Another 12C enquiry

[topcat1]

Hi, I'm doing a lot of pondering about what to do this year car wise. In my garage is a TVR Tuscan which I use occasionally and have owned for 7 years, it is wild and a joy to control when driving hard, but for ordinary run outs I quickly tire of the drone and inevitably smell of fumes when I get out!

I've lusted over the AM V12V for a few years and convinced myself it was the next step (or a 996 turbo) but over the last few days I noticed how cheap McLaren 12C models have become- cheaper in fact than the V12V. Obviously this is a different beast and comes with higher bills etc, but I'm still struggling to get my head around the low prices. With the performance and looks that are aging very well, could this too be a future classic reasonably soon?

I'm not naieve enough to compare these cars in terms of performance, but given the non existant price gap- is there a general concensus no-brainer when considering purchasing one or the other?

To add- although considering depreciation and trying to factor future values is important to me- I wouldn't be buying as an investment, just like to lose as little as possible and have fun at the same time! I don't get the chance to put many miles on the clock at present due to family and work- hence this would hopefully be a long term purchase.

[Ferruccio]

Er, see the thread currently immediately below this one?

[topcat1]

Yes I've read it 2 or 3 times along with many other threads, my enquiry is whether there is any comparison or considerations between purchasing an Aston or a McLaren other than the obvious running costs etc

[Sarnie]

topcat1 said:

Yes I've read it 2 or 3 times along with many other threads, my enquiry is whether there is any comparison or considerations between purchasing an Aston or a McLaren other than the obvious running costs etc

There no comparison and the only consideration for you will be why you didn't do it sooner.

[RSbandit]

Had a V12VS before my 570s, an engine sound like no other especially between 2500 and 5000 rpm....much nicer than the Mclaren although I prefer the 570S sound at the higher revs the noise improves once you ring it out. Costs wise the Vantage was cheaper to run my one was v reliable nothing only servicing tyres and some brake pads. It's an old school brute but in performance/handling terms the Mclaren is on another level completely. Even allowing for the timeless looks of the Vantage it does show its age when parked beside a Mclaren. 12c extended warranty is almost £5k as well the sports series £1500 cheaper once over 5 yrs old. Given 12c's are cheaper than most V12 Vantages put the difference toward the running costs.

[12pack]

I ended up keeping my V12V when I went for a 650 spider.

Driving and performance wise, there’s just no comparison. I used to think of my V12V as “raw” with lots of “feel”. But in truth it’s just poor engineering in comparison. I still love the sound and drive it when I get the hankering to heel and toe. But truthfully, it’s just awful to drive hard, with the ridiculous suspension bouncing all over the place and unable to help get the power down.

These days, with the top down on the the Mac, howling 641 hp behind the ears, the amazing suspension keeping all corners planted, tons of steering feel enhancing the lightweight nimbleness, and getting pretty good at left foot braking, the V12V stays garaged.

Here’s me from a while back.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by 12pack on Monday 3rd May 12:41

[topcat1]

Thanks for the great replies, pretty comprehensive!

I was/am concerned that a 12C may be too big a step up from the Tuscan and that the V12V may provide a more grown up brute to replace it with.

It is the "fight" that is so enjoyable in the TVR, and the predictableness that the tail will come out every time 10% more throttle is given in a corner- after all the McLaren reviews I am not sure if this "fun" element will be missing, albeit undoubtedly replaced by sheer speed and a supercar experience... if you know what I mean.

I have to confess I also have not looked into potential V12V running costs, maybe they are higher/closer to a 12C than I expected too.

Good reading in that link by the way- I do still love the look of both cars though!

[12pack]

topcat1 said:

Thanks for the great replies, pretty comprehensive!

I was/am concerned that a 12C may be too big a step up from the Tuscan and that the V12V may provide a more grown up brute to replace it with.

It is the "fight" that is so enjoyable in the TVR, and the predictableness that the tail will come out every time 10% more throttle is given in a corner- after all the McLaren reviews I am not sure if this "fun" element will be missing, albeit undoubtedly replaced by sheer speed and a supercar experience... if you know what I mean.

I have to confess I also have not looked into potential V12V running costs, maybe they are higher/closer to a 12C than I expected too.

Good reading in that link by the way- I do still love the look of both cars though!

TBH not actually driven a 12C, but absolutely no problem to controllably step the tail out on the 650. I love doing that on quiet roundabouts on a wet day. And that’s the point. I could never do that with the V12V with its non linear throttle and (like most “performance” cars) suspension that’s easily jostled over regular pavement.

But do try them both. Good luck and enjoy your search.

Gratuitous pic

Edited by 12pack on Monday 3rd May 22:12

[Jim82]

Me too- if you let the back out and then lift off, it snaps back in like the thoroughbred that it is!!

[macdeb]

12pack said:

topcat1 said:

Thanks for the great replies, pretty comprehensive!

I was/am concerned that a 12C may be too big a step up from the Tuscan and that the V12V may provide a more grown up brute to replace it with.

It is the "fight" that is so enjoyable in the TVR, and the predictableness that the tail will come out every time 10% more throttle is given in a corner- after all the McLaren reviews I am not sure if this "fun" element will be missing, albeit undoubtedly replaced by sheer speed and a supercar experience... if you know what I mean.

I have to confess I also have not looked into potential V12V running costs, maybe they are higher/closer to a 12C than I expected too.

Good reading in that link by the way- I do still love the look of both cars though!

TBH not actually driven a 12C, but absolutely no problem to controllably step the tail out on the 650. I love doing that on quiet roundabouts on a wet day. And that’s the point. I could never do that with the V12V with its non linear throttle and (like most “performance” cars) suspension that’s easily jostled over regular pavement.

But do try them both. Good luck and enjoy your search.

Gratuitous pic

Edited by 12pack on Monday 3rd May 22:12

If a picture paints a thousand words,,,,,,,,? I wish I'd have waited and gone straight to McLaren rather than my AM debacle.

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 4th May 20:55

Edited by macdeb on Wednesday 5th May 10:41

[Paza3]

12pack said:

TBH not actually driven a 12C, but absolutely no problem to controllably step the tail out on the 650. I love doing that on quiet roundabouts on a wet day. And that’s the point. I could never do that with the V12V with its non linear throttle and (like most “performance” cars) suspension that’s easily jostled over regular pavement.

But do try them both. Good luck and enjoy your search.

Gratuitous pic

Edited by 12pack on Monday 3rd May 22:12

I must say a black 650s does look very tasty

[BURNIE]

Pistonheads has become weak.
My thread has been taken down, I was asking same question as you I'm thinking of a purchase I thought this woukd be the best place to ask owners🤔🙄

[jeremyc]

BURNIE said:

Pistonheads has become weak.
My thread has been taken down, I was asking same question as you I'm thinking of a purchase I thought this woukd be the best place to ask owners????

Not so. Your thread is right here

[topcat1]

macdeb said:

If a picture paints a thousand words,,,,,,,,? I wish I'd have waited and gone straight to McLaren rather than my AM debacle.

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 4th May 20:55

Edited by macdeb on Wednesday 5th May 10:41

I still think the V12V (and V8V of course) was a perfect design, it looks much better than the DB9 and the comparable rarity of the V12 will surely make it a collectable. They make a great pair! I bet a run to the pub or shop etc is easier in the Aston, i.e. less likely to get abuse or feel pretentious...

By chance I've found out that a small dealer has a 12C local to me, I live in a small village and they are tucked away 200 yards up the road!

[BURNIE]

jeremyc said:

nono: Not so. Your thread is right here

Oh that's so weird as I had two emails telling me they had taken it down..
Oh well sorry PistonHeads. 😊😉

[RSbandit]

topcat1 said:

I still think the V12V (and V8V of course) was a perfect design, it looks much better than the DB9 and the comparable rarity of the V12 will surely make it a collectable. They make a great pair! I bet a run to the pub or shop etc is easier in the Aston, i.e. less likely to get abuse or feel pretentious...

By chance I've found out that a small dealer has a 12C local to me, I live in a small village and they are tucked away 200 yards up the road!

In my experience Mclarens are universally loved by the general public nothing but positivity...same when I had my V12VS but of course didn't draw quite as much attention. I think being British made helps compared to Italian or German cars...I had a couple of negative interactions when I had an R8 by comparison.

[BURNIE]

What's your plans now you still hunting a 12c?
If so One I looked at was absolutely perfect but he was holding out for a bit more than we wanted to go..
The one at 79k in Grafite Grey absolutely stunning he really has gone to limits of care.

[topcat1]

I've not done anything yet, have been looking at other options including various Ferraris etc but don't want another "old" car and newer models are expensive plus I can't picture myself in one. Have driven a few and yes they are fancy but didn't make me drool!

Have a lot on right now and want to sell my TVR before another purchase, keeping my eyes open and will try and test drive soon, I think it will be worth trying other models too, maybe a 650 and 570 to see how much difference there is...

[topcat1]

BURNIE said:

What's your plans now you still hunting a 12c?
If so One I looked at was absolutely perfect but he was holding out for a bit more than we wanted to go..
The one at 79k in Grafite Grey absolutely stunning he really has gone to limits of care.

I see you bought a volcano red one, was it from Scott Hardy by any chance? If so that looked amazing and was in my watch list! Favorite colour so far.

[BURNIE]

topcat1 said:

BURNIE said:

What's your plans now you still hunting a 12c?
If so One I looked at was absolutely perfect but he was holding out for a bit more than we wanted to go..
The one at 79k in Grafite Grey absolutely stunning he really has gone to limits of care.

I see you bought a volcano red one, was it from Scott Hardy by any chance? If so that looked amazing and was in my watch list! Favorite colour so far.

I could do with selling my Tamora, as the garage space is not quite big enough to home them all.