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MaseratiForumTechnical TalkTechnical LibraryAll Maserati Models3200GT / Assetto Corsa Hints and tips for finding the perfect 3200GT

Hints and tips for finding the perfect 3200GT

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17/1/2007 11:33:01  
 

Posts: 2
Since: 17/1/2007
Status: offline 		Hi all,

Looking to further my love of all things automotive and Italian and I am beginning my research into purchasing  a 3200Gt of some description. I got the idea when I was accosted at Dick Lovett Maserati & Ferrari in Swindon when I parked my Integrale in their lot (I was picking up some brochures from Mini for the wife at the time). I'd always thought that the glory of a 3200Gt was way out of my league, but I was in for very pleasant surprise.

So I buy cars very slowly, especially when getting something unusual - the Delta took me two years to find the right one, and I feel it is important to know what you are getting into. Especially with Italian machinery!

So, a flurry of questions which I hope you guys will be able to answer. Thanks for any help offered!

- Robustness. How tough are 3200Gts? I would expect the usual electrical gremlins, but are the engines, running gear and bodywork all pretty solid? Is there anything in particular to look out for when viewing one?

- Corrosion. Anything to be aware of? Any particular places to examine closely? Any signs of the usual Italian chaotic approach to water management? Are the things galvanised (it was being rolled out across Fiat, Alfa and Lancia at the time)?

- Manual or Auto. The Semi-Automatic is the Cambicorsa box? This is disliked in the magazines, but I'm not sure if it was even available on the 3200Gt. If not are they much of a muchness and it all comes down to personal choice, or is the auto sporty enough and refined enough that it's the only choice (which is what happens on a number of contemporaries).

- What do services run at on an annual basis? How much should I budget for a FSH car annually (for example I squirrel away about £1000 for my Integrale each year, but so far it hasn't needed anything major)

- Paint and trim. Are there any colours to avoid (fading issues etc)? Same for interior trim, anything to avoid (Cloth option for example, two tone leather). I'm finding it quite hard to get a spec/kit list for the cars so I'm assuming they are almost bespoke, is that correct?

- Is it worth it? :)

Thanks for all your help

S


_____________________________

Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 1
Monza Red with Recaro seats and Black Leather trim
2000cc turbocharged twin cam 215bhp, 138mph,
J - reg 70,000 km
17/1/2007 17:21:44  

Posts: 542
Since: 22/7/2006
Status: offline 		also linked at top of page maserati3200

general maserati stuff

I have Some good documents - Autocar articles etc. PM me and I can email them, Cannot remember where I got them from doh!

did 6 months research myself.

Just get a good one, Well worth it

this article finally persauded me to get one classic car june 2006

< Message edited by rs48635 -- 17/1/2007 17:28:11 >

_____________________________

rob
alfa 166 3.0V6 Gone
Alfa 166 3.0 V6 Sportomatic
911 3.2 cab
3200GT assetto corsa 40/75
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." — Joe Louis.
18/1/2007 12:22:20  

Posts: 287
Since: 14/6/2006
Status: offline 		Hi Simon,

- Robustness. How tough are 3200Gts? I would expect the usual electrical gremlins, but are the engines, running gear and bodywork all pretty solid? Is there anything in particular to look out for when viewing one?
 
Mainly electrical gremlins, common ones reported on this Forum. Usual things like turbos going are due to not cooling them properly (but you will be aware of that from your integrale).


- Corrosion. Anything to be aware of? Any particular places to examine closely? Any signs of the usual Italian chaotic approach to water management? Are the things galvanised (it was being rolled out across Fiat, Alfa and Lancia at the time)?

Only badly maintained ones, although would be good to get the views of high Mileage 99/00 year models 

- Manual or Auto. The Semi-Automatic is the Cambicorsa box? This is disliked in the magazines, but I'm not sure if it was even available on the 3200Gt. If not are they much of a muchness and it all comes down to personal choice, or is the auto sporty enough and refined enough that it's the only choice (which is what happens on a number of contemporaries).

No cambiocorsa. It's all down to personal choice. Make sure you get to drive a couple of both before making a decision

- What do services run at on an annual basis? How much should I budget for a FSH car annually (for example I squirrel away about £1000 for my Integrale each year, but so far it hasn't needed anything major)

10K (KMs), then every 20K (KMs) with belts at 50, 110, 170 (or 3 years) & chains at 110. Would budget £1500/pa to be on the safer side - would you think about a warranty? (£1000/pa from a Company like WarrantyWise, you can get cheaper, again see comments elsewhere on this Forum).

- Paint and trim. Are there any colours to avoid (fading issues etc)? Same for interior trim, anything to avoid (Cloth option for example, two tone leather). I'm finding it quite hard to get a spec/kit list for the cars so I'm assuming they are almost bespoke, is that correct?

I would say personal choice again, nearly all of the 3200GTs are unique if you look at every interior trim and exterior colour combination. Some prefer light leather interiors (like me, but I do keep it clean), others don't. Have yet to see a 3200GT with a cloth interior!
UK Spec extras include photochromic rear view mirrors, cruise control, Sat Nav (although factory fitted is pretty crud - I have the Blaupunkt Travel Pilot and keep thinking about upgrading), memory seats for driver, or both driver & passenger, heated seats, CD changer in special compartment in boot, CD changer on boot floor, spare wheel, teasmade, cuddly toy.......

- Is it worth it? :)

No, we all hate our 3200GTs, we are just a sad bunch.....
 
 
 
(Kidding!)
18/1/2007 15:00:31  


Posts: 2135
Since: 11/5/2005
Status: offline 		Hi

Welcome to the marque!

I would recommend taking some time to trawl through the forum as most of your questions and more are answered already but not always in the thread you would expect. Like any "conversation" the threads wander from topic to topic!

The gearbox issue has been raised a number of times. The Cambiocorsa was introduced on the 4200 as it is a Ferrari item as per the 430 and 360. Flappy paddles are great to drive at speed but to be fair they were not designed for traffic queues but then the CC is not an issue on the 3200. I have owned performance cars with manuals and autos and enjoyed them all. The auto can be used as a manual and easier in traffic. the manual is generally sharper with better engine braking available. Depends how you expect to use the car.

Italian leather is sofer than British so a short journey car tends to take a beating on the seat back side bolster as the driver gets in and out. This can all be remedied though and a good "feed" never hurts.

I would reckon on a bit more than Graham for running costs etc but otherwise fully agree.

Is it worth it? Your accountant would say no, but then he probably wears a grey suit!

I bet the 430F driver I chased (and  passed) down the A27 a while ago didn't think the extra £60K was worth it!

Good luck in your search
20/1/2007 7:44:26  

Posts: 1112
Since: 11/5/2005
Region: Thames Valley
Status: offline 		Do a search on the forum for rust, you'll find plenty of 3200's with rust if you look hard enough.  I've come to the conclusion that it's fairly inevitable.  My 'grale had it, my Ghibli has it, my vr6 has it.  I've seen cars in the workshop being repaired for rust that are still within warranty (I'm sure Malc remembers the 360 being repaired cos of rust under the wing mirrors and less than 18 months old!).
Auto is not a bad thing, some even suggest that to select the manual on a 3200 is to select the WRONG gearbox.  You can use the auto great in traffic, no clutch to replace and can still left foot brake and or heal and toe if you want quite successfully.
All the above discussed fairly recently, so have a search and come back with questions.

BTW the 'grale - if it a goodun - is irreplacable.  (just don't mention stress cracks!)

_____________________________

Rich
Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG Estate
BMW 335d MSport Touring
Maserati Ghibli "Taylor/Hawksworth Trofeo edition"
22/1/2007 7:00:58  
 

Posts: 2
Since: 17/1/2007
Status: offline 		Thanks to everybody who has replied - you've basically backed up what I was thinking, but it always good to know you're on the right lines.

I'm off to arrange a couple of test drives, probably with my chums at Cortese, Bath - who happened to sell me the 'Grale when they worked at Bob Houghton Ferrari a couple of years ago and see what I think. If anyone has any experience of Cortese, please let me know. Either that or I'll go back to Dick Lovett in Swindon (and fight them off with a stick again)!

Sadly if I take the Maserati route, the Integrale would have to go - and the Maser would have to be very good to replace it - in reply to Chad she's a rust free Evo1 all original and I'm the second ever owner. In 2.5 years of ownership only one thing has gone bang (a clutch cylinder - £80 to fix) and has never let me down. Having been extremely successful with my first foray into Latin Exotica ownership, I want to make sure my next move is as good - hence the barrage of questions.

I apologise for my ignorance of how the forum works (TBH I hadn't spotted the 'search' box), I shall hunt away.

Thanks again for all your help

S.


_____________________________

Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 1
Monza Red with Recaro seats and Black Leather trim
2000cc turbocharged twin cam 215bhp, 138mph,
J - reg 70,000 km
22/1/2007 9:49:39  

Posts: 903
Since: 31/10/2006
Region: Salisbury
Status: offline 		You were lucky with the 'Grale, my evo 1 felt like a ticking bomb, the fuel pump failed in week one of ownership, and I won't even attempt to describe the electrics!!!

Having said that it was a hoot to drive, but I felt very unsafe in it, it had all the structural integrity of a biscuit tin, I really wouldn't want to be hit by another car in one.

I sold it after four weeks, glad I'd owned a legend and lived!!!

As for Cortese - they serviced my GT recently and were very helpful indeed, their cars are presented beautifully (as was mine after the service) and I got the impression they valued my custom even though my car came from elsewhere.

Having said that I've since emailed Simon twice with a query and not heard back...  but it wasn't a crucial matter. I'm certain if I rang up I'd get the response I need.

Good luck!
22/1/2007 12:36:37  

Posts: 1112
Since: 11/5/2005
Region: Thames Valley
Status: offline 		With the greatest respect Pacoryan, you must have owned a lemon.
I never had problem with mine in three years.  Maybe i was lucky cos it was one of the best in the country and had money poured all over it (blueprinted engine, bespoke suspension etc etc) but in general most 'grales fall into two camps, really really really really bad or ones that you need to take time to find and be prepared to pay the privilege to own a peach.

The biggest issue facing any 'grale's future is rust and stress cracks.  Unfortunately Soxlade if yours has neither you've either paid a lot of money to have the shell stripped and seam welded or you have more luck than lucky the dog off the insurance advert.

If it wasn't for the above and the impending wedding (wedding not welding!) i would have had no hesitation in keeping it for the foreseeable future.  It fact were it not for those inevitable issues i could have probably convinced the powers that be that we should keep it.

_____________________________

Rich
Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG Estate
BMW 335d MSport Touring
Maserati Ghibli "Taylor/Hawksworth Trofeo edition"
23/1/2007 8:28:32  

Posts: 903
Since: 31/10/2006
Region: Salisbury
Status: offline 		Rich, it did have a healthy citrus tang to it, but for £3900 I wasn't expecting perfection

It actually came to me from a deceased estate - the first owner had kept a daily log of trips (seriously) and must have been the ideal person to buy such a car from, every penny spent was accounted for, and every trivial little detail tended to - until he ran in to the back of someone and bent the roof ( entirely to be expected I'm told, and this is what really alarmed me!).

It was written off Cat D (or maybe C) because new front panels were unavailable for a long time (wonder why!!) and bought by a biker who was seeing sense and keeping his biking to trackdays and racing, and using a car on the road.  Sadly his plan didn't work and he died on a bike on a circuit - his parents then auctioned the car and I bought it.

It was low mileage and went like hell, drove sweetly, but the repair was a bit amateur, headlights pointing everywhere, and it needed doing again really.

I'm sure the electrics could have been sorted and were down to the second owner's "engineering", but with a young family I wanted a car that wouldn't fold it's roof in a minor bump (plus we needed a car the pram fit in!!!).

I sold it via ebay to a guy who had done a lot of crash repair work on them, and knew what he was buying, and I made £500 in to the bargain, so it was a good deal all round in the end!

I'd love a minter as a say fifth car to tuck away, so maybe I'll go back there one day




Attachment (1)
23/1/2007 9:15:29  

Posts: 173
Since: 18/5/2006
Status: offline 		Pacoryan, when you said deceased estate I thought you meant some kind of chav slum where it was 'round the back up on bricks!  The sad thing is I've seen a few 'grales end up like that which is a tragedy.  My bro' in law had one and loved it.  In fact he recently bought a race prepped monte carlo which is bonkers but, amusingly, p***es all over the big exhaust brigade.

_____________________________

MarkC

"Got a match"
"Yeah, your arse and my face....... hang on a minute....
23/11/2010 10:32:07  

Posts: 81
Status: offline 		Re; the stress cracks, can you tell me what your'e referring to pls?  You have me worried!

Cheers

_____________________________

Terry
(Maser01)

3200 GT AC Grigio Touring A
2.8lt Bi-Turbo Spyder Nero A
Aprilia RSV Mille
Husaberg FE 600E
23/11/2010 19:01:18  

Posts: 216
Since: 26/3/2009
Status: offline 		The stress cracks afflict many Integrales around the A posts and the doors from memory, as the chassis is not stiff enough in standard guise. Maybe only an issue for cars that have been in cold climates? The 3200 does not suffer from this.
9/1/2011 2:51:07  

Posts: 81
Status: offline 		Finally got around to replying, thanks for the info revrange.

Terry


_____________________________

Terry
(Maser01)

3200 GT AC Grigio Touring A
2.8lt Bi-Turbo Spyder Nero A
Aprilia RSV Mille
Husaberg FE 600E
27/2/2011 3:22:04  
 

Posts: 1
Since: 27/2/2011
Status: offline 		Kind of stuck in a similar situation myself. Which to choose Carrera 4 or 3200 GT. Drove both of them, Love both of these but only got enough money to buy one of these lol.
27/2/2011 9:16:03  

Posts: 155
Since: 7/11/2010
Region: Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey
Status: online 		Go for the 3200 GT, I got mine almost nine months ago and can't drive it enough.
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