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J-P
Original Poster
2,502 posts
76 months
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I spent a fantastic afternoon with the lovely chaps at Meridien Modena down in Lyndhurst today. I had a go in an MC Stradale and I have to say it sounded absolutely epic and drove very, very well. But I wanted to get a view from some owners on how they use their cars, costs, reliability and of course the dreaded depreciation. Also is the standard GT S or Sport pretty much as good as the MC Stradale? I have to say I loved that noise  But I think the increased practicality of 4 seats could be worthwhile. Thanks in advance for your help!
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CPBRI
214 posts
19 months
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Just happened to visit the local Ferrari/Maser dealership today. Had a great time looking at and sitting in the various Italian beauties. There was a brick red MC there and it looked great. I'd have to say go with the MC
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J-P
Original Poster
2,502 posts
76 months
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I'm not sure I'd ever take it on track though, so a bit pointless from that perspective?
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Devonboy
72 posts
21 months
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Has to be the sport..........its great to be able to tun the noise off every now and again!!
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J-P
Original Poster
2,502 posts
76 months
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Devonboy said: Has to be the sport..........its great to be able to tun the noise off every now and again!! True although, if I had one I'd have to leave it in loud, it would be rude not to!
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RevHappy
1,177 posts
32 months
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I've test driven both, MC strad was a far better drive but the lack of even rear seat pads made it a niche too far. If only need two seats the are far better cars out there.
The Sport with the MC shift was fun enough if a little underpowered.
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J-P
Original Poster
2,502 posts
76 months
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RevHappy said: I've test driven both, MC strad was a far better drive but the lack of even rear seat pads made it a niche too far. If only need two seats the are far better cars out there.
The Sport with the MC shift was fun enough if a little underpowered. Yes that was my thinking. Nice GT car, take the family on driving holidays and just enjoy mooching around in. But I'm still not clear what running costs are like. Fuel consumption will be ridiculous but servicing costs, reliability etc are not clear to me.
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gunner
486 posts
100 months
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OP,do they still have a few down there?...which one did you drive?And any view on colour/specs?The MC shift undoubtedly more useable...Cheers.
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J-P
Original Poster
2,502 posts
76 months
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gunner said: OP,do they still have a few down there?...which one did you drive?And any view on colour/specs?The MC shift undoubtedly more useable...Cheers. Yes they have 3 there. They are all lovely two white ones and a black one. I liked it a lot but I'd choose a different track car I think, so sport would be a better option.
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Fatsterjack
90 posts
47 months
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Hi
Having owned a GT S the seats in the back made a difference to me and certainly allowed me to transport 3 other adults around to enjoy the noise!
The GT S noise is close if not as good as the MC Strad in MHO.
If you aren't going to track it then the GT S should be all you'd need (or Sport if buying new).
If you want to drive it on a track? Personally I'd look elsewhere.
BTW - Meridien - top guys enjoyed my buying experience and aftercare and I'll buy their again.
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J-P
Original Poster
2,502 posts
76 months
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Fatsterjack said: Hi
Having owned a GT S the seats in the back made a difference to me and certainly allowed me to transport 3 other adults around to enjoy the noise!
The GT S noise is close if not as good as the MC Strad in MHO.
If you aren't going to track it then the GT S should be all you'd need (or Sport if buying new).
If you want to drive it on a track? Personally I'd look elsewhere.
BTW - Meridien - top guys enjoyed my buying experience and aftercare and I'll buy their again. Thanks, pretty much what I was thinking and what are the running costs like?
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Colossus
248 posts
84 months
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I have had my GT-S for nearly 3 years now, also bought from MM who are great in my experience. In terms of servicing costs, I actually think they are very reasonable given what the car is. The servicing interval is 12,500 miles or every two years, whichever comes first. For me it was the 2 year service that came first and it was about £1,100 inc VAT at MM if I recall correctly, which works out at an annualised cost of £550. Tyres are not cheap, about £350-400 a corner and I have yet to need pads or disks but understand they are a considerable expense, as is a new clutch although if used properly it should last well.
In terms of whether to go for the MC or the GT-S, I would echo the views of others in that if you are looking for a 2 seater track biased car, there are probably better out there. The GT-S is as the name suggests a proper GT and I have taken mine to Italy and the south of France several times, with the family in the back and enough luggage for 2 weeks. The car is simply superb at eating the miles in comfort and speed. On trips like that it is nice to be able to take it out of Sport and have a more relaxing exhaust note but then to have the ability to get to your destination and enjoy the car in sport. It is also not what I would call under powered as was mentioned above, sure there are cars that are more powerful but the reality is that the GT-S is properly fast, it is only in extremis that the MC would start to make more sense and for the time I would spend driving like that, would not be worth it for me.
Hope this helps. They are stunning cars and whatever your choice you will have something special. Best of luck.
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J-P
Original Poster
2,502 posts
76 months
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Colossus said: I have had my GT-S for nearly 3 years now, also bought from MM who are great in my experience. In terms of servicing costs, I actually think they are very reasonable given what the car is. The servicing interval is 12,500 miles or every two years, whichever comes first. For me it was the 2 year service that came first and it was about £1,100 inc VAT at MM if I recall correctly, which works out at an annualised cost of £550. Tyres are not cheap, about £350-400 a corner and I have yet to need pads or disks but understand they are a considerable expense, as is a new clutch although if used properly it should last well.
In terms of whether to go for the MC or the GT-S, I would echo the views of others in that if you are looking for a 2 seater track biased car, there are probably better out there. The GT-S is as the name suggests a proper GT and I have taken mine to Italy and the south of France several times, with the family in the back and enough luggage for 2 weeks. The car is simply superb at eating the miles in comfort and speed. On trips like that it is nice to be able to take it out of Sport and have a more relaxing exhaust note but then to have the ability to get to your destination and enjoy the car in sport. It is also not what I would call under powered as was mentioned above, sure there are cars that are more powerful but the reality is that the GT-S is properly fast, it is only in extremis that the MC would start to make more sense and for the time I would spend driving like that, would not be worth it for me.
Hope this helps. They are stunning cars and whatever your choice you will have something special. Best of luck. Thanks Colussus - that's precisely the sort of feedback I was looking for. £1100 over 2 years seems pretty good to me. Have you had any issues in the 3 years you've had the car? Or has it never put a foot wrong? I quite fancy doing a few European jaunts in it and also using it for weekend duties (shops, kids stuff etc).
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PHOENIXUK
1,709 posts
71 months
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Just a thought but is it possible to fit seats in the MC as some GT3 owners do? I would assume the fixing points are there....?
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Radders
212 posts
97 months
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had both for a few days and the stradale was epic fun but didn't sound as good as the Sport. The stradale looks much better with the extra body kit bits (front bumper mainly). after driving both for 1500 miles each i would go with the sport, much better value for what you get and the enjoyment factor using sport mode (exhaust note).
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Fatsterjack
90 posts
47 months
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J-P said: Thanks, pretty much what I was thinking and what are the running costs like? Running costs in line with what others have suggested. 2 year servicing intervals are sensible and many won't reach the mileage limit in that time period. Tyres aren't cheap but not outrageous given the size and type of car. Servicing is sensible for the type of car in my view too. And with fuel prices dropping currently they are cheaper to run fuel wise than 3 months ago  ) I've certainly spent more on some of my Porsches than I did on my Maser. Oh, and insurance wasn't silly either.
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J-P
Original Poster
2,502 posts
76 months
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Fatsterjack said: Running costs in line with what others have suggested. 2 year servicing intervals are sensible and many won't reach the mileage limit in that time period. Tyres aren't cheap but not outrageous given the size and type of car. Servicing is sensible for the type of car in my view too. And with fuel prices dropping currently they are cheaper to run fuel wise than 3 months ago ) I've certainly spent more on some of my Porsches than I did on my Maser. Oh, and insurance wasn't silly either. Thanks Fatserjack - I've just been looking at some used examples, judging from prices of older models, I think that's definitely the way to go.
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Fatsterjack
90 posts
47 months
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J-P said: Thanks Fatserjack - I've just been looking at some used examples, judging from prices of older models, I think that's definitely the way to go. I wouldn't disagree J-P, some good value cars out there currently, IMO. FJ
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Colossus
248 posts
84 months
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Hi J-P
I have not had any real issues with the car. I had my clutch replaced under warranty as I mentioned it was a little sharp when starting off from cold and the dealer said it shouldn't be doing that and replaced the unit. Other than that the battery went in February this year and again was replaced under warranty. Other than that, nothing has gone wrong or dropped off.
In terms of taking it to Europe, it is precisely what these cars were designed for. I have done several long trips and come out the other end with no real aches or pains. It also did 20mpg for me at an average speed of 70mph for over 600 miles, which I thought was very good. A mate from work has just bought a navy blue and cream GT-S automatic and not only does he love it but it looks stunning and very good value second hand. Happy searching!
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J-P
Original Poster
2,502 posts
76 months
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Colossus said: Hi J-P
I have not had any real issues with the car. I had my clutch replaced under warranty as I mentioned it was a little sharp when starting off from cold and the dealer said it shouldn't be doing that and replaced the unit. Other than that the battery went in February this year and again was replaced under warranty. Other than that, nothing has gone wrong or dropped off.
In terms of taking it to Europe, it is precisely what these cars were designed for. I have done several long trips and come out the other end with no real aches or pains. It also did 20mpg for me at an average speed of 70mph for over 600 miles, which I thought was very good. A mate from work has just bought a navy blue and cream GT-S automatic and not only does he love it but it looks stunning and very good value second hand. Happy searching! Sounds really good - thanks, Colossus. I normally only buy new cars but I think this would have to be an exception. Year 1 depreciation looks frightening, which means a nearly new one is a bargain!!!
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