First McLaren, still lost on models

[Kent Border Kenny]

drcarrera said:

The couple of Mclaren dealers I've contacted recently have implied they're limiting test drives due to Covid, which is fair enough, I guess. But like Kenny, I haven't driven either a 650 or 570 (the two options I'm considering) so it's a problem! There's so little around at the moment I doubt I'd buy yet anyway but as it looks like restrictions are going to be around for some time I'm not sure I'll be able to buy one even if I wait until the new year.

Edited by drcarrera on Tuesday 13th October 11:24

I'm going to buy because I'm feeling a bit miserable after working from home since March, so probably want to go ahead, even without a drive. It's not sensible at all, but I'm not looking forward to sitting in this same seat on my own through the winter, and want something to cheer me up a bit.

I realised that the R8 only gets taken out now to give it a run once every few weeks, and that's because it's just not a great car on roads that aren't perfectly smooth.

[Kent Border Kenny]

12pack said:

Like my V12Vantage. Which is why you may prefer the 650.....

Yes, I think that the 650 is definitely the way to go.

The magnetic ride on my previous V8 R8 made it an excellent GT car, it was just lovely on a long drive, and of course, very good on the twisty roads.

I should have bought a newer non “plus” R8 convertible, but I was really impressed by how much more precise the handling was on the firmer one on my short test drive than the V8, so jumped straight in.

I’m going to see a 650 on Saturday, hopefully to agree a deal. It’ll have just returned from a McLaren service, which I’m hoping means that anything that did need attention will have been done.

The trade-in on the R8 is (unsurprisingly) a bit low, probably £5k less than I could get pricing it for a relatively quick sale, which is enough that I may as well see if I can sell it myself.

I’ll need to work out what I do with the SL63 next. It’s done 800 miles since new.ll

[Kent Border Kenny]

AstonExige said:

Before you pull the trigger, make sure you test drive a 720s Nothing to lose......unless you don't

I want a spider, and am not going to spend £200k as my first step into a new brand. If I get on with the 650s I’ll probably upgrade in a hear.

[Kent Border Kenny]

To finish off the thread, I’ve bought a low mileage 650s Spider, and it should be delivered next week.

I’ve also decided not to sell the SL63 yet, I’ll have another think about that in the spring.

[Kent Border Kenny]

AstonExige said:

Congrats!!! How many sleepless nights?

I asked for it to be delivered Wednesday, but if it’s dry this afternoon I think I’ll take a taxi over and get it today.

I know it’s silly wanting to get it in the dry, but I’d like to see it freshly detailed at home just once before it gets plastered in autumn muck.

[Kent Border Kenny]

Turns out the weather forecast was wrong, and I drove home in biblical amounts of rain.

Pictures if the sun ever comes out again.

[Kent Border Kenny]

8003px said:

Interested in your views now you have collected and what's to become of the SL63 as i loved mine and am now thinking of going the Mclaren route

I’ve started a separate thread with my first impressions, but it’s a bit sparse at the moment, as it’s rained nearly constantly since I collected it.

It’s a very different car to the Mercedes, but it can possibly replace it, as it’s just about easy enough to use that it would do the same jobs. It’ll depend on whether I ever get happy to just “cruise” in it, use it for going out to buy a paper, am happy using it in all weathers and so on, so I’m undecided in selling the SL yet. It’s currently sitting out of reach to me in my home abroad, so I’m in no rush.

The differences start when getting in. The McLaren has high and wide sills, so you don’t sit down into it as easily as the SL.

To drive, there’s no getting away from the fact that the SL has its roots in a relaxed GT style car. The McLaren feels like it’s being held on a lead, it wants to go fast. The SL doesn’t show what it has unless you ask it to.

Everything is taut in the 650, there is zero slack, and the suspension is definitely firmer.

As to whether it can replace the Mercedes for me, I’m not sure. If I were driving to the South of France on autoroutes, and then parking up by the beach, the SL would be the better choice, but if the route was through the alps mit’d be the McLaren.

I think that it’s comfortable enough and easy enough that the answer is yes, you can switch, but it definitely comes with some compromises. I may keep both, but they won’t both live at the same house.

[Kent Border Kenny]

Davidch said:

Well done on the new car, any pictures?

I’m on the look out for an R8 plus, would you mind pm me with details of how much you got for it?

Thanks

Mine was a Gen1, dry good condition, 23k miles, and went for 53k.

[Kent Border Kenny]

Davidch said:

;(

I would of had that ??

What colour was it?

White, with black wheels.

All my cars were, I don’t really know what to do now that I’ve a grey one

[Kent Border Kenny]

Davidch said:

Get it wrapped

Gutted I didn’t see this thread weeks ago.

How are you finding the Mac??

Frustratingly I’ve not yet driven it in the dry. I had a trip planned this weekend, but didn’t get the time.

First impressions are dominated by how very fast it is. I had got used to needing some revs to get the Audi flying, but this seems markedly faster without needing to go past 3,000 rpm.

I’m assuming that’s more impression than reality, but it really does take off like nothing I’ve driven before.