2005 Maserati 4200 GT

Presented here is a low-mileage example of the Maserati 4200 GT. It can put a modern Gran Turismo to shame in how well-maintained it is, and with under 40k miles done from new, it’s bound to hide its age in the way it drives too. The car comes with a clean history, long Maserati dealer/specialist service record, original tool kit, etc. The vendor, who’s owned the car since 2006, is also a Maserati fan and collector and he has to let go of this one due to it not being ULEZ compatible and a lack of parking space. This is indeed a misery, but, for someone looking at buying a modern-classic Maserati, this is going to be a great opportunity. The car’s exterior is largely blemish-free as can be seen in the photo and the interior isn’t bad, either. There are a few signs of wear but let’s not forget that it’s a well-used and equally well-maintained example.

It was hard to go wrong with Giugiaro’s styling of the original Maserati 3200 GT but the boomerang-shaped tail lamps weren’t exactly conventional or universally appreciated. The 4200 GT continued with the same sublime shape of the original without the said rear lights. And the design seems no less charming than the Maseratis of the past; it’s hardly a surprise that it looks even better than the recently discontinued GranTurismo, too.

The vendor mentions that he’s always kept the car on his drive, frequently washed and waxed. That is evident from the photos that it has been cared for in the past. So much so that it becomes hard to believe that this isn’t a delivery mileage car that was mothballed so as to be presented to Maserati fans a decade and a half later. With regular use, one would expect more wear on the paint and bodywork, but that’s not the case with this example. The vendor points out three small issues: some minor chips on the edge of the nearside door, lacquer loss on the boot lid near the logo, and minute bubbling of paint at the rear. Elsewhere, it looks perfect, apart from some marks on the front bumper. The wheels have been refurbed in the past, and like the rest of the car, they look good, too.

The cabin of the Maserati Coupe was — and still is — a great place to be. The 2+2 seating configuration works in favour of its GT credentials, although it’s not just about space but rather how it’s been designed. The fact that the 4200 GT was launched in the noughties does not affect how its cabin is perceived because while still button-heavy, the overall design has a fair bit of charm left in it. Modern designs generally tend to age a lot quicker but not this.

The car hasn’t even done 40,000 miles in the last 15+ years, but it’s been used regularly — and that’s evident from the interior. The vendor mentions that the only issue is that the rubber around the vents and buttons has become sticky and that it was a common issue with Ferrari and Maserati cars of that era. But otherwise the condition is immaculate. The seats look alright, the carpet and headlining look good. The centre console/armrest has a few scratches, much like the door card.

The biggest change that happened when the Maserati Coupe went from the 3200 GT to the 4200 GT was the engine. Gone was the twin-turbocharged engine and in its place was a Ferrari-Maserati unit. A naturally aspirated 4.3-litre V8, this gave not just pace to the car but also character — and aural drama. Reviews from the period note that the manual gearbox mightn’t have the precision as seen on some of the rivals, but having more control over the sonorous V8 engine is a solid positive.

The vendor says that the car drives faultlessly. Highlighting its versatility, he adds that it is ‘happy to be driven to the shops and back but it is pretty brisk when you put your foot down. A proper GT car!’ In terms of condition, the underside doesn’t throw any surprises. There’s no visible damage to speak of, and surface rust is, for the most part, absent, too. Tyres, according to the vendor, are okay, although the car might require a new clutch in the future since it is currently on its original one.

None of this is unexpected since the car has been maintained meticulously. The attached documents (in the photo gallery below) have all the details pertaining to the car’s annual maintenance, usually carried out at either the main dealer or a Maserati specialist. The current MoT is valid for another twelve months and like the previous ones, the 4200 GT sailed through this one, too, without any advisories.

Accompanying the usual paperwork (detailed service history) is a set of two keys (and even the code card), original toolbox and tyre pump, etc. The car has two former keepers, it was first registered in January 2005, and had a plate change in 2006. The current odometer reading is 39142.

Please also note number plates with the original reg have been ordered, as the car is now registered on the reg of 'LJ54 UOL'.

While the future may look a touch dystopian to some, there’s no doubt that this is a good time to enjoy the last of naturally aspirated fun cars. Cars like the Maserati Coupe mightn’t be available in abundance but when good examples like the one here come by, they offer the rare chance of owning something good to drive and with a lot of character — you can’t say that so frequently about new cars. Apart from the obvious things that are bound to appeal to car lovers (the Ferrari-developed engine, manual gearbox, etc.), it’s worth recapitulating that the 4200 GT’s is a thoroughly pleasing design that despite looking more conventional than its predecessor still fails to look old and boring.

Expected to be valued anywhere between £15,000 and £22,000, this 2005 Maserati Coupe is a low mileage, well-maintained example that appears to offer great value backed by a detailed service history. That it was cared for by someone who loves Maserati is evident in the car’s top-drawer condition. And that it was engineered and made by someone who knew how to make people fall in love with cars is evident in the way it sounds. Wish carmakers would make more such cars!

Viewing is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and as stated this car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.