Strad
Member
- Messages
- 245
I wanted to introduce myself as a new member who has recently joined your ranks amongst the Maserati owners. After 3 months of search, web-surfing, advice gathering, my tyre-kicking finally came to an end when I acquired the Lava Grey 2016 Stradale previously owned by David (w5pwr).
This forum was a massive help on a whole spectrum of questions and concerns that I had invented. A big thank you must go to a number of you who guided me through the process, Ewan and Guy (both introduced through a mutual friend) whose enthusiasm and tips were invaluable, Dicky G who generously gave me his time, Craig (Med Blue Strad) who was a month or so ahead of me on the Stradale purchase and gave me the push to finally take the leap. David for very kindly talking to one of the aforementioned about his car and critically confirming it wasn't full of gremlins forcing the relatively early sale - above all for clearly cherishing it which means I have a virtually new car which I hope to keep in the same condition for the long term.
I picked it up on its first birthday and haven't looked back so no post-purchase blues. I was in a C63 before so had to get something with a decent soundtrack and having two 4x4's in the family wanted something more sporty looking than the C63 Estate but able to take all three kids - sorry wife.... Various derivatives of the 911 spring to mind but I don't see a lot of value in that market currently and I love the fact that I've never seen another Stradale on the road.
Initial thoughts??? It's not a fast car by today's terms, certainly no quicker than the AMG was but the smile inducing theatre of each trip elevates it to another league. Despite its size and weight it feels well planted on the black stuff and lifting the bonnet shows they've pushed the engine deep towards/ into the bulkhead which must help balance and handling enormously. The clunky gear change makes me grin and underlines that fact that paddles are still changing a mechanical gear when the driver dictates but just in a different way to a pure manual. The noise is altogether something else, I live in the middle of nowhere and friends have told me they've heard it across the fields, literally miles (plural) away!
I don't think the auto and sport buttons will get worn out but are starting to get used purely as an act of consideration to others living in the same county....
Anyway, I'm one very happy new owner feeling very privileged to drive such a great example of this special model from the legendary brand.
Photos will follow but haven't had the chance to take anything that gets close to the ones David took - love the front three quarter angle taken up on a moor, posted when he was selling the spare black alloys / winter tyres. You know the one!
Mark.
p.s. Sorry about the totally unimaginative Username which was 'thought' up in a rush at day 1......
This forum was a massive help on a whole spectrum of questions and concerns that I had invented. A big thank you must go to a number of you who guided me through the process, Ewan and Guy (both introduced through a mutual friend) whose enthusiasm and tips were invaluable, Dicky G who generously gave me his time, Craig (Med Blue Strad) who was a month or so ahead of me on the Stradale purchase and gave me the push to finally take the leap. David for very kindly talking to one of the aforementioned about his car and critically confirming it wasn't full of gremlins forcing the relatively early sale - above all for clearly cherishing it which means I have a virtually new car which I hope to keep in the same condition for the long term.
I picked it up on its first birthday and haven't looked back so no post-purchase blues. I was in a C63 before so had to get something with a decent soundtrack and having two 4x4's in the family wanted something more sporty looking than the C63 Estate but able to take all three kids - sorry wife.... Various derivatives of the 911 spring to mind but I don't see a lot of value in that market currently and I love the fact that I've never seen another Stradale on the road.
Initial thoughts??? It's not a fast car by today's terms, certainly no quicker than the AMG was but the smile inducing theatre of each trip elevates it to another league. Despite its size and weight it feels well planted on the black stuff and lifting the bonnet shows they've pushed the engine deep towards/ into the bulkhead which must help balance and handling enormously. The clunky gear change makes me grin and underlines that fact that paddles are still changing a mechanical gear when the driver dictates but just in a different way to a pure manual. The noise is altogether something else, I live in the middle of nowhere and friends have told me they've heard it across the fields, literally miles (plural) away!
I don't think the auto and sport buttons will get worn out but are starting to get used purely as an act of consideration to others living in the same county....
Anyway, I'm one very happy new owner feeling very privileged to drive such a great example of this special model from the legendary brand.
Photos will follow but haven't had the chance to take anything that gets close to the ones David took - love the front three quarter angle taken up on a moor, posted when he was selling the spare black alloys / winter tyres. You know the one!
Mark.
p.s. Sorry about the totally unimaginative Username which was 'thought' up in a rush at day 1......