Where to spend £90k?

Where to spend £90k?

Author
Discussion

TheStig44

Original Poster:

167 posts

180 months

Saturday 11th March 2023
quotequote all
First McLaren, £90k budget, torn between all the options at this price point.


12C - Cheapest to buy, I like the looks, and the idea of the funky suspension. Is McLaren's first car the biggest risk with regard to having problems? They say newer models are more reliable and better built. Being the oldest car, depreciation should be the lowest?

650S - Limited choice at this price point. Looks great and should be a better version of the 12C.

540C - I like the simplicity of this car, and the prices are slightly cheaper than the 570, but perhaps not cheap enough to warrant the 'lesser' car.

570S - Good all rounder, lots available. More reliable and cheaper to run than a super series car?

570GT - My first choice I think. I prefer the looks over the S, and the extra luggage space is a big appeal as is the softer suspension. May feel like I am missing out by going for a sports series rather than super.


The obvious answer is to go out and try them all for myself, but I was hoping to hear the opinions of others first, chances are a few people have had the same dilemma as this price point covers a fair few cars.

Rocketreid

626 posts

71 months

Saturday 11th March 2023
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I’ve had a few and the Performance of all them is phenomenal.

In reality they all have differing issues which is usually sorted out with use and regular maintenance

The 2 differentiators for me are the looks and the main purpose for purchasing.

The Super series cars are a better track car with better performance, but for solely road use the 540c and 570GT offer so much for so little money in a newer package

johnnyreggae

2,930 posts

159 months

Saturday 11th March 2023
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Try Bispal's thread about four weeks ago for starters then I sense this is a fairly regular theme

justin220

5,331 posts

203 months

Saturday 11th March 2023
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I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. The super series are probably a bit more costly to run, but you do get the superior car. Warranty costs are a bit higher also.

I'd say, 650S best value, GT best looking IMO.

540/570 I'd say not much between them so would pick on spec, mileage, age. You may well get a newer 540 with longer warranty for the same money as a 570.

kevinpsw

130 posts

197 months

Saturday 11th March 2023
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They are all great. Thorney does a comparison video. 650 best, then 12C then Sports Series. Just his opinion but he has seen and driven loads.

You’d be at the bottom of the 650s market but you could get the very best 12C. Both are likely to depreciate little going forward.

I do rather like the 570GT but I couldn’t quite afford one at the time I bought my 12C. Closer in price now.

Apart from the paint issue, probably all much the same in maintenance costs.

No need to pay McLaren Labour rates as there are independent garages with excellent reputations for looking after McLarens.

Don’t know where you live but Thorney will likely have a good selection. And you’d get a proper warranty. Personally, I’d steer clear of your average “prestige car” dealer offering Warranty Wise or similar. Beauty of Thorney is they won’t sell a car if there is work needing to be done.

Colour is likely an issue come resale. It seems the bolder colours sell quickly, if sensibly priced. White, black etc do seem to hang around for a while longer.

akadk

1,478 posts

178 months

Saturday 11th March 2023
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I’d go for this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209300...

And keep the £20k for maintenance, coke and hookers

In all seriousness, if you can find a mega spec 12C in great condition - they are a serious bargain

I’d go super series over sports series all day long

Also if you go 12C you could get a nice Spider within £90k which opens up a extra dimension of experience

Davyt

560 posts

17 months

Saturday 11th March 2023
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You do need to drive both super series and sport series to see what suits you best, to many bias opinions on here unfortunately ,,

andrew

9,953 posts

191 months

Saturday 11th March 2023
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imho

12C - fast, but boring

650S - not driven

540C - not driven

570S - absolutely loved it

570GT - fast, but boring

samoht

5,633 posts

145 months

Saturday 11th March 2023
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One thing I'd consider is what you plan to do for maintenance. Broadly I think if you plan to rely on franchised McLaren dealers then the Sports Series may be significantly cheaper to run (certainly the McWarranty is £3k vs £5k pa). There are also more Sports Series in the franchised network if that's of interest.
Conversely if you rely on an independent specialist then I think they're probably closer in running costs.
From Somerset it's about 2 hours to either McLaren New Forest or to V Engineering in Thatcham, the closest indie, so either are equally (in)convenient. (V Eng can collect & return I believe).

On the Sports Series
- the 540C isn't meaningfully simpler than the 570s, it's the same car just slightly lower spec. The 540C and 570GTs up to 2017 have iron brake discs, the 570S and 2018-on GTs have ceramics - you might reasonably prefer either. But comparing say a 2017 540C with a 570GT there's no reason the former would be cheaper to run that I know of. (Ceramic pads & discs are pricey if required)
- I'm not convinced that there's meaningfully more luggage space in a 570GT than the other two coupes. The other cars both have a shelf behind the seats too, beyond that point the GT 'boot' floor ramps up and the glass slopes down. You might get a couple of extra small bags under the hatch, but it's not a lot of extra space.
https://images.clickdealer.co.uk/vehicles/4577/457...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cars/2016/...
- the GT chassis setup is a little less 'intense' than I remember the S being, but the feel is all still there just dialled down a little. There is an upside in that I think it bangs less over sharp bumps, while still having plenty of body control. FWIW I understand the 540C has the same softer setup as the 570GT.
- I bought a GT principally because I love the looks, with the slightly quieter/more comfortable ride a secondary benefit. It's still not that quiet on the motorway tbh, but forgiveable.

You won't get a later ceramic-braked GT for £90k, but if you feel more comfortable with steels then the 2016-17 cars look a good bet. Conversely if you have a strong preference for ceramics then the 570S is better value.
The 540C makes sense if you can get say a 2019 car for your budget, that way you have a bit left of the paint warranty. But for the same money for the same age, 570 all the way, not so much for the 5% power but they just tend to show up in nicer specs.

On the S front at this money, the orange Track Pack car at Alastair Bols looks nice if you find the bucket seats comfortable
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302074... . I understand his warranty is arranged with the same people who do the official McLaren one, too. There's also a gorgeous looking Napier Green car if you ask Sarnie https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... . On the GT front, the rare Cobalt Purple car looks very nice and is super low mileage, needs servicing though apparently https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302114... .

Not that I've seen any of these, just some ideas of options. It also shows the variety of specs these cars come in, which is one of the cool things, so I think it's worth taking the time to see a few cars in the metal inside and out, to get a 'feel' of how the different choices of paint, trim, interior leather or alcantara and highlights all come together (or don't!).








Edited by samoht on Saturday 11th March 21:10

davek_964

8,796 posts

174 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
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Apart from the warranty cost, I've never seen any evidence suggesting super series is noticeably more expensive to run than sports series.

TBCTBC

1,485 posts

88 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
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I heard Thorney prep/check AB cars - anyone able to confirm if that’s correct?

Streetbeat

859 posts

75 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
quotequote all
Davyt said:
You do need to drive both super series and sport series to see what suits you best, to many bias opinions on here unfortunately ,,
This in a nutshell.

I was in the same position last year op, i went 570s for these reasons:

Looks better to me but that is personal.
Prefer the interior, again personal.
Cheaper main dealer warranty.
Ceramics as std..
Newer model in the line up with monocell 11 chassis.
More to choose from 2nd hand.

As Davy says, i suggest try them, you wont be dissapointed with any though.

akadk

1,478 posts

178 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
quotequote all
TBCTBC said:
I heard Thorney prep/check AB cars - anyone able to confirm if that’s correct?
No. McBrum

TBCTBC

1,485 posts

88 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
quotequote all
akadk said:
TBCTBC said:
I heard Thorney prep/check AB cars - anyone able to confirm if that’s correct?
No. McBrum
Thanks.

12pack

1,533 posts

167 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
quotequote all
TheStig44 said:
First McLaren, £90k budget, torn between all the options at this price point.


12C - Cheapest to buy, I like the looks, and the idea of the funky suspension. Is McLaren's first car the biggest risk with regard to having problems? They say newer models are more reliable and better built. Being the oldest car, depreciation should be the lowest?

650S - Limited choice at this price point. Looks great and should be a better version of the 12C.

540C - I like the simplicity of this car, and the prices are slightly cheaper than the 570, but perhaps not cheap enough to warrant the 'lesser' car.

570S - Good all rounder, lots available. More reliable and cheaper to run than a super series car?

570GT - My first choice I think. I prefer the looks over the S, and the extra luggage space is a big appeal as is the softer suspension. May feel like I am missing out by going for a sports series rather than super.


The obvious answer is to go out and try them all for myself, but I was hoping to hear the opinions of others first, chances are a few people have had the same dilemma as this price point covers a fair few cars.
Perhaps of interest..
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/6-ways-the-mclare...

https://www.evo.co.uk/mclaren/650s/20574/mclaren-6...

Edited by 12pack on Sunday 12th March 12:45

andymc

7,334 posts

206 months

Sunday 12th March 2023
quotequote all
Exactly my situation last year, bought a 15 plate 650S on 19k miles for £95k, every drive is an event, only issue is using it in the Winter months, I keep mine at work (car dealer), happy to answer any questions.

WCZ

10,492 posts

193 months

Monday 13th March 2023
quotequote all
650s every time

BlackR8

459 posts

76 months

Monday 13th March 2023
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Streetbeat said:
Davyt said:
You do need to drive both super series and sport series to see what suits you best, to many bias opinions on here unfortunately ,,
This in a nutshell.

I was in the same position last year op, i went 570s for these reasons:

Looks better to me but that is personal.
Prefer the interior, again personal.
Cheaper main dealer warranty.
Ceramics as std..
Newer model in the line up with monocell 11 chassis.
More to choose from 2nd hand.

As Davy says, i suggest try them, you wont be dissapointed with any though.
Agree with this. A lot of love for the 650S here but it comes down to what you prefer.

Having personally driven both the sports series and super series cars, I personally found the sports series cars more appealing visually (especially the rear vs the 12c/650s), same for the more modern interior, and driving it felt a lot more playful and engaging as a result. Maybe it was just me but felt it also sounded marginally better.

That being said I don't think there is a wrong choice here, all are great cars I am sure.

akadk

1,478 posts

178 months

Monday 13th March 2023
quotequote all
BlackR8 said:
Agree with this. A lot of love for the 650S here but it comes down to what you prefer.

Having personally driven both the sports series and super series cars, I personally found the sports series cars more appealing visually (especially the rear vs the 12c/650s), same for the more modern interior, and driving it felt a lot more playful and engaging as a result. Maybe it was just me but felt it also sounded marginally better.

That being said I don't think there is a wrong choice here, all are great cars I am sure.
The rear you say ?


Pflanzgarten

3,807 posts

24 months

Monday 13th March 2023
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The rear always jars to my eyes on the 12C/650 too, like some weird 1980s louvred effort on a 21st century body.

I rarely like follow ups or mk2s, though I feel the 650 is marginally more attractive in the flesh than the 12C although I can see why folk like the original, dare I say it more cohesive design.