Why you’d want a Maserati 3200GT, Coupé and Spyder
When Autocar first drove a Maserati 3200 in 1999, it loved the styling both inside and out – ‘looks and feels much more special than anything else at the price’ – but was less than impressed by ‘poor steering, horrid throttle response and an unyielding ride’.
Ferrari engineers worked hard to improve matters, and when it was tested again in late 2000, the difference was immense.
Steering and front-suspension changes, an uprated ECU and better control of the Australian four-speed automatic addressed most complaints – though the ’box was still a limiting factor and the ride was still unyielding, whether Sport or Auto settings on the dampers were chosen.
The brakes were fantastic, but fuel economy from the twin-turbo V8 was poor, as was the driving position for anyone over 6ft.
But, crucially, it was now a great drive: ‘A car enthusiasts can relish.’
Space in the rear was quite acceptable for two adults, but the boot was small.
Maserati sold 1653 3200GTs in the UK in three years, before replacing it with the more focused 4200 Coupé and Spyder – comprehensively modified under the skin, but little-changed visually with a slightly raised bonnet, more conventional rear lights and new wheels.
The V8 was now a normally aspirated Ferrari unit, driving through a six-speed transaxle, either manually operated or hydraulically on the paddle-shift Cambiocorsa, with no full auto.
Giving a historic Ferrari flavour, the manual needed to be warmed for at least 10 mins before the change got less obstructive.
The optional Skyhook adaptive damping was only suited to the car in Normal mode, Sport being too harsh for the road, and it still wasn’t very green, with an appalling CO₂ output of 430g/km.
The final flourish was the GranSport, with a serious Sport mode giving sharper gearchanges and damping, and a superb exhaust noise – this time, it was well tuned for road use.
A range of personalisation was possible throughout the series, along with many special editions.
Today, these can appear very expensive to own. However, if you know the right specialists, source parts sensibly by cross-referencing online and take time to understand the car, they can be hugely enjoyable, especially if you are able to do some maintenance yourself.
Images: Jack Harrison
Maserati 3200GT, Coupé and Spyder: what to look for
Trouble spots
Please see above for what to look for when you inspect any Maserati 3200GT, Coupé or Spyder classic car for sale.
Engine
The Maserati 3200’s superb twin-turbo, four-cam, 32-valve 90° V8 engine is a talking point, but can be very costly to maintain.
The cross-plane crankshaft gives an extra sharpness to the V8 sound, further enhanced by the bypass valve on GranSport models.
This owner has added a heatshield for the ABS unit, because it's now unobtainable new.
Suspension
Check the front suspension for wear: new arms are £2000 each.
Bushes are mostly relatively cheap, but labour-intensive to replace: check tyre wear.
Diagnostics
Correct diagnostics access will save a fortune on Maserati 3200GTs, which use a Ferrari-specific port: on the 4200s, a standard OBD reader should fit.
Clutch
Ensure the clutch works: they have a limited lifespan and the release fork can detach. They were always heavy.
A full clutch kit costs around £1-2000, plus fitting.
Rear lights
Maserati’s ‘boomerang’ LED tail-lights were an industry first: unfortunately, water penetration causes havoc on some cars.
They cost £1200 new, or £6-800 used.
Maserati 3200GT, Coupé and Spyder: before you buy
A full service history from a Maserati specialist is worth its weight in gold.
Most won’t have it, but look for recent evidence of care lavished on the mechanicals – a neglected car will cost a fortune to get back up to a good standard, so don’t be tempted by a ‘cheap’ price.
Specialists Dave Shanks and The Maserati Shed are developing affordable solutions to many issues, such as Shanks’ £300 updated throttle body to get around magnetic failures in the drive-by-wire throttle, which leads to erratic running and limp-home mode (the pedal potentiometer can give trouble, too).
Almost all UK cars had the Skyhook adaptive dampers; if the warning light is on and you can’t get Sport mode, it is likely to be a failure of the plastic cogs in the actuator on top of the damper, which are Ferrari components.
Used parts can sometimes be found as cars get broken. Many items are common to cars from the Fiat and Alfa Romeo stable: check forums and Facebook groups.
Electrics are complex and prone to issues, especially if damp gets into the fuse panel behind the kickplate in the passenger footwell.
Test the electric buttons in the glovebox for the fuel-cap and boot releases.
Check the air-con: the condenser is exposed and prone to corrosion, especially if kept outside – a car that has always been garaged is a real bonus.
Damp gets into everything and will blow out the headlining, and leather trim on the door panels and steering wheel; door speakers fail, too.
Maserati 3200GT, Coupé and Spyder price guide
Restoration/average/show
- 3200 (auto 10% less): £3000/8000/24,000
- 4200 Coupé: £5000/10,000/28,000
- 4200 Spyder: £4000/9500/26,000
- GranSport Coupé: £7500/16,000/45,000
- GranSport Spyder: £7000/15,000/38,000
Prices correct at date of original publication – left-hand-drive prices in Europe up to 50% higher than UK prices shown
Maserati 3200GT, Coupé and Spyder history
1998 Maserati 3200GT launched at Paris Salon
1999 First deliveries March; automatic GTA launched at Geneva (2106 built)
2001 Assetto Corsa limited edition: 15mm lower, quick steering, red calipers (259 built); 4.2-litre Spyder unveiled at Frankfurt
2002 385bhp 4200 Coupé unveiled at Detroit show: 177mph, 0-60mph 4.9 secs
2003 Glass replaces Spyder's plastic rear window; Trofeo race version of Coupé
2004 GranSport added: spoilers, side skirts, 19in alloys, tuned V8, Cambiocorsa only, Sports exhaust with bypass; Coupé and Spyder get new grille and rear bumper
2005 GranSport Spyder added
2007 Replaced by GranTurismo/GranCabrio
The owner’s view
“I walked past the pub one sunny day,” recalls Paddy Clare, “and there was a red 3200 right outside. I’d never seen one before and I fell in love – it just stood out a mile from anything else around.
“Some years later I had £15,000 to spend and couldn’t believe I could afford one – it’s such a fantastic-looking thing.
“I realised the dream, and ran my first one for nine years before it got damaged while parked – it is now the spares resource for this one, which I bought three years ago.
“I do most of the work on the Maserati myself – a lot of people get out of their depth with these cars and can’t afford to fix them.
“The ‘check engine’ light can mean many things, and a standard OBD tester doesn’t fit pre-’02 cars – you need a special Ferrari fitting.
“The previous owner passed one on, complete with the laptop, and I’d be sunk without it – dealers will charge £400 just to plug it in.”
Also consider
The Aston Martin DB7 (left) and Jaguar XK8/R are alternative classic car buys
ASTON MARTIN DB7
Highly strung, sophisticated and can be very expensive to repair – and more prone to rust than you might expect. Less space in the back, but a gorgeous Continental cruiser for two.
Sold 1994-2003 • No. built 9138 • Price now £5-55,000*
JAGUAR XK8/R
Great performance-to-cost ratio, and most parts are cheap and readily available. Blown XKR is a real flyer and the 4.2 came with six speeds from 2002. Some repairs and rust can be costly.
Sold 1996-2006 • No. built 90,064 • Price now £750-25,000*
*Prices correct at date of original publication
Maserati 3200GT, Coupé and Spyder: the Classic & Sports Car verdict
Check absolutely everything works, including (on your road test) the traction control, ABS and cruise control if fitted.
Buy an example without any faults and continue to look after it, and you should enjoy a hugely rewarding Maserati ownership experience.
Take your time to find a good car with the specification you prefer – for example, leather trim is significantly more durable than cloth.
FOR
- These are special cars for very little money, if you look after it yourself as much as possible
- Use the right specialists and forums
AGAINST
- Neglected cars are only for wealthy masochists
- There is a lot that can go wrong, particularly if it’s been left out in the cold and damp
Maserati 3200GT, Coupé and Spyder specifications
- Sold/number built 1998-2007/4795 (3200), 6449 (Coupé), 3889 (Spyder), 2613 (GranSport), 472 (GranSport Spyder)
- Construction steel monocoque
- Engine all-alloy, dohc-per-bank 3217cc V8, twin IHI turbos, fuel injection, or non-turbo 4244cc; inlet VVT on GranSport
- Max power 370bhp @ 6000rpm to 395bhp @ 7000rpm
- Max torque 333lb ft @ 4500rpm to 362lb ft @ 4500rpm
- Transmission six-speed manual or Cambiocorsa (4200), or four-speed auto (3200), RWD via LSD
- Suspension double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers (optional Skyhook adaptive), anti-roll bar f/r
- Steering power-assisted rack and pinion
- Brakes ventilated discs, with servo and ABS, EBD on 4200
- Length 14ft 1½-10in (4303-4523mm)
- Width 5ft 11¾in-6ft 1½in (1822-1871mm)
- Height 4ft 3-3½in (1295-1305mm)
- Wheelbase 8ft-8ft 8¾in (2440-2660mm)
- Weight 3443-3696lb (1565-1680kg)
- 0-60mph 6.2-4.8 secs
- Top speed 155-180mph
- Mpg 10-20
- Price new £56,650-69,040 (2006)
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