Only buy from Thorney Motorsport?
Discussion
murphyaj said:
Going back to the subject of dealers, I would take each on their own merit.
I went to look at a car a Jardine Select Bracknell, which is not somewhere you would normally go for a McLaren as they usually sell more normal premium brands. However Jardine are part of the group that own McLaren Ascot, and they use them to sell some of the older models (McLaren are inexplicably reluctant to push older or higher mileage cars through their dealer network). The Jardine Bracknell site is actually where the McLaren ascot workshop is, and the car in question had been prepped in the same workshop, by the same technicians, as the McLaren approved cars. It came with their warranty, not the McLaren warranty, but if anything it seemed more comprehensive (I read the whole thing) and all work would be carried out by the same aforementioned McLaren workshop. In the end I didn't buy the car but it was bought by someone on here who had a very positive experience.
My point with this story is; don't limit your options and don't automatically discount a car just because of the sign over the door.
That was me! its still been faultless, buying from there gave me 3 year mclaren warranty(99% of), for £800 over the purchase cost. Based on how the 650s market is, it means I'd be able to sell without the car costing me a penny. likely a bit of change in my pocket. I went to look at a car a Jardine Select Bracknell, which is not somewhere you would normally go for a McLaren as they usually sell more normal premium brands. However Jardine are part of the group that own McLaren Ascot, and they use them to sell some of the older models (McLaren are inexplicably reluctant to push older or higher mileage cars through their dealer network). The Jardine Bracknell site is actually where the McLaren ascot workshop is, and the car in question had been prepped in the same workshop, by the same technicians, as the McLaren approved cars. It came with their warranty, not the McLaren warranty, but if anything it seemed more comprehensive (I read the whole thing) and all work would be carried out by the same aforementioned McLaren workshop. In the end I didn't buy the car but it was bought by someone on here who had a very positive experience.
My point with this story is; don't limit your options and don't automatically discount a car just because of the sign over the door.
Smoothound said:
Very few of Thorneys cars sit without selling for long so would assume buyers are there?
There is a reason Thorney have a “John’s bargains” section on their website and it’s not because all cars fly out the door.Prices I’m sure are set by sellers though and some are sensible, some are not.
There’s an orange 570s on there for 92 for 3-4 weeks, which is now sub 90.
interstellar said:
Op did you get a Mclaren or still have the Emira?
Went to look at a 570GT (did I already say that somewhere?). Sitting next to my Lotus it just didn't look like £20K more car. So I did sell the Lotus (remember I had an 2l turbo) - and bought.......... drum roll........... another Emira! Ha. Yes. Except I bought the V6. So I get the noise! Love the noise of that V6. But went for the auto - because I can't be arsed with changing gears and yes I know all the purist manual gearbox gang say it's the wrong gearbox but whatever it's a free country and for my purposes it works perfectly.
So..... no didn't get a McLaren - swapped my 2L Emira for the V6.
Oh - which cost me about £8k (to swap).
Picture just because....
jamesgareth said:
interstellar said:
Op did you get a Mclaren or still have the Emira?
Went to look at a 570GT (did I already say that somewhere?). Sitting next to my Lotus it just didn't look like £20K more car. So I did sell the Lotus (remember I had an 2l turbo) - and bought.......... drum roll........... another Emira! Ha. Yes. Except I bought the V6. So I get the noise! Love the noise of that V6. But went for the auto - because I can't be arsed with changing gears and yes I know all the purist manual gearbox gang say it's the wrong gearbox but whatever it's a free country and for my purposes it works perfectly.
So..... no didn't get a McLaren - swapped my 2L Emira for the V6.
Oh - which cost me about £8k (to swap).
Picture just because....
I also agree the Emira looks a beautiful car and I can see why you didn't jump. I also have reservations about the sports series cars being special enough (no offence) but the superseries is definitley what I will go for, 12c or 650s Coupe and I think they do look the difference in money and its similar if you go for one that is maintained by V, JWM or Thorney although granted the 650S Spider has gone a bit bonkers but 85k is good for decent 12c and I think it looks sublime in certain colours. Here's one to match the Emira!
interstellar said:
I also agree the Emira looks a beautiful car and I can see why you didn't jump. I also have reservations about the sports series cars being special enough (no offence) but the superseries is definitley what I will go for, 12c or 650s Coupe and I think they do look the difference in money and its similar if you go for one that is maintained by V, JWM or Thorney although granted the 650S Spider has gone a bit bonkers but 85k is good for decent 12c and I think it looks sublime in certain colours. Here's one to match the Emira!
I wonder if 650S prices will start to drag 12C prices up as buyers give up on finding a cheap 650 and start buying 12Cs instead. Having driven both while I was shopping the difference between the two is noticeable, but hardly night and day. If I was buying now, as opposed to 2 years ago, I'd probably have ended up in a 12C given the difference in prices.jamesgareth said:
interstellar said:
Op did you get a Mclaren or still have the Emira?
Went to look at a 570GT (did I already say that somewhere?). Sitting next to my Lotus it just didn't look like £20K more car. So I did sell the Lotus (remember I had an 2l turbo) - and bought.......... drum roll........... another Emira! Ha. Yes. Except I bought the V6. So I get the noise! Love the noise of that V6. But went for the auto - because I can't be arsed with changing gears and yes I know all the purist manual gearbox gang say it's the wrong gearbox but whatever it's a free country and for my purposes it works perfectly.
So..... no didn't get a McLaren - swapped my 2L Emira for the V6.
Oh - which cost me about £8k (to swap).
Picture just because....
interstellar said:
Interesting. Our thought process is fairly similar apart from I didn't buy the Emira when I had the chance and went for a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 instead, which is a great car. I wanted an Emira (this is about 18 months ago) but didn't like the manual and didn't want a 2.0, the V6 auto was rare and hard to find and I couldn't get a drive in one but the reviews put me off a bit although I think they are unfounded. The final straw was the bubbling paint issue on a a lot of cars so in the end I bought the GTS and went manual which sounds so much better in my ears than the PDK especially on over run.
I also agree the Emira looks a beautiful car and I can see why you didn't jump. I also have reservations about the sports series cars being special enough (no offence) but the superseries is definitley what I will go for, 12c or 650s Coupe and I think they do look the difference in money and its similar if you go for one that is maintained by V, JWM or Thorney although granted the 650S Spider has gone a bit bonkers but 85k is good for decent 12c and I think it looks sublime in certain colours. Here's one to match the Emira!
Wow that looks super-nice. I also agree the Emira looks a beautiful car and I can see why you didn't jump. I also have reservations about the sports series cars being special enough (no offence) but the superseries is definitley what I will go for, 12c or 650s Coupe and I think they do look the difference in money and its similar if you go for one that is maintained by V, JWM or Thorney although granted the 650S Spider has gone a bit bonkers but 85k is good for decent 12c and I think it looks sublime in certain colours. Here's one to match the Emira!
The other obvious point about Thorney is that he bangs on about their cars having all the checks done and I don't doubt him - but the thing is they're all £20K more than the cheapest other ones you can find. So there's that £20K he claims he's saving you.
Who knows - maybe you get luck and maybe you don't.
targarama said:
Did you drive the Mclaren? Big difference. I don't tend to buy on looks alone (but don't want a munter obvs).
No. I didn't. I'm sure they drive amazing. But the Lotus is pretty decent too. And if I want to go super-quick (quicker and more nimble than any car) - I'll take the R1 out for a blast.jamesgareth said:
Wow that looks super-nice.
The other obvious point about Thorney is that he bangs on about their cars having all the checks done and I don't doubt him - but the thing is they're all £20K more than the cheapest other ones you can find. So there's that £20K he claims he's saving you.
Who knows - maybe you get luck and maybe you don't.
It's not just the checks, it's the body work is top notch and the car has zero issues, perfect paintwork etc.The other obvious point about Thorney is that he bangs on about their cars having all the checks done and I don't doubt him - but the thing is they're all £20K more than the cheapest other ones you can find. So there's that £20K he claims he's saving you.
Who knows - maybe you get luck and maybe you don't.
If you think have deep pockets to try your luck with a cheaper one, go ahead but you probably don't have deep pockets in the first place.
TBCTBC said:
It's not just the checks, it's the body work is top notch and the car has zero issues, perfect paintwork etc.
If you think have deep pockets to try your luck with a cheaper one, go ahead but you probably don't have deep pockets in the first place.
No I don't. The risk reward equation here is will the £20K cheaper one cost you less, equal or more than £20K to get up to scratch. If you think have deep pockets to try your luck with a cheaper one, go ahead but you probably don't have deep pockets in the first place.
Apart from the forums that love to knock everything the Emira is a very reliable and cheap car to run.
But one of those 570GTs with a light interior and the sunroof........ darn they do have an definite attraction.
jamesgareth said:
interstellar said:
Interesting. Our thought process is fairly similar apart from I didn't buy the Emira when I had the chance and went for a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 instead, which is a great car. I wanted an Emira (this is about 18 months ago) but didn't like the manual and didn't want a 2.0, the V6 auto was rare and hard to find and I couldn't get a drive in one but the reviews put me off a bit although I think they are unfounded. The final straw was the bubbling paint issue on a a lot of cars so in the end I bought the GTS and went manual which sounds so much better in my ears than the PDK especially on over run.
I also agree the Emira looks a beautiful car and I can see why you didn't jump. I also have reservations about the sports series cars being special enough (no offence) but the superseries is definitley what I will go for, 12c or 650s Coupe and I think they do look the difference in money and its similar if you go for one that is maintained by V, JWM or Thorney although granted the 650S Spider has gone a bit bonkers but 85k is good for decent 12c and I think it looks sublime in certain colours. Here's one to match the Emira!
Wow that looks super-nice. I also agree the Emira looks a beautiful car and I can see why you didn't jump. I also have reservations about the sports series cars being special enough (no offence) but the superseries is definitley what I will go for, 12c or 650s Coupe and I think they do look the difference in money and its similar if you go for one that is maintained by V, JWM or Thorney although granted the 650S Spider has gone a bit bonkers but 85k is good for decent 12c and I think it looks sublime in certain colours. Here's one to match the Emira!
The other obvious point about Thorney is that he bangs on about their cars having all the checks done and I don't doubt him - but the thing is they're all £20K more than the cheapest other ones you can find. So there's that £20K he claims he's saving you.
Who knows - maybe you get luck and maybe you don't.
I don't think the difference is that great anymore between 12'c that are offered by Thorney, and those advertised elsewhere. It's certainly not the case with 650's as some of the recent ones advertised have been priced higher than those at Thorney.
Nice Emira btw. I haven't driven one but sat in one at Goodwood and was pretty impressed.
Gassing Station | McLaren | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff