Has anyone went from Mclaren into Porsche/Aston?
Discussion
I've owned a AM Vantage, Porsche GT products and now added McLaren LT.
Porsches are very good, do everything you ask of them, every day of the week, but that's partly the problem. They're so good in a germanic way, but you're served the same meal every night of the week. After a while you get a bit numbed.
My manual V12 Vantage (described as 2/3rds GT, 1/3 GT3) I thought had some of the best steering and brake feel (except for the McLaren 675LT) of any car I've had. Excellent cars, but felt a little more fragile when compared to Porsche and dynamically, may not be quite as good.
Given you're currently driving a carbon tubbed 650s, I think you may find the others wanting. Best go drive the others and decide for yourself.
PS. If you want to cut to the chase, I'd look at a 675LT as they are mega bits of kit.
Porsches are very good, do everything you ask of them, every day of the week, but that's partly the problem. They're so good in a germanic way, but you're served the same meal every night of the week. After a while you get a bit numbed.
My manual V12 Vantage (described as 2/3rds GT, 1/3 GT3) I thought had some of the best steering and brake feel (except for the McLaren 675LT) of any car I've had. Excellent cars, but felt a little more fragile when compared to Porsche and dynamically, may not be quite as good.
Given you're currently driving a carbon tubbed 650s, I think you may find the others wanting. Best go drive the others and decide for yourself.
PS. If you want to cut to the chase, I'd look at a 675LT as they are mega bits of kit.
andymc said:
Chaps, current 650 coupe owner of 2 years and thinking of buying something a little more under the radar, a newer Vantage or 911, has anyone made the change?
Thanks in advance
Andy
They’re a step down from a supercar. Also very common. Not have cars though. If going Aston, look at a vanquish 2015 onwardsThanks in advance
Andy
andymc said:
Chaps, current 650 coupe owner of 2 years and thinking of buying something a little more under the radar, a newer Vantage or 911, has anyone made the change?
Thanks in advance
Andy
I made the move, 12C to 981 Spyder, then sold 981 Spyder and bought 675LT then added 718 Spyder. TBH they are completely different. The 981 Spyder only replaced the 12C as I fancied a change. Both were great but on reflection, looking back, the 12C was much better, it was great at touring, unbelievably quick, more economical, more drama and very special. it doesn't mean I don't like the Spyder, as I bought another. Thanks in advance
Andy
BUT I actively missed the 12C so bought the ultimate iteration, the 675LT. I bought it with my heart and still own it 6 years later. The 718 I bought with my head, its ticks so many boxes (as Porsches do). Its a great car but it would be the first to go if anything had to go, and that includes my NA MX5.
The 650s is a brilliant car, if you have an itch to change then you must do it, but you may go back full circle. Nothing wrong with that, we all love a merry-go-round. And if you did change I would have a Boxster based car over a 911. Eg. Spyder, GT4, GT4RS. You also have the option of manual. If you get a 911 it has to be a 6 speed manual, don't get a 7 speed manual, that's what led me to Spyders after many test drives.
schedoni said:
Interesting stuff, thanks.
With hindsight, do you feel the difference between the 12c and the 675LT is justified by the relative values? And is this based on road or track use?
Thanks
There are some that proclaim it cant be worth it. But I owned my 12C for 14k miles and 3 years and the 675LT for 16k miles and 6 years so hopefully have a 'valid' experience. With hindsight, do you feel the difference between the 12c and the 675LT is justified by the relative values? And is this based on road or track use?
Thanks
The short answer is yes, its worth it. The cars are completely different. I think 650S to 675LT is something like 60% different parts, even the engine block is different. Every part bespoke to the 675LT and designed to extract more performance and feedback.
Think base 911 C2 compared to GT3 RS. But somehow the 675LT retains the magic carpet ride, so much so my wife prefers it to the Spyder.
The steering, braking, gearbox, traction, agility all are quite markedly different, the 675LT even sounds good! I have still never driven a car with so much power to the real wheels that has so much traction, its witchcraft. I admit I have not even driven it on track. I like the 'feel' of track cars but I am not a track junkie, I do a fair amount of road driving, in the UK & Europe, so all my cars get decent use. If a 675Lt is within reach it would be a great choice. I haven't replaced it because there isn't a car I prefer, even at double / triple the value.
andymc said:
Chaps, current 650 coupe owner of 2 years and thinking of buying something a little more under the radar, a newer Vantage or 911, has anyone made the change?
Thanks in advance
Andy
I went from Porsche 911 Turbo to the usual supercar brands, and then attempted to go back to Porsche 911 again thinking it could be a good compromise but it just didn't give the same sense of occasion or thrill from driving the thoroughbred supercars so sold the car fairly quickly after that. Granted I haven't tried a GT3 or RS so perhaps that would be a fairer comparison. I expect the Aston may feel a bit more special than the Porsche but have never owned one so can't really comment on thatThanks in advance
Andy
I just can’t imagine a 911 putting that same childish grin on your face.
The modern 911 feels almost a daily and has suffered monstrous bloatware in recent years.
As a Porsche fanatic all my life I find my self massively disappointed with where the 911 has gone. And over £100k for base 911 is la la.
I’d probably go something Boxster based if I was getting a modern Porsche. But it’s still not a Mac.
The modern 911 feels almost a daily and has suffered monstrous bloatware in recent years.
As a Porsche fanatic all my life I find my self massively disappointed with where the 911 has gone. And over £100k for base 911 is la la.
I’d probably go something Boxster based if I was getting a modern Porsche. But it’s still not a Mac.
andymc said:
Chaps, current 650 coupe owner of 2 years and thinking of buying something a little more under the radar, a newer Vantage or 911, has anyone made the change?
Thanks in advance
Andy
I've done the reverse. Went from a daily drive 911 and bought a 3 series and a 12C. Thanks in advance
Andy
chalk and cheese. the 911 is a fabulous car and one that I greatly enjoyed driving for over 10000 miles in a year. But in the end, it just became a car that i liked and drove. To quote Clarkson, the 911 is a super car, the 12c is a supercar. I love it, but whilst i know I COULD use it every day, it would not want to and that in my mind is what makes it special.
Sat un the new Vantage today. So much more cramped and lacking the visibility of the Mclarens / Ferraris, centre console is massive. That being said I didn't drive it so these are fairly superficial observations. looked stunning in silver but £225k I don't see it. Aston results will show they're just not selling enough cars of any kind. Shame, such a lovely brand.
Perhaps not relevant as I have 6sp manual V12 Vantage next to my 650s. Kept it because of the NA V12 and genuinely manual gearbox. But it’s really quite poor to drive. Terrible visibility, unnecessarily stiff and nose heavy. Rarely gets driven to the extent that I’m extending the service intervals ( not bothered about resale). While it may be a bit easier to get in and out of, and is perhaps more robust because of less complexity - it’s rarely my choice for a drive in my varied garage.
12pack said:
Perhaps not relevant as I have 6sp manual V12 Vantage next to my 650s. Kept it because of the NA V12 and genuinely manual gearbox. But it’s really quite poor to drive. Terrible visibility, unnecessarily stiff and nose heavy. Rarely gets driven to the extent that I’m extending the service intervals ( not bothered about resale). While it may be a bit easier to get in and out of, and is perhaps more robust because of less complexity - it’s rarely my choice for a drive in my varied garage.
Adrian Newey who knows a thing or two about cars would disagree with you. He thinks the V12 Vantage is one of the all time greats. Just shows that we all like different aspects of a drivers car. Even Clarkson thought it was wonderful. bentley01 said:
Adrian Newey who knows a thing or two about cars would disagree with you. He thinks the V12 Vantage is one of the all time greats. Just shows that we all like different aspects of a drivers car. Even Clarkson thought it was wonderful.
I think you are quoting Chris Evan’s Daily Mail hearsay about Adrian Newey, and Clarkson know’s little about performance driving. As a competitive amateur racer, I prefer to drive well-engineered performance cars - sadly to me the V12V isn’t. Certainly beautiful and full of character. But take that gear lever as an example. Stunning - but placed too far back for fast changes. A previous FD RX7 and a current Atom are my references.Anyway, I’m responding to the OP who was looking for opinions, and that was mine. As you said - looking at the cars from different points of view.
Edited by 12pack on Friday 29th November 13:00
Gassing Station | McLaren | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff