Guidance needed on first Supercar purchase

[benmc]

All

Very lucky that the time has come in life where we have enough spare cash to realize a dream and have a Supercar. Something we can take on road trips (now live in the US so Seattle to San Diego would be a great one).

It has to be something that has emotion, not too harsh to drive and not a track special. We have been through multiple Lotus and now have Boxster S, all of which we have enjoyed.

Budget is around £150k

So far we have driven

McLaren 12c - OMG, 600+ bhp is addictive! Car felt very nice and sort of dual personality.
991 Turbo S - Great car but no emotion

We have 458 and Huracan left to drive this weekend.

Would love to hear any feedback or advice from people how have been through the same decision, are there any other options we are missing?

Thanks
Ben

[toohuge]

For that kind of trip, I would be looking at a v12 ferrari.... especially the 599. The 599 in the US has not gone stratospheric yet and is still good value for money.

[RamboLambo]

Can't go wrong with a McLaren 12C, such an accomplished all round supercar. Like you say it has a dual personality with the different gearbox and suspension settings mode settings.
An epic supercar and incredible value for money. Spider version only enhances the whole experience with open top motoring.

If budget would allow the 650S is another step up again with even higher emotional feeling

[benmc]

Found a very nice 650s with 1300 miles for $233k, going to see it this weekend after driving the 458.

[AA999]

A little biased point of view here but the McLaren12C is an amazing car.
Having not yet driven a Huracan I am guessing it will also be a strong contender.

Have you thought about the Corvette C7 Stingray? 7-speed manual would be an interesting option to have some driver involvement.

[_Superleggera_]

benmc said:

Found a very nice 650s with 1300 miles for $233k, going to see it this weekend after driving the 458.

The 650S is a fair improvement on the 12C both in handling and styling in my opinion.

I think the only person who can make the decision is you. Which car makes you feel the most alive. That is the car I would choose.

[benmc]

_Superleggera_ said:

Which car makes you feel the most alive. That is the car I would choose.

Think that's exactly the mindframe we have going into this. The 12C was very nice and something we could live with, need to see if the 650s is enough of a move forward. 458 will be very interesting tomorrow morning. Hurican is currently off the list due to unfriendly dealer who stated we could only test drive once a deal was done!!

Thanks
Ben

[benmc]

650s - Just WOW, so fast and planted at the same time. Also a car with two personalities, happy to trundle around town and very easy to drive. Then change the settings and the car changes.

458 - beautiful car but feels more agriturical and older.

Ben

[Charlysparrow]

Put the extra and buy an F12.

Nothing comes close.....

[woppum]

Charlysparrow said:

Put the extra and buy an F12.

Nothing comes close.....

Meh, 458 arguably more fun

[wtdoom]

Ford GT .

[Nightmare]

benmc said:

Hurican is currently off the list due to unfriendly dealer who stated we could only test drive once a deal was done!!

Thanks
Ben

what total idiots then....... Cos having had both a 12c and a Hurracan for a few days recently I have to say I'd buy the lambo without hesitation.

No doubt both are epic, but neither me or the wife could stop giggling in the huracan.

To my mind (and it because i grew up on more agricultural super cars) all the latest generation of point and click super cars are a little too easy (which is stupid to think but I can't help it). The huracan is, I think, about the easiest car to drive I have ever driven. I reckon I could teach a 17 year old to drive one in about 15 minutes (may be testing that theory next year!)

But get on it and it's sodding ridiculous To be fair the mclaren does all the same things as well too. It's very easy and fairly mental in turn too. With every super car issue now seemingly tackled (sensors and cameras and lifting gear, oh my!) then for me the only remaining comparator is which can end up most mental if wanted. And the Lamborghini won that quite easily (though utterly subjectively I guess!)

[Dr JonboyG]

AA999 said:

A little biased point of view here but the McLaren12C is an amazing car.
Having not yet driven a Huracan I am guessing it will also be a strong contender.

Have you thought about the Corvette C7 Stingray? 7-speed manual would be an interesting option to have some driver involvement.

The Stingray is a great car, and the Z06 is completely bonkers with 650bhp for under $100k.

[benmc]

Slight change of plan/direction. The budget started at around $170k and we somehow found ourselves at $300k + on a 650s! Don't get me wrong it's an amazing car but the figures were getting crazy.

Now looking towards a 991 GT3, most of the performance for $150k ish. It may not be a Supercar but certainly a drivers car.

Thanks for all the guidance

Ben

[AMG Merc]

Do you want an investment? If so the list changes.

[benmc]

AMG Merc said:

Do you want an investment? If so the list changes.

No, not an investment but $300k+ on a car was getting too much

[AA999]

benmc said:

No, not an investment....

Good to hear
Seems the number of people buying supercars to actually use them is few and far between
The choice really comes down to which you get the most thrill and enjoyment from, within a realistic budget.
And you're doing the right thing by test driving all your options.

So the 991 is the preferred choice....but out of curiosity, is there another Lambo dealer in the area you can try? It would be a shame to miss out on a Huracan due to one ignorant salesman if you found that the car was a serious contender.

Make sure to test drive the 991 Turbo too!
(Recently had a go in one of these and was very impressed)

[_Superleggera_]

My brother in law recently bought his Hurácan a couple of months ago. It was a fair move from the Ferrari he traded in against it.

He absolutely loves it. We recently convoyed out to Hampshire with him for a drive and its a very accomplished car that is one of the easiest supercars to drive.

Edited by _Superleggera_ on Sunday 30th August 22:12