McLaren MP4-12C: Spotted
Woking's 'clinical' supercar has now dropped below the £100k mark
When we first drove the McLaren MP4-12C in 2011 'clinical' was the word which sprang to mind, especially when comparing it to its closest rival, the Ferrari 458 Italia. It was faster, cheaper and lighter than the Italian, but lacked that emotive connection and drama.
Now, though, seven years on and below £100,000, could the MP4-12C be the best possible entry point into supercar ownership?
McLaren's PR originally described the 12C as an 'and' car - one that rides AND handles better than any rival, has better visibility AND more luggage space, while producing more performance AND fewer emissions. Remember, this was McLaren's first foray into making a mass production supercar and they weren't going to be beaten: the 12C's 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 gave it 30hp and 44lb ft more than a 458, but it also weighed 50kg less. Ok, maybe the 458 sounded better, but the 12C was considered a more capable all-rounder.
That capability came from the suspension system which used active dampers and hydraulics to provide roll control, whilst the open diff with brake steer system - brought to the road by the F1 arm of the company - aided traction through corners. Link those up with a rigid carbon fibre tub and seven-speed automatic gearbox, and the 12C went down a British road like nothing else.
This 2012 car comes in Volcano Red - the best colour - with black leather interior and Alcantara inserts. It's also still got four months of McLaren warranty, providing a worry-free post-purchase period. If something with a more sonorous soundtrack is what you're after, a Maserati Gran Turismo Sport or Audi R8 V10 Plus could do the trick, but the MP4-12C is in a different league to drive. As the most technologically advanced and rarest car at this price point, having once been the least emotive choice amongst its peers, it now finds itself as one of the few truly exotic supercars in a field of 'merely' super-GT alternatives.
SPECIFICATION - MCLAREN MP4-12C
Engine: 3,799cc, V8 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven speed dual clutch automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 600@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 442@3,000-7,000rpm
MPG: 24.1
CO2: 279g/km
First registered: 2012
Recorded mileage: 28,000 miles
Price new: £168,500
Price now: £98,995
See the full advert here.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/5qbp61/the_...
new steering rack at $35,000 and they go wrong often.... so that 100k car, you get a 30 grand bill...
https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/5qbp61/the_...
new steering rack at $35,000 and they go wrong often.... so that 100k car, you get a 30 grand bill...
I'd love to try driving one. I have heard some criticism of their handling and suspension, which some reports suggest can feel be a bit snappy at the upper limits and that the feedback to the driver can be rather limited. Read into it what you will, that the GT3 model had a considerable rework to use a proper LSD over the brake steering and also an ARB.
That said, as a representation of something truly incredible, I can't think of many better ways to spend £100,000. I mean, you can pay that for a f
king RS6 with a few options. I mean, something as dull as an RS6 or a genuine supercar? No contest. Most of these cars have now had any quality/warranty issues sorted...and the factory warranty can now be extended to 10 years if you feel it is a worthwhile safety blanket...but it is not cheap. Personally, save your money and look after your car properly.
The engine, gearbox, and suspension settings are all totally configurable so the car can be as docile and refined as you like, or a screaming track monster with all the sound, chassis and steering feedback you want...I don`t think many of the motoring press ever got the chance or time to explore all the cars abilities. On a track and at high speed they are extremely controllable and in no way snappy...and extremely fast.
The newer variations...650S/720 have more power and have a number of detail improvements, but the differences are not significant and definitely not worth the extra outlay unless you prefer the styling or simply want the peace of mind of a newer car. All these cars have so much torque and power that the torque and traction (tyre grip!) are limited up to well in excess of 100mph and the additional power will only ever be noticed at very high speeds on an autobahn.
If I have a criticism and I think it is where the press are coming from, it is that the car is so good, its all too easy (although highly entertaining) and subsequently it is not always a challenge...however, whenever you go for a drive in the car you are instantly reminded why you have it...it is a special event everytime and a true super car...and a complete bargain for such a car.
I`d also only buy one from and expert like Alistair Bols or a McLaren dealer with a warranty for the first year.
As others have commented, I actually much prefer the design of the original car before they started butchering the front ends. In fact, I think this is the only front end of a modern McLaren that they have ever got right (IMO).
More importantly, did anyone else ponder the use of the phrase "fewer emissions" in the article? No? Just me then. I'm getting old.
https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/the-green-...
- considering purchase price only (running costs I shall leave to the experts)
Most of these cars have now had any quality/warranty issues sorted...and the factory warranty can now be extended to 10 years if you feel it is a worthwhile safety blanket...but it is not cheap. Personally, save your money and look after your car properly.
The engine, gearbox, and suspension settings are all totally configurable so the car can be as docile and refined as you like, or a screaming track monster with all the sound, chassis and steering feedback you want...I don`t think many of the motoring press ever got the chance or time to explore all the cars abilities. On a track and at high speed they are extremely controllable and in no way snappy...and extremely fast.
The newer variations...650S/720 have more power and have a number of detail improvements, but the differences are not significant and definitely not worth the extra outlay unless you prefer the styling or simply want the peace of mind of a newer car. All these cars have so much torque and power that the torque and traction (tyre grip!) are limited up to well in excess of 100mph and the additional power will only ever be noticed at very high speeds on an autobahn.
If I have a criticism and I think it is where the press are coming from, it is that the car is so good, its all too easy (although highly entertaining) and subsequently it is not always a challenge...however, whenever you go for a drive in the car you are instantly reminded why you have it...it is a special event everytime and a true super car...and a complete bargain for such a car.
I`d also only buy one from and expert like Alistair Bols or a McLaren dealer with a warranty for the first year.
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