Looking to buy my first Maserati

sparkplug155

sparkplug155

Member
Messages
126
Hi there.
Joined a few weeks ago as I'm looking to buy my first Maserati very soon.

As you can see from my signature I'm into Alfas but always wanted a 3200 if only for the rear lights.
Now I think I will be buying a 4200.

From what I've seen prices seem to have gone up over the last 2 years which can't be a bad thing.

Anyhow I'll be back when I've found a good one (hopefully).
By the way is there any colour to avoid?
 
Ewan

Ewan

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6,812
sparkplug155 said:
By the way is there any colour to avoid?
Click to expand...

Just be sure you like the colour, as you'll be the one seeing and sitting in it everyday. But that said, and as I'm sure we can all agree, blue is the best and fastest colour for any Maserati:happy:
 
sparkplug155

sparkplug155

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126
The dark blue would be the colour of my choice.

I want to avoid red as it would be nice to see a different colour on the drive. Even the wife drives a red car (Grande Punto)
 
philw696

philw696

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25,476
The blues are nice and suit the Coupe well.
I'm on my second one and my 456 was TDF blue.
 
Vampyrebat

Vampyrebat

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Metallic cars don't show up scratches and blemishes as much as flat colours (especially flat black, is a nightmare). But as Ewan said, it's a very personal thing. Hold out for one of the colours you like because it will be you admiring it on the drive and looking at the reflection of it when you drive past shop windows ;-)

Stu
 
Ewan

Ewan

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6,812
8 of my Maseratis have been dark blue, and both my current ones are. As are my Ferrari and Venturi. I see blue as the Maserati corporate colour, as it's been prominent in the showrooms, brochures, adverts, and so on for many years now.

And if you like the boomerangs, do test a 3200 before making a final decision on a 4200. Both are great fun and superb value for money. But whichever you choose, try to find one that has had the usual jobs recently done (such as tyres, brakes, clutch, and for the 3200 particularly, the throttle body and potentiometer.)
 
Contigo

Contigo

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3200 is the more soulful and fun to drive of the two for me. It's got so much character and charm what with those boomerangs, vents and hair trigger throttle but it has the potential for some big bills if you don't buy a sorted one (as does the 4200).
 
Needamaser

Needamaser

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1,499
As other comments buy a car you like. If you like it someone else will too when you sell her!

Try a 3200 if it appeals but make sure you get whatever car you look at inspected.

Without igniting the 3200/4200 debate it is probably fair to say you are more likely to get an issue with a 3200 but like all forums you only tend to hear about problems.
You don't get folk coming on every year to say they have had another year of trouble free motoring!

Maybe think about a QP as well? Big car but a heck of a lot of car for the money and goes well for its size. Probably generally well under valued across the range.
 
highlander

highlander

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5,223
welcome along. plenty on here to give you advise and pointers. most of the sensible advice has been given, minus spartacus of course!
I'm sure there must be some members near you that would be willing to let you see both a 32 and a 42 up close to help with decision making for you. both good value cars and fun to drive but with different appeal. from what i see, a sorted one of either should hopefully not give you any major problems but count on at least 500 more in a warchest per year for a 32 given the service requirements.
prices for a good 32 have risen slightly since I first started looking 3 years ago, but not by much whereas 42s have remained pretty static, but that can't last forever.
good luck in the hunt, always the fun part!
 
sparkplug155

sparkplug155

Member
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126
Hi and thanks for all the replies.
I have friends from the Alfa Romeo club who have Maseratis. One is a 3200 auto, one a 4200 Cambicorsa and the other a QP.
I have driven the 4200 plus another one I looked at about a month ago.
Head is still telling me 4200 but I maybe ought to look at a good 3200.
Trouble is most are a fair distance from me as I am in Lincolnshire and fairly well north at that.
 
M

m1980k

Junior Member
Messages
467
In a 42 with a CC box in sport mode you need to find a straight road, get it hovering around 4k revs in 2nd gear, then mash the throttle and keep it pinned when you flick the right paddle at over 7k revs, and then do it again when you go over 7k in 3rd and then in 4th. You'll probably need to back off after that..
 
Slowly

Slowly

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327
Vampyrebat said:
This is one of the reasons I went for a 42 instead of a 32. but we all have different preferences and tastes!!........Enjoy if not seen before!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ-NZ4vEE78

Stu
Click to expand...

Comparing it to the 360 on which the drivetrain is based he says "not as heavy and hard as the 360 lever, that was more difficult to use, more man-orientated. [The 4200 is] ..a car you could drive easily in traffic, a car you could even give to your wife..if the lady has the basics of proper sporty driving"

None of our PC stuff, proper Italian macho journalism! Ha! With my driving skills that sounds plenty for me.
 
urquattrogus

urquattrogus

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857
Alternatively, drive a sorted 3200 and you will giggle at how the power comes in - personal preference really.
 
Contigo

Contigo

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sparkplug155 said:
Hi and thanks for all the replies.
I have friends from the Alfa Romeo club who have Maseratis. One is a 3200 auto, one a 4200 Cambicorsa and the other a QP.
I have driven the 4200 plus another one I looked at about a month ago.
Head is still telling me 4200 but I maybe ought to look at a good 3200.
Trouble is most are a fair distance from me as I am in Lincolnshire and fairly well north at that.
Click to expand...

We are selling a lovely one previous owner 3200 GTA. You will struggle to find a better one out there.
 
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