Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.
First some details. I've been looking primarily for an MC Victory. I would have waited longer but this one was exactly what I was looking for so I couldn't pass it up. Not sure if there are any options on an MCV but it has the mercury colored wheels, red brake calipers, Auditorium, a CF package (CF door sills and spoiler) and a CF (rather than alacantra) steering wheel. The car has ~20K miles on the clock which was not ideal and would have been a non-starter but for the fact that it was an MCV in the exact color scheme that I was looking for.
Because of the issues that were discovered by some industrious members here on this forum (see
http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=5752) I was very wary about buying this car so I tried to do my homework. I had the car checked-out at both an FM dealer (FM OC) and an independent Ferrari shop (Ferrari Service in Costa Mesa). Both PPIs confirmed that the car had absolutely no frame damage, no body work, new brakes, a new clutch (<10% wear) and a nearly fresh set of tires. The front bumper had been painted but that's not too unusual. Also, the front Trident badge was missing from the grille. I bought a new badge and had it installed. I've read here on ML that these cars need to be driven so the fact that the car had some miles on it actually made me a little more comfortable with the purchase. Couple that with the fact that the car has a new clutch (great time to add the FD DBW) and brakes sealed the deal for me.
I've only had a chance to drive it once and it was raining so I didn't really push it. I drove about an hour in traffic on the freeway and about an hour down the coast and through the canyons. My first comment is that this car is very liveable. I really can see it being a daily driver although it will be just a weekend car for me. The car was comfortable and a pleasure to drive. The MCV seats are amazing and really hold you in place. I would pay more for an MCV just for these seats alone. As everyone has noted before, the exhaust sound is music. I'm sure it sounds even better outside of the car. I am interested in hearing the other exhausts to see if it can be improved upon (a bit louder perhaps?) so I'll have to track down Niteroi and listen to his Tubi. I love the way the engine revs so freely. It really comes alive at the higher rev band. I played around with different strategies in stop and go traffic (coast in neutral, let it down shift automatically, down shift manually, etc.). I couldn't tell which one of these was easier on the clutch.
When I got home, I took the wife and two kids for a ride. The four of us fit comfortably in the car (couldn't say that when we stuffed into a 911) which was a big plus.
I'll post more pictures when the weather gets better here in SoCal and after I get a chance to get the car detailed.
