Anyone here have a Mclaren?

to be fair to ferrari, i think they have the better looking exterior and interior plus engine sound. all these add to factors that make the car feel more special. however, to me, it wasn't enough to overcome the performance and technology advantages that the MP4 offered. in essence, the MP4 didn't lag too far behind on the categories that favored the 458 but the same cannot be said on the MP4's positives.

as to the car having "soul". the last modern day sportscar that has this, that i've owned or at least driven, is the Porsche RS 4.0. once you go flappy paddles and have so much computer aides built into the car, it takes away so much from the "soul" of driving it.

this is where the FGT excels IMO. it is manual, with no aides whatsoever, has lots of power and torque, yet it's able to deliver it with smoothness and confidence to the driver which equates to driving pleasure. it really comes down to talent and control to tame the beast. and it really does look exotic.

i basically think the 458 is a great car. probably the best that has come out of ferrari in years. and after driving it, i came out without faulting anyone who would choose it over the MP4 because it does shine in different areas and tickles a different type of fancy.

 

I think you have summed up what I was trying to say in my initial post to this thread. I understand and can appreciate that there are faster, better handling cars than the 458...but that's not all that I want from my recreational sportscar. I want the emotional and aesthetic intangibles that the Ferrari 458 offers "to me" and the MP4 did not.

 

OT, but I'll add the manual F430 to the list. It provides some electronic control, but not so much that it sells its soul. For a modern car, it's a very pure and involving driving experience. Of course, the old Ferraris offer even more.

I felt similarly about my '07 GT3 (traction control only) and my '06 Z06...the Z was definitely not a point-and-shoot type of car, it could get away from you real quick. Actually, I think that car had no soul, it was all demon!

Still, the 458 and the MP4 are truly fantastic, exciting cars. It just takes a bit more speed to really appreciate their impressive performance and that's where you'll find their soul.

 

I've said it over a dozen times already: the MP4 needs to be pushed hard to enjoy any visceral exchange. It definitely boogies and has all the in-cabin creature comforts one could possibly want.

I own an MP4 w/ non-sport exhaust & a slow poot-poot scuderia...was behind a few MP4s this past weekend through the mountains and twisties, couldn't even hear them up there or when they whizzed by me on the highway. They glided through the twisties, while I was slinging my scud all over the place, sweating through my balls and kicking up dust plumes.

Guess who was having more fun and enjoying a symphony? not only from my own car but an IPE 458 to boot =) The MP4s definitely conquered the bumps & mountain by sheer performance, but the scuderia definitely conquered them by passion and schoolgirl-like giggles.

The MP4 performance is undeniable. I came from an R8 to a CS then drove a 458, passed on that then went onto a Scuderia + MP4, and from that context, to me an MP4 feels like a gt with hypercar performance. When I drive the MP4 through the twisties, I feel invincible and like Ayrton Senna and the computer & I dance the dance and get away with anything at ridiculous rates of speed...in the Scuderia I am always afraid, my juices are constantly flowing & constantly grinning even though I was probably not even going that fast.

Figure out which rocks your boat & enjoy: Performance or Passion? Apple or Orange?

Happy motoring!

 

freshmeat I feel the same way when I drive my stradale. This is why we have multiple cars. Different tools for the job. I have McLaren friends and do McLaren events, I have Ferrari friends and do Ferrari events, and I have Ford friends and do Ford events. Its all good.

 

You need to push hard in the 12c to get there, perhaps not everyone is comfortable with that. The limits are quite high. I think the 458 is better if you prefer to hang back a little and enjoy more of the sound. The 12c adds a few more goodies to play with, the aero, brake steering and the air brakes. I do prefer the steering feel of the 12c. I've always felt the 458 has a little too much assist.

 

And who had the most fun driving behind that Scud of your

 

If it means you need to push the limits of a 12C to reach automotive nirvana , I'll keep my 458 and drive 6/tenths to achieve a similar experience.

For those that have a 458, Ford GT and a Mac , I tip my hat. Enjoy it to the fullest


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

I have 458 Spider and I've tested Mac 12C Coupe twice. I'm a Ferrari man, Overall I prefer 458. How it looks, how you feel, etc. But I have to say 12C gives you a most comfortable ride ever. Even compare to my Range Rover, It is superb. And Its interior is fantastic, very nice place to be. Ferrari interiors are bit chaotic as you know. MP4-12C is a very well made, very well engineered car. 3 states far? Who cares! Fly and try to find your answer. I promise worth it.

 

I have a GT500 with the 3.4 Whipple and 717 rwhp and 686 rwtq. What a blast to drive!

 

Yea, that 5.4 is mod friendly! My Dad has a Super Snake 427 GT500 and it is a blast!

 

Yes, after spending a weekend in the 12c I can say that Ferrari needs to step up their game on their interior. It made my 458 seem a generation behind.

 

I don't know if you've seen the Cadillacs but they've done a great job in intergrating the touch screen into the cars to make them look simple and work well. I think the Mac is also one that has done a good job of integrating the touch panel display where the Ferrari is a step behind.

Then again, the F430 radio and audio only Nav was a bit of an embarrassment so the 458 is a big step ahead from where they where.

 

I don't think you need to push the 12c to the limits to reach automotive nirvana, actually I'd say you could push it less because it has so much extra torque down low. You do have to push quite hard to reach its "limits" though, it has so much grip it almost seems like an AWD car (but doesn't feel like one).

 

We are talking turbo vs NA....NA is great but turbo is the dark side. When you go turbo sometimes you have a hard time going back. That being said I think the 458 scores higher all around when you take looks, engine, etc. Both great cars but when we look back we will remember the 458 more because Mclaren will make another generic car that is "faster" with new gadgets to replace this one. While Ferrari will takes it time to make another beauty, that may not be the fastest but will stand out the most.



All that being said...give me an Anventador! now that thing is a beast!

 

I totally agree , and main reasons i went from my 458 to my 12c honestly turbo its just a rush and pure power oh and the air brake is just simply AWESOME ! And now with update bye bye Aventador MP is faster and proven by

 

Interesting, I sat in the 12C and really did not like the interior at all. Seemed very clinical to me. I prefer my 458 interior. To each his own.

 

Totally agree. The really lucky folks get to have both the apple & orange!

I rather like the diverse mix on drives & car meets...you get to really appreciate the uniquely different things from each make. Plus non-Ferrari folks tend to dabble a bit more in mods which make for more colorful chats =)

 

Exactly, they all provide something different and all serve different purposes, it is silly to compare them and say which is better. They are all awesome for their intended purposes.

 

Unless the tires are cold.

-Gil

 

Can you turn off all the nannies in the McLaren like you can in the 458?

 

??

Yes

 

Damn...I thought you'd get that inside joke. Nevermind.

-Gil

 

Oh, THAT. Well, one of the latest changes with the v10 update is when you are in TRACK aero and TRACK drivetrain, the nanny controls are disabled. So perhaps you can answer/confirm the previous post better than I.

 

I didn't know Track aero and track drivetrain disabled the controls; I just thought it backed off (like Race Mode in the 458). Well then I feel much better...it's not my fault.

-Gil