Just read this from a yahoo article.
"The difference between the early cars and 2001 model year edition is most marked in terms of driveability. The first cars to hit these shores were all manual models and frustrated keen drivers not because of their outright performance, but in the manner in which it was accessed. The throttle and brake pedal were like a hair trigger, unleashing great gales of turbocharged power after a slight pregnant pause while the turbos spooled up. To compound matters, this 370bhp tsunami would often take a moment to subside after the throttle had been closed, making town driving a nervy process.
This throttle action was softened in the slightly more urbane automatic version, but it too shared the odd brakes. For the first part of the pedal travel not a great deal happened and then suddenly youd be hanging off your seatbelts, eyeballs out on stalks. Smooth driving took a very delicate touch in the pedal box. Likewise the handling took some getting used to.
The ride was firm, but not out of keeping with the cars sporty character. It was only when you switched the traction control button off that you realised quite how much work the system was putting in. Lighting up the rear tyres in lurid oversteer was never easier, and the wet handling required a deft hand at the tiller. If you possessed such skills, the Maserati rewarded like no other competitor.
Balancing the car on the edge of traction as you exited a corner, the turbos detonating an explosion of power as the 3200GT squatted on its haunches and catapulted itself crazily up the road was a motoring experience that would live long in anybodys memory. The raw figures of 174mph and a rest to sixty time of 5.1 seconds understate the Maseratis sporting intent. Drive a 3200GT after stepping out of a Jaguar XKR and it will feel rawer and tauter a true sports car rather than a hotted up GT cruiser.
2001 model year cars are a revelation. The steering is less neurotic and the throttle response is far more linear, making the 3200GT a less frustrating companion for those of us without Schumachers reactions.
On any but the 2001 model year Maserati 3200GTs it is difficult to objectively recommend one over a Jaguar XKR or Porsche 911. Wonderful in some areas and frustratingly flawed in others, the Maserati is exasperatingly close to touching brilliance. What is without question is that the 3200GT is a more charismatic ownership proposition, desirability oozing from every pore. Early automatic cars are a good compromise if you cant stretch to a late car.
Pick a good one, learn to accommodate its characteristics and youll never castigate yourself for choosing the Modena marque. Every time your garage door opens and youre greeted with that trident emblem, anything else seems just that tiny bit mass-market."
Is that all ture then? So it seems that anything but a later model 3200 is not really a consideration then? Anyone want to confirm this?
