Add me to the list... I too pushed the button

[ChrisW.]

The simplicity and effectiveness of the Aero and Power Train options is / are fantastic.

And then, of course, there is the winter setting. Soft and so feel-some ..

No need to disconnect the roll bars !!

I'm banking on my new GT4 being the trackday car to feed my soul ... but the 12c is still exceptional.

I just didn't trust myself to be sensible enough with my 12c ... on public roads.

You guys are going to have a blast --- and on the heritage stakes it ticks every box (IMHO) ...

I will miss mine ... so I'll hang around ...

[PerseusGK]

Nijius Maximus said:

Hey Perseus, as someone who has an R8 V10 manual at the moment, how'd you find the 12c compared to it?

I'm supposed to be looking for an Aston but every day another new 12c appears on Auto Trader and they're getting tempting. Need to test drive one...

Hey Nijius!
Great car! Whilst the V10 is a very capable and quick car, and something I really enjoyed owning and peddling for the last three years, the 12c really is a big step on. The R8 whilst it is still a very striking and a fairly rare car (where I live anyway) has a comparative streak of Audi mainstream running through it. It's only when you step into something a bit different like the McLaren that you can immediately feel the race derived DNA in the car - the tech and performance is best described as ruthlessly applied. The performance is a big step on especially when you compare the weight differential as well; and the feel of steering, brakes, and suspension make it a very special thing to pilot. I had two R8s, the first being a GT, and am a committed fan, but the 12c is truly on a different level. If you're wavering and think you could go for it, I'd seriously recommend it, or at least have a test drive to see for yourself. They seem to be fantastic value at the moment.

Interestingly we appear to have another parallel as I also had an Aston curiosity, for the V12 Vantage S, and was hoping that it would be a very special machine, but was not overly impressed with its build quality when faced with one in the metal. I test drove a 64 reg car with 500 miles on the clock.
Whilst a cursory look around showed swathes of beautiful leather and carbon, closer examination showed cables hanging down in the footwells whilst trying to find the bonnet release, an exposed loom under the rear shelf (which appeared to be a cubbyhole) and too many rattles. It also felt a bit lardy for its size, and felt kind of like a 10yr old car - tech wise. It did however sound awesome, and despite my criticism I still thought it was a lovely looking thing, just not for me. Hope this helps- only my experience, best to test some for yourself - that's half the fun of finding a new motor after all

Edited by PerseusGK on Friday 29th January 21:28

[Nijius Maximus]

PerseusGK said:

Hey Nijius!
Great car! Whilst the V10 is a very capable and quick car, and something I really enjoyed owning and peddling for the last three years, the 12c really is a big step on. The R8 whilst it is still a very striking and a fairly rare car (where I live anyway) has a comparative streak of Audi mainstream running through it. It's only when you step into something a bit different like the McLaren that you can immediately feel the race derived DNA in the car - the tech and performance is best described as ruthlessly applied. The performance is a big step on especially when you compare the weight differential as well; and the feel of steering, brakes, and suspension make it a very special thing to pilot. I had two R8s, the first being a GT, and am a committed fan, but the 12c is truly on a different level. If you're wavering and think you could go for it, I'd seriously recommend it, or at least have a test drive to see for yourself. They seem to be fantastic value at the moment.

Interestingly we appear to have another parallel as I also had an Aston curiosity, for the V12 Vantage S, and was hoping that it would be a very special machine, but was not overly impressed with its build quality when faced with one in the metal. I test drove a 64 reg car with 500 miles on the clock.
Whilst a cursory look around showed swathes of beautiful leather and carbon, closer examination showed cables hanging down in the footwells whilst trying to find the bonnet release, an exposed loom under the rear shelf (which appeared to be a cubbyhole) and too many rattles. It also felt a bit lardy for its size, and felt kind of like a 10yr old car - tech wise. It did however sound awesome, and despite my criticism I still thought it was a lovely looking thing, just not for me. Hope this helps- only my experience, best to test some for yourself - that's half the fun of finding a new motor after all

Edited by PerseusGK on Friday 29th January 21:28

Hi Perseus, thank you for very comprehensive response!

It's funny you should mention the Vantage V12S as I just test drove it the other week. I really liked it but then I've had a regular Vantage before the R8. It definitely has that "old school" feel but then that's what makes it appealing in its own way. In many ways I imagine the 12c is the exact opposite.

The only reason I haven't bought one is that I'm in two minds over spending over £100k on a Vantage whereas conversely a 12c even at £115k seems great value. Looking forward to seeing what it's like first hand and how it compares to your description...

[Wilmslowboy]

Less than a week to go…..all planned for next weekend.....

Fly down south, ferry crossing and then collection

Ferry back, chug up the motorway in convoy (with tuther nice metal) to Herts, stay overnight at mates (bit of big night out), wake then bit of a supercar breakfast meet Sunday morn, gentle drive back to the North, tuck the Mac up in the garage (and then hide keys from the wife).

Today i'm going to clean out the garage like an expected farther preparing the nursery for his first born...

[DaveOrange]

V8FSI said:

Oops sorry Andy..

Summer Crew...

AndyDubbya - Volcano Orange 12C Coupe
Wozza - Silver 650S Spider

Must be plenty more to add between the summer and winter.

Hey, I don't want to be a non gang member. I got my VR 12C Spider in July. Have absolutely loved every mile in it especially a trip to the Alps last August.

[Boshly]

DaveOrange said:

V8FSI said:

Oops sorry Andy..

Summer Crew...

AndyDubbya - Volcano Orange 12C Coupe
Wozza - Silver 650S Spider

Must be plenty more to add between the summer and winter.

Hey, I don't want to be a non gang member. I got my VR 12C Spider in July. Have absolutely loved every mile in it especially a trip to the Alps last August.

Well I've tried not to jump in on joining 'the gang' but I got my white 650s spider in September

Out in it today, what an awesome car and what an awesome day

[aztec]

This could become quite a community

[PerseusGK]

Wilmslowboy said:

Less than a week to go…..all planned for next weekend.....

Fly down south, ferry crossing and then collection

Ferry back, chug up the motorway in convoy (with tuther nice metal) to Herts, stay overnight at mates (bit of big night out), wake then bit of a supercar breakfast meet Sunday morn, gentle drive back to the North, tuck the Mac up in the garage (and then hide keys from the wife).

Today i'm going to clean out the garage like an expected farther preparing the nursery for his first born...

Sounds interesting... Where are you going to collect it from? Good luck and enjoy

[Cockernee]

Nijius Maximus said:

PerseusGK said:

Hey Nijius!
Great car! Whilst the V10 is a very capable and quick car, and something I really enjoyed owning and peddling for the last three years, the 12c really is a big step on. The R8 whilst it is still a very striking and a fairly rare car (where I live anyway) has a comparative streak of Audi mainstream running through it. It's only when you step into something a bit different like the McLaren that you can immediately feel the race derived DNA in the car - the tech and performance is best described as ruthlessly applied. The performance is a big step on especially when you compare the weight differential as well; and the feel of steering, brakes, and suspension make it a very special thing to pilot. I had two R8s, the first being a GT, and am a committed fan, but the 12c is truly on a different level. If you're wavering and think you could go for it, I'd seriously recommend it, or at least have a test drive to see for yourself. They seem to be fantastic value at the moment.

Interestingly we appear to have another parallel as I also had an Aston curiosity, for the V12 Vantage S, and was hoping that it would be a very special machine, but was not overly impressed with its build quality when faced with one in the metal. I test drove a 64 reg car with 500 miles on the clock.
Whilst a cursory look around showed swathes of beautiful leather and carbon, closer examination showed cables hanging down in the footwells whilst trying to find the bonnet release, an exposed loom under the rear shelf (which appeared to be a cubbyhole) and too many rattles. It also felt a bit lardy for its size, and felt kind of like a 10yr old car - tech wise. It did however sound awesome, and despite my criticism I still thought it was a lovely looking thing, just not for me. Hope this helps- only my experience, best to test some for yourself - that's half the fun of finding a new motor after all

Edited by PerseusGK on Friday 29th January 21:28

Hi Perseus, thank you for very comprehensive response!

It's funny you should mention the Vantage V12S as I just test drove it the other week. I really liked it but then I've had a regular Vantage before the R8. It definitely has that "old school" feel but then that's what makes it appealing in its own way. In many ways I imagine the 12c is the exact opposite.

The only reason I haven't bought one is that I'm in two minds over spending over £100k on a Vantage whereas conversely a 12c even at £115k seems great value. Looking forward to seeing what it's like first hand and how it compares to your description...

very interesting post, I have owned a V12V (manual) and the McLaren is no match for sound (and boot space ), but the expression "tech and handling ruthlessly applied" is about the most accurate description yet. I have driven around for the past 2 hours and my god it is quick, the turn in, brakes and acceleration are insane. Totally different to anything I have driven before. Dynamically in a different century to the Aston, yet strangely that is the appeal of them. The only criticism of the 12C that I had in the first few hours of driving was that right foot braking is not natural as the, pedal is over to the left, however having learned left foot braking in a previous life, that makes the whole thing even better,especially as the transition is now instant between brake and accelerator. Truly awesome car and "ruthlessly applied"will now be plagiarised

[Wilmslowboy]

PerseusGK said:

Sounds interesting... Where are you going to collect it from? Good luck and enjoy

[100 IAN]

Boshly said:

Well I've tried not to jump in on joining 'the gang' but I got my white 650s spider in September

Out in it today, what an awesome car and what an awesome day

Was it yours i saw parked up in Guildford at the top end of the High Street?

[Boshly]

100 IAN said:

Boshly said:

Well I've tried not to jump in on joining 'the gang' but I got my white 650s spider in September

Out in it today, what an awesome car and what an awesome day

Was it yours i saw parked up in Guildford at the top end of the High Street?

Opposite Starbucks? Yes some well needed caffeine

[Boshly]

100 IAN said:

Boshly said:

Well I've tried not to jump in on joining 'the gang' but I got my white 650s spider in September

Out in it today, what an awesome car and what an awesome day

Was it yours i saw parked up in Guildford at the top end of the High Street?

Opposite Starbucks? Yes some well needed caffeine

[V8FSI]

Goodness all these new cars(ish). Stuck in Lake District without laptop or 12C. Will update when back in civilisation ;-)

[AndyDubbya]

Boshly said:

100 IAN said:

Boshly said:

Well I've tried not to jump in on joining 'the gang' but I got my white 650s spider in September

Out in it today, what an awesome car and what an awesome day

Was it yours i saw parked up in Guildford at the top end of the High Street?

Opposite Starbucks? Yes some well needed caffeine

Are you two Guildford-based too?

Quite a selection of cars you've had there Boshly!

[Boshly]

AndyDubbya said:

Are you two Guildford-based too?

Quite a selection of cars you've had there Boshly!

I'm Farnham, so effectively yes I sense a Guildford McLaren meet

As for my cars, an eclectic mix I would say

[br d]

Boshly said:

I'm Farnham, so effectively yes I sense a Guildford McLaren meet

As for my cars, an eclectic mix I would say

You've always had great taste in cars Andy and no brand snobbery either.

I'm not too far from Guildford, give me a shout if you do organise a meet!

[SELON]

I'm not a million miles from Guildford. Anyone fancying an early morning weekend runout, up for that.


Signed up for the Ascot breakfast in a few weeks with TISPKJ also.

[Ballistic]

PerseusGK said:

Nijius Maximus said:

Hey Perseus, as someone who has an R8 V10 manual at the moment, how'd you find the 12c compared to it?

I'm supposed to be looking for an Aston but every day another new 12c appears on Auto Trader and they're getting tempting. Need to test drive one...

Hey Nijius!
Great car! Whilst the V10 is a very capable and quick car, and something I really enjoyed owning and peddling for the last three years, the 12c really is a big step on. The R8 whilst it is still a very striking and a fairly rare car (where I live anyway) has a comparative streak of Audi mainstream running through it. It's only when you step into something a bit different like the McLaren that you can immediately feel the race derived DNA in the car - the tech and performance is best described as ruthlessly applied. The performance is a big step on especially when you compare the weight differential as well; and the feel of steering, brakes, and suspension make it a very special thing to pilot. I had two R8s, the first being a GT, and am a committed fan, but the 12c is truly on a different level. If you're wavering and think you could go for it, I'd seriously recommend it, or at least have a test drive to see for yourself. They seem to be fantastic value at the moment.

Interestingly we appear to have another parallel as I also had an Aston curiosity, for the V12 Vantage S, and was hoping that it would be a very special machine, but was not overly impressed with its build quality when faced with one in the metal. I test drove a 64 reg car with 500 miles on the clock.
Whilst a cursory look around showed swathes of beautiful leather and carbon, closer examination showed cables hanging down in the footwells whilst trying to find the bonnet release, an exposed loom under the rear shelf (which appeared to be a cubbyhole) and too many rattles. It also felt a bit lardy for its size, and felt kind of like a 10yr old car - tech wise. It did however sound awesome, and despite my criticism I still thought it was a lovely looking thing, just not for me. Hope this helps- only my experience, best to test some for yourself - that's half the fun of finding a new motor after all

Edited by PerseusGK on Friday 29th January 21:28

As someone who has also had a R8 v10 manual coupe and a MP4-12C, I can concur with everything that Perseus has already said. Great engine, soundtrack and the manual gearbox, although not as quick shifting as the 12c made a nice click/clack sound as you move the lever around the metal gate. Performance is not in the same league and the biggest disappointment for me was the handling. I had the alignment checked twice but it didn't inspire confidence through fast corners. I race karts so know when a chassis is handling well and the 12c is the best handling car I've ever experienced for a spirited drive on A/B roads, it tracks beautifully. Can't comment on Astons as I've no experience of them. IMO you can't go wrong with a good used 12c at the moment, the tech and all round performance you get for the money is unbeatable.

Also, welcome to the fold for all of the new McLaren owners that have recently acquired cars. Enjoy them in good health!

[AndyDubbya]

How about a run down to Goodwood for breakfast on Sunday 21st Feb? I have a good route that some mates & I do every few weeks, starting at the dogging car park at the M25/A3 junction, you know the one .

I'll start a list, and if we get, say, four sign ups at least, we're on!

1. AndyDubbya - VO 12C