RE: McLaren 720S | PH Used Buying Guide

RE: McLaren 720S | PH Used Buying Guide

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Discussion

BelgiumBlues

195 posts

32 months

Sunday 31st October 2021
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samoht said:
Lotusgav said:
Not that it’s ever going to be an issue for me but I’d be pissed if my 200k hypercar had things like glass that breaks and they’re not interested in covering that.

For 200k I’d want Toyota reliability and a blow job if the damn thing broke down in any way…

First car on my lottery list otherwise!
A supercar with Toyota reliability exists, however the market value for such a car is a lot more than £200k.
The LFA is probably one of the most underrated 'supercars' out there - that underrated-ness is driving up used prices of whatever of them are left in the world. This car is the pinnacle of Lexus Engineering prowess.

Gecko1978

9,824 posts

159 months

Sunday 31st October 2021
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Not that I am in the market for one but the head lights always put me off, the GT was nicer in my eyes but a sales flop

Gad-Westy

14,671 posts

215 months

Sunday 31st October 2021
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Numeric said:
Liquid Tuna said:
ex vaux dealer said:
£25.000 down £1500 per month a bloody bargain.
hehe
One of those moments when you realise that a world exists that you just don't understand, but I salute you - you've no doubt worked bally hard to be able to make your choices and give me a real world insight to what its really like to own a car like this. Thanks.
Ignoring whether you could or couldn’t. It’s about £50k to drive a £250k car for a couple of years. That’s pretty similar to the £300 Golf R deals that were knocking around a few years back. Just cranked up a bit. It’s great value when you see the meteoric depreciation you’d have suffered if you’d bought outright.

tiggyzak

203 posts

195 months

Sunday 31st October 2021
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I would love one of these. What mystifies me though is that there are , at the moment , about 35 for sale in the Piston Head ads. On the other hand there are (for example,) only two Lancia Integrales for sale.

Why do people put their beautiful McLarens up for sale so quickly ?

samoht

5,792 posts

148 months

Sunday 31st October 2021
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tiggyzak said:
I would love one of these. What mystifies me though is that there are , at the moment , about 35 for sale in the Piston Head ads. On the other hand there are (for example,) only two Lancia Integrales for sale.

Why do people put their beautiful McLarens up for sale so quickly ?
A couple of reasons behind that discrepency, I think.

First, the Integrale went out of production in 1994, over 25 years ago. So it's a classic car now, and you can find for example 16 of them for sale here https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/27/delta+inte...

By contrast, the PH classifieds seems to carry a lot of high-end dealer stock like 720s.


Second, I imagine many 720s are bought by people who like driving a new supercar. So they'll buy it, then sell it after a year or two and get something else.
The Integrale is a bit more of a cult I feel, owners tend to be fairly dedicated so more likely to be long-term. If you haven't traded your Delta in for a Scooby by now, 27 years after the former went off sale and the latter was launched, you probably aren't going to ;-)

For a closer comparison, there are 41 Ferrari 488s available, and 38 F8 Tributos; while there are 34 Huracans and 42 Huracan Evos.

So I think it's a 'current model supercar' thing, not an issue with McLarens causing any particular buyers' remorse.

DeejRC

5,863 posts

84 months

Sunday 31st October 2021
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When I was silly car shopping I’ve the last 2 yrs, the only car that really made me reconsider doing the V12 thing was the 720S. They dipped below £130k at one point which was just silly money for what was on offer.

Alas for the Macca, I paid a lot more more and bought something Italian and V12.
I do remain seriously tempted by a Spider in a few yrs though.

Oh and Integrales rule. My wife hated mine, I loved it.

jerrytlr

418 posts

215 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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Disappointing that a quickly resolved disagreement between McLaren and an Indy, and the mutterings of primarily a single YouTuber, get yet more airtime in a headline PH article.

Also, pretty sure the lack of anti roll bars and the interconnected dampers setup was also on 12C and 650s? I.e. not something introduced in the 720s (although no doubt it was further developed for the 720)

One final thing- the accumulators are covered by the McLaren extended warranty if they fail, although some people do change them before that point as their performance can deteriorate (which of course is not covered)

I don't own a 720, but I do own a 650s. I have had some issues with parts availability, which is mainly I believe due to the supply chain issues affecting lots of things, but other than that no complaints at all re. my dealer, McLaren or the McLaren warranty.

(re-reading what I wrote, I do come across as spectacularly grumpy - wasn't my intention - it's also a good article with lots of decent info! I just find it frustrating that a few internet postings can have such a disproportionate impact. Sign of the times I guess!)

Edited by jerrytlr on Monday 1st November 09:56

SDC65

1 posts

31 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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"Most complete"? Didn't know they sold kitcars.

big_rob_sydney

3,416 posts

196 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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jerrytlr said:
Disappointing that a quickly resolved disagreement between McLaren and an Indy, and the mutterings of primarily a single YouTuber, get yet more airtime in a headline PH article.

Also, pretty sure the lack of anti roll bars and the interconnected dampers setup was also on 12C and 650s? I.e. not something introduced in the 720s (although no doubt it was further developed for the 720)

One final thing- the accumulators are covered by the McLaren extended warranty if they fail, although some people do change them before that point as their performance can deteriorate (which of course is not covered)

I don't own a 720, but I do own a 650s. I have had some issues with parts availability, which is mainly I believe due to the supply chain issues affecting lots of things, but other than that no complaints at all re. my dealer, McLaren or the McLaren warranty.
When you say supply chain issues, could you expand on that? Because this is meant to be a British made car, and the supply chain issues I've heard about are Brexit related - getting parts to move between the UK and EU. For a British made car, I would not expect any Brexit supply chain issues, unless it relates to HGV drivers generally...?

Largechris

2,019 posts

93 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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big_rob_sydney said:
jerrytlr said:
Disappointing that a quickly resolved disagreement between McLaren and an Indy, and the mutterings of primarily a single YouTuber, get yet more airtime in a headline PH article.

Also, pretty sure the lack of anti roll bars and the interconnected dampers setup was also on 12C and 650s? I.e. not something introduced in the 720s (although no doubt it was further developed for the 720)

One final thing- the accumulators are covered by the McLaren extended warranty if they fail, although some people do change them before that point as their performance can deteriorate (which of course is not covered)

I don't own a 720, but I do own a 650s. I have had some issues with parts availability, which is mainly I believe due to the supply chain issues affecting lots of things, but other than that no complaints at all re. my dealer, McLaren or the McLaren warranty.
When you say supply chain issues, could you expand on that? Because this is meant to be a British made car, and the supply chain issues I've heard about are Brexit related - getting parts to move between the UK and EU. For a British made car, I would not expect any Brexit supply chain issues, unless it relates to HGV drivers generally...?
Really? There is no such thing as a British made car, or an Italian made car, or even a German made car.

They all source parts from all over the world, and many of those component parts have several tiers of suppliers beneath them. With the average car having 1400 microchips (including in all the actuators, door locks, sensors etc etc etc), and many of those chips only being made by one manufacturer, it really doesn't take much disruption for parts supply to falter. For any manufacturer.

History shows that every 8 to 10 years there will be an event that cocks things up completely:

In 2000, a microchip factory fire brought down Eriksson mobile phones:
https://husdal.com/2008/10/18/ericsson-versus-noki...

In 2013, one factory fire stopped production of a sixth of the worlds DRAM chips:
https://www.industryweek.com/supply-chain/article/...

2021, six months disruption to VW with another factory fire:
https://www.industryweek.com/supply-chain/article/...


Harrypop

2,611 posts

124 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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big_rob_sydney said:
When you say supply chain issues, could you expand on that? Because this is meant to be a British made car, and the supply chain issues I've heard about are Brexit related - getting parts to move between the UK and EU. For a British made car, I would not expect any Brexit supply chain issues, unless it relates to HGV drivers generally...?
More than likely it's just because McLaren won't manufacturer every single component in house, they will utilise the expertise of outside companies just as a lot manufacturers do.

Edit; got beaten to it!

I have seen a video where a 992 GT3 owner explains that he was only provided with a single key as they are one of the many things that have been hit by manufacturing/supply disruptions.

My dad has been waiting months on an aircon compressor for his 'British' manufactured car simply because the dealer cannot source one.

Edited by Harrypop on Monday 1st November 10:45

Steve12NG

258 posts

154 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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redroadster said:
I love how the designer bought a stuffed hammer head shark on mcclaren expenses to hang on wall, when you see detail on this car you can see how he gained inspiration from the sharks surfaces and of course its wide eyed look, true story look it up on net flicks.
I’m sure that story comes in handy for owners at the pub when they’re trying to explain the gopping front end on their car.

Which is such a shame, because the side profile, rear end, performance and everything else about these is very impressive. But there’s no way I could get past those headlights. Truly awful.

anonymous-user

56 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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Performance of these: awe inspiring.

Looks: hmm. It’s a personal thing but the headlights are too bulbous, and the cockpit sits too far forward - of there is too much car behind the cabin - take your pick. The 12C/650/570 are better resolved designs to my eyes. No doubt the 720’s design gives it functional advantages, but even so…

Harry H

3,427 posts

158 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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Totally pointless performance and not very good to look at inside or out. Just don't get McLarens. But I'm glad they exist and enjoy reading about them. Just have no desire to own one. In my lottery garage there wouldn't be a Macca in the top 20. Mind you that goes for the majority of todays super/hyper cars apart from a Pagani and maybe an 812sf.

Maybe if I was genuinely in the market and had a go in one and compared to the competition my mind would be changed. I am pleased other people own them though.

thwaite25

2 posts

54 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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Bought mine in Dec.last year.Since then,prices have increased owing to the shortage of new cars.It is the best and most exciting car I have ever owned.It is mind bending quick and the handling is sublime.I thought my previous McLaren,a 12c,was the most exciting car you could own but the 720s is a level above.It’s beautiful to look at but as a result creates a lot of attention wherever it goes.

Oily76

187 posts

113 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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This is the supercar I'd buy if I was the supercar buying type. I love the looks (even the lights that others seem so put off by), the relative lightness, the interior, the tub and not least that it's a Brit company.

tiggyzak

203 posts

195 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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thwaite25 said:
Bought mine in Dec.last year.Since then,prices have increased owing to the shortage of new cars.It is the best and most exciting car I have ever owned.It is mind bending quick and the handling is sublime.I thought my previous McLaren,a 12c,was the most exciting car you could own but the 720s is a level above.It’s beautiful to look at but as a result creates a lot of attention wherever it goes.
Lovely - I'm glad you love your car. I'm not jealous of you but I'm certainly envious.

There IS a difference !

Your post has made my day.

Maldini35

2,913 posts

190 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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If you ever get the chance to drive one, take it!

They are ballistic.

The 720S honestly makes a 488 seem tame.

Incredible car.

Manic Street Sleeper

1,072 posts

43 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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I borrowed one for two days back in 2017, courtesy of McLaren, it was very quick, felt like a big fast Lotus in terms of ride and handling but was plagued with niggling faults that couldn't be explained away by them.

As for the depreciation from new ... ouch !

A good buy as a used car, tread carefully but there are plenty out there to choose from.

h0b0

7,686 posts

198 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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It seems there’s mixed feelings toward the 720s. For those posters giving this one a miss, where would your money land? I’ve been following the prices of the 720s in my market and they are not as low as in the Uk yet. If they were I’d be giving it some consideration.