650S or 570S?

[cutting42]

Hi All

I am here due to lots of messing about with Lotus on a new Emira order that seems still to be 6 months away after 2.5 years or waiting already. I am seriously considering taking my £85k and putting it into a McLaren. Insurance costs are similar and the McLaren is a whole league above the Lotus but I am undecided over a 650S and the 570S. I kind of prefer the looks of the 650S but £85k is sort of the bottom of the 650 market but there is some headroom in the 570 market, I could get a slightly nicer/newer car..

Any thoughts or comment welcome.

Edited by cutting42 on Monday 8th January 17:27

[Streetbeat]

This has been covered a lot, a brief answer, 650s owners will tell you to buy a 650s, 570s owners a 570s.

Neither will be a bad decision, my advise would be to drive both and see what you prefer and compare the costs.

[samoht]

I had the same question between Sports and Super series.

570S:
- slightly newer
- slightly simpler (no interconnected suspension or active aero)
- journalists more enthusiastic about it to drive
- GT variant available if you prefer the fastback look

650S:
- faster
- more sophisticated suspension so I believe greater speed point-to-point
- potentially lower depreciation
- can get a Spider for the same money

Ultimately I decided the 570 was for me, and am very happy with my car. However I think it's finely balanced, I can see the case for either, so up to you, if you prefer the looks of the 650S then I'd say seek out one of them; I imagine you could get a few grand off the asking price on most cars either way at present.

[macdeb]

650S all day long. Don't get me wrong before I get flamed as I'm a fan of all things McLaren but the 650S is a 'super series' car with active aero, trick suspension which dispenses with the need for anti-roll bars and an 'air brake' which so cool.

[davek_964]

I was also choosing between 650 and 570 when I bought my first one. I chose 650 because I preferred the looks.

Never regretted it (on my second) and still watch the air brake pop up in the mirror each time I brake hard.

No real issue with either of my cars, and I don't have McLaren warranty

[samoht]

On the running costs front, if you want to keep it under McLaren warranty, I think it's something like £3k a year for a 570S and £5k for a 650S, IIRC.

On the other hand, if you just take it to say V Engineering, they could probably keep either car in tip-top condition for an amount of money that is (a) not much different between the two and (b) much less than maintaining either car with McLaren.

[Grey_Area]

samoht said:

On the running costs front, if you want to keep it under McLaren warranty, I think it's something like £3k a year for a 570S and £5k for a 650S, IIRC.

On the other hand, if you just take it to say V Engineering, they could probably keep either car in tip-top condition for an amount of money that is (a) not much different between the two and (b) much less than maintaining either car with McLaren.

And with engineered solutions, not just playing module jockeys; upper mounts being one solution for example.

[Davyt]

As been said, you need to drive both to see which one you prefer ,, it will come down to personnel preference at the end of the day…

[hajaba123]

I'm fighting the same thoughts, need to find a way to get a drive in both to see how they compare to my Exige

[akadk]

Air brake FTW !

[cutting42]

Thanks all for the comments and the advice is clear. Test drive! I have driven a 570 but it was a few years ago. I was incredibly impressed with it but need a back to back test.

There is a gorgeous Mantis Green 650S on Thorney that has reduced to 87.5, might need to pop over to take a look as they are quite close.

[TBCTBC]

cutting42 said:

Thanks all for the comments and the advice is clear. Test drive! I have driven a 570 but it was a few years ago. I was incredibly impressed with it but need a back to back test.

There is a gorgeous Mantis Green 650S on Thorney that has reduced to 87.5, might need to pop over to take a look as they are quite close.

That green one is showing at £95k on Thorney - what am I missing?

[stuthemong]

macdeb said:

650S all day long. Don't get me wrong before I get flamed as I'm a fan of all things McLaren but the 650S is a 'super series' car with active aero, trick suspension which dispenses with the need for anti-roll bars and an 'air brake' which so cool.

This.

I don’t have a McLaren but did seriously look into a 570s about 6 years ago as it looked newer and a bit more modern at the rear to the 650.

I now realise the 650spider is the way cooler car. If I was buying it would be in order of cost/desired spend;

650 spider
600lt spider
675lt spider

But I still don’t know what to do with the 720. It’s also very cool and probably the most usable. I’d like a 720.

God. I’ve confused myself again

[akadk]

TBCTBC said:

cutting42 said:

Thanks all for the comments and the advice is clear. Test drive! I have driven a 570 but it was a few years ago. I was incredibly impressed with it but need a back to back test.

There is a gorgeous Mantis Green 650S on Thorney that has reduced to 87.5, might need to pop over to take a look as they are quite close.

That green one is showing at £95k on Thorney - what am I missing?

Autotrader

Looks good value given the carbon spec and colour.

Discs look used

[samoht]

I remembered another difference, the 570 has lower sills so is easier to climb in and out of.

[davek_964]

samoht said:

I remembered another difference, the 570 has lower sills so is easier to climb in and out of.

I think the doors also open at a slightly different angle to the 650?

I agree it's a bit easier to get into / out of - but you do get used to the 650 pretty quickly.

[Bispal]

It's all in the details....

Single wiper 'v' twin wiper
Large central Analogue tacho 'v' PlayStation display
Air brake
Bentley ride quality

Driven back to back the 570S is slightly more nimble and reactive up to 40/50 mph, more 'Lotus' like. Then the 650S takes off and feels much more of an event, more 'Supercar' like.

A lot will come down to looks, it's subjective, for me the 650S is the better looking. I would rather have a 718 Spyder over a 570S in that department at £85k

Less issues with 650S, the P11 platform being resolved and evolved from the 12C with many issues ironed out. The 570S first of a new generation with more corrosion, door issues, window issues, lock issues & eclectic issues.

Buy either and have a warranty for 1 year to make sure its all fine, then run without a warranty and take to 'V' engineering.

650S at or near bottom of deprecation curve.

650S coupe probably rarest McLaren in the UK. How many left lists at 18 cars, I think its actually nearer 30. As Spyder and Coupe were offered at the same time almost all buyers went Spyder so the coupe is very rare. coupe lines much nicer looking and no shut lines + rear shelf very useful & practical.

If I was spending £85k on a McLaren it would have to be a very well optioned early swipe 12C coupe. Looks even better than the 650S (to my eyes) and is approaching classic status. Good examples creeping up in value too. Again looks are subjective. I would take a 650S coupe as 2nd choice. Then would switch brands until £220k when 675LT brings McLaren back as No.1 choice.

[12pack]

Here’s an independent comparison….

https://www.carthrottle.com/news/6-ways-mclaren-57...

The bit in “The driving” section was exactly my experience as well - especially the suspension bit. Was disappointed that the 570 didn’t feel particularly better settled on my local uneven roads than the V12 Vantage I had been looking to move from.

Edited by 12pack on Tuesday 9th January 12:45

[Streetbeat]

Just a little test drive advise, make sure you put the 570s into sport or race and then a short press on the esc to get into esc dynamic mode, lots of people dont or have not driven in this mode when making comparison to the 650s, it makes a world of difference.

Just for the record i had no issue with my 570s mechnaical or electrically in just under 2 years, not many do its the most sorted Mclaren that went on the production line along with the 600lt upto the new line up, corrosion did appear but all covered under the 5 year warranty that you definitely wont be getting on a 12c or 650s.

[cutting42]

Just ran some insurance numbers and the 650S is under £500 which I am impressed with; over £100 less than the 570S. OK small change in the scheme of things but it all helps.

I really appreciate the postings, especially for such an oft asked question but the succinct summary really helps.

Need to get into some cars now.