Newbie - actively considering GT MC Shift 2-3 yrs old

[CLRut]

A newbie to the forum here but very long term poster on Pistonheads; have owned a TVR Tuscan for 12 yrs (50k miles) a Range Rover Sport Supercharged and formerly a Mustang GT V8. I really enjoy driving and have taken the Tuscan on serious road-trips each year across most of Europe's best roads.

I am seriously considering a Maserati GT as a daily driver for at least the next three years, replacing the RRS which has been both good, but terrible at the same time (reliability wise). I have the Tuscan so I don't need another two seater. The only realistic alternatives which "speak" to me – and not in this category in their truest sense – would be a nearly-new C7 RS6, or a new Alfa Romeo Giulia QV. Test drives of all three are lined up in the coming month and a half and in the case of the latter, a lot of online research has been undertaken as well.

I am really interested in owners practical experiences of the GT. This would be a regularly driven car, doing a long commute start and end of week over B, A-roads and then dual carriageways/motorways to Manchester, and covering c.250 miles per week – in all seasons. Urban mileage would be relatively limited. Weekend use would see two young children realistically wanting to experience the car! Therefore, I need to balance practicality (within reason) with a car which I actually want to drive and makes it an enjoyable occasion each time. Realistically therefore, is the car suitable/capable of this easily – have many owners there actually put on 36-45k over three years ownership?

For context, a realistic budget is currently in the c£60k-£70k range, with a particular preference for an MC Shift of 2-3 yrs old if feasible. I would be seeking a lower mileage car (<8-10k ideally) given the amount of mileage going onto it in future. I am not paranoid about residuals – this car needs to be used. I would seek a full warranty given my Land Rover experiences!

Any views are massively appreciated as I remember how helpful I found Pistonheads in the early days when I was purchasing the Tuscan – and then sought to pay it back to others thereafter.

I am unfortunately getting a little confused with the model names/versions; where does the Sport come in vs the MC Shift? Finally, would anyone chose an older, but equal mileage Stradale instead of the MC?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[safrane]

Welcome.

In short reply the car would be fine... all be it pricy to run over that distance/time due to fuel and services etc... but then I guess those maths have been done already.

The SPORT MC Auto shift is the more modern version of the auto box giving you similar gear changes, sound and experience as a full robotic MC shift but without a clutch to worry about.

I would recommend a call to Richard Grace for a warts and all honest summary of this type of car and the questions you ask...and if you still go this route (and I recommend you do) then he will be able to source a car for you.

Best of luck.

 

[Andyk]

A very big warm welcome to you....Great car the GT. Not many use them everyday due to probably MPG and service costs but if you don't do many miles a year it's not that it can't be an everyday car.

Can fully understand why you may be confused with models.....

First you had the 4.2 GT
Then the GTS with its 4.7 and MC Shift
Then a full auto 4.7 GTS
Then the 2 seater Stradale
In amongst this you had the 4.7 convertible.
And the 4.7 Sport convertible but unlike the GTS it had a full auto box but with quicker changes than standard I believe.

On top of this you could spec MC options which included carbon fibre add ons ...... Exterior and interior.....MC handling kit which was basically the Stradale set up I believe and worth hunting down on a GT....

Then the face lift came along with a bumper a little like the Stradale.

The 4.7 MC Shift became the GT Sport.
The Full Auto Sport got a better auto box and I think that was called Auto MC which lots say is really suits the car.
The Stradale add 4 seats and more power.
A Convertable Stradale was made called the Grancab MC.

Think that's about it but sure someone will correct any mistakes and owners will be along to let you know their experiences.

 

[sofasurfer]

I used my GTS for a year as a daily driver and loved it. The only downside is that with you miles it would need to be serviced very year and that can get expensive. Add in the mpg cost and it all mounts up but you will love every minute of using it.

 

[JonW]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I use my GTS as my daily driver, and absolutely love it. However, I'm doing less miles than you , with around 40-50 miles a week.

My suggestion would be to think seriously about getting the MC Auto shift, which is what I have in mine. This gives you all the convenience of an Auto when you're tired or don't feel like thinking about the drive, and gives you the same software, gear changes and noise when in manual with the Sport button pressed. It also means when you're stuck in a traffic jam you are not worrying about your clutch...

Would also highly recommend talking to Richard Grace, as others have suggested. He is incredibly generous with his time and knowledge, and I found it invaluable talking to him. He helped me buy my car from a private seller, and meant I got it at a price close to what the seller was looking for, but with a warranty from a respected and trusted dealer.

 

[CLRut]

Many thanks to all for the very helpful early thoughts.

I have a sense my prior approach that assuming the MC Shift was a "better" drivers car appears overly simplistic? I am used to driving the Tuscan in all conditions, but I agree, there are times when a balance of both manual/auto would be beneficial, especially as the weekly commute is effectively a 125 mile each-way drive - once at the start of the week, and then at the end (albeit mercifully in conditions which by and large are not traffic clogged all the time).

A step up into a Stradale looks a step a little too far in pricing terms - a 2015 or so with low mileage doesn't appear to give a lot of change out of £75-80k, albeit my man maths could equate £5-6k of that to carbon ceramic brakes!

 

[iainw]

I had an MC shift and would recommend as a daily driver. I was worried before purchase as there can be a lot of traffic near me, and I had heard of 'nodding head' gear changes.
I always used the MC Shift mode with paddles and never had any problems. I would recommend it. Its definitely a better drivers car imho, but others will give their opinions. There are some nice two seater stradales which you could get for 65 which look amazing. But you would be a brave man to put 40,000 miles on one - or 250 miles a day! :O

 

[D Walker]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I use my GTS as my daily driver, and absolutely love it. However, I'm doing less miles than you , with around 40-50 miles a week.

My suggestion would be to think seriously about getting the MC Auto shift, which is what I have in mine. This gives you all the convenience of an Auto when you're tired or don't feel like thinking about the drive, and gives you the same software, gear changes and noise when in manual with the Sport button pressed. It also means when you're stuck in a traffic jam you are not worrying about your clutch...

Would also highly recommend talking to Richard Grace, as others have suggested. He is incredibly generous with his time and knowledge, and I found it invaluable talking to him. He helped me buy my car from a private seller, and meant I got it at a price close to what the seller was looking for, but with a warranty from a respected and trusted dealer.

All of what Jon has said, I have been having this conundrum myself, the difference is I may have to wait and stretch to achieve the budget required... As Jon has said, speak to Dicky and he will try to eek out what you think you need and what will probably suit you best..
Good luck in your search.
Dave

 

[hoyin]

I still don't think the sport auto still quite matches the MC Shift.

As for kids in the back fine.

I am in the middle of a 10 day road trip in Spain with my little one and my elderly parents and a fully laden car. Not a single complaint. So it is definitely fine.

Got a stroller, baby bath and a bed for her in the boot.

And the amount of people asking to take photos of it is insane. There is A LOT of love for this car.

I wouldn't and haven't chosen a Strad purely because it doesn't have front parking sensors. Sounds stupid I know but mine is a daily and the size of the cars means I must have them.

But luckily I have an MC Shift with the handling pack.


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[CatmanV2]

I wish I had front sensors!

I was parking yesterday, downhill, in a friend's drive. Mrs Catman looked at me very oddly when I asked her to see me in. I simply cannot see the front of the car!

C

 

[Ewan]

Mrs Catman looked at me very oddly when I asked her to see me in.
C

Said Finbar Saunders

 

[GeoffCapes]

Fnaar fnaar!

 

[JonW]

quality!

 

[Navcorr]

My second office job had a guy the spitting image of Roger Mellie - every day was a challenge not to shout out:

 

[murph7355]

I still don't think the sport ...

I agree (for those occasions you want 10/10ths), BUT....

With the sort of miles the OP is referring to, the lack of need to replace clutches would be significantly more beneficial IMO.

I wanted an MC Shift Sport but ended up with an Auto. The MC Shift is much less common on the Sport and specs make a big difference to how the car feels so you may be waiting a while if you stick resolutely to the MC Shift.

I'm very far from disappointed. When on it, there's not much between the two (the speed of shift, pops and bangs, blips etc are all still up there). And the auto works much, much better as an auto.

 

[hoyin]

I agree (for those occasions you want 10/10ths), BUT....

With the sort of miles the OP is referring to, the lack of need to replace clutches would be significantly more beneficial IMO.

I wanted an MC Shift Sport but ended up with an Auto. The MC Shift is much less common on the Sport and specs make a big difference to how the car feels so you may be waiting a while if you stick resolutely to the MC Shift.

I'm very far from disappointed. When on it, there's not much between the two (the speed of shift, pops and bangs, blips etc are all still up there). And the auto works much, much better as an auto.

Perhaps.

I would really like to do a comparison with a stock Sport Auto and mine and really see if they really are identical. Or if I can notice the difference.


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[sofasurfer]

Now I don't use my GTS as a daily driver I kind of regret not getting an MC Shift.....maybe I should try and convince the wife a Strad is needed. I do worry about not having front parking sensors..shame they cannot retrofit them.

 

[JonW]

Perhaps.

I would really like to do a comparison with a stock Sport Auto and mine and really see if they really are identical. Or if I can notice the difference.


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Hoyin - I'll let you drive mine if I can drive yours. I still (occasionally) wonder if I should have bought an MC Shift...

Mine is not a Sport Auto, but has the same MC Auto Shift software

 

[D Walker]

Hoyin - I'll let you drive mine if I can drive yours. I still (occasionally) wonder if I should have bought an MC Shift...

Mine is not a Sport Auto, but has the same MC Auto Shift software

I think you 2 should get together when we are at Le Mans, then I can try both....as a passenger (back to back) !!!

 

[StuartW]

Now I don't use my GTS as a daily driver I kind of regret not getting an MC Shift.....maybe I should try and convince the wife a Strad is needed. I do worry about not having front parking sensors..shame they cannot retrofit them.

Do it!

If you're used to the GT, you'll be fine without the sensors. If you're not sure, stop early. It's worth the compromise, believe me