1999 Maserati 3200 GT from UK and Ireland - Comments

I love this car very much and I would like to have one in my garage. But, I am a little hesitant of hearing so many bad comments. Should I get one or not? I know there will be a lot of trouble behind.

I am seriously considering a 2002 dark blue 3200 GT Assetto Corsa (with full main dealer history) or a metallic black 1993 Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 (also with full Porsche service history). They both look fabulous and were maintained regardless of cost because the current owners can afford so. I will continue to take good care.

My mind tells me the Porsche will be a better future 'investment' because of the rarity of the 3.6 version (only + 1400 made). More importantly, I am looking for something reliable that will actually start every single time and doesn't leave me stranded along the road coz I don't know anything at all about the mechanical stuff.

Well, the Maserati looks gorgeous, but is it reliable?

The seller claims he had no trouble what so ever in his three years of ownership. Based on my own previous experience with my (classic) Italian cars (Lamborghini Jalpa, De Tomaso Pantera GTS and two Ferrari Mondials, 3.2 and a 3.4), I am inclined to say: never again. Talk me into the Maserati... I want it, but I am dead scared of

mechanical troubles!

I have done 80k miles in my 3200GT with only two minor problems; a steering hydralic leak early on (fixed under warranty) and an intermittent short in the wiring.

Only two cautions: oil consumption (expensive 10:60 stuff) is very high and servicing is extremely expensive; greater than a V12 Aston Martin according to some reports.

I have kept meticulous records since new and average £1/mile (or €1/km) in running costs. This is ashame when it's a car that you just want to drive and drive for the shear pleasure!

I drive a 3200 GT since May this year, did 4000 miles during the summer, I have also a 911 3.2L since 1998.

The 2 cars cannot be compare, 2 complete different concept, I did a return trip Amsterdam /Zurich with the Maserati and arrived fresh and fine, cruising at 100 / 120 miles an hour on German Highway, would not be possible with the 911 3.2l.

My only "surprise" with the Maserati so far... the lid of the oil tank left its place while I was pushing a bit hard on the engine, it resulted with having oil all other the engine, no collateral damage except a oil smell for a couple of weeks in the car. We change the lid and no probs since.

Great car, great sensation, unreasonable consumption... with far above expectation pleasure.

I'm considering buying a 3200 but having read previous comments can anyone tell me if the 4200 has the same issues and if not whats the main difference between the two apart from the engine size?

I have recently purchased a 3200GT (auto) and despite a painful recent service bill and getting no more than 250-300 miles from a full tank, it puts a smile on my face every time I sit in. There are few cars out there that match it for style, presence or sheer class.Having owned various other classics and sports cars in recent years, nothing turns heads like the 3200.Yes it might be as expensive as keeping a mistress, but its way more fun - if you want the perfect car buy something Japanese, if you believe your only here once buy a 3200.

I have a Quatroporte Evo V8 which has the same engine as the 3200. Oil consumption is an more than you'd expect with a BMW, but it is an Italian car and Italian engineering is designed around a bit of oil consumption. The trick is to get a couple of cans of Selenia Racing (at a reasonable non-dealer price) in the garage and check things regularly. Just topped the beast up today after two months and a fair few dry weather blasts!

Just save yourself a lot of money and stress.

Buy something else, or mine of corse that one is OK.

I am about to buy my first car, which will be a 3200GT, most likely 2001. I have been a little put off by some of the comments I have read here, and know that I have been well warned of what might go wrong. The poor guy who drove into the tree at 50 mph appears to have been unlucky, but honestly, I wouldn't want to drive into a tree in anything else.

If you're in the market for a 3200, check a few key things before you buy, or you'll end up forking out a fortune to get them fixed, or end up in a tree like the poor guy earlier in the thread:

Look out for end float wear on manuals, this is due to the clutch design. The float bearing can wear out from the previous owner having held the clutch in for prolonged periods (stopped at traffic lights etc) rather than putting into neutral. The bearing isn't expensive, but the strip down to replace it is. Very. You need to get it checked by a specialist before you buy because (as far as I know) there's no easy way to tell by driving it until it goes completely. Autos naturally don't suffer from this.

Throttle body electronics fail (fly-by-wire throttle) because its position next to the manifold means it gets very hot. These are quite expensive to buy new, but can be re-conditioned. Scrap 3200's lose the throttle body first because they fail so regularly. The symptom is engine revving on it's own, sometimes quite subtle, sometimes right to the limiter. Leave the car idling after a run to warm it up, and see if the idle speed is erratic (it should vary a little, but not much). This symptom could also be caused by throttle potentiometer failure, but either need sorting out as you certainly don't want the car making errors regarding how to lay 370HP down through the rear wheels.

If it's an early 3200, make sure it has had the recalls done, especially the steering rack.

Mine broke down twice in two weeks (throttle body, then a wiring short that blew a fuse and killed everything except the brakes). Nothing else so far, but I hold my breath every time I turn the key. Having said that, when it's on song, this car is stupendous and addictive.

I've had my 3200 for nearly 2.5 years now, and was previously a 4 times Porsche owner, so I come from a Marque with a reputation for Panzeresque build quality.

All I can say is that the car is fantastic, but ensure you have deep pockets, because when it goes wrong it gets expensive. In the last 7 months I've had to reach into my pocket for a new starting motor, throttle body, rear disks and pads, service and exhaust rear boxes.

With regard to what a previous poster said about the idling being eratic being a sign that the throttle body could be on the way out, mine has always done this, and it was a long time before it failed, and it still does it with a brand new unit. As for the exhausts back boxes, the exhaust is stainless from the manifold to the back boxes, and the Maserati back boxes are made from paper or something similar as they last only a few years, so if buying, check the back boxes if they have not been changed to an aftermarket item already.

Otherwise, the performance is pretty much the same at legal speeds to the Gransport and Granturismo, and you get the boomerang lights which are a delight. Just to end, I hope to be having more Modena Tridents sitting on my drive for many years to come.

Hi. I have a 3200 GT; a lovely example but I keep getting a fuel smell in the cabin. It has been to the dealer twice now, and whilst they say "It'll be OK now", it is not OK. Does anyone have any idea what might be a cause? Cheers.

I notice that people were commenting on the driver hitting the tree and implying that he was a bad driver. I can tell you as a fact that this car has had problems with the steering rack falling off the car, and then the driver has little control. This is now a factory recall. I can also tell people that the front suspension cracks and although Maserati have not yet recalled it, mine has been done by the dealer three years ago, and it won't be long before others follow.

I also tell people that Maserati are not helpful,and just interested in profit. Don't BUY THIS MODEL OR THE NEW ONE; it's a very bad product.