Dilema

Sparks

Junior Member
Messages
60
Hi Everyone.

I have been looking around for a 4200, but the prices and variations are bewildering. I'm hoping someone can give me a few pointers.

I have seen 2004 models with very low mileage for £20,000 and 2005 models with 50-60K miles for £16,000 and less

So, is an older low mileage a better bet than a new (possibly facelift) with 50-60k?

What should I be considering over and above condition, service history and the likes when working out whether a price is good.

As there are some many available at the 60l ish mileage I'm wondering if they are all due a very expensive service?

Hopefully someone out there can help enlighten me.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
Welcome.

And what a nice position to be in.

Your observations are right, prices do differ somewhat, but the best cars are those that come with a good history not the lowest miles.

The cars should by the book be serviced EVERY 12 months and a higher miles car is likely to be one that has as some owners may have scrimped on this if miles were low.

Cars also do not sit well and the recommissioning cost may be a bit of a shock on a low miles garage queen. Seals dry out if not used and rubber becomes brittle.

Your best bet is a mid miles car with a good history by a mark specialist or MD, Bob's garage under the arches is a no no.

Talk to Richard Grace. I have dealt with him for three cars and he is a no bull dealer.

Look out for;
Rust under rear lights or bodged repair of same
knocks from suspension as the car has eight wishbones and they cost £££££
Weaping cam covers
Clutch slip or a reluctance to go into a gear
leaking power steering system and coolers
ABS faults
Air Con with any rumblings
Noise on start ul from cold
Electrics
missed major items on services

Those are the big ticket items.

Good luck.... I've had three so they are not all bad.
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Hi Sparks
Higher mileage ones (50-60K) shouldn't be a problem if the SH is complete and with Maserati or specialist. Some lower mileage ones could actually cause you more problems due to lack of use etc. If your spending that type of money it is well worth getting a PPI done if it's a private sale or from a non-specialist dealer.
I would hold out for the one you want (Condition/colour scheme/gearbox/face-lift or classic). Also the face-lift model had some upgrades and are generally more sort after than the classic...........But that is all down to preference!
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Welcome.

And what a nice position to be in.

Your observations are right, prices do differ somewhat, but the best cars are those that come with a good history not the lowest miles.

The cars should by the book be serviced EVERY 12 months and a higher miles car is likely to be one that has as some owners may have scrimped on this if miles were low.

Cars also do not sit well and the recommissioning cost may be a bit of a shock on a low miles garage queen. Seals dry out if not used and rubber becomes brittle.

Your best bet is a mid miles car with a good history by a mark specialist or MD, Bob's garage under the arches is a no no.

Talk to Richard Grace. I have dealt with him for three cars and he is a no bull dealer.

Look out for;
Rust under rear lights or bodged repair of same
knocks from suspension as the car has eight wishbones and they cost £££££
Weaping cam covers
Clutch slip or a reluctance to go into a gear
leaking power steering system and coolers
ABS faults
Air Con with any rumblings
Noise on start ul from cold
Electrics
missed major items on services

Those are the big ticket items.

Good luck.... I've had three so they are not all bad.

Sorry Peter.............We were obviously writing a reply at the same time!!
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Welcome to the forum. You could do a lot worse than Martyn’s car that is for sale on here. Well looked after and a new clutch etc. It’s in the classifieds. Probably the best 4200 for sale at 15k.
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
As above condition is king, even the newest 4200 is over 10 years old and without regular maintenance this will show. I would look for a car with evidence of spend, services and refresh of items that are prone to wear and tear, clutch components, suspension, brakes etc. Parts can be expensive, these are well engineered cars with limited parts supply but with a bit of searching most parts are available. A PPI from a specialist is a ust.
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
I’ll add a few more from my experiences!

Heater matrix leaks
Reverse lever on cc cars - should lift to select reverse then drop back, if it wobbles about it is broken!
Underside rust - they all look shined on top but get it on a ramp and have a proper look

Parts are expensive.

Don’t be put off by a higher mileage one, they can easily do 100k without issues.
 

Sparks

Junior Member
Messages
60
Welcome to the forum. You could do a lot worse than Martyn's car that is for sale on here. Well looked after and a new clutch etc. It's in the classifieds. Probably the best 4200 for sale at 15k.

It must have been good as it seems to have gone! I assume sold!.


Thanks to everyone for your responses, it's helping a lot.

So, anyone got a 35Kish CC with new clutch, full service history with Red Leather in my price range? :wink:

So, Condition, Service History and the spec I want
 

Sparks

Junior Member
Messages
60
Thank you for all the responses. It gives me yet further confidence in my potential entry into what seems to be a very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable community.

Condition, Service History and hold out for the one I want............So anyone got 35kish CC with red leather, new clutch and a full service history :wink:

Whilst I'm here, one also sees conflicting views on the CC gear box post and pre facelift. Is this merely the 'Clarkson Effect' or is the difference marked?
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
I've got exactly what you want.............Apart from manual box, black leather interior and 60K on the clock;)
 

Andy Marshall

Member
Messages
297
All these cars are at least 13 years old now. Something with very low miles will look fab, but MAY have mechanical issues (seals, etc) due to lack of use. These cars really don't like to be sat for long periods, even if they are in a garage.
They take miles well though, so personally I would have no qualms with stuff at the 60k miles and above mark. My own Spyder has done 62k and drives better now than ever!
Good service history - particularly regular oil changes is a must. I'd buy privately (it's cheaper) and get an indie inspection if you don't feel competent to spot the signs of abuse.
Make sure everything works, both mechanical and electrical. Everyone has their own techniques for what they are looking for. Personally I hate to see cheap and mismatched tyres - it tells me that someone isn't spending the right amount of money on keeping their 170mph+ performance car up to standards! Just about every genuine Maser owner I have met has been a really nice person, and obsessed with their car. If you find a car with someone who doesn't appear interested or has only owned it for a short while then walk away.
These cars were rather well built. Paint should be flawless (aside from the odd stone chip) and every shut line should be perfect (with the possible exceptions of the bumper attachments which can sometimes be slightly out!
Buy on condition condition and condition.
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Totally agree Andy...........It took me 16 months to find what I was looking for (kissed a few frogs) but the right one turned up. You just have to be patient as they are not as common as a Ford Focus!!
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
I stupidly bought the first one I saw but I wanted a manual in blue, that is what it was and there have been very few on the market since - perhaps not so stupid then but in hindsight I would have haggled a bit harder as the car had a couple of wear and tear issues plus an aloof sports mode but they are finally all nearly sorted... Also I wanted a slightly imperfect car as I want to modify it (OEM+ style) so I wouldn't be butchering a garage queen investment

Although everything has been covered my 2 pence on the topic is that it is really down to the individual car low or high mileage certain parts will have got worn down over time and got brittle etc... heater matrix for example is one that has an expiry date on it of 10 years-ish - (we now have an all aluminium replacement from a Saab which should not go again) - so get a good specialist mechanic (one that cares about your interests not their own so I wouldn't stray from the forum sponsors) to do a pre-purchase-inspection...

I would never recommend to go to the guy I bought mine from, his google reviews say it all... In hindsight I would have spoken with the likes of Richard Grace to see if he knows of any good cars for sale, majority of the time the good cars get sold before reaching Auto Trader Pistonheads etc.
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
I looked at loads of 4200’s before I bought mine.

And had an expensive first year of ownership. It didn’t put me off owning another Maser.
As long as you’re aware that you could have a big bill around the corner you should be fine.
Bear in mind that just because they cost the same as a Mondeo they don’t cost the same to repair as a Mondeo.

For the record, regardless of what I spent the smiles per mile were well worth it.
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
One thing nobody has mentioned is the front subframe corrosion...it's easily remedied by a competent welder who can cut out the rusty bits and rebuild the internals and the outer skin, not forgetting to use a rust preventative paint at all stages.