718 GT4 to 12c
Discussion
targarama said:
Go for it, Mclarens are amazing to drive and own. Just get one from a reputable dealer/indie or you will be facing £5k of work.
I just went the other way, only because I fancied a change after owning my Mclaren for nearly 8 years. I just bought a 718. It is exactly what I expected, a very good sports car with great steering and brakes, the engine is OK but not amazing, goes well then runs out of puff when the Mclaren just gets into it's stride. Stepping from any 718 to a Mclaren is like turning the dial from 8 to 11. Steering, handling, power are all several levels higher.
My better half commented on the speed difference after a country blast this weekend. She said in the Mclaren after a few seconds accelerating hard you arrive at the next bend and need to brake much harder than in the Boxster. i.e. 20+ mph more speed to scrub off. Quite noticeable.
I will be back in a Mclaren one day in the future, just invested my money elsewhere for now.
P.S. The Mclaren has better cabin storage and cupholders than the Porsche!
I love the GT4 and it ticks all the boxes but I do agree with speed, if feels like you get true performance in only about 20% of the rev range and I'm forever chasing that, I guess that where driving skill comes in to it. I just went the other way, only because I fancied a change after owning my Mclaren for nearly 8 years. I just bought a 718. It is exactly what I expected, a very good sports car with great steering and brakes, the engine is OK but not amazing, goes well then runs out of puff when the Mclaren just gets into it's stride. Stepping from any 718 to a Mclaren is like turning the dial from 8 to 11. Steering, handling, power are all several levels higher.
My better half commented on the speed difference after a country blast this weekend. She said in the Mclaren after a few seconds accelerating hard you arrive at the next bend and need to brake much harder than in the Boxster. i.e. 20+ mph more speed to scrub off. Quite noticeable.
I will be back in a Mclaren one day in the future, just invested my money elsewhere for now.
P.S. The Mclaren has better cabin storage and cupholders than the Porsche!
BobM said:
I went from 718 GT4 to a 600LT.
The GT4 is a good car, but it's not in the same league as a McLaren. it's easy to see the differences on paper, but it doesn't really tell the whole story. The difference in power feels more than it is because of the way the McLaren delivers the huge mid range torque, and the Mclaren actually feels lighter than the figures would suggest, much more pointy and go kart-like. Although I guess you probably tune the geometry on the GT 4 to match it a little bit more.
What surprised me (and my wife) was the difference in ride quality, the Mclaren being a much smoother ride than the GT4 which was actually quite hard and a bit crashy on our roads. If you're looking at the 12C then the difference would be even more exaggerated because you've got the cross linked hydraulic suspension which would make it even smoother on the road than mine.
Obviously I like the looks of the GT4 and the interior,or I wouldn't have bought one in the first place, but I think all the McLarens are stunningly beautiful and very much supercar rather than production car.
The Mclaren does cost more to run but not really much more. Servicing comes out to not far off £1,000 in the GT4, and about the same for the Mclaren but the Mclaren requires annual servicing, whereas the GT4 is every two years. In terms of fuel consumption the Mclaren's actually slightly better than the GT4.
I've had the LT for just over 2.5 years now, and it still looks and feels special.
A lot of your decision-making will hinge around what you want from the car. For a driving experience more like your GT4 but with the dials turned up, then a sports series (570S, 570GT, 600LT) might be a better bet. The 12C is faster of course, but my impression not having driven one, is that it's slightly more GT car. I have driven a 720S though which reinforced that expectation.
You really need to get a test drive, it's the driving feel that is the car's strong point. A friend of a friend who had a 718 Spyder went looking at McLaren GTs which she loved, but ended up in a 650S.
Interesting comments. I am possibly looking at a 600lt. Couple of questions of you don’t mind? The GT4 is a good car, but it's not in the same league as a McLaren. it's easy to see the differences on paper, but it doesn't really tell the whole story. The difference in power feels more than it is because of the way the McLaren delivers the huge mid range torque, and the Mclaren actually feels lighter than the figures would suggest, much more pointy and go kart-like. Although I guess you probably tune the geometry on the GT 4 to match it a little bit more.
What surprised me (and my wife) was the difference in ride quality, the Mclaren being a much smoother ride than the GT4 which was actually quite hard and a bit crashy on our roads. If you're looking at the 12C then the difference would be even more exaggerated because you've got the cross linked hydraulic suspension which would make it even smoother on the road than mine.
Obviously I like the looks of the GT4 and the interior,or I wouldn't have bought one in the first place, but I think all the McLarens are stunningly beautiful and very much supercar rather than production car.
The Mclaren does cost more to run but not really much more. Servicing comes out to not far off £1,000 in the GT4, and about the same for the Mclaren but the Mclaren requires annual servicing, whereas the GT4 is every two years. In terms of fuel consumption the Mclaren's actually slightly better than the GT4.
I've had the LT for just over 2.5 years now, and it still looks and feels special.
A lot of your decision-making will hinge around what you want from the car. For a driving experience more like your GT4 but with the dials turned up, then a sports series (570S, 570GT, 600LT) might be a better bet. The 12C is faster of course, but my impression not having driven one, is that it's slightly more GT car. I have driven a 720S though which reinforced that expectation.
You really need to get a test drive, it's the driving feel that is the car's strong point. A friend of a friend who had a 718 Spyder went looking at McLaren GTs which she loved, but ended up in a 650S.
How is the interior cabin noise compared to the gt4?
How often do you find you have to use the nose lift? From what I gather with nose lift down the gt4 and 600lt have identical angels of approach at about 6 degrees.
BobM said:
I went from 718 GT4 to a 600LT.
The GT4 is a good car, but it's not in the same league as a McLaren. it's easy to see the differences on paper, but it doesn't really tell the whole story. The difference in power feels more than it is because of the way the McLaren delivers the huge mid range torque, and the Mclaren actually feels lighter than the figures would suggest, much more pointy and go kart-like. Although I guess you probably tune the geometry on the GT 4 to match it a little bit more.
What surprised me (and my wife) was the difference in ride quality, the Mclaren being a much smoother ride than the GT4 which was actually quite hard and a bit crashy on our roads. If you're looking at the 12C then the difference would be even more exaggerated because you've got the cross linked hydraulic suspension which would make it even smoother on the road than mine.
Obviously I like the looks of the GT4 and the interior,or I wouldn't have bought one in the first place, but I think all the McLarens are stunningly beautiful and very much supercar rather than production car.
The Mclaren does cost more to run but not really much more. Servicing comes out to not far off £1,000 in the GT4, and about the same for the Mclaren but the Mclaren requires annual servicing, whereas the GT4 is every two years. In terms of fuel consumption the Mclaren's actually slightly better than the GT4.
I've had the LT for just over 2.5 years now, and it still looks and feels special.
A lot of your decision-making will hinge around what you want from the car. For a driving experience more like your GT4 but with the dials turned up, then a sports series (570S, 570GT, 600LT) might be a better bet. The 12C is faster of course, but my impression not having driven one, is that it's slightly more GT car. I have driven a 720S though which reinforced that expectation.
You really need to get a test drive, it's the driving feel that is the car's strong point. A friend of a friend who had a 718 Spyder went looking at McLaren GTs which she loved, but ended up in a 650S.
Interesting comments. I am possibly looking at a 600lt. Couple of questions if you don t mind? The GT4 is a good car, but it's not in the same league as a McLaren. it's easy to see the differences on paper, but it doesn't really tell the whole story. The difference in power feels more than it is because of the way the McLaren delivers the huge mid range torque, and the Mclaren actually feels lighter than the figures would suggest, much more pointy and go kart-like. Although I guess you probably tune the geometry on the GT 4 to match it a little bit more.
What surprised me (and my wife) was the difference in ride quality, the Mclaren being a much smoother ride than the GT4 which was actually quite hard and a bit crashy on our roads. If you're looking at the 12C then the difference would be even more exaggerated because you've got the cross linked hydraulic suspension which would make it even smoother on the road than mine.
Obviously I like the looks of the GT4 and the interior,or I wouldn't have bought one in the first place, but I think all the McLarens are stunningly beautiful and very much supercar rather than production car.
The Mclaren does cost more to run but not really much more. Servicing comes out to not far off £1,000 in the GT4, and about the same for the Mclaren but the Mclaren requires annual servicing, whereas the GT4 is every two years. In terms of fuel consumption the Mclaren's actually slightly better than the GT4.
I've had the LT for just over 2.5 years now, and it still looks and feels special.
A lot of your decision-making will hinge around what you want from the car. For a driving experience more like your GT4 but with the dials turned up, then a sports series (570S, 570GT, 600LT) might be a better bet. The 12C is faster of course, but my impression not having driven one, is that it's slightly more GT car. I have driven a 720S though which reinforced that expectation.
You really need to get a test drive, it's the driving feel that is the car's strong point. A friend of a friend who had a 718 Spyder went looking at McLaren GTs which she loved, but ended up in a 650S.
How is the interior cabin noise compared to the gt4?
How often do you find you have to use the nose lift? From what I gather with nose lift down the gt4 and 600lt have identical angels of approach at about 6 degrees.
Edited by stuno1 on Thursday 11th September 12:50
stuno1 said:
Interesting comments. I am possibly looking at a 600lt. Couple of questions if you don t mind?
How is the interior cabin noise compared to the gt4?
Pretty similar I'd say, the GT4 was firmer and a bit more crashy than the 600LT. The GT4 was on Cup2s, the 600LT initially on PZeros, now on PS4S. The exhaust on the 600 isn't intrusive until you drop the roof or the rear window, at which point it's definitely louder than the GT4.How is the interior cabin noise compared to the gt4?
stuno1 said:
How often do you find you have to use the nose lift? From what I gather with nose lift down the gt4 and 600lt have identical angels of approach at about 6 degrees.
I need to use it to get out of my drive, there's a steel bracket in the middle that my gates close against. Otherwise it can deal with most sleeping policemen and kerbs without.I suppose my summary is that I've found the 600LT no less practical to use overall than the GT4.
BobM said:
I need to use it to get out of my drive, there's a steel bracket in the middle that my gates close against. Otherwise it can deal with most sleeping policemen and kerbs without.
I suppose my summary is that I've found the 600LT no less practical to use overall than the GT4.
Thank you. Thats helpful. If anything the 600lt is more refined from a ride and sound point of view and more practical with the nose lift. Does it add any undue stress on the nose lift using it all the time? I suppose my summary is that I've found the 600LT no less practical to use overall than the GT4.
Sorry for the question and thank you.
Edited by stuno1 on Friday 12th September 13:52
stuno1 said:
Thank you. Thats helpful. If anything the 600lt is more refined from a ride and sound point of view and more practical with the nose lift. Does it add any undue stress on the nose lift using it all the time?
Sorry for the question and thank you.
No problem. As I understand it the nose lift uses the power steering pump (yes, it has hydraulic power steering Sorry for the question and thank you.
) and I've not heard of it being a common problem. I've had mine for 2 years 9 months and about 8k miles now.It's generally recommended to lower the nose when parked up to avoid leaving the system pressurised.
BobM said:
No problem. As I understand it the nose lift uses the power steering pump (yes, it has hydraulic power steering ) and I've not heard of it being a common problem. I've had mine for 2 years 9 months and about 8k miles now.
It's generally recommended to lower the nose when parked up to avoid leaving the system pressurised.
Awesome, thank you. ) and I've not heard of it being a common problem. I've had mine for 2 years 9 months and about 8k miles now.It's generally recommended to lower the nose when parked up to avoid leaving the system pressurised.
I m just coming up to a year in my 12c coupe, bought from a McLaren dealer with a warranty. It s had a couple of minor things (oil pressure sensor and airbag sensor) which wouldn t come close to the cost of buying the warranty but it s nice to have anyway.
I was in a 911 before (997) and have an NSX as well (original)
The 12c is just amazing, ballistically fast, and even next to the 997 (often regarded as peak Porsche steering as it s the last of the hydraulic ones) the steering feel is very very good. The ride is exceptional, at least as good as the NSX, and it has the inconel sports exhaust which sounds great. I actually had a 355 with a Capristo and while it sounded amazing for 15 minutes, after that I just found it annoying. Sold it after 9 months!
The nose on the 12c is higher so you really don’t need lift (which is one less thing to go wrong)
With the flu up doors and being so low and wide it feels much more of an event than the Porsche yet is easy to thread through London traffic on occasions.
I can’t think of another car less than £100k that would give the same experience as a 12c, it’s a very good buy I would say.
I was in a 911 before (997) and have an NSX as well (original)
The 12c is just amazing, ballistically fast, and even next to the 997 (often regarded as peak Porsche steering as it s the last of the hydraulic ones) the steering feel is very very good. The ride is exceptional, at least as good as the NSX, and it has the inconel sports exhaust which sounds great. I actually had a 355 with a Capristo and while it sounded amazing for 15 minutes, after that I just found it annoying. Sold it after 9 months!
The nose on the 12c is higher so you really don’t need lift (which is one less thing to go wrong)
With the flu up doors and being so low and wide it feels much more of an event than the Porsche yet is easy to thread through London traffic on occasions.
I can’t think of another car less than £100k that would give the same experience as a 12c, it’s a very good buy I would say.
Edited by Origami on Friday 12th September 20:20
Hi,
As Bob said I sold my 718 Spyder and replaced it with a 650s spyder which I’ve managed to put 3k miles on in the last 6 months. In response to questions above, my comments;
1. Quieter cabin and what noise there is is much less tiring than the 718 spyder where the opf/gpf filters just resonate appallingly. I sold the 718 at 5 months I hated the noise so much, the drone was awful at times. Stunning car but the noise drove me insane.
2. I have quite an awkward driveway the 718 would scrape unless I drove it sideways at weird angles over the worst of the drive the McLaren clears everything with two people in the car and without using the lift!
3. Comfort the McLaren is so much easier, I’ve done a couple of long days in Europe on the motorways and the McLaren eats miles.
Mine came from Thorney who also fitted car play for me and the after sales support has been truly first class.
Jenny
As Bob said I sold my 718 Spyder and replaced it with a 650s spyder which I’ve managed to put 3k miles on in the last 6 months. In response to questions above, my comments;
1. Quieter cabin and what noise there is is much less tiring than the 718 spyder where the opf/gpf filters just resonate appallingly. I sold the 718 at 5 months I hated the noise so much, the drone was awful at times. Stunning car but the noise drove me insane.
2. I have quite an awkward driveway the 718 would scrape unless I drove it sideways at weird angles over the worst of the drive the McLaren clears everything with two people in the car and without using the lift!
3. Comfort the McLaren is so much easier, I’ve done a couple of long days in Europe on the motorways and the McLaren eats miles.
Mine came from Thorney who also fitted car play for me and the after sales support has been truly first class.
Jenny
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