Time to say good bye to the 12c. What next?

Time to say good bye to the 12c. What next?

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MLW88

Original Poster:

42 posts

112 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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Fellow Pistonheaders

I ask for the combined wisdom of you all to help in deciding my next move.

My recent car history goes as follows and in order, C63 AMG Coupe, Ferrari F430, McLaren 12. All have been daily drives and only cars.

The 12c has been a mighty machine and it is pretty usable every day, but I have reached the point, as winter approaches, that I am just abit over the whole "I use a super car as a daily drive" and I am not rich enough to just have it as a second car that I only bring out on sunny days.

As such I am looking to change into something new and I am wondering if anyone has any advice on what to go for.

Following in Chris Harris' footsteps I am contemplating getting an RS6 but I suppose the brief is as follows;

-Definitely something more usable, ideally that I can put the dog in, not a supercar.
-I kid myself that I could get a 3.0 Vogue but really I think I need some real performance
-I've got my eye on cost a little and would like to free up some cash to do other things with.
-I think it needs to be a big car so it feels like I am upgrading in at least one area whilst I downgrade

Thought process is RS6, M6 Gran Coupe, maybe a Porsche Cayenne GTS etc.

Every time I have changed cars I have come to these forums and got the answer! Wonder if there are any McLaren owners out there who have a second car that gives their weekend car a run for its money?

Thanks for any help in advance!

_Superleggera_

2,004 posts

197 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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The Cayenne is a very capable machine. Why the GTS rather than the Turbo?

I have the later and it's brilliant for all tasks including dog duties.

You will appreciate the performance of the turbo over the GTS. I would really recommend a drive in one. Does not feel like a floaty Range Rover.

Why not get something fun and cheap on the side Exige or 4C?

Can't comment on the M6 Gran Coupe as I've not driving one or experienced first hand. RS6 is a great car but depends what generation you are looking at?

What do you want to spend is the question to ask I guess.



Edited by _Superleggera_ on Wednesday 7th October 20:21

cho

927 posts

275 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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Whenever I consider changing to something more practical it's always when I'm not in or driving the car. Once in and car is moving those thoughts always disappear. So, what to 'move down' to? We had a Land Rover Discovery on loan from Mclaren once which actually was quite good and was so refreshing not to have to slow too much for speed bumps. Speed wise was okay for a diesel but you're not going to replicate in any way the speed of a supercar. The only other vehicle I've considered and always comes back to the front is a Merc AMG G63. Don't really know much about its driving abilities on road but it just looks so cool(in my eyes!). Other more car like cars, maybe an E63 since you're considering the RS6 but I suppose the RS6 is a better prospect being 4WD but obviously buy used as they all drop like a bomb in value.

I've mostly had two seaters as my only car and never had any real problems so don't see a need to change at the moment as there are no additions to the family in the foreseeable future! So maybe a workaround depending on your needs. Rental cars for when you need and the 12C at other times when you don't need the boot space or extra seats

TP321

1,478 posts

198 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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Range Rover 5.0 supercharged - all the car you could ever need

Jappo

1,120 posts

209 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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FERRARI FF, Nissan GTR or, BMW i8

You don't really need an estate car - nobody does.

Jappo

1,120 posts

209 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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FERRARI FF, Nissan GTR or, BMW i8

You don't really need an estate car - nobody does.

mb1

579 posts

256 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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What about Aston Martin.
Quite a few owners recently upgraded from an Aston to a McLaren.
May be you want to consider doing the opposite ?

I have fond memories of my V12 Vantage and would really recommend it.
Stylish, quick, exclusive but without being too much in your face and easy to live with.

TISPKJ

3,648 posts

207 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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Not sure you can ever replace a proper supercar without serious regrets.
Unless you really do need the cash for other projects I would do my utmost to keep the 12c as a weekend toy and get yourself a c63 estate or Audi rs4 for £25k.
Other than initial outlay the running costs will offset v not using the 12c so much.
I'm lucky that I don't need a car for work which makes the weekend toy all the more enjoyable.
Have asked myself what would I replace with and really don't know without spending serious money.

If you really need a Chelsea tractor, how about the new Fpace ?

Edited by TISPKJ on Thursday 8th October 10:47

jmbdino

13 posts

102 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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I just sold my 12C too. Had a lot of fun but the doors annoyed me in the end. Try a Golf R and add in a Porsche 993 and you will be very happy!

WCZ

10,525 posts

194 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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read the readers rides thread on the 700bhp RS6, you may find it fast but extremely boring

the FF is good value at the moment and is a much underated car imo

dang2407

496 posts

108 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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BMW M5 V10....Awesome sound with a sports pipe. Seating and luggage space when you have to have somebody else in the car.

sjc

13,964 posts

270 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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The full fat Range Rover SVR thingy? fantastic noise and very quick for it's type.

cho

927 posts

275 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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I thInk the OP has disappeared!

Wilmslowboy

4,208 posts

206 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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How bigs the dog ??
I've just come from two back to back RS4s as daily drives, bloody brill and much smaller on the road than the RS6
(Really lovely place to be in) but no way near the pace of a super car. You should be able to get a used one for around 35% the value of your 12C

If you want something big and stupid fast.....try a BMW x5 (faster than cayenne turbo)
Don't know anything about the Cayenne GTS, however my wife's just got a diesel Cayenne and we absolutely love it.


How about a 991 turbo s - nearly as fast as the 12C, but much more practical.


MLW88

Original Poster:

42 posts

112 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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OK thanks all for the suggestions. Some have been truly mental!

I'm thinking I like the look of the ML63AMG. Does anyone have any experience?

Always loved AMGs, it offers me something new with a 4x4, they are bonkers fast and you they are a good price at moment.

What do you all think?

minimalist

1,492 posts

205 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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If you like AMGs, perhaps look at the CLS63.

The Ferrari FF has been mentioned quite a few times. I had one for a week and it was the probably the best all-round car I ever drove. The Missus, terrible teenager and luggage all fit without complaint. If I had a dog, I'm sure it would fit too (with a few mats down).

Incredible car and so usable. Somewhat discreet but an absolute animal too!

Wilmslowboy

4,208 posts

206 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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ML63 AMG

One of my colleagues at work ran one for about 4 months, he then swiftly returned back to a Range Rover Sport.
His view was it was very fast but no way as nice/ comfortable / looking as the RRS.

The reason for the great deals is because the ML has been phased out, to be replaced by the GLE (so I've been led to believe)


They do sound and look great (non white)

cho

927 posts

275 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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ML63 is a bit too bland. The GL Looks better but would go for a G wagen if speed is not a priority anymore. Would even say go for a Range Rover as they look better than the ML. GLE isn't any better depending on your price range what about a Bowler?

NickOrangeTVR

649 posts

139 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
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I have a M6 Gran Coupe as my daily drive, I switched from a M3 V8 (I also have a range of track cars that rarely go on the road) - the M6 has been a real surprise, firstly this thing is a head turner, I took it to Dunsfold for Wings + Wheels (with the supercar club) and had it displayed along a lot of exotica - but weirdly it got more attention than a lot of other what I would class as proper supercars. I have also been stopped at least 4 times (in last 3 months) when getting fuel and someone has wandered over to talk about the car.

Performance - this thing is just a monster, in a straight line it is mind boggling, worth watching this drag race against a E63 AMG and a XFR-S https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-yCupxxErM - and 50mph+ acceleration is just ridiculous - just watch out on the motorway as its very easy to hit 100 in a few seconds and not notice (I have the BMW speed alarm set to 100mph!)

Handling - yes its a big car, but you can still throw it about (again view above video) - with the sports settings set it is a lot of fun to drive hard. The traction control on 'normal' is over protective - but put it in M mode and it allows you to have a lot of fun.

Practicality - I take my two young children to school in the morning - lots of room for car seats, and they love the 'rocket ship'

Comfort - in soft mode it is just like driving around in a big luxury car, super comfortable.

Gandahar

9,600 posts

128 months

Monday 12th October 2015
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Jappo said:
FERRARI FF, Nissan GTR or, BMW i8

You don't really need an estate car - nobody does.
You've obviously never met my wife.

We once went to the seaside and still packed a blow up paddling pool.