Bought a 720s! My 1st "supercar" Wish me luck!!

[Rocketreid]

And9s said:

Excellent.

So. Having gone to Mclaren Glasgow today to look specifically at 720S cars, I want to know how you’re feeling after a few months of ownership?

I currently drive a 2018 Lotus Exige 430 Cup. It’s the most fun you can have with your trousers on and I’m a 3 Lotus veteran, however I’m getting more drawn to this car and current prices are looking good.

Thanks for your time if you can offer any update.

I am fortunate to have both and if I’m honest the Cup is more exciting for B and some A road blasts and aurally better. The 720s is too quick for UK roads which means you have to remove your front plate just to keep your licence ( only jesting )

But a 720s is very comfortable and visually stunning and is so accomplished on pot holed British roads. 720s’s iron out the bumps which are noticeable in a Lotus but not in a Mac.

At current prices they are a real bargain

Also you can’t do 175mph down Hanger in a Lotus unless it’s an F1 one

Edited by Rocketreid on Monday 19th October 22:50

[AstonExige]

I’d say you need to drive one. I prefer my 720 on a and B roads, in fact in my opinion that’s when it really shines, turns in like a Lotus, slings shots out of corners like a Lotus on steroids and doesn’t get unsettled by our ridiculously uneven and poorly maintained roads. Perfect car for the job

[And9s]

Thanks both. I read the thread after realizing it was a few pages long after my post. My worry is that like before with much faster cars I’ll rue the day I sold the Cup and come back to a manual.

I’ll see if I can get a test drive after current COVID restrictions ease to see what the feel is like.

My lower back would certainly thank me for changing though. Hitting 40 combined with my job is taking its toll.

Thanks again.

[AstonExige]

You’ll love the comfort suspension setting then!

[gunner]

I had spent a lot of time in a 720s over the Summer and ultimately couldn't resist buying one last week...I am lucky enough to have and have had some wonderful cars but the challenge for me is being able to use and enjoy them (kids/work/time etc) and what I realised is that the 720 is just so usable and enjoyable that I couldn't resist...I really think it's the best supercar on sale today, in my humble opinion by quite a distance. If you're wanting to put miles on it and use it, go on trips etc, I just don't think there's anything like it. Go ahead I say...

[Bispal]

And9s said:

Excellent.

So. Having gone to Mclaren Glasgow today to look specifically at 720S cars, I want to know how you’re feeling after a few months of ownership?

I currently drive a 2018 Lotus Exige 430 Cup. It’s the most fun you can have with your trousers on and I’m a 3 Lotus veteran, however I’m getting more drawn to this car and current prices are looking good.

Thanks for your time if you can offer any update.

As a fellow 430 CUP owner, my 4th Lotus, and also a McLaren owner (my second) I would take a wild guess and say you would like the 675LT best out of all the McLarens....

[AstonExige]

The video has turned out well....

https://youtu.be/bz44cnszG5U

[RBT0]

Have you seen 888f youtube video.

720S even smashes latest F8 Tributo.

It's ridiculous.

[justin220]

AstonExige said:

That bodes well So how has the experience been? Do you think you’ll buy another?

Its been superb overall, apart from this morning it's being trailered down to McGlasgow as i has an engine system fault alarm.

I would jump at buying another, but the value of the 540 has nose dived these last few months, and just can't really justify doing the same thing again in a 600LT / 720S. So I'll just keep it for now

[R8Reece]

justin220 said:

Its been superb overall, apart from this morning it's being trailered down to McGlasgow as i has an engine system fault alarm.

I would jump at buying another, but the value of the 540 has nose dived these last few months, and just can't really justify doing the same thing again in a 600LT / 720S. So I'll just keep it for now

I've been monitoring McLaren's for some time and the 540 coupe pricing hasn't budged much, maybe £5k/£10k tops from a year ago which doesn't seem too bad? I guess if you bought new then that's different kettle of fish.

[justin220]

540C is a bargain at the current prices IMO.

[AstonExige]

I think all Mclarens, relatively speaking, offer great value.

[Kent Border Kenny]

AstonExige said:

I think all Mclarens, relatively speaking, offer great value.

You can get a very nice low-mileage 650s Spider for around £90k now, which to me seems incredible value.

0-100mph in 5.5 seconds, still a nice design, and, by all accounts, a very nice handling car.

I'd been thinking of upgrading my R8 for a newer one, but the Mclaren is (I think) a class above, and a similar price.

[Smoothound]

R8Reece said:

I've been monitoring McLaren's for some time and the 540 coupe pricing hasn't budged much, maybe £5k/£10k tops from a year ago which doesn't seem too bad? I guess if you bought new then that's different kettle of fish.

I'd agree with this too. I'd watched them for a while and then I bought 2 months ago. I still watch the prices and there are a lot less for sale on autotrader now than when I bought. Mines been a bit of a pain but nothing major and I still think it's great

[RSbandit]

£85k seems to be the floor for advertised prices on the 570S which is around what I paid for mine last Dec...the occasional private seller comes in under that but only by a few K. At the price point what else compares?

[Kent Border Kenny]

RSbandit said:

£85k seems to be the floor for advertised prices on the 570S which is around what I paid for mine last Dec...the occasional private seller comes in under that but only by a few K. At the price point what else compares?

A 650s is a reasonably similar car at that price point. Slightly older technology and looks, but slightly higher performance level too.

I’ve just chosen to go for the 650 over the 570, but I think either is very good value.

[RSbandit]

Yeah the 650s has come down to a v tempting level alright only caveat is the higher warranty /running costs than the 570S.

[davek_964]

RSbandit said:

Yeah the 650s has come down to a v tempting level alright only caveat is the higher warranty /running costs than the 570S.

Apart from the warranty cost (which is expensive, but I guess the difference is only ~£1k) - I wonder if the other running costs are much higher on the 650?

I don't think the service costs are much different. Might use a bit more petrol - but from comments I've seen from other owners (of all models) the fuel consumption seems to vary massively by car / owner, and there doesn't seem to be much difference between actual models.
If you have the warranty, then there should be very few costs outside of the warranty itself and annual servicing.

Even consumables like tyres seem reasonable. I paid ~£650 for a set of 4 in November when Costco had a deal. They've done 5k miles (and I do enjoy the acceleration often!) - and they are barely worn, and will easily do at least that mileage again. Every other "performance" car I've owned went through tyres much quicker than this - not sure how the McLaren manages it, but an easy 10k+ miles for a set of tyres seems remarkable.

[12pack]

Kent Border Kenny said:

A 650s is a reasonably similar car at that price point. Slightly older technology and looks, but slightly higher performance level too.

I’ve just chosen to go for the 650 over the 570, but I think either is very good value.

Hope it’s not too early to say - Congrats.

[650spider]

Kent Border Kenny said:

RSbandit said:

£85k seems to be the floor for advertised prices on the 570S which is around what I paid for mine last Dec...the occasional private seller comes in under that but only by a few K. At the price point what else compares?

A 650s is a reasonably similar car at that price point. Slightly older technology and looks, but slightly higher performance level too.

I’ve just chosen to go for the 650 over the 570, but I think either is very good value.

I have just sold my 650 spider at full asking price.

Just an all round outstanding car and not entirely sure i have done the right thing.

Never missed a beat or caused even the slightest bit of grief; new owner has bought an absolute corker and shall defo be a McLaren convert going forward.

Depreciation was around £6k over 19months, and i had 2 services and 2 extended warranty costs which is all part of supercar ownership, so I do not factor these in. ( man math )

Used almost daily in all weathers, for long and short journeys, with each mile feeling as special as the first mile; the shine never once dulled.

True McLaren ownership experience / costs and not a post from someone who knew someone whose friend had one and it was crap and financially ruinous.

Will be back in a McLaren by March; current plans is a rather special 720 spider that should be available then, but also keeping a close eye on 675LT spiders for correct colour and spec coming on the market.

I shall see what a covid winter brings before deciding on which car.

For anyone considering McLaren ownership, there is no bad one; from 12c onwards they are all very special; life is a bit short to hold off...go for it.