Considering a Maserati - 3200, 4200 or Gransport

[BenjaminBraddock]

Facelift 4200 numbers against GS numbers i suspect that there is not much difference.

Most of the media 4200 and GS comparisons are between the early 4200s and the GS. I dont think any of the reviews have compared a facelift 4200 against a GS as a direct comparison.

I've got the UK sales numbers somewhere I will try to locate them, but I have a feeling the 4200 & GS numbers are combined.

Parkers quote the following UK new prices:

> 2001-2006 4200: £56,695 - £67,950
> 2004-2007 GS: £66,735 - £69,130

So it would seem by 2006 there was only £1,200 difference between the two models at the top end of the spec.

My experience has been the majority prefer the GS when stood next to the 4200 for it's more aggressive and sportier look which I get.

In terms of driving experience, I have been keen to understand if there is any difference between the two models, so earlier this year I got the chance to drive my 2006 4200 Facelift (27k miles) and a friend's 2005 GS (45k miles) on a Brands Hatch track day one after the other (we swapped cars for several laps as we both wanted to know if there is any noticeable difference)

- in summary both of us agreed that the cars are pretty much identical, there really isn't anything between them which I suppose is to be expected being that they share the same chassis, engine, gearbox and ECU settings, suspension (mine is lowered by 20mm to sit the same as GS), braking system etc. and that the only factory differences that could make a difference were the exhaust (and mine has been modified) and larger wheels and lower profile tyres, so really the only differences between the two cars are cosmetic both inside and outside.

I think it would take an incredibly acute driver to be able to tell 380BHP against 390BHP - it just wasn't noticeable to us at all.

I can't make any judgement regarding the pre-facelift 4200, but this was our Facelift 4200 vs. GS experience.

I often think the differences are almost comparable to the 1970s Ford 'Ghia'-spec versus 'S'-spec - just substitute Facelift 4200 for 'Ghia' and GS for 'S'.....

 

[m1980k]

Some people prefer the 4200. Some people prefer the GS. Buy the one you prefer. But the GS will always be worth more money.

Yes, some of the other models have more 'classic' looks, but the GS is rarer and more distinctive ('05 facelifts might be rare, but not different enough from earlier 42s).

And like it or not, the GS has a better reputation. Car mags don't pay that much attention to a 2nd facelift vs. a new variant.

How many people on here think the GTS will be worth as much as a Strad at any point in the future!?

 

[Contigo]

How many people on here think the GTS will be worth as much as a Strad at any point in the future!?

I don't see them as a different model really. A better comparison would be a GS vs a MCV.

 

[cheshiremaserati]

This is really interesting. I have narrowed down my thinking to a manual 4200 facelift versus a GS.
The price difference seems too much to me to spend the extra on a GS. For sheer ballistic missile performance I have the 996 Turbo turning out 450bhp and over 400ftlbs torque. In 3rd gear it takes out almost anything on the road.

The GS has appeal for sure. But at a huge price difference to a facelift manual.
I'm not into auto box sports cars - that's why I ruled out Merc SL55 AMG and Jag XKR.

Both can be had for under £25k budget.

The step-up to a GS is +£8k on this budget and no manual box.
OK its a hydraulically operated manual box with a clutch and no torque converter but it has mixed reviews around brittleness, reliability and clunk shifts (Porsche owners feedback - so take with reservation because they commented based on the F1 shift on the Ferrari 360 which they claim is the same).

What year is the facelift 4200 and how would I recognise one from a non-facelift car?
Typical price and availability for 4200 facelift (a) manual box and (b) cambio corsa box?

Great forum by the way. Really helpful.
Two members have been in touch to let me view facelift 4200 and a GS side-by-side which I will pick up on once I am back from leave (currently in West Coast USA).

 

[Needamaser]

There is one big advantage to the price difference, many can have the 4200 and join the fun, but may no be able to afford the GS or wish to spend the difference on other things or additional toys!

I could have "upgraded" to a GS from the 4200 or for the same money buy another Maserati. Didn't take long to think about that one. And the difference to change was going to be the price again of a 4200 not £5-10k.
As for the "better" stereo....after 2 years still haven't got round to working out how the info centre works. As Phil says I just leave the window open!

 

[mjheathcote]

And the difference to change was going to be the price again of a 4200 not £5-10k.

Absolutely.
My Classico, only 16.5k miles from new and immaculate, the same GS mileage and condition would be looking on pistonheads between £35 to £44K...what's mine worth? half the lower value if I'm lucky...is the equivalent GS worth double?...

 

[safrane]

Easy way to see the difference between the classic 4200 and Face Lift is the extra vents in the bumpers in particular the rear behind the wheels which are the face lift.

 

[Contigo]

This is really interesting. I have narrowed down my thinking to a manual 4200 facelift versus a GS.
The price difference seems too much to me to spend the extra on a GS. For sheer ballistic missile performance I have the 996 Turbo turning out 450bhp and over 400ftlbs torque. In 3rd gear it takes out almost anything on the road.

The GS has appeal for sure. But at a huge price difference to a facelift manual.
I'm not into auto box sports cars - that's why I ruled out Merc SL55 AMG and Jag XKR.

Both can be had for under £25k budget.

The step-up to a GS is +£8k on this budget and no manual box.
OK its a hydraulically operated manual box with a clutch and no torque converter but it has mixed reviews around brittleness, reliability and clunk shifts (Porsche owners feedback - so take with reservation because they commented based on the F1 shift on the Ferrari 360 which they claim is the same).

What year is the facelift 4200 and how would I recognise one from a non-facelift car?
Typical price and availability for 4200 facelift (a) manual box and (b) cambio corsa box?

Great forum by the way. Really helpful.
Two members have been in touch to let me view facelift 4200 and a GS side-by-side which I will pick up on once I am back from leave (currently in West Coast USA).

Be very careful with the 4200 manual, clutches are hard to come by these days (3200 clutches are no longer available in the UK) and the clutch cables are obsolete. It's not impossible to find used or new old stock but it would put me off from buying another one. I think the CC box on the 4200 is just too good to miss and the manual box is slow and cumbersome.

 

[CatmanV2]

Is it not the same clutch as the CC? I always thought it was, but CBA to check Eurospares

C

 

[Contigo]

Is it not the same clutch as the CC? I always thought it was, but CBA to check Eurospares

C

Both Valeo made plates but different part numbers.

 

[cheshiremaserati]

Contigo: Thanks for that info on clutches. In fact I had an email exchange with Dicky Grace earlier today saying that I'd be considering a facelift manual or a GS. He informed me he could not sell me a manual car and gave me reasons why - similar to your caution.

So it seems with your contribution, I am now considering either a CC 4200 or GS.

But I've heard horror stories about the CC box and clonky slow and jerky shifts; very poor clutch life (and even worse if the car is used in auto mode) and a few guys I know (not Maser owners but Porsche guys - I know, bias in all they say) have stated the CC box is as brittle as glass cos they had the same in the 360 Ferrari F1 shift car some of them owned.

Safrane: Thanks for the tip around how to spot a facelift car.

I need to weigh up if the 4200 CC is 90% of the car for me and if its worth paying so much extra for a GS. Seems the numbers of 4200 are similar to GS on another post I was reading on members cars on the forum. So there does not appear to be much in rarity factoid between the two options I'm looking at but a price differential nonetheless for the things in the GS that are not in the 4200.

What is the typical price of a GS and 4200 CC pre March 2006 with around 30k miles? I know its difficult but some suggestions could be helpful.

Is the GS LE worth the extra premium over the GS? There is an LE for sale at the moment but out of my range. Just curious to understand if the premium brings more value in a LE car - either for the present day or as investment for future prices?

Very helpful. I'm learning more as each day goes by. Thanks.

 

[Contigo]

The CC is not brittle trust me. You need to make sure you test drive a car that has plenty of clutch life left and one which has the correct PIS set etc... It is people who put it in auto mode and non sport who make the wrong assessment. Drive it only in SPORT manual mode with the paddles.

 

[CatmanV2]

Every day etc etc

C

 

[cheshiremaserati]

That's good to hear coming from an owner and not a bunch of Porsche colleagues who dabbled with a 360 with F1. Porsche guys are phenomenally biased - slate anything Italian which is why I haven't asked anybody on 911uk forum where I am a prolific poster on 911's. I can predict the responses and they'll not help but only confuse (you know the sort of things such as "my mate's mate had one and spent £50k in the first year on fixing the poor build quality" or "I had one and got rid of it after I hit £10k spend in the first 6 months and realised it was so expensive to run versus my Porsche" etc.).

I saw a promotional video on You Tube about CC and the claim was very much use Sport mode only in safe road conditions an not ordinarily. The it went on to say it can be used as manual or auto cut by Sport or Non-Sport modes making four transmission modes possible! So it all gets confusing.

But your explanation is simple and looks a good rule of thumb.

I notice quite a few cars for sale state "new clutch fitted" so they will be safe buys in terms of clutch life. For others, without knowing when the clutch was changed, it looks like I'd have to factor in £2k to have a new clutch on purchase to re-establish a baseline for the clutch life?

By the way, what is PIS?

 

[Contigo]

I'll let Voicey explain it.

https://aldousvoice.com/2014/05/19/ferrari-f1-system-parameters/

 

[CatmanV2]

Voicey is the man, without doubt

TL;DNR drive it in sport, manual *all the time*

Oh and grin like an idiot

C

 

[cheshiremaserati]

I am on voiceys blogs since three years when I was thinking of a 360. I still receive his blogs. I must not have read this item because I was completely focused on getting a manual with that steel open gate!

But I get the gist of it and now realise the car MUST be set up correctly by someone with the tools and the know-how to get the best transmission bite, greatest clutch life and smooth clunk-free jerk-free gearshifts both up and down through the box.

I know Dicky Grace cars' are inspected and prepared by Autotech. Can I assume that they will have the expertise to check this and set it up correctly?

There is a Ferrari Indy in Knutsford also who is ex-Stratstone Ferrari Wilmslow.
Anyone use him and any feedback?

 

[GeoffCapes]

I saw a promotional video on You Tube about CC and the claim was very much use Sport mode only in safe road conditions an not ordinarily. The it went on to say it can be used as manual or auto cut by Sport or Non-Sport modes making four transmission modes possible! So it all gets confusing.

There can't be many people who when they turn on the ignition don't automatically put it into sport. And only ever drive it in sport.
I know I do. Wet or dry.

 

[CatmanV2]

There can't be many people who when they turn on the ignition don't automatically put it into sport. And only ever drive it in sport.
I know I do. Wet or dry.

Mine stayed in Sport My GT does as well.

I suspect I may make the exhausts default to quiet, though....

C

 

[spkennyuk]

I found these pictures taken at oulton park last year.

The silver 4200 on the right is a 2002 original spec
The black car in the middle is a GS
The red 4200 is a 2005 face lift model.

The picture hopefully shows the difference between the size and shape of the front grill and bumper between the three cars. Just to add a little more the front grill chrome or black mesh was also available as an option on the facelift 4200 and also part of a pack for the facelift 4200 called the vintage pack which included mesh inserts in the front wing near the side indicators.