Discussion
Having said that it wasn't for me due to alcantara interior - and maybe a tad pricey when it appeared a few months ago, I saw this last week and collected today : https://www.alastairbols.com/cars/mclaren-650s-spi...
It is stunning - better than the one I crashed last year, which considering that was fully painted by McLaren in my ownership (and had full PPF) that's saying something.
The contrast stitching breaks up the alcantara well - although the yellow is a tad eye catching occasionally! I can definitely live with the interior - not sure yet whether I'll live with alcantara steering wheel.
Alistair Bols lived up to his well deserved reputation and was an absolute pleasure to buy from. There was a very slight scratch on the tip of the LHS exhaust - I saw it when I viewed the car, and made a passing comment today that I'd need to get it sorted because it was the kind of thing that would annoy me. 5 mins later, Alistair is touching up the silencer with heat proof paint - excellent job, and it's barely visible now.
So, how does it feel....
A tad familiar in most ways, which means the whole 'new car' excitement isn't really there. However, there are a few surprising differences.
First thing I noticed was the exhaust. My previous 650 and this 650 have sports exhaust, but with the first car I never really noticed a difference in sound when changing modes. In this one, it's very obvious when you switch between normal and sport - sport is definitely louder.
My suspension in the previous 650 did definitely feel different between modes, but guess the accumulators are in better condition on this car - very obvious change.
The most surprising difference - and a very positive one - is the lights. The lights on my previous 650 (on main beam) were awful. Every summer I forgot how awful until it became winter and dark - and then I hated them again.
The lights on this are excellent. No idea why - did they change between 2014 and 2016? Whatever the reason, it's a big positive.
Although I've bought it, I'm still in two minds how long I will keep it. But I figured that I'd be ready for warmer weather and if I decided I wasn't enjoying it, I think it will sell fairly easily in a couple of months.
Not much opportunity for photos today, so just a quick one when I arrived home.
It is stunning - better than the one I crashed last year, which considering that was fully painted by McLaren in my ownership (and had full PPF) that's saying something.
The contrast stitching breaks up the alcantara well - although the yellow is a tad eye catching occasionally! I can definitely live with the interior - not sure yet whether I'll live with alcantara steering wheel.
Alistair Bols lived up to his well deserved reputation and was an absolute pleasure to buy from. There was a very slight scratch on the tip of the LHS exhaust - I saw it when I viewed the car, and made a passing comment today that I'd need to get it sorted because it was the kind of thing that would annoy me. 5 mins later, Alistair is touching up the silencer with heat proof paint - excellent job, and it's barely visible now.
So, how does it feel....
A tad familiar in most ways, which means the whole 'new car' excitement isn't really there. However, there are a few surprising differences.
First thing I noticed was the exhaust. My previous 650 and this 650 have sports exhaust, but with the first car I never really noticed a difference in sound when changing modes. In this one, it's very obvious when you switch between normal and sport - sport is definitely louder.
My suspension in the previous 650 did definitely feel different between modes, but guess the accumulators are in better condition on this car - very obvious change.
The most surprising difference - and a very positive one - is the lights. The lights on my previous 650 (on main beam) were awful. Every summer I forgot how awful until it became winter and dark - and then I hated them again.
The lights on this are excellent. No idea why - did they change between 2014 and 2016? Whatever the reason, it's a big positive.
Although I've bought it, I'm still in two minds how long I will keep it. But I figured that I'd be ready for warmer weather and if I decided I wasn't enjoying it, I think it will sell fairly easily in a couple of months.
Not much opportunity for photos today, so just a quick one when I arrived home.
Fantastic !
Glad you found a car you were happy with
I saw this car in the flesh and it’s a stunner
Did you manage to get anything off the asking price?
As soon as the weather turns, any doubts of going for anything different will evaporate as aside from a £145k 600LT Spider or £180k 720S Spider, these are the best bang for buck out there
Glad you found a car you were happy with
I saw this car in the flesh and it’s a stunner
Did you manage to get anything off the asking price?
As soon as the weather turns, any doubts of going for anything different will evaporate as aside from a £145k 600LT Spider or £180k 720S Spider, these are the best bang for buck out there
Ah, glad common sense came to pass on the price at last, it was almost like the owner didn’t want to sell it - Great deal then given the mileage and age!
Mine is at McBrum having a service, then got to wait for them to bring it back on the truck so will be week after next.
Luckily with the impending snow I’m not that bothered, instead getting some miles on the quattro
Was it there when you were there?
Wishing you many happy miles in this one
Mine is at McBrum having a service, then got to wait for them to bring it back on the truck so will be week after next.
Luckily with the impending snow I’m not that bothered, instead getting some miles on the quattro
Was it there when you were there?
Wishing you many happy miles in this one
Looks superb!
I always like blue on other peoples cars, for some reason I just could never choose it for my own!
You've posted about Alcantara interior previously and I'm the complete opposite, I wouldn't have a car without it and think a supercar needs it! Maybe you'll warm to it over time now you have it
I always like blue on other peoples cars, for some reason I just could never choose it for my own!
You've posted about Alcantara interior previously and I'm the complete opposite, I wouldn't have a car without it and think a supercar needs it! Maybe you'll warm to it over time now you have it
justin220 said:
Fantastic Dave congrats. I was expecting you to end up in a 720S
I thought I would too - in fact my original plan was to go to to Leeds to see one this weekend. When I was driving to view this, I was 90% sure I wouldn't buy it. But I was really quite taken with it when I saw it, and it was a pretty easy decision. Didn't want to wait a week and then find it had sold to somebody else.Convertible roof and £50k less than a 720 coupe always made the 650 Spider the 'sensible' choice I guess
davek_964 said:
I thought I would too - in fact my original plan was to go to to Leeds to see one this weekend. When I was driving to view this, I was 90% sure I wouldn't buy it. But I was really quite taken with it when I saw it, and it was a pretty easy decision. Didn't want to wait a week and then find it had sold to somebody else.
Convertible roof and £50k less than a 720 coupe always made the 650 Spider the 'sensible' choice I guess
Good thinking. I’m the same with my 650 spider - not seeing any reason to upgrade. Certainly not for straight line pace - these days family EV’s out-accelerate 765’s.Convertible roof and £50k less than a 720 coupe always made the 650 Spider the 'sensible' choice I guess
I may have bought the wrong colour car............
As she was reversing onto the drive in the dark yesterday - and even she would admit her reversing isn't the best (she reversed into her fence a couple of months ago) - the g/f commented : This colour is a lot harder to see in my mirrors than your orange one
We have now discussed the option of putting some matting down so the McLaren can move onto the grass next to the drive, with a longer plan to extend the driveway!
As she was reversing onto the drive in the dark yesterday - and even she would admit her reversing isn't the best (she reversed into her fence a couple of months ago) - the g/f commented : This colour is a lot harder to see in my mirrors than your orange one
We have now discussed the option of putting some matting down so the McLaren can move onto the grass next to the drive, with a longer plan to extend the driveway!
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