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Ewan

Member
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6,756
There's no wrong choice here. Both are good options.
But purely as a personal opinion, if I wanted/needed my Maser GT to have 4 seats, I'd go for an MC-Shift. And if didn't need 4 seats, I'd get a 2-seat Strad for the more full-fat madness experience.
 

cheburator

Member
Messages
139
There's no wrong choice here. Both are good options.
But purely as a personal opinion, if I wanted/needed my Maser GT to have 4 seats, I'd go for an MC-Shift. And if didn't need 4 seats, I'd get a 2-seat Strad for the more full-fat madness experience.

The only way the Maserati gets in without having to sell another car is because of the four seats and the healthy dose of “practicality” that comes with it. Personally I wouldn’t pay the premium for a 2-seat Stradale. It is impossible to justify another “bonkers” 2 seater car when I have a GT3 Club Sport turned up to 11, which has done 1500 miles over the last 3yrs...

The Stradale carries the allure of being warmed up by the Course guys, special parts etc. The 4 seats are the secret nudge and wink-wink which get it through the door... It will be like buying a GT3 comfort with rear seats. I would know it’s special, the wife (a petrolhead and car design fanatic) would be happy that the whole family can join.

And yet, it is 2x the price of the early car...

I think I should drive both and see for myself if the difference is that noticeable. I am worried that it will be... :) When I was buying my GT3 I drove a standard Club Sport, a Comfort and my current tweaked CS. I knew within 150metres of the test drive that I was going to buy it...
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
@cheburator that's the problem I bought two Ferrari blind without seeing or driving them the 456 first then the 360 my mind can be dangerous at times but it's certainly fun being a petrol head :)
 

cheburator

Member
Messages
139
@cheburator that's the problem I bought two Ferrari blind without seeing or driving them the 456 first then the 360 my mind can be dangerous at times but it's certainly fun being a petrol head :)

oh, speaking of 456s - been offered a GTA which has been stood for 5yrs in the barn where we store some of our cars. Now that’s a very dangerous rabbit hole...
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
@cheburator Its more than just high miles on the Strad.
Bumper respray required (Not stone chips/strange paint damage in multiple places).
All switches worn and light switch panel broken so need Roland's switch service when stripped out.
Worn armrest (may brush out).
Needs big service in July.
Leather recolour on driver bolster.
Look at Monument cars in Brigg. There are better pics as both garage are selling car.
Now if you want a proper 4 seater excuse then:
 

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
The hunt is still on. Two forum members have messaged me - thank you. I haven't forgotten you, but was waiting for the planets to align. Now that has happened, I really want to get moving. At present, I am sorely tempted by these two...

In the red corner - The Lincolnshire Stradale... Almost double the budget and "high miles", but it's a Stradale and a four seater, which would actually would fit its purpose perfectly.

In the blue corner - A London early MC Shift... Half the mileage, bang on initial budget. I am also a sucker for tan interiors.
- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=email_a_friend

The Stradale - I like the idea of it being a bit of thug in a Brioni, but you lot managed to sow the seed of doubt with regards to its "high mileage" and knock on effect if I ever come to move it on. Ceramics also scare me. The MC Shift - early car, so possible variator issues, and may still be on its original clutch, and also - part service history... Hmmm... Is the Stradale so much better to command almost 2x the price at 2x the mileage? I know they were very rare, but essentially it's the same car underneath - unlike like my GT3 and a boggo 911, where the only common things are the bodyshell... Part of me ( a big one) really wants the Race mode, the noise, the CF bonnet, and yet another says - buy the one owner, low mileage car and pocket some of the difference for 95% of the experience...

Any advise?
I do like the blue MC-shift :)
Did you get it?
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,756
I think I should drive both and see for myself if the difference is that noticeable. I am worried that it will be... :) When I was buying my GT3 I drove a standard Club Sport, a Comfort and my current tweaked CS. I knew within 150metres of the test drive that I was going to buy it...
The difference will definitely be noticeable!
But personally I’d not pay the extra. I’d rather have the cheaper MC-Shift for my 4 seat duties, with maybe an exhaust tweak (switchable) for when driving alone.
I just don’t quite “get” the 4 seat Strad, just like I don’t understand the thought of a 4 seat GT3. Not that any 911 is a 4 seater for that matter. I once tried to give some team mates a lift back from a game in my 911, and with the front seats where they needed to be to actually drive the car, we couldn't even squeeze the scrum-half into the back. Hence I quite like the 2 seat 911T of a few years ago - still a normal GT car (as opposed to the GT3 sports car), without the pretence of the back area being for anything other than luggage.
 

cheburator

Member
Messages
139
Viewing the MC Shift tonight and then will see if I need to go oooop Norf to see the Stradale... I stuck them both in WBAC... Seems that Maserati is another brand where CAP Clean bears no resemblance to reality. The MC Shift came back around £21.5k, with a "gap" of £4.5k vs the asking price, but the Stradale was a shocking £33.5k bid vs £45k asking price. I hope I will be going back to London behind a paddle shift wheel and not on the 19:27 to King's Cross :boss:
 

Bebs

Member
Messages
3,265
I would definitely get a PPI on a 2008 4.7. It is likely to need some sort of work and if it’s the usual suspects: cam cover gaskets, suspension bushes/arms, engine mounts, disc & pads, clutch, rust prevention etc, you could be looking at a 10K bill.
Mine did and it’s a 2010 4.7 MC shift.
 

cheburator

Member
Messages
139
I would definitely get a PPI on a 2008 4.7. It is likely to need some sort of work and if it’s the usual suspects: cam cover gaskets, suspension bushes/arms, engine mounts, disc & pads, clutch, rust prevention etc, you could be looking at a 10K bill.
Mine did and it’s a 2010 4.7 MC shift.

It has been always serviced by HR Owen and McGrath - will be on the phone later on to them... Seller is more than happy for it to go for an inspection. Clutch is 25% worn... One thing I haven't really mentioned - I have a double garage which is pretty full on - the only thing I haven't done yet is welding. But I am more than happy to build engines and gearboxes, suspension components, aircon etc. In addition a friend who owns a large garage employs a suspension alignment God, who loves working on older cars. A Maserati is not more complex than a 928, 911, M3 or M5... So that kind of work doesn't scare me at all. Yes, hopefully it will be reflected in the price, and if I see excessive rust on the subframe, I would probably walk away, but on paper and on the phone sounds like a decent car, which has been sparingly used, but still maintained... There are certain things that can be changed and improved on - mechanicals in need of attention or bodywokr. There are others, which cannot be improved on - one owner from new and good history. Hence willing to consider it, despite the 2008 vintage and all that it entails...
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
You can certainly save money on labour if you have the skills to work on cars.
Some of the parts are crazy expensive and some not so for you the experience should be pleasurable.
Wouldn't want to change a subframe without a lift though.
 

cheburator

Member
Messages
139
You can certainly save money on labour if you have the skills to work on cars.
Some of the parts are crazy expensive and some not so for you the experience should be pleasurable.
Wouldn't want to change a subframe without a lift though.

Sometimes beggars cannot be chosers - took off, restored and re-fitted the whole drivetrain of another transaxle car - a 928 S4 Manual - with the car on axle stands. When you aren't pressed for time like a professional garage normally is, it wasn't so bad. If I was doing it for the money full time, of course a lift will by my first purchase...
 

cheburator

Member
Messages
139
How did the viewing go?

First things first - very dark blue on tan and blue alcantara headlining looks amazing in the flesh. The rest of the car:

One or two stone chips, a couple of scuffs - one on the front bumper and one on the rear quarter. Two tiny lacquer peels - one on the boot and one on the C-pillar. No dings whatsoever. Also paint is definitely original. Needs a good cut and polish. Alloys have some scuffs, but have never been done and will need new centre caps. Matching Pirelli’s all round with plenty of thread left. Discs - good - easy 15k left in them. So are the pads. Red calipers.

Engine and engine bay - completely dry and clean, but I would expect it to be on 27k miles. Super smooth idle


Interior - hmm, it was OK - I just get a feeling that design wise the Italians have the upper hand. But quality wise, the Germans are streets ahead. A good clean would make it wonderful, but the soft touch buttons were borderline and the steering wheel was pulling above the airbag. Everything worked - aircon, seats, stereo

The drive... It was everything I expected it to be and it wasn’t. The car it most reminded me of was my old E61 M5. Rock steady, with enormous grunt higher up in the Rev range. But you could feel it’s heft. It could be hussled down B-roads, but it’s real element would be empty and wide Scottish A-roads or the French Rue Nacionals. I certainly wouldn’t do a lot of track days in it. Brakes were great, the MC Shift is superb, but I can also see why clutch life is laughable in comparison with BMW. In their attempt to make it automatic smooth, I guess clutch slurr is increased. Anyway, I loved the drama with open baffles and the pops on the overrun. Ferrari/Maserati know how to design great powerplants.

It also affirmed my view why I wouldn’t bother with a Stradale. The race car is immense. But it weighs 400kg less. £20k and double the miles isn’t worthy for the exclusivity and 110kg off a hefty lump. My 928 GTS 5-spd can fit that bill.

All paperwork, including the original invoice was there. 8 stamps and 4 invoices. 4 from HROwen and 4 from McGrath Maserati. All wallets and toolkit, air pump etc.

The only fly in the ointment- someone saw it before me and has booked it for inspection tomorrow. If he pulls out, then I have the first refusal. If he ends up buying it, at least I know now for sure I want one

Underneath looked very clean and leak free. No rust anywhere, but this was a 27k mile car. I would have been shocked had it needed any remedial work at this stage.
 

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,930
First things first - very dark blue on tan and blue alcantara headlining looks amazing in the flesh. The rest of the car:

One or two stone chips, a couple of scuffs - one on the front bumper and one on the rear quarter. Two tiny lacquer peels - one on the boot and one on the C-pillar. No dings whatsoever. Also paint is definitely original. Needs a good cut and polish. Alloys have some scuffs, but have never been done and will need new centre caps. Matching Pirelli’s all round with plenty of thread left. Discs - good - easy 15k left in them. So are the pads. Red calipers.

Engine and engine bay - completely dry and clean, but I would expect it to be on 27k miles. Super smooth idle


Interior - hmm, it was OK - I just get a feeling that design wise the Italians have the upper hand. But quality wise, the Germans are streets ahead. A good clean would make it wonderful, but the soft touch buttons were borderline and the steering wheel was pulling above the airbag. Everything worked - aircon, seats, stereo

The drive... It was everything I expected it to be and it wasn’t. The car it most reminded me of was my old E61 M5. Rock steady, with enormous grunt higher up in the Rev range. But you could feel it’s heft. It could be hussled down B-roads, but it’s real element would be empty and wide Scottish A-roads or the French Rue Nacionals. I certainly wouldn’t do a lot of track days in it. Brakes were great, the MC Shift is superb, but I can also see why clutch life is laughable in comparison with BMW. In their attempt to make it automatic smooth, I guess clutch slurr is increased. Anyway, I loved the drama with open baffles and the pops on the overrun. Ferrari/Maserati know how to design great powerplants.

It also affirmed my view why I wouldn’t bother with a Stradale. The race car is immense. But it weighs 400kg less. £20k and double the miles isn’t worthy for the exclusivity and 110kg off a hefty lump. My 928 GTS 5-spd can fit that bill.

All paperwork, including the original invoice was there. 8 stamps and 4 invoices. 4 from HROwen and 4 from McGrath Maserati. All wallets and toolkit, air pump etc.

The only fly in the ointment- someone saw it before me and has booked it for inspection tomorrow. If he pulls out, then I have the first refusal. If he ends up buying it, at least I know now for sure I want one

Underneath looked very clean and leak free. No rust anywhere, but this was a 27k mile car. I would have been shocked had it needed any remedial work at this stage.

Have you had a look at the advert for forum members @Lavazza GT mc shift. It is a known forum car which has been well looked after and recent works to fix any issues.
 

cheburator

Member
Messages
139
put it this way, if the one i saw on Friday is bought tomorrow by the other chap, i will be going after this one....
 

Bebs

Member
Messages
3,265
Oh and looks like there’s already competition on Lavazza’s car so I’d move quickly.