Maserati's Finest Hour: Why The GranTurismo MC Stradale Was a True Ferrari Rival

In today's video, at long last I get to drive the enigma that is the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale. Gorgeous as it may be, the criticism of the MC Stradale is that even stripped of 100kg, it is still far too heavy to be truly sporting. I find out if that's really the case, or the motoring press were too harsh
#Maserati #GranTurismo #MCStradale
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[@bighes100]

15 years old & still one of the most stunning looking cars on the road. And the sound.... just perfect.

[@somebloke2238]

There's a red one I see driving past my house quite a lot and I can confirm it sounds fantastic.

[@t-lawsfitness6044]

Damn Skippy

[@richardharrold9736]

@@somebloke2238 just a shame about the looks. The nose of an anteater stuck to the arse of an Audi A5.

[@badtoro9923]

true! got a 2018 couple and ppl love it ..

[@mrjellow]

@@badtoro9923 enjoy it!

[@targaflorio3239]

Knocked it out of the park with this one. Owned a Maserati GranTurismo for five years, albeit the base 4.2 litre with a full Larini front to back exhaust. The sound that thing made. And the way it looked. Awesome ownership experience

[@Royce883]

An Awesome car! Full of character & personality. I’ve had mine for almost 3 years. Feel good factor second to none. Prefer it to my previous Ferrari 458, the power to weight ratio gives you more confidence. Having difficulty now deciding on a replacement, as this is the most enjoyable car I’ve owned!

[@stevenmoore4078]

I've been a Jag guy for years and I came very close to buying one of these. The looks, and the sound are intoxicating.

[@OneFatStatue]

I replaced my Jag XK with a Granturismo Sport. I've never looked back. Fantastic car.

[@brandonherrera2891]

I was considering replacing my 2002 xjr 100 with an 08 quattroporte. Love the sound and interior of the Maserati. But, still prefer my Jag.

[@stevenmoore4078]

@@brandonherrera2891 same here. Purchased a 2010 XKR

[@johnosullivan2017]

Jag's V8 sounds fabulous in the F-type. But it's got to be a four seater for me, so I run a Merc E500 TTV8 Cab, which scratches my V8 GT itch. I'd love a GranTurismo, but can't really afford the ruinous bills.

[@exploranator]

@@johnosullivan2017 LOL this car is a V8 in the Ferrari V12 sense, not a ball-scratching country yokel sense.

[@navyrotc2012]

I love that you revisit variations of cars you’ve already reviewed. It gives us a much more complete picture of what’s out there.

[@rogeradshead7345]

Nailed it James. I had a new one of these back in 2012...the one with two Enzo seats in it...and the day I spent with it on track (under expert guidance) gave me the confidence to use in properly on road...although on NZ roads, it did always feel a bit wide. One of THE best-sounding cars ever built, no doubt. Ultimately I switched it for the 550 because that is more interactive and satisfying at the kind of speeds we have to drive at out here. I did briefly flirt with installing the Novotec supercharger conversion (660 hp), but discovered that is only available for LHD cars.

[@Beer_Dad1975]

The wonderful thing about New Zealand is radar detectors are still legal here 🙂

[@danielelim8276]

Well and the supercharger from Novitec never actually went into production

[@maseratim11rko7]

I first saw a Maserati Granturismo on the M25 in London in 2008. I fell in love immediately and I followed it for 35 miles. I missed my exit and the meeting I was going to. 6 years later I bought one and cherished it for 9 years. The most beautiful car I’ve ever owned.

[@beezcov10]

I had one ! Beautiful sounds and great to drive too . Top tip when starting turn the ignition on for 7 secs or so before starting the engine and stops the gearbox being jerky .

[@JURASSICDIVERUK]

That sound is simply magical!

[@grantmills4184]

@M a r i a、💋 that’s not very 4.7 liter v8 Italian sport gt of you, bot

[@MVD792]

One of the most beautiful designed and sounding cars of the last 20 years even though I prefer the looks of the Maserati Granturismo S over this MC Stradale

[@MTRides]

Maar dat is dan puur door het feit dat je zelf de S hebt haha ;)

[@TMKuro]

I prefer the Granturismo S body looks as well. And I owned both. Especially the rear bumper of the S version somehow is nicer. Maybe the cleaner look of the S makes the body style more timeless.

[@richardharrold9736]

@@TMKuro it doesn't matter what body kit they wear, they've all got a shapeless droopy nose and the rear end of an Audi. Far from a pretty car.

[@Mikea6972]

I have a 2017 Maserati granturismo MC and it is the most comfortable GT. I also have 2013 Mercedes Benz CL63. Between the two, I always want to drive the Maserati. The sound and the attention I get is bar none epic. No issues, and it drives like a dream. I do my own maintenance as its super easy. Much easier then the Benz.

[@392_RHINO]

Thanks for your insight. I've been wanting a granturismo but was hesitant due to the maserati bad rap of being money pits. If it's any other advice you can give me on what to look out for I'd greatly appreciate it

[@ashb8508]

@@392_RHINObuy from 2015 & you can't go wrong

[@demirciserhat4287]

Damn man the cl63 is a freaking machineeee

[@Mikea6972]

@@demirciserhat4287 it's wicked fast. And very reliable. I honestly don't think I'll get rid of these two cars. They are epic and legendary. I get compliments on both whenever I drive them. Cl63 is a great car. Look for one with low miles. You might get lucky and scoop one up. It well worth it.

[@supaG-1.0]

I love how you give us uninterrupted exhaust notes. Thanks Jay.

[@rousemotorsport]

Still one of the most gorgeous cars ever built. Nothing else sounds like this car. Love the Maserati content!

[@exploranator]

Remember that opportunity you never got to buy a Birdcage? Well, regret no more, Maseratisti! The front end of the Maserati swooping low with THAT Modena Neptune Statue trident is unique in all the world. No one looks at a Maserati and says, "Dadgum, is that thar a Chevrolet?" In fact, it just shouts "Italian" like Luciano Pavarotti doing an aria.

[@richardharrold9736]

@@exploranator shame it melds the nose of an anteater to the arse of an Audi A5.

[@JoshSmith93]

These videos are among my favourite on KZbin. These are the cars that were new and exciting when I was in school and they looked so epic… until the press shat all over them for reasons we look back on now as being largely irrelevant. So amazing to see these hero cars being judged for what they are, rather than what else could have been bought in the day. Lovely work!

[@exploranator]

I hope the press for them continues to be negative. I don't want prices to rise. :D

[@ashb8508]

@@exploranator too late

[@nightdriver7216]

The 3200GT was such a remarkable car. After years of Biturbos, a completely new car. Naturally my love for it transferred to the GranSport and GranTurismo, particularly the MC Stradale. Zegna in car form. It's heavy, but that's beside the point. The MC Stradale's raison d'être, like the SLS Black Series, is simply to be the best version of a great car. It does this very well.

[@Floorguy1000]

Zegna in car form...lol ....great description.

[@mikeyj2025]

I could listen to a whole video just of that V8 sound. Amazing !!

[@1nmasuku]

Love these, and that stunning sound track is something else. Still one of the best sounding v8s to ever exist 😍

[@Nathan93Baker]

Massively underrated car in sound and styling.😍

[@jonnywalker3208]

Jay this is the exact car my mrs wants so as usual this is very helpful! She's currently got a 1.3 yaris so erm ... it'll be quite alarming for her haha shes driven big cars before (Smax/old A4 estate) but the power ... we she finds my old civic type R too quick so it should make for some entertainment haha thank you so much for all the work you do, I haven't been around the channel long but I've pretty much now watch all the content! And liked it all 😀

[@time.dealer]

This has been my dream car for the last 10 years, ever since i started high school. I'm so glad I am finally seing it on your channel!

[@Maseratitine]

It worked for you too (it can be seen and heard😍😍😍) : each time you take the wheel of this car, a great smile and a wave of happiness appear ! It's a car that never leave indifferent. It is not the best but surely one of the most emotional. 2012 MC Sport Line owner's word.

[@greendegenerationx]

This car is special. Not the fastest, most reliable etc etc. but it has that thing you can’t name or draw, but it has it in absolute oodles. Dream car stuff.

[@DanPyjamas]

Gorgeous. As I get older, I'm more interested in GTs than Supercars. I'd definitely have this.

[@briana3591]

I own one and this video just reminds me of how awesome the car is. I’m shopping for a Ferrari, But This video reminded me that I literally own a Ferrari built car, the engine, gear box, interior, and design. I love this car, fits 4, makes loud noises, and looks stunning. Love this video as well.

[@Grover91]

There's one of these in my village. It's fantastic to hear hitting the national speed limit signs just up from me. 😂

[@isaacsparrey7894]

U honestly deserve more subscribers, these vids are the best on the web👌

[@andybroer651]

Lovely car, always has been, the 4.7 even just the 'S' versions are stellar if not the most powerful today, but 444hp is really plenty for the street.

[@danielappleton4259]

Got a MC Stradle 16k 2014 - best thing I ever bought ( among motorbikes ) and having been in a 812 The sound it makes in race makes people stop on the road turn and look Had 4 people this Saturday all pull up put window down and pass comment ( non of which was negative ) It’s really the best car on the road Ps clutch has just cost me 6.5k to change 😢 But as you say … I’m bakc in love with it 20 mins after leaving the garage to drive it home - great review

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Awesome car. Sounds amazing. The reliability and the reputation of the Flappy Paddle F1 gearbox probably put many buyers off. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

[@96ec50]

The 2 seater strad is even more fun! Have owned one for about 5 years now. Believe there’s around 25 left in the uk as well!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

What do you feel is more fun about it?

[@ironicchungles5912]

@@JayEmmOnCars we got close to buying a 2015 MC Stradale and were told by Maserati that the earlier the better. Later cars, think 2018-2019, had no actual performance upgrades over the base model car and were essentially just cosmetically different. The first generation MC Strad has MC12 seats and a roll cage, by all accounts it feels properly rigid and handles spectacularly, even if it weighs the same as a 2014-2016

[@kluk3749]

Got the 2 seaters too, nicer bonnet design (even its not carbon fiber) and much better seats. Proper limited edition too.

[@ArneHulstein]

I remember the launch of the Gran Turismo. I sat in one of the two hand-built prototypes when they were doing the rounds. An absolutely gorgeous car.

[@africanotomotiv]

The subliminal Stella Artois reference in the B-roll was much appreciated. Nice one! Lovely review as per usual. Thank you.

[@keithwilkins1437]

No ugly spoilers etc ,too and classic smooth lines .

[@captgutter]

That is one of the best sounding engines ever. It is just harmonious. I could just listen to this video instead of watch.

[@AntoniusTyas]

I always have a soft spot for GT MC Stradale. Especially for the early cars with no back seat and the bucket seat at the front.

[@alanfaultless]

Such a beautiful car with an amazing soundtrack. This has to be on my lottery win list.

[@brendan7632]

That thumbnail is perfect 👍🏻

[@christopherwaldapfel5628]

Pure driving theater and my absolute favorite Italian symphony 🥂

[@damienlee1165]

Being a die hard Ferrari loyalist, I've always thought of Maserati as kind of the budget brand of Ferrari. Like Toyota to Lexus. Id buy one once depreciation slaps it across the face and then aspire for the F12 or 812.

[@sameer4526]

Great review. There only few Nat. Asp cars that great on exhaust sound : 1. MC Stradale 2. Mustang GT305R 3. Dodge ScatPack (6.4L Hemi) 4. C7 ZR1

[@henryallaway4767]

Great video, I was going to offer you my Gen 2 MC Stradale, I knew you would love it

[@rjhandley556]

The noise of this thing 😍 my goodness

[@MetalHead1904]

Absolutely gorgeous to look at and the sound! And a true 2+2.

[@600zxr]

I bought a Sport last summer. We love it so much we are looking at getting a second one.

[@jibbyjabby7499]

Credit to Maserati they certainly know how to tune an exhaust. Sounds incredible.

[@randywatson2103]

Stunning car, another cracking review James thanks!

[@jensen1964]

That engine note is glorious!

[@nigel.w]

IMO, the interior has aged one of the best, if not the best of all cars of its generation. However, it did run for too long in production.

[@findingneutral426]

I love the fact that I see so much criticism about the mpg on these, and then in owners clubs and forums some owners who’ve ended up swapping to 4.7 vantages (like me) then realise they’re actually not that bad suddenly 😂🤣😂

[@Talix.]

I wouldn't consider it a rival I would say it is more Ferrari's four seat cruiser that is actually affordable on the used market. Considering it has a Ferrari engine and has all the quirks you would expect with an Italian car like this.

[@Italowesterni]

This car is glorious and a very nice drive report. Thanks a lot. I once bought a brand new Ghibli GT 1999 and this is a natural continuance of that.. through the other coupes of course. A magnificent Brand.

[@paulbianchi7877]

I bought one new in 2013 , drove it for 75k and I would buy another with no question.

[@martinboulden3540]

What a great noise !

[@paul.harvey]

I love this car! And my favourite sounding car of recent times 🙏👏🏁

[@4pevans]

That thing looks and sounds spectacular!

[@jamesengland7461]

Your new intro tune is so odd, yet so catchy, that I really like it.

[@stu1002]

Great review - but one thing I'd have really liked to hear was to make some direct comparisons between the Stradale and the standard car? On paper, the Stradale is really *so * close to the standard car (for 0-60, Top speed and BHP) that it's very hard to see how the Stradale can justify its price tag? OR, put it another way, a nice standard 2014 sport can be had for £45k - and the car your driving here could push £70+? That's quite a difference...is it worth it?

[@600zxr]

In my opinion it isn't worth the price premium. I'm in the USA where even the MC has the ZF transmission so the MC (no Stradale were imported to the states) is mostly an appearance and suspension package here. I have a 2013 Sport and I couldn't be happier unless I had a second one to put on the race track.

[@pharmacells]

He says it in his first sentence "more than the sum of its parts". The Stradale, somehow, feels so much more than the normal S. I think the most relevant comparison I can think of is to compare a 911 gts with a 911 gt3. Both great, one is special.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

The Stradale is likely to hold its money far better than the regular car, so you might find over time a more expensive Stradale costs less. For anyone not into "proper" driving the MC Sport will do just fine, but to me the real deal is worth the extra. The improvements are there, they are tangible but most importantly it doesnt lose anything- I was expecting a ride that was too stiff etc but it was fine

[@ElTurfStuff]

Ahh, that sound. A symphony that draws the soul and drains the bank.

[@MrDDawson]

Great new intro song. Real life to it. Much better IMO. What a car, thanks for sharing as well J.5

[@eze8970]

A Maserati always makes you smile, thanks J!

[@dhmallet]

A fine review. A couple of unrelated requests: I know you are ab audiophile. What is in your home system? How about a garage update?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

YBA Passion Pre Yba Passion Power x2 Lumin Mini Streamer Dali Epicon 6 Also Arcam AV Receiver plus Epicon Front Centre, and Rubicon LCR at the back

[@petergouldbourn2312]

I love this cars cross plane soundtrack. Gorgeous. I know Ferrari engines are flat plane and that’s why I hate them. They sound naff and I wouldn’t be sad if they were dropped in the sea. If all Ferrari engines were replaced by Maserati ones the world would be a much better place. Pete 🇬🇧

[@ashb8508]

I do like the sound of a Ferrari v12

[@paulscott4950]

the engine noise is the same as a small child making car engine noises - it sounds glorious

[@DrunkJapanese]

Fantastic looking thing even as old as it is. Greetings from Florida, Jay!

[@exploranator]

That gray color and dark gray or black interior blunts the fun of this car, for me. Just started to watch Jay's video on this. "... the mercury is in retrograde." That was a clever double-entendre which either referred to luck or the outside temperatures falling or both.

[@htownsaysgo]

Two takeaways from this video.... 1. One of those gorgeous, visceral, expensive, a bit flawed, but you'd be a very smug owner - type classic. Thank you JayEmm for reviewing. 🙏 2. That Florida Panthers jersey is pretty awesome 👍

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thankyou, and thankyou

[@kempfzknifelife9772]

Excellent video James and thank you as always for your top notch content. You are easily my favorite car reviewer out there 👍🏻👍🏻.

[@drumnbass8]

Love the re-designed intro!

[@DraganGTD]

This is a beauty, the best looking and sounding car for me 😍

[@tayarudi]

The only car I regret selling

[@Sean-if7rp]

Incredible car. Under-appreciated

[@biggieyorke8415]

Congratulations Jay Emm on a great choice of car to test,great video.Sadly my usual bugbear not enough footage of the car being driven from the outside.Why are we not treated to more poetry in motion,instead of close ups of the bonnet,car panels, and the road rushing towards us,along with the interior of the car when your accelerating. I find this incredibly frustrating,as well as claustrophobic.We could be seeing a lot more of what the car looks like accelerating, and sweeping around on the road from the outside,instead of close ups of the road or being stuck inside the cabin.I personally find it a bit selfish, and nauseating.It’s an opportunity missed with such a glorious, beautiful,rare, and unique car.

[@stanleylay5256]

Maybe I have been lucky, I have had 4 different models of the Granturismo, including 2 MC Stradale, never had any reliability issues apart from the usual servicing and the wear and tear items. These were more reliable than the BMW, the Merc and the Porsche I had. Touch wood, it would continue that way. Servicing cost is more than reasonable in my opinion, because it is once every 2 years. The sound alone is worth every penny !

[@pete6891]

Only those mondeo tail lights spoil overall perfect imression. The sound tho... 😍

[@emixmim]

Are you making a video with the Buyer's Guide? Or are you writing it for a publication? Thanks, and great video, as usual!

[@johnrhodes2367]

One of the most stunning cars on the road.

[@callytheblueparakeet]

I've been waiting for you to review the Strad for a very, very long time! Is the exhaust note that much better than your QP GT S?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

The exhaust note is pretty similar tbh, the drive is not. The car does sound a bit louder inside

[@pierrena3420]

You will quickly differentiate both cars from the exhaust note alone if you are a Connaisseur. The downshifts are distinctively different with the Stradale being prominently racier. The SPORT version with the same transmission as in the MC Stradale also sounds different, especially at lift-off & coast - it produces distinctive burbles. Overall, the SPORT version sounds bassier while the MC Stradale sounds racier and a tone higher pitched. Two different & distinct sound signatures which cannot be properly represented on KZbin videos.

[@AndrewHawley]

Flummoxed by the description of a Rover Tyres gearbox.. then realised it’s a robotised gearbox.. I need more coffee. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@boronsniify]

Lovely looks and sound! We’re these or any other variants of the coupe ever available as a manual or conventional automatic? I’m really warming to Maserati- our Levante has great quality (yes, really) and has a certain Italian warmth and swagger that stands out amongst all the Range-Rovers and Cayennes. I know, as a serial Porsche owner and fan that a Cayenne Turbo is ultimately quicker around a track, but, as you emphasize in your very entertaining review, it’s how a car makes you feel that really matters. I could certainly entertain a Gran Coupe - I need a decent rear seat for my young, but rather tall son…

[@barneyrubble9309]

You buy it for that knicker dropping sound alone.

[@Harpreet06]

I forgot about this car. Looks like its in the same segment as the R8 GT, not sure which one I'd choose. Both around £60-75k, NA engines, single clutch auto boxes, limited run and lower weight than standard.

[@RedLP5000S]

One of Maserati's finest motorcars.👌🏻🇮🇹

[@massimilianocarraro1302]

Hi james! Which is the site you use to compare cars weights? I've been struggling to find infos about weights in general for years! Having such a source would be utterly appreciated 🙂

[@ksteak27]

One of the sexiest cars ever made!!!

[@desirabledrives44]

As is true with nearly every exotic car there comes a point when the purchase price for a used example becomes what some would call attainable but the elephant in the room is the parts and servicing cost which tends to go in the opposite direction. Very nice car though.

[@ashb8508]

100%, which is why exotics like these are more of a weekend car, & should not be a daily.

[@sandyobertello8971]

Have a GT Sport for over 4 years...never had one problem...daly driver.

[@tokyomb]

Have owned the non-Centennial four seat MC Stradale for a bit over three years now. It has an ability to make every journey an event. It is very much a GT car not a sports car - but if you are on board with that there’s little else to match it. Things to watch out for - clutch wear, rusting subframes (as they get older), warning lights - might just be a new battery required or can be the ABS sensor failed (requires replacement of whole wheel hub assembly). Much better (in the UK) on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rather than the Pirelli Corsa standard fit tyres - feels far more sure-footed. The Pirelli is a great tyre in the warm and dry - not so good here.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

All sound advice

[@carllynch8798]

More economical then my B5 RS4 ! Lovely car

[@jaapthieme6561]

Something for you Jayl!

[@vandelayofficial492]

Its a shame Maserati has had such a rough go of things over the years, they really make awesome cars when they get a chance.

[@Fc-cb3tn]

My friends: don't be silly how can a car make me sexually aroused... Me: *presents the Granturismo MC Stradale*

[@geoffpeirce406]

Now that is a "Sonorous" engine!

[@seb3311]

@4:43 sry to interrupt but you are forgetting about the ferrari FF/GTC right here... ;)

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Love it..those sounds those looks !

[@MetroCollectablesandvlogs]

Love my 2013 GT MC.

[@markbeach8996]

Time to see what she’s got ….. yea she got it ,I want it

[@antonioromano9963]

Agreed

[@lolroflpmsl]

I love the look of these.

[@sportzntouring]

Sounds epic!!

[@JasonWaterfalls13]

Jay, stop telling people these cars are good! They're great looking, have a Ferrari engine, and are actually affordable. I might want one soon haha. Great review!