http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/McLaren_Prices_MP4-12C_for_US_Customers_at_229_000.html Would be nice if they'd get a car in the hands of the automotive press so we could truly understand what you might be getting for this money. The bar keeps getting raised, so not sure where they will end up in terms of the extreme performance envelope defined by Ferrari, Lamborghini, and others. Fascinating to watch this all unfold.
Cheaper than I thought by 20 grand. But, if you add the CCB's, it's slightly higher than a 458. But, a good value for a CF car with that performance.
If anyone plans to track it,steel brakes make more sense as they are cheap (relatively to CCBs) to replace. On top of it,they are supposedly lighter too....
I want one. I want one! I want one... Resale/residual values in terms of depreciation has more-or-less become an exact science w/ late-model/contemporary Ferrari's. I am quite intrigued towards how such will be the case for the MP4-12C. It is anticipated that they will be produced in the 1,000's per-year (not sure of how many USDM imports). Will they hold their values robustly like Ford GT's, adequately like Porsche Carrera-GT's, respectably like Ferrari V8-MR's, moderately like Lambo Gallardo's, tepidly like Mercedes-McLaren SLR's, or sub-par like Aston Martin DB9's/DBS's...(?)
On one hand you would say yes. Production will be very limited so anyone who wants one will have to wait quite a while or pay over sticker. On the other hand, there's not enough information. What will a CF car cost to insure? What is the maintenance like? (the Mc F1 is notorious on this). What's the reliability like given so few dealers are around to service it? You would say it should do well in resale but people may just be put off by the costs and complexities of ownership.
Because it's a McLaren. Very exclusive don't you think. I have seen one McLaren on the road here in NY, ever(F1 at the Americana in Manhassett 2008), yet I can see a Ferrari everyday and have even seen Jim's P4/5 numerous times.
There are plenty of cars you can get for a lot less that will be more exclusive. For me it has to be the whole package, not just exclusivity. My F355 was great..if a little slow...at the track. The F430 is brilliant at the track, yet can be (and often is) my daily driver. In my neighborhood it is very exclusive, but I don't care. It's a great car, and a lot of fun to drive on the street and track. My plan is to trade it in on the McLaren but would sure like to know that the McLaren will outpace it on the track as well as the street. I had a 911 GT3 (way more exclusive than the F430) and it sucked at the track compared to the F430...in fact I traded it in on the F430 for that very reason. Anyway, we all have our own reasons for wanting what we want and none of us are right or wrong in this aspect of our lives....I don't define myself by the cars I drive...some do. That's OK....it's all about being happy with what you have, right? And I never am! Anyway, we should be seeing FIRST DRIVES all over the place soon. Will be interesting to see how it compares to the 458.
A turbo car built by a British outfit that has never designed an engine before, I'd say run. The reason the F1 is so good is because it had a BMW engine in it, but this will have a McLaren engine in it and that could be a big problem.
I believe McLaren set that bar many years ago with the F1. Still considered one of the best cars ever built.
And the McLaren F1 was their first street car. Arguable the greatest street car ever. I think the engine won't be an issue.
Even though this car seems as exciting to me as regular oatmeal, it's some SERIOUS performance and engineering for what seems like a pretty good price.
Any guesses on real out-the-door prices? Will there be a big premium, or can McLaren deliver enough cars relative to demand to get one at list?
The dealers are signing up customers at MSRP. No games. In writing. I've attached the options pricing for USA. I think we're talking something in the range of $265K - $285K "reasonably" optioned. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yes. I got a quote for a "reasonably" optioned 458 that ran about $265 -- probably $280 out the door with taxes and license incl. Let's face it.. McLaren and it's dealers are eager to get customers signed up ASAP. They need to know real production numbers for the next year. They're a start up company and there's always risk in that.
I was able to downsize the options brochure so I could post it here....ADOBE 9.0 or higher. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thank you for the PDF attachments, fasthound. I might be the rare minority who isn't drawn to cosmetic/superficial CF parts! Works out well for me, as the potential savings results in tens of thousands of dollars (if/when I finally spec' one)! Though, for notable weight-reduction, I'm all for it. Regarding subtle/sublimated cosmetic enhancements on aero & interior bits, high-tech/high-quality vinyl/film materiel has come a long ways in the past few years (thanks 3M, DuPont and others!). Overlaying front-splitter, rear diffuser, sills, etc would be a route I'd take w/ matte/textured surfaces) for aesthetic appeal as well as protection & combating incessant wear-&-tear. Another noted big-ticket item seems to be the McLaren "Carbon Ceramic Brakes" @ ~$13k+. I'm not sure of the proprietary fabrication/technology employed by McLaren w/ their offering (ie. is it similar to Porsche, Ferrari, ZR1, Aston Martin?). If it's like the other manufacturers, then a better option would be to get the OEM/standard steel-brakes & get Mov'It to construct their own current gen. replacement carbon ceramic brake-discs (along w/ their applicable oversized brake-pads) for use w/ the existing calipers. Mov'It carbon ceramic discs have proven to be significantly better than the OEM/factory carbon ceramic offerings (it's been said that they use a steel disc that is then applied w/ carbon ceramic treatment of shavings/flakes layering process, etc). Whereas, Mov'It discs are actual layers of carbon ceramic & genuinely reputed to last a lifetime, whether random street action or relentless track application. Going by the wear-&-tear reported by track enthusiasts w/ their OEM carbon ceramic brakes (underwhelming longevity), the Mov'It option seems to be a no-brainer (along w/ still possessing the steel-brake setup for resale appeal). I am digging the lightweight wheels option. And obviously, a personalized interior in terms of colors/stitching/textures-&-fabrics goes w/o saying. I'm generally a simple guy, so 2-tone (leather/Alcantara) w/ contrast-stitching along w/ some high-tech' fabrics is more than adequate for me. Just food-for-thought, obviously everyone has different wants/needs as well as requirements/preferences. . .
Totally agree with you regarding the CF bits....if it doesn't truly save weight, I'm not all that interested. I actually like the aluminum trim on the interior. I must save though that I really like the look of the CF outside mirror shells, but $2200 seems crazy when, as you say, you can just wrap it with vinyl. The big weight reduction items are the wheels, the exhaust, and the seat backs from what we've all been able to put together (McLaren is rather spotty on details unfortunately). Several of us who have deposits down keep asking for weights for the options with ZERO response from the factory so far.
Anybody concerned with reliability should have a read, here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/31761255/Automotive-Testing-Technology-International-June-2010 This is not your average British car company and not your average test program! Not to say there won't be any issues, whatsoever, but if you are okay with an Italian car that catches on fire and shuts down at altitude as delivered by the factory, then you are probably at least as well off with McLaren. p.s. Engine is designed and built in partnership with Ricardo, who has extensive experience: http://www.ricardo.com/Our-Markets/High-Performance-Vehicles-And-Motorsport/Engine-Engineering/
Well put, and if you saw the build quality of this car and its rolling chassis and the attention to detail, it is incredible.
