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MaseratiForumMaserati Cars3200GT, 4200 Coupe/Spyder, GranSport Decisions: DB7 v M3 v 996 v 4200GT

Decisions: DB7 v M3 v 996 v 4200GT

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5/6/2009 14:24:55  
 

Posts: 8
Since: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Over the winter it is my intention to fill a whole in my garage with a weekend only coupe which I will keep for 10 years or so.
 
Shortlist is down to:
 
2001 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage
2003 Porsche 996 C4S
2004 Maserati 4200 GT
2004 BMW E46 M3
 
I will post this thread on the various marque forums to even out home team advantage but would really appreciate opinions on reliability, running costs and smiles per gallon.
 
Hope fully some of you guys will have owned more than 1 of these and are able to compare but any opinion would be valuable.
 
Cheers
5/6/2009 14:49:27  
 

Posts: 28
Since: 24/7/2008
Status: offline 		Well I can offer my personal opinion based on experience of owning a XKR (not the same as the DB7, did test drive one) then E46 M3 Cab smg, followed by 996C4 cab and current Gransport! So almost covered all the bases there, Aston on test drive felt slow and unweildy but very pretty at the time, not sure it is dating that well and the fiesta switch gear felt low grade for such a pemium car (many of the same problems with the XKR, great in a straight line but dont show it a corner!!) The M3 was brilliant to drive, quicker in my opinion day to day than the 911 C4, planted in corners, sounded great in a metallic screaming way and remarkbly practical, negatives to me were didnt feel special to walk up to and drive and service costs/warrantly renewal with BMW were comically high, not sure its aging well looks wise either. The C4 Cab is obviously no 4S but broadly the same beast, again great to drive, quick (although didnt feel as quick as the M3), planted and great sound, definitely a feel good factor about it too. I used a specialist Porchworx of hampstead to service it and was always okay cost wise, does like rear tyres mind 8K per set on average. Current beast the Gransport is great, i love it, its more preactical than the C4 so has the M3 usability, has fantastic feel good factor, how many do you see on the road versus the others, Aston excepted. Pace, handling and noise, oh the noise brilliant. Servicing is expensive, i have stuck so far to main dealer Lancasters but will swap to Grimaldi, I have needed a new clutch too but that was anticipated and factored into the purchase price. I wouldnt go back to any of the others from it to be honest which gives you my opinion, will remain the rarer than the M3 and C4S and may age better than the Aston. A wild card if funds permit for fun in the garage could be a 993 turbo, very good long term appreciation potential and they are fun to drive, if i didnt need a daily driver i would hunt one down!
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask ill do my best to answer them

Cheers

Scott
5/6/2009 15:37:23  

Posts: 1112
Since: 11/5/2005
Region: Thames Valley
Status: offline 		Good comments above.
M3 is a good car, but I'm afraid the others are in a different league for the "long term occasional use supercar" category.
I've only been a passenger in an astion db7, sounded lovely, bit bit pipe and slippers in the corners I'd say - unless you can find a GT.
I'd also say you should look at the Gransport over a 4200 if you can afford one.
No experience of a 996.

_____________________________

Rich
Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG Estate
BMW 335d MSport Touring
Maserati Ghibli "Taylor/Hawksworth Trofeo edition"
5/6/2009 16:29:06  
 

Posts: 183
Since: 22/1/2009
Status: offline 		i was in the same position db7 vantage or a 3200,i went for the 3200,a lot rarer than the db7,and ide say more reliable,i did a lot of engine build on the v12 and the developement and durability builds and strips for the v12,and knowing what i do  about them went for the maserati.
5/6/2009 21:29:57  

Posts: 180
Since: 30/5/2008
Status: offline 		Hi,

I always used to hanker after an Aston (nearly got an early 70's V8 years ago) but I see loads of the newer ones about now (which make the DB7s look dated) and a 4200 seems to be a much rarer sight on the road.  I did a track day with a DB9 recently.  Lots of fun but no justification to me for paying Aston money when a 4200 will press all the same thrill buttons and be more practical... every day of the week.

The BMW and Porsche may have the edge in handling and maybe toys like Mp3 connectivity but I don't think they'd still be special in 10 years when you open the garage door.

The way other drivers and pedestrians react to the Maser is something special too.  There seems a real appreciation for them rather than envy or resentment.  You may find your driving improves as you feel the need to set a good example.  People will notice the car but they'll also make way for it and you'll feel inclined to pass that politeness on.

I think you'd find an 04 model revision dependable all year round if it's looked after and not languishing in the garage all the time.

Unless your daily driving is all in traffic, you may find it difficult to limit yourself to weekend runs.  It's a special event every time you sit behind the wheel.  A few of us on here clocked up a couple of thousand miles in the first weeks of our ownership.  You still feel fresh after mammoth journeys and the back seats fit adults comfortably too for shorter trips.  If you're over 6ft5, the Grandsport seats would give you more room but the 4200s I find more comfortable.

After a year and a half, I'm still loving it, getting more and more out of it every drive and the acceleration is still breathtaking every time.

Downsides?

  • Costs? Not cheap to run but costs at least comparable to your alternatives.  MPG is good for the power.
  • Stereo? As alluded to, connecting up your iPod etc. is not trivial but solutions are appearing on the market and on here.  You may find you prefer listening to the music the car makes anyway.
  • F1? The later the revision, the less they seem less prone to clutch and F1 pump issues which are perceived as the achilles heel of the car.  Quality control seems to have worked and when you learn how to use the cc box, it's effortless and a joy to use.
  • Again in the 4200 "Cambiocorse" versions they saw fit to include an "Auto" button - don't press it, it's just so wrong.
  • Erm... not a very big boot?  Probably ok for golf bats tho.

Whatever you decide, good luck with it and if you compare test drives, it would be great to hear your thoughts.

Cheers!
6/6/2009 5:18:04  

Posts: 1155
Since: 12/1/2007
Region: Chepstow
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: chad5k1

Good comments above.
M3 is a good car, but I'm afraid the others are in a different league for the "long term occasional use supercar" category.
I've only been a passenger in an astion db7, sounded lovely, bit bit pipe and slippers in the corners I'd say - unless you can find a GT.
I'd also say you should look at the Gransport over a 4200 if you can afford one.
No experience of a 996.


Would agree with Rich,

M3 is a great all rounder but if it's a weekend toy then you want something a bit more special....M3 CSL would fit the bill as it's a BMW with character, not that I'm bias.....Drove a DB7 a few weeks a go and just felt old. 996 C4S was the best performance car in its class and a great drive but again this is a car for every day. So that leave the Maserati which I think fits the bill, but stretch to a Gransport if you can. 

So if it was me it would be Gransport or M3 CSL, both very special cars. The first a stunning grand tourer the 2nd and track warrior - both not on your list though, but if you are looking at a C4S then they are around the same money.

< Message edited by Andyk -- 6/6/2009 5:45:09 >
6/6/2009 7:48:55  
 

Posts: 504
Since: 10/9/2007
Region: www.amazing-alloys.com
Status: offline 		I've owned a DB7 i6 with a 400bhp supercharger upgrade, a 996 C4 and a 4200 GT.

The Porsche was the best handling car, and fastest A to B but dull and cheap feeling.

The 4200 has a great engine, lovely styling and sounds great.  Other than that it disappoints everywhere else - ride, handling, gearbox and too quick steering. Running costs are far higher, as is depreciation. I got 9mpg on the motorway and sold mine before the market dropped thankfully.

The DB7 was stunning - and with the upgrade as fast as the Vantage but without the weight up front.  If you want a long term prospect I'd go with one of these.  OK the switchgear is from Ford and Jag, but the smell, feel and presence of a DB7 just makes every drive special.  It got the most comments and admiring glances out of any of the cars I've owned.  The handling is also surprising good - though a later model with a manual gearbox would be my choice.  I only sold it to fund my business or it would still be in the garage.  Some parts can be expensive and early models are probably left well alone but servicing isn't too bad and residuals probably better than the others.  Aston ownership brings a lot of additional perks - champagne tent at Le Mans for one .

M3s I'd lump in with the Scooby crowd and don't even belong in the same category as the above.


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ex 4200 GT owner
6/6/2009 9:13:11  

Posts: 467
Since: 4/1/2009
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: stats007

I got 9mpg on the motorway and sold mine before the market dropped thankfully.




You must have been thrashing it to get that MPG on a motorway!!

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http://www.justgiving.com/Helen-Beebe
6/6/2009 9:17:44  
 

Posts: 504
Since: 10/9/2007
Region: www.amazing-alloys.com
Status: offline 		Steady 100mph.

22mpg at best at about 60mph.  The gearing is all wrong on these cars. Why have a 6th gear that does 4000rpm at 100mph or thereabouts?!

< Message edited by stats007 -- 6/6/2009 9:18:38 >

_____________________________

ex 4200 GT owner
6/6/2009 10:03:43  
 

Posts: 450
Since: 7/4/2009
Region: UK - West Midlands - Solihull
Status: offline 		Slight digression from the original topic, but the continuing the point about mpg - My normal motorway speed is 90-95 and I don't get less than 16mpg (still not too happy with that really!). At 60mph I get a about 20mpg.

Totally agree with the comment about gearing though - would have been happy for 6th to be doing around 3000rpm at 100.

If you're getting 9mpg, perhaps you're going a bit more than 100mph sometimes
6/6/2009 10:15:37  
 

Posts: 450
Since: 7/4/2009
Region: UK - West Midlands - Solihull
Status: offline 		Oh I was going to say something on-topic as well..

I have never owned any of these cars until the 4200CC a couple of months ago. However I considered what I should get (I wanted a daily driver however not just a weekend car). As it's a daily driver, I wanted some decent space so the 4200 and M3 work for me on that front. But then I wanted something exotic. Also an M3 is quite exotic, I don't like the image attached to them - too boy-racer and hooligan for me. The Porsche has a better image I think but so common, like the M3. Even if you have a special version like the CSL or C4S, because they more or less look like every other M3 and 996, it won't feel special.

I couldn't afford a decent DB7 so had to discount it on price. However I think it has the best image of the lot. I agree that Aston's get a lot more admiring glances that any of the other cars. My first week of 4200 ownership was pleasing - pulled up to a hotel I was staying at and some stranger walks up to me and we have a chat about Maseratis and then later on one of the hotel waiters tells me how beautiful the 4200 looks (and this is a hotel which has Porsches, RS4s, M3s frequently - although no Aston Martins!).

This analysis probably says a lot about me and my tastes, but this is all personal opinion. You will note that none of it is about how the cars handle etc. - that's because I'm no expert driver and I don't believe that I would be noticing huge differences between these cars in terms of handing as unless I am going to be taking out on a track day then public road will not go anywhere near exploring the performance envelopes of these cars.

6/6/2009 11:55:46  
 

Posts: 504
Since: 10/9/2007
Region: www.amazing-alloys.com
Status: offline 		100mph on cruise - was just curious. Was fairly windy that day but even so...

10 years is a very long time to own a car - a C4s or DB7 will hold their value better than the others.

A silly question directed to the OP, but have you driven them all?


_____________________________

ex 4200 GT owner
6/6/2009 17:25:40  

Posts: 1677
Since: 22/12/2006
Region: Chichester, West Sussex
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: stats007

Steady 100mph.

22mpg at best at about 60mph.  The gearing is all wrong on these cars. Why have a 6th gear that does 4000rpm at 100mph or thereabouts?!


Remember its US gallons on the 4200 trip which is about a litre less than a UK gallon, so 9mpg would actually be something like 13mpg
6/6/2009 17:35:50  

Posts: 775
Since: 19/8/2007
Status: online 		Let's not exagerate, Conaero.  Conversion rates as follows:

1 US Gallon = 3.78541 litres
1 Imperial Gallon = 4.54609 litres

Therefore 9 mpg (US) = 10.81 mpg (Imperial)

hope this helps

_____________________________

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot force it to drink
6/6/2009 17:45:06  

Posts: 1677
Since: 22/12/2006
Region: Chichester, West Sussex
Status: offline 		Nigelo, what would I do if it were not for you picking me up all the time!

< Message edited by conaero -- 6/6/2009 17:53:41 >
8/6/2009 14:48:15  
 

Posts: 8
Since: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Many thanks for the opinions. As I said I have this thread running on the other marque forums as well where my sanity has been questioned several time for inlcuding a Maserati, I am assuming this is ignorance rather than experience, still it does show why you can get these cars realtively cheap if there is still a general apprehension about the marque. I see this as an advantage of the current times and am sure that time will tell.

Interesting that most people recommended GS over all else, perhaps Christmas will see the 25K GS?  

I notice from the sponsors page that there was a specialist near Edinburgh but have seen stuff which may indicate they have gone bust.

Is there a trusted independant north of cumbria as if reliabliity is an issue then a main delaer is not the place I wish to invest my childrens inheritence.

Also is there a problem with not running a 4200 or GS as a daily driver?

Agree with M3 CSL recommendation but do not know whether I need a car that is wasted at less than 10/10ths.

So as we stand the options have been updated as follows

2001 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage - Still a goer for sense of ocassion and ability to feel special at 30mph
2003 Porsche 996 C4S - Now changed to 2000 996TT 
2004 Maserati 4200 GT - Possibly GS if that is seen as better "classic" proposition
2004 BMW E46 M3 - Now M3 CSL or M3 Cab if I decide on summer and sunny day car.
  

Cheers  
8/6/2009 15:25:07  

Posts: 1155
Since: 12/1/2007
Region: Chepstow
Status: offline 		Will add that if you drive a standard M3 and then an M3 CSL you will not want the standard car...you have been warned....also get a drive in a 996 911 tt...I drove one last month and bloody hell it was bonkers fast...It pulled like a freight train in any gear. A stunningly fast car and a genuine every day supercar. Would imagine not much can touch it performance wise for the money.

The one thing the Gransport will have over any of the above is passion and a sense of occasion every time you get behind the wheel.

You have one hell of decision there my friend, but for what it's worth I would put CSL, TT and GS as top three.
8/6/2009 17:54:56  

Posts: 46
Since: 13/2/2009
Status: offline 		To me its a question of style... what is curious to me is how you can consider two beauties - the DB7 and the 4200 alongside the 996 and the M3 - Its a bit like trying to decide if you should date a well brought up young lady or pick up some slapper in a night club. So what's its to be - do you want to be seen with Joanna Lumley or Bet Lynch ?
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