leslie

A while back, there was a thread started by Roger in SF about how he had just tried the Maserati Spyder and that he was taking delivery of his own in a month's time. In that same thread, Viken had talked about waiting for the coupe to come and hoping that it would be a better drive due to lighter weight and a firmer chasis.

Has anyone driven/bought the Maserati 4200 coupe yet? Care to share the experience?

I went to the dealership yesterday and was smitten all over again by the Maserati (last time it was the 3200 but this time, I saw the 4200 for the first time). Styling wise, I don't like the revised rear light arrangement but other than that, build quality has improved markedly, interior space is slightly but meaningfully better and the revised seats are more comfortable. I fired the car up and the new block sounded absolutely wonderful at idle. I didn't have the time for a test drive. (and truth be told, didnt' dare go for one for fear of being SORELY tempted)

I think that this car poses a serious challenge to the 996 in terms of buyer's choice and in our local perspective, the car is much cheaper than the 996 (USD 215k vs USD 300k for a 996 c2). The dealer is currently sold out till the new year and that is no wonder at this price point I suppose.

Jan_M

I tried the 3200 GT, old style back lights. Great drivers car! I hear the new Maserati has improved chassi, which was already good, engine although not turbocharged is more powerful and torquy, but most of all has much improved interior build quality. Roadhandling electronics were top of the range as well.

I considered one myself, but decided for the 993 because of its pedigree, style and drive. And an aircooled porsche definately has IT.
But what do you do after a Maserati GT...? Supercar territory! And how does the Maserati get old?

When, and if, I change car next year or so, the GT will be on the short list for sure. The DB7 Vantage is there too....

Ahhhhh, toys...

Robert Henriksen

You know, it's a damn shame our last DE weekend in July was rained on the second day. I had an on-track test drive scheduled in the new coupe a dealer had brought! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

I can tell you from being on-track w. it as others were test-driving: rolls like a drunken sailor! The people who had driven it uniformly said... heavy.

It didn't strike me as a driver's car, more of a touring machine/boulevard cruiser.

Viken

I took a 4.2 Coupe on a short test drive. This car was equipped with the F1 (Cambiocorsa) transmission and the Skyhook infinitely adjustable suspension.

As with the Spyder, the motor was smooth and torquey. Acceleration is somewhat deceptive as the car is faster than it feels. The transmission shifted flawlessly and extremely fast in sport mode. Steering feel is not overly sharp but on par with the latest from other GT cars. Body roll is significantly reduced in sport mode and the car handles a lot better than it feels. Unless you want top down motoring, the Coupe is a much better car as it doesn't have the cowl shake problem of the Spyder. In addition, I feel that the styling is more attractive not to mention the slight weight savings and lower price tag.

DJF1

I was on the same event that Robert talked about. The Maserati's were running on the same run group as me and on two occassions they came out of the pits on the track behind me. I was substantially faster than them both times and I'm no Montoya....

Also I was not really impressed with the interior quality and looks of the car. A nice GT yes, I think a late model 928 GTS still puts it to shame.

Robert Henriksen

Danny, I wouldn't put too much stock in how fast they were going around the track. I've never seen a dealer trot out a 90+ thousand dollar car for test drives at a track before; hopefully everyone was respecting his efforts & making sure they didn't wad up someone else's fancy unsold car.

Ray Calvo

Sorry; only Maserati coupe I might consider is one called a "Ghibli". 30 years from intro, it still looks fabulous.

Then again, only Maserati Spyder I like is one called a "Birdcage"!

DJF1

[quote] Danny, I wouldn't put too much stock in how fast they were going around the track. I've never seen a dealer trot out a 90+ thousand dollar car for test drives at a track before; hopefully everyone was respecting his efforts & making sure they didn't wad up someone else's fancy unsold car. <hr></blockquote>

I must applaude the dealer for doing that. It would be nice to have such an experience before you cough up such big muhla on any high end mark...
I have a feeling though that the Maserati brand needs this kind of publicity in order to gain credibility and make sales.I actually thought at the time by looking at them on my rearview that they were pushing the car pretty good. Having a car "trashed" would be a small price to pay in marketing dollars.
A car proving its performance on the track against Porsche cars infront of people could could acctually buy Maseratis is a big gain in credibility and has a set dollar value in marketing minds.
I did not see him bring any Ferraris there as they do not meed to prove such a thing... Mind you I would line up for hours for a drive if they did!

leslie

Gents,

Thank you for all the replys.

I said that I felt that the Masser would pose a challenge for the 996 in terms of buyer's choices. I don't doubt that the 996 would probably make for a better proposition on the track with a nicer gearshift (I generally have yet to find a SMG/F1 type shift that I prefer to a traditional manual),better handling and I would most definately expect better reliability. However, the masser's better soundtrack (vs a 996), more seductive all leather italian interior, huge interior space (Must be best in class for a GT) and subjectively more exotic powerplant should help to even things out. I would imagine that a Masser coupe to own together with a 993 would be a nice and very viable alternative versus an SL/993, CL/993, JagXK8/993 or even 996/993 combo.

Viken,

I know it is a little sacrilegious but would you choose any of the N/A 996s over a 4200 coupe? I suspect the choice would be a close fought one

Viken

[quote]Originally posted by leslie:
<strong>I know it is a little sacrilegious but would you choose any of the N/A 996s over a 4200 coupe?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Probably not.

leslie

[quote]Originally posted by Viken:
<strong>

Probably not.</strong><hr></blockquote>



<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Harold

Leslie,

Dont tell me the Maserati is going to be the family trot around? Then again, compared to your 993RS it certainly strikes me as being very practical.

Man, if only I was your son....

Cheers


Harold
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Macca

Leslie,

Go for it...then I can buy your 993!!

Only kidding. Great to hear you are out there trying the alternatives.

I suspect given the prices in your local market that alomost $100,000 USD (if you include the options on the 996 to get it to similar 4200 spec) makes a considerable point for the Maser. For most on this site that is the equivalent to a 996 at retail!!!

Macca the Kiwi