McLaren Depreciation 12-C: a nightmare- werewolf?

They don't watch your money, nor is there any amazing management of supply/demand in the ROW. You can walk into dealers outside of the US and pay sticker for brand new cars all over. Then look at prices in Europe. Go try and buy a F12 in the US, then go to Europe and buy one well under sticker with low miles.

The US is an anomaly in the exotic car market. Every other market sees much higher depreciation. Maybe not as bad as the 12C, but no where near as good as the US.

 

Exactly, we are simply debating very minor differences in two of the world's most outstanding sports cars. Owning either is a dream come true.

I need to remind myself this is some rarefied air I find myself breathing just because I worked hard enough to buy a 458. It just happened to my dream car.

 

This thread is an example of what we need more of from enthusiasts. Passion not vitriol. We all have every right to favor a car, but not at the expense of others. I, for one, considered buying a 12C along with my other 7 cars including a 458, but my my wife could not enter or exit the car with her dignity remaining. I found the cabin a bit cramped for my tastes as well as a lack of interior aesthetics. I have a bias against turbos even though I enjoy my Porsche Twin TurboS. The sound disappoints and there is always some lag.

I read carefully the opinions of those who are able to and have purchased the cars discussed. Others necessarily have not "experienced" these cars themselves, and although entitled to their opinion, can only say what they "think". Those who pay for something truly exppress themselves and so like many an artist (beauty is in the eye of the beholder), a work of art or car may not be for everyone, but usually is for someone. Best

 

This is what I wrote to myself to help me decide between the two when I started my search:

I had the unbelievable pleasure of driving the 12C and a 2012 458 back to back, AWESOME cars!!!! Just amazing! I do love the Mclaren but I REALLY loved the 458. The Mclaren is a fantastic vehicle, so ridiculously fast, smooth, felt so solid, you could feel the difference between each mode especially the track mode with the exhaust open, truly a masterpiece, but I felt cramped compared to the 458. The car has a comfortable ride but I was not comfortable in it. It's not the easiest to get in and out of either. Maybe there is a special way you learn and I just did not master it. I have a tall athletic build and it just did not feel natural. I know my wife and she would never want to take it anywhere because of that....... I have to say fit and finish is superb! Steering wheel itself felt a bit strange, kind of coned in, but good steering feel. The 458 is just different, can't explain it, it just is. I could not stop smiling and laughing, my face hurt after driving it! I felt comfortable with plenty of room. Loved the feel of the wheel. The sound my goodness the sound is intoxicating like a monster is chasing you! The Mclaren build quality is a bit better and the CF on the Mclaren is the best weave and depth I have ever seen! The one I drove had all 2013 updates. No doubt it is faster than the 458, but I really enjoyed getting there in the 458 even if I came in second place. I now have abandoned my seach for a Mclaren and started my search for a 458. It just feels right to me. If I could afford both I feel that would be perfect, or if I had already owned a 458 I believe the 12C would be a great choice, but if I can have only one I have to make it the Ferrari.

Best
Todd

 

Then this:

I am 6'2" 185lbs athletic build. Once in the 12C I fit just fine my head did not hit the roof and my legs were not in my chest, but my shoulder room felt confined and I did not feel my arm to steering wheel distance was ever quite right. The wide sill and high center console is what does it I felt stuck between them. It's like stepping into a deep soaking tub that you had to step over a stool to get to while bending down to miss the ceiling (ie the door). I always wondered when I saw pictures of the 458 why the center console was so small and low and now I understand because it opens the feeling of space inside. I am by no means claustrophobic I just felt tight, god forbid I gain 30 lbs that would be even tougher. The 12C steering wheel is also different it is shaped like a cone like a go cart wheel with an oblong pointed feel to the 12 and 6 o'clock positions I am talking about the actuall rim itself not the overall shape but a round normal feel to the sides. The switchgear always seemed bigger in pics and vids but are actually quite small and plastic I thought for sure they would be aluminum. They feel fine not cheap but the car seems so well built and solid it just felt like the should be milled. The car is tame when you want and ridiculously fast if you want! I mean FAST! If you want a supercar you can put miles on in any condition the 12C is fantastic even long trips would be fine. I personally am looking for a weekend sunny day stress relieving car that kicks me in the rear each time I drive it. I would not dream of taking a road trip in the 458 or use as a daily driver. It's that desert I get on my cheat days!

My 458 went Status 90 today!!!

Todd

 

You forgot to mention the Z8, by the way great bunch of cars you have and congrats on the 458 Spider from a 12C Owner and 458 Fan.

 

Phil-You are my HERO!

That is exactly how I feel!

 

LOL, good point!

 

This thread presses all the "hot buttons" of the McLaren-Ferrari confrontation. In my own case I tend to buy a car based on the "I want it" factor and how well the car meets those wants. Finances matter but are secondary to the want, and I do not consider myself brand-loyal. I own a 458 and would not consider a McLaren in its present state of development.

Gasoline on the fire.

 

i sold my 458 spider 15minutes after driving a 12c spider

so more gasoline on the fire
i "really wanted it"

 

+1

Latest I'm more tempted to switch from Ferrari to Lamborghini than to McLaren.

For me, the fastest car is not automatically the best car. IMO McLaren has to prove itself a couple of years and more then one generation of cars. McLaren today is for me an investment company which launched with the 12-C the first product.

Of course I will definitely watch McLaren. Because for a first product the 12-c has become extremely competitive.

 

What were the main reasons?

 

carbon fiber tub, amazing paint finish, drop dead sexy doors
perfect errgonomics, making you feel like driving a single seater
state of the art suspension set-up with amazing feel and adjustment
incredible power and torque
no chassis flex
transmission feels like a bolt action rifle
amazing build quality
air brake that makes you laugh every time you get into it!

i could go on....

 

Fax machine

 

i dont even know what that means?

is that like calling the ferrari a fiat?

 

Thank you.

We are on the same page, those are exactly what I love about the 12C that is missing on the 458.

 

I have no idea but it's brilliant and sums it up so well. I suppose that's why ron called it mc-12c beep beep ba beep ?

 

I don't know what that means either and I saw that comment many times already, please explain.

 

Calling it a Fax Machine likens it to an appliance that has no character which performs an unexciting function.

Not sure I'd go that far when describing the MP4 but, after seeing many in person and talking to previous owners, I understand the jab.

 

if you call 0-60mph in 3secs and a topspeed of 203mph unexciting, we are all agreed

 

Thank you

I would call a Camry or a 528i an appliance, all performance cars are fun in their own ways. Even as slow as the Fiat 500 Abarth is, still have their own entertainment value.