Car inspections and gearboxes

[mjheathcote]

£36k for a 928?? I don't follow the prices of these, but thought they were pretty much unloved and had prices to match their desirability.

£20k is really top price, they are 20 years old.
The dealer selling it thinks the same but is under instruction of the owner!

 

[hodroyd]

Never get that sort of money for a 928..!!

 

[TMSpyder]

To continue my comprehensive survey of interesting looking Spyders I don't end up buying - this one looks like it might be worth a gander, however North Wales is a long long way away...Do any of you know this car?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MASERATI-...2768123?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item233168347b

 

[hodroyd]

TM,
What do you mean N.Wales is a long long way, it's a couple of hours..?? Car looks nice condition and low miles for the year, but you will need Autoshield or someone up there to take a look for you..!!
Cheers
R

 

[dickygrace]

I'll go and look if you like, I'm passing on Weds eve or Saturday morning. Top money for an '02 car. I can't do an inspection but I could tell you whether it's worth paying £250-£300 for an inspection!

 

[dem maser]

top money for an older car......

 

[hodroyd]

Ask if the seller will take it to Autoshield for a full inspection, if they say yes, get them to do it. Seller does not sound as though they know Maserati's well, so in it for the money and it is a high price. If they back away from an inspection, best left alone..!!

 

[TMSpyder]

Thanks all, sound like good ideas - haven't got any free time for a bit so won't be able to make it there myself currently (I admit it's only about 4 hrs from London!) Would want to buy at less than that price though in spite of the low mileage, or get some decent money PX on my S2000...

 

[dickygrace]

It's 2.5 hours Euston to Colwyn Bay on the train, not too bad, no need for HS2!

 

[hodroyd]

That could be a nice day out TM and you might buy a Maserati..??

 

[TMSpyder]

I suppose when you put it like that I could be tempted (Virgin want the usual arm/leg for the ticket but that's going to be peanuts compared to the average Mazzer bill!) Will have to check with 'er indoors...meant to be going to Brighton on a car from 1902 this weekend but could squeeze a more modern journey in around it!

 

[zagatoes30]

There aren't that many around and you have to follow up on any that come available to ensure that you can balance off the differing prices, specs, condition etc.

I wasn't seriously looking but when what appeared to be a decent car came up I made the effort to go and see it twice. it was more than I wanted to spend and 4 months earlier than I had planned but it was in good condition, it went through an independent inspection with nothing major and it is now sitting outside. I have always followed the same plan with cars, buy the best you can afford as bringing a bad 'un back always costs more.

Hopefully the one I have bought will repay this faith.

 

[hodroyd]

Full agreement with that Zagato..!!

 

[TMSpyder]

Thanks guys, I know you're right really - they are super rare and I don't want to end up with the wrong run so need enough to compare with! Spoke to the guy last night and hopefully setting something up, Dicky very kindly said he would take an initial look to qualify but I feel a day trip to the North Wales coast coming along...

 

[TMSpyder]

...and another one has just turned up on Autotrader. Same colours, higher miles, less money and nearer - however it's a manual. Whilst the CC is one of the key benefits of the car, I would assume the manual costs less to maintain (less clutch wear, fewer relays/F1 pumps to worry about) and is presumably easier to deal with in stop-start traffic as with a real clutch you know when it's feathering and when it's not.

Has anyone had a manual and does it ruin the fun? Or is it just a matter of taste..?

 

[CatmanV2]

Consensus seems impossible on that question. Mostly a matter of taste as far as I can tell. Personally I'd not have a manual after the CC, and I don't *think* there's much evidence of cheaper running for the manual.

C

 

[hodroyd]

Best bet is for you to drive them both, if you have not driven a paddle change, they take a few miles to get used to but then they are great..!!

 

[TMSpyder]

The more I've read the more I think I want the CC given that the manual has a pretty poor reputation (and in fact was described as the opposite of the s2000's gearbox!) so I'll wait for that. Also the integration with the skyhook system and the fact that it's partly what the car was famous for means I'm going to stick with CC.

The main thing that concerns me about that North Wales one is the slight lift at the rear of the hood when it's up according to the pictures - Has anyone seen that symptom before and has it been serious? I'm not worried about the aesthetics but don't fancy a bill for a new roof too soon!

 

[zagatoes30]

After putting a few hundred miles on my Spyder CC I can confirm it really is rather good. Like anything new it just takes a bit of getting use to but once warm it works fine both in traffic and when pushing on.

Must admit the more I drive the more I am convinced that this is the right car for me.

 

[safrane]

I think one of the tension wires may have snapped as your hood looks like my Golf when the sam happend