I'm very excited for your new purchase! Always loved those Maserati's, and for an attainable exotic - with a FERRARI V8 - you just can't do any better! My hat's off to you! Oh and just so you know, I may be basing my decision to get one partly on your experiences.
Oh no - I’ve just come across this (found you via the Influenza) - always loved these - especially the earlier 3200GT with the hockey stick tail lights
Congrats on the purchase I've been following you from The forum at sportsmaserati😉. It's a very nice example of the grand sport.. Looking forward to your exhaust mod. Best wishes Duke
Congratulations mate. She looks a beauty! Fantastic colour combo - Looking forward to hear more about it. Would never have thought you'd be able to pick that up for around £15k. I want one!
Hey Ewan.. as mentioned in the video mine was quite a bit more than £15K.. you can get a very similar normal 4200 for that money but the GranSport is more like £26K
Currently being the owner of a Gransport (for 8 years) and a MB W220 (for 4 years) - I also had a AR 147 for more than 4 years prior - I can reproduce the "pain" you went through with these cars. However, they are easier to maintain than most of the current cars. Therefore these are almost a bargain compared to modern ones.
Ha, just watched your Influenzo video and saw this. I'm in the process of buying a Granturismo S. The long wait is on, gonna be about two weeks to get it here.
Nice one for going full Italian. Looked like Box Hill at the start? Last time I drove up there some nutter tore the wing mirror off my Alfa! Looking forward to the review, always considered one of these for ownership.
Wondering if the Lancia Thema 8.32 is the "cheapest" way into Ferrari powered saloons or GT's. And it's a real classic by today. Really like these underdogs and sleeper cars
I was looking at one to tell you the truth but the reliability was a downside...I drive a 350Z at the moment and its bullet proof haha. Maybe one day soon. The cars you've picked are on my list too
I have the roadster as i thought everyone and his dog drives the coupe haha. It really is a great everyday car - i have the early DE version but the later HR engine is the one to go for.
Excellent choice, you must have taken a lot of brave pills before taking the plunge! We're so lucky having such a great used car market in the UK. Imagine the cost of this in the US/AUS/parts of Asia!
Over here in Aus these are $50,000 AUD to $60,000 AUD and appreciating - I'm not sure what that is in pounds but I dont think it would be far off (most of our Gransports seem to be UK imports).
Considered that but I think for a decent, non mega-miles 8.32 you're looking at least at £20K.. hard to say as so few are sold. And yes the clips with the Lotus are from Cheddar! this was the video: ua-cam.com/video/a7WOWDB8YXo/v-deo.html
I thought so... I was there in the weekend - first Brecon, then Cheddar, and then the 'secret place' by the west coast, all in one day ;) I didn't check Thema prices, just thinking, well, it's a Thema, after all...
Im abit puzzled bro. I thought youd already loooked at this car and he wanted 26k for it? You offered 25.5 and he refused. Can you fill me in? as it was in your video when you were deciding the next car .Is this the Cambiocorsa? or is that just the standard 4200? Excellent vids bro. Im a Type R,GSI man myself lol.
Hey, he'd id refuse my offer but got back in touch a couple of weeks later as the other buyer fell through! This is the GranSport, so it used the Cambocorsa gear change but is different to the standard car in various ways. Engine is blueprinted and hand built at Ferrari, different seats, carbon bits, bodykit and slightly stiffer suspension.
Excellent bro, sounds lovely too. What do you think about Type R? EP3? old shape, FN2,FK2 or todays madman the FK8? Not your cup of tea? Classic car is their own right but not a classic like a Maserati obviously which i think is on par with an Aston Martin.
I wish !!. I did have an SLK350 (2005) which had a great engine but I just couldn't get the best of it with the auto box (no paddles) however it could have been my complete lack of skill with autos at the time. Generally I found I was just cruising about but when I wanted to accelerate quickly the box would kick down 2 gears and then it would go mental fast, I just never felt i,I could modulate the power for a 'sports' car. The massive torque of your engine will probably overcome the issues I had.
Lovely car, I'm insanely jealous, miss my one. If you get a "suspension" light on it will be the throttle potentiometer. When I had mine the dealer took five attempts to fix it, they even changed the suspension computer. Also if you get random dash lights come on, just use the battery disconnect/reconnect that seems to reset everything... Leave it in sport mode all the time and manual, normal and auto is rubbish. Finally avoid traffic s the F1 gearbox is crap in traffic.
Peter Gadsby Hi Pete, Im looking at this car as replacement to my M3. My short commute to work does involve some stop start traffic. Will that completely annihilate the clutch? Do I have to put the car in neutral every time I come to a stop? Also, I heard the heater stops working on these cars....?
Rick J I have one too and do often drive in traffic here in Sydney Australia so in no particular order:Will traffic annihilate the clutch? I don't think so. Is it good for it? Don't think so either. I can't answer this question more precisely as I do not know my current clutch wear use but what I can suggest is that you should drive it like a manual in traffic and try and get the clutch to engage quickly. To be honest, on my last Alfa 916 GTV V6 I installed a 4 puck racing clutch that I wore out in 10,000 km whereas this is going well past that already, so I think clutch wear is somewhat higher than a fully manual car driven normally but lower than a crazy racing clutch/frequently launched manual car - I'm hoping for somewhere between 20,000 and 40,000 km on the clutch. What I am installing and I have heard helps is the Drive By Wire module from Formula Dynamics - apparently this greatly speeds up clutch engagement and should help with clutch wear. Do you have to put the car in neutral when you come to a stop? No, but I generally do so and I would recommend so and here is why - when you downshift through the gears coming to a stop in ordinary leisurely driving conditions, you can feel the clutch bite on every downshift with a strong deceleration that I actually compensate for by letting off the brakes - you get a wonderful blipping noise doing it, but I definitely think that having the clutch engage 2 or 3 times coming to a stop is worse for it than putting the car in neutral when stopping at a traffic light. Not to mention mroe jerky. I dont worry about it too much and will blip down through the gears when i feel like it, and put it in neutral and brake to a stop when im just driving normally. It is not an issue either way and you'll easily get used to it. Be aware that the gearbox is not the world's most modern and is a bit dim witted and slow if you catch it off guard (eg, if you put it in neutral coming to a stop, but suddenly want to accelerate again, shifting up the car will auto select a gear, but generally 1 higher than you need - so you end up downshifting again and then accelerating). What should greatly assist here is Formula Dynamic's Drive By Wire module, which I have bought but have yet to install. I would recommend getting one to improve the responsiveness.Heater cores can be an issue yes and are a fiddly DIY fix or expensive mechanic fix due to it being burried behind the dash. However, you can bypass the heater core and run without it if necessary as an interim solution. I would recommend that you get a PPI and that one of the issues they focus on is checking for evidence of heater core issues/leaks or previous leaks - I think there are improved parts available to fix the issue, but it is one of the areas of design weakness in the car. Generally its a great car but be aware that it is NOT trouble free - or at least mine has not been, compared to even my previous Alfa 916 GTV V6. I've not had major issues either, but it is generally about twice as expensive to maintain as the alfa was. You have to be prepared to put the time, googling and sometimes funds in to keep it running right as its no ordinary car. But this has not dampened my enthusiasm for it at all, as the satisfaction of owning and driving it and the positive reactions from almost everyone who sees it makes it easily worthwhile. In the end it is a cheap exotic to buy, moderately expensive to maintain (I doubt it'd be orders of magnitude more than your M3 however, as that's not particularly cheap either I'm sure) and pretty expensive to repair due to rarity of drivetrain and parts if major repairs are needed (eg major accident, engine replacement, drivetrain replacement etc - my understanding is second hand drivetrain is $10,000 AUD or so, engine about that as well, etc). However, I'm sure an M3 is not cheap to repair either, so to be honest, I think you are fairly well prepared for it if you can afford to maintain and run an M3. It's certainly not Ferrari running and repair costs - it is much more affordable than that.
I'm very excited for your new purchase! Always loved those Maserati's, and for an attainable exotic - with a FERRARI V8 - you just can't do any better! My hat's off to you! Oh and just so you know, I may be basing my decision to get one partly on your experiences.
I'm very excited for your new purchase! Always loved those Maserati's, and for an attainable exotic - with a FERRARI V8 - you just can't do any better! My hat's off to you! Oh and just so you know, I may be basing my decision to get one partly on your experiences.
That's great to know Stephen, I think one of the standard cars at £15K is an absolute bargain...!! Loving it so far..
Number27 how bad is the fuel compared to a E46 M3? I get 16mpg in my m3 at the moment. Also how bad is the dreaded clutch issue?
Oh no - I’ve just come across this (found you via the Influenza) - always loved these - especially the earlier 3200GT with the hockey stick tail lights
Congrats on the purchase I've been following you from The forum at sportsmaserati😉. It's a very nice example of the grand sport..
Looking forward to your exhaust mod.
Best wishes
Duke
Thanks for watching!! Hope to get the exhausts back early next week!
Congratulations mate. She looks a beauty! Fantastic colour combo - Looking forward to hear more about it. Would never have thought you'd be able to pick that up for around £15k. I want one!
Hey Ewan.. as mentioned in the video mine was quite a bit more than £15K.. you can get a very similar normal 4200 for that money but the GranSport is more like £26K
Congrats for your Maserati, mate. Fun to see how excited you are with it. Enjoy it ! It's like the "familiar" GT Ferrari 430
Exactly!! Should get the modified exhaust back in a few days!! Video to follow soon!!!
I have the 90th anniversary Spyder... awesome car
Currently being the owner of a Gransport (for 8 years) and a MB W220 (for 4 years) - I also had a AR 147 for more than 4 years prior - I can reproduce the "pain" you went through with these cars. However, they are easier to maintain than most of the current cars. Therefore these are almost a bargain compared to modern ones.
Very nice, loving the interior. As you stated, shame they deleted the Boomerang back lights but well done Sir on what looks a great purchase.
strongbowism thanks dude.. it's an awful lot of car for the money. The interior is very lush!! What next? Maybe an XKR?
Ha, just watched your Influenzo video and saw this. I'm in the process of buying a Granturismo S. The long wait is on, gonna be about two weeks to get it here.
Congrats, good looking motor....pop round when exhaust sorted!
Will do!
Beautiful shape.....even better with the boomerang rear lights
What a superb package for the price. Looking forward to hearing the new exhaust.
Thanks Alex, I am very exited about it... can't use it right now as the exhausts are away being modified!!
Nice one for going full Italian. Looked like Box Hill at the start? Last time I drove up there some nutter tore the wing mirror off my Alfa! Looking forward to the review, always considered one of these for ownership.
I always loved this car, like you I've always thought the original lights were so much prettier, but still a beauty, I'd have had that colour too.
Agreed, originals look better but these one have grown on me... all in all i really like the car
Great car for the money. Keep making lots of vids!
Hey rose, thanks for watching, glad you like the car and the videos!!
Wondering if the Lancia Thema 8.32 is the "cheapest" way into Ferrari powered saloons or GT's. And it's a real classic by today. Really like these underdogs and sleeper cars
Nice looking car. Looking forward to hearing the exhaust upgrade!
Anthony Gray sent them off today!! I'll get an update out ASAP!
Awesome choice! Cant wait to see the full review
Carl Harvey cheers Carl... maybe you get one too?
I was looking at one to tell you the truth but the reliability was a downside...I drive a 350Z at the moment and its bullet proof haha. Maybe one day soon. The cars you've picked are on my list too
Hey, the 350Z was on my list too!! not sure if I'll get round to it but i'll try, very cool cars those!
I have the roadster as i thought everyone and his dog drives the coupe haha. It really is a great everyday car - i have the early DE version but the later HR engine is the one to go for.
Excellent choice, you must have taken a lot of brave pills before taking the plunge!
We're so lucky having such a great used car market in the UK. Imagine the cost of this in the US/AUS/parts of Asia!
Edwin Scott after the Esprit it did not seem like such a brave choice!! 😂
Over here in Aus these are $50,000 AUD to $60,000 AUD and appreciating - I'm not sure what that is in pounds but I dont think it would be far off (most of our Gransports seem to be UK imports).
Here in the US good ones are $20,000-$30,000
It's gorgeous! Congrats!
Carlos Orue thanks Carlos, quite happy with this one too.. not sure I'll love it like the Esprit but we will see!
The cheapest Ferrari engined car should be the Lancia Thema 8.32. Are those Lotus clips around the 1 min mark shot outside Cheddar?
Considered that but I think for a decent, non mega-miles 8.32 you're looking at least at £20K.. hard to say as so few are sold. And yes the clips with the Lotus are from Cheddar! this was the video: ua-cam.com/video/a7WOWDB8YXo/v-deo.html
I thought so... I was there in the weekend - first Brecon, then Cheddar, and then the 'secret place' by the west coast, all in one day ;) I didn't check Thema prices, just thinking, well, it's a Thema, after all...
Flowmaster two chamber mufflers would sound awesome on this.
Congratulations !
they are going up fast.
love these engines, maybe a bit expensive maintenance wise
Absolutely.. way too expensive!!
still if i had the money i would ... (where is my winning lottery ticket damn)
Im abit puzzled bro. I thought youd already loooked at this car and he wanted 26k for it? You offered 25.5 and he refused. Can you fill me in? as it was in your video when you were deciding the next car .Is this the Cambiocorsa? or is that just the standard 4200? Excellent vids bro. Im a Type R,GSI man myself lol.
Hey, he'd id refuse my offer but got back in touch a couple of weeks later as the other buyer fell through! This is the GranSport, so it used the Cambocorsa gear change but is different to the standard car in various ways. Engine is blueprinted and hand built at Ferrari, different seats, carbon bits, bodykit and slightly stiffer suspension.
Excellent bro, sounds lovely too. What do you think about Type R? EP3? old shape, FN2,FK2 or todays madman the FK8? Not your cup of tea? Classic car is their own right but not a classic like a Maserati obviously which i think is on par with an Aston Martin.
Lovely example, I am wondering how you will get on with that gearbox..........
Col yes... I do wonder myself but I think I'll get used to it.. you used one?
I wish !!. I did have an SLK350 (2005) which had a great engine but I just couldn't get the best of it with the auto box (no paddles) however it could have been my complete lack of skill with autos at the time. Generally I found I was just cruising about but when I wanted to accelerate quickly the box would kick down 2 gears and then it would go mental fast, I just never felt i,I could modulate the power for a 'sports' car. The massive torque of your engine will probably overcome the issues I had.
I think Maserati's are beautiful.
What a stunningly beautiful ar, in and out, can’t wait to heat it, bless your wallet, gallons per mile hehe, awesome.
Lovely car, I'm insanely jealous, miss my one. If you get a "suspension" light on it will be the throttle potentiometer. When I had mine the dealer took five attempts to fix it, they even changed the suspension computer. Also if you get random dash lights come on, just use the battery disconnect/reconnect that seems to reset everything... Leave it in sport mode all the time and manual, normal and auto is rubbish. Finally avoid traffic s the F1 gearbox is crap in traffic.
Thanks for the advice Peter!
Peter Gadsby Hi Pete, Im looking at this car as replacement to my M3. My short commute to work does involve some stop start traffic. Will that completely annihilate the clutch? Do I have to put the car in neutral every time I come to a stop? Also, I heard the heater stops working on these cars....?
Rick J I have one too and do often drive in traffic here in Sydney Australia so in no particular order:Will traffic annihilate the clutch? I don't think so. Is it good for it? Don't think so either. I can't answer this question more precisely as I do not know my current clutch wear use but what I can suggest is that you should drive it like a manual in traffic and try and get the clutch to engage quickly. To be honest, on my last Alfa 916 GTV V6 I installed a 4 puck racing clutch that I wore out in 10,000 km whereas this is going well past that already, so I think clutch wear is somewhat higher than a fully manual car driven normally but lower than a crazy racing clutch/frequently launched manual car - I'm hoping for somewhere between 20,000 and 40,000 km on the clutch. What I am installing and I have heard helps is the Drive By Wire module from Formula Dynamics - apparently this greatly speeds up clutch engagement and should help with clutch wear.
Do you have to put the car in neutral when you come to a stop? No, but I generally do so and I would recommend so and here is why - when you downshift through the gears coming to a stop in ordinary leisurely driving conditions, you can feel the clutch bite on every downshift with a strong deceleration that I actually compensate for by letting off the brakes - you get a wonderful blipping noise doing it, but I definitely think that having the clutch engage 2 or 3 times coming to a stop is worse for it than putting the car in neutral when stopping at a traffic light. Not to mention mroe jerky. I dont worry about it too much and will blip down through the gears when i feel like it, and put it in neutral and brake to a stop when im just driving normally. It is not an issue either way and you'll easily get used to it.
Be aware that the gearbox is not the world's most modern and is a bit dim witted and slow if you catch it off guard (eg, if you put it in neutral coming to a stop, but suddenly want to accelerate again, shifting up the car will auto select a gear, but generally 1 higher than you need - so you end up downshifting again and then accelerating). What should greatly assist here is Formula Dynamic's Drive By Wire module, which I have bought but have yet to install. I would recommend getting one to improve the responsiveness.Heater cores can be an issue yes and are a fiddly DIY fix or expensive mechanic fix due to it being burried behind the dash. However, you can bypass the heater core and run without it if necessary as an interim solution. I would recommend that you get a PPI and that one of the issues they focus on is checking for evidence of heater core issues/leaks or previous leaks - I think there are improved parts available to fix the issue, but it is one of the areas of design weakness in the car.
Generally its a great car but be aware that it is NOT trouble free - or at least mine has not been, compared to even my previous Alfa 916 GTV V6. I've not had major issues either, but it is generally about twice as expensive to maintain as the alfa was. You have to be prepared to put the time, googling and sometimes funds in to keep it running right as its no ordinary car. But this has not dampened my enthusiasm for it at all, as the satisfaction of owning and driving it and the positive reactions from almost everyone who sees it makes it easily worthwhile.
In the end it is a cheap exotic to buy, moderately expensive to maintain (I doubt it'd be orders of magnitude more than your M3 however, as that's not particularly cheap either I'm sure) and pretty expensive to repair due to rarity of drivetrain and parts if major repairs are needed (eg major accident, engine replacement, drivetrain replacement etc - my understanding is second hand drivetrain is $10,000 AUD or so, engine about that as well, etc). However, I'm sure an M3 is not cheap to repair either, so to be honest, I think you are fairly well prepared for it if you can afford to maintain and run an M3. It's certainly not Ferrari running and repair costs - it is much more affordable than that.
give me the 308
I'm very excited for your new purchase! Always loved those Maserati's, and for an attainable exotic - with a FERRARI V8 - you just can't do any better! My hat's off to you! Oh and just so you know, I may be basing my decision to get one partly on your experiences.