Is the Mclaren 600 LT Spider the most desirable sub 200k?
Discussion
Hi there
This month marks the one year anniversary of my 600 LT Spider ownership experience, picked up in a private sale with 11,600 miles on the clock, the car now has over 15,000 miles. Donington track day next week and a road trip to IOM next month and Europe on the cards next year.
When I was looking last year there was always typically 15-20 Spiders available on the market, even at the peak of Summer but after viewing and test driving many, none were perfect for myself, I was absolutely after an MSO car and the car had to have the MSO vented wings, afterall you would not buy a GT3 RS and then delete the wing/fender vents would you?
Secondly it had to be a Spider, unlike Ferrari's with scuttle shake present in their convertibles and Lamborghini convertibles I cannot fit in, the Mclaren was the easy choice, so much room, zero negatives from the folding hard top, been a carbon tub the car has no loss in rigidity and as such there is zero scuttle shake present making the car truly two cars in one, roof down driving, rear window down for best audio of that engine, real bonus points of the convertible, the 50kg weight penalty well I am no racing driver competing on lap times so I am never gonna notice that but what I do notice is the panoramic view the roof down gives me and the amazing sound track I get from those top mount exhaust with the roof or back window down, it is pure motoring nirvana. With a passive suspension setup and another must on my tick list was either P1 or Senna seats ensuring I am low in the cabin and can feel everything going on and of course the beautiful Lotus feel steering McLaren's are blessed with from still using hydraulic racks.
Anyway some pictures:
When it comes to cars I am hard to please, I love a car to be a drivers car, full of feel and a great sound track, which for myself I found lacking in other McLaren models I have driven, none lack for pace but most sounded not great and were just too planted to enjoy on the road at legal speeds, the 600 LT is still guilty of this trait but not so bad because of the passive suspension setup and those top mount exhaust right behind your head. I LOVE IT!
It replaced a 991 GT3 and a Lotus Exige 410, the Mclaren crushes them both and they were both also superb cars, it joins my other cars which some are a 458, which for me has the biggest adrenalin rush of any supercar I have driven on road due to the fact it entertains so much without actually needing to ever go silly speeds, I also have a 360 manual, M2 manual, GR Yaris, 182 Trophy amongst other stuff. All of which are crashing in values at the moment just like pretty much every other car. Yet the 600 LT, particular in Spider configuration seems to be the one doing the total opposite and actually moving up price, even in the 600 LT chat groups some have been sold privately recently for strong money. Stronger than a year ago and much strong than two years ago. Also there is currently less than 5 Spiders available for sale, compared to 15-20 this same time last year.
Are people realising what a true hero of a car the 600 LT is, again particular in Spider format, with only around 150 UK cars there is not many, far far less with all the MSO goodies.
I have no plans on selling and in my ownership it has not let me down, any dealer visit has been prior organised for items such as updated door hinges and solving an undertray rattle, otherwise it has been reliable and never let me down, touch wood and keeping fingers crossed. Also I must say McLaren Manchester both sales and service are absolute super stars and always go out there way to help out or assist with drives and ideas.
One very happy 600 LT Spider owner in my first year, the colour is Heritage Volcano Red by the way, very very few in this colour worldwide, mine also has MSO black pack (carbon painted gloss black), MSO Wings, P1 buckets, MSO red stitching throughout, was supposedly a £277,000 list price car new before any discounts.
Hoping for another great year of drives, track days and exploration in my 600 LT Spider.
This month marks the one year anniversary of my 600 LT Spider ownership experience, picked up in a private sale with 11,600 miles on the clock, the car now has over 15,000 miles. Donington track day next week and a road trip to IOM next month and Europe on the cards next year.
When I was looking last year there was always typically 15-20 Spiders available on the market, even at the peak of Summer but after viewing and test driving many, none were perfect for myself, I was absolutely after an MSO car and the car had to have the MSO vented wings, afterall you would not buy a GT3 RS and then delete the wing/fender vents would you?
Secondly it had to be a Spider, unlike Ferrari's with scuttle shake present in their convertibles and Lamborghini convertibles I cannot fit in, the Mclaren was the easy choice, so much room, zero negatives from the folding hard top, been a carbon tub the car has no loss in rigidity and as such there is zero scuttle shake present making the car truly two cars in one, roof down driving, rear window down for best audio of that engine, real bonus points of the convertible, the 50kg weight penalty well I am no racing driver competing on lap times so I am never gonna notice that but what I do notice is the panoramic view the roof down gives me and the amazing sound track I get from those top mount exhaust with the roof or back window down, it is pure motoring nirvana. With a passive suspension setup and another must on my tick list was either P1 or Senna seats ensuring I am low in the cabin and can feel everything going on and of course the beautiful Lotus feel steering McLaren's are blessed with from still using hydraulic racks.
Anyway some pictures:
When it comes to cars I am hard to please, I love a car to be a drivers car, full of feel and a great sound track, which for myself I found lacking in other McLaren models I have driven, none lack for pace but most sounded not great and were just too planted to enjoy on the road at legal speeds, the 600 LT is still guilty of this trait but not so bad because of the passive suspension setup and those top mount exhaust right behind your head. I LOVE IT!
It replaced a 991 GT3 and a Lotus Exige 410, the Mclaren crushes them both and they were both also superb cars, it joins my other cars which some are a 458, which for me has the biggest adrenalin rush of any supercar I have driven on road due to the fact it entertains so much without actually needing to ever go silly speeds, I also have a 360 manual, M2 manual, GR Yaris, 182 Trophy amongst other stuff. All of which are crashing in values at the moment just like pretty much every other car. Yet the 600 LT, particular in Spider configuration seems to be the one doing the total opposite and actually moving up price, even in the 600 LT chat groups some have been sold privately recently for strong money. Stronger than a year ago and much strong than two years ago. Also there is currently less than 5 Spiders available for sale, compared to 15-20 this same time last year.
Are people realising what a true hero of a car the 600 LT is, again particular in Spider format, with only around 150 UK cars there is not many, far far less with all the MSO goodies.
I have no plans on selling and in my ownership it has not let me down, any dealer visit has been prior organised for items such as updated door hinges and solving an undertray rattle, otherwise it has been reliable and never let me down, touch wood and keeping fingers crossed. Also I must say McLaren Manchester both sales and service are absolute super stars and always go out there way to help out or assist with drives and ideas.
One very happy 600 LT Spider owner in my first year, the colour is Heritage Volcano Red by the way, very very few in this colour worldwide, mine also has MSO black pack (carbon painted gloss black), MSO Wings, P1 buckets, MSO red stitching throughout, was supposedly a £277,000 list price car new before any discounts.
Hoping for another great year of drives, track days and exploration in my 600 LT Spider.
Edited by Gibbo205 on Friday 18th August 15:13
I had this conversation with one of the chaps at McLeeds yesterday the 600LT is not dropping like seemingly everything else is for sure. Last year when we both bought I didnt feel that the "LT" was priced into them as its quite an important thing basically what the RS is to Porsche.
The 600s were ten a penny last year after the end of the cheap lease deal handbacks and defleets that were going on. 60 odd on autotrader last year today that number is 17 and a couple of those are sold. So last year there was a lot of talk of there being too many around but that always happens with newer cars (9look mow many Emiras are on Autotrader)
Pound for pound its by far the best car McLaren have made.
The 600s were ten a penny last year after the end of the cheap lease deal handbacks and defleets that were going on. 60 odd on autotrader last year today that number is 17 and a couple of those are sold. So last year there was a lot of talk of there being too many around but that always happens with newer cars (9look mow many Emiras are on Autotrader)
Pound for pound its by far the best car McLaren have made.
Nuttbelle said:
At £200k probably yes but for £25k more u can get the ultimate mclaren in the limited and rarer super series 675LT spider
600’s between £140-£160k so good chunk below £200k. Fantastic cars no doubt about it , have run mine since March, the Spider is the way with that rear window function really enhancing the noise. Was at the Ring in Jul and have Spa lined up for Oct …such an animal on track I was very impressed. Will be keeping it for a few yrs I think serious car for the money . Nuttbelle said:
At £200k probably yes but for £25k more u can get the ultimate mclaren in the limited and rarer super series 675LT spider
No knocking how great the 675LT is but for me the 600 LT was my choice for two stand out reasons:- Passive suspension: Car handles how I expect and has a rawer feeling which I like, of course some may hate but my 600 rides better than my GT3 did.
- Top exit exhaust visually alone they look stunning but the sound for the occupants is leagues above any other McLaren as long as it’s a Spider, drop back window and never again do I complain about lack of noise, sounds amazing from the V8 gargles and burbles, the turbos spooling and the epic whip cracks and explosions on gear shifts.
For me the 600 was the one, I do like how the Artura drives but it looks rubbish next to a 600 and sounds poor as well for the occupants which is what counts, what you the driver is hearing and 600 with back window or roof down just sounds surreal. I will admit my GT3 with its full IPE system did sound better though especially for passers by well petrol heads anyway, lol.
Not knocking the sport series 600LT but the 675LT was massively over engineered for its price point to launch the halo LT sub brand.
Mclaren really went overboard using many P1 parts to make it exceptional and as many reviewers commented at time its a mini P1 but more fun.
Being the original very limited LT Road car it is an iconic car and future classic guaranteed, 2 things the 600LT won't be.
The banned F1 technology of active aero and hydraulic suspension sets the 675LT apart from the 600LT and puts it in a totally different league IMHO.
The top exit exhausts are nice but the pops and bangs from the inconel 675LT exhaust are equally amazing
Don't get me wrong, value for money the 600LT is better at £150k but apart from that it's the 675LT all the way.
The 600LT struggled to sell due to over production and hence some of the crazy PCP deals thar were going round to shift them.
As a result there was a glut of cars on the market 2 years later which hit residuals hard.
Thankfully they have rebounded to closer to where the car should sit given all its merits but I dont see the increase continuing any further due to the volumes of cars made
Mclaren really went overboard using many P1 parts to make it exceptional and as many reviewers commented at time its a mini P1 but more fun.
Being the original very limited LT Road car it is an iconic car and future classic guaranteed, 2 things the 600LT won't be.
The banned F1 technology of active aero and hydraulic suspension sets the 675LT apart from the 600LT and puts it in a totally different league IMHO.
The top exit exhausts are nice but the pops and bangs from the inconel 675LT exhaust are equally amazing
Don't get me wrong, value for money the 600LT is better at £150k but apart from that it's the 675LT all the way.
The 600LT struggled to sell due to over production and hence some of the crazy PCP deals thar were going round to shift them.
As a result there was a glut of cars on the market 2 years later which hit residuals hard.
Thankfully they have rebounded to closer to where the car should sit given all its merits but I dont see the increase continuing any further due to the volumes of cars made
Edited by Nuttbelle on Friday 18th August 18:26
Nuttbelle said:
Not knocking the sport series 600LT but the 675LT was massively over engineered for its price point to launch the halo LT sub brand.
Mclaren really went overboard using many P1 parts to make it exceptional and as many reviewers commented at time its a mini P1 but more fun.
Being the original very limited LT Road car it is an iconic car and future classic guaranteed, 2 things the 600LT won't be.
The banned F1 technology of active aero and hydraulic suspension sets the 675LT apart from the 600LT and puts it in a totally different league IMHO.
The top exit exhausts are nice but the pops and bangs from the inconel 675LT exhaust are equally amazing
Don't get me wrong, value for money the 600LT is better at £150k but apart from that it's the 675LT all the way.
The 600LT struggled to sell due to over production and hence some of the crazy PCP deals thar were going round to shift them.
As a result there was a glut of cars on the market 2 years later which hit residuals hard.
Thankfully they have rebounded to closer to where the car should sit given all its merits but I dont see the increase continuing any further due to the volumes of cars made
The thing that sets the 675 LT apart are also the very reasons I don’t want one, they make it too good to enjoy on the road, the 600 LT is bad enough as it is with been not that much fun within speed limits but the super series cars really just for me at least are not exciting on the road as you have to do some pretty gigantic speeds to make them come alive, which is fine if your doing lots of track work but as a car to enjoy on the road without going too fast no McLaren excels well at this they are all so good but for me the 600 is more engaging and entertaining at lower speeds which for me in a car to enjoy on the road and the odd track day makes the 600 LT a big winner. Mclaren really went overboard using many P1 parts to make it exceptional and as many reviewers commented at time its a mini P1 but more fun.
Being the original very limited LT Road car it is an iconic car and future classic guaranteed, 2 things the 600LT won't be.
The banned F1 technology of active aero and hydraulic suspension sets the 675LT apart from the 600LT and puts it in a totally different league IMHO.
The top exit exhausts are nice but the pops and bangs from the inconel 675LT exhaust are equally amazing
Don't get me wrong, value for money the 600LT is better at £150k but apart from that it's the 675LT all the way.
The 600LT struggled to sell due to over production and hence some of the crazy PCP deals thar were going round to shift them.
As a result there was a glut of cars on the market 2 years later which hit residuals hard.
Thankfully they have rebounded to closer to where the car should sit given all its merits but I dont see the increase continuing any further due to the volumes of cars made
Edited by Nuttbelle on Friday 18th August 18:26
Also less to to break on a 600 because as you say it’s a simpler car. Just nice that in current climate the 600 LT has gone against the trend of dropping prices and in some cases actually risen.
Also I’d say at 170 coupes and 150 Spiders with far less MSO cars makes the 600 also a very rare car.
HIS LM said:
Err no the 720 spider beats it hands down imho
Yes it’s faster but I was not excited when I’ve driven them and I’ve driven two coupes and a Spider now, very impressive machines but I just found them boring on the road to drive and enjoy, only come alive at very high speeds, I just prefer passive suspension setup and firmer ride. The 600 LT is slower by some margin on paper but for me it’s a more thrilling drive if we areSomewhat respecting speed limits and it sounds way better.
There is no wrong McLaren but my money went on the I enjoyed to drive the most on the road.
Nuttbelle said:
Everyone will have what they consider to be the sweet spot and maybe it's related to driving ability.
Im not pretending to be a driving god drifting my LT round corners on a public road but I will when conditions allow drive enthusiastically
Haha it’s why I enjoy my 458 so much it is far easier to get sideways and at such low speeds with instant NA hit, the fact I’m on old Michelins is helping too but makes roundabouts a lot of fun, also love it on track as it’s a very easy car to slide around, had more fun in the 458 on track than my GT3 and it was no faster just a whole lot more entertaining and it is that I love in cars which so many modern cars now lack particular at lower speeds.Im not pretending to be a driving god drifting my LT round corners on a public road but I will when conditions allow drive enthusiastically
At Donington next week in the 600 LT, can’t wait and hoping it’s dry as am on AR1’s.
HIS LM said:
Err no the 720 spider beats it hands down imho
Agree and disagree.It's a very capable all rounder with epic performance but it doesn't have the same engagement/excitement of an LT.
Depends what you want from your car so there is no definitive answer.
Personally I prefer a rawer sporty supercar with all the things that come with it like noise and vibrations.
I always said my 650S and 720S spiders were too good and too accomplished which meant they were less fun to me than the LTs
Nuttbelle said:
Agree and disagree.
It's a very capable all rounder with epic performance but it doesn't have the same engagement/excitement of an LT.
Depends what you want from your car so there is no definitive answer.
Personally I prefer a rawer sporty supercar with all the things that come with it like noise and vibrations.
I always said my 650S and 720S spiders were too good and too accomplished which meant they were less fun to me than the LTs
The market has made a decision on the 720 unfortunately that is McLarens main Bogeycar its too complicated and not well built enough. They have been the source of a lot of issues. Says a lot when a car with another 120 BHP is cheaper than the 600. I prefer the looks of the 600 but one of the main decisions for me was that I didn't want the complicated suspension. The accumulators have ruined many an owners day and the idea of a very complicated suspension system working away under a sports/supercar masking the road surface is alien to me as a Lotus guy. The big factor really as I said was the LT designation being under recognised on the 600 I think in time this will get more and more relevant as time goes on. It's a very capable all rounder with epic performance but it doesn't have the same engagement/excitement of an LT.
Depends what you want from your car so there is no definitive answer.
Personally I prefer a rawer sporty supercar with all the things that come with it like noise and vibrations.
I always said my 650S and 720S spiders were too good and too accomplished which meant they were less fun to me than the LTs
It will be interesting to see what McLaren do to replace the 600 I saw an Artura yesterday in a proper colour (yellow with black roof) having thought it was a pretty plain looking car before but it was pretty handsome in the yellow. I would guess the baby LT replacement will be 300k which is not going to anything other than further bolster prices.
All of this said the economic backdrop at the moment is pretty dire and I would still predict a reasonably sharp drop in all of the cars over winter this year. But right now the 600 is one of very very few cars not to have slid back a fair about already.
fridaypassion said:
The market has made a decision on the 720 unfortunately that is McLarens main Bogeycar its too complicated and not well built enough. They have been the source of a lot of issues. Says a lot when a car with another 120 BHP is cheaper than the 600. I prefer the looks of the 600 but one of the main decisions for me was that I didn't want the complicated suspension. The accumulators have ruined many an owners day and the idea of a very complicated suspension system working away under a sports/supercar masking the road surface is alien to me as a Lotus guy. The big factor really as I said was the LT designation being under recognised on the 600 I think in time this will get more and more relevant as time goes on.
It will be interesting to see what McLaren do to replace the 600 I saw an Artura yesterday in a proper colour (yellow with black roof) having thought it was a pretty plain looking car before but it was pretty handsome in the yellow. I would guess the baby LT replacement will be 300k which is not going to anything other than further bolster prices.
All of this said the economic backdrop at the moment is pretty dire and I would still predict a reasonably sharp drop in all of the cars over winter this year. But right now the 600 is one of very very few cars not to have slid back a fair about already.
Since when was the 720 cheaper than the 600 ?It will be interesting to see what McLaren do to replace the 600 I saw an Artura yesterday in a proper colour (yellow with black roof) having thought it was a pretty plain looking car before but it was pretty handsome in the yellow. I would guess the baby LT replacement will be 300k which is not going to anything other than further bolster prices.
All of this said the economic backdrop at the moment is pretty dire and I would still predict a reasonably sharp drop in all of the cars over winter this year. But right now the 600 is one of very very few cars not to have slid back a fair about already.
HIS LM said:
Since when was the 720 cheaper than the 600 ?
Last 3-6 months I think, the 720S entry level has dropped down a bit from c.£130k while the 600 has edged up ever so slightly from the same level.Cheapest 720S on AT is £122k https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307139...
Cheapest 600LT is £136k https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308160...
that's not an outlier, there are ten 720Ss cheaper than the cheapest 600LT, including at least one approved used.
Gassing Station | McLaren | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff