Is the Mclaren 600 LT Spider the most desirable sub 200k?

[Gibbo205]

Stu-nph26 said:

Bloody hell that looks quick

It was like having a cheat code on, I am quite experience at Donington and driven a lot of stuff there, single seaters, Caterhams, Exige, GT3, 458 etc. 600 is quickest I have driven yet but what also really impressed me was just how engaging the chassis was and how much fun it was. I was also generally driving at 7/8 of my ability for mechanical sympathy, hence you see me short shifting a lot but at same time with such a quick car, I will happily admit there is no way I have the ability to pilot the car to its maximum potential, so I was braking early and lifting off a lot where I could stay flat, also because I don't want to throw a 150k car at the scenery which I cannot replace, not exactly many Volcano Red 600 LT's Spiders about......

For its ability it remained huge fun and deeply engaging, at no point did I feel I was driving a computer game around, also on the odd time I messed up my line the car and tyres gave me options, car was also just running basic road alignment, needless to say its capable of going much quicker.

[Gibbo205]

12pack said:

Very interesting perspectives. My problem these days is after experiencing the gut-punch of 765-in-the-dust EV acceleration, and the adrenaline rush of the Atom, my 641 hp Mac feels like a cruiser for relaxed, sunny, open- top days.

Edited by 12pack on Friday 25th August 11:58

An Atom is on my list to try at some point.

[Gibbo205]

mogg said:

So the cracks and bangs are louder and more plentiful in Sport mode than Track mode, in order to pass noise limits when on track ?

Well its a lot more vocal in sport mode going both up and down the box, but not sure it would be beyond 98Db drive by. The main reason I kept it in track is because the gear shifting is inertia push and won't unsettle the car.

In sport mode the gear shift uses ignition cut and is really harsh and aggressive, so could unbalance the car mid corner on track, but for road driving the sport powertrain mode is quite a lot of fun as it really kicks hard on shifting and is louder.

[Gibbo205]

Kerniki said:

Like the video, weirdly I’ve only come across other 720s whilst out on track (whilst in the GTR) so was interested to compare times, from that video (and as you said) it looked like there was lots more to come.

I had to use your braking zone for the hairpin as the timed point as I was on the different layout, but it was 2 secs shy of the GTR, are you running cup2s on it?

Best lap was 1:44s but unfortunately all laps had traffic and I am leaving a lot on the table. Car was on Nankang AR1 tyres. Clear lap, more courage be sub 1:40 quite easily, but for my first go in it quite happy.

[Gibbo205]

Got the pictures, some epic ones but for now here is just a couple:

[Gibbo205]

Olivera said:

Would be good to see it go faster, 1.44s is Caterham 310R (1.6 basic NA Ford engine with 152bhp) pace.

Well I certainly can’t pedal my 420R that fast. I’m sure putting a professional lap record holder in my car or any professional driver will see my car go faster.

Further more this was a track day, not a race day or not qualifying. I’m just an average driver enjoying my car on track, so it can obviously go faster if setup to do so and a professional driving, but they can do so in someone else’s 600 LT.

Edited by Gibbo205 on Friday 25th August 23:50

[Gibbo205]

Kerniki said:

Was in no way a criticism Gibbo, you said and one can see, that you were leaving plenty for yourself and the car but it did appear quick vs the cars around you which is why it poked my curiosity, also your comment on 911 GT3RSs as I’m about 1/2 sec a lap off them in my car.

Those AR1 are pretty good to, certainly offer more grip than cup2s so I’d wager you’d certainly be able to show an RS a clean pair of heals once on it

Good to see it in action anyway, even better you drove it home

Think as others have said the car is not been driven in a fashion to try and set a lap time, first of all too much traffic and secondly I’m not taking any risk and been gentle with the car. It’s far from conditions for lap data.

Empty track, professional race driver or just someone very good and not holding back and the car with a track alignment I’m sure based on the 1:33 a 991.2 GT3 RS has done in hands of RMA Leyton would see the 600 LT doing around 1:35 or there abouts so yeah it’s probably got close to 10s on the table should the stars align for perfect lap with a pro.

Thing is though who cares, me and my buddy were absolutely buzzing all day the car is that good and then a lovely roof down drive home achieving 30+ mpg in comfort, for me that is what makes the car so great it’s beautiful and comfortable to drive on road but also a menace on the track and was flying compared to everything else there on the day.

[Gibbo205]

Streetbeat said:

Youve said that before Rambo, all LT models have been designed with the track in mind, the question isnt, why are you using it on track, the question is, why arent you using it on track.

Too many garage queens/show ponies on here where the owners just want to nonce on about how good their "lt's" are and theve been designed to be the ultimate Mclaren, yet the closest they have been to being used is properly is some exuberant tales down the pub after a couple of g&t's too many.

Well said!

[Gibbo205]

Couple more pictures:

[Gibbo205]

Nuttbelle said:

Yes the cars are designed with track in mind but no matter how careful you are on track it's far harsher to the car than the equivalent road miles.

I've walked away from several used cars that were all the money but clearly effected by track use.
One white 430 Scuderia I looked at at HR Owen had 11,000 miles on it and yet the car needed £20k of recon work.
Ok £7k of that was a peppered windscreen but even so the dealer should not have been trying to retail it in that state

If the cars are so fragile they cannot do some fun track days the cars are not fit for purpose.

Recon work can come from any driving not just on track the biggest wear on track is to brakes and tyres, of which are just consumables.

State of UK roads these days puts far more wear on suspension components than a short stint on a glass smooth race track.

Stone chips and peppered windscreens can easy come from someone who tailgates on the road. Someone ragging a road car from cold causes more damage. Equally a car that is a garage queen are generally also the cars that have all the issues.

With such cars it’s a crying shame to not use them as intended in which case might as well just buy a BMW i3 instead.

Consumables wear out and road chips happen, just life but I enjoy my cars.

I always try to buy cars that have been used, I avoid garage queens.

[Gibbo205]

Pflanzgarten said:

All things being equal (condition etc) I almost think a 570 Spider is the pick of the bunch at £ for lb.

I’m sure the LT is even more in all aspects but it’s 50% more £ for the same chassis, engine and gearbox.

The way of the world and E46 M3 CSL was same chassis engine and gearbox and look at the premium they commanded and today even more so. But every penny justified IMHO coming from someone who has owned both an E46 M3 and M3 CSL.

600 LT is same ethos and for me having driven a 570S the 600 is worth every penny extra to me.

[Gibbo205]

Entrance photo from PH25 event.




And another track day photo:

[Gibbo205]

Thought the car deserved a good deep clean and fresh coating of ceramic for PPF and paint, so the pads at Autobrite gave the car a full work over, and oh my talk about results:























Happy with the results and I just love looking at this car, not a single bad angle and paint like liquid.

[Gibbo205]

Made a quick video yesterday whilst car was spotless and took this photo whilst at a meet which the car was the highlight of the show.



https://youtu.be/HAq0ofioo1c?si=SyNdsYU377T_xwnK


Volcano red is such an amazing colour which works so well on the 600 LT and I particular like how well the MSO Black Pack option works with the colour (carbon painted gloss black).

Off to Isle of Man this week hope weather holds out.

[Gibbo205]

br d said:

That's a ridiculously good looking car Gibbo and you've made a lot of really good, informative posts on this thread. It's been a real pleasure to read.
I have a new mac incoming, a different model but with similar carbon packs, louvres and VR.
Seeing how good your car looks I'm very glad I've taken those options. This thread has upped my heart rate!

Congrats on such a beautiful machine.

Thank you and please post up some pictures when you get your car.

In short Volcano Red out of all the cars I’ve owned or borrowed gets the most positive comments but from all age groups as well, public go mad over the colour but it looks like liquid in all lighting and in the sun or at night the paint can look on fire.

I bet you cannot wait to get your VR McLaren.

[Gibbo205]

Hi there


Forgot I had not updated this thread, car is approaching 17,000 miles and I took it Isle of Man in September last year which was truly epic fun. Doing around 176mph on the public roads, legally I might add is certainly different and cool. Some truly amazing roads out there and the 600 LT Spider was totally flawless, was also a massive hit with the public.

I always let public sit in the car if they so wish, the smiles it creates is all part of supercar ownership I think.




















Car was absolutely sensational, was somewhat sketchy getting on and off the ferry on way home due to rough seas but thankfully the front lifter gives plenty of clearance and the car got on and off without issue.

Absolutely loving the car still, just booked the car in for its fourth year service which qualifies for 4+ discount so the costings from McLaren main dealer are:
- 4th year service £1300 with discount
- £250 brake fluid change, makes sense as I've done a few track days in the car
- £55 MOT.


Car remains fault free, I have requested warranty work for minor corrosion issues which has been accepted and shall be done in April, makes sense to do now in case I am unhappy with the work whilst the car is still within the 5yr corrosion warranty period, rumour is McLaren is now repairing instead of just replacing panels, as such hopefully this means it will help eliminate the issue as the problem of corrosion I believe is mainly down to defects in manufacturing process. Its minor and I do not let it bother me, but makes total sense to get resolved under warranty.

I have 100's more pictures as have driven the car plenty, though it stays indoors if the roads are salty.

[Gibbo205]

Hi there

Some more Isle of Man photos, if no one has ever been, it is well worth doing, the Mountain road TT route is awesome and is where you will see some big speeds, on my first run I hit nearly 180mph and had no idea where the road went so was taking it easy and safely, my intentions were to return the next day and go again but it was hammering it down and foggy, did not see much beyond 130mph.

There are also loads of other epic roads, some are really bumpy, but some are fine and a great drive, there is also plenty to do and see, also make sure you have the island speciality Queeny bap, chopped scallops and bacon, AMAZING!

[Gibbo205]

Hi there

My other half has edited and uploaded the footage from my last track day last year in the 600 LT:





The day went mega smooth, which I think can be seen in my driving been so smooth and relaxed, I really had a good lick of speed on this day and was not even pushing the car as was doing a bit of coasting in areas I could be flat, still on the day it was un-matched.

The best is probably session 6, maybe not for speed but a mate got in with me so there is some feedback from him as he owns an Exige.

[Gibbo205]

Streetbeat said:

The best bit of that for me was the blue porsche in session 2 holding up the caterham that had come past you and then out braked himself at the end of the straight, why do they do it......just let them go, typical Porsche driver!!

Ah yeah think it was a 992 Turbo S, I like to drive smooth, if someone is gaining on me, I just move over and I expect the same, if I gain on you, just let me by, I don't want to battle as its not a race and I am lapping faster, just wish to get on with my day.

Unfortunately he decided to hold me and the Caterham up and am guessing he was driving beyond his ability or had brake fade, I never drive beyond my ability and stay well within the cars ability, it is too much money for me to throw into a tyre wall, I am also very mechanical sympathetic so I spend a couple of laps building speed, I only do 10-15 minutes per sessions and spend a couple of laps cooling of the car/brakes, as the car is also my road car. On the days I took my Caterham, that is a different story I drive it hard, very hard because it is cheap but as anyone here will know who owns a Caterham they are mega confidence inspiring and you just thrash the living daylights out of them, epic cars.

[Gibbo205]

Davyt said:

Yup ! That’s Volcano Red alright, got Sennas, carbon exterior 1&2 plus track tel cameras, good spec car tbh..

Yes I think that is the other U.K. car in the volcano red they are extremely rare and it’s of course the best colour, I am of course bias.

I also know of one state side too.
List on my example was £277,000 or there abouts.