RE: McLaren 600LT Spider: Driven

[mikey k]

neil1jnr said:

Stunning car, love the colour, easily near the top of my want list if my numbers came in.

However, I can't believe I am saying this, but McLaren are starting to bore me with their never ending line up of similar capacity turbo V8 cars. Why can't they differentiate just a bit, a front engine RWD car? A V12 flagship or turbo V6 for it's baby model? I know they are selling well and this probably keeps costs at a minimum, but when you are two hyper cars in and they have a similar capacity turbo V8 engines like every other model it does get a bit un-interesting, for me anyway.

Porsche - Turbo flat 6 & NA flat 6 (among various other engines in their line up)
Ferrari - V12, V8.
Lamborghini - V12, V10

Is it just laziness to maximise profits?

I'm guessing you've not driven many of them?
My 650 was very different to my 675, both are different to the 570S which is different to a 570GT.
McLaren have an uncanny ability to rework the base components and deliver cars with very different characteristics.
They ALL share the same M838T engine with head, cam and gearbox tweaks. The Senna and 720 have a slightly larger M840T. Its a good engine, originally a race engine. McLaren are tied to it with the Ricardo deal and for me that's not a bad thing, it packs a hell of a punch!
They are also tied to the CF tub as they have just set up a factory to mass produce it. Again no bad thing but it means they can only go mid engine.
They don't have the deep pockets of the three you cite as examples, they know it and are competing with them on grounds they know they are good at. I like that and are happy to support it by buying product. BTW those three don't put new engines in new models they are all evolutions of older engines.
I can however see how it comes across as repetitive.

[neil1jnr]

mikey k said:

neil1jnr said:

Stunning car, love the colour, easily near the top of my want list if my numbers came in.

However, I can't believe I am saying this, but McLaren are starting to bore me with their never ending line up of similar capacity turbo V8 cars. Why can't they differentiate just a bit, a front engine RWD car? A V12 flagship or turbo V6 for it's baby model? I know they are selling well and this probably keeps costs at a minimum, but when you are two hyper cars in and they have a similar capacity turbo V8 engines like every other model it does get a bit un-interesting, for me anyway.

Porsche - Turbo flat 6 & NA flat 6 (among various other engines in their line up)
Ferrari - V12, V8.
Lamborghini - V12, V10

Is it just laziness to maximise profits?

I'm guessing you've not driven many of them?
My 650 was very different to my 675, both are different to the 570S which is different to a 570GT.
McLaren have an uncanny ability to rework the base components and deliver cars with very different characteristics.
They ALL share the same M838T engine with head, cam and gearbox tweaks. The Senna and 720 have a slightly larger M840T. Its a good engine, originally a race engine. McLaren are tied to it with the Ricardo deal and for me that's not a bad thing, it packs a hell of a punch!
They are also tied to the CF tub as they have just set up a factory to mass produce it. Again no bad thing but it means they can only go mid engine.
They don't have the deep pockets of the three you cite as examples, they know it and are competing with them on grounds they know they are good at. I like that and are happy to support it by buying product. BTW those three don't put new engines in new models they are all evolutions of older engines.
I can however see how it comes across as repetitive.

Not had that luxury, would jump at the chance though. Thanks for the info. I understand, it makes logical sense. I honestly wouldn't know what to do if I could afford it, the 600LT just looks right, and I've seen a 675LT at Super Lap Scotland a few times in the past doing the time attack and it just looks surreal in the flesh. There just appear to be so much choice in regard to super cars, what was the decision maker that you chose a McLaren over any of the competition?

[Robert-nszl1]

mikey k said:

Closest you will get is the 540C, I don't think McLaren see themselves at that end of the market though or indeed mass market.

I meant Ferrari mass market, not Ford.

I get they are a young company, and I get that their products are differentiated to a degree. I suppose it is the (small) degree of differentiation that makes for confusion. Indeed I would go so far as to say it reinforces the 'boring' moniker. I am their market. I've owned lots of cars, and I have the budget to buy one. The two things that put me off are the reliability/ dealer support (but I can probably cope), and more importantly which one to buy with my £150-200k budget...because next week the 720S will be the 750S, or the LT version will be out on the 600....or is it 620?

There will of course always be a new one of any car coming out. But the established manufactures have model ranges and model cycles that are understood. Mclaren is a range of numbers loved by those that own them.....I can't wait to drive one, but which f'ing one!!!!!

[mikey k]

neil1jnr said:

There just appear to be so much choice in regard to super cars, what was the decision maker that you chose a McLaren over any of the competition?

I came from Astons and looked at the usual suspects, there were a few things that swung it;
Suspension on the super series is sublime, like a limo in comfort and a skateboard in Track, glides over our stty B roads but grips like hell
The shear performance for the money 0-6 in 3 secs for 911 money
The fact it is built in the UK
The look of the 650/75 and the universally nice reception it gets where ever we go

[smilo996]

Dislike the new design “language” but no doubting thatc they are building some monster cars and all credit to them for doing it entirely with their expertise and suberb engineeering solutions.

[mikey k]

smilo996 said:

Dislike the new design “language” but no doubting thatc they are building some monster cars and all credit to them for doing it entirely with their expertise and suberb engineeering solutions.

Must admit I see the 650/675 as the sweet spot in their "design language"
I cancelled a 720 order after I saw and drove it, hated the eye sockets and the tilting dash. Drove a 675 around the same time and despite having 650 decide that was the car for me.
I'm also not liking the look of the Senna and and Speed Tail, I'm curious to see what the 5 series replacement will look like next year.

[Gameface]

mikey k said:

I'm curious to see what the 5 series replacement will look like next year.

Bit of a step down...

[Terminator X]

Amazing of course although "MSO Carbon Fibre Front Fenders with Gloss Finish Carbon Fibre Louvres for £9,960" is a bit

TX.

[_Leg_]

mikey k said:

Evilex said:

But in the real world, if I see one in isolation, I don't know what it is, only that it's a McLaren of some sort.

TBF most people don't
I've had mine described as a Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini
Those that know it's a McLaren then often don't know which it is
No biggie
It creates a talking point and most seem to enjoy seeing something they don't recognise

ETA I can't tell what those Mercs are and I'm considering a C class as a daily

You think the general public are bad....last summer I was out in my 458 Spider with my Mrs, I said "I still really like this car" and she said, "Which one are we in?".

Both my 458 and F12 are red with black interiors.

I often wonder how we are married.

[D4VE B]

Which would you choose? a low mileage 675LT or a new 600LT to spec. tell me please as this is what I want or should I get an order in for the inevitable 720 LT or whatever they will call that one?

[WJNB]

Fat wide beaming frontal view a bit cartoonish & the rest looks a bit messy. Still better & more fun than breeding with the consequent fiscal consequences & loss of freedom till you're almost too old to drive.

[jason61c]

I don't doubt its a good car. Just looks like every other mclaren.

if only they could inject a bit of passion/lamborghini/interest into the cars.

[mikey k]

Gameface said:

mikey k said:

I'm curious to see what the 5 series replacement will look like next year.

Bit of a step down...

Curious
Not buying
It will give a hint of what the 7XXLT will look like and which direct they are going.
I'm hoping they get back to 650/675/570 looks but some how doubt it based on 720/Senna/Speed Tail

[mikey k]

Terminator X said:

Amazing of course although "MSO Carbon Fibre Front Fenders with Gloss Finish Carbon Fibre Louvres for £9,960" is a bit

TX.

That's cheap my MSO standard!

[Gameface]

mikey k said:

Gameface said:

mikey k said:

I'm curious to see what the 5 series replacement will look like next year.

Bit of a step down...

Curious
Not buying
It will give a hint of what the 7XXLT will look like and which direct they are going.
I'm hoping they get back to 650/675/570 looks but some how doubt it based on 720/Senna/Speed Tail

I was thinking BMW 5 series...

[mikey k]

D4VE B said:

Which would you choose? a low mileage 675LT or a new 600LT to spec. tell me please as this is what I want or should I get an order in for the inevitable 720 LT or whatever they will call that one?

I made this decision last year when I was offered a 600LT spot, then drove a 720S and 675LT back to back.
675 is a mental thing and ought to hold value better than 600LT, BUT you will have to compromise on spec with a used one.
You can warranty them up to 7 years now.

[mikey k]

Gameface said:

mikey k said:

Gameface said:

mikey k said:

I'm curious to see what the 5 series replacement will look like next year.

Bit of a step down...

Curious
Not buying
It will give a hint of what the 7XXLT will look like and which direct they are going.
I'm hoping they get back to 650/675/570 looks but some how doubt it based on 720/Senna/Speed Tail

I was thinking BMW 5 series...

See what you did there

[E65Ross]

jason61c said:

I don't doubt its a good car. Just looks like every other mclaren.

if only they could inject a bit of passion/lamborghini/interest into the cars.

Inject some passion into the cars? Every review has said its a cracking drive, from what I gather? Sounds like it's pretty good....? What do you mean exactly?

[jason61c]

E65Ross said:

Inject some passion into the cars? Every review has said its a cracking drive, from what I gather? Sounds like it's pretty good....? What do you mean exactly?

I've not said otherwise, cracking drive, about 10000000 models, all seem the same. As a car fan a modern Mclaren would never be on my list. Residuals aren't the best.... for me a Lamborghini SVJ would be, its got something any modern Mclaren hasn't.

[E65Ross]

jason61c said:

E65Ross said:

Inject some passion into the cars? Every review has said its a cracking drive, from what I gather? Sounds like it's pretty good....? What do you mean exactly?

I've not said otherwise, cracking drive, about 10000000 models, all seem the same. As a car fan a modern Mclaren would never be on my list. Residuals aren't the best.... for me a Lamborghini SVJ would be, its got something any modern Mclaren hasn't.

You have said they need to inject some passion into the cars. I'm wondering what exactly you mean by that, because all of the reviews from those who've driven it seem to suggest it has it in bucket-loads.