RE: McLaren 720S: Spotted
Tuesday 13th March 2018
The McLaren 720S was only unveiled a little over a year ago - at the 2017 Geneva show, in fact - but quickly asserted itself as the new supercar benchmark. Having recovered from the initial shock of the styling, in particular those eye socket headlights, the motoring press soon got down to the business of proclaiming just how staggeringly impressive it was to drive.
It's not just about raw speed though - far from it. The sterility of some of Woking's previous offerings is all but gone from the 720, finally usurped by an exciting and engaging character which, together with the level of everyday drivability we've come to expect from McLaren products, has elevated the Super Series car to previously unattained heights.
Well, we've opted for this one, a quite tastefully specced car, nicely run in with 1,000 miles on the clock, and equally as nicely discounted at £30,000 less than list - a good chunk of change even on a £200k supercar. Sure, we could do without the zircon silver window surrounds, but the Saros Grey paint with black leather interior is a smart combination.
Why the original owner traded in their 720 after so few miles, we'll never know, perhaps a fully-loaded Vanquish sounded a more comfortable way to get from A to B. But with a £30,000 discount and a chance to beat the waiting list, what we can be certain of is that their loss will be one very lucky buyer's gain.
McLaren 720S: Spotted
Even the 720S isn't immune to the ravages of depreciation, with five figure savings available...
The 720hp and 568lb ft produced by the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 propell the 720S from 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds, and from 0-100 in just 5.6. That's only a tenth slower than a P1, though many who've spent time behind the wheel claim the 720 actually feels faster than its million pound big brother...
Which makes it all the more surprising how many are for sale on the classifieds. There are 21 available currently, with prices ranging from £205,000 to £275,000 for a delivery miles, launch edition car. With McLaren estimating that it would produce around 800 examples for the global market in 2017, these 21 represent a not inconsiderable chunk of UK allocation. But which to choose?
The five-spoke lightweight wheels with polished (rather than painted) calipers make for a subtle yet striking car, while the front end lift, full suite of parking sensors, and paint protection film make for a practical one, too. Add in the exceptional Bowers & Wilkins 12-speaker sound system and the carbon fibre interior pack and you're on to a winner.
SPECIFICATION - MCLAREN 720S
Engine: 3,994cc, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: 7-speed SSG, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 720@7,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 568@5,500rpm
0-62mph: 2.9sec
Top speed: 212mph
Weight: 1,419kg (fluids +90 per cent fuel)
MPG: 26.4
CO2: 249g/km
Discussion
There is this thing called the ‘stock market’ and these other things called ‘crypto currencies’. Not many people have heard of either. But those who have like to borrow money to take long positions in them and wait for a price correction to wipe out their margin deposits along with a chunk of the borrowed funds and the subsequent selling off of chattels and forced ending of other loan agreements by the firms they owe large amounts to.
We’ve just had a major sell off in cryptos and the key vanilla markets that has hit a huge number of long only speculators and you’d expect to see a rise in ‘toys’ up for sale as these people can no longer pay for them.
In a couple of months we will also be seeing their watches and smaller items being sold by the pawn brokers as the markets haven’t recovered yet.
We’ve just had a major sell off in cryptos and the key vanilla markets that has hit a huge number of long only speculators and you’d expect to see a rise in ‘toys’ up for sale as these people can no longer pay for them.
In a couple of months we will also be seeing their watches and smaller items being sold by the pawn brokers as the markets haven’t recovered yet.
It's just a very awkward looking thing, and no amount of great driving could make me not want to wince every time I looked at it. Surely you can get 90% of the driving quality (more than enough for your average punter) with far nicer looks from other similarly exotic cars? I also understand that there are still question marks over McLaren reliability too. Both may be reasons why people ore moving them on?
I think the 720 is the first McLaren I've thought looked really good but even with the money I could never justify the £220K+ asking price.
As much as these cars can be used every day it will never happen due to the potential for depreciation even with 10K miles on them. These are now just playthings for showing off in-front of boutique hotels in London.
As much as these cars can be used every day it will never happen due to the potential for depreciation even with 10K miles on them. These are now just playthings for showing off in-front of boutique hotels in London.
Funny how many people don't like it. Personal taste obvs, but I was very much not a fan when it first launched, but not I really rather like it. The rear looks great and the front has actually grown on me.
I've seen it a lot more from 'natural' angles (press/promotion shots are always very low down) of the car which do it a lot of favours. (Look how low down tha first photo in this article is taken)
The best thing to do with any car, is try and avoid judging the looks on press photos. Camera men get on the ground for photos and you rarely do that when you see the car - and that changes the impact of looks a lot.
I've seen it a lot more from 'natural' angles (press/promotion shots are always very low down) of the car which do it a lot of favours. (Look how low down tha first photo in this article is taken)
The best thing to do with any car, is try and avoid judging the looks on press photos. Camera men get on the ground for photos and you rarely do that when you see the car - and that changes the impact of looks a lot.
kellydk said:
I think the 720 is the first McLaren I've thought looked really good but even with the money I could never justify the £220K+ asking price.
As much as these cars can be used every day it will never happen due to the potential for depreciation even with 10K miles on them. These are now just playthings for showing off in-front of boutique hotels in London.
the performance justifies the price tag imo, lots of good tech and engineering in this car and drives very nicelyAs much as these cars can be used every day it will never happen due to the potential for depreciation even with 10K miles on them. These are now just playthings for showing off in-front of boutique hotels in London.
unpc said:
I don't mind the exterior apart from the chrome trim but the interior is bad. Seats the same colour as those plastic shoes reps and coach drivers are fond of wearing.
I'm trying to figure out how you know this.Do you attend regular coach trips to sales conferences or something?
Initial "Launch" spec cars are being off loaded for customers to get into their own specced cars. Supply and demand on used car market has effected price because unless a used launch spec suits you at a discounted price you will obviously order new. Once these cars are washed through and the market realises how good they are supported by all the reviews some normality will return.
Good buy now used IMHO
Good buy now used IMHO
kellydk said:
I think the 720 is the first McLaren I've thought looked really good but even with the money I could never justify the £220K+ asking price.
As much as these cars can be used every day it will never happen due to the potential for depreciation even with 10K miles on them. These are now just playthings for showing off in-front of boutique hotels in London.
Alistair Bols had a highly specced, low miles 570S for sale for £120K recently which would surely give you all the performance you could possibly want in the real world for £100K less.As much as these cars can be used every day it will never happen due to the potential for depreciation even with 10K miles on them. These are now just playthings for showing off in-front of boutique hotels in London.
Just wondering if any of you have seen one in the metal? I thought the car was hideous when I first saw pictures of it and that McLaren had made a big mistake.
They had one at Ignition Festival last year and it look so much better than it does in pictures. It completely changed my viewpoint, they look amazing in the metal, particularly from the back and side.
They had one at Ignition Festival last year and it look so much better than it does in pictures. It completely changed my viewpoint, they look amazing in the metal, particularly from the back and side.
Deadly dull grey with equally deadly dull interior with completely strange chrome window trims, I bet its in stock a long time. 99.99% of cars sold depreciate, FACT!
Buy the car you like without worrying about its eventual value.
I agree that its nice to buy a car that also makes a few quid but surely that shouldn't be the deciding factor when buying your pride & joy!
I had a 2 x 911GT3's (997 & 991) that both made money, I had loads of other cars that lost money, I know have a 650S & I suspect it will be worth 10k less than yesterday!
Every car I've ever bought is what I wanted (& could afford) at that time, if I think that the depreciation will be too severe for me then I wont buy it, simples!!
Buy the car you like without worrying about its eventual value.
I agree that its nice to buy a car that also makes a few quid but surely that shouldn't be the deciding factor when buying your pride & joy!
I had a 2 x 911GT3's (997 & 991) that both made money, I had loads of other cars that lost money, I know have a 650S & I suspect it will be worth 10k less than yesterday!
Every car I've ever bought is what I wanted (& could afford) at that time, if I think that the depreciation will be too severe for me then I wont buy it, simples!!
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