FIVE TRIALS

We enjoy the Maserati 3200GT and put it fully to the test

1 DAILY DRIVING

It’s possible to use a properly maintained, fully serviced Maserati 3200GT every day, whatever the naysayers might say. It’s comfortable, visibility is excellent and, unlike such rivals as the Aston Martin DB7, Jaguar XKR and Porsche 911, you can actually fit adult humans in the rear seats with comfort. However, there are caveats – don’t skimp on tyres because it can become a bit of a handful when it rains and its comfortable GT interior might cosset, but do remember that there’s a twin-turbo V8 under your right foot. That should also serve as a reminder about the fuel economy – you can expect little more than 18mpg.

2 IN THE SERVICE BAY

It’s a complex machine, so numerous electrical maladies can occur. What’s more challenging is a lack of parts – Maserati long ran out of key items and what there is isn’t going to be cheap. However, the Maserati community is strong and healthy – someone, somewhere will be able to help you. Forums such as SportsMaserati (sportsmaserati.com) often put together group buys for hard to find items, while Eurospares (eurospares.co.uk) will be able to help, too. Servicing costs aren’t exactly cheap and there aren’t many specialists around the country, but those who are out there are often praised for their abilities and quality of service.