If the decision to buy a car was based purely on name then Maserati would be the world’s largest car manufacturer. But it’s not. Problems with reliability, build quality and residual values pushed Maserati to the brink of extinction in Britain during the 1980s and early 1990s. The purchase of Maserati by Fiat in 1993 did little to boost UK sales. So when, in 1997, Fiat placed Maserati under the operating control of Ferrari, car enthusiasts around the world held their breath.

The first product of the new Ferrari era came less than two years later, in the shape of the Maserati 3200GT.

One look at the rear of the car with its unique, boomerang-shaped lights and powerful haunches hinted that this was no half-hearted attempt to recapture sales. Under the bonnet the potent 3.2 litre twin turbo-charged V8 produced 370bhp, powering the car to more than 170mph. Inside, the cabin was pure Grand Tourer, with four seats and enough leather to furnish a small dairy herd. But best of all it delivered Ferrari style and performance for Jaguar money.

Now, four years on, has the car’s early promise been fulfilled? The 3200GT has been criticised for an overly firm ride, and buyers choosing the optional four-speed auto may find it a little old fashioned, but get your hands on a good six-speed manual, which now changes hands for less than £30,000, and you’ll have little to complain about.

In spring 2002 the car underwent a number of major enhancements, including the introduction of a new Spyder model, complete with fully electrically operated soft top. Under the bonnet the engine grew from 3.2 to 4.2 litres, removing the need for the twin turbos and seeing the power rise to 390bhp.

In response to the ride and handling criticism, the car came with the strangely named “skyhook” electronic suspension system, which adjusts suspension settings, gearbox changes (on the auto box) and the traction control system. As a result these later models are more than good enough to satisfy most drivers.

The introductions of the new six- speed Cambiocorsa gearbox, applying F1 technology to gearchanges via paddle shift controls, dispatched the old four-speed box to the parts back catalogue. It also proved popular with buyers, 80% of whom now choose it instead of the manual box. One change that didn’t gain universal approval was the loss of the boomerang lights, which reverted to a conservative cluster design.

On the road the larger, normally aspirated V8 sounds good, and acceleration and top speed are superb, close to 180mph. On the downside some owners report heavy fuel consumption, sometimes as low as 10mpg in persistent town driving.

Servicing is once a year or every 12,500 miles with the exception of the first year when a 1,000 and 6,250-mile visit to a dealer are required. Expect standard service work to set you back about £600 a time.

So before you make your mind up about what car to buy next, imagine the following conversation. A friend asks: “What are you driving?”

You respond: “A Maserati.”

Feels good, doesn’t it?

VITAL STATISTICS

Model: Maserati 3200GT coupé
Engine: V8, 3217cc
Power: 370bhp
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 18.1mpg (combined)
Acceleration: 0 to 62mph: 5.1sec
Top speed: 174mph

Spyder: While coupé gives 2+2 seating, Spyder is a two-seater only

Boot: Five-piece fitted luggage set an extra £1,640 on new cars

Warranty: Cars built since September 2000 have three-year 60,000-mile cover

Tyres: 18in tyres are uni-directional and last about 12-15,000 miles

CD stacker: Was available only as an option

Satellite navigation: A £1,640 option that 95% of buyers choose

Wheels: 3200GT comes with 10-spoke alloys, later 4.2 has 15-spoke alloys or optional 7-spoke

Seats: Full electric seat operation including lumbar adjustment is standard

Doors and dash: Leather trimmed; owners could specify non-standard colours at a cost of £2,761

Headlamps: Xenon not standard but a popular option

Camshaft belt: Needs changing every three years at a cost of about £1,650

Dealers: 15 dealers throughout the UK

THE ONE TO BUY

Maserati coupé with Cambiocorsa gearbox, 2002 02-reg with 10,000 miles. Pay £48,000 at a dealer or £45,000 privately



OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY...

2003 52-reg Lexus SC430
2002 02-reg Jaguar XKR 4.0 coupé
2001 51-reg Porsche 911 Carrera 2
2001 Y-reg Mercedes-Benz CL500
2000 X-reg Aston Martin DB7 coupé

VALUES: Maserati 3200GT coupé


Automatic versions fetch about £1,000 more than equivalent manuals Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. 'Trade' is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; 'retail' is what you would pay a dealer