3200 GTA - 4 sp auto, enough?

[Rudy]

Hi guys, we all know the 3200GT only come with 4 speed autobox, you found it enough? I know its 10 years old technology, you found any supports why Maserati would pick such old school gear box back then? Just wondering...cheers.

 

[dem maser]

i love mine, it works better than the manual.......

the engine sound is better as it revs higher and with 4 speed its all you need in the car as the sound is loud.....

 

[dickygrace]

I've had both and prefer the auto.

 

[dem maser]

its the old debate aint it??

some like auto some like manual.....
yourself dicky has had both and prefers auto....

matt has had manual and tells me he prefers to buy auto.......

im just saying id always buy an auto 3200 as i think it drives better

 

[Andyk]

Auto is better suited to the car.....Buta s most know I would still have manual.....

 

[dem maser]

With a manual you really get to drive it....
Its a GT to me and not a sports car so auto is the one id always go for....

Lotus or M then manual.....

 

[rotorheadcase]

Would not trade my auto for a manual. I bought it for long distance touring and boulevard cruising not for the track. In the real world the auto will keep up with any manual geared car of the same power/weight ratio over fast roads. Sure the austo is less involving, but from a drivers point so is the entire car when compared to a 911 or M car.

Ferrari saw fit to fit an auto box to a couple of their grand tourers for exactly these reasons.

Neil

 

[Rudy]

I understand, most perfers auto. But do you think at least 5 sp would be more updated with such a high performance car at the time?

 

[Andyk]

Yes, 5 would be better but those who have the Auto's don't seem to mind.....

 

[bigbob]

A decade ago I had the manual. If I bought one today I would have the auto. Four speeds is sufficient with all that power. Five would be nice but it won't happen!

 

[davy83]

This is about torque and/or power curves. There are so many turbo diesels on the market today that auto boxes with lots of gears has been a necessary development to get decent power delivery over the speed range of the car because TD's have such a short rev range where they deliver good power levels. The 3200 engine and gear box are a good match as the engine in the auto is tuned to give huge torque over a wide rev range, and so the 4 speed box works well. The same auto box on jaguars V6 diesel turbo would be awful because the engine output is much more peaky. So I don't think its a case of being old technology, so much as being the right technology for the car. Personally i like the fact that the engine pulls well over a wide range of revs instead of changing gear incessantly. So put me in the yes 4 is enough camp, the car drives well so i don't see a problem?

 

[Rudy]

Davy, what you are saying is what I am wanting to know. Thanks for explaining the whole concept in so easy understanding technically. Cheers mate.

 

[Paul L]

Hi guys, we all know the 3200GT only come with 4 speed autobox, you found it enough? I know its 10 years old technology, you found any supports why Maserati would pick such old school gear box back then? Just wondering...cheers.

Hi Rudy,

3200 AUTO with the 4 speed auto box, very good match!

Just coming up to 3 years of owning my 99 reg car and I have to say, tempting fate here but the gearbox has never been an issue.
Done a few long journeys now and it is easy to drive and then to just kick down gives you that speed that you would expect.

I would imagine that having a 5 speed would improve economy, but with this type of car you would never look at such a stat.

 

[dem maser]

With paul on this.....

 

[Andyk]

Isn't the auto suppose to be a little more reliable than manual beacause the man gets through clutches quicker than the auto boxs has issues...

 

[bigbob]

No clutch on the auto!

Half the reason i went for a full auto 4.7, it was cheaper than the MC and I will be keeping it a while so don't want to worry about the clutch.

 

[dem maser]

The auto is a lot more reliable.....less endfloat probs
I have heard of endfloat on autos but rare....

 

[drellis]

auto is great for the spikey 3200, its means you can keep both hands on the wheel to keep the backside in check

 

[dem maser]

Drellis, love it.....you need both hands....

 

[boomerang]

Drove an automatic a few years ago and loved it.
Still, the manual feels quicker to be honest, unless you drive in sportmode all the time.
But if i had to choose again, i would go for the auto.