Slightly more used 4200s..

[DavidL]

So you learned people tell me good things about well used and well maintained 4200s.
One of our number Mr Philw696 is selling his 4200 and told me to ask you lot about it so I am.
I have no issue with higher mileage cars, I've got 2 already (245K on a 944t anyone!) but this Italian malarky is new to me so over to you. All (preferably useful!) thoughts welcome.

 

[CatmanV2]

Well, after 3 days with mine 65k, FMSH I'm pretty happy.

Niggles:
CD changer does not work reliably
Diff is a tiny bit whiney (simply solved by application of the right root)
I think the pollen filter / drain tube is blocked judging by the misting this morning. Need to get that sorted.
Needs some new wiper blades
Chrome surrounds on the air vents are shot
Front ashtray is a bit tatty (will be fixing that myself. £78!)
Chrome strip above rear bumper is also a bit tatty
Number plate light is out. Screws are rusted solid so that's on the list.

Might be a bit to early to talk about running costs, but so far, so good!

C

 

[philw696]

Thanks Catman thought you guys were going to leave David out in the cold.
Removed my multi changer because rubbish.
We all know a £100 pound sat nav is better than the original.
The carphone i have to say is superb running a pay as you go sim card.
Some of the trim is not upto the mark for a car costing 70k new but for the value they are now you live with it.
The charisma is worth every penny.
Phil.

 

[BennyD]

If its cheap and still runs well, get it. The 4200 engines are pretty much bomb proof and the clutches last longer the harder you use them but always in sport, never in auto. The brakes are good and quite cheap to replace if you know how. It is certainly a good way to get onto a higher rung of Italian ownership. Allow for a prodigious thirst but with a decent straight through exhaust it's still cheaper than going to concerts and it involves the local communities as you power through them. Contrary to what the occasional hand gesture would have you believe, they really do enjoy it and want you to come past again but even faster the next time and in a lower hear. Welcome to the fun zone, it's a great place to be.

 

[MATT]

They are epic in my view, I've driven some very nice cars over the years but for the money they can't be beat, the engine alone is amazing.

 

[rossyl]

An amazing car, the only car I have owned that i have truly loved! I get excited about driving it days in advance (I only get to drive it on the weekends). There's a brilliant community here at SportsMaserati, with a lot of helpful info and some great events.

A pre-purchase inspection is a must. Have a search on the forum there is a list of all Independant Maserati specialists plotted on a Google map. This is a must and should cost £~250.
A complete service history at a Maserati specialist is the other main thing to check, serviced every year and the mileage services carried out. Also check when the last clutch was done. Check to see the car cold and at full operating temp to see if the oil pressure is behaving itself. Other than that, I don't think there's much to check that won't be covered in the pre-purchase inspection.

As for running costs - shop around and you can get cut price servicing by recognised garages, you can find the same parts common to other marques (usually Alfa) sold for considerably less than Maserati charge. The only "regular" large bill (other than of course servicing) is the clutch, and that all depends on how you drive and how often...and of course Shell V-Power as she likes to drink and gets thirsty often (£110 to fill her up!)

It's a brilliant car to drive, I've had mine for 3 months and love it. I spoke to other members who's had their car for years and it's still an event to drive.

Convinced?

 

[Parisien]

Yes...posts above nail it down........pre-purschase inspection, sport mode, use them or loose them, avoid standing water...they do like to hydrolock!!!!


P

 

[bigbob]

Passed a 944 the other day (not a turbo). Still looked fresh.

The 4200 is great for the money. Can cost a bit to keep them running but it's to be expected.

 

[v8chimp]

I have one on 54k which I don't consider to be particularly high, but I went for a car purely based on condition, history and the way it drove.

I first drove a manual 04 plate with a manual box (about 45k miles) in Dark Blue, it very nearly put me off the 4200 all together. The box wasn't as hard as people mentioned but the whole car just felt lazy despite recent spark plugs. (I saw that one bought by a dealer, bits of paintwork fixed and then sold).

I then jumped into the Cambiocorsa I have now and it was like night and day, it felt considerably perkier, everything works and is in lovely unmarked condition. The service history shows packs full of specialist receipts, recent'ish clutch (less than 8k miles ) and it hasn't caused me any issues (in fact slightly less troublesome than my Alfa GT which has been nearly as good as gold).

Also the later the better, most consider the 03/53 plate onwards model with the revised settings to be the preferred car (normally spotted by the V8 badges on the wings, MSP traction control button), but I think the 05 onwards brought further improvements again with a slightly different nose and used as the platform for the Gransport.

The key IMO:-

Regularity of use - I use mine at least twice a week
Service History - You can tell from the history the mentality of the owner and when you have an invoice for the most minute of screw covers/air vents due to chrome peeling e.t.c It can only be a good thing and shows a love for the car. In the same vane it really doesn't bother me and sometimes a benefit when the car has been maintained by a specialist rather than a dealer.
Engine - Very strong - regular oil changes and spark plug replacement when specified
Check all the electrics
Clutch - Probably the most expensive service item
Brakes - Alternatives available at fair money
Check the online MOT records to look for past failings/advisory (again few advisory and lots of receipts, gives an indication of care).
Check how the owner drives the car, do they drive at speed over speed bumps or take a bit more care?
TYRES - For me are one of the biggest giveaways, the amount of 4200's I saw on LingLong/WiWoo's or whatever nonsense tyres were astonishing and I would start pondering how the rest of the car has been looked after. The cars push out just short of 400hp, you need as much traction as you can in wet/dry.

In summary: They are surprisingly reliable sports/super cars, that may have the little hiccup but generally a well sourced example will give you far more smiles than pain.

Enjoy!

 

[safrane]

Took my first 4200 to 72k and it was still a wonderful car and had worn very well...in fact I wish I had never sold it.