Attempting to buy a Maser rant!

[GeoffCapes]

I've just been to Essex to look at another 4200. I have to say, it's one of the worst I've ever seen!

It needs 6k+ of work just to get it to a position where I'd begin to consider buying it.
Chiped paintwork, tatty alloys, rust, the spare wheel well looks like it's falling through the bottom of the car.
It's just been Mot'd and serviced. Advisories on the Mot were for corroded brake pipes.

The service report picked up the following:-

Reverse gear selection poor
Exhaust manifolds noisy
Front sub frame corroded
Rack gaiters perished (how did it pass the mot???)
NSF tyre worn on inside edge
Slight leak from R/H cam cover gasket
Slight weep from water pump
Thermostat leaking
Play in both rear lower arms.

Why would you even try and sell a car with all that work needed even remotely close to the 'market' price for a car.

Some of the others I've seen are not quite as bad, but still, has the whole country turned into Arthur Daley type car salesman who try and pass off steaming piles of sh!t as 'very good condition'?
Even some dealers cars (not the likes of Dicky, ADG and Nuvola I must hasten to add) are appallingly turned out.

My search continues........

 

[highlander]

that is a shame Mark. a real let down when you are all excited about viewing a "mint" car only to find out it is catnip
still, half the fun is in the search..............enjoy!

 

[GeoffCapes]

that is a shame Mark. a real let down when you are all excited about viewing a "mint" car only to find out it is catnip
still, half the fun is in the search..............enjoy!

I forgot to add about the interior........... theres another 500 quid which needs spending!

The annoying thing is when people say that it has been looked after. When in reality the total opposite is the truth!

I didn't even bother test driving it. Would just have been a further waste of my time!

 

[Gp79]

I must have been lucky or not too picky! I bought the first GS I saw!

I did look at a few 4200's 3 yrs early but went off the idea for the same reasons you mentioned above.

Not complaining 18 months later so maybe lucky? Hope it lasts!

 

[davy83]

The older these cars get the harder it is to find one in good nick. most people are not willing to spend the money it takes to keep them running properly, so many cars just degrade as the years go by, its life with older cars!

 

[zagatoes30]

Finding a perfect car will be difficult after all 4200s can be up to 13 years old but that doesn't mean good cars are out there. I saw a Spyder exactly the same as the one i bought that was described as excellent but even a quick look showed there were issues and like you I didn't even bother to drive it.

As in most trades there are good and bad car dealers but it would be better if they were honest especially if you are travelling a distance. Keep looking there will be one for you eventually

 

[Contigo]

DO you not like the one which forum member is selling on here Geoff the Nero Car owned by Francesco?

 

[GeoffCapes]

Because of the age and amount I want to spend, I don't expect everything to be perfect, and am fully aware that sometimes you have to make a compromise.

If I were buying a car that's 3 years old like my Merc, I'd expect everything to be pretty much spot on, and it is.

However, a Maserati isn't generally a daily driver so I would expect a fair amount of looking after.
My Alfa 156 that I bought off eBay a few years ago for £700 was better looked after than this Maserati.

I get the impression the last few owners were not aware of what they were buying and the cost of running such a car.
Hence they had cut corners and scrimped on getting things done.

Either that or I am OCD about my cars.

 

[Gp79]

DO you not like the one which forum member is selling on here Geoff the Nero Car owned by Francesco?

As above best to buy off the forum as the owner will likely cherish it, rather than just use / abuse!

Also cheaper privately than going trade, win win!

 

[Contigo]

I'd say 70% are like that in the "real World", everyone proclaims to service their car every year and get every little niggle done but in reality not many really do. The 3200 my Mrs bought was a one owner car from new and has 37k on the clock, since 2008 there is paperwork from H.R Owen totalling £27k in service bills and maintenance. That is a car that has literally had money thrown at it by a very rich owner and we are lucky to have such a car. One's like that are pretty rare though.

Keep looking and forget spec, colour etc but buy on condition and provenance and you won't go far wrong.

 

[Wack61]

Keep looking and forget spec, colour etc but buy on condition and provenance and you won't go far wrong.

Absolutely spot on , the perfect car isn't out there, the compromise that must be made is spec and colour unless you're buying new or very near to it.

When I was looking for an Impreza there were loads that had been messed about with and abused but eventually I found a one owner car with full history and it paid off in spades, no bills other than servicing and tyres in the 2 1/2 years I owned it and a sale price £100 more than it cost me with a guy throwing money at me as he came up the drive

 

[zagatoes30]

However, a Maserati isn't generally a daily driver so I would expect a fair amount of looking after. I get the impression the last few owners were not aware of what they were buying and the cost of running such a car.
Hence they had cut corners and scrimped on getting things done.

You are almost right, Maseratis are cheap to buy and expensive to maintain and those two points will lead to more cars being less well looked after than you would expect.

Either that or I am OCD about my cars.

You are but that is not always bad but balance what is important and what is not. The right car might be hard to find but it will probably be out there

 

[Contigo]

In a way I like a car to have some imperfections, some call it Patina.

Look at the recent Artcurial Ferrari and Maserati to see that they won't ever be restored to concourse but will go into a period group.

The owner of the Ferrari 250GT had a go at the Octane journalist for disturbing the Dust on the drivers door when he put his arm on it!!!!

When cars are too mint and concourse they become too good to drive for fear or ruining them, cars are to be enjoyed!

 

[Fran]

DO you not like the one which forum member is selling on here Geoff the Nero Car owned by Francesco?

GeoffCapes is a smart and nice person that wants a fantastic deal for himself! If he insists he might find one but he with Maseratis is a tough call. Is not like buying a 2 years old BMW. I have received from him a fair offer, which was much appreciated, but I would like to be nearer to the asking price. I believe my car deserves it due to its condition and history. It even has a full tank of fuel at present!

I have been using it recently and drives, turns and breaks like a dream! and makes a fantastic noise! It really makes me feeling special

F

 

[Contigo]

GeoffCapes is a smart and nice person that wants a fantastic deal for himself! If he insists he might find one but he with Maseratis is a tough call. Is not like buying a 2 years old BMW. I have received from him a fair offer, which was much appreciated, but I would like to be nearer to the asking price. I believe my car deserves it due to its condition and history. It even has a full tank of fuel at present!

F

But you have to meet him somewhere in the middle Francesco as Geoff Capes is a great guy! The real one not Mark

 

[GeoffCapes]

But you have to meet him somewhere in the middle Francesco as Geoff Capes is a great guy! The real one not Mark

Cheers Phil!

 

[beau]

the service report does sound pretty average to me, i would kind of expect a list like that on most 4200's for sale if you had them inspected

i think if you want the type of car that goes into a dealer, and the seller gives them the go ahead on every item brought to attention, i think you will need to spend a lot more money.

when i sold my 147 GTA the buyer wanted an inspection, i agreed, i was given about 10 things on the list, if i was keeping the car none of them would of bothered me, but I'm lucky they were still interested as garage certainly made it seem far more serious than it was, the buyer paid me for the car and i fixed everything for them for about £200.

 

[conaero]

The biggy there is the weeping water pump. Don't buy it, the seals have failed and the water can make its way into the oil or worst case corrode the shaft then it sheers and thats game over.

 

[drewf]

But you have to meet him somewhere in the middle Francesco as Geoff Capes is a great guy! The real one not Mark

The real one has just taken delivery of a new Disco. He probably isn't interested

 

[CatmanV2]

the service report does sound pretty average to me, i would kind of expect a list like that on most 4200's for sale if you had them inspected

This, although I agree with Matt about the water pump

C