Is this a Stradale?

[Doohickey]

For my penny’s worth, I don’t agree with your dealer. Those that don’t “get” a Stradale haven’t driven one.

In terms of the differences, you know what they are, but to experience them is another thing. I watched a video of an MC Sportline and was irritated by the slowness of the gearshift from the auto box. The suspension is in essence the same between them, the CCM brakes are a world apart from the steel brakes and the noise in race is better (this is because, on a Sportline, the valves will only open at 3500, on a Strad in race, always open).

In the end it comes down to what suits you best. For high days and holidays, A road blasts and mountain passes, it’s the Strad. If it’s more as a daily, go for a auto.

Having just moved into Strad ownership I agree entirely!

 

[Ashventini]

For my penny’s worth, I don’t agree with your dealer. Those that don’t “get” a Stradale haven’t driven one.

In terms of the differences, you know what they are, but to experience them is another thing. I watched a video of an MC Sportline and was irritated by the slowness of the gearshift from the auto box. The suspension is in essence the same between them, the CCM brakes are a world apart from the steel brakes and the noise in race is better (this is because, on a Sportline, the valves will only open at 3500, on a Strad in race, always open).

In the end it comes down to what suits you best. For high days and holidays, A road blasts and mountain passes, it’s the Strad. If it’s more as a daily, go for a auto.

Thanks Zep. Im usually influenced by the moment, so im going to stick to my guns and not decide until i drive them both. I probably wont do more than 3K per year so ultimately for blasts and enjoyment vs doing 12K a year. Have other cars for that. it does help with my thinking. I was warming toward the new info system as justification, but im not buying one for the sat nav.. I previously had a 2015 GT sport and hated the info, but them again i didnt really use it much so again i need to remind why im buying this car again. thx mate.

 

[Ashventini]

Having just moved into Strad ownership I agree entirely!

Funny. I had a blue sophisticato sport before and I now actually want to Rosso Magma Strad. Cant agree more with colour choices.

 

[slay]

Well, I have had the S Auto, MC Shift before I moved to the Stradale (well on my second one actually). I know a lot of people think that auto is better for city driving, but I prefer the Stradale any day, local trip of a long journey to continental Europe. Given that I don’t do much driving during the week and even on weekends, I want the driving experience to be more special, so sacrifice a bit of gear change smoothness and comfort for the firmer ride, faster gear change and that glorious sound from the race mode is a no brainier!

yeah, infotainment system on the newer model is so much better, but you can always upgrade the system if you want to, but I don’t think you could turn a “standard” Granturismo into a Stradale easily.

with the new Granturismo moving to Hybrid or electric, I think the old school V8 Stradale is the last of the breed... I hope to continue to enjoy the occasional driving experience for as long as petrol remains to be available.

 

[stikey]

smile and look back every time i get out of it best car I've ever had better than the 430 i had i reckon just so nice to drive
if i have one negative is it needs more power 2 turbos would do it

 

[Sam McGoo]

smile and look back every time i get out of it best car I've ever had better than the 430 i had i reckon just so nice to drive
if i have one negative is it needs more power 2 turbos would do it

A bit more power would definitely be nice, but no way would I sacrifice its sound and character for two turbos.


A supercharger on the other hand, might be a nice addition.

 

[mischaRS]

Too right about the ( lack of) power. Fantastic , lovely car but totally underwhelming for the looks, charisma and noise it generates.
Blown away by my friends Tesla--- which cant beat my modded Audi B5RS4.
Looking forward to the AV / Sports Italia remap, otherwise will have to consider the Milton Keynes supercharger possibility.

 

[Ashventini]

For my penny’s worth, I don’t agree with your dealer. Those that don’t “get” a Stradale haven’t driven one.

In terms of the differences, you know what they are, but to experience them is another thing. I watched a video of an MC Sportline and was irritated by the slowness of the gearshift from the auto box. The suspension is in essence the same between them, the CCM brakes are a world apart from the steel brakes and the noise in race is better (this is because, on a Sportline, the valves will only open at 3500, on a Strad in race, always open).

In the end it comes down to what suits you best. For high days and holidays, A road blasts and mountain passes, it’s the Strad. If it’s more as a daily, go for a auto.

The difficulty here is this is subjective and not really objective. Stats and facts have both the MC Sportline (MC shift) and the Stradale quite similar. 0-60 times (0.2 difference), mostly only because of the weight saving. Carbon brakes are weak when cold, but king on the track. For me its going to be how the F1 box works for me. Does it really make the car so much different? I have just driven the 2018 MC shift. It was quite slow TBH. Is the strade any quicker in reality - no. Just delivers it differently. My last 2 cars have been an RS7 with 720 BHP and before that a 2015 GT sport. Everything feels slow to the RS7 so the Strad wont change that. BUT I'm going to go back to a GT again (albeit an MC or strad). Why? because its not the outright speed, acceleration or handling im considering. I wouldn't have got rid of the Audi otherwise. There is another reason. Its called emotion. Its feeling, its presence. Things that cannot be objectively measured. That's the point for me of the GT. I think that's the true purpose of the GT. That's why its special and not to be measured in the same way as cars it shouldn't be compared to. When you are sitting in an art museum and listening to a symphony - who cares how quick it will get there... Anyway. I will drive the strade next week to see the real "road differences" in practical driving terms. I think whatever i choose and what other people have chosen is emotion based and neither is better or worse. I will let you know what i think post the Strad experience. Whatever you have the car just melts your heart.

 

[Zep]

Carbon brakes are weak when cold, but king on the track.

Not in my experience. They are very good on the road too, very little warm up needed.

For me its going to be how the F1 box works for me. Does it really make the car so much different? I have just driven the 2018 MC shift. It was quite slow TBH. Is the strade any quicker in reality - no.

Again, I disagree. You should drive it before saying something like this, the difference in shift speed is one of the defining parts of the Strad as I am sure the other owners will confirm.

I hope you enjoy your test drive, all versions of the GT are great cars. Choose the one that works for you rather than going down a rabbit hole of “better”, everyone is different.

 

[Ewan]

If you are after a sense of occasion, it’s the 2 seat Strad you need. Plus some sport cats. Its the combination that‘ll give you the spine tingles you crave.

 

[Ashventini]

Not in my experience. They are very good on the road too, very little warm up needed.



Again, I disagree. You should drive it before saying something like this, the difference in shift speed is one of the defining parts of the Strad as I am sure the other owners will confirm.

I hope you enjoy your test drive, all versions of the GT are great cars. Choose the one that works for you rather than going down a rabbit hole of “better”, everyone is different.

Fair enough on the drive 1st point, but the stats are the stats so its factual. Its the experience people refer to im sure. Certainly people comments have intrigued me to drive the Stradale as i do agree its the oy way to really tell. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Zep]

Fair enough on the drive 1st point, but the stats are the stats so its factual. Its the experience people refer to im sure. Certainly people comments have intrigued me to drive the Stradale as i do agree its the oy way to really tell. Thanks for the advice.

Pleased to try and help, but I am not sure what you mean by stats. The gearshift actuator is different for the Stradale and the MC-shift, and it is surprising the difference 40 milliseconds makes. Anyway, you’ll see.

 

[Ashventini]

If you are after a sense of occasion, it’s the 2 seat Strad you need. Plus some sport cats. Its the combination that‘ll give you the spine tingles you crave.

2 seat stradale doesn't appeal to me because i think it defeats the point of a GT and i want to occasionally put kids in back seat. If i wanted a 2 seat road racer, would probably choose something much faster TBH. I did read some stuff about the sports CATS. Larini do them + x pipe. I know thats been covered in other threads so don't want to start another on that solely, but Do they make that much difference? Sound + power? I was thinking maybe the cats would give 25 BHP and the x pipe - maybe 5? Its something that would improve any model right? Im curious to know by others experience.

 

[Ashventini]

Pleased to try and help, but I am not sure what you mean by stats. The gearshift actuator is different for the Stradale and the MC-shift, and it is surprising the difference 40 milliseconds makes. Anyway, you’ll see.

So are you saying the MC shift changes in 100ms and the Strad is 60 ms on the paddles? Obviously the auto mode is probably 300 ms or something... Have I go it correct. ? So in essence the Strad will shift nearly twice as fast as the 2018 MC shift (sportline) in manual paddles. thanks.

 

[Zep]

So are you saying the MC shift changes in 100ms and the Strad is 60 ms on the paddles? Obviously the auto mode is probably 300 ms or something... Have I go it correct. ? So in essence the Strad will shift nearly twice as fast as the 2018 MC shift (sportline) in manual paddles. thanks.

Yes, in race mode.

 

[Zep]

This might help

 

[mischaRS]

Simply put, as a Dealer in Depreciation Proof Supercars, with the leading Percentage Pro Rata nvestment rate over any other Deale in the UK, , DO NOT waste your money on anything apart from the Stradale. The others depreciate like a falling stone, whilst the Stradale will stay the course.

 

[dickygrace]

That’s not accurate at all. Depreciation is similar across the models.

 

[Gazcw]

2 seat stradale doesn't appeal to me because i think it defeats the point of a GT and i want to occasionally put kids in back seat. If i wanted a 2 seat road racer, would probably choose something much faster TBH. I did read some stuff about the sports CATS. Larini do them + x pipe. I know thats been covered in other threads so don't want to start another on that solely, but Do they make that much difference? Sound + power? I was thinking maybe the cats would give 25 BHP and the x pipe - maybe 5? Its something that would improve any model right? Im curious to know by others experience.

X pipe a little, but cats definitely. Make sure you have valves you can close as it will be loud. With power gain, my QP felt less restricted and responsive rather than faster. I have nothing to compare before and after figures wise though.

 

[Hawk13]

Simply put, as a Dealer in Depreciation Proof Supercars, with the leading Percentage Pro Rata nvestment rate over any other Deale in the UK, , DO NOT waste your money on anything apart from the Stradale. The others depreciate like a falling stone, whilst the Stradale will stay the course.

I have just sold my GT for 5k less than I paid for it (after 2 years and lots of miles) and the MD has just put it up for sale for more than I paid 2 years ago.

Something is going crazy with prices this week!