Used Maserati 3200GT review and buying guide (2000 to 2002): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Maserati 3200GT should you buy?

Go for an automatic 3200GT with paperwork showing the brake recall was carried out. The four-speed auto's old-fashioned and the press didn't rate it when it was new, but it's reliable, while the Getrag six-speed manual's gearchange isn't consistent: some cars shift sweetly and others don't. That makes the auto the lower-risk pick unless you can try a few manuals back to back.

The recall is the deal-breaker. It covered 1999 and 2000 cars, where the brake reservoir supply hoses could contaminate the fluid, which broke down seals until fluid leaked and the brakes lost bite. The fix swapped the hoses, the master cylinder and the ABS hydraulic unit, so a car that missed it still needs all of that doing. Beyond that, little separates one year from another, so a car's history counts for more than its age.

Which 3200GT engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The automatic's the safer gearbox. It's an old BTR four-speed that critics found dated, but it keeps working. The Getrag six-speed manual isn't one to rule out, though its shift quality differs from one car to the next, so drive more than one if you can and turn down a manual whose change feels notchy or vague.

There's very little on record about the engine itself. One owner's report points at the throttle electronics: the position sensors in the accelerator pedal can fail and make the throttle snatch, and that owner put a replacement pedal unit at £475. Worse is failure of the throttle body sensors on the engine itself, which the same owner priced at £2,000 from Maserati, or £400 to have a specialist refurbish and modify them.

What should you check when viewing a used 3200GT?

Ask for written proof the brake recall was done on any car built in 1999 or 2000, showing new reservoir supply hoses, a new master cylinder and a new ABS hydraulic unit. Then look under the bonnet around the brake fluid reservoir and master cylinder for leaks or damp patches, and make sure the pedal feels firm rather than sinking.

On the test drive, pay attention to the throttle. If the car lunges forward at the lightest touch, suspect those pedal or throttle body sensors, and don't accept that it's just how the car is. On a manual, work through all six gears and see how cleanly each one goes in. Ask for receipts for any throttle sensor work, showing what was replaced or rebuilt.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What do 3200GT owners like about them?

The brakes stand out: they were singled out as excellent from new, so it stops as well as it goes. It can be a satisfying car to own, too, with one automatic that was bought cheaply turning out to be a real pleasure for the owner who took it on.

It's more usable than a two-door coupe looks from outside. Two children fit in the back, and two adults can sit there for a short trip without complaint, so it doesn't have to be a car you only drive on your own.

• The Maserati 3200GT model received praise for its excellent braking performance and stopping power.
• The Maserati 3200GT provides adequate rear cabin space, suitable for two children or two adults on shorter journeys.