Harry's Garage - YouTube
Discussion
thegreenhell said:
It sounded utterly boring, though. Flat-plane V8, turbo and automatic transmission just has no emotion. Might as well just get an EV at that point.
He took a coupe, not a spider. Mistake #1. He was mostly in Comfort drivetrain. Mistake #2. He really wasn't revving it out. Mistake #3. I think you need to try one before you write them off.And as for having to work hard to keep up with the 110s, er, no. Local knowledge will have helped the Alpine drivers, but no.
thegreenhell said:
It sounded utterly boring, though. Flat-plane V8, turbo and automatic transmission just has no emotion. Might as well just get an EV at that point.
I think basically all flat-plane crank V8s sound pretty crap....Yes, including Ferraris! There are few exceptions, for me.964Cup said:
thegreenhell said:
It sounded utterly boring, though. Flat-plane V8, turbo and automatic transmission just has no emotion. Might as well just get an EV at that point.
He took a coupe, not a spider. Mistake #1. He was mostly in Comfort drivetrain. Mistake #2. He really wasn't revving it out. Mistake #3. I think you need to try one before you write them off.And as for having to work hard to keep up with the 110s, er, no. Local knowledge will have helped the Alpine drivers, but no.
Very nice car. Always been impressive how quickly the McLaren road brand appeared near the top and how it has kept itself there. Given the established brands they've had to compete against it is no mean feat.
Engine has always been the Achilles heel just because it never sounds like it is in a different league from more standard fayre. It just lacks emotion. There are more thrilling 4 pots from the last century, in much cheaper and more generic cars in that regard.
The performance is truly startling but I think you could see quite well on the video that on the road you just can't wring it out. As a road car you are perpetually not using it for what it is created to do. In that regard, the Alpine is the better car just because despite other aspects, it is a road focussed sports car that can be wrung out and given a good thrashing.
Engine has always been the Achilles heel just because it never sounds like it is in a different league from more standard fayre. It just lacks emotion. There are more thrilling 4 pots from the last century, in much cheaper and more generic cars in that regard.
The performance is truly startling but I think you could see quite well on the video that on the road you just can't wring it out. As a road car you are perpetually not using it for what it is created to do. In that regard, the Alpine is the better car just because despite other aspects, it is a road focussed sports car that can be wrung out and given a good thrashing.
DonkeyApple said:
The performance is truly startling but I think you could see quite well on the video that on the road you just can't wring it out. As a road car you are perpetually not using it for what it is created to do. In that regard, the Alpine is the better car just because despite other aspects, it is a road focussed sports car that can be wrung out and given a good thrashing.
Funny you say this, as I was contemplating just this thing yesterday. I was wondering whether to save up and replace my car with something like an F Type R (my old man used to have one, loved it, aside from the crackles/bangs which would get tiresome). But after taking my car for a spirited drive I honestly thought "do I need more performance than this? Would having more power be more fun?" Honestly, I think the answer was probably not.The only thing that appealed about the 750S was the colour.
In Harry's position, I would have been sat there feeling, I'd rather be in one of the Alpines.
You know the McLaren is going to be nothing but trouble and it doesn't even look that great.
Great video though, fantastic trip.
Loved every part of it, except the rain.
In Harry's position, I would have been sat there feeling, I'd rather be in one of the Alpines.
You know the McLaren is going to be nothing but trouble and it doesn't even look that great.
Great video though, fantastic trip.
Loved every part of it, except the rain.
JeremyH5 said:
Venisonpie said:
Christ, that's some motor. 100mph in under 5 seconds is alarming. Noice.
Very! Interesting that Harry had to peddle it hard to keep up with the Alpine A110s with local knowledge though, unless I’ve misunderstood what he meant!At the end of the day, he’s driving McLaren’s £250k car. He’s not going to be giving it 10/10.
loudlashadjuster said:
JeremyH5 said:
Venisonpie said:
Christ, that's some motor. 100mph in under 5 seconds is alarming. Noice.
Very! Interesting that Harry had to peddle it hard to keep up with the Alpine A110s with local knowledge though, unless I’ve misunderstood what he meant!At the end of the day, he’s driving McLaren’s £250k car. He’s not going to be giving it 10/10.
614-HSO said:
The 110's were going pretty fast though considering how fast the 750s is supposed to be, hypercar fast by all accounts and Harry does know how to drive!
It's a video of people driving on public roads. None of them were trying even remotely hard. I can tell you that if all of them had been trying hard, Harry would have been long gone. Pistom said:
You know the McLaren is going to be nothing but trouble.
This "fact" is getting a little dull with repetition, especially when it's not true. Yes, there were some issues with the original 2017 720s, but even those have now had the bugs ironed out, and so long as you use the cars they're actually very reliable.Aesthetics are personal, of course, but I think the 296 is hideous (even without the awful two-tone paintjob) and I agree with Harry about the drive. Which is why I didn't buy one.
732NM said:
That's precisely what press cars are for, rag the arse out of it.
Rag the arse out of it? It does 0-100 in 5. What is it's top speed in third, does anyone know?What speeds do you reckon is achievable on those roads in that car? Would it really be enjoyable?
Personally, I think those roads in that part of France are contenders for being amongst the best in the world. Respect to Harry for getting there off-autoroute.
But for a trip there from the UK (or anywhere, possibly) I don't think that's the best car for the job, I genuinely think that more fun (and an easier life in terms of luggage, cruising ability etc) can be had for a fraction of the price (and running costs) of a car like this McLaren.
Great film though, and boy those roads are lovely.
I'd be willing to bet that most of the people slating the 750s have not seen one in person, let alone driven one. If you listen to one drive by or drive one yourself, there's no way you won't be impressed by the sound. McLarens always sound tamer from inside and video audio doesn't do it justice
Nice to see McLaren have discovered Mk.2 Ford Escort dash vents 
It seems a notably well balanced car, with actual suspension, and (gasp) quite light! Just a shame it sounds like a 1980s Barried up 4-cylinder motor on a droning exhaust. The sort that you start up at 8am on your way to your hod carrier job at the building site, and annoy all the neighbours on the estate.
As a kid, I often wondered what a hugely powerful car would sound like in the future, imagining something like the screaming F1 cars of the time. I didn't think it would sound like this. Of all the cars in the barn at Chez Harry, I think there is only the little Fiat that I wouldn't prefer to drive on this trip. Still, it opens the door at posh chateaux and in exclusive Monaco clubs.
I want to say well done McLaren, but I can't help thinking that the Alpine drivers were enjoying themselves more.
It seems a notably well balanced car, with actual suspension, and (gasp) quite light! Just a shame it sounds like a 1980s Barried up 4-cylinder motor on a droning exhaust. The sort that you start up at 8am on your way to your hod carrier job at the building site, and annoy all the neighbours on the estate.
As a kid, I often wondered what a hugely powerful car would sound like in the future, imagining something like the screaming F1 cars of the time. I didn't think it would sound like this. Of all the cars in the barn at Chez Harry, I think there is only the little Fiat that I wouldn't prefer to drive on this trip. Still, it opens the door at posh chateaux and in exclusive Monaco clubs.
I want to say well done McLaren, but I can't help thinking that the Alpine drivers were enjoying themselves more.
heebeegeetee said:
What is it's top speed in third, does anyone know?
91 mph.From the manual:
1st: 42
2nd: 66
3rd: 91
4th: 118
5th: 150
6th: 193
7th: 206
For reference, the speeds in gear for the 720 are:
1st: 50
2nd: 76
3rd: 105
4th: 136
5th: 173
6th: 212
7th: 197
heebeegeetee said:
But for a trip there from the UK (or anywhere, possibly) I don't think that's the best car for the job, I genuinely think that more fun (and an easier life in terms of luggage, cruising ability etc) can be had for a fraction of the price (and running costs) of a car like this McLaren.
Easier life, yes. Fun, no. We did a trip to Italy in my 720 in '22, and are doing one to Spain in September in my 750. I can't think of anything that would be more fun in terms of pure driving pleasure, even if the 964 restomod we took to Sicily last year had more luggage space and fuel range.As others have said - own one or drive one before you dismiss them.
thegreenhell said:
It sounded utterly boring, though. Flat-plane V8, turbo and automatic transmission just has no emotion. Might as well just get an EV at that point.
Must admit I was amazed how crap it sounds, like an old 4 cylinder with forced induction.Paddles make it even more dull. Sure it's very fast.
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