2002 Maserati Spyder Review

It's been a long wait. Maserati, which once sold cars that often were sexier than Ferraris, hasn't offered a sports car in America since its 1981 Merak SS. Starting in the 1980s, changes made by the small Italian automaker's multiple owners led it to sell boxy coupes and sedans that tarnished its glamorous image. It finally left the U.S. market in 1990. Further hurting Maserati's image was another flop--a costly 1989-91 convertible done by Chrysler and Maserati and sold by Chrysler dealers. Oddly called Chrysler's TC by Maserati, it had mediocre quality, many Chrysler parts and Chrysler and Mitsubishi engines.

The car looked like the much cheaper Chrysler LeBaron convertible and horrified Maserati fans. But the new 176-mph Maserati sports car that recently went on sale here should make up for the flops and sports car drought. Ironically, the sophisticated new 390-horsepower car is built by Ferrari, which once was Maserati's archrival on the road and track.

Ferrari has run the Maserati operation since 1997 because Italy's giant Fiat automaker bought both companies and figured Ferrari could do the best job bringing back Maserati's old glory. Most Maseratis will be sold by Ferrari dealers in this country. Powering the front-engine, rear-drive Maserati is a race-style 390-horsepower V-8, which is docile with a wide power curve for good throttle response at all speeds. The new engine whisks the Spyder to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Fuel economy is only an estimated 11 mpg in the city and 17 on highways, but that's to be expected with an Italian exotic.

The new $87,165 Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa sports car I tested recently went on sale. It will be followed in May by an $83,315 Coupe Cambiocorsa model. Ferraris start at about $145,000. The small two-seat Spyder is about the size of a Porsche Boxster and is styled by Italy's illustrious Italdesign-Giugiaro outfit. It has a fully automatic power top that disappears into a compartment behind the seats. However, it has a plastic--not glass--rear window.

There are two roll bars integrated into the chassis, along with four air bags. The high-quality car is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. The Coupe version arrives this spring. It looks much like the Spyder, but is 8.7 inches longer and has a 104.7-inch wheelbase, compared with 96.1 inches for the Spyder. It can seat four adults. Both models are so well equipped with power and comfort equipment that they weigh about 3,800 pounds.

The Maserati is offered with a Cambiocorsa (Italian for "race-style'') six-speed manual transmission, which has a clutch that doesn't require foot operation of a clutch pedal. Rather, it's just operated with twin steering wheel paddles. It shifts about twice as fast as a top race driver could with a regular manual transmission. The unit also can be used in a fully automatic mode by pushing a button, although some might want downshifts in that mode to be quicker.

Both models cost $4,000 less with a conventional six-speed manual transmission that comes with a foot-operated clutch. The suspension is designed for superb handling, and an electronic traction control system is standard. But Maserati also offers a $2,270 electronic "Skyhook'' adjustable damping suspension system to improve stability.

Steering of the Spyder is nicely weighted and has the right amount of quickness, although some might feel it has excessive power assist at high speeds. The huge brakes are very strong, with good pedal feel. The ride is firm, but supple. You can tell that Ferrari engineered this car. However, there are no cupholders because, after all, this is an exotic Italian machine for serious drivers, not a rolling cafeteria. Maserati hasn't sold racy cars here for so long that some younger folks might know little or nothing about the automaker.

They might be surprised to learn that it was founded in Italy in 1926 and sold sexy cars two decades before Ferrari began operations in Italy in 1946. Maserati, which won two Indianapolis 500s and other world-class races, concentrated mostly on competition cars until 1957. That's when it built its first mass-produced model--the exciting 3500 sports car. Maserati went on to build a bunch of fast, rakish sports cars, including the Mistral, Indy and Bora. One of its legendary models is the 1967-73 Ghibli, which was bought by famous people, such as basketball great Wilt Chamberlain.

Most Maserati street models have been more comfortable and plusher than Ferrari road cars. And Ferrari has been careful to keep that tradition with the new Maserati sports car. The Spyder is relaxed, not like the edgy, frenetic Ferrari. "The new Maserati is for those who want to use it on a daily basis--something not generally done with Ferraris,'' said classic Maserati fan John Weinberger, owner of Continental AutoSports, a Hinsdale Maserati-Ferrari dealer. It's expected that typical Maserati owners will be car buffs who put up to 12,000 miles a year on the car. Ferrari sports cars typically are driven 4,000 to 6,000 miles annually.

"We'll get 35 to 40 Maserati models to sell annually,'' said Scott Rothermel, general manager of Continental AutoSports, where Maserati sales manager David Alexander said most Maserati buyers will want the convertible model. Alexander also said some Maseratis will be bought by Ferrari owners. The other Chicago area Maserati dealer is Lake Forest Sportscars, which also sells Ferraris.

Greg Berner, general manager of that dealership, said it also will get up to 40 Maseratis and that the car's user-friendly nature might prompt a fair number of women to buy the car. Both dealers say few women buy Ferraris. All Maserati sports cars have had scrumptious, immaculately stitched leather interiors, and the new model is no exception. It has numerous power assists, but also Maserati's traditional classy analog clock. The Spyder's bucket seats are supportive, and there's good room for two tall adults--although long-legged drivers might wish their seat moved back farther.

The trunk has a decent amount of room for a small two-seater, as long as you don't order the optional spare tire. It's an inflatable mini-spare that costs $570 and comes with an electric air compressor. Otherwise, Spyder buyers get a can of "fix-a-flat'' to seal a tire puncture.

The engine isn't covered by an ugly plastic cover, which is the case with some costly autos. And fluid filler areas are hidden by small removable covers to allow the engine compartment to look neat--a thoughtful touch. The new Maserati is a good alternative to sports cars from Jaguar, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz--or, come to think of it, even Ferrari.

MASERATI SPYDER CAMBIOCORSA

Price
$87,165
Likes
First new Maserati sports car in 21 years. Fast. Docile. Posh interior.
Dislikes
Low fuel economy. Spare tire is optional. No cupholders.