Looking for a Maserati 4200 Spyder GT

Mario491

New Member
Messages
7
Hello,

as the title say, I'm looking for a Maserati 4200 Spyder GT.

If the car has the following properties that would be perfect:

  • Left Hand Driver
  • Version MY04 / MY05 (without facelift)
  • GT (no Cambio Corsa)
If somebody has information where I can find one, that would be perfect.

For information I'm located in Switzerland.

Thank you !

Mario
 
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Mario491

New Member
Messages
7
Hello,

thank you for the quick reply...

The location is Switzerland

(I edited the original post so that this information will be available from the bebinning)
 

Navcorr

Member
Messages
3,839
Hello, welcome, have you tried Autoscout24.com

Most have CC but these are listed:



There may well be others.

Edit: An '02 here:



Which won't have a number of improvements seen in later cars, which I suspect you already know, but has the 3200 boomerang modification.
 
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Mario491

New Member
Messages
7
Hello,

Yes I used autoscout. However I have posted a message in the forum with the hope to find something that was not listed by autoscout. In any case thank you for the help ;)

As I was looking for a low KM/mileage, the most interesting is:
https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/...-a676-5a1ad6f2d83d?cldtidx=5&cldtsrc=listPage

I was wondering if importing the car will be a pain or if it's a relatively easy task.
And finally, how do you "trust" the vendor if you cannot take a test drive?

Regarding improvments recieved by later car I know that the biggest one is related to the rear window and the driving stability. If you know more would you like to share them here?
 

Navcorr

Member
Messages
3,839
Hello,

Yes I used autoscout. However I have posted a message in the forum with the hope to find something that was not listed by autoscout. In any case thank you for the help ;)

You're welcome - someone here may know of something else that fits the bill.
There are French & German forums too - have you tried those?


As I was looking for a low KM/mileage, the most interesting is:
https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/...-a676-5a1ad6f2d83d?cldtidx=5&cldtsrc=listPage

I was wondering if importing the car will be a pain or if it's a relatively easy task.
Probably best to speak to a Swiss based importer.

And finally, how do you "trust" the vendor if you cannot take a test drive?
You can't. Presumably, current travel restrictions are a hinderance.
At the very least you should arrange an inspection by, preferably, a marque specialist.
Which may not be possible at present.


Regarding improvments recieved by later car I know that the biggest one is related to the rear window and the driving stability. If you know more would you like to share them here?
The search function will be your best bet.
Hope you find what you're looking for.
 

Mario491

New Member
Messages
7
Thank you for the help !

For the moment I have not looked into French, German or Italian forum...That could be a good idea too.
 

Oishi

Member
Messages
825
IMHO you are looking for the right car. I love my 03 spyder 6mt. It is the most fun to drive of anything I've owned before. Keep looking, it will be worth the wait. They are very rare, from 2002-06 there were only 574 built worldwide. 02 are to be avoided if possible, improvements came in 03. 03 was a short production year (prob. from improvements), they had chassis bracing, glass rear window, better build quality. From what I've read, mid Sept. 04 was the start of the face lift cars, so not that many 04 "classicos". Improvements after 04 were mainly to the CC system, and cosmetic changes, so an 03 or early 04 is as good as it gets. A Spyder Gt with Skyhook, and an exhaust upgrade gives up nothing to a GS ( I'll get grief for that), and to me looks cleaner, and more like a traditional sports car. Good luck, keep us posted!
 

Mario491

New Member
Messages
7
Hello,

Thank you for your message ! I'll keep looking around with the hope to find a good one and enjoy it as much as you do ;)

I really apreciate the details you provided about the upgrade of the different versions.

As you are a lucky owner of a 03 Spyder GT, I would like to ask you about the "sticky" buttons problem...I'have seen a lots of people talking about this problem. Was this issue with the 03-early 04 upgrade addressed as well?
 

Oishi

Member
Messages
825
No, no upgrade. The sticky issue is from the Ferrari parts bin. These cars share many parts with their Ferrari cousins, some people have called them "parts bin Ferraris". The buttons do get sticky, but you can clean them or send them out to be re finished. I just clean mine and live with it. I don't know about Europe, but here in the US service for the CC cars can be an issue. Over here, there are Mas. dealers who can't work on these, or Ferrari dealers who may or may not, and Ferrari/Maserati dealers who can and do work on them. The 3 pedal cars are more indie friendly, cheaper to run (more grief), and to me more engaging to drive. The CC cars are a blast to drive, probably quicker on the track, but if you want to just drive it go 6mt. One last thing is the rarity. For 03 there were just 42 ordered in North America, only 31 were US spec. IF any of these 4200s become valuable in the future, I think it will be the Spyder GTs. Just my opinion....
 
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Mario491

New Member
Messages
7
Can I ask why a GT and not a CC. You haven't been listening to that twonk Doug?

I want a GT as I personally love to drive manual cars. As the spyder is for enjoy week-end trip on beatiful roads, I want the pleasure of manual shifting ;)
In addition there is the non negligible fact that GT are rare and maybe one day the car will also increase his value...

As you are mentioning Doug, I was not aware of his video related to the Maserati 4200... I watched it today... no comment about it ...:confused:


No, no upgrade. The sticky issue is from the Ferrari parts bin. These cars share many parts with their Ferrari cousins, some people have called them "parts bin Ferraris". The buttons do get sticky, but you can clean them or send them out to be re finished. I just clean mine and live with it. I don't know about Europe, but here in the US service for the CC cars can be an issue. Over here, there are Mas. dealers who can't work on these, or Ferrari dealers who may or may not, and Ferrari/Maserati dealers who can and do work on them. The 3 pedal cars are more indie friendly, cheaper to run (more grief), and to me more engaging to drive. The CC cars are a blast to drive, probably quicker on the track, but if want to just drive it go 6mt. One last thing is the rarity. For 03 there were just 42 ordered in North America, only 31 were US spec. IF any of these 4200s become valuable in the future, I think it will be the Spyder GTs. Just my opinion....

Thank you for sharing your experience...If one day I will have the car and face the problem, I will fix the problem or search for replacement parts.


Good choice of car, and good luck with your search.

Crossing fingers to find a good one...thank you
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Manuals are like 'Hens Teeth'.............Cabriolet manuals even rarer!! I have seen two in my life time. But they are out there so it's a game of patients...........Good luck Mario, I hope you find the right one and post plenty of pictures on here when you do!!
 

Andy Marshall

Member
Messages
297
I have a 2003 manual spyder (see profile pic) and I have owned it for just over 10 years. It's done runs down to Italy and the south of France several times, without issue. The summary from Oishi above is spot on. The 2003 pre facelift cars have the chassis strengthening, glass rear window and a few other tweaks and are probably the rarest of the MT cars.
A note of caution about buying something with very low miles - these cars really do not do well if just left to sit. They need regular use if they are to remain in good fettle.
As with all 4200s the heater matrix will fail, the buttons will go sticky, the chrome around the internal air vents will flake off and at some point you will need a clutch (the manuals last much longer than the CC cars but they still wear out eventually.
I was considering selling mine this year, but COVID has dented those plans. So it lives in the garage next to my Aston Martin and looks very lovely and every inch the lady of leisure!
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
I have a 2003 manual spyder (see profile pic) and I have owned it for just over 10 years. It's done runs down to Italy and the south of France several times, without issue. The summary from Oishi above is spot on. The 2003 pre facelift cars have the chassis strengthening, glass rear window and a few other tweaks and are probably the rarest of the MT cars.
A note of caution about buying something with very low miles - these cars really do not do well if just left to sit. They need regular use if they are to remain in good fettle.
As with all 4200s the heater matrix will fail, the buttons will go sticky, the chrome around the internal air vents will flake off and at some point you will need a clutch (the manuals last much longer than the CC cars but they still wear out eventually.
I was considering selling mine this year, but COVID has dented those plans. So it lives in the garage next to my Aston Martin and looks very lovely and every inch the lady of leisure!
I was going to mention you and yours Andy, but I thought you decided to keep her??!..........Hope you are all safe and well.
 

Oishi

Member
Messages
825
Just some personal observations about these cars. They aren't much larger than a Mazda Miata, but with a Ferrari V8. I'm 6'1" and 210 lbs, and mine fits me like a glove. If I had done the interior myself, I couldn't have done better. The leather is done by Poltrona Frau, a very high end furniture mfg. After 17 years, it still smells like a new baseball glove, lovely! I have the Tubi exhaust, and at 3000 rpm it sounds like a racecar. At 4k it sounds like a vintage F1 car. At 5k the melodious wail becomes a shriek, and at 6k+ it makes a ripping/ tearing sound that is hard to describe. Driving it, things happen very quickly in these cars. The handling is precise and quick, the people who complain about body roll, and soft suspension, are expecting mid engine hyper-car type handling. The Skyhook system "learns" how you drive. Many people keep their cars in sport mode all the time, and the system "learns" to be soft. I only use sport when I'm driving hard, and it learned to be stiff. The engine is sweet, with tons of torque, and can almost be driven in any gear. Driven normally, it is docile, driven hard it is challenging, but with the short wheelbase, you must pay attention, she will bite you. They aren't perfect, and have all manner of little problems, just part of the Italian car experience, but as a driver's car, it still thrills every time I drive her. They fill your senses, the sound, the smell, the Briarwood steering wheel in your hands, the acceleration pushing you back into the leather. When I stop in traffic, people stare at us, they are probably thinking "look at that idiot with the big stupid grin in that pretty black car".
 

Oishi

Member
Messages
825
Catman, as a computer expert, I respect your opinion. I'm looking for the reference, will post when I find it.
 

Andy Marshall

Member
Messages
297
I think the engine map responds to being driven enthusiastically - it changes the ignition timing over time. But the suspension is either normal or sport (ie, 2 fixed modes)
I was told this at the factory when I remarked that the car felt so much faster after my thrash down to Modena from the UK via the Alps - Italian tune up for real!