go to an independant where things will probably be more resonable if it's over 3 years old anyway.
As others have said best build quality comes in from 2001 cars, though thats not to say earlier cars are duff, you'll just need to judge them individually.
All in all they're good cars, and I think an XKR would be just as likely(if not more...) to land you with bills in the future, so the 'sensible option' really has to be the Maserati!
Bought my 2002 (last of the line it seems) 3200Gt Manual in September with only 8k on the clock, now has 13k and rising steadily. Only cost so far is one subsidised service at 600 quid. Car is well built 100% reliable so far, perfect for cruising and an absolute rocketship if you want to press the pedal into the carpet. Waaaaay nicer than a 911 / jag to sit in, and much more exclusive than either. Rear seats fully usable too unlike either of the above...
You'll find some secondhand cars from private buyers still have the official Maserati UK warranty on the which is transferrable so don't discount private (but get it checked out by a reputable garage like you would any other sports car - recommendations are available off line from myself / others).
Subsidised servicing is 600 quid per 12k miles (including cambelts). Otherwise I figure it'll creep higher, but you can always go to an independant where things will probably be more resonable if it's over 3 years old anyway.
As others have said best build quality comes in from 2001 cars, though thats not to say earlier cars are duff, you'll just need to judge them individually.
All in all they're good cars, and I think an XKR would be just as likely(if not more...) to land you with bills in the future, so the 'sensible option' really has to be the Maserati!
Quick bit of advice, you probably won't be able to haggle the warranty as this is only renewable at the time of renewal - depending on age/mileage/service history (I tried!) so better to haggle the £1200 squid off and stick that in the bank for 12 months till its time to renew.
Regards
Regards
hi, having owned a 2001 auto and having previously had an sl - would highly recommend it. The smile factor is great. I think go for the latest/best car you can afford and drive both manual and auto see which you prefer. I had a nightmare driving the manual, the peddles seemed far too close together but maybe its just me. Odd as i had a ghibli a few years ago plus a biturbo once and no problems there. 3200 is great to drive, very very comfy i thought and gets attention in a nice way. As i mentioned on another thread, be aware of the costs of extending the warranty. Its gone up a lot lately, since this april, I think its over 2k! thats more than on my 355...
Can I bump this thread?
I'm looking to replace my car and the budget could reach £25k, the Maser is towards the top of my rather short list, but I'm struggling to find a buyers guide.
I went to look at a 993 the other day and the dealer also has a GT coming in, he reckoned the GT to be no less trouble than a 911 but I should be aware of a Major Service every few years that would set me back £4k odd. This sounds absurd if 355's can be serviced for less....but this GT he has coming in has just had £4900 spent on it - no clutch either it's an auto!
I commute 50 miles a day, sometimes nip into London and back (100 miles each way), it will live outside, I will need it to be "quite" reliable. Am I kidding myself?
I have used a 308 GT4 every day for 30k in the past so I'm not totally naive to the charms/frailties of unusual cars, although it barely missed a beat so I may have been lucky!
Any help/advice from 3200 owners gratefully rec'd!
I'm looking to replace my car and the budget could reach £25k, the Maser is towards the top of my rather short list, but I'm struggling to find a buyers guide.
I went to look at a 993 the other day and the dealer also has a GT coming in, he reckoned the GT to be no less trouble than a 911 but I should be aware of a Major Service every few years that would set me back £4k odd. This sounds absurd if 355's can be serviced for less....but this GT he has coming in has just had £4900 spent on it - no clutch either it's an auto!
I commute 50 miles a day, sometimes nip into London and back (100 miles each way), it will live outside, I will need it to be "quite" reliable. Am I kidding myself?
I have used a 308 GT4 every day for 30k in the past so I'm not totally naive to the charms/frailties of unusual cars, although it barely missed a beat so I may have been lucky!
Any help/advice from 3200 owners gratefully rec'd!
see here
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=298258&f=63&h=0
also see my 3200 in my profile for an idea of costs over 18 months and 20k miles (about the level of your intended usage at 250 per week).
Should be able to get a last of the line car for 25k at the very most...
Make sure car has FSH - and that the steering rack recall has been properly carried out (check the VIN number with Maserati UK).
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=298258&f=63&h=0
also see my 3200 in my profile for an idea of costs over 18 months and 20k miles (about the level of your intended usage at 250 per week).
Should be able to get a last of the line car for 25k at the very most...
Make sure car has FSH - and that the steering rack recall has been properly carried out (check the VIN number with Maserati UK).
Subsidised servicing was part of the 3200 launch package - and was only available for 36 months from purchase - services were capped at 600 GBP - this included the 3 year 36k miles service and belt change (handy!). I don't believe the same deal was offered on the 4200 becuase of the relatively lower servicing costs (no turbos etc)....
If you note the dates on this thread you're abck in 2004 when such deals were still available on the 2001 / 2002 cars.
If you note the dates on this thread you're abck in 2004 when such deals were still available on the 2001 / 2002 cars.
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