Newbie looking for a 4200

[Neil_4200]

Morning folks,

I have just started searching for a 4200, well i say started, i have been window shopping for the last year or so, but i am now at the point that i cant resist any longer!

I have been a staunch BMW man for the last 11 years, but have loved Maseratis from a young age.

I'm looking for a late-ish facelifted 2004 / 2005, not against a non facelift as long as its low miles, nice spec and evidence its been well looked after.

I am a wee bit frustrated by some of the adverts online, a lot give very little detail and lets face it, details on service history, clutch wear etc etc is very important. I am in Aberdeen and most cars for sale are in England, so its not very practical to test drive / find the right one.

Here are a few i have been looking at, any thoughts? Anyone know any of these cars?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...e-v8-cambiocorsa-2005--facelift-model/1119529

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...0/maserati-coupe-v8-cambio-corsa-2005/1176416

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...quicksearch/true/radius/1500/page/2?logcode=p


A lot of folk dont seem to like red but i quite like this, for a non facelifted 4200, pictures are **** but have seen a few red ones with the same spec so know what they look like!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...b238hn/radius/1500/quicksearch/true?logcode=p


I LOVE this, but cant help but think they are rather optimistic with the price....?

http://www.autofficina.co.uk/used_car_maserati_coupe_coupe_10001.htm


As above with the price for this, lovely car but very expensive for a 2003 (has anyone on here fitted a stubby aerial in place of the mast on the 3/4 panel lol)

http://www.maseratiforum.co.uk/MASERATI_4200_CAMBIOCORSA_FOR_SALE/m_73288/tm.htm


Any advice, things to look for etc very much appreciated,

Oh and finally has anyone ever had a 4200 and a Quattroporte, would they be similar running costs?

(Apologies for the long links, i havent sussed out how to shorten them yet....)

Thanks
Neil

 

[dickygrace]

Neil,

The first car looks good if the ppi stacks up, I know about the second car, been up for sale a while. The third one at Nuvola looks good too. The red private sale I've no idea about, the one at Autoficcina looks good value as it has Gransport wheels on it and they have a good reputation for preparing cars well. The last one is a little dear at £17k for a private sale and a pre-facelift car but it may be pristine.
Things to look for; condition and history most important and make sure you have it ppi'd by a reputable company. Late cars are very reliable indeed but only if you get a good example. There's loads of things to look for, think there's a buying guide on here somewhere. Regards running costs, I'd say a QP and a 4200 weren't far apart but the QP would probably cost a little more, parts are dearer as is servicing, along with fuel consumption, tyres etc but not a million miles apart. All the very best with your search.

 

[Parisien]

Welcome Neil, thanks for joining and taking that final step of Maserati ownership.

Regardless of what car you decide on, do get an indie specialist inspection done...this will confirm its perfect condition or highlight a number of costly put rights, amounting to many thousands, so either a point of negotiation or discount or walk away! Having said that a car that looks well, has a sheaf of invoices and drives as it should will probably stand out in your search.

Usually cars are dearer the neaerer to London you get, but not always.

Keep us up to speed in your search and good luck

P

 

[bigbob]

Welcome. These cars are now pretty old so buying on condition alone is relevant to my mind. An inspection is vital but be prepared for the cars to go wrong, usually just electronic glitches that a good motor electrician can fix.

Most cars will have some holes in their service history once they are a decade or so old so focus instead on condition and the report that the inspection garage produces. Nice stamps in a service book are of much less relevance IMHO as they just tell you that a car had a service of some description rather than what was done and receipts have often disappeared if a car is now on it's fifth or so owner.

 

[jerkmoans]

Howdy Neil: looks like you're fishing in similar waters to me! That Autoficcina beauty looks right up my alley: we'd better have a chat on pm if either of us is tempted to go for it so we don't end up bidding against one another in some crazed gazumping war! Best of luck with the search!

 

[Neil_4200]

Howdy Neil: looks like you're fishing in similar waters to me! That Autoficcina beauty looks right up my alley: we'd better have a chat on pm if either of us is tempted to go for it so we don't end up bidding against one another in some crazed gazumping war! Best of luck with the search!

Ha ha, no worries mate, feel free go for it. Its probably at the upper end of what i am currently willing to spend.
To be honest i think if i was going to push the boat out for that one. i would actually take a step back and push the boat out slightly further to get a GS, like Ronans lovely example. If you do happen to go to view any of the ones i have posted, please let me know what you think.

Thanks for the welcomes and useful information everyone!

Thanks
Neil

 

[Neil_4200]

I think Nuvola have just reduced one of their spyders, i think this was previously 19,990....?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../ab238hn/advert-type/dealer-stock?logcode=dsp

Edit : Thats spooky its gone down again since i posted that 5 mins ago, its now 16940, was 17990 a minute ago lol

 

[Neil_4200]

Neil,

The first car looks good if the ppi stacks up

Sorry if i sound thick here - PPI, do you mean HPI check or is this something else?
I guess the Nuvola cars would be safe from that point of view?

 

[Parisien]

If buying from a dealer, its up to them to ensure theres no finance etc and all is correct with the car............they are liable for any problems in this area, if you buy privately its buyer beware!

PPI maybe stands for Pre-Purchase-Inspection(?)




P

 

[Neil_4200]

If buying from a dealer, its up to them to ensure theres no finance etc and all is correct with the car............they are liable for any problems in this area, if you buy privately its buyer beware!

PPI maybe stands for Pre-Purchase-Inspection(?)


P

Thanks for that, makes sense.

 

[mjheathcote]

You do have to buy on condition rather than age now.
When I was buying a couple of years ago I saw some real dogs.
The preference is late face lift but I saw some bad low mileage face lifts!
In the end bought a low mileage pre-facelift (like to call them Classico!) that in comparison to everything else I viewed could not be compared against, and has proved a good buy.

 

[Parisien]

Good points Mike........condition and cared for.......backed up by indie inspection, done mainly due to possible first big bill for a clutch!

P

 

[Neil_4200]

Any thoughts on the nuvola coupe, it is advertised at £16,990, its also been online for a while now.
What should i be aiming at with regards to bargaining, i'm pretty sure they would come down a wee bit on price, especially if i dont have a trade in.

 

[Parisien]

I'd ask to check all paperwork, fine tooth comb, how many services, both mileage and annuals ( different), check it panel by panel, put it up on ramp and check underneath, on test drive listen for creaks or groans, from front and rear over rough surface and on hard braking....and I mean hard, bushes and suspension arms give bother, get an SD ready out for all faults and life left on clutch.....treat reading as +/- 20%.

Does she accelerate as you'd expect, feel powerful, handle well....usual stuff.....remember all faults found need fixed at a multiple of 2/3/4 times normal car....you are buying a supercar with supercar faults/problems which only accumulate as it gets older and cost the same as when 3 yrs old to fix



P

 

[Neil_4200]

Just had a reply back from them, i enquired about clutch wear through autotrader, it is measured at 58% wear.....so probably need done in 2-3 years or so i guess. I do 5k a year at the moment.

 

[Parisien]

Sounds reasonable......but still need to take it into account


P

 

[DaveT]

All very valid points above and good advice.

Just for the record I bought my first Masser from Nareman at Nuvola five years ago. On a pure measure of trust and professionalism I would have no hesitation dealing with them again - subject to it being the right car of course! Worth making a bid if you decide it is the right car for you.

Good luck with the search.

 

[Neil_4200]

All very valid points above and good advice.

Just for the record I bought my first Masser from Nareman at Nuvola five years ago. On a pure measure of trust and professionalism I would have no hesitation dealing with them again - subject to it being the right car of course! Worth making a bid if you decide it is the right car for you.

Good luck with the search.

Thanks Dave, it was Nareman that replied, so great info, thanks!

In terms of keys cards, i believe there should be two red key cards with the car, does that sound right?

 

[Felonious Crud]

Just for the record I bought my first Masser from Nareman at Nuvola five years ago. On a pure measure of trust and professionalism I would have no hesitation dealing with them again - subject to it being the right car of course! Worth making a bid if you decide it is the right car for you.

Likewise. Top man, consumate professional, decent and honest. And, critically, OCD with his cars. I've heard the same of our very own Dicky Grace, too. Personally I'd not hesitate in buying a car from either of them.

 

[Parisien]

Thanks Dave, it was Nareman that replied, so great info, thanks!

In terms of keys cards, i believe there should be two red key cards with the car, does that sound right?

Sounds good, check you have both code cards........too


P