Maserati 4200 - I have a strange desire for one

[MagicalTrevor]

... and so does the Mrs!

I don't know why but I really do fancy a 4200 Manual and it's definitely a heart over head moment.

They just seem so cheap for a superb looking car with a Ferrari engine in it. So what are the downsides? I hear servicing is expensive, but then again I hear that taking it to a specialist will bring the costs down significantly.

It's a pity I have a 70mile commute... I suppose I could always get a commuting stter. It's also a pity that I've only had the 1 Series for 4 months.

[Peter101]

I had a 4200, it cost me more to run in 6 months than my Gallardo has in a year. I probably was unlucky with my car, but I think they are not special enough for the cash it costs to maintain them.

[Mario149]

I posted a couple of times on this thread if it's any help:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=11&...

[Don1]

Nothing strange at all. Cracking car!

[MagicalTrevor]

Mario149 said:

I posted a couple of times on this thread if it's any help:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=11&...

Thanks Mario, I'd read your post (amongst others ) and it was a great help. I've actually read quite a bit about them, I realise they're expensive

It was more of an idle conversation piece

[Giorginetto]

I came very closer in swapping my 996 C2 for a 4200 Cambiocorsa in light blue with white leather interior and about 40000Km with all the toys, skyhook, F1 gearbox. I really like the 4200 and great deals these days even in Greece !!! However on the question of reliability i decided to keep the 996 which i use as a commute car ( only a few km though and not daily ) . Still itching though , the 4200 is a great GT car and very very fast , not a sports car though . Electronics a bit weird i must say ...

[MagicalTrevor]

Having had a good read, I think it's not 'sports car' enough for my tastes (no based on my current car of course )

[Mario149]

MagicalTrevor said:

Having had a good read, I think it's not 'sports car' enough for my tastes (no based on my current car of course )

You should throw a bit more money at it and splash out on a Gransport - if I had to have a genuine 4 seat car that one would be very high on my list

[MagicalTrevor]

Cheers again Mario, I've also recently read about the Grandsport improvements so your comments make sense. I don't 'need' 4 seats but it would be convenient if the Mrs ever got sprogged up.

[EC2]

Great cars. Happy with mine which is a 2005 facelift manual gearbox car. Has most of the Gransport improvements (bar the 10bhp) but is cheaper and has the right gearbox for me.

£20k gets you a nice one. Servicing is £500-1000 pa and then £1500 for a clutch and £1500 for brakes but only need to do both every five/six years.

[MagicalTrevor]

Thanks, doesn't seem too bad then at then costs

[DSLiverpool]

I fancied one and got one a 2003 late model Spyder F1, great car but its not for me so advertised and sold (being collected next week)

I had a DB9 Volante prior and the Maser is TOO sports car in comparison and a bit brutal for the Mrs however I can say its a great car with superb handling (the tin top must be sublime) and in 1st and 2nd its a real rocket.

Paid £20,500 sold for £19,750 had the summer out of it so quite happy

[Colossus]

I think you need to go and drive one, they are more sports car than you might think. Whilst they will ultimately give way to a 911 in terms of handling, for speed and occasion, the 911 does not come close. I ran a manual 4200 for 2 years as a daily driver and was amazed at how practical it was but when the mood took, how quickly it could transform into something much more aggressive. Then there is the engine, worth the price alone. If you buy well they are a very real alternative to the other "standard" options. Good luck.

[brid]

At one point i had a 4200 and a 996 at the same time, and it was the 4200 i would take out for 'a drive' instead of the 996 which i used for work.

Massive sense of occasion, but the F1 gearbox i found quite slow to change gears (despite it having the latest software apparently) compared to the RS6 avant i recently parted company with. Also, the suspension and handling didnt instill the same confidence that the 996 did.

..... aside from all that, feeling like a rock star, while listening to that absolutely fantastic engine screaming like a banshee (with a larini exhaust installed) was just something i will never forget. Because of this, i'm constantly on ebay looking for another one to replace my old one which was eventually sold to a dealer in Australia.

Definately get one, at least to say 'i did that'

[jamesc69]

I have had my Gransport for 5 months now and loved every single minute.
No warning lights, infact no problems at all, incredible engine, gorgoeus looks and (in my opinion) much more exclusive than a 911 with a greater sense of occasion.
The gransport really is a more driver focused car than the 4200. Quicker steering, quicker gearchange, lower ride height, sports seats etc and i recon a real alternative to a 911 as a serious drivers sportscar.

Have a look at this topgear review of gransport.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTN89LxRBbM
James

Edited by jamesc69 on Monday 27th September 11:23

Edited by jamesc69 on Monday 27th September 11:27

[mr_spock]

Me too. Although the clutch position sensor went south, but it really is fab. I am a Porsche fan, but the GS really is something else. In a good way.