Help, looking at a 3200

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Sam84

New Member
Messages
18
Hi everyone, I am new to Maserati cars, always had Alfa's in the past. I am looking at getting a manual 3200 and I have seen the following car for sale. although I do not like the wheel colour the rest of the car look good...

http://www.arunltd.com/cardesc/maserati-3200gt-coupe-fh-2dr-2460


1. Does anyone know the car?
2. Is there anything specifically I should be looking for with this car? I have read many buyers guides, just wondered if there was anything specific to this age/mileage I should pay extra attention to.

going to have a look Tuesday afternoon so any information before then would be much appreciated. Thank you, have a good weekend all!
Sam
 
2b1ask1

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,302
Hi Sam, Looks a lovely example and I'm sure members more local to you will jump in to help you. Oddly that is the very colour I'm looking to make my wheels! The wheels are Assetto Corsa or 4200 ones :)
 
Ian3200

Ian3200

Member
Messages
847
Looks a bit pricy given the mileage, when I was looking a little while ago, I found cars more reasonably priced with fewer miles, but looking at the car and the history is more important I know
 
M

MAF260

Member
Messages
7,662
Welcome to the forum. Take your time finding a good example - many owners have been parted with their cash a little too quickly as the heart blocks any sensible signals from the brain! That car will be due the (£1,500 - £2k) cam chain replacement at 68k miles. If it hasn't been done then you are facing a big bill soon.

Make sure that you get an independent inspection done on any prospective purchase. It could save you many £000s and a lot of heartache. Good luck with the search.
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Hi Sam,
That 3200 does not look in bad condition and the year if it is a 2001 model, has slight improvements over earlier cars..!! I know the mileage looks high, but the service history by Maserati Specialists, or dealers and condition including engine bay is vitally important. If you are interested, I would go for a reduction in price, I would definitely insist on an Independent Inspection, there is a list of specialists you can use on here (Independent Maserati Specialists), just put that in to the search box..!! An inspection will cost you £200/300, but it will cover everything and give you a true overview. It could save you £££££'s long term..!! The 3200 is a great car, but has to have been maintained..!!
Cheers
R
 
S

Sam84

New Member
Messages
18
Morning Folks,
Thank you very much for all of your input. Mileage on a car never bothers me as long as it has been looked after properly. The one thing that rang bells with this car is the big 68k service, which MAF kindly pointed out.

Ironic the wheels it has are desirable and I wasn't a fan.

I do want to buy from a dealer with a decent warranty, the faults these cars have are well known and when ironed out this is a great buy.
tragically I am already looking at exhausts and handling improvements... but no rush!
 
allandwf

allandwf

Member
Messages
11,004
Ask round some of the specialists, I don't think the chain change is as important as made out.
 
allandwf

allandwf

Member
Messages
11,004
Ask round some of the specialists, I don't think the chain change is as important as made out. Belts yes, chain debatable.
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
I think the chain adjusters are just as important and they can be replaced if the chain is good, but a specialist would tell you straight..!!
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
Best money you will spend at this stage Sam.......a costly car to put right, but once going well, fabulous!

An old adage always springs to mind......"Time spent on reconnaissance is rarely wasted!"


P
 
B

beau

Member
Messages
1,391
i decided the chain's would be fine, also no one has ever had a rear chain failure on a 3200, but i would recommend replacing the chain guides, i did mine my self, it was fairly easy job imo, and it cost less than £20.

note: the chain guides were cracking/worn on mine at 70,000 so i would ensure these are replaced at 68k, but chains should be fine.
 
M

MAF260

Member
Messages
7,662
allandwf said:
Ask round some of the specialists, I don't think the chain change is as important as made out.
Click to expand...
I have to disagree on this. It's part of the manufacturer's service schedule and IMO very important to the overall attention the car has had. There are plenty of things on cars which don't appear to require servicing/replacing, but we change them anyway as recommended. The only reason people fail to change the chains is cost. I wouldn't touch a 3200 that hadn't had the chains done at 68k as I would always be wondering what else the owner had skimped on.
i changed the chains early on my 3200, at about 55k from memory. The engine was out due to a snapped bolt in the head, so it made it more cost effective to have the chains done at the same time. I sold the car about a year later and with about 60k miles. I got absolute top money for the car; the buyer didn't even try to negotiate on price due to the condition and service history of the car. One of the times my OCD was beneficial!!
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,343
Sam, welcome ...That looks a lovely car...Don't know it but I think the wheel colour really suuits it as well..
 
S

Sam84

New Member
Messages
18
Still not had a chance to go and see the car. The guy I am dealing with seems very nice, by the way if anyone knows of anyone interested in a very good Alfa GTV Cup Edition from 2001 let me know.

I want an Maser!
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Sam,
If you were interested in a 3200 GTA Assetto Corsa, a member on here is selling one and they are excellent, a step up from a standard GT..!!
Cheers
R
 
Contigo

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
The chains get very loud when they are worn so I wouldn't let it worry you at all. Get it drive it and enjoy it.

I would watch out for these things.

1) check cam belt has been done relatively recently. (If not barter something off the ask and factor in £599 at a specialist like Mike Roberts)
2) check for clutch life, not easy to do but check the last time it was replaced as in town driving can result in wear as little as 20-30k miles.
3) ask if the car has history showing any end float issues with bottom end rebuild. The pull clutch on these car can cause problems but if there was an issue then it would have shown itself on a car with mileage like this one.
4) Look at the oil pressure gauge during the test drive and see it remains at 5 or just under for the full duration of the test drive.
5) Check the Throttle Body to see if it has been changed if not don't worry but that is THE achilles heel of the car and will annoy you with limp mode and CEL if it is on the way out.
6) Check the thermostat stay at a steady 90-100 (dead centre or just below) on the gauge as some of these thermostats do give grief.
7) Check the condition of the Radiator as they can need recoring.


Where are you based? If it is close I can come and look over the car and connect the OBD to scan for any codes.
 
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