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

Interesting, so I hear that the suspension allows the car to feel "comfortable, and soothing..."
I hear that these are cars are becoming more "easy to drive" with the advanced technology in these cars....but are they veering away from the pureness of "sportscar?"

I love the 430 for it's feedback on the road and "feeling" the handling, but with even more technology the driving experience feels "numb," and there is very little effort to driving some of these future cars.
I have to say I really miss the feel of my Lotus Elise on windy roads, where there is no power anything - no technology to handicap and numb the visceral driving experience.

The purest form of driving for me is in my Lotus 211 on track....little technology, but superb handling and extraordinary feedback....that's what gets my adrenaline pumping!

 

Very true.

However, the 12C reminds me of a 1980's concept car. The look seems to have allready been done somewhere --------------but not.

 

That last one needs a V8

 

An F-Chat member from Florida has one with a V-8. It's in the British section.

 

+1

 

Just test drive the McLaren and was surprise with the torque. The acceleration is faster than my 458 and the brake steer works wonders on corners. With the switch of the powertrain/handling mode, the feel/ride of the car changes completely. If there is a McLaren dealership near you, go try it. They have built a fantastic car.

 

I am sure McClaren have built a wonderful car, I just love the look of the 458 just got mine and if you think the Mc is better it must be some car! if I could afford it I would have both but I can't so subject over, poor poor me! Trying to work but just want to go home and drive!

 

Those cars WERE quite awesome...

 

All is forgiven.


Onno

 

I can agree for the F1 teams but that is very much linked to financial reasons as well.
If we are talking about the last 100 years you might have a point but where is the English car industry today? Morgan and Rover are not particularly exciting. Caterham and Ariel are more fitting for Donald Duck. The Germans run Rolls Royce, Bentley and Mini. The Indians take care of Jaguar and Land Rover which pretty much sums up the successful brands. Aston Martin is manufacturing the Rapide in Austria because of quality concern in the UK. Not much left really apart from McLaren which started in F1 and is a relatively new player as a car manufacturer.
The empire is not what it used to be ol' chap...

 

I know that. Everyone knows that. But your question was: when did we ever get adrenalin, passion and emotion from England? So I showed you exactly when we got it from them. Note that I didn't include an MP4 dash twelve cee..


Onno

 

You're correct. The only thing they are chewing right now is tons of money.

 

I was trained as a clinical psychologist, so forgive me when I say , the length of this thread suggests some "defensiveness". I have just ordered a 458 and don't feel like I am missing anything. However, for those who must squeeze out every last drop of grease from these comparisons, may I respectfully offer you a site that will drive you crazy (in a good way) http://www.supercarworld.com/cgi-bin/listall.cgi

Best

 

I need too learn to spell! Sorry McLaren.

 

no doubt its got super car performance, just not quite exotic feels though.
and a 3.8 TT engine?

 

OK, call me a prick, but since when is a BMW Z4 as on this list a SUPERCAR? I rolled over a bit. My father has one and loves it, but it is a far cry from a Z8 isn't it?

 

I would not call you any name. My point was/is not what constitutes a "super car" , but if forced to make a choice, we need to "rank" options, one higher and one lower, if for no other reason to relieve ourselves of not owning both.In this case, we might say the McLaren is technologically superior but the Ferrari has "soul". The real question is , If you can afford both, will you buy both or do either one meet the need?

In my case I may buy both, but by the time I clear a garage to make room something else may draw my attention, which seems to be the case when you can choose what you want.

The good news is that many here appreciate all cars. It is analogous to two people visiting an art museum, one knowing nothing of the artwork, while the other knows the artist, the medium, and its history. Each viewer sees something very different. Best

 

Bob: if there is one thing we need in Nevada, it's more "clinical psychiatrists"! You must be a busy man!

Guys: we're all buddies here. .

 

I am set to drive a 458 and MacClaren back to back next Thursday (and an Aventador). I may report on impressions. However, no matter what, I think that the MacClaren looks so generic mid engine sports car to the point where it could be art for a tire ad. Stephenson needs to develop a lasting identity for Mac designs.

 

Agree, at least the Aventador has an identity. The McLaren looks a bit like a Japanese car to me.

 

Please do, I want to do the same. Are you going to Exotics racing in Vegas?

 

No, it's a driving experince put on by this group http://dxlus.com/ You start in the Napa Valley and end in Santa Monica, all on public roads. 9 cars: 458, California, Aventador, LP560, R8 V10, SLS AMG, McLaren. GT-R, and (believe it or not) a Roll Royce Ghost.

 

I must admit that review by ch was a bit inspiring. I connect with his opinions moreso than jc or stig/racerx/whomever. Brake steering and tto was one of my specialities before computers did all the work.

 

The Germans also run Lamborghini - which, lets face it, is a defunct company & relic without the Germans! Just had to get that in there so we could dispense with any negative connotations of car makers being run by other companies.

You didnt mention Lotus who as we know are unfortunately having a tough time. They were always one of the straight competitors to Ferrari in both racing and road cars right through the 90's and they always did fairly well. They never had the badge recognition or the panache but performance-wise they were equal or better in most cases.

The McLaren is a heckuva car. So is the 458. You cant lose with either one. Looks are subjective so just use that criteria. Or, as I suspect, most who have the $250K for the 458 can just scoop the Mclaren too. Problem solved

 

The Lamborghini point is off topic as it has never been based in the UK.

Lotus... I can agree with you that they did FAIRLY well (20 years ago). That's about it. A lot of cars did fairly well 20 years ago. But today they are still thinking about what to do next.

Why would anyone buy a McLaren if you already have a 458? You just get a bland copy and a car which is as exciting as a certified accountant (even confirmed by all major UK car journalists).

The wooden Morgans still look funny though....