Following a visit to McLaren B'ham
Discussion
So I took everyone's advice and visited McClaren B'ham. It was a very pleasant trip and has now thrown up even more questions in terms of making a decision on which car to go for.
The business manager was very good and gave me a call with various different finance options. Its not something I need to do but the finance is sensible for me, I have a property company and having cash available to buy property at auction is very useful rather than tying the money up in a car.
The thing now really is to decide between 3 options:
A New 570s
A used 650 spyder
Wait for the 570 spyder
At the moment I am leaning towards a used 650 spyder. My reasoning is I would rather go for the drop top and don't want to wait for the 570 version. I feel that a used 650 will have done a lot of its depreciating and in 3 years will be worth more than the 570s. Interestingly though the sales guy I spoke to thought the 570s was a better car in his option, but that's maybe because he was trying to sell a new car and not a used one.
The only thing that makes me tentative about the 650 is the warranty? is extending it as good as the original factory warranty?
I would appreciate people views. I know everyone is different and I am not saying 1 car is better than another, I would just appreciate owners stories, reasons for buying their cars etc...
Many thanks.
The business manager was very good and gave me a call with various different finance options. Its not something I need to do but the finance is sensible for me, I have a property company and having cash available to buy property at auction is very useful rather than tying the money up in a car.
The thing now really is to decide between 3 options:
A New 570s
A used 650 spyder
Wait for the 570 spyder
At the moment I am leaning towards a used 650 spyder. My reasoning is I would rather go for the drop top and don't want to wait for the 570 version. I feel that a used 650 will have done a lot of its depreciating and in 3 years will be worth more than the 570s. Interestingly though the sales guy I spoke to thought the 570s was a better car in his option, but that's maybe because he was trying to sell a new car and not a used one.
The only thing that makes me tentative about the 650 is the warranty? is extending it as good as the original factory warranty?
I would appreciate people views. I know everyone is different and I am not saying 1 car is better than another, I would just appreciate owners stories, reasons for buying their cars etc...
Many thanks.
lostinvegas said:
Interestingly though the sales guy I spoke to thought the 570s was a better car in his option, but that's maybe because he was trying to sell a new car and not a used one.
Have a look at www.howmanyleft.co.ukThey seem to be selling 570s quicker than either the 650 or MP4 given the time they have been on sale.
Maybe not the best guide.
For sure the 650s has taken a large hit, probably £50k+ for most people who bought new (me included)
I haven't driven the 570s, and I love the 650s spider, but I would drive both first. The Spider is a huge plus so I understand your dilemma.
Maybe you should buy the 650s spider, keep it for 2 years and then flip to the 570s spider?
I owned a 12c for 18 months but after a recent drive of a 570 I was happy to throw my hat in the ring for an early 570 Spyder. I struggled to find much the 12c/650 could do better.
However, it's worth noting 500 series have already overtaken 12c's on Autotrader and I suggest it's only a couple of months before they overtake the 600 cars (if that bothers you...).
I'm not worried about 570 residuals though, it's not like the old days for McLaren, the reliability is much better and demand is definetly catching up with supply, at last.
However, it's worth noting 500 series have already overtaken 12c's on Autotrader and I suggest it's only a couple of months before they overtake the 600 cars (if that bothers you...).
I'm not worried about 570 residuals though, it's not like the old days for McLaren, the reliability is much better and demand is definetly catching up with supply, at last.
By its very own definition McLaren has called the 570S the "Sports Series" aimed at the high end sports cars from Porsche, Audi etc...
The fact that is incredibly good and blows the opposition apart by being a junior supercar is to its credit.
If that appeals to you and you don't want extra power, torque, active aero, brake steer, hydraulic suspension and polycarbonate panels that come with the 650S then go for it as long as when you look back you have no regrets and saying I wish I had gone for a super series car.
With 570S sales strong there are always going to be more on the market than the 650S which only sold circa 250 in the UK and there won't be anymore, that's your lot. For that reason alone I personally believe the 650S will be worth considerably more than a 570S in 3 years time.
The extended warranty is as good as the OEM manufacturers 3 yr warranty if that's your concern although its costly at £3500 pa.
Used 650s spiders are an absolute bargain at the moment so my recommendation would be bag yourself a good un while you still can. Not only will you have the better overall car but in 3 years time it will be worth considerably more if you come to change.
I was offered a straight swap from my 2 yr old 650S into a new high spec 570S but politely declined. Maybe a straight swap on a 570LT spider in a couple of years time will appeal more
The fact that is incredibly good and blows the opposition apart by being a junior supercar is to its credit.
If that appeals to you and you don't want extra power, torque, active aero, brake steer, hydraulic suspension and polycarbonate panels that come with the 650S then go for it as long as when you look back you have no regrets and saying I wish I had gone for a super series car.
With 570S sales strong there are always going to be more on the market than the 650S which only sold circa 250 in the UK and there won't be anymore, that's your lot. For that reason alone I personally believe the 650S will be worth considerably more than a 570S in 3 years time.
The extended warranty is as good as the OEM manufacturers 3 yr warranty if that's your concern although its costly at £3500 pa.
Used 650s spiders are an absolute bargain at the moment so my recommendation would be bag yourself a good un while you still can. Not only will you have the better overall car but in 3 years time it will be worth considerably more if you come to change.
I was offered a straight swap from my 2 yr old 650S into a new high spec 570S but politely declined. Maybe a straight swap on a 570LT spider in a couple of years time will appeal more
I had driven a 570s and a 650s Spider before I decided to get the 650s Spider which I now have from Birmingham. For me it was a better car and more likely to hold its value. Not a massive difference between them, but I preferred the 650 ride on bumpy roads. Also feel a Spider is the way forward with such a great carbon chassis. Gives the best all-round car going. IMHO
Just another question which might be difficult to answer but. I see 650s for sale for about 170k but what would the trade in value or trade sale value of that car be. Mclaren will give a guaranteed value of £100k after 3 years but I would expect the car to actually be worth a lot more than that.
I guess what I don't want to do is go down the finance option and then be in a position where I have £100k balloon payment to make or give a car back that's worth 30k more, or take a trade in of £100k when the car is actually worth a lot more. I just want to try and understand how it works in reality.
I guess what I don't want to do is go down the finance option and then be in a position where I have £100k balloon payment to make or give a car back that's worth 30k more, or take a trade in of £100k when the car is actually worth a lot more. I just want to try and understand how it works in reality.
lostinvegas said:
Just another question which might be difficult to answer but. I see 650s for sale for about 170k but what would the trade in value or trade sale value of that car be. Mclaren will give a guaranteed value of £100k after 3 years but I would expect the car to actually be worth a lot more than that.
I guess what I don't want to do is go down the finance option and then be in a position where I have £100k balloon payment to make or give a car back that's worth 30k more, or take a trade in of £100k when the car is actually worth a lot more. I just want to try and understand how it works in reality.
So many variables with individual cars its impossible to say for certain but you can start by taking at least £10k off for dealer gross margin to give you an idea of trade price.I guess what I don't want to do is go down the finance option and then be in a position where I have £100k balloon payment to make or give a car back that's worth 30k more, or take a trade in of £100k when the car is actually worth a lot more. I just want to try and understand how it works in reality.
Bear in mind they may have reconditioning work to do on some of the cars to get it up to Retail standards, have to stock it for a period of time and market it and probably add a warranty so then that will be more like £15k in reality.
They are in the business of selling cars and not a charity but do not have the strict used car controls of say the likes of Ferrari who are only allowed to advertise so many cars at a time and at certain prices to protect the brand.
McLarens used car strategy ( if they actually have one ) is totally different.
Cars are sensibly priced in the first place with smaller gross margins and they are looking to turn them over regularly with smaller holding periods for less retained profit.
Hence why you can see a constant change of McLarens advertised
As regards future values for balloon payments they are set really conservatively so that you have plenty of equity/deposit for the next car without the monthly payments rocketing.
Personally I would not finance a depreciating asset, certainly not a car with a £100k balloon but that may work for you
OP, a friend of mine was recently in a similar position.
Debate came down to new 570s vs 650 spider (similar money, give or take £5-15k).
He drove both and didn't feel the 650 was substantially better. He also found the 570 easier to get in/out, as I think the sill is narrower (?).
Anyway, he liked the idea that he could spec his own car, rather than waiting for the ideal spec 650 to come up.
I hear the comments above about the 570 being positioned as a competitor to other high-end sports cars from Porsche/Audi. However I think the 570 (when spec'd with a few essential options) hits a much higher price point, unless we are comparing with GTx (or similar) models ?
Just FYI in case helpful.
Debate came down to new 570s vs 650 spider (similar money, give or take £5-15k).
He drove both and didn't feel the 650 was substantially better. He also found the 570 easier to get in/out, as I think the sill is narrower (?).
Anyway, he liked the idea that he could spec his own car, rather than waiting for the ideal spec 650 to come up.
I hear the comments above about the 570 being positioned as a competitor to other high-end sports cars from Porsche/Audi. However I think the 570 (when spec'd with a few essential options) hits a much higher price point, unless we are comparing with GTx (or similar) models ?
Just FYI in case helpful.
Do you know what I must have asked about lead times but I can't remember what they said.
This is quite a dilemma for me to be honest. The finance talk is all well and good but I don't know if I woukd meet the requirements. I don't do a typical job paid X amount a month. Although my credit score is excellent and I could easily afford the payments.
Thanks for all the advice, this forum as always is very informative.
This is quite a dilemma for me to be honest. The finance talk is all well and good but I don't know if I woukd meet the requirements. I don't do a typical job paid X amount a month. Although my credit score is excellent and I could easily afford the payments.
Thanks for all the advice, this forum as always is very informative.
lostinvegas said:
Do you know what I must have asked about lead times but I can't remember what they said.
This is quite a dilemma for me to be honest. The finance talk is all well and good but I don't know if I woukd meet the requirements. I don't do a typical job paid X amount a month. Although my credit score is excellent and I could easily afford the payments.
Thanks for all the advice, this forum as always is very informative.
Which ever direction you go in I am sure you will enjoy it. Either car is brilliant and if you can afford it then just go with your heart. Life's too short to miss out on it's pleasures This is quite a dilemma for me to be honest. The finance talk is all well and good but I don't know if I woukd meet the requirements. I don't do a typical job paid X amount a month. Although my credit score is excellent and I could easily afford the payments.
Thanks for all the advice, this forum as always is very informative.
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