The 12C in hindsight
Discussion
KTM300 said:
is there any information available as to
the last car (last vin) with swipe on
the last car completed in MTC (some cars were started on MTC and finished in MPC - I take that from the film about the cars being built.
I have chassis #0101 with door swipe.the last car (last vin) with swipe on
the last car completed in MTC (some cars were started on MTC and finished in MPC - I take that from the film about the cars being built.
UK car in Ice Silver.
Would be interested to know if it was built in the original building or new factory.
I moved too a 12C from a 997.2 Turbo S which was a good car but left me feeling empty when out for one of them drives where you are driving just for enjoyments sake. The 12C was a great move even when told/advised against it by McLaren dealer principle. Yes the 12C (well my example) had a few McIssues nothing that stopped my enjoyment but still when spending that sort of money on a car you do get annoyed. That said I loved what the car offered for the money, in my case something I would class as a genuine super car with only a couple of thousand miles on the clock for less than a 991 GT3 which I had looked at. My 12C ownership didn't last that long in the end..... did I fall out with it... certainly not, I was that impressed with the McLaren brand that I moved onto a 650S which I was told had addressed a number of little items which added together made the 650 an even better package. Had the swap cost me a 100k then I would probably have been a little upset with myself for changing, but it cost me 46k to swap over from a 12C coupe to 650 spider which for me has been money well spent.
Gary cpp said:
I moved too a 12C from a 997.2 Turbo S which was a good car but left me feeling empty when out for one of them drives where you are driving just for enjoyments sake. The 12C was a great move even when told/advised against it by McLaren dealer principle. Yes the 12C (well my example) had a few McIssues nothing that stopped my enjoyment but still when spending that sort of money on a car you do get annoyed. That said I loved what the car offered for the money, in my case something I would class as a genuine super car with only a couple of thousand miles on the clock for less than a 991 GT3 which I had looked at. My 12C ownership didn't last that long in the end..... did I fall out with it... certainly not, I was that impressed with the McLaren brand that I moved onto a 650S which I was told had addressed a number of little items which added together made the 650 an even better package. Had the swap cost me a 100k then I would probably have been a little upset with myself for changing, but it cost me 46k to swap over from a 12C coupe to 650 spider which for me has been money well spent.
12C Coupe is a great car and 650S spider takes it to a whole new level. As you say probably difficult to justify £100k especially if you are already a McLaren 12C owner but worth every penny of £50k IMHO.
As a Ferrari owner I chose a brand new 650s spider over a 2 year old 12C spider and paid £80k difference for the privilege of new at the time in 2014 but obviously the gap has closed between both used cars now so the upgrade is great value for money.
Some 12 C owners may never be able to make that leap of faith to the next model in the line and appreciate that just like I could not go from F355 to 360 and I waited until F430 to buy another Ferrari.
Early 12C to P14 could be quite a big leap though
I went from early 12C coupe to 12C Spider at a cost to change of £23k as I just think that being able to put the roof down on a nice day adds a whole new dimension to the car.
I am also one of those people that doesn't get on with the 650S styling, especially the front, whereas the 12C is a grower and a bit of a modern classic, especially in volcano orange or ice silver. My Spider is black, which is also cool, but I miss the exotic VO...such a stunning colour.
I am also one of those people that doesn't get on with the 650S styling, especially the front, whereas the 12C is a grower and a bit of a modern classic, especially in volcano orange or ice silver. My Spider is black, which is also cool, but I miss the exotic VO...such a stunning colour.
I think had my 12C been a spider then some of the advantages of the 650 purchase would have been lost. I will be honest at 40+ years old with hair like my bank balance after buying the 650 I didn't see myself having the roof down unless the wife was in the car.... but I have the roof down more than up then add in the ability to drop the back window for the sound effects I am sold on the spider version now. In terms of the looks 12C vs 650 I wanted the 650 looks it just shouts super car much much more than the 12C.
Gary cpp said:
I think had my 12C been a spider then some of the advantages of the 650 purchase would have been lost. I will be honest at 40+ years old with hair like my bank balance after buying the 650 I didn't see myself having the roof down unless the wife was in the car.... but I have the roof down more than up then add in the ability to drop the back window for the sound effects I am sold on the spider version now. In terms of the looks 12C vs 650 I wanted the 650 looks it just shouts super car much much more than the 12C.
Great to hear you have the roof down a lot, having just bought a 650 spyder that was a major factor in my decision over a 12c. So you've just confirmed I did the right thing, thanks 
I really like the front look on the 12c and I must admit I'm still not sure about the 650 front. Although it is growing on me
Gary cpp said:
I think had my 12C been a spider then some of the advantages of the 650 purchase would have been lost. I will be honest at 40+ years old with hair like my bank balance after buying the 650 I didn't see myself having the roof down unless the wife was in the car.... but I have the roof down more than up then add in the ability to drop the back window for the sound effects I am sold on the spider version now. In terms of the looks 12C vs 650 I wanted the 650 looks it just shouts super car much much more than the 12C.
Hear hear. No compromise having the spider and its like 3 cars in 1, £60k each is a bargainToo much talk/comparison of Coupe vs Spider here. If you're a Coupe person (as I am) you'd never consider a Spider regardless of whether the chassis is as stiff or not. I get it that some will find the option of wind in the hair motoring without dynamic compromise very tempting but for others (like me) their Supercar just HAS to be a Coupe. So let's ensure we compare apples with apples please The choice becomes...
Early 12C "Swipe" Coupe with Pre-Cog shift lever and all factory upgrades vs late 12C Coupe vs 650 Coupe?
and (not or
)
12C Spider (none had swipe doors) vs 650S Spider?
To answer the OP's question, the 2011 launch car's chassis electronics, gearbox software and infotainment/Nav shortcomings all had a disproportionate effect on the cars perceived abilities and reception by the press. McLaren addressed all of those issues with factory upgrades and chucked in a power/performance hike for good measure.
The choice becomes...Early 12C "Swipe" Coupe with Pre-Cog shift lever and all factory upgrades vs late 12C Coupe vs 650 Coupe?
and (not or
)12C Spider (none had swipe doors) vs 650S Spider?
To answer the OP's question, the 2011 launch car's chassis electronics, gearbox software and infotainment/Nav shortcomings all had a disproportionate effect on the cars perceived abilities and reception by the press. McLaren addressed all of those issues with factory upgrades and chucked in a power/performance hike for good measure.
Castle123 said:
Used 12C prices in the U.S. have been dropping monthly it seems.
US market is totally different to the UK. Completely different dynamics.Kia offer a 10 year warranty over there and get 10% market share compared with 4% here.
Can't really draw any comparison to other countries as far too many other variables to consider
RamboLambo said:
US market is totally different to the UK. Completely different dynamics.
Kia offer a 10 year warranty over there and get 10% market share compared with 4% here.
Can't really draw any comparison to other countries as far too many other variables to consider
UnderstoodKia offer a 10 year warranty over there and get 10% market share compared with 4% here.
Can't really draw any comparison to other countries as far too many other variables to consider
Just reporting on how SOFT sales are on the 12C in the states
125-135 USD for low mile coupe
150-155 USD for low mile spider
Castle123 said:
Understood
Just reporting on how SOFT sales are on the 12C in the states
125-135 USD for low mile coupe
150-155 USD for low mile spider
That's not really low considering there is generally a much lower purchase price on cars in the US.Just reporting on how SOFT sales are on the 12C in the states
125-135 USD for low mile coupe
150-155 USD for low mile spider
£102K - £110K
£122k - £126K
The devaluing of the GBP to the USD has helped quite a bit though.
I bought my pre-owned (2011) McLaren 12C from McLaren Ascot in December '16 and I couldn't be happier. The car rides extremely well and visibility is excellent so you can drive to and from a circuit or across Europe, for example, in perfect comfort. Then when you put your foot down the thing is like a bloody rocket-ship! Faster even than a Porsche 997 GT2 I used to own and that thing was RAPID.
12C high points: acceleration, braking (steel or carbon), steering, gearbox in manual mode, grip, visibility, practicality (to a point) and looks (subjective).
12C low points: engine noise low down in the rev range, some turbo lag, gearbox in auto mode, IRIS 1.0 (I upgraded to 2.0 which has made a big difference), the car's superior ride comfort does give the sensation that you are floating somewhat over the road rather than keyed into it, and I'm still getting used to the doors!
Does it have soul / character? Not really, and certainly not compared with an Aston Martin V12 Vantage S I used to own. But is it a better high performance car than the Aston? Oh, yes. I love it!
12C high points: acceleration, braking (steel or carbon), steering, gearbox in manual mode, grip, visibility, practicality (to a point) and looks (subjective).
12C low points: engine noise low down in the rev range, some turbo lag, gearbox in auto mode, IRIS 1.0 (I upgraded to 2.0 which has made a big difference), the car's superior ride comfort does give the sensation that you are floating somewhat over the road rather than keyed into it, and I'm still getting used to the doors!
Does it have soul / character? Not really, and certainly not compared with an Aston Martin V12 Vantage S I used to own. But is it a better high performance car than the Aston? Oh, yes. I love it!
baronbennyt said:
I bought my pre-owned (2011) McLaren 12C from McLaren Ascot in December '16 and I couldn't be happier. The car rides extremely well and visibility is excellent so you can drive to and from a circuit or across Europe, for example, in perfect comfort. Then when you put your foot down the thing is like a bloody rocket-ship! Faster even than a Porsche 997 GT2 I used to own and that thing was RAPID.
12C high points: acceleration, braking (steel or carbon), steering, gearbox in manual mode, grip, visibility, practicality (to a point) and looks (subjective).
12C low points: engine noise low down in the rev range, some turbo lag, gearbox in auto mode, IRIS 1.0 (I upgraded to 2.0 which has made a big difference), the car's superior ride comfort does give the sensation that you are floating somewhat over the road rather than keyed into it, and I'm still getting used to the doors!
Does it have soul / character? Not really, and certainly not compared with an Aston Martin V12 Vantage S I used to own. But is it a better high performance car than the Aston? Oh, yes. I love it!
Cool and as you say a SUPERcar bargain compared to say a F430 for example its a complete no brainer 12C high points: acceleration, braking (steel or carbon), steering, gearbox in manual mode, grip, visibility, practicality (to a point) and looks (subjective).
12C low points: engine noise low down in the rev range, some turbo lag, gearbox in auto mode, IRIS 1.0 (I upgraded to 2.0 which has made a big difference), the car's superior ride comfort does give the sensation that you are floating somewhat over the road rather than keyed into it, and I'm still getting used to the doors!
Does it have soul / character? Not really, and certainly not compared with an Aston Martin V12 Vantage S I used to own. But is it a better high performance car than the Aston? Oh, yes. I love it!
baronbennyt said:
Thank you, that's kind of you to say. Yes it's a standard McLaren dark blue. You don't see many in this hue so when it came on the market I jumped on it!
Good man. Looks absolutely stunning - enjoy it sir!! Shame the weather has been so bad - that car needs to be on the road!! Does it have any protection film ?
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