4200 or Granpsort

H

Howard

New Member
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24
About to plunge into Maserati ownership but on my budget it's a 4200 or Gransport. I've looked at and driven a couple of 4200s, one Cambio and one manual, both fantastic but prefer the Cambio. Then I saw the Gransport... any advice from the forum? I've heard the GS can be a harsh ride. I need to look out for clutch replacement and will have an inspection done but as a first time owner should it be 4200 or GS??

thanks

Howard
 
Andyk

Andyk

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61,165
Hi Howard and a big warm welcome to the forum......

Gransport ... Will hold its value better...Never reall noticed it having a harsh rise to be honest.......
 
Parisien

Parisien

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34,927
Depends on your budget, what you prefer, whats available......but always get an indie inspection done, they are supercars with super car costs....nowt cheap to repair on them.....ie air-con unit is £1500!


Welcome to our forum, ask lots of questions, do lots of searches and maybe you'll finally end up with a trident on your drive.


P
 
C

Chrisbassett

Member
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3,909
Howard,

If I hadn't been looking for a Spyder, I would have gone for a GranSport. They have enough of a difference to make it worthwhile in my opinion...my budget wouldn't stretch to a GS Spyder though! Not that I'm not happy with the 4200, it is wonderful, but the updated interior, the valved exhaust, the more aggressive exterior/wheels and the slightly upgraded suspension are all plusses for the GS. Whether they are worth the premium in price is down to you. The only thing I'm not keen on are the two surfboards bolted under the doors, but that's just my aesthetics. I don't think you would ever regret going for either a GS or a late model 4200, it depends on what comes along when you're looking. There are also a couple of special edition GS's that are very sought after and members who own them will tell you all about the benefits if you're interested.

Find something you like, get it inspected & don't look back, just enjoy whatever ends up on your drive.
 
Migliore

Migliore

Junior Member
Messages
129
Howard
I bought a 2005 4200 12 months ago and have just started to tinker with exhaust configuration.
The stock standard GS models do sound better, spend an extra A$3500 (GBP?) over here to probably replace whole exhuast system or 2 out of the 3 units to get a comparable sound that the car merits.
4200 prices have dropped by about GBP3k in the last year to now import something similar whilst experts on here say the GS prices have stabilised.
If I could afford it I`d buy another 4200, maybe the spyder.
 
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Andyk

Andyk

Member
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61,165
Howard, one thing to remember is that a late face lift 4200 has most of the GS up grades......it drives much the same as well and will cost you around 6/7k less. Well worth a look.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,958
My budget wouldn't stretch to the GS and as above I don't like the surf boards either. I am however really impressed with the 4200 Spyder, I had high expectations of what it should do but it has exceeded them in everyday.

Buy the best you can afford and have it checked out by a specialist first is the advice I would give.
 
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H

Howard

New Member
Messages
24
Thanks all, really helpful. First thing I need is to learn to type Gransport properly - particularly in the title of thread!

I had a really good talk with the guy at Nuvola, who everyone reports as helpful, and he went through all the options - even for cars I couldn't afford. That set me on the road for a 4200 facelift and I drove his Cambio down the Euston Rd in a traffic jam and it performed very well, just an occasional judder on pulling away very slowly.

Then drove the manual 4200 in Chester which was good and would have a clutch change before sale but it is the manual box.

Looked at the black one near Derby which, although registered in 2005 appears to be a 2004 - rear valance squared off and small grill.

Going to look at a GS in the midlands today, asking price is a bit high and I'll need to check which clutch it's on so I'll let you know

Howard
 
E

Elliott653

Member
Messages
1,241
Hi Howard.

I know Nareman at Nuvola well. I bought and sold my 4200 through him. He's as honest as the day is long and a real expert in these cars. You can rest assured that his stock is top notch.
 
N

nfm

Member
Messages
856
Well spotted Howard

Aside from the front and rear bumpers the facelift also has other visible differences like blue instruments and a cup holder. In additon to clutch the other material costs will be tyres and brakes and a mileage service, so make sure they aren't due soon - if they are then price accordingly.

Service my car will give you a clear steer on service costs.

Facelift ownership is highly recommended. 4 1/2 years in and still special every time........
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Howard,
A warm welcome to the forum and let's hope you get a good car sorted out for yourself soon. I have had a 2007 4200 Facelift and a 2007 GranSport, both are excellent in their own way. The 4200 facelift is very close to a GS in many ways, but not everything. They have a different interior and slight differences to the engine configuration. Look for the normal hole, or rust under the offside rear light, a common issue, check under mats in the car and boot, make sure it is dry, they can leak. Whatever you decide to make an offer on, insist that you have an Independent Inspection. There is a list of Indies on here that cover the country and for £200-300 it's well worth the money..!! Try and start the cars from cold if possible, listen for possible fast engine rattle for a few seconds, it's not serious, normally it's an oil pipe that needs replacing.
It depends on what you can afford, get the best you can for the money..!! In my opinion the GS is slightly better than the 4200, but is more expensive, saying that the 4200 is a great car and get the CC box if you can. Check what life is left in the clutch, a new one is £1500. Check service history, make sure all services have been done by either a dealer, or a Maserati Specialist...important..!!
You could give Richard Grace Cars a call, he has excellent stock usually and is based in Chester, if he does not have it he can find it..!!
The very best of luck in your search..!!
Cheers
R
 
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safrane

safrane

Member
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16,881
Second that. I have had two 4200s and both have been a joy...took a risk with the first and was luck it was a good one even with high miles (They seem to thrive on use) but got my second from Richard and was very happy.

There are +/- on both, I like the 4200 for GT but have thought about a GS for the extra edge...but is it worth the extra £8-10k...a question you can only answer if you have had both.

Good look with the search.
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
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14,150
I struggled with that question for ages Peter, I could not honestly see why the GS was so much more, now I know..!!
 
M

Mr.Cambio

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7,096
hodroyd said:
Howard,
listen for possible fast engine rattle for a few seconds, it's not serious, normally it's an oil pipe that needs replacing.
Click to expand...

Does anyone know the specific pipe's name or part number or where is it located? I think i might need that..
 
M

Mr.Cambio

Member
Messages
7,096
I believe that the biggest difference of both cars is the easthetics, aka rims, bumpers, skirts, interior. The GS is a wild piece of car, and on the other side the 4200 is more classy.
Always been a fan of the aggressive styling, but i cannot explain the reason i am still so happy with my 4200. Maybe because i like the interior so much more than of a GS.
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Nikos,
The oil pipe is a S/S braided pipe that comes from the side of the oil filter and up the back of the engine. Apparently there are an inner and outer sheath, with an internal liner between the two, the liner breaks down and the two sheaths rattle against each other until it fills with fresh oil. The other cause of this potential rattle is the Oil Accumulator Tank, which sits in the centre of the "V" at the back, This tank has a gas charged piston inside, which then fills with oil and is supposed to hold the oil pressure for the Variators on start-up. Sometimes this tank loses it's gas charge and will not hold the oil under pressure, which then makes the variators rattle on start-up..!!
Cheers
R
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
The other problem with this pipe is the brass(?) retaining nut cracks..............as they found on mine, and Autoshield took Robs to fix mine as going on holiday.......;)

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