Marti
Member
- Messages
- 358
Hi guys,
Thought I write down how my new 3200 has performed and my honest thoughts after a months ownership, I know a only a month isn't a true reflection so was thinking maybe do another thread in a few months and another after 1 year!?
Well my history is that I'm a builder/developer so all my cars are for weekend/fun, (vans during the week) I'm 46 with 3 boys all petrol heads, I'm lucky that my wife shares my love for the Maserati brand so funding my habit is easier than most!!
After 6 years of ownership of a new QP sport GT which we loved and was ideal as the kids were smaller so had to take then everywhere, (brilliant family car) the buzz faded a bit mainly do to having it stolen (and recovered) and waiting close on 9 months for the insurance company to release it, then to top it off our main dealer smashing the rear end to pieces while they had it in for a service ( mention no names but look where I'm from and what dealer is close!) so she went last summer and started to look for a new maser to give me my fix! After a couple of months of looking at various models and price ranges we both got hooked on the shape and looks of the 3200 and the idea of saving one and looking after one for bit of "Maserati Therapy" well we looked at a far view private and trade and and we went went for the cheapest from a private sale!!!! Bet you all thinking what an idiot, well my theory Behind my madness is that I don't trust anybody and what ever3200 a purchased I be spending money on it to get it up to spec, the one I went for was a 2002 with full service history mainly from Galio in Kent, I contacted them and all was good they had looked after the car for the last 5 years and a main dealer before them and all the work needed to be done has been. So all good, hpi was all clear insurance quote was cheap so went for it got the bank details of the guy and forwarded my money over to him, and collected her. When I got her on the M25 bloody **** I couldn't believe how good she was and fell in love all over again! The feel was a lot sportier than the QP and a lot more responsive you could really notice the smaller size of the 3200. Loved the journey home all went well with no lights coming on, I knew from me inspecting the car prior to buying the brakes need doing and the tyres were ****. Got home and then straight to Bill McGrath Maserati to give her a overall service etc etc. Paul came back with a list of recommendation but nothing major and nothing urgent and saying she was not bad at all!!! BM kept her for a week and did their magic (still more to do from BM but that be after Xmas)
I honestly can't believe how much I enjoy driving her the speed and excitement is brill yes the brakes are rubbish and it doesn't help I got the worst set of rubbers on ever made, the noise when you get to 100 is heaven , the pick up from doing 120 is a lot better than the QP 120 to 160 in about 2 seconds. I think she would handle a bit better on slighter lower springs you do get a bit of body roll around the country lanes, some one said you can do 10mm lower on the original springs so going to try this but the sport seats keep you in position so not too bothered. the inside is all good and once i work out how to use the sat nav on the Becker it be even better!! but overall very very impressed with a car under £7k yes I need to spend £4kish to get her how I would like but I think I would needed to do that if I spent £15k . I report back with any more comments as I drive her more. Thanks Martin
Thought I write down how my new 3200 has performed and my honest thoughts after a months ownership, I know a only a month isn't a true reflection so was thinking maybe do another thread in a few months and another after 1 year!?
Well my history is that I'm a builder/developer so all my cars are for weekend/fun, (vans during the week) I'm 46 with 3 boys all petrol heads, I'm lucky that my wife shares my love for the Maserati brand so funding my habit is easier than most!!
After 6 years of ownership of a new QP sport GT which we loved and was ideal as the kids were smaller so had to take then everywhere, (brilliant family car) the buzz faded a bit mainly do to having it stolen (and recovered) and waiting close on 9 months for the insurance company to release it, then to top it off our main dealer smashing the rear end to pieces while they had it in for a service ( mention no names but look where I'm from and what dealer is close!) so she went last summer and started to look for a new maser to give me my fix! After a couple of months of looking at various models and price ranges we both got hooked on the shape and looks of the 3200 and the idea of saving one and looking after one for bit of "Maserati Therapy" well we looked at a far view private and trade and and we went went for the cheapest from a private sale!!!! Bet you all thinking what an idiot, well my theory Behind my madness is that I don't trust anybody and what ever3200 a purchased I be spending money on it to get it up to spec, the one I went for was a 2002 with full service history mainly from Galio in Kent, I contacted them and all was good they had looked after the car for the last 5 years and a main dealer before them and all the work needed to be done has been. So all good, hpi was all clear insurance quote was cheap so went for it got the bank details of the guy and forwarded my money over to him, and collected her. When I got her on the M25 bloody **** I couldn't believe how good she was and fell in love all over again! The feel was a lot sportier than the QP and a lot more responsive you could really notice the smaller size of the 3200. Loved the journey home all went well with no lights coming on, I knew from me inspecting the car prior to buying the brakes need doing and the tyres were ****. Got home and then straight to Bill McGrath Maserati to give her a overall service etc etc. Paul came back with a list of recommendation but nothing major and nothing urgent and saying she was not bad at all!!! BM kept her for a week and did their magic (still more to do from BM but that be after Xmas)
I honestly can't believe how much I enjoy driving her the speed and excitement is brill yes the brakes are rubbish and it doesn't help I got the worst set of rubbers on ever made, the noise when you get to 100 is heaven , the pick up from doing 120 is a lot better than the QP 120 to 160 in about 2 seconds. I think she would handle a bit better on slighter lower springs you do get a bit of body roll around the country lanes, some one said you can do 10mm lower on the original springs so going to try this but the sport seats keep you in position so not too bothered. the inside is all good and once i work out how to use the sat nav on the Becker it be even better!! but overall very very impressed with a car under £7k yes I need to spend £4kish to get her how I would like but I think I would needed to do that if I spent £15k . I report back with any more comments as I drive her more. Thanks Martin