How can I find out year of manufacture?

[MrCoop]

So, reckon I've found a car I'd like to buy. But I'm just holding back until I clarify a thing or two.

The car in question is an MY04. It states this in the service book, on the V5 and HR Owen have also confirmed that it's an MY04. However, having spoken with the Indie who has serviced the car, they are convinced that it's a late '03 but registered in 04.

If it is an MY04, then it's the non cosmetic face lift but I'd expect it to have the mechanical tweaks common with the face lifts. If it's an MY03, then obviously it won't. But I just can't clarify this. HR Owen insist it's an 04 but why would the Indie then insist it's not?!

I have the chassis number etc. Is there any other way of finding this out?

Cheers

 

[allandwf]

Chassis number should reveal it, ask main dealer, they are quite approachable.

 

[CatmanV2]

MSP or ESP button? That's pretty much what matters is it not?

C

 

[BennyD]

IIRC, the MY04 cars didn't have the aerial on the rear nearside wing. My car is an 03 but it is an MY04 with the associated tweaks such as the glass back window. However, as with all Italian cars, it's not an exact science.

 

[safrane]

When I visited the factory I was surprised to see so many body shells sat about, so I would not be surprised to see a real mix of body years across the 2003/2004 year.

First gen cars 2002-2003 had an external bee sting antenna on the LH Rear wing, although I have seen a GS with this on a 2005 plate.
Second gen cars 2003-2004 had mechanical and electronic revisions, deleted the rear antenna to favour a glass rear window on the spyder and the antenna system embed into it on coupe and spyder. The gear selector cover all changes and the allen-key bolts deleated.
Third gen cars 2004-2008 had plastic body revisions to the front and rear bumpers and the 'sofast' software on the gearbox

But as you will know there are mixes all over the place. My first 4200 was registered in May 2003 as a demo, but it was a 2004 model year

 

[Trev Latter]

A lot of manufacturers change their model year mid year rather than year end. I don't know if Maserati do this, but it's possible they do.

 

[MrCoop]

Cheers guys. Not sure why I'm getting so hung up on whether it is an MY04 or not. Guess, like everyone else, I want to make sure I'm buying the very best for my money.

I did drive an MY03 4200CC and found the gearbox to be ok. I've also driven an 05MY 4200CC and that was also decent. Could I notice the difference on the test drive? No. And I didn't drive either aggressively enough to test the suspension out. The one I'm looking at does have Skyhook, so that'll be good enough for me.

I would do prefer the facelift grill over the pre, but it's not a deal breaker. At my budget, I've got the choice of a sorted low miler pre-face lift or a tired high miler post-face lift. Both MY04. Given that I'll own it for 2-3 years, I can pass it on with still sensible mileage and hope not to lose any money.

 

[safrane]

I think the 4200 has a little way to go before it retains a static value...given the dealer profit margin too you will expect to loose £3-4 k over two years as long as you maintain it by the book and in tip-top condition. IMO only