Am I foolish for considering this 4200 CC as my first Maserati?

[MrCoop]

Hi Guys

Firstly, I'm a newbie here (and a Maserati newbie) but have been lurking for a year or so.

Secondly, guess I'm after some advice etc from the experienced Maserati owners.

I've been looking at this 2003/53 4200 CC (the dealer is selling it on behalf of someone else).

http://www.craigpettitmotorsales.co.uk/used-cars-for-sale/maserati/4200/maserati-4200-cambiocorsa-2dr-16643836

It's a very low mileage example that's on at a ridiculous price. I've offered £10-11k for it, on the basis that it is:

1) CAT D - not in an accident but insurance write off. Previous owner was an insurance company director and when the car was stolen and returned, he insisted on a new car hence the CAT D;
2) Service history sketchy - no service book and only a few receipts.

My reasoning is that if I pay no more than £11k for it, that will leave me the £7k to get a pre-purchase inspection and to remedy any issues. It'll be something I keep for a while, as I believe that the 4200 CC will be a future classic. I may be wrong but hey...that's the risk...

But being a Maserati newbie, I have no experience of really knowing what I should be avoiding. There are plenty of cleaner cars out there at £17k but if this one is clean and if I can get it at £11k, then a bargain.

So, do you guys think I'm a bit crazy to be considering it taking into account the obvious issues?

Thanks in advance

Coop

 

[Contigo]

Welcome Coop

You've come to a great place

Buy one which is sorted in the first place. It's a false economy otherwise. I bought mine without any inspection, a lovely example car (from the outside) but only just ironing out all the issues a year on. I got it cheap but could have easily paid twice the price and got a car sorted initially. In a way I don't regret it as I have learnt so much about the car and it has been quite the project.

 

[Chrisbassett]

Initial thoughts are it hasn't been serviced since 2010 and has only done 1500 miles a year since, so would need a thorough inspection and a full service before driving it any distance. Get it to a trusted independent for a good going-over then make a punt.

 

[dem maser]

inspection needed!!!
welcome to the best maser forum on the planet!! questions get answered and advice on how to run the car is given.......best people on the planet are here

 

[safrane]

Someone posted this car a few weeks ago stating it was in a very poor condition and adviced others to walk away.

 

[Trev Latter]

All of the above applies, but additionally, it will always be worth less as a Cat D car, so your offer may well be all it's worth even after bringing it up to scratch.

 

[conaero]

Something does not add up here.

As I understand its a cat D yes and has not been involved in an accident?

Why then does it have a later type front end on it?

Cat D should be £20-25% less than market value and I would market value that car at £15k as it has very low mileage, but the missing service history would start more alarm bells ringing.

Does it have all its past mot's?

So that would put it at 11-12k

Personally I would only give £11k for it and take with a pinch of salt any yarn being spun about the Cat D as stolen recovered is Cat X anyway.

 

[hodroyd]

It looks like a facelift and a 2003..?? Low mileage which would need verification, you could ask maserati if they have any service records, give them the VIN..!! I think the price is on the high side for a 2003, but the mileage is reasonable if it's correct..!! You must get an inspection done at an independent, well worth the £200-£300 for a thorough job, it should reveal any pitfalls..!! There is a thread on here, Search...Maserati Independent Specialists..!!

 

[Parisien]

Yup....buy a sorted one for that sort of money, why take on other peoples neglected Maser unless for an abolsute song

P

 

[Ian3200]

One thing to consider is get an insurance quote before you buy a Maserati that's a CAT D! you may decide just based on that that it's not worth it. It'll also be a bugger to sell...

 

[MAF260]

...do you guys think I'm a bit crazy to be considering it taking into account the obvious issues?...

Yes. Run away from the car and don't look back.

Rubbish service record which conveniently helps the alleged low mileage and I'd put money on it having had a smash at the front due to the facelift front end.

 

[Gazcw]

Someone posted this car a few weeks ago stating it was in a very poor condition and adviced others to walk away.

That would be me. It was stolen recovered, owned by insurance company MD who had it written off as he didn't want it back (supposedly). Has had paint to NSF wing, no mention of bumper and grill but obviously has been changed, leather needs some work as very dry and cracked. Had a few dings and scratches too from memory.

11k may be a worthy punt but I was not going to take the risk on this one. Craig Pettit is well known as reputable but this is not his car and is selling it for someone he knows.

 

[Andyk]

Surely that has been in an accident..That front end is 2005 facelift as said above so I would say it was updated after an accident maybe.....I would do lots of digging before handing over any money as you can get a non accident 4200 2002/2003 for 12/13k...

Oh and a big warm welcome to the forum.....hope you find the advice helpful on here...

 

[StuartW]

Welcome along and as everyone has been saying, proceed with extreme caution in this case. Good luck in your search

 

[maverick]

8k tops, for your budget you can afford a good one , good luck

 

[MrCoop]

Thanks for the warm welcome fellas.

And as I thought, perhaps this is one I walk away from. I was convincing myself that a lower miler at a low price was worth a punt but as mentioned above, I would be better off looking at paying the £16k for a 'sorted' car.

Gazcw - as you say, Craig has good reputation but is selling the car on behalf of someone else. He was surprisingly sketchy about details on this car, which had me concerned. It drove well, or so I thought.

So, the search continues!

What is the general opinion on manual vs auto on the 4200's?

 

[Gazcw]

Thanks for the warm welcome fellas.

And as I thought, perhaps this is one I walk away from. I was convincing myself that a lower miler at a low price was worth a punt but as mentioned above, I would be better off looking at paying the £16k for a 'sorted' car.

Gazcw - as you say, Craig has good reputation but is selling the car on behalf of someone else. He was surprisingly sketchy about details on this car, which had me concerned. It drove well, or so I thought.

So, the search continues!

What is the general opinion on manual vs auto on the 4200's?

I did not get as far as a drive due to the lack of detail and advice from those here. I was actually there buying the mrs something and I thought I may have come up trumps but I am patient!

 

[Gazcw]

Forgot to ask MrCoop. Are you local? I am out at West Haddon nr J18.

Gary

 

[QP4Me]

Never, EVER, believe a word that issues forth from the mouth of a car salesman, no matter how nice, convincing, or friendly they are.

 

[Parisien]

Never, EVER, believe a word that issues forth from the mouth of a car salesman, no matter how nice, convincing, or friendly they are.

....can't say fairer than that Pat........


P