Decided not to buy
Discussion
Many years ago, like most young men I wanted a Ferrari and was lucky enough to own one.
I always felt that owning it came with the conflict of the pleasure of ownership, against the worry of breakdown. This worry overshadowed my pleasure. That small voice at the back of my head telling me that something is likely to break or it could fail to start without warning at any time leaving me stranded and with a big bill..
Since then I've owned Lotuses, vx220's, Porsche, TVR, Caterham, Westfield, Lancia, Cobra, and more. Some of these also gave me a small feeling of concern but: 1) to a far lesser degree, and 2) I felt confident that any arising problem could most likely be sorted by myself without a large bill. In owning there cars I always had all the fun, without the worry.
All my cars have indeed been trouble free and great fun. For some time I've been looking at purchasing a McLaren, and this has brought back all those memories of early Ferrari ownership - only 10 fold !! It feels like playing with your favourite toy while sitting under a damocles sword. I feel that the risk so far out ways the fun that it destroys the desire to buy one. This is a terrible shame because I really want one. I've even viewed a few. McLaren have obviously got something terribly wrong. In this day and age with such technology available, their cars should be perfect and 100% reliable. They appear to have made all the right technical and design decisions but failed somewhere during execution.
When visiting a main dealer I was told in no uncertain terms that it was imperative that I have a full dealer warranty with any purchase and would need to keep it current because i would need it !! ...... Doesn't fill you with a great deal of confidence.
I'm sure there are many of you that have had mainly trouble free ownership. However I think I will have to look elsewhere while you all sit under your swords. With a car of this type, branding, age, mileage and price. You should be able to open the adds page, take a pin, close your eyes and purchase blind without a worry...... WHAT A SHAME !!!
Perhaps in the passing of time my arm will be twisted or my head will be turned or that itch will need scratching etc etc. Who knows ?
I always felt that owning it came with the conflict of the pleasure of ownership, against the worry of breakdown. This worry overshadowed my pleasure. That small voice at the back of my head telling me that something is likely to break or it could fail to start without warning at any time leaving me stranded and with a big bill..
Since then I've owned Lotuses, vx220's, Porsche, TVR, Caterham, Westfield, Lancia, Cobra, and more. Some of these also gave me a small feeling of concern but: 1) to a far lesser degree, and 2) I felt confident that any arising problem could most likely be sorted by myself without a large bill. In owning there cars I always had all the fun, without the worry.
All my cars have indeed been trouble free and great fun. For some time I've been looking at purchasing a McLaren, and this has brought back all those memories of early Ferrari ownership - only 10 fold !! It feels like playing with your favourite toy while sitting under a damocles sword. I feel that the risk so far out ways the fun that it destroys the desire to buy one. This is a terrible shame because I really want one. I've even viewed a few. McLaren have obviously got something terribly wrong. In this day and age with such technology available, their cars should be perfect and 100% reliable. They appear to have made all the right technical and design decisions but failed somewhere during execution.
When visiting a main dealer I was told in no uncertain terms that it was imperative that I have a full dealer warranty with any purchase and would need to keep it current because i would need it !! ...... Doesn't fill you with a great deal of confidence.
I'm sure there are many of you that have had mainly trouble free ownership. However I think I will have to look elsewhere while you all sit under your swords. With a car of this type, branding, age, mileage and price. You should be able to open the adds page, take a pin, close your eyes and purchase blind without a worry...... WHAT A SHAME !!!
Perhaps in the passing of time my arm will be twisted or my head will be turned or that itch will need scratching etc etc. Who knows ?
It would appear that some of you have failed to read and understand my post having read some of your replies (especially Justin ).
I have listed cars that I have bought and used and that's not all of them !
One of my car's is an " M " spec BMW. It's a couple of years out of warranty and it's never entered my head that I might need a warranty. One of my bikes is honda CBR sp. This has all the same tech as the McLaren including active suspension, again..... Never entered my head to feel I need a warranty. (If you don't know this bike, check out its spec for yourself.) Neither of these have ever given me any problems and I would never expect them to.
I've also agreed that I'm sure there are owners who have had non or few problems with their McLarens
I don't understand why some people behave so defensively about criticism...... You didn't personally develop, design, build or sell the car and I'm not talking about your personal car. Everything I've said is accurate. Even if I were to buy a used Kia I wouldn't feel the need for warranty and would be surprised if it developed a fault
My Ferrari was a very clean and well sorted Mondial QV. It ran fine and reliable, but they are poorly made. You can't argue with that.
As one of you said, as you get older your tolerance and acceptable level of expectation alters. In my 20's I might have taken standing by the roadside waiting with a broken down sportcar as all part of ownership. But now in my 50's and latest technology I find it unacceptable. If you are prepared to put up with that, that's up to you but remember...... The manufacturer is having a laugh at your expense.
I have listed cars that I have bought and used and that's not all of them !
One of my car's is an " M " spec BMW. It's a couple of years out of warranty and it's never entered my head that I might need a warranty. One of my bikes is honda CBR sp. This has all the same tech as the McLaren including active suspension, again..... Never entered my head to feel I need a warranty. (If you don't know this bike, check out its spec for yourself.) Neither of these have ever given me any problems and I would never expect them to.
I've also agreed that I'm sure there are owners who have had non or few problems with their McLarens
I don't understand why some people behave so defensively about criticism...... You didn't personally develop, design, build or sell the car and I'm not talking about your personal car. Everything I've said is accurate. Even if I were to buy a used Kia I wouldn't feel the need for warranty and would be surprised if it developed a fault
My Ferrari was a very clean and well sorted Mondial QV. It ran fine and reliable, but they are poorly made. You can't argue with that.
As one of you said, as you get older your tolerance and acceptable level of expectation alters. In my 20's I might have taken standing by the roadside waiting with a broken down sportcar as all part of ownership. But now in my 50's and latest technology I find it unacceptable. If you are prepared to put up with that, that's up to you but remember...... The manufacturer is having a laugh at your expense.
Serine clearly states that to him peace of mind comes from buying an all inclusive warranty.
To me, peace of mind comes from buying a quality example of a car from a recognised main dealer.
Now, do you understand the difference ??
I never said that should I buy a McLaren it would be unreliable. No, I said that the perception is that it will be unreliable. This is only reinforced by the comments of Serine and other owners with similar comments and main dealer representative also with similar chat.
As I said at the very beginning, a bit of a damocles sword.
To me, peace of mind comes from buying a quality example of a car from a recognised main dealer.
Now, do you understand the difference ??
I never said that should I buy a McLaren it would be unreliable. No, I said that the perception is that it will be unreliable. This is only reinforced by the comments of Serine and other owners with similar comments and main dealer representative also with similar chat.
As I said at the very beginning, a bit of a damocles sword.
Why would you think that your £300 is like my £3000.??
Warranty on a 650 is £5000!!!
Please understand. This isn't about who's right and who's wrong. We are all different and I respect that we all see things differently.
If you think it's good business practice to sell a car for upwards of £150000 knowing that your customers are likely to encounter faults and problems then I respect that for you that's an added price worth paying.
In return I expect your respect that that doesn't work for me.
When I started I said that I had decided not to buy a car that I would otherwise love to own. I never invited, asked, or insisted that others should follow my lead nor was I trying to to influence anyone. I respect that your decision works for you. You should happily do the same.
Warranty on a 650 is £5000!!!
Please understand. This isn't about who's right and who's wrong. We are all different and I respect that we all see things differently.
If you think it's good business practice to sell a car for upwards of £150000 knowing that your customers are likely to encounter faults and problems then I respect that for you that's an added price worth paying.
In return I expect your respect that that doesn't work for me.
When I started I said that I had decided not to buy a car that I would otherwise love to own. I never invited, asked, or insisted that others should follow my lead nor was I trying to to influence anyone. I respect that your decision works for you. You should happily do the same.
RSbandit said:
So I've had my 2016 570s for 3 months now covered 2k miles in that time car still had some extended warranty which was transferred to me when I bought it. Under that warranty I had the fobs replaced as the spare wasnt working and they only do them in pairs, rear ball joint had slight play in it that was replaced too. I renewed the warranty last month and since then my dab tuner has packed it in and the car is currently having that replaced, I'd say all told warranty work so far is pushing £2k. These issues were more niggles than anything serious and certainly didn't stop me enjoying the car which is tremendous by the way. I always run a new car under warranty for the first year I own it anyway after that I have always gone without. Let's see how this yr goes if no more issues arise then I'll be down some money by having the warranty but that's the tradeoff.
So.... After just 3 months of new ownership and 2000 miles. This car has needed £2000 worth of repair work. The new owner is totting up weather his warranty purchase cost more or less than the repairs.I would be more focused on the fact that these faults had occurred in the first place and the aggravation of having to get them sorted plus being without my car !! After all .... IT'S A £150000 CAR !!
These problems seem to be the norm. Some of you talk as though these things simply don't happen, while others act as if this is perfectly acceptable. WELL IT'S NOT !!
In this day and age , these things are simply not acceptable. When will you lot wake up !! And start complaining.
If you booked a luxury holiday or made any other quality purchase, you'd be the first to complain if something went wrong or was faulty.
Sone.....I THANK YOU !!!!
What's wrong with these people ???
That guy only had his car 3 months !!!
I'm glad I'm not the only one that can see this.
If they stayed in a 5 star hotel and the bath leaked or the TV didn't work or the bed was marked, etc. Just 1 small fault they would complain and want a new room and expect something complementary. But if their £150000 car breaks down......... That's fine cos it's acceptable.
If they all complained, the manufacturer would focus more on reliability. Until then, they've got you for the added cost of a warranty.
What's wrong with these people ???
That guy only had his car 3 months !!!
I'm glad I'm not the only one that can see this.
If they stayed in a 5 star hotel and the bath leaked or the TV didn't work or the bed was marked, etc. Just 1 small fault they would complain and want a new room and expect something complementary. But if their £150000 car breaks down......... That's fine cos it's acceptable.
If they all complained, the manufacturer would focus more on reliability. Until then, they've got you for the added cost of a warranty.
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