458 vs McLaren MP4-12C--- Your thoughts?

I hate lewis. I wouldn't do it on principal alone.

 

my point wasn't about its looks. to each his own there.

but if its really that much faster around a track than a 458, then i'm blown away. anyone have a comment on the lap times of the two cars?

 

If lap times are that important then there are better choices than either of them.

 

This clip has been around a while. I think we discussed it like 20 pages ago.

For me, it doesn't matter any more than the Veyron can run rings around the 12C on the same race course.

It's not what they do on a track that matters. If it was, I'd buy an Ariel Atom and blast away to my heart's content.

It's what they do when you drive them on city streets that matters. That's why 99% of us buy these things.

 

I saw 5 of them, two weeks ago in Sarasota... they used a slightly different shade of red, and I thought the car looked great! First time seeing it in person, was pleasantly surprised that McLaren brought 5 cars in some great colors.
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I will agree with you that Ferrari's color pallet is a bit dated. And, I wish they had more exotic colors to choose from that didn't cost a new Fiat 500 to paint.

But, on the other hand, some colors can easily go out of fashion after a few years. You have to be careful. There are some Lambo colors of 5 years ago that I really want to shake my head when I see them.

I'm actually concerned about all the guys buying White now. It's a statement that 5 years from now, may not hold up very well. First time buyers like red. I can see it now: "You finally bought a Ferrari and it's ----white??? Are you kidding me?"

Color is a very personal thing. But, you can see when you paint a 360 and a 12C the same color, they really do look a lot alike. That's my point.

 

+1000. Just like the GTR, a technological Troll.

 

Yep, we were talking about the same thing today... lots of white Lambo's being sold over the last five years. White seems to be (like some lighter shades of yellow) very hard to keep looking fresh as it gets older.

I agree... the 12C photo in Ferrari Red, just morphs into the 360. I can't figure out why Lamborghinis generally don't look good in red either? Ferrari just has that shade locked-up when it comes to exotics.

A local car-guy is picking up his Aventador next week... he mentioned that paint-to-sample on his car was $42k, and Lamborghini is not offering very many colors as standard... but white is a standard color (our local dealers has a white one in their showroom)

 

My LA office is right around the corner from Lambo of Beverly Hills repair facility. I've seen quite a few Aventadors go in and out. One was in matt black. That car looked like a monster! But I don't think it would look good in Rosso Corsa IMO. I'm not sure why but even Countach's look better in something other than red.

BTW: The color of that pic of the 12c reminds me of lipstick! Not a fan...

 

Good grief...this again?!?

Also, I finally saw a 12C in person and was pleasantly surprised both by its looks (it was a darkish grey, perfect for it in the way that grey/silvers are perfect on Astons) and by the sound. Personal preferences are just that...and I do prefer the look and sound of the 458...but, I am thrilled that the 12C is around and a solid challenge to Ferrari...who wouldn't want that? Competition makes the breed...

 

What's the issue? People keep seeing new things about 12C. I don't see why you have to criticize the ongoing discussion. If people want to discuss it, then why not? You imply everything has already been said. I can see this thread going for years.

There is no perfect car. If it bores anyone, they can just avoid a simple click of the mouse.

As long as the discussion is honest, there's plenty still to learn and compare about these two fantastic machines. Compared to most of the 458 threads, this one at least is interesting!

 

Nice office perk

At the same show, I saw a Aventador in yellow and it was a "monster" (good choice of words). It was the most beautiful but outrageous car to date... but at the same time, it was so outrageous that it made the McLaren's simplicty seem right. Just the Lambo's width would create too much of a circus on the road (it looks huge). In contrast, the McLaren's clean, sleek, design, looked good in person... built to be driven without the circus.

On a funny note- a poor 458 had the unfortunate luck of being parked next to the Aventador. Don't get me wrong- the 458's a real beauty! But next to the super wide, low, Aventador the 458 had less stage presences than a Lotus Evora (its all relative).

 

Hey Bob, that's a few minutes from my office. Let's meet for lunch next time you're in LA. Send me a PM.

Rod

 

Once you experience the suspension in the 12C you will be changed forever. I test drove one yesterday and it is simply amazing. It's like a filter that smooths down all of the large amplitudes (like potholes, big bumps, etc) but it still allows you to feel the small cracks and bumps on the road. There isn't much that will unsettle the car. This is the future.

 

Well maybe a 458 or 2 as they put the MP4 another lap down on an actual race track. Mclaren owners can feel good in the fact though that they are maintaining a "smooth" ride.

 

I've had the opportunity to drive a 430 Challenge, a 458, a 458 Challenge and more recently this new McLaren. The 458C is huge leap forward from the 430C but this new McLaren suspension is something else.

In GT3, the McLaren isn't really the same car due to the rules for the series. It isn't fitted with the same suspension.

I am a Ferrari guy through and through (look at my profile). But you have to give props where it is due. Every car should have this sytem. Before you knock it, walk into a dealership and try it for yourself.

 

I drove a 458 on the bumpiest Seattle roads 2 weeks ago in the firmest shock setting. It was perfect for me. Plus it looks great, sounds great, etc, etc. Even if the MP4 can be driven over construction sites without feeling the slightest bump, it still doesn't do it for me.

 

+1. It's an aesthetic issue for me, not a performance one!

 

If that's the case, it has to be the Aventador.

 

A review from Chris Harris after driving the McLaren for a couple of days
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mKB-8WUB5k[/ame]

 

I think you missed the angle 483hp was approaching the conversation from. I am sure he wasn't praising the 12C's ability to float over speed bumps without spilling your latte.

>8^)
ER

 

I'd love to drive the Aventador but it's another type of exotic, than the 458, in my mind. More aggressive performance and look as well as over $100k more. Not a straight up comparison like the 12 c and the 458, IMHO.

 

The McLaren is an antiseptic car which only looks good on paper. A Ferrari is not just a car - It's all about emotion, passion and adrenaline. When did you get that from England? The only good English cars are those owned by foreign companies. Even Aston Martin are building the Rapide in Austria because it simply cannot be built in England.

 

Where have you been the last 100 years????

The English are not renowned for expressing their emotions in public, but boy do they express it in their cars. It is not for nothing that almost all Formula 1 teams have their base in England.

Listen - I'm also much more of an Italian car guy. But give credit where credit is due, please.


Onno
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Those cars are awesome.