Not quite a newbie but...

Jnismith

Member
Messages
284
I've been on here for a few years. Used to have a 94 Ghibli II which pretty much rusted away. Then went back to increasingly fast BMWs but now thinking again about buying a 4200 facelift as a second car.. Have looked at a couple on line and will probably go and see them (£19K one at Nuvola, and £23k one at Richard Grace). It seems that both are recommended dealers on this forum. I will probably get the car independently looked at but any thoughts about what I should be looking for in terms of year/spec. or when I go and see them. I haven't driven one before so I may take an instant dislike. Any thoughts would be very welcome.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Richard Grace would be my first port of call so you are on the right track...alone with Nuvola you will not go wrong. Spartacus on here is selling I believe is seeking his face lift which is a lovely car and also worth a chat.....He is Matt's brother our illustrious leader. Sure he will not mind but picture below.
 

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Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
My main criteria when buying my face-lift (apart from a manual box/SH/condition/colour) was to purchase a pre 06 car as the road tax almost doubled to £505.00 for exactly the same car!!
 

wifedrivestheclio

Junior Member
Messages
105
Hello,

Another vote for Richard Grace - that would certainly be my first port of call.

Also, I am thinking of changing my Gransport for a Vantage. Let me know if that might be of interest and I can send you some details. I had a slightly irritating experience with someone in the trade posing as a private buyer and happy to pass along for the price they offered me.

Ian
 

Jnismith

Member
Messages
284
My main criteria when buying my face-lift (apart from a manual box/SH/condition/colour) was to purchase a pre 06 car as the road tax almost doubled to £505.00 for exactly the same car!!

That's a good point. Got caught with that level of road tax before on an ‘07 Beemer.
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
The increase in road tax is so marginal at this price point, better to get the best car you can rather than worry about a couple of hundred quid tax.
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
Hello,

Another vote for Richard Grace - that would certainly be my first port of call.

Also, I am thinking of changing my Gransport for a Vantage. Let me know if that might be of interest and I can send you some details. I had a slightly irritating experience with someone in the trade posing as a private buyer and happy to pass along for the price they offered me.

Ian

Don't do that unless it's a later n300 car at the very least. The early vantage is simply lovely looking but underwhelming to drive.
 

wifedrivestheclio

Junior Member
Messages
105
Don't do that unless it's a later n300 car at the very least. The early vantage is simply lovely looking but underwhelming to drive.

That's certainly my experience from the test drives - they really aren't quick and are way too quiet (not tried N400).

If I'm being honest a big motivation is wanting to just tick that box, but the looks and inside are very nice, and I like the smaller size (don't need four seats) and manual gearbox (though life and cost of clutch similar to the F1).
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
N400 is the one to go for in the 4.3 with its 400 bhp and sportier set up. There is a lovely one on AT in lightening silver at 43k .... This seems to be where prices start....But you can also get a 4.7 for around the same money which has 420 bhp......If you want the best 4.3 under 40k then hunt down a pro drive updated car which are far and few between but do come up now and again....This had around 425bhp and were sanctioned by Aston Masrtin at the time...You could have suspension upgrades as well......The other option is a 4.3 then adding a Bamford Rose exhaust upgrade which is well worth while ..... Owners who have done this have said its the car that Aston should of made....Sounds great and gets just over 420bhp I believe.....
 

D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
Hello,

Another vote for Richard Grace - that would certainly be my first port of call.

Also, I am thinking of changing my Gransport for a Vantage. Let me know if that might be of interest and I can send you some details. I had a slightly irritating experience with someone in the trade posing as a private buyer and happy to pass along for the price they offered me.

Ian
PM me details re GS - I may be interested!
Dave
 

wifedrivestheclio

Junior Member
Messages
105
N400 is the one to go for in the 4.3 with its 400 bhp and sportier set up. There is a lovely one on AT in lightening silver at 43k .... This seems to be where prices start....But you can also get a 4.7 for around the same money which has 420 bhp......If you want the best 4.3 under 40k then hunt down a pro drive updated car which are far and few between but do come up now and again....This had around 425bhp and were sanctioned by Aston Masrtin at the time...You could have suspension upgrades as well......The other option is a 4.3 then adding a Bamford Rose exhaust upgrade which is well worth while ..... Owners who have done this have said its the car that Aston should of made....Sounds great and gets just over 420bhp I believe.....

Yes exactly! Will be interesting to see what impact the new Vantage has on prices. Feels like it's aimed at a different market to the current car.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Yes it does seem to be aimed at a different market. I'm not sure that it will hurt used values of the old car....It still looks great and is a very desirable Aston still. ERly ones have been 30k starting price for ages and don't seem to be showing any sign of going lower. The new car certainly will not have an effect on these ...... And at the other end the cars are being bought by collectors from what my local dealer said especially special editions and good V12's.
 

Jnismith

Member
Messages
284
Yes it does seem to be aimed at a different market. I'm not sure that it will hurt used values of the old car....It still looks great and is a very desirable Aston still. ERly ones have been 30k starting price for ages and don't seem to be showing any sign of going lower. The new car certainly will not have an effect on these ...... And at the other end the cars are being bought by collectors from what my local dealer said especially special editions and good V12's.

All this talk of Aston's is seriously making me think about buying one instead!!. Saw a lovely Vanquish yesterday, out of my price range but it would nice to have something different.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
As a Maserati forum I'm sure you will be talked out of the Aston....but....and I'll say it quietly......do it.....I love Maserati and Aston but my money would go the Aston route....All depends what you want from a car I suppose. I drove a 4.7 Sportshift Vantage around Llandow. Had Phil in front of me in his GT S.......Phil commented on how great it was seeing the Aston chase him down ...... Very evenly matched on performance....Phil kept the distance down the straights but the Adton closed through the bends ..... Straight live speed was about the same though. The Vantage was just so planted on the track though and precise and the controls just razor sharp......where as I drove the GT S and there was more body roll but then you would expect it as its more of a GT......Two of the best looking cars on the road for me.....but that Vantage shape is just perfect even after all these years. What ever you chose you will not be disappointed.
 
Messages
1,117
I concur with the remark above - this is a Maserati forum and opinions on anything non-Maserati has risk of inherent bias.
When I was looking at a Maserati I posted on this site to understand the marque, not 911uk on which I am also a member.

My recommendation is always join the marque forum, ring and visit a few Indy specialists for the marque and also talk to specialist sales outlets to get to really understand the market, what is fetching good money, what is not and desirability of the model for ownership and subsequent disposal. Forum gives you so much, but I believe it us essential to counter forum views/validate forum views by the method I use as outlined above. I did the same buying the Porsche - and quickly realised some serious inaccuracies (bias) from Porsche owners on the forum.
 

Jnismith

Member
Messages
284
No problem re bias. There's just something about Maseratis that does it for me. A lot of my friends have bought 911s as second cars and they do nothing for me. It's not even the speed as my current BMW is fast enough. I guess it's a bit of the brand image when I was a kid and drooling over the Observer book of cars.

It also takes a bit of time to get into a car. I think I drove a biturbo, 2 430s and 2 Ghibli before I bought mine. First Ghibli I drove (manual) felt horrible but I just could not get it out of my mind.

And Aston obviously has the connotation of James Bond which even when you are an ugly old fart has got to mean something.

I'm trying to get down to Nuvola next week and maybe one other close by to see how serious I am and then will look in earnest in the new year. Cheers to all.
 

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
All this talk of Aston's is seriously making me think about buying one instead!!. Saw a lovely Vanquish yesterday, out of my price range but it would nice to have something different.

Listen to the vanquish S. It’s fantastic!
The only ones worth driving if you are used to a maserati are the 8 speeds really - and they are 120-30+
Looking forward to the vanquish S coming down a bit. I think that could be my next car in 2019 ish
 

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
No problem re bias. There’s just something about Maseratis that does it for me. A lot of my friends have bought 911s as second cars and they do nothing for me. It’s not even the speed as my current BMW is fast enough. I guess it’s a bit of the brand image when I was a kid and drooling over the Observer book of cars.

It also takes a bit of time to get into a car. I think I drove a biturbo, 2 430s and 2 Ghibli before I bought mine. First Ghibli I drove (manual) felt horrible but I just could not get it out of my mind.

And Aston obviously has the connotation of James Bond which even when you are an ugly old fart has got to mean something.

I’m trying to get down to Nuvola next week and maybe one other close by to see how serious I am and then will look in earnest in the new year. Cheers to all.

Agree maserati GTs/ GS vs 911. So much more character and sound but v different cars
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Agree maserati GTs/ GS vs 911. So much more character and sound but v different cars

Agree with Iain....Very different....911 perfect every day sports car....Maserati more the weekend toy for that special moment.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
I concur with the remark above - this is a Maserati forum and opinions on anything non-Maserati has risk of inherent bias.
When I was looking at a Maserati I posted on this site to understand the marque, not 911uk on which I am also a member.

My recommendation is always join the marque forum, ring and visit a few Indy specialists for the marque and also talk to specialist sales outlets to get to really understand the market, what is fetching good money, what is not and desirability of the model for ownership and subsequent disposal. Forum gives you so much, but I believe it us essential to counter forum views/validate forum views by the method I use as outlined above. I did the same buying the Porsche - and quickly realised some serious inaccuracies (bias) from Porsche owners on the forum.

Spot on.....and the end of the day just get out a drive a few cars...That will tell you what suits your needs....