A 12c flying in face of reason?

[rootsandculture]

Last week I was on the precipice of 981 GT4 ownership recently when the contrarian voice inside me, said: ‘don’t buy the universally lauded best sports car on the market that will cost you little to run for a couple of years and will be easy to sell on, live with, track and maintain with a reliable dealer network. Buy a 12c which is likely to be the opposite of all of those things’.

Then spoke with a McLaren dealer who pointed out that I’d be better off going the PCP route on a more recent car than finance in a 12c without a GFV. He also said that I’d probably think something like an 600 LT was a better drive for a weekend toy.

But, I still want a 12c.

Absolutely no sensible reason why. I just think there’s something innately cool about the very subtle styling, elegant proportion and effortless ride that a 12c apparently has. I’m not really a supercar person, quite the opposite, but in my view a 12c at 75k is getting into the ‘interesting choice’ zone and away from ‘flash so and so’ territory. Different strokes for different folks.

So, if anyone could shine a light on a few buying related questions for me I’d be grateful...

- buy now or wait? The dealer I spoke to was fairly open about values being pushed down by depreciation in newer models. Anyone think there’s much to be gained by giving it 6 months?

- are the low mileage cars worth the premium? I’d have thought it would be safer to get something that have a few miles on it, say 25k, than a 10 year old car that’s barely moved. Is this nonsense?

- how far can I expect to push a McLaren dealer on price? I was thinking to ask for 2 year rather than 1 warranty. Imagine it’s a buyers market for these given the deals they’re offering in newer models.

- any specification or options that you’d recommended searching out?

[davek_964]

No point waiting - in 6 months you'll just wonder if it's worth waiting another 6 months

Recently, McLaren approved cars were being sold with 2 year warranty. Not sure if that has ended?

I think reasonable mileage with warranty makes sense. Niggles should have been sorted. I bought my 650 in August (7k miles) and had almost constant niggles until the end of last year but has been fine for the last month.

I ignored 12Cs when I was looking because I didn't want the 'old style' front end. But I find myself looking at them now and wondering if I should have bought one - they look stunning.

[AndM]

I've had my 12c for a year now and love it. Just got it serviced. Not too bad though the warranty covered a few things which, while modest, would probably have cost a lot to put right. So you are certainly wise to push for an extra year on the warranty. Given they are nearly 5k per annum that might be a stretch. My car had 25k miles when bought and 4k more now. Personally I like a car that has had some use, issues tend to have emerged and been fixed. If condition is good don't let the miles put you off.

Amazing car and light years up on performance on the Porsche. Also, you won't get the special feel factor in the Porsche you will get every time you get into the McLaren.

[vanman1936]

I think they are great for the money and a genuine supercar experience I would imagine. Put my R8/MC12/650 plans on hold for a bit, but any of those would be WAY ahead of a Porsche (of any sort aside from a 911 Turbo, and even then would have to need rear seats).

You want it = man maths will take over and you will get it, don’t fight the urge and enjoy.

[rootsandculture]

davek_964 said:

I ignored 12Cs when I was looking because I didn't want the 'old style' front end. But I find myself looking at them now and wondering if I should have bought one - they look stunning.

Yep, I thought the same until recently. Funny how a car’s looks can flip on you like that isn’t it.

[rootsandculture]

AndM said:

Given they are nearly 5k per annum that might be a stretch.

Presumably they don’t cost the dealer 5k though? Struck me as the natural opportunity that would suit both sides.

Thanks for your reply.

[SELON]

You’re not the only one who thinks that about the 12C.

Genuine supercar (and supercar experience!).
Always look better in the metal than the photos.
The interior is, in my view, a masterpiece.
Performance is still phenomenal even against most modern supercars.
They perform well on track if that’s your thing.
Consensus is get one that’s been used properly and maintained properly. Few thousand miles per year at least, I’d say.
At £75k I’d get thorney to check it over before you buy and get a non main dealer warranty from him (I’ve not bought one from him but seems like a good option from what I’ve heard) and put some of the money saved to one side. I’d have him check it over before I bought, even if I didn’t go to him for the warranty.
Good mpg as well!
Doors swing up.
Carbon tub.

How much will they drop? Who knows, but they are much closer to £0 now than their original asking price!!!

Why wait? In 6 months you’ll be in late July thinking, should I wait till next year as the summer is almost over.

[cgt2]

I think it has aged very well, arguably better to my eyes than the more shouty ''LOOK AT ME'' styling of nearly every supercar today. Closer in style and relation to the iconic F1 too.

[GT4RS]

cgt2 said:

I think it has aged very well, arguably better to my eyes than the more shouty ''LOOK AT ME'' styling of nearly every supercar today. Closer in style and relation to the iconic F1 too.

I would have to agree the 12cis ageing very well and does carry some likeness to a F1.

I’ve never driven one but they appear to be very good value if you get one with a warranty.

[JPCGT]

I think there is a lot to be said for following the advice of the McLaren salesman of going down the PCP route on a more recent car with a GFV. I think this is coming by far the best method of getting both ‘in’ and ‘out’ of a McLaren.

[rootsandculture]

JPCGT said:

I think there is a lot to be said for following the advice of the McLaren salesman of going down the PCP route on a more recent car with a GFV. I think this is coming by far the best method of getting both ‘in’ and ‘out’ of a McLaren.

Yep I can see that. The balloon on a 12c, 36 months, 6k is 48k. Are you thinking that there’s significant risk in that being too high or that they’re just likely to be difficult to sell?

[rickyneil]

JPCGT said:

I think there is a lot to be said for following the advice of the McLaren salesman of going down the PCP route on a more recent car with a GFV. I think this is coming by far the best method of getting both ‘in’ and ‘out’ of a McLaren.

There is a lot to said for some of the PCP deals, particularly if you want a new or nearly new car but they will still cost £30k+ over a 2 year period and you either have repayments due beyond that or you have no car, is a 12c realistically likely to cost that amount?

[RSbandit]

These are lovely bits of kit and in every conceivable way much more special than a GT4...I’ve heard the Thorney warranty is a good option on these as they are v familiar with the 12c in particular. Don’t wait 6 months tho, I started looking for my 570s Back in early Aug and it took me 4 months to find the right car. 7 weeks later and I’m really enjoying the ownership experience car has been trouble free and makes me smile alot!

[AndyMac4000]

I have almost just done what you are thinking....although I was looking at Porsche 997 GT3s.

Hopefully picking my car up in just over a week

I went down the Thorney route, they inspected the car and will be providing the warranty. I wouldn’t have considered a McLaren if Thorney didn’t exist.

It seems an awful lot more car for the money than the Porsche, which is a ‘super car’ but maybe not quite a supercar.

I also think it feels the closest of the McLarens to the F1 and the styling for me is much more pleasing than the later cars. I guess the 540s etc may also fall in value quite a bit more when McLaren change the looks of their replacements whilst the 12C is a bit more classical looking.

[andrew]

i'm gping to get lynched here, but wtf
the original mclaren mp4 12c was, hand on heart, amongst the most boring cars ( amongst 300 or so ) that i have ever driven
nice doors and quick though

570 some years later was in a different league

[theRossatron]

andrew said:

i'm gping to get lynched here, but wtf
the original mclaren mp4 12c was, hand on heart, amongst the most boring cars ( amongst 300 or so ) that i have ever driven
nice doors and quick though

570 some years later was in a different league

I guess its hard to give a comment like that any credibility. Did you rock up to your driving test at 17 in a GT3?

[theRossatron]

andrew said:

no

You get what I'm saying though? Not picking up a pitchfork, just looking for a little perspective!

[anonymous-user]

theRossatron said:

andrew said:

i'm gping to get lynched here, but wtf
the original mclaren mp4 12c was, hand on heart, amongst the most boring cars ( amongst 300 or so ) that i have ever driven
nice doors and quick though

570 some years later was in a different league

I guess its hard to give a comment like that any credibility. Did you rock up to your driving test at 17 in a GT3?

He's one of the few remaining PH troll's for all things McLaren. Has zero credibility. I've learnt to ignore him.

[andrew]

theRossatron said:

andrew said:

no

You get what I'm saying though? Not picking up a pitchfork, just looking for a little perspective!

60k miles in various 911s
60k miles donkeys and bulls

[Matty3]

Good for you - IMHO go with your heart (with a warranty!) - I reckon 12c prices have finally bottomed out and with the inevitable rise in the future of more independent Mac specialists (good on you Thorney!) they will only go up in value.