MC Stradales - out with the old and in with the new

[StuartW]

After over five & half years together, it is time for the Stradale to be moved on and traded in for a younger model. It has been a great car and still is fantastic to own & to drive, and whoever owns it next will not be disappointed. It will be with @dickygrace soon should anyone like to be the next owner.
I am rather partial to the Granturismo however, borne out by the MC Shift I had before the Stradale and by the MC Trofeo which I also have so I have not strayed far with my younger model. My huge thanks go to @CLRut for being true to his word in contacting me first when he decided to move on from his beautiful 2016 Blu Mediterraneo Stradale after over five years of ownership. The car has been truly loved, driven & enjoyed and fastidiously maintained during Craig’s ownership, wanting for nothing. I remember seeing it advertised for sale just a few months after I bought my Stradale and straight away thought that it was just about the perfect Stradale for me. Craig and I stayed in contact throughout his ownership and I feel privileged to now be the car’s third owner. There were only three Stradales made for the UK in this colour – one 2011 two seater which has sadly been written off, a 2013 four seater with an exposed carbon bonnet, blue/white interior & which was spotted at FoS this year, and this car.
I have toyed with changing for another GT such as a Ferrari V12 but each time I got back into the Stradale, it felt very special and is destined to be an all-time great for Maserati.
Thank you once more Craig and don’t worry, I will take excellent care of it!

And as I have these three for one week only, I couldn’t resist taking a quick snap

 

[hashluck]

Perfect

 

[Strad]

I bought mine at almost exactly the same time that Craig did so I remember that special car very well. I’m glad you’ve stuck with a Stradale, I still can’t think of anything that could replace it. Enjoy!
Mark.

 

[CLRut]

What a lovely post and thank you Stuart. It was with very mixed feelings that I said goodbye to the Strad - but I know it's going to a splendid home where it will be really cherished. It's been a magnificent period of ownership over these past 5 yrs and the car has been epic, especially on the three road trips it was utterly perfect for. I cannot recommend highly enough taking these cars to Europe where the roads and distances really allowed me to fully appreciate all that the car was capable of (at least within the bounds of my capabilities!). This hasn't been a garage queen and 22k memorable miles over my ownership have proven that (Stuart even gets the benefit of my sub 30% clutch wear ).

A few mentions - Richard Grace has been a credit to the Maserati community throughout my ownership, helping me with advice at the time of purchase, and then being supportive and transparent in my recent thinking about selling. Graypaul Nottingham get a strong positive thumbs up from me for the way they handled all matters during my ownership, be they warranty claims, servicing or simple queries. And finally this forum has been excellent - always a good source of info from passionate owners of the brand; I look forward to returning to Maserati ownership in the future as its been something I've really enjoyed and don't regret a second of. Take care of the car Stuart !

 

[Andyk]

Out goes one beautiful and in comes another in an ever better colour. Loved you outgoing one Stu especially when you had the graphics on her but that blue is very special.

 

[philw696]

What a Great post and I hope Maserati read it too.

 

[MikeyMaser]

And as I have these three for one week only, I couldn’t resist taking a quick snap

View attachment 104423

Epic photo! The article in Auto Italia mag this month was also great

 

[Felonious Crud]

A Strad in blue is a thing of great beauty.

Here's a mission for you. Craig - next car also in an actual colour. Good luck with that!

 

[Bebs]

Many congratulations Stuart, absolutely stunning

 

[Felonious Crud]

PS, @CLRut, it is imperative that you stick around on here even if your next car will have been built slightly closer to home.

PPS, @StuartW, well done! I'm pleased that you had first dibs on Craig's Strad because if he'd advertised it here then I'd have had a domestic disturbance to deal with.

 

[dickygrace]

After over five & half years together, it is time for the Stradale to be moved on and traded in for a younger model. It has been a great car and still is fantastic to own & to drive, and whoever owns it next will not be disappointed. It will be with @dickygrace soon should anyone like to be the next owner.
I am rather partial to the Granturismo however, borne out by the MC Shift I had before the Stradale and by the MC Trofeo which I also have so I have not strayed far with my younger model. My huge thanks go to @CLRut for being true to his word in contacting me first when he decided to move on from his beautiful 2016 Blu Mediterraneo Stradale after over five years of ownership. The car has been truly loved, driven & enjoyed and fastidiously maintained during Craig’s ownership, wanting for nothing. I remember seeing it advertised for sale just a few months after I bought my Stradale and straight away thought that it was just about the perfect Stradale for me. Craig and I stayed in contact throughout his ownership and I feel privileged to now be the car’s third owner. There were only three Stradales made for the UK in this colour – one 2011 two seater which has sadly been written off, a 2013 four seater with an exposed carbon bonnet, blue/white interior & which was spotted at FoS this year, and this car.
I have toyed with changing for another GT such as a Ferrari V12 but each time I got back into the Stradale, it felt very special and is destined to be an all-time great for Maserati.
Thank you once more Craig and don’t worry, I will take excellent care of it!

And as I have these three for one week only, I couldn’t resist taking a quick snap

View attachment 104423

Thanks for the mention, glad it’s all worked out for all 3 parties. Awesome picture.

 

[dickygrace]

What a lovely post and thank you Stuart. It was with very mixed feelings that I said goodbye to the Strad - but I know it's going to a splendid home where it will be really cherished. It's been a magnificent period of ownership over these past 5 yrs and the car has been epic, especially on the three road trips it was utterly perfect for. I cannot recommend highly enough taking these cars to Europe where the roads and distances really allowed me to fully appreciate all that the car was capable of (at least within the bounds of my capabilities!). This hasn't been a garage queen and 22k memorable miles over my ownership have proven that (Stuart even gets the benefit of my sub 30% clutch wear ).

A few mentions - Richard Grace has been a credit to the Maserati community throughout my ownership, helping me with advice at the time of purchase, and then being supportive and transparent in my recent thinking about selling. Graypaul Nottingham get a strong positive thumbs up from me for the way they handled all matters during my ownership, be they warranty claims, servicing or simple queries. And finally this forum has been excellent - always a good source of info from passionate owners of the brand; I look forward to returning to Maserati ownership in the future as its been something I've really enjoyed and don't regret a second of. Take care of the car Stuart !

View attachment 104424

Thanks for the mention @CLRut and glad to be of help. I’d have loved to have your car but I’m equally happy with the alternative.

 

[damnawivdaplan]

PS, @CLRut, it is imperative that you stick around on here even if your next car will have been built slightly closer to home.

PPS, @StuartW, well done! I'm pleased that you had first dibs on Craig's Strad because if he'd advertised it here then I'd have had a domestic disturbance to deal with.

the blue just sets it off more very lucky guy!

 

[StuartW]

Thanks everyone

My grey car has been fantastic to own and the blue car is the only Maserati I would have changed it for. I was just fortunate that Craig decided to sell and the fact that he is just half an hour's drive from me was an added bonus!

 

[Wattie]

Congratulations, fantastic cars.
(Note to self. Should’ve tried harder at work)

 

[StuartW]

Congratulations, fantastic cars.
(Note to self. Should’ve tried harder at work)

Cheers

We have no kids and I have not managed to get away on a proper holiday since 2005 so I think I deserve a bit of a treat!

 

[Felonious Crud]

Cheers

We have no kids and I have not managed to get away on a proper holiday since 2005 so I think I deserve a bit of a treat!

If it would help, you are welcome to borrow mine (although they're not really kids any more) and between Mrs Crud and me we can propose myriad ways for you to erode whatever wealth you've managed to accumulate. Cars, of course, are always a very good way to do it, and you really need to get away on mega feck-off big holiday. Now you've got the Strad, you have no excuse.

 

[StuartW]

If it would help, you are welcome to borrow mine (although they're not really kids any more) and between Mrs Crud and me we can propose myriad ways for you to erode whatever wealth you've managed to accumulate. Cars, of course, are always a very good way to do it, and you really need to get away on mega feck-off big holiday. Now you've got the Strad, you have no excuse.

Thanks for the offer Adam - leave it with me!

 

[Felonious Crud]

Thanks for the offer Adam - leave it with me!

That's the spirit!

 

[Gazcw]

If it would help, you are welcome to borrow mine (although they're not really kids any more) and between Mrs Crud and me we can propose myriad ways for you to erode whatever wealth you've managed to accumulate. Cars, of course, are always a very good way to do it, and you really need to get away on mega feck-off big holiday. Now you've got the Strad, you have no excuse.

Sounds like a candidate for VTPOB