Review of must have options for a new MASERATI GRANTURISMO SPORT MC SHIFT

[Fangio63]

It may have come down in price over the years maybe...As you say that is still a lot and the price of a everyday run around.........but it is a lovely colour agree....Wasn't it originally a Ferrari colour?

I think it's a special order even on a Ferrari... Maserati have a long history of custom colours though... both inside and out..I was once told of a customer who'd ordered a 3200 and asked them to match a piece of Cadbury's purple foil.... and I reckon that there'd be deals to be done on the costs of some of these options at this point in the lifecycle....

But my basic point to the OP was that it's easy to be led by colour options that you've seen.... and if it's a keeper... then it's better to try and imagine how it will look in the pages of a classic / collectors mag in 25 years time..... Get it right and you've got a forever car...

I have bitter experience of getting it wrong.... years ago I ordered an Alfa 156 GTA wagon... waited ages for it... Black leather with Grey inserts... but Silver paintwork...It was just wrong... I couldn't look at it after 6 months and sold it within the year...

 

[bigbob]

I think Blu Nettuno became the default colour for 4200's.... (at least it seemed that way to me)... Mine was Grigio Alfieri... (which is a bit of an Aston colour)...

My previous GT was Nero Carboni / Tan... and was stunning...

When looking for a Sport they were all White or Sofisticato or Black... Would have had a black one if I could have found a pale interior... So the Oceano was not my first choice... Have to say it's really grown on me... When spotlessly clean in the sunlight there's a little hint of a red flake in it... looks utterly brilliant to my eye

Nettuno and Oceano are the same on the wet winter day but get the sun on Oceano and there is a whole world of colour in it!

 

[bigbob]

I think it's a special order even on a Ferrari... Maserati have a long history of custom colours though... both inside and out..I was once told of a customer who'd ordered a 3200 and asked them to match a piece of Cadbury's purple foil.... and I reckon that there'd be deals to be done on the costs of some of these options at this point in the lifecycle....

But my basic point to the OP was that it's easy to be led by colour options that you've seen.... and if it's a keeper... then it's better to try and imagine how it will look in the pages of a classic / collectors mag in 25 years time..... Get it right and you've got a forever car...

I have bitter experience of getting it wrong.... years ago I ordered an Alfa 156 GTA wagon... waited ages for it... Black leather with Grey inserts... but Silver paintwork...It was just wrong... I couldn't look at it after 6 months and sold it within the year...

Must be hard only using a car after dark. Bet you went through a few sets of front tyres in the year.

 

[CraigNicol123]

I think cosmetic options such as colour etc are completely up to you and totally subjective, especially if you plan on keeping the car. It would be hard to spec a new build as you couldn't see it before it was actually finished and pictures or online build programmes never give the full picture.
I just bought a GTS MC Shift and I was absolutely convinced, prior to buying, that it had to have light interior and be either blue or white. I had looked at so many pictures online etc and had decided on this. However when I went to Greypaul to have a look at their cars I absolutely fell in love with a Grigio Granito GTS with Nero interior and contrast white stitching. Basically the complete opposite of what I had initially wanted but when I saw the cars in the flesh, blu sofisticado, BF white and Grigio Granito they all looked different from what I was expecting.

 

[Fangio63]

Must be hard only using a car after dark. Bet you went through a few sets of front tyres in the year.

Thats about right !.... I never got tired of looking at the engine though (not that I had a reason to)... that chromed exhaust manifold was lovely...

First world problems eh ?.... and looking at pics doesn't help either ... Always thought White cars were a bit "Essex"... but when you see a GT in white it just looks almost sculptural ...

Granito on these really works well... and contrast stitching is now a must....(and Navy / yellow - as the OP suggested could be very nice )... oddly there was one for sale with Bentley in Cambridge with a dark Blue interior... had a Blue steering wheel too..I bet it's still for sale...

But paying extra to upgrade a sound system you never use anyway ?... No...

 

[hoyin]

I think cosmetic options such as colour etc are completely up to you and totally subjective, especially if you plan on keeping the car. It would be hard to spec a new build as you couldn't see it before it was actually finished and pictures or online build programmes never give the full picture.
I just bought a GTS MC Shift and I was absolutely convinced, prior to buying, that it had to have light interior and be either blue or white. I had looked at so many pictures online etc and had decided on this. However when I went to Greypaul to have a look at their cars I absolutely fell in love with a Grigio Granito GTS with Nero interior and contrast white stitching. Basically the complete opposite of what I had initially wanted but when I saw the cars in the flesh, blu sofisticado, BF white and Grigio Granito they all looked different from what I was expecting.

Ditto this as well.

I ended up with a black car with black interior. But I wanted something a bit more sedate and more of a sporty feel (I thought).

I have a similar spec to the OP. Handling pack and all the carbon. But alcantara steering wheel and seat inserts. I toyed with the idea of changing to a carbon steering wheel, but now I actually prefer the original.

Think it looks awesome.

 

[ChrisQP09]

Would def get a GT in Rosso Fuoco if possible even by possible and money was no option.

 

[Andyk]

Here's the QP ...

http://www.romansinternational.com/car/923/maserati-quattroporte-gt-s-mc-sport-line

 

[Fangio63]

Enough of the opinions on colour schemes.... There's probably a good reason why they chose that colour for the press cars... it looks great.... Love to be in a position to spec up a new one myself...

I think we all want to see it ordered and some pics posted on delivery......

 

[bigbob]

Think we have scared the OP away. Agree that we just want to see another owner on here soon!

Great that you can still order a GranTurismo. Still the best car Maserati currently make.

 

[Fangio63]

Think we have scared the OP away. Agree that we just want to see another owner on here soon!

Great that you can still order a GranTurismo. Still the best car Maserati currently make.

I'm very jealous of him... I'd do it in a heartbeat if I could...I've put 4k miles on mine since feb and trying to resist the urge to rack the mileage up .... but it's just too good...

 

[phills1]

I'm very jealous of him... I'd do it in a heartbeat if I could...I've put 4k miles on mine since feb and trying to resist the urge to rack the mileage up .... but it's just too good...

The OP is still alive, been intresting to hear the opnions, to answer the question no not a Chelsea fan or football in the slighestiest. Reason for navy leather as there are very few with that colour leather I did look at red stiching with the navy and white to, I love the Masterati logo stiched into the headrests and everyone has red calipers (too common so no red stiching), thank you for the opnions of the Carbon Fibre wheel, that will be ditched! I'm still not sure the Blu will date quickly red I thought of, but I have my Imola Red BMW in that colour that I've had from day dot and am not parting with so don't want two red cars.

Btw all carbon fibre bits are reasonable prices, bar the seat back frames I don't think are worth the cost.

@BigBob I'm none of those things professionally you listed it out.

 

[Fangio63]

The OP is still alive, been intresting to hear the opnions, to answer the question no not a Chelsea fan or football in the slighestiest. Reason for navy leather as there are very few with that colour leather I did look at red stiching with the navy and white to, I love the Masterati logo stiched into the headrests and everyone has red calipers (too common so no red stiching), thank you for the opnions of the Carbon Fibre wheel, that will be ditched! I'm still not sure the Blu will date quickly red I thought of, but I have my Imola Red E46 in BMW in that colour that I've had from new and am not parting with so don't want two red cars.

Btw all carbon fibre bits are reasonable prices, bar the seat back frames I don't think are worth the cost.

@BigBob I'm none of those things professionally you listed it out.

Like your thinking... ... I think you could be right on the Navy/Yellow combo... Can't wait to see it now....

 

[Colossus]

For what it is worth I prefer the Blu Mediterraneo over the Sophisticato, which I find a bit shallow in comparison. There is probably not much in it with a flat light, but when the sun hits the Blu Med it becomes a very rich and deep blue but bright at the same time, looks absolutely stunning in my view, whereas you do not get quite the same effect with the Sophisticato. When I ordered mine, nearly 6 years ago now, it was one of only a handful in that colour, but with the introduction of the Sport and many of the press cars coming in Sophisticato, I might be tempted with something else.

With respect to the other options, whilst I get why you might spec the Bose, it really is poor for the money and is very restrictive in how you can then try and upgrade the system. You are actually much better off to spec the base stereo and then spend £1k at a proper hi-fi shop, the results are very very impressive. I also have an alcantara steering wheel, which I love, so much nicer than the leather, it just feels more special. I have the wheel in blue alcantara which matches the blu alcantara seat inserts, the rest being cream leather. Not sure if the new Sport seats allow this as an option any more but might be worth considering.

Having said all of the above, it were me, I would be getting an MC Stradale, no question. The handling you experienced is, as I think Big Bob said, very likely to be tyre dependant. If recollection serves right the Stradale comes with quite extreme rubber as standard but even the standard P Zeros are not good when it is very cold and wet, you just learn to drive within their limits and don't select sport until the tyres have a bit of heat in them! I am looking to change rears and may give the Goodyear Eagle F1s a go, they were a huge improvement on my old 4200 but that was moving from Pilot Sports, so not sure whether the change would be as noticeable from P Zeros. In short, the Stradale will be as user friendly as a regular Sport but there will be a much bigger upside. If I had the cash it would be the way I would go. Good luck and enjoy the experience, it is not every day you get the chance to spec a brand new Maserati!

 

[bigbob]

I've now got the Conti SC3s after I got sick of the P Zeros. Very good tyre so far.

 

[phills1]

For what it is worth I prefer the Blu Mediterraneo over the Sophisticato, which I find a bit shallow in comparison. There is probably not much in it with a flat light, but when the sun hits the Blu Med it becomes a very rich and deep blue but bright at the same time, looks absolutely stunning in my view, whereas you do not get quite the same effect with the Sophisticato. When I ordered mine, nearly 6 years ago now, it was one of only a handful in that colour, but with the introduction of the Sport and many of the press cars coming in Sophisticato, I might be tempted with something else.

With respect to the other options, whilst I get why you might spec the Bose, it really is poor for the money and is very restrictive in how you can then try and upgrade the system. You are actually much better off to spec the base stereo and then spend £1k at a proper hi-fi shop, the results are very very impressive. I also have an alcantara steering wheel, which I love, so much nicer than the leather, it just feels more special. I have the wheel in blue alcantara which matches the blu alcantara seat inserts, the rest being cream leather. Not sure if the new Sport seats allow this as an option any more but might be worth considering.

Having said all of the above, it were me, I would be getting an MC Stradale, no question. The handling you experienced is, as I think Big Bob said, very likely to be tyre dependant. If recollection serves right the Stradale comes with quite extreme rubber as standard but even the standard P Zeros are not good when it is very cold and wet, you just learn to drive within their limits and don't select sport until the tyres have a bit of heat in them! I am looking to change rears and may give the Goodyear Eagle F1s a go, they were a huge improvement on my old 4200 but that was moving from Pilot Sports, so not sure whether the change would be as noticeable from P Zeros. In short, the Stradale will be as user friendly as a regular Sport but there will be a much bigger upside. If I had the cash it would be the way I would go. Good luck and enjoy the experience, it is not every day you get the chance to spec a brand new Maserati!

Hmm, you have me thinking on the Blu Mediterraneo is looks VERY nice and unique and I want a unique coloured car choices, choices, choices. Still not overly convicned on the Stradale (I've driven two) and think they have a got a little too greedy with the uplift price ask, as I said I do keep my cars and will pay but think Maserati is taking **** there a little.

 

[Yeti]

Couldn't agree more on every comment here

Bose is rubbish so save your money. I've got the handling pack and prefer the proper springs to active stuff like skyhook. Have you tried a carbon steering wheel? To me it's like plastic and I prefer alcantara.
But in the end it's for you so only you can decide.

 

[Yeti]

I've driven my Strad since the 1st of Jan through all weathers including snow and ice. She's still in one piece.....

Drove one but it was wet out and felt way to easy to ditch and slide allover the place in the wet winter roads, so couldn't have a car I'd only use in the summer.

 

[phills1]

I've driven my Strad since the 1st of Jan through all weathers including snow and ice. She's still in one piece.....

Thanks Yeti, however I have a fairly poor back and honestly don't think I'd be able to drive it as much as I'd like hence still thinking of the Sport MC. But I have read your very detailed review too.

 

[Fangio63]

I heard... probably on here somewhere that the GT production line had now shut down... may not be gospel ... but have you got your order in yet ?...