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

[AstonExige]

Rocketreid said:

AstonExige said:

Where abouts are these grills, I’ll go and have a look to see if mine has them

Underneath the small netting between the seats. You should hear it when pushing on in track mode though

Yes found them, thanks for the pointer. Turns out my mistake, Thorney had said the 720s doesn’t have an intake sound generator like the earlier Super Series cars. The 720s takes it from the exhaust valves? So it is letting noise into the cabin.

[AstonExige]

Another fantastic drive out, I find myself just going out for no particular reason, and sure, what petrolhead doesn’t, but this is the first car where I’ve done that and I literally disappear for hours, even with no where to go I just drive, I can’t see myself ever getting bored of this car. And I enjoy it on so many levels, in so many scenarios. In fact, it doesn’t matter where or how you’re driving, the car is fantastic, even stuck in traffic. I think that’s one of the main things that makes the 720 so unique, it does everything so well, a supercar that you really can use in any situation....... and that itself increases its value for money.

And I can’t stop taking pictures of it! It’s so photogenic, and looks great from just about any angle. I’m no David Bailey and all these are just taken on my iPhone.













I met up with some guys who are in the early days of setting up a YouTube channel, we’ve done some filming, with drones, moving shots with them hanging out the car, really looking forward to seeing the footage, I’ll be sure to post it up on here.

[AstonExige]

justin220 said:

Such a good looking car.

I'm almost 3 years into 540C ownership now and still love it.

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

[AstonExige]

PushedDover said:

Plate fell off again ?

Oh don’t start them off again

[AstonExige]

Some teaser clips being released for the filming on mine, worth giving these guys a follow:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGesYpMgFXF/?igshid=i6...

[AstonExige]

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.

Still loving as much now as I did a month or so ago when I bought it, so best bet, read my earlier posts to get the jist. The summary? Do it!! You won’t regret it, it’s other level type stuff. I’m lucky as I’ve kept my S2 Exige, but I’d sell it in a heart beat if it meant I could keep the 720, and I’m a Lotus vet, this ones my 5th

[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

[AstonExige]

You’ll love the comfort suspension setting then!

[AstonExige]

The video has turned out well....

https://youtu.be/bz44cnszG5U

[AstonExige]

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

[AstonExige]

Really? I was looking at the 650s, was close to pulling the trigger on this when I still had the R8, got a couple of good pictures of them together...


But when I drove the 720?!?!....... it felt like night and day difference. And the 720s felt a lot more modern and up to date inside. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the 650s and if I hadn’t managed to justify the extra spend, I would’ve been very happy with one. And the 650 would’ve probably made more sense financially, being the older car it’s further down the depreciation curve, and this did play on my mind and why I put off driving a 720 for a while, but when I did?...... all the “this is more sensible” thoughts went out the window and were replaced with “life is too short” “bucket list item” “you can’t take it with you” type justification

[AstonExige]

MAC 720S said:

AstonExige said:

Really? I was looking at the 650s, was close to pulling the trigger on this when I still had the R8, got a couple of good pictures of them together...


But when I drove the 720?!?!....... it felt like night and day difference. And the 720s felt a lot more modern and up to date inside. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the 650s and if I hadn’t managed to justify the extra spend, I would’ve been very happy with one. And the 650 would’ve probably made more sense financially, being the older car it’s further down the depreciation curve, and this did play on my mind and why I put off driving a 720 for a while, but when I did?...... all the “this is more sensible” thoughts went out the window and were replaced with “life is too short” “bucket list item” “you can’t take it with you” type justification

It may be that I just fancy a change. I’ve covered nearly 20K miles and the 720S has become ‘normality’ - it’s too good as a DD, GT’ish (I know it sounds daft). But, I’m not convinced there is a “night and day” difference. There’s only 0.6 second difference to 124 mph. 1/4 mile is pretty much the same. Handling is similar. People bang on about the 720S magic carpet ride being the same as a Range Rover, but that’s bks - I’ve got an RR. If I had a 720S and a 650S in the garage, I think the 720S would be the DD and the 650S the weekend warrior.

Maybe night and day was a bit of an exaggeration, but the 720 left me wanting to do whatever it took to get it, but the 650 I made excuses why I shouldn’t. Again, nothing wrong with the 650, I just didn’t get “that” feeling. No doubt it comes down to what you want out of a car and what floats your boat.

I’ve got a supercharged Exige and a Fireblade engined Westfield, my 720s is my go to for weekend, fun usage. Maybe if I used the car all week, every day, it would become a bit more normal, but that would be the case with any car.

[AstonExige]

Sarnie said:

WilliamWaiver said:

Sweet, what you upgrading to Sarnie ?

Not 100% sure, I feel like I'm spending my life on the classifieds at the moment!!

Welcome to my life for the 9 months leading up to last! It’s fun though eh?

[AstonExige]

A lot of my friends have this theory that the reason I change cars so often is not because I get bored with them, it’s that I miss the hunt. I love spending weekends going around dealers looking at great cars, the test drives, waiting for one to give you “that” feeling and the excitement that comes after as you put everything in place to buy it. Then the wait for collection day, the sleepless nights taking you back to being 5yrs old on Xmas eve, then collection day!!!.... the journey there, the apprehension and then the moment as you are handed the keys!!!!

My stomach is going talking about it

<need to resist autotrader....must resist....>

[AstonExige]

Sarnie said:

AstonExige said:

A lot of my friends have this theory that the reason I change cars so often is not because I get bored with them, it’s that I miss the hunt. I love spending weekends going around dealers looking at great cars, the test drives, waiting for one to give you “that” feeling and the excitement that comes after as you put everything in place to buy it. Then the wait for collection day, the sleepless nights taking you back to being 5yrs old on Xmas eve, then collection day!!!.... the journey there, the apprehension and then the moment as you are handed the keys!!!!

My stomach is going talking about it

<need to resist autotrader....must resist....>

Oh I get it, I really do...........I live on the classifieds, even when I'm not buying.......in the same way as my Wife is always on Rightmove!

[AstonExige]

Weather forecast looked good for Sunday just gone, so with an early start being less painful with the clocks going back, hit the road about 6am to meet a couple of friends for an early morning drive. The forecast may have been good, but the rain from the Saturday made for some really wet roads. In my Exige, that would really have put a dampener on things, but in the 720 I still really enjoyed it. Obviously took things a little more cautiously, yet even with the P-Zeros it still felt very composed and stable, giving me the confidence to push on a little. It did send me a little reminder part way through the morning though! Heading up a slip road to join the A46, put my foot down a little too much and the car quickly stepped out, bit of a heart in mouth moment but the electronics kept me out of a ditch. So it was the straight road where it tried to kill me, not the twisty muddy, bumpy, twisty B-roads we spent most of our time on!

3hrs later we arrived out our usual end point at Rutland Water, lovely cafe over looking the reservoir. Car was so dirty, never had it like that in my ownership. The various intakes all caked in mud, leaves and various debris, looked like we'd been off road:



My friend turned up in a lovely looking and even better sounding Corvette! He managed to stay on the road too! Anyone looking for one of these, it's for sale



Got home about 6 hours later and couldn't bear to put the car away like that, so spent the next couple of hours with the jetwash and some snowfoam, got into all the nooks and crannies, rinse with some filtered water and a blow dry, then tucked away for next weekends drive out.









And the customary wings up picture.......


So the buzz isn't subsiding with this car yet. Even just talking about the drive out and looking at the pictures as I post them on here, gives me the butterflies, I just love it so much. 40+ cars I've owned over the years and none of them have had this impact on me. I know it sounds sad, but honestly, I've never been like this before, I'm not so crazy weirdo Anyone thinking of doing this, just do it, if you're a real petrolhead, you can't not love these cars! And the positive attention you get in them just adds to the enjoyment. 2 short test drives in bright red Ferraris and I was given abuse on both, 6 weeks of driving this car and I've had nothing but positive comments. Even pulling up at lights I've had people roll down their windows to tell me how good the car looks.

If Mclaren can mature and improve the used car ownership experience, help enable independent support, help to keep residuals up, these cars will end up being so sort after.

[AstonExige]

I saw that when I went to look at mine, it is absolutely stunning in person, photo's don't do it justice.






A LOT of money though with huge depreciation potential. Not many people out there would be willing to lose 100's of 1000's on a car, in what, 18months?

[AstonExige]

Pretty much every option box ticked and lots of MSO content - it adds up!

[AstonExige]

Just had a nice and unexpected parcel turn up from McLaren Manchester. Really nice touch. That (was) my reg number so it’s personalised too. I think touches like this are great and a positive indication that McLaren are on the right path. Bear in mind, this was a used car I bought, not a new one. This is in addition to the nice bottle of champagne, expensive candle, large GTechnic cleaning kit, McLaren umbrella, mug, cap etc etc I’ve already been given. I’d definitely have no concerns buying from McManchester in the future....

[AstonExige]

The Surveyor said:

....or it they've had a clash of personalities on a couple of 'influencer' sales, but the good service and gifts is nothing new.

^^^^ THIS exactly. If you listen to Jay emm, he claims he’s not biased and just offering a balanced view, but all throughout his videos he makes generalised and inaccurate negative comments about McLaren. The last video, apparently you can’t leave a McLaren for more than a week without having to put it on a battery conditioner. That’s exaggerating and he knows it. Then apparently, when McLaren sent two people around to his friends house, one the Head of Customer Liason, that wasn’t good enough for him and his friends, why? Because they turned up in a car that JayEm and his friends didn’t feel was good enough, it was a BMW. I think that gives a good idea just how difficult his friends may have been to deal with. Don’t get me wrong, McLaren and McLaren Manchester did make some errors, but they’ve made a meal of it IMO.

It’s a shame, in the main I like his channel. I’m not sure what his motive is with these videos, maybe it’s like TGE, ie he’s just not been given freebies or something from them that they think they’re entitled to as they’re “youtubers”, Or what I think is more likely, he’s being intentionally controversial to get traffic to his videos, the more views and comments (even if negative) the more money he gets from them.

So don’t go and watch the video/s or comment on them, that benefits him and what he is likely trying to do, best bet is to give them a dislike / thumbs down as I believe that affects his rating. Then maybe next time he’ll give a more balanced view. Car manufacturers are struggling as it is, we need our British based companies to do well, to help our economy post COVID and brexit, these unbalanced and intensionally controversial social media posts do nothing but damage the business and their reputation, misguide potential buyers and line the pockets of the people creating the controversy. Again, balanced feedback about what they could do better is valuable to Mclaren, but plastering it over social media and sensationalising it is not!

Edited by AstonExige on Sunday 1st November 17:30