MCLAREN 720S OR 488

Performante would be my choice among the three at the moment. And it's probably the slowest in a straight line/has the least power. That beautiful NA engine matters.

 

Pretty much no car is worth the delta in price when you get into these figures.

The premium is because it's newer, it's faster, and subjectively more exotic looking. That's really all you pay for when you buy a new exotic. The price really has very little to do with what you're physically getting.

 

I thought about a Perfomante except regular Huracans seem to be the most mass produced supercar on the market, not to mention it shares the same basic underpinnings/powertrain as the R8. I also never warmed up to the sound of the V10.

 

This thread is an exercise in human psychology. We're talking about beliefs and why we have them. Why are some of you in the Ferrari camp while others love the Mac? The truth is, no one can really say why they have come to hold their beliefs with regard to anything. Think of your favorite color...do you ever recall weighing the facts and choosing it over others? What about your favorite food? Religion?

We all form our opinions in wholly unknown ways and then go about trying to justify them after-the-fact with selective weighing of evidence that upholds our beliefs. We are not in control, there is no free will, we are conscious agents who are trying to make sense of our experiences. And this leads us to some erroneous associations and rationalizations.

Drive what you love. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone. No one has to understand why it makes sense. It doesn't have to make sense.

 

I guess what Im saying is the for me, the eye sockets aren't worth the extra 150k in premium. I know for many they will have no hesitation to get the 720. Im on the sidelines for now.

 

One would buy a $300K car based solely on instincts? Preferences based on previous subjective experiences and objective knowledge have nothing to do it? With that premise, schooling is basically useless then!

 

I agree the delta in price is more set by market forces (what people will pay) than any tangible (what you are getting for the money) factor.

 

Well yeah, those matter, but only to you. No one else gives a **** though. Buy what you want for whatever reason you want, but trying to justify it to others is pointless because it's perfectly valid and reasonable for them to say, "No, I think it sounds/looks/feels bad. End of story."

 

In case of the favorite color you might be right. But we are discussing about complex products with many different characteristics, they provide facts and figures and fulfill various criteria.

I guess the decisions are based on many different evaluation processes. There are rational, irrational, facts based, emotional or also socially driven processes, there are many different reasons why someone buys a particular product, or in this case a super car. And I'm sure most people can tell exactly why they bought something specific. But do they want to say it? No, not all - and this is ok so, let it be a game of hide-and-seek.

To a large extent such a discussion lives on the defense of one's own decision, of personal preferences and also from the provocation to to bring somebody out of his shell. And all of that makes the discussion so exciting!

 

Each of these cars have capabilities that exceed the skill of most drivers, not to mention they are primarily road vehicles where it is impossible to safely and legally come close to their limits. For lapping, I think a dedicated track car is much safer and more fun to drive.

For a sports or super car, my top criteria are aesthetics and engine sound. Both being emotional qualities. I agree they are complex products - but our reasons for buying them are simple

 

I agree with this, although, in my case, I would add "brand", "history" and "lineage", which is why I enthusiastically bought a 488 GTB. I love the looks, I love the sound, and being part of the Ferrari legacy feels awesome.

 

My point is that most people have no clue "why they bought something specific." Why it was red and not black. They simply make up a story, a narrative, to rationalize their choice as though it was one they consciously made by weighing the evidence. All of our choices, preferences, and desires arise either through internal stimuli, external stimuli, or randomly. We are only consciously aware of these things after they have taken hold. We confabulate and make up a narrative to explain that we in fact were the agents of those choices but this is always after-the-fact.

Many studies have shown you can manipulate people's choices simply by the wording on a questionnaire. When you ask them why they made those specific choices, everyone gives you a detailed answer as to their reasoning, completely oblivious to the real reason why they made their selection - because you manipulated the form.

Back to the car though, I agree with you in that if you have 300k and are not sure what to buy then yeah go ahead and look at the options and weigh everything. But, don't be fooled into thinking it is a rational, conscious decision. After all, you may be on your way to a Ferrari dealership with check in hand and just before you open the door you hear a sublime sound coming from a 650S driving by that forever resonates with your soul. When you end up getting the 650S you will tell everyone it's because of this and that, numbers, and etc. And all the while it was a random act that overtook your faculties and left you speechless.

 

You don't really love the looks, the sound, and being part of the legacy....you've been manipulated into thinking you do.......



Jim

 

I get the logic of this, and there is no doubt something in it. But I think it goes too far. Something touches our soul, could even be a few things, we make a choice based on these things and then try to rationalise it afterwards. I get that part. But that thing that touches our soul, that is more logical than all the 0-100 in x, 0-200 in y, 6.xx around the neverquickenoughring.

I think we buy these cars because they make us feel good in some way. Perhaps they are a reflection of us in a small part. We then have to live with the other stuff - how does it ride, how much does it make us smile over the other 90% of journeys, does it depreciate too much, is it reliable enough, what is the quality like, how do I get treated? With experience we begin to understand the importance of those things, and suddenly, they too start to become part of what stirs our soul.

 

Well stated!

 

I love how most comment, and most have not driven both of these cars. No opinion can be formed on driving experience period if you have not driven either or. If resale value is your game, then yes the 488 should probably be your choice. Looks and sound are subjective. I would drive both before making a decision.

 

Sorry initially posted in the wrong thread


Drove the 720 yesterday. It is a big move forward from the 650 and a very fast, great handling sports car. It almost feels like you are driving a prototype, the carbon chassis is so solid it feels like a kart with a suspension. The steering is fantastic and the throttle response and acceleration is frightening when you are in the rev range range it likes. The MCL feels almost digital vs the Ferrari's real world feel. Its a very different personality that lacks some of the joie de vivre I feel in the Ferrari. The interior feels utilitarian rather than luxurious but also feels more dedicated to the task at hand. It's not better or worse just different, but impressive all the same.

 

thanks for the review, which Ferrari are you comparing it to

 

I can't believe this thread is still going. Mental mast..... at its best

 

well you kept it going with your new post, lol

 

My 458 Aperta is the car I was thinking about as both are mid-engine. The TDF is a different type of power being a naturally aspirated ultra performance front engine V12. I described the McLaren as digital in comparison to the raw yet luxurious analog nature of the Ferraris. Different, yet both the 720 and the Aperta are great sport cars, but I still wouldn't trade the Aperta for the 720!

 

Last chance before I put deposit down on 720 so I tested 488 today. Wow. You can't compare. Order placed on 720. Managed to keep price at 345k. I get the sound difference between the two cars but to be honest, 488 felt like a slug after driving the 720. And no, it's not just a 0-60 thing. Steering better, suspension better, car felt alive and was simply angry when you pressed the start button. Nuff said. Can't compare the two cars. Emotions? I still have a smile after driving both cars but 720 is in a different league. Honest. I am getting a second hand 458 in time as more daily driver. Best value out there. But kudos on 720. Wow. Now the long wait begins. Ferrari will need to step up but that's a good thing for the loyalists.

That said, all great cars in the end and we are all lucky to be able to own one.

 

720s

 

Well said

 

Ron Dennis is selling out. He's done at McLaren.

Ex-McLaren boss Dennis waves chequered flag with £275m stake sale

Will they have "Dennis era" cars? And if so, is the 720s one of them? Maybe on the cusp?