3200 on the horizon!

[Dall]

Hi to all.
As the title suggests I am on the look out for a 3200. I considered other options, Porsche, Jag and Merc etc, but after many months of looking at the forums, studying ads and hand wringing, I have decided the 3200 will be my next car.
I checked out the very informative 3200 buyers guide on here and found it massively useful, (searching the net about 3200's just seems to throw up horror stories), but this guide has allayed many of my fears.
I would really appreciate some input on other's real life experiences on actually buying the car, issues such as the "red" key, and particular issues that make the seasoned Maserati owner walk away.
Thanks
Dall

 

[conaero]

Welcome, there is no denying that buying a 3200 is a path lined with issues.

My recommendation would be to buy a know car off an enthusiast.

What gearbox are you intending, Manual or Auto. I wouldn't normally go for an auto but it cuts out a lot of the issues and works very well with the V8.

I would also get one that has had the contactless Thottle body upgrade. Other than that, its all the usual stuff, brakes, suspension etc. Rust, they go along the boot lower edge as well as the top ears that meet the rear screen and below the rear lights on the corner of the rear quarter. Leading edge of the rear arches and check the nose for any stone chips that have progressed. Its also worth checking the subframe. They rot from the inside out and not immediately visible without careful examination. OEM rear exhaust boxes rot in 3-5 years too but most will have had some sort of SS upgrade I would expect.

Electrics, well, its Italian of a certain era and this car is very susceptible. Engine, ABS and ERROR (active ride) are the main areas for concern.

Also, any 3200, get is inspected by a trusted indy, it will be the best £300 you ever spend.

 

[Dall]

Hi Con.
I'm torn on the gearbox, but I understand that the later 3200's, correct me if I'm wrong, didn't suffer the end float issues and have the more commonly used OBD II port.
The electrical gremlins are a concern, but I assume there are many with experience of them and fixes are documented. The sub frame is an issue I hadn't previously heard of, is this common?

 

[Lozzer]

Echo what's been said already. Depends on the car I suppose, a lot of the problems can be engineered out I think, silicone hoses, throttle body, pedal pot, tie rods, heater matrix are all upgradeable items, then you have the active suspension and manual/auto options. 2001 year+ with obd makes things a bit simpler too. I ended up with a 2001 auto without active suspension, not that thats what I was looking for, just I didn't know what I was looking at! Lol

 

[allandwf]

I had my Assetto Corsa manual car for almost six years, sold once and bought back, then only sold to scratch an F car itch. End float was checked annually at service time. It had contact less throttle body and pedal pot ran really well and got used. I had to get turbo coolant hoses replaced and belts obviously, but other than that nothing. I believe once sold she needed a wishbone as one had cracked, and the steering rack had developed a leak. But 17 years old and 83k miles.
Gearbox really depends on where you will use the car. I drove both, manual can be hard work in towns, but I thought suited my AC better.
As others have said try and buy a know car, and one that has been used as the 3200 does not like to be left sitting.
An inspection is a must, but I didn't! Lol
Good luck in your search.

 

[Dall]

Thanks for that Lozzer, glad to here the light hearted approach to buying your car, I don't want to fall into the thinking that the car I buy is perfect, because I know that just doesn't exist.
How do you find the auto box?

 

[Lozzer]

Thanks for that Lozzer, glad to here the light hearted approach to buying your car, I don't want to fall into the thinking that the car I buy is perfect, because I know that just doesn't exist.
How do you find the auto box?

I find the auto box well suited to what I drive it for, ie I don't see it as a sports car but a massive mile munching gt. Same with the suspension being non active, if it was active I'm not sure how often I would actually use it? It's no slouch though, 4 speed auto, 50ish in 1st and 90ish in 2nd I think the figures are, and it's great on a long trip

 

[Contigo]

You are welcome to come and have a look around the project 3200 if you like to get a feel for the motor etc.

 

[Dall]

You are welcome to come and have a look around the project 3200 if you like to get a feel for the motor etc.

Whereabouts are you?

 

[Rex B]

The 3200 is a great car and if looked after are not nearly as troublesome as is sometimes reported. I have had mine 10 years done 38 k miles 78k in total been abroad in it 5 times and touch wood its never let me down. All of the items listed inprevious posts can be problems but if you buy the right car most of the major ones could have been sorted but if you can get it inspected by Autoshield, Emblem or McGraths. I would only buy a car with the Red key and preferably 2 working black keys it just saves any problems with getting keys coded later. A good service history is preferable as it can demonstrated how the car as been looked after but there are some owner good owner maintained cars so don't, dismiss these if they can demonstrate through invoices for parts that work has been varied out. Also if you have never driven one then please try both, autos are a lot easier than manuals which take time to adjust to compared with modern cars. if you live near Bedfordshire let me know and l will take you out in a manual if not best of luck with your search, and if you want a good one look on Richard Grace site the 3200 for sale looks really nice, a nice colour and has been inspected by Autoshield, and don't, be put off by mileage the engines and drive trains are good for over 100k if maintained properly.

Rex B
Manual 3200

 

[Contigo]

Whereabouts are you?

Newbury, Berkshire.

 

[Ian3200]

I'm in Basingstoke, you can come and have a good look around mine if you fancy, when you see how much I've had done recently you might even offer me some money for it! Best thing I ever did, buying it 5ish years ago...

 

[zagatoes30]

Welcome, as above research and find a good one and you won't go wrong, buy a bad one and it will rape your bank account and blow your brain. Indy inspection is a must.

 

[Dall]

Thanks for the replies, I may well take you guys up on a visit, getting the low down from people whose vested interest is different to a dealer is a definite advantage.

 

[hukent]

Where are you?

 

[Dall]

I

Where are you?

I'm in Norfolk.

 

[dickygrace]

My advice would be to buy the very best you can and ensure you get it inspected by a reputable indie as Rex B has said. A 3200 is a car where buying a ‘fixer upper’ is false economy. I’ve probably driven 40-50 of them over the years and love them and also have a good idea what to look for. I would be more than happy to go through the ins and outs with you and wouldn’t push you into the car I have for sale.

 

[conaero]

Hi Con.
I'm torn on the gearbox, but I understand that the later 3200's, correct me if I'm wrong, didn't suffer the end float issues and have the more commonly used OBD II port.
The electrical gremlins are a concern, but I assume there are many with experience of them and fixes are documented. The sub frame is an issue I hadn't previously heard of, is this common?

This is a myth (end float), my 2001 version 2 (OBD) had end float. It affects all manuals and has been seen on occasion in autos too but rare.

Very common is the subframe rot yes. As the cars get old its almost to be expected.

 

[allandwf]

This is a myth (end float), my 2001 version 2 (OBD) had end float. It affects all manuals and has been seen on occasion in autos too but rare.

Very common is the subframe rot yes. As the cars get old its almost to be expected.

Mine too, (end float,) but early in its life.

 

[Dall]

The 3200 is a great car and if looked after are not nearly as troublesome as is sometimes reported. I have had mine 10 years done 38 k miles 78k in total been abroad in it 5 times and touch wood its never let me down. All of the items listed inprevious posts can be problems but if you buy the right car most of the major ones could have been sorted but if you can get it inspected by Autoshield, Emblem or McGraths. I would only buy a car with the Red key and preferably 2 working black keys it just saves any problems with getting keys coded later. A good service history is preferable as it can demonstrated how the car as been looked after but there are some owner good owner maintained cars so don't, dismiss these if they can demonstrate through invoices for parts that work has been varied out. Also if you have never driven one then please try both, autos are a lot easier than manuals which take time to adjust to compared with modern cars. if you live near Bedfordshire let me know and l will take you out in a manual if not best of luck with your search, and if you want a good one look on Richard Grace site the 3200 for sale looks really nice, a nice colour and has been inspected by Autoshield, and don't, be put off by mileage the engines and drive trains are good for over 100k if maintained properly.

Rex B
Manual 3200

Hi Rex
I may well take you up on the offer, thanks. In fact how are you fixed in in next few days?