For less than £60k, you can buy a McLaren 12C
There's no such thing as a cost-effective new supercar these days - but secondhand? You betcha
The new versus used argument must have its roots in the first car classified ad ever listed. Why bother with the expense of a factory-fresh model when there’s so much money to be saved, and potentially so much more fun to be had, with something pre-owned? It’s a compelling argument, one that plays perfectly to a ‘fortune favours the brave’ mindset; never mind the associated pitfalls of old car ownership, and relative painlessness of new metal. Look what used to be out of reach, and is now affordable…
Furthermore, while used values remain pretty strong, they pale into insignificance (or so it seems) when compared to what new cars cost. So, inevitably, there’s probably even more focus on secondhand stuff. Save money, avoid annoying assists, get cooler car - it’s even better than win-win. The risk versus reward balance surely favours old cars right now.
McLaren is a brand never far away from the used bargain discussion. The residual values of its supercars are much improved now supply and demand are better managed, but back when too many too similar cars were leaving Woking the opposite was true. And that story has been told plenty of times now; those amazing cars would not recover from the initial hit. It means that, a decade or so on, some of the best supercars ever made in Britain are, relatively speaking, incredibly affordable.
A 720S is almost down to £100,000; the Sports Series has been hanging around £80,000 for a little while now; a 650S looks like an incredible way to spend £90,000 or so. Then there’s the 12C, the car that brought McLaren Automotive back to the world and which is still the cheapest way into a Woking wonder. This one is £60,000 - £59,995 to be precise, or the lowest price we’ve seen attached to one of these cars. There are things to put you off - the spec is a bit dull, the ad isn’t the best, it’s in Scotland - but also plenty of reasons to be tempted by the £60k 12C.
As a 2013 car, it should have the extra power and transmission tweaks for that model year as standard; even without, it’s a carbon tubbed, mid-engined 200mph supercar that still looks fairly modern. There’s mention of service history, and the past MOTs don’t show anything too scary; it hasn’t been used much in recent years, but it has at least moved. This 12C is still showing fewer than 40,000 miles.
In an ideal world, you’d probably want an independent inspection on something like this, as so much of what made the 12C so good needs to be at its best for the magic to really happen. And none of it will be cheap to sort out. Keeping it that way will obviously need a reasonable kitty as well. But the knowledge is undoubtedly out there for these cars, and using the same V8 across models means it’ll be well known by now. Put most simply, the McLaren is for sale at just about half the cost of an equivalent Ferrari 458 Italia or Lamborghini Huracan. Even if imperfect, that feels like a price that’s very hard to ignore.
SPECIFICATION | MCLAREN MP4-12C
Engine: 3,799cc, V8 twin-turbo
Transmission: 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 625@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 442@3,000-7,000rpm
MPG: 24.1
CO2: 279g/km
First registered: 2013
Recorded mileage: 37,000
Price new: £168,500
Price now: £59,995
‘Batterfly doors’ and ‘lounch control’ suggest a dealer that doesn’t major on details, no mention of the service history, plus a colour and spec that will be a hard sell.
If you’re not bothered about the above then it may be for you, but not for me, although I’m sure the colour could be dressed with a wrap…
Batterfly doors and lounch control suggest a dealer that doesn t major on details, no mention of the service history, plus a colour and spec that will be a hard sell.
If you re not bothered about the above then it may be for you, but not for me, although I m sure the colour could be dressed with a wrap
At least at £60k you should have enough cash left over to fix the inevitable list of faults occurs.
Batterfly doors and lounch control suggest a dealer that doesn t major on details, no mention of the service history, plus a colour and spec that will be a hard sell.
If you re not bothered about the above then it may be for you, but not for me, although I m sure the colour could be dressed with a wrap
This one is not for me. Transit van colour with Datsun Sunny interior trim and Vauxhall Nova wheels. A wrap can only go so far…
Then reduced to £61k on 23rd March
And now down to £60k on 17th Sept.
I guess you could have it go to McGlasgow for an inspection.
Generally I think bottom of the market supercars like this are for those who know the cars well and have the spare cash to pick up unseen issues.
Im keeping an eye on the Thorney Motorsport sales page as I think thats the only place id want to buy from (not that im serious but a man can dream of a 570 spider).
Pay a bit more and get one with a decent spec from a respected Indy (or even from a man dealer with factory warranty what I did) and they are amazing, proper supercars and as fast as your ever need on road.
The sports exhaust is a must and really lifts the engine note
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