Ferrari 458 Speciale vs Lamborghini Huracan vs McLaren 650S

I vote for 1 as well

 

I'm shocked

But it's a killer car.

 

Actually my point was/is clear. Lamborghini has produced more of each model car they make than Ferrari, saturating the market and leading to higher depreciation. Over the last ten years they have produced 2 cars effectively (a v10 and a v12) While Ferrari makes more actual cars they make less of each model for the run of the car. Over the life of the Gallardo, we had the 360, f430 and the 458. Given you've purchased 30 exotics in the last 10 years I assume you know this and likely own/have owned all of them. I agree there is no point in arguing as it's not the intention of the OP.

I've got a speciale on order July production with sept delivery so yes I'm biased. . #1 for sure

 

Awesome--that might be the last one made...you will enjoy it for sure

 

That's exactly what I was told. I can't say absolute last but certainly one of them. They close 458 production in July and change the line over to the 488.

 

Have to try all three on the street and track before any comment can be made.

 

I have always wondered if the Huracan in the MotorTrend test was goosed up by the factory for the test, like most Ferrari's were in days past (see Chris Harris issues).

Sound, looks, price, rarity all going for the Huracan.
If they make a few tweaks while Ferrari goes quiet with the 488, perhaps more biz goes their way.

Naw!

 

Will be interesting to see how long NA engines will be around for Lambo--have a feeling quite a while. Only time will tell.

 

Tex I hate burst your bubble but I drove a HURACAN extensively (borrowed one for a weekend) before I drove the Speciale. There is no comparison. The Lambo has a fake feedback feel and sound, it simply isn't as good as the Speciale. And the back end of the thing is butt ugly. I do love the suspension though...

 

7 year annual maintenance included although the zero cost is a fallacy as like BMW, it is built into the MSRP.

I would add choice #4) 488. That's what I'm doing.

Real life experience which mirrors those that actually OWN a Huracan. I'm not a Lambo fan but damn is the Huracan easy to drive. My biggest gripe is the lack of rearview visibility even with TEB (transparent engine bonnet a must have option) but easily remedied by rear camera. The exterior mirrors blow away the 458. The Huracan is totally civil in city traffic and a beast on the open road. The DCT is as good as the 458. The engine crackles and pops like Rice Krispies on Molly.

Ignorants say the
1) the design isn't different enough from the Gallardo
2) the engine change is only incremental and not revolutionary
3) Lamborghini keeps the same model for 10 years and makes waaay too many variants (yet they don't complain about their 911s which all look the same and have a gazillion variants as well)
4) it's just a re-badged R8

You and I know the truth and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Grigio Lynx on red and black guts is yummy.

If I had balls, it would be Verde Scandal all day, AKA F-ck Me Green

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL6pJEwjGWw

LMAO

/thread

Oh noes here we go again like the P1 vs 918 vs LaF

Not always true. I DD my Spider and it's a much better daily then my 911. YMMV.

Congrats. We are truly blessed to own any of these marquees. It's win-win all around brosef.

 

Good thing for Tex everyone doesn't feel the same way as him or his ride wouldn't be as unique.

 

Speciale is not a DD. I completely disagree on your points, but of course you are entitled to your opinion. Not bursting my bubble as I drove both as well, and found Huracan was a better driver for me. I think back is hot--but we probably disagree on back end of women also.

But hey if you're happy with your Speciale, I won't bash...that's the difference.

 

Hi Rod. Quick question (I don't mean to high jack this thread). Is the Speciale warranty 36 months and unlimited mileage? What do you get with 7 years free maintenance? Thank you.

 

Exactly. Read the OP carefully, he's clearly prioritizing daily usability over 6 times a year at the track.

 

Well to quote OP "I want the unbiased answers on which car would be amazing as a Daily Driver".

Get the best of both world--Huracan is track ready and MUCH better daily than other alternatives.

Again, just replying to OP and HIS needs.

 

I agree with you 100%, look at my litany of posts. I'm referencing other posters recommending the Speciale. Prolly garage queen owners who don't daily their cars

 

Yes, that's correct . You get free yearly maintenance that would normally run $1,000 - $1,200.

 

Except it's not really free. Paid for by the increase in base msrp from 2011 to 2012😉

 

Of course, nothing is truly free .

 

J to tha L.O. Hello

 

Well now I don't have to come see you for right calf implant since I'm no longer daily driving my 6 speed Carrera S.

You know left calf hypertrophy and all😷

 

Not enough mention of the McLaren on this thread. For daily driving, it is the one to have - an incredible machine. I personally don't like the front face but own a 12C. I also have a Speciale coming off the line right now!

The Speciale is sharp and an absolutely brilliant car, the Lambo thing never really floated my boat and probably less so since Audi took over (sorry Texex, I won't criticise the car because I have never driven one, it's just probably an 'illogical' taste thing - not relevant to the OP).

The 12C that I own has done the most miles in first 12 months ownership of any expensive car I have ever owned, and it is absolutely brilliant. It is quite different to the Speciale, where the Speciale uses familiar technology to deliver something like a zenith for supercars as we know them IMO. The McLaren way of doing things is very different. It is not familiar technology, it is revolutionary and whether that suits you depends on your point of view. I bought one because I love technology. I bought the Speciale because I love supercars and Ferrari in particular.

With the McLaren, the controversial bit is the thing 'drivers' judge sports cars by. The "how do I control the car when on the limit and what does it feel like" thing. It is here where the McLaren takes a different road and why some members of the press have been less complimentary. The best way to describe the difference in philosophy between the Ferrari and the McLaren is this: Ferrari wants to maximise your control while driving fast, the McLaren wants to maximise your speed while staying in control. It's a subtle but important difference. What I can say, and in my view something that is not a matter of opinion, is that the way the McLaren goes about its stuff does make it a better and more usable all-rounder. The suspension is borderline voodoo - very comfortable, yet the car corners flat even in the softest mode and when in race mode it is electric! Despite the hydraulic suspension, open diff, brake steer, air brake and active aero, this is a car that still feels very intuitive to drive fast. You don't think too much about the systems, you start to feel how they respond and work them automatically into the way you drive. It is exciting too. Some say that you are not the one driving the car but that's nonsense really. You can go faster than you would ever believe and all the while the car is shouting "come on, more, more". It is exhilarating in the right hands.

I don't do track driving with my own cars (so far) but do long road trips to Europe at, shall we say, decent speed. The Alps and that sort of thing. I'm told that the McLaren will understeerer on track compared to the Speciale and I can believe that, however, on the road with mere P Zeros as fitted to my car, no sign of it at all.

One caveat I will add is that my car is a Spider and I wouldn't have a coupe. There are no stiffness demerits to the Spider because of McLaren's carbon tub - if you like open air motoring and brilliant driving, the carbon tub makes the McLaren hard to beat as a package. This also helps with the sound, although with the sports exhaust (my car is fitted with it) and either the rear window or the roof lowered, there are no complaints from me about the sound. True it is gruff and angry and it roars rather than screeches but I'm ok with that. For reference my other cars have included the 12 cylinder Aston DBS, a Capristo equipped 430 and a CS, so you'll have to forgive me believing I do know what good sound is. The McLaren's sound and exhaust is an entertaining partner on a fast drive with pops and bangs everywhere and a good level of volume and easily enough anger to make you feel you're in something special. It is not sweet, it is mean.

As for the turbo power delivery, it is clearly a 'feature' of the car, as it will be for 488 and other modern supercars. I do prefer n/a but that does not invalidate turbos. You'll have to forgive me but saying "don't like turbos except for F40" smacks of hearing things other people have said and allowing that to form your view. No bother, I have been there and happen to love the F40 too, though have never driven one. Followed one across Ireland once in my CS though. It is an awesome car.

The point is, when everyone says "drive them and make up your own mind", guess what? They're right. At least, it's fine to listen to opinion and discuss this stuff, but let that give you perspective and then before making a decision drive the cars. You learn that journalists are affected by mood to some degree and more importantly, they judge by what they feel is important and for their own driving ability and preferences and they are different to yours. It is NOT obvious that a 10/10 car is better for you than an 8/10 car. Try them.

Anyhow, the turbo. 12C has very little turbo lag above 3k rpm and below that you rarely need instant response anyway. (Stelvio pass is one place I discovered it does make a difference!). And the payback? Well, it's obvious isn't it? The McLaren is QUICK. Very very quick. I have chased F12s, Aventadors, Speciales etc. all over Europe and vice versa with a group of like minded mates. The McLaren is most likely the fastest point to point of all of them, just. The 650 would likely be quicker still. The bit I don't know is how we all compare as drivers - I think they have a big respect for my abilities. I think it's the car but am happy to let them think on!

It would be a mistake to discount the McLaren unless you don't like the looks or don't feel like the brand suits you. As for driving and the car itself it is completely brilliant, unique and worth an hour of anyone's time in my view.