Newbie in Cheshire.

[Soenvious]

Hello all,

Introductions over; let's get down to business.

I've always loved the 3200GT form the first time I saw one and I'm contemplating buying one to satisfy my envy.
My problem is an age-old dilema, do I spend heavily and buy the best my money can stretch to, or do I buy a 'cheaper' option and modify/repair as I go?
Before you all shout 'Madman', I will, before purchasing, get an expert to examine the car. I know I want an Auto and I could be a bit fussy with colour combination, Oh and I would probably go for the 2001 M.Y.

Service history on cars this age can be misleading in some respects and I consider Service history as an indication of where the car has been and if it's been looked after at all. Invoices for works done can sometimes give more indication as to the cars useage. I see from reading some of the threads that a few of you guys do 'jobs' on the car yourselves so obviously this doesn't go down as a Main Dealer or Specialist procedure. Do you still have annual servicing done to get your book stamped?

I have restored a few cars myself, in the past, so spanner work and getting my hands dirty is not a problem and with the wealth of information you guys provide on the site I'm sure I can keep this thing on the road (famous last words haha). Spares too are showing up in various places and negate having to resort to the Manufacturers inflated prices for replacement items.

Well, thanks for listening to my mumblings and I hope I can join the ranks of owners in the not too distant future.
Oh, by the way, don't be fooled by the Cheshire address, I'm from the Industrial end, not the Premier league footballer end.

 

[spkennyuk]

Welcome along. Im sure a member with 3200 knowledge will be along soon. I think there is also a members 3200 car still available at the moment so the history of that car is well known.

PM forum member contigo (Phil) he will be able to advise.

 

[allandwf]

Buy the best you can afford, and a car that has been used. Some issues are difficult to trace and can cost quite a lot in trial and error. 2001 cars are OBDII compliant so makes life easy to reset any spurious MIL that may be thrown up.

 

[safrane]

Get the best you can afford ...that way you can enjoy the drive ...even then you may have jobs to do.

Phil, as above has a lovely one for sale, or try richard grace your local specialist supplier.

 

[StuartW]

Good advise above, buy the best you can afford otherwise your bills & purchase will no doubt exceed your original budget.
Welcome along and good luck, they are a fantastic car to own and drive

 

[cheshiremaserati]

I am new to Maserati and in September bought a Gransport from Richard Grace Cars near Chester/Queensferry.
I don't know anything about the 3200 other than it was a initially a GranTurismo but with Richards input, I realised it didn't fit well with some of my wants and purchase/maintenance criteria or future values. So my thoughts turned to a 3200, a 4200 or Gransport. After chatting to Richard and Aldous Voice who I know from the Ferrari forum, my mind was made up to try for a Gransport.

I would honestly suggest that you dont buy cheap - I see that happen with my other love (Porsche Turbo) and a cheap car after spend invariably costs more than a top-end car well maintained and reflected in a higher price. You don't mention anything about mileage? Is it to be a daily driver? I dont know if there are many 3200 with auto box. The 4200 has very few manual cars and the Gransport is only CambioCorsa (robotised manual like the Ferrari 360 F1 Paddle Shift).

So my limited expertise notwithstanding, my suggestion is to go for the very top-end of budget and keep a little bit again in reserve for a car that is exceptional. Talk to Richard. My car was inspected by Autoshield (Manchester Maserati Specialist with an excellent name and reputation). If you buy privately, please dont buy without an inspection. These cars if the Porsche Turbo is anything to go by, can rack up £5k - £6k in the blink of an eye or 15 minutes on an inspection ramp.

There are people who know far more than me about Masers, who will come along and give useful contributions. I think a phone call to Richard and a call to Marios at Autoshield will give you a feel for the landscape - Marios in particular will be able to help with servicing and maintenance costs, the DIYer versus Specialist vs Main Dealer servicing pros and cons etc.

I'm also Chesire but the "other (east) end"

 

[Vampyrebat]

I agree with all the above comments. If you have your heart set on a 32 auto (colour/mileage?) then stick with it, the right one will eventually come along. But definitely go for a well looked after one with good SH, you want to spend the time enjoying it rather than fixing it!!
As said by the others, Richard Grace is our local guy, contact him, if he doesn't have one, he will probably now of a good one to suit you as well as giving you excellent advice if you need it.
Oh, and welcome along to the forum, nice to have another Cheshire lad on board and hope to see you at one of the local events........The very best of luck with your search!!

Stu

 

[Contigo]

Hello all,

Introductions over; let's get down to business.

I've always loved the 3200GT form the first time I saw one and I'm contemplating buying one to satisfy my envy.
My problem is an age-old dilema, do I spend heavily and buy the best my money can stretch to, or do I buy a 'cheaper' option and modify/repair as I go?
Before you all shout 'Madman', I will, before purchasing, get an expert to examine the car. I know I want an Auto and I could be a bit fussy with colour combination, Oh and I would probably go for the 2001 M.Y.

Service history on cars this age can be misleading in some respects and I consider Service history as an indication of where the car has been and if it's been looked after at all. Invoices for works done can sometimes give more indication as to the cars useage. I see from reading some of the threads that a few of you guys do 'jobs' on the car yourselves so obviously this doesn't go down as a Main Dealer or Specialist procedure. Do you still have annual servicing done to get your book stamped?

I have restored a few cars myself, in the past, so spanner work and getting my hands dirty is not a problem and with the wealth of information you guys provide on the site I'm sure I can keep this thing on the road (famous last words haha). Spares too are showing up in various places and negate having to resort to the Manufacturers inflated prices for replacement items.

Well, thanks for listening to my mumblings and I hope I can join the ranks of owners in the not too distant future.
Oh, by the way, don't be fooled by the Cheshire address, I'm from the Industrial end, not the Premier league footballer end.

I have one of the best available, (owned 3 now) and this is a one previous owner car (had it for 14 years) and it really has had lots done to it. Drives really well just needs a little tlc to bring it back to really good. Oh and it has an awesome exhaust system on it. Many members will vouch for the car. I am prepared to do a deal to let it go to the a forum member and have sold another 3200 to a forum member, pm me if you are interested and for more details.

 

[highlander]

No surprise I'm going to say that the 32 GTA is IMO the connoisseur's choice of the olderer trio for a weekend summer toy Sometimes petulantly frustrating if not cared for, but the thrill of the twins when they kick in on auto kickdown is so, so highly addictive and good!
All good advice so far which I would agree with, get the best you can afford, preferably from a known maser trusted source and get it checked so no big surprises. good ones are not cheap now, 3 years ago 10/11k would get you a good sorted one but today you will be looking at least at 15k and a few k more for a really good one.
Good luck with the search, that is half the fun.

 

[alfatwo]

No surprise I'm going to say that the 32 GTA is IMO the connoisseur's choice of the olderer trio for a weekend summer toy Sometimes petulantly frustrating if not cared for, but the thrill of the twins when they kick in on auto kickdown is so, so highly addictive and good!
All good advice so far which I would agree with, get the best you can afford, preferably from a known maser trusted source and get it checked so no big surprises. good ones are not cheap now, 3 years ago 10/11k would get you a good sorted one but today you will be looking at least at 15k and a few k more for a really good one.
Good luck with the search, that is half the fun.

I would have to say the manual version of the 3200 is better Greg, sorry mate..

Ok the auto is lots easier to drive, girlie even ... the manual on the other hand with the old rock crusher Getrag is not easy to get on with... with a similar feel to late 90's Fessers

But get it right when warmed the Maserati 3200GT is a manic piece of kit, and quicker than the auto and lots of Ferrari's too!

I bought mine private sold as seen with 20K on the clock 5 years ago, apart for the useual
ten year old car stuff it's been amazing!



Dave

 

[Andyk]

When I had my old 3200 I drove manual and auto.....went manual as just preferred the manual as it felt more engaging. Drive both and see what you think...Oh and a big warm welcome.