Vroom! Is that what I think it is zipping up Park Avenue?

Yes, after twelve years, the Italian luxury-car company is returning to America.

With what, exactly?

Two new models -- the Spyder convertible and the Coupé (below), offering such necessary features as a Formula 1 electronic shifter, alarm system with "anti-tow" protections, and a 390-horsepower engine capable of going from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds.

Useful for the L.I.E., then, but how much?

Eighty-four thousand to $100,000.

If only I hadn't listened to Jack about that AT&T stock . . .

Don't be so cheap -- that includes self-ventilated, cross-drilled large-diameter disc brakes!

But will I be the only Maserati man in town?

Absolutely not! Silvano Marchetto, owner of Da Silvano, recently bought two Spyders, which he finds a lot of fun -- especially outside the city. "If the police in Long Island knew how fast I drove recently," he says, "I'm sure they'd be waiting for me with a ticket next time!"

Related:

• Archive: “Gotham”
• Table of Contents: Dec 2, 2002 issue of New York | Subscribe!