Shopping with trepidation!

[CrossedFingers]

Hi all,
I finally find myself in a position to buy something special and have a penchant for Italian cars, I think it is the thrill of the uncertainty!
I have the biggest budget I've ever had, but it is small by Maserati standards so I'm looking for a 4200, preferably a cambiocorsa, and not a money pit.
I've found lots of good advice on here already so am looking forward to getting a bit more involved while I shop

 

[allandwf]

Ooooh look forward to hearing about the search and what you go for. Welcome to the madhouse, but you are in the best place to assist in your quest.

 

[mjheathcote]

What is your budget?
Most are cambiocorsa, in comparison to manuals.
Don't think anyone wants a money pit, but it can not be guaranteed, only the odds minimised.
Enjoy the hunt.

 

[CrossedFingers]

I'm hoping to keep the budget under £14k which limits the options somewhat, but there are couple of nice looking cars on the market. The proof is in the viewing/inspection though.

 

[spkennyuk]

Speak to Rockits. 4200 / GS hybrid. Lovely car and rockits had it inspected and worked through all the faults that were picked up by the inspection. I think he wants 15k and IIRC its a manual car. Probably a deal to be done there if the car interested you.

The other car that springs to mind is Wack61's car. That is a 4200 CC with a fresh coat of silver paint and is well known on the forum as it was Catman V2's car prior to Wack owning it. I think Wacks car was sub 12k so you would have a bit of a war chest left for upgrades or repairs.

Good look with the search. You will know the right car when you see it. One of the best bits about the forum is that the collective members know most of the cars that come on the market so we may well be able to tell you the history of any prospect purchase be it food or bad.

Welcome along and enjoy the hunt.

 

[CatmanV2]

Not sure Wack is still selling, but I'd vouch for that car before he had it Never let me down

Welcome, Crossedfingers. Exciting times. Anyone would think it was Christmas

C

 

[spkennyuk]

Not sure Wack is still selling, but I'd vouch for that car before he had it Never let me down

Welcome, Crossedfingers. Exciting times. Anyone would think it was Christmas

C

I thought wack was still set on a QP if he found a buyer for his. I think he was toying with waiting till spring before he advertised again but who knows with a cash buyer.

 

[allandwf]

I would say your budget should get you a nice 4200. Perhaps speak to Mr Grace? ( Richard Grace Cars.) He has a habit of finding excellent examples, and is well thought of.

 

[CatmanV2]

I thought wack was still set on a QP if he found a buyer for his. I think he was toying with waiting till spring before he advertised again but who knows with a cash buyer.

Could well be. No doubt he'll be along in a minute

C

 

[StuartW]

Welcome along & good luck - buy the best one you can afford, do as much research as possible but also keep back a bit of a 'just in case war chest'.

Look forward to hearing how you get along

 

[CrossedFingers]

Thanks everyone, I'll look up all of the leads mentioned so far

 

[highlander]

Good luck with the search CR. 14k will go someway to a decent 4200 but not a top one so be careful.

 

[rockits]

I would sell my unique GranSport looking 4200 for 13k before it goes into a dealer showroom next week to go up at likely 15995. Drop me a PM if your interest.

There is a ton of information on the car and the project in the 4200/GS Hybrid thread.

Not a perfect car but cheap with all the GS bits & after the detailed McGrath report has been worked through with new MOT.

 

[rockits]

 

[zagatoes30]

Must admit it does look quite nice for a ba5tard child

 

[allandwf]

It does look great, and some prefer the 4200 interior, best of both worlds. It will always be a hybrid, and unique, but that could be a bonus.

 

[Vampyrebat]

That is a very tasty looking car!..........As you say the GS bits are worth a few grand on there own.

 

[Corranga]

Basically, one of the first things I learnt about 4200s is that these cars are mileage sensitive for value, but not for reliability, meaning a well looked after higher mileage example can be a very good buy.

Rockits car at £13k is good plan if you can live with a manual and has the benefit of a sort of value / insurance policy...
There is a thread on here discussing replacing the GranSport bits with original 4200 bits (which are worth less) - the theory being that you could always exchange the GS wheels for cash + normal (or facelift) wheels, the surf boards for normal sills and the bumpers for normal bumpers, making cash on each.

The other car mentioned had a bunch of work done recently (also a thread elsewhere on here) including paint, so should look top notch too.

Go in eyes open and bargains can be had.

My facelift 4200 (manual) was around your budget with ~70k miles, good service history, and mechanically sound, it just shows it's years a wee bit through being rough around the edges and I don't regret it one bit

Chris

 

[CrossedFingers]

I would sell my unique GranSport looking 4200 for 13k before it goes into a dealer showroom next week to go up at likely 15995. Drop me a PM if your interest.

There is a ton of information on the car and the project in the 4200/GS Hybrid thread.

Not a perfect car but cheap with all the GS bits & after the detailed McGrath report has been worked through with new MOT.

I've skimmed through the thread and it looks nice but the don't think it's the car for me. However I reserve the right to change my mind after I've looked at some others! Thanks

 

[CrossedFingers]

Basically, one of the first things I learnt about 4200s is that these cars are mileage sensitive for value, but not for reliability, meaning a well looked after higher mileage example can be a very good buy.

My facelift 4200 (manual) was around your budget with ~70k miles, good service history, and mechanically sound, it just shows it's years a wee bit through being rough around the edges and I don't regret it one bit

Chris

This is good to know, and might increase my options a bit