First McLaren, still lost on models

[Kent Border Kenny]

I think that if I was going to be happy with a coupe then the 720s would be top of my list, but I know if I do that I’ll then not sell the SL, which is really the whole point here, getting an SL and R8 in one car.

Unfortunately the Spider is too expensive, so I think I’ll look for a 650s Spider for a year or two, and then decide if I should move up.

[Kent Border Kenny]

This one looks nice.

If it was at a dealer I’d have been over already, but I won’t buy another car without getting rid of one first.

Car

[Bispal]

Kent Border Kenny said:

I think that if I was going to be happy with a coupe then the 720s would be top of my list, but I know if I do that I’ll then not sell the SL, which is really the whole point here, getting an SL and R8 in one car.

Unfortunately the Spider is too expensive, so I think I’ll look for a 650s Spider for a year or two, and then decide if I should move up.

Buy from a McLaren Dealer or Alastair Bols , negotiate up to 2 years warranty, build up a relationship with the dealer and get full access to the McLaren 'family' and special events, offers etc. That's the way to buy. Owning a McLaren is more than just owning a car, there is a family of like minded owners and always a social event to attend via the FB group.

[Crazy4557]

Bispal said:

Buy from a McLaren Dealer or Alastair Bols , negotiate up to 2 years warranty, build up a relationship with the dealer and get full access to the McLaren 'family' and special events, offers etc. That's the way to buy. Owning a McLaren is more than just owning a car, there is a family of like minded owners and always a social event to attend via the FB group.

And the Club members don’t wear Pringle sweaters, driving gloves and the other branded paraphernalia, they are a genuine bunch of car nuts rather than poseurs. Really enhances the ownership experience From my experience.

[Bispal]

Crazy4557 said:

Bispal said:

Buy from a McLaren Dealer or Alastair Bols , negotiate up to 2 years warranty, build up a relationship with the dealer and get full access to the McLaren 'family' and special events, offers etc. That's the way to buy. Owning a McLaren is more than just owning a car, there is a family of like minded owners and always a social event to attend via the FB group.

And the Club members don’t wear Pringle sweaters, driving gloves and the other branded paraphernalia, they are a genuine bunch of car nuts rather than poseurs. Really enhances the ownership experience From my experience.

No we don't wear Pringle..! In fact we are more like a collection of 500 Russ Hanneman's

[WilliamWaiver]

Who sits in a spider on a hot summers day and says I wish I was in a coupe ???

TBH the spiders party piece is the rear window down with roof up. Best sound you will ever get with a McLaren

[Crazy4557]

Bispal said:

No we don't wear Pringle..! In fact we are more like a collection of 500 Russ Hanneman's

Maybe but I don’t have the calf implants...yet

[Bispal]

WilliamWaiver said:

Who sits in a spider on a hot summers day and says I wish I was in a coupe ???

TBH the spiders party piece is the rear window down with roof up. Best sound you will ever get with a McLaren

Me.... On a very hot day you need the roof up and AC on, you can only take too much hot sun without burning up and sweating. I love convertibles and have 2 of them but they work best in Autumn and Spring IMHO. Also In my opinion, and its just that, my preference, the coupes look so much better and have a lot more interior space which is why I prefer McLaren coupes.

[650spider]

Bispal said:

WilliamWaiver said:

Who sits in a spider on a hot summers day and says I wish I was in a coupe ???

TBH the spiders party piece is the rear window down with roof up. Best sound you will ever get with a McLaren

Me.... On a very hot day you need the roof up and AC on, you can only take too much hot sun without burning up and sweating. I love convertibles and have 2 of them but they work best in Autumn and Spring IMHO. Also In my opinion, and its just that, my preference, the coupes look so much better and have a lot more interior space which is why I prefer McLaren coupes.

All valid points and shows why they make both coupes and spiders...there is no correct answer just preference.

Some of my favourite drives are on a clear sky, dark night with the roof down, never mind sunny days.

It needs to be proper raining for me to have the roof up.

A Mclaren spider gives you 2 cars for the price of one, and zero scuttle shake such as Ferrari, Porsche etc.

[AstonExige]

I've always been a convertible person, always had them. My R8 was a Spyder, my F-Type the roadster, before that I also had a Vantage roadster. But of late I've found myself being a little more conscious when I've got the roof down, feeling like it's a bit hey look at me. I know you shouldn't care and in the main, when I'm driving I don't, but it is / was in the back of my mind. I don't know if it's an age thing, my attitude it changing, if it because gradually the quality / class of car I'm in is increasing, so feels a little brash? Or if it is aware that a lot of people are suffering out there and being shouty. Hey look at me feels a little inappropriate. Maybe a mixture of all or some of the above.

So this time around having a convertible dropped down my priority list, don't get me wrong, if I'd have gone for the 650, it would definitely have been the spider, my preference would be the spider, but it wasn't enough of an appeal in the end to persuade me to save circa £50k and not buy a 720 coupe. Would I have preferred a 720 spider? I think so, I love the doors on my coupe, the way the roof lifts too, I also prefer the rear deck arrangement on the coupe. So there are a few more downsides to the look with e 720s Coupe vs Spider, than with the 650. Overall it wasn't enough for me to justify another £50k to get the 720 Spider. Potential for the future I suppose?

Incidently, since I've had the 720 Coupe, I haven't once been in it and thought I wish I could take the roof off now. That always happened in the past where I'd bought a coupe? I think I'm just getting old

[Kent Border Kenny]

I’m heading over to Ascot McLaren on Friday for a chat.

No test rides until you’ve agreed a deal, which I suppose I do understand, a bit, but it does mean that there’s a decent chance that I go through the rigmarole first, then decide within five minutes that actually, it turns out a reversing camera is a necessity, so thanks but this one’s not for me.

They aren’t going to be interested in the R8, and it’s going to be a genuine wrench, selling on a 540bhp normally aspirated 5.2l V10 for what is likely to be South of £60k at 22k miles, but I have to stop hanging on to cars just because the next one, despite being better, lacks that one “special” feature, such as the engine in mine.

It helps that they still make them the same today, so I can go back if I want.

[Kent Border Kenny]

Bispal said:

Me.... On a very hot day you need the roof up and AC on, you can only take too much hot sun without burning up and sweating. I love convertibles and have 2 of them but they work best in Autumn and Spring IMHO. Also In my opinion, and its just that, my preference, the coupes look so much better and have a lot more interior space which is why I prefer McLaren coupes.

Apparently the reason that convertibles sell so well in the UK is that it’s not too hot here.

I’ve French family in Antibes, and they think that I’m crazy to want a convertible.

I suppose, of course, that I can keep the SL (last of its kind) and get a 720S Coupe...

[anonymous-user]

Kent Border Kenny said:

Apparently the reason that convertibles sell so well in the UK is that it’s not too hot here.

I’ve French family in Antibes, and they think that I’m crazy to want a convertible.

I suppose, of course, that I can keep the SL (last of its kind) and get a 720S Coupe...

Tip: Gorilla glass Is a nice visual touch but causes the cockpit to get very hot. The heat radiates down onto the top of your head.

[Kent Border Kenny]

I drove over to Ascot today, and had a look at a few cars, but by the time I got home I’m confused again.

The R8 needs to go, it’s just too firm, and I want a convertible, so I’ll sell it anyway, but then I’m torn on which McLaren.

The 650S in black looks quite dated, so that particular one’s not for me, and the salesman said that in his opinion the extra development time between the 650s and 570s means that the newer car is dynamically on a par with the older super series. If that’s true, what is the 650s getting me over the 570?

I then had a good look around a 720s Spider, and it was lovely, but over £200k, which I think is too much to spend.

So now I am wondering just how much the convertible matters, and if I should get the coupe.

But if I do, I know I’ll never sell the SL...

[Matty3]

I bought a new 570s spider. A spider can become a coupe, but a coupe can't become a spider. The price differential was a no brainer for me for the versatility.

The sport series swayed me as it mechanically less complex than the super series so I figured long term it would be less problematic?

Still got 1.5 years factory warranty left and am unsure if I will take out an extended warranty when it expires as to date it has not missed a beat

All Macs are all exceptional cars - in my opinion. After testing the competition choosing which car to buy was an easy decision.

Edited by Matty3 on Friday 9th October 23:00

[Bispal]

Kent Border Kenny said:

I drove over to Ascot today, and had a look at a few cars, but by the time I got home I’m confused again.

The R8 needs to go, it’s just too firm, and I want a convertible, so I’ll sell it anyway, but then I’m torn on which McLaren.

The 650S in black looks quite dated, so that particular one’s not for me, and the salesman said that in his opinion the extra development time between the 650s and 570s means that the newer car is dynamically on a par with the older super series. If that’s true, what is the 650s getting me over the 570?

I then had a good look around a 720s Spider, and it was lovely, but over £200k, which I think is too much to spend.

So now I am wondering just how much the convertible matters, and if I should get the coupe.

But if I do, I know I’ll never sell the SL...

Don't EVER listen to a salesman, they only recommend what gives them the most profit or bonus.

The 650S appears to be the most reliable McLaren made and is the ideal 1st McLaren. Personally I prefer the 12C but admit the 650 is the better buy at the moment. The 570s is not on a par, its a great car to drive but the 650S has the amazing suspension and active aero. The superseries fly in the upper rev range whereas the sports series are tweaked for lower down power so feel a bit more immediate at speeds under 40mph.

This is a very personal thing so make your own mind up but the sports series does nothing for me aesthetically. The Frank Stephenson P11 cars are beautiful and always will be to my eyes. The 650S is also the McLaren (other than the 675LT) that has the least issues and therefore is why I would recommend it as a 1st McLaren. Don't ever get sucked in by sales talk, especially at Ascot! I had a torrid time with them and would not buy a loaf of bread from them.

PS if you prefer the look f the 570 over the P11 cars then they are great cars to drive, strangely the 12C is smaller than a 570 though. Just make sure any 570 you buy has had any corrosion sorted and check all electrics and trim.

[BlackR8]

Kent Border Kenny said:

I drove over to Ascot today, and had a look at a few cars, but by the time I got home I’m confused again.

The R8 needs to go, it’s just too firm, and I want a convertible, so I’ll sell it anyway, but then I’m torn on which McLaren.

The 650S in black looks quite dated, so that particular one’s not for me, and the salesman said that in his opinion the extra development time between the 650s and 570s means that the newer car is dynamically on a par with the older super series. If that’s true, what is the 650s getting me over the 570?

I then had a good look around a 720s Spider, and it was lovely, but over £200k, which I think is too much to spend.

So now I am wondering just how much the convertible matters, and if I should get the coupe.

But if I do, I know I’ll never sell the SL...

Hi mate - I have sent you a DM on a possible option for you.

The Superseries will give you the trick suspension and active aero. Given what you said about the firm ride of the R8 I would say the suspension benefit of the superseries will solve this better than IMO any other supercar in the market. I spoke to a couple of specialists and people experienced in the McLaren brand and many said to me that the 650S is the most reliable and well put together of the range but like with all these things you just need to find a good car to begin with.

[Kent Border Kenny]

Thanks again everyone.

I think that the issue with the 650 that I saw is likely that the relatively flat black colour does it no favours.

I need to drive both, so will find which dealer can accommodate, and go there, but from what people write the 650 does sound more like what I am looking for.

A 720 Spider isn’t on the cards this year. If Tesla ever refund my £95k then I may use it to upgrade in a year.

[Bispal]

Kent Border Kenny said:

Thanks again everyone.

I think that the issue with the 650 that I saw is likely that the relatively flat black colour does it no favours.

I need to drive both, so will find which dealer can accommodate, and go there, but from what people write the 650 does sound more like what I am looking for.

A 720 Spider isn’t on the cards this year. If Tesla ever refund my £95k then I may use it to upgrade in a year.

https://www.alastairbols.com/cars/mclaren-650s-spider-storm-grey

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/9700914

:-)

[12pack]

Kent Border Kenny said:

Thanks again everyone.

I think that the issue with the 650 that I saw is likely that the relatively flat black colour does it no favours.

I need to drive both, so will find which dealer can accommodate, and go there, but from what people write the 650 does sound more like what I am looking for.

A 720 Spider isn’t on the cards this year. If Tesla ever refund my £95k then I may use it to upgrade in a year.

Flat black? No such thing. Anyway you can’t put a BATMAN reg on a red car.....