Is the Mclaren 600 LT Spider the most desirable sub 200k?

[Gibbo205]

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.

Edited by Gibbo205 on Friday 18th August 15:13

[Gibbo205]

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.

[Gibbo205]

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

Edited by Nuttbelle on Friday 18th August 18:26

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.

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.

[Gibbo205]

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 are
Somewhat 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.

[Gibbo205]

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.

At Donington next week in the 600 LT, can’t wait and hoping it’s dry as am on AR1’s.

[Gibbo205]

hajaba123 said:

Saw it at Bicester last Saturday, love it and a dream next car

I was going to ask your view on the differences between it and the Exige (I've got a V6S) but you were just about to dive into a tray of chips

The 600 is like a big Lotus.
The steering as good feel wise but more pleasant due to some power assist.
Front end on 600 is better.
Interior in another league.

The 600 for me is an upgrade in every way over my Exige 410, only negatives are it cost double and insurance is higher and running cost are higher.

I don’t miss the Exige and as a hardcore track car my Caterham was more fun than the Exige if a tad slower lap time wise but it’s about fun. On the road the McLaren is in another league it’s exotic, an event, just go drive one you won’t regret it but I’d advise a warranty which is £5600 for two years from McLaren I got a discount down to £4691 so good as it’s better than Ferrari warranty.

[Gibbo205]

mikebradford said:

That red LT s a fantastic looking car

Thank you it’s the only MSO one in U.K. and I believe there is one more in U.K. but none MSO.

Supposedly and confirmed by the options list I was shown Volcano Red was not an option for the 600 but as in the case of my car the customer made a special request.

[Gibbo205]

HIS LM said:

Since when was the 720 cheaper than the 600 ?

Quite a few advertised lower and trade much lower.

Also think McLaren made far more 720’s compared to 600’s, the newer 750S might help stop 720S dropping any more as the 750S price is rather crazy.

[Gibbo205]

EK993 said:

I totally agree with your sentiment on the 600LT, Gibbo. I had a 570S Coupe from 2019 through to 2021, never really liked the car, sure it was fast but it just left me totally cold from a driver engagement perspective. I seldom just wanted to get in it and go for a drive and I was pretty happy to sell it at peak Covid pricing in December 2021.

I wanted something more visceral and raw and had been looking at the 430 Scud. I couldn’t get over paying so much for a 14 year old car though. As I still loved the look of the Sport Series I decided to take another look at McLaren, bought a 600LT Spider and am totally in love with it, it provides all the visceral and raw thrills I was looking for, and that were missing in the 570S Coupe.

I live in the US where the prices of cars are hugely inflated, I paid close to $300k for a 1400 mile Mauvine Blue car with carbon fenders, I could have had a 720S for the same money but have no interest in that model. For me it would be the same story as the 570S, even more insanely fast but lacking driver engagement. I probably could have had a 675LT for that money as well, but that generation of super series just doesn’t appeal to me for some reason, I just don’t like the shape and not keen on the thought of upkeep and expenditure when the complicated tech needs fixing. It must be an incredible drive though in terms of driver involvement.

So for me, the 600LT is the one, unless I found myself in the position to be able to afford a Senna!

Just want to say I absolutely love your car, amazing colour and spec.

I’m glad you get it, faster does not always mean better and for reasons I’ve explained which you have explained well the 600 is far more visceral and engaging than other models in the range which for me coming from GT3’s and Lotus made the 600 the easy choice plus for me it’s one of the best looking McLaren’s with top exit exhaust and best sounding.

If you get chance go test drive an Artura just make sure you drive one with everything in track as I found it a fun drive just not keen on the looks or sound and of course no Spider yet but that’s coming next year I believe.

[Gibbo205]

Lovely drive out today and for those who mention about the ride well I often daily drive the car and will often select sport or even track on the road, yes it’s firm but by no means uncomfortable but everyone has different requirements but my GT3, Exige were firmer than my 600 and it’s not much firmer if any than my Ferrari 360 and 458. As such very easy to daily and do long U.K. and EU road trips. Also circa 34-38mpg on a long run, very fuel efficient when travelling on motorways.

[Gibbo205]

Wheelspinning said:

Tbf, that's not being controversial, just saying it as it is.

The louvered wings aren't MSO, they were just a £2010 option, and the contrast stitching was a no cost option, but an extra cost if you wanted MSO embroidered into the headrest.

The Volcano Red is lovely, and as a heritage colour was special order.

Lovely 600lt spider though.

Louverer wings are a 10k option, something like £9880 on the original price list.

MSO car or not it’s got the nice options I wanted which was the wings, full carbon sills with the brighter wheels and an awesome colour.

[Gibbo205]

Nuttbelle said:

Don't kick a man when he is already down.

This could get salty and I'm sure no one wants that

Why would I be down? I feel very fortunate to own a 600 LT Spider and the other cars I own.

[Gibbo205]

crimbo said:

If you could only have one last drive, are you taking the 458 or 600lt.

That is a tough one and I guess it would depend on a drive where too. Talking track or somewhere I can really get my foot down then yes the 600 LT for sure.

If it’s more a case of high speeds not possible then the 458 as it delivers excitement and gets adrenalin flowing at much lower speeds due to shorter gearing and it having a much more playful chassis making it feel a much faster car even though the 600 LT is actually quicker than it.

Why for me faster does not always necessary mean better and is why for the 600 was the one but I also love the looks of the 600.

[Gibbo205]

Nuttbelle said:

Everyone saying your car is not MSO and that the options are all standard has got to have hacked you off somewhat surely.
Don't worry it's only jealousy, the car looks great whatever IMHO

Not at all, it’s an internet forum and it’s all a bit of banter. Maybe my shoulders are a bit broader or since I hit 40 I just don’t get offended or hacked off and certainly not by comments on an internet forum.

For me my 600 is the best I’ve seen, that does not make it the best but for me it’s the best.

[Gibbo205]

Bispal said:

Firstly of all, your 600LT looks stunning Gibbo.
Secondly you don't need to go silly speeds to make a 675LT enjoyable, in fact its one of the few supercars that is enjoyable at low speeds. I don't use mine on track. I have driven 675LT & 600LT directly back to back on the road and for me it was the 675LT that tingled and excited that little bit more, even at lower speeds. Not that there was a lot in it, both are supreme cars and the 600LT is most definitely the best value focused supercar available ATM. Enjoy.

Thank you, 675 LT was my other choice, but as I wanted a Spider the 600 LT Spider at my time of buying had such a small premium over the coupe (10-15k) as I paid a fair price which for a car in my dream spec was a lucky find, it was never listed for sale.

Also at the time of buying I think it was when the 675's were peaking price wise. It is totally personal taste but for me the 600 LT is my favourite looking McLaren followed by P1, just love exhaust placement and sound track they give, all personal preference but I purchased the car right for me and if I was speccing from new I'd not change anything apart from adding the track cameras. Its got the wheels, wings, seats, hi-fi, stitching, none black roof and all carbon painted black in Volcano Red, so it really was a very lucky drop to get in the car, made more pleasant as a dealer would want more for it.

I just love driving it, which is what it is all about but must also admit I will sometimes just sit and stare at it for ages, on sunny days I bring it out the garage and park it in the back garden so I can just admire its looks, the stance is just spot on and the colour like liquid, out of my entire collection it is the car I will just stare at for minutes on end.

Am a bag of skittles guy so I like my cars in different colours, hence my 458 is Giallo Triplo Strato, another rare colour compared to reds, blacks and flat yellows of Ferrari world from that time. My 360 however is just plain regular Rosso Red, suits it though, but the darker blue's had aged the 360 best, I hate black cars as they never stay clean.

Edited by Gibbo205 on Monday 21st August 12:44

Edited by Gibbo205 on Monday 21st August 12:45

Edited by Gibbo205 on Monday 21st August 12:46

[Gibbo205]

First track day yesterday in the 600 LT Spider at Donington GT, had great fun and some great fun chasing down the 992 GT3 RS's.









The car was nothing short of sensational on track, mind blown by how quick it is and I am was nowhere near close to its full ability as I was too scared to keep my foot in it through Craners and up the hill after old hairpin as the speed the car piles on is unrelenting.

Still the car was un-rivalled and apart from eating through the pads at a crazy rate of knots the car was faultless, I checked oil level after every session and on the day the car consumed 0.5l of oil in order to keep the oil one green light above mid-way. Track mpg was 5mpg.

The AR1's though not the quickest tyre were faultless, progressive at limit and seemed to have taken hardly any wear at all and little to zero pickup on them as I never had to move off line to let anyone pass. Car was on road alignment, so no extreme cambers and it handled lovely.

Also no red flags all day, not bad for a Donington track day but Lotus on Track is the best organiser I have used along with RMA.

In short driving the 600 LT on track was like driving around with a cheat code enabled, I was in Track / Track with ESC DYN enabled. Let my mate have a go who has also had lots of exotic cars and we both came to same agreement out of cars we have owned and track driven, the 600 LT was one of the most capable cars we have ever driven, vastly superior to my 991 GT3 in every single measurement and more engaging and feelsome too, I'd say it was also as fun as my Caterham, but the Caterham I can drive at 10/10th's for long stings (45 mins) whereas the 600 LT was above my ability level, I'd say I was most of the day at 7/8 tenths (15 minute stints) and was short shifting a lot, braking early just for mechanical sympathy but also due to the high speeds the car was seeing, 130+ on pit straight and 140+ on back straight, so did not want to take risk. Admittedly when I was chasing down the white 992 GT3 RS the red mist came down and I wash pushing harder, but it was fun gaining on him bit by bit to eventually pass.

600 is just epic on track, but the brakes wear rate is shockingly bad, so I guess different pads or a surface transforms ceramic or steel conversion would be a must for anyone planning on a lot of track work.

After driving my Exige, GT3, Boxster Spyder, 458, E46 M3 CSL, Ferrari 458, all on track the 600 has them all beat but then has the major advantage of a lovely roof down drive home.

I'd not want the expense of tracking the 600 LT on a regular basis, that is certainly where an Exige and Caterham are far better suited, but ability and all out fun/engagement what a car.

Love it!

Edited by Gibbo205 on Thursday 24th August 10:28

[Gibbo205]

Stu-nph26 said:

Your car is absolutely stunning OP and the 600LT is imho easily the best-looking Mclaren.

I don't have 200k but I'm looking to get something for about 140k later in the year, which makes the 600LT an option, their main competition for me is the 488GTB. I have my money down on a new 991.2 GTS but I think I will get my deposit back and plum for one of the two above they just seem far more special than a 991 GTS. Despite how genuinely brilliant I thought the GTS was.

I noticed you previously owned a 458 too that was also under consideration but I've come to the conclusion that the 488 is the better option for me. I take it the 458 and the LT are chalk and cheese?

I still own the 458.

I could write a book about both cars but I shall try to narrow it down:

458: Has to be the coupe, for me the Spider has too much scuttle shake, but some owners don't mind or don't notice. The best adrenalin rush modern supercar for the road around speed limits you will buy. I often attack a b-road or a-road and due to the short gearing, frantic acceleration and elastic rev range I often find myself having fun and feeling like I am absolutely flying to look down at the speedo and often find myself around 70-80mph and having great fun and enjoyment. The 458 does that magical thing that almost all other supercars from that period and post fail to do which is delivery fun and engagement within and around legal speeds. Instant NA response from as little as 2000rpm, short gearing and relatively light car with epic sound track all aid with this. The cars E-diff, traction system is also still amongst some of the very best ever, think its an area Ferrari excel at is how they tie the TC system in with the E-Diff, literally in Race mode you feel like a hero as TC is helping you but it does so and you hardly notice it. Flick to CT Off and you can happily slide the car around at will, even at low speeds, another element of fun. Owned mine 5 years now and covered 15,000 plus miles in it and it has been very enjoyable, the car did suffer a gearbox oil leak, spotted before driving so the gearbox got rebuilt by Ferrari and some other preventive maintenance at same time such as new sensors, diff seals etc at a cost of £8000. If the leak had occured during a drive and gone un-noticed to the point of the car throwing an error the bill would of no doubt been far higher, mine is a 2014 car by the way so gearbox issues can arise on all years. Only other minor issues have been the corrosion all 458's suffer from, easily remedied by any decent bodyshop.


600 LT Spider: Only buy a Spider, zero scuttle shake been a carbon tub and only a 50kg weight premium which you will never notice. Though it does not sound remotely as good as a 458 to passers by to you the driver the 600 LT sounds superb, but again highly amplified in the Spider with roof or back window down. On the road to truly enjoy it you will find yourself somewhat breaking speed limits on NSL roads by some margin, so restraint is called for. The power delivery is savage and fun, its a mega fast car even on part throttle but dare mash the pedal and it is like engaging warp drive on starship Enterprise, a shockingly fast car. Although its an LT so a more track focused model I often drive on the road with the suspension in sport or track, it is firm but never uncomfortable to myself. The car does vibrate a lot due to the direct engine mounts but it is all part of the LT thrill, of course for some it might be too much but I am easily annoyed by rattles and horrible droning and I find the 600 LT fine, I am already 3000+ miles into my ownership and loving it. Park the 458 and 600 LT next to each other at a show, both bright special paint colours (Giallo Triplo Strato on Ferrari & Volcano Red on McLaren) but as good looking as the 458 is, the McLaren totally steals the show everytime and with all ages, but the colour is helping dramatically. All the car shows we take it too, and there is some truly impressive machinery at such shows but I will often get people come over just like the poster above saying my car is their favourite and one of the best looking cars they have ever laid eyes on. With the 600 LT McLaren just nailed the design, of course the top mounted flame throwers of a huge bonus to me, not many cars with that feature. So far the 600 LT has been reliable but I've had it one year, it has some minor corrosion which McLaren will fix when I am ready to have it done, no doubt over a Winter when I will use car less but mechanically so far it has been spot on. Also the gear change settings are perfect, comfort for seamless, sport or crazy ignition cut aggressive kicks and bangs, then track for inertia push without upsetting balance. Sport can be very entertaining on road. Been sport series car the passive damping gives amazing feedback and as with all McLarens the hydraulic steering is perfectly judged and just magical to use, McLaren truly have the best steering of any modern supercar and by some distance, Porsche EPAS is not even close!


I can't really split the two, both equal greats but as I have owned the 458 for a long time now, then it is that car that I shall probably move on in coming months or next year and will probably renew the warranty on the 600 LT for another 2 years in 2025, also extended warranty on Ferrari is pointless it covers so little whereas the extended warranty on McLaren though not perfect is a better warranty.

A couple of pictures of each.

Edited by Gibbo205 on Thursday 24th August 12:36

Edited by Gibbo205 on Saturday 26th August 14:10

[Gibbo205]

Geoffcapes said:

Giallo Triplo Strato is the best colour Ferrari have ever come out with!

Not going to disagree, bit rich though at £22,000 for the paint, might be more now. I also really like Hong Kong Viola as well.

[Gibbo205]

My 600 LT on track yesterday at Donington:

[Gibbo205]

Geoffcapes said:

Fastest thing on track by miles!

The way it builds speed is bonkers!

The torque out of corners is what I was really loving, the two 2nd gear corner exits is just a giggle fest and now you also realise why I love the sound of the 600 LT so much because that is the real authentic engine noise in the cabin as I had the gopro mounted inside on the back screen with it down nearly an inch, at which point those top exit exhaust fill the cabin with the lovely soundtrack. Even in track mode the exhaust still whip cracks and bangs, never drove in sport on track for obvious reasons but in sport mode the car is even more vocal.