4200 2005 Facelift or Not - Style over Substance?

J

johnniem

New Member
Messages
2
Hi


after many years bmw, alfa and most recently 911 (c4s) have saw the light and have now decided to go for a 4200.

Debated with myself wether to go manual GT or auto Cambiocorsa ..... decided on the latter.

One thing i'm still unsure of and would greatly appreciate any advise in this regard, is wether to go for a pre or post 2005 model.

Do post 2005 models handle better than earlier versions ?

Based on what i've seen, i much prefer the more classical looks of earlier front grills, as opposed to those of the (so called) facelift models ... which look more akin to something you'd see on a vauxhall nova

cheers
John
New Member Glasgow
 
D

dem maser

Moderator
Messages
34,281
Hello, welcome to our family.....

Id go for the pre facelift 4200 as i lile the looks more and if you go for post facelift your better off buying a GS....
 
M

Mr.Cambio

Member
Messages
7,096
I think handling is the same, but after your 4s, sure you have to upgrade it a bit, in case cornering is your piece of cake..
 
mjheathcote

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,046
It's a personal choice, but I like the original lines of the first cars.
The rear bumper for example has a lovely smooth lower wing profile between the tailpipes...the later cars the GS bumper with wire mesh and vented slots..that have no purpose. Same on the front lower bumper. All unnecessary appendages.
I see it like my old Elise S1, compared to the later Elise S2.
Original E type, later V12 E type
Original Porsche 928, later 928S/S4
Less.... is more!
 
D

dem maser

Moderator
Messages
34,281
Im with you on the earlier cars....i do think the GS is the better looking out of the 2 but its another 10k....
 
M

Mr.Cambio

Member
Messages
7,096
mjheathcote said:
It's a personal choice, but I like the original lines of the first cars.
The rear bumper for example has a lovely smooth lower wing profile between the tailpipes...the later cars the GS bumper with wire mesh and vented slots..that have no purpose. Same on the front lower bumper. All unnecessary appendages.
I see it like my old Elise S1, compared to the later Elise S2.
Original E type, later V12 E type
Original Porsche 928, later 928S/S4
Less.... is more!
Click to expand...

Just like on facebook, the sportsmaserati should have a 'like' button..! Well explained!Congrats..
 
2b1ask1

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,315
To be perfectly honest facelift or not I just wanted that classic GT fastback style.... The gaping grille clears the fast lane on any motorway regardless; never driven anything that does that so well!
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,372
Welcome to the forum.....What a wonderful decision you have to make..........Just my thoughts...Go the the 2005 car because it would have later upgrades.....As I understand it and I believe young Frank posted this a number of months ago ...the later face lift 2005 cars had some Grandsport upgrades apart from the power....I believe, but don't quote me that they had the suspension upgrades so should handle better than a pre face lift......

TOOMANUHORSES has just purchased a face lift 4200 for the reason above.....
 
DaveT

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,835
I currently have a 2005 manual facelift version. Had pre facelift 2003 CC prior to that and I just prefer the looks at the front on the facelift. I don't have the mesh grille but prefer it that way.

Yes, as far as I remember the 2005 has some GS tweaks (springs?) underneath but I don't notice any real difference between the way the car handles pre/post facelift.

GS is another story all together if your budget stretches that far.

Interior the same apart from different coloured dials oh - and a cupholder if that's important to you!:happy:

Whichever way, get the right one and you'll be smiling all day every day.

Good luck.
 
toomanyhorses

toomanyhorses

New Member
Messages
721
Andyk said:
Welcome to the forum.....What a wonderful decision you have to make..........Just my thoughts...Go the the 2005 car because it would have later upgrades.....As I understand it and I believe young Frank posted this a number of months ago ...the later face lift 2005 cars had some Grandsport upgrades apart from the power....I believe, but don't quote me that they had the suspension upgrades so should handle better than a pre face lift......

TOOMANYHORSES has just purchased a face lift 4200 for the reason above.....
Click to expand...

Yep. Looked at all three. I set a budget of about 25, and Andy's right about some subtle under the skin upgrades on the face-lift, including inproved gear change, etc.

I love the pure lines of the earlier 4200 and the 3200, but also loved the bolder front and rear of the gransport that the 2005+ has, (not sure I'd describe it as "vauxhall nova" though!?) and went for the chrome mesh that many GS's have.

Beauty in the eye of the beholder and all

I'm mesmerised by Christian Scott Thomas... but wouldn't say no to Keira Knightley

Not that they'd... well you know...

( but at least you can BUY a Maserati ! )


Anyway, what do I know? I bought a Lexus RX a while ago... beauty and the beast on the drive :as001 (2):
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,973
Personally I prefered the 2005MY facelift which is why I had one. All look great though - bear in mind that you can change the grill relatively easily if the car is right irrespecitve of that.

It will be good to have another Scottish Member. Both Graypaul and MP Supercars are great for servicing BTW.
 
N

nfm

Member
Messages
857
2005 Facelift (but I would say that wouldn't I) with the mesh grill. The grill is available in dark grey which is less flash than the chrome. I think the larger grill at the front and the modified bumper at the back is the best look of all as I am not a fan of the GS side skirts/spoiler. Horses for courses.

I thought the 2005 update involved a fair bit with GS suspension etc/7 spokes as standard.

Either way happy hunting - highly recommended.
 
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