4200 manual gearchange

[barrettabolt]

Hi all,

been lurking around here for a little while, I'm an ex 3200 owner back in the early part of the century (which I loved), finally decided to swap the current toy (Caterham) for a 4200 for some extra seat goodness and to get back to Maser.

I went and drove a 4200 manual today, which I'd definitely prefer to a CC, I miss getting to play with a manual gearbox in my everyday car. The car was a little tired in general. I noticed that the gearchange was somewhat recalcitrant into first, and from first to second. I do seem to remember the gearchange not being the finest when I tried the 4200 at launch.

Is this a common problem? Is it something that can be adjusted to improve?

P.S. if anyone knows of a nice 4200 manual, preferably post facelift, with a light coloured interior, I'm in the market!

 

[highlander]

Welcome aboard and nice choice of car.......even if you are going down the pecking order from a 3200! Lol
I think PK supercars have a manual 42 on sale, might be worth a call for more info as a start.

 

[miket]

The manuals are known to have problems (occasionally) but they can have the cable linkages adjusted, so I believe.

 

[barrettabolt]

Welcome aboard and nice choice of car.......even if you are going down the pecking order from a 3200! Lol
I think PK supercars have a manual 42 on sale, might be worth a call for more info as a start.

Nice shout on the PK Supercars front, that does look very nice.

Any idea if any of the changes post facelift (05) were significant? From reading about a bit, it seems like some of the Gransport suspension and steering changes were filtered through to the regular model, although mainly comments seem to be regarding improving the cambiocorsa gearchange speed / quality

 

[highlander]

Nice shout on the PK Supercars front, that does look very nice.

Any idea if any of the changes post facelift (05) were significant? From reading about a bit, it seems like some of the Gransport suspension and steering changes were filtered through to the regular model, although mainly comments seem to be regarding improving the cambiocorsa gearchange speed / quality

Sorry I'm pretty ignorant re the 42, but hopefully a 42r will be along soon to clarify the differences between the facelift and earlier models other than cosmetic for you.

 

[nfm]

The shift is fine on mine and has never been adjusted. It is a tad notchy when cold but that passes quickly.

 

[DaveT]

1st to 2nd a bit notchy is normal in my experience with my previous 4200 manual.

 

[Angelus]

As posted, a wee bit notchy from 1st to 2nd when cold, but never been an issue.

 

[barrettabolt]

OK, so as I thought, should not be like wrestling a 1976 Dumper Truck into gear on a frosty morning. Has anyone here ever had the cables adjusted?

 

[alfatwo]

Stuck back there without heat from the engine the oil takes an age to warm up,maybe a change to a more modern gear oil might help

Or just buy yourself another 3200GT

Dave

 

[jluis]

Stuck back there without heat from the engine the oil takes an age to warm up,maybe a change to a more modern gear oil might help

Or just buy yourself another 3200GT

Dave

+1 to the 3200

 

[hladun]

I have a 2002 4200 Spyder 6MT. I adjusted the linkage when I got the car (easy job). Poor adjustment mainly results in 2nd -reverse interference. (When in 2nd the shift lever should be able to move about 1/2" over to the stop.) Transmission is a bit stiff when cold (0 C) but it warms up quickly. 1st and 2nd can be a bit notchy but I find it's mainly because the spring wants to pull you to the 3-4 line so you have to shift deliberately. In all, it's easy to drive and the transmission works well. You end up with a very bulletproof car that doesn't leave you sitting not able to shift into gear like the CC does.

 

[Needamaser]

If you are serious on a manual then as highlander says the PK car is probably the best you will get.
I looked at it before I bought mine and on balance decided I wanted the cc.
The manual as far as I know has had new clutch, discs, tyres and serviced and pampered within an inch of its life.
It has had the cables adjusted/replaced and I am told changes smoothly in all gears.
The present owner knows his Maseratis and you should really make a call to them to get the full picture.
Just my 2p worth.

 

[barrettabolt]

I absolutely loved the 3200GT. Sold a 10 month old shiney new M5 for the shiney new 3200 because it was just so much MORE. Metallic black, pale grey interior with black piping. Many adventures to Le Mans, Nurburgring and Monaco, amongst other places. Best car I ever owned. Sounded like an expensive powerboat on idle, went like a hot turd off a digger on boost. My son spent the first 2 years of his life in a car seat being transported in the front seat AND HE DOESN'T REMEMBER IT!! Sad day when it went. Other than the CEL that frequently showed up (eventually adjusted out by Maranello), oh and when it was two weeks old and the drivers door wouldn't close and my wife had to drive it onto the low loader, it was easily the best, most charismatic, challenging, most enjoyable car I've ever owned, for all its faults. I have a picture somewhere of the speedo showing an obviously lying 182mph and many others of great adventures. X636HMO if anyone knows where she is.

However...

Never go back, life is too short. There are too many cars to have fun with to have the same car twice. The 4200 engine is epic, if only they had have kept the boomerangs....

 

[barrettabolt]

If you are serious on a manual then as highlander says the PK car is probably the best you will get.
I looked at it before I bought mine and on balance decided I wanted the cc.
The manual as far as I know has had new clutch, discs, tyres and serviced and pampered within an inch of its life.
It has had the cables adjusted/replaced and I am told changes smoothly in all gears.
The present owner knows his Maseratis and you should really make a call to them to get the full picture.
Just my 2p worth.

Well that is strong advice, and I will take it. phone call will be made.

So, any idea what changed (excluding obvious interior and wheels) after the '05 facelift?

 

[Contigo]

The gear change in a 3200 manual can be notchy when cold that's for sure but once warm it is nice and positive. If I bought a 4200 I would get the CC box as it is very nice.