MCLAREN 720S OR 488

I don't race for a living but I do get a kick out of having the fastest time at my local track in a 675LT. Biggest award I've won is a Buck Knife (and proud of it!) Sometimes it's just about having fun. All the other stuff you mention, branding, quality, experience, exists on both sides. It's just a harmless discussion nobody is trying to convert you.

 

Most of us enjoy it due to its branding, quality in product, performance and Ferrari experience.

Let's break that down a bit though:
Branding - if you mean "heritage" or legacy than I get it however branding is most often used a as marketing descriptor not a buying motivator but I digress

Quality in product - if that's the case have you personally examined a 720S? It seems the vast majority that have experienced it for themselves seem to be of the opinion the car is simply amazing. Granted Ferrari has come a LONG ways from quality in the 348/355 and should be praised for stepping up their game with the 458 and on.

Performance - what is your matrix for "performance"? Is it 0-60, top speed, track times, feel/emotion, to each his own but right now on pure numbers it seems the 720S has raised the bar considerably. Naturally those who chose to stay with whatever they have will of course simply gravitate to whatever they matrix deem they are superior in to justify their position usually just dismissing any/all other choices. Change is hard for most people, changing minds/paradigms is FAR tougher

Ferrari experience - I believe that only a tiny handful here believe the common marketing/business practices of Ferrari are thought of in high regard. A company being nice to you because you came in and spent >$300K doesn't make them a provider of a good experience. The concept of not being able to buy a car at the time you want it, the crap pulled to assure "privileged customers" are coddled whereas the others are left to the whim of Ferrari dealers and treated like leftovers who should be grateful to buy a used 2 year old car at MSRP when their done and wish to move on to another purchase or face the alternative of getting their joy toy 1-2 years AFTER chosen people have had theirs... all this to pretend you're "part of the club" doesn't sit well with most. so many put value into "exclusivity" and seem to be willing to sell their souls to be "part of the club"... I buy used, have my indi work on it, I feel no need to pay to fit in with anyone but your mileage may vary

 

Well said and congrats on the Buck Knife

 

So what's wrong in disliking some cars? Is that a crime?

 

No bragging rights unless you do it at sonoma -

 

Haha yeah I need to do that but I hear some guy in a P1 is just winning everything

 

i still will take a Ferrari over a Mac any day, and you pointed out in your comments and that's why I did not go for a Mac it's a fairly new car company with a heavy window sticker, maybe next ten years.

 

I have one on order too but you won't be getting
It in September production doesnt start until September, delivery will be more like late October
or November.

 

I can't speak to the previous comments in your thread, as much of it is subjective and beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. I do however have a completely different view on the Ferrari ownership experience. I was always reading about how Ferrari dealers are very picky and that I would have no chance getting any new car because of all the "good/loyal" clients well before me. Please for a moment do not think I am some big shot with 8 homes, a yacht, and worth a billion dollars, far far from it. I am a 34 year old who is probably one of the dumbest people in my city, which is littered with people that have post-graduate degrees left and right. One thing I tell people is that I am too dumb to quit, that goes for life and even to mundane things like owning a new Ferrari.

I simply took a shot at ownership of a new Ferrari and the dealer was completely open and it has truly been a wonderful experience through and through, much as the experience of others on this forum. Used 2 year old car at MSRP, surely no fool would even think of doing that, so why would a dealer even try? All dealers are run differently, so it would be harsh to paint them all with the same brush.

 

Dislike is fine...but the hate is wasteful of digital space.

 

If it's a cali or FF, forget it. If it's a 458 or 488 with 500 miles it is a brand new car and probably worth the MSRP since they typically sell for more on secondary market unless u can get one and wait for 1-2 years as was the case with 458 and 430

 

I don't see 'hate' for Mac, more like a determination from Mac owners/fans to categorically prove that a McLaren is superior....on a Ferrari forum to boot.

Most, if not all, Ferrari owners are current/previous owners of other exotic brands too. They tend to love Ferrari but appreciate other brands such as McLaren, unless they have had a negative experience in terms of reliability or residuals. (As always there are exceptions but these are not the rule).

I don't see unreasonable 'hate' for McLaren here, only a desire to defend against this desire to 'prove' McLaren is superior. No doubt if you are convinced that Mac is indeed the better vehicle and see this as a statement of fact rather than opinion, this view will subtly be communicated in your posts, whether you are aware of it or not.

To me, no such unequivocal statement can be made in favour of either brand so I see all 'x destroys y, x is from another planet to y' type comments as mildly ridiculous.

 

Spot on. I like all the brands for different reasons and have/will try most but will always keep a Ferrari in the garage

 

One man's dislike is another man's hate.

 

Firstly, without actually driving a car and experiencing firsthand its experience, an opinion on it compared to other cars is useless. If you are a car lover, driving and owning the car that brings the biggest smile to your face is what it is all about. I am a car slut. I am not whetted to any particular brand because of the prestige of owning it or because I am a creature of habit. If a car from the established manufacturers exists that appeals to me on an aesthetic and performance basis, it is a potential purchase. All the cars mentioned in this forum are superb in their own right. Yet they are all unique and offer a markedly divergent driving experience. The one that hits my preference buttons is the one I will ultimately buy.

 

Well said my friend

 

I saw a 720 today in person and I will state that to my sense of aesthetics, it is the most attractive car currently being manufactured. It is absolutely stunning. And simultaneaously, it appears that form follows function. Every cosmetic element and line of the car is purposeful not gimicky in any manner. Pictures do not begin to do it justice.

 

Totally opposite reaction with me, and pictures of Ferrari or Ferrari in person still looks great

 

I agree - thought it looked fabulous when I first saw the leaked photos, and in person it exceeded my high expectations. As far as the headlights, the most controversial design element, the usual big acrylic lenses on other cars now look archaic.

Upgraded leather in the Luxury spec is now sourced from from the same supplier that Bentley uses, it's incredibly nice. The sports seats seem very comfortable. All interior parts are high quality and the infotainment system is much improved. Entry and exit was easy for me at 6'2", 195 lbs - much more graceful than the previous McLaren cars. Visibility is the best of any car with the glass C-pillars, enabled by the full carbon fiber monocage. The seats fold down so there is easy access to the storage space. The frunk is spacious. Ground clearance is better than most exotics and overhangs are short, even without the lift there should not be many problems. And the 4-wheel lift is now much quicker. Although I wouldn't for various reasons, it is certainly usable as a daily driver.

The car in photos has the optional sports exhaust, it sounds great considering its a V8-TT, and I would not want it any louder as it would be hard to hear the awesome B&W audio system when cruising around town. I have not heard the standard exhaust.

I am sold on the car, now struggling between putting up a deposit for a 2018 allocation versus waiting for someone to flip a Launch Edition car... the exterior carbon fiber looks amazing but it total it adds about $40k, and most if not all of the LE cars have a lot of it. Fully equipped without the exterior CF, these come in around $330-340k MSRP. A lot for sure, but not a bad value for what it is.

Being a regular production model, it will depreciate but suspect it will hold well for first 1-2 years then gradually decline. This car seems to be a few generations past the 12C/650S, and even the 570 - I don't foresee is anything coming down the pike from that will rapidly devalue it. As far as forthcoming variants from McLaren -

The Spyder - it will lose the new doors and glass C-pillars, necessary tradeoffs to have the open roof. Personally I'd prefer to keep them, and have the coupe's glass door uppers. I don't think it's release will devalue the coupe to the degree the 650S and 570S spyders will, since unlike those cars there will have to be some detrimental changes to the overall design.

The LT - maybe it will have a roof scoop for more sound and more boost for a bit more HP, and a little less weight. But I'm not sure how much faster the car can possibly be even with these tweaks. Another limited edition (probably 500+500), likely all pre-sold, that will be priced so high it won't devalue the coupe to a significant degree.
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I like many of the McLaren's and Lambos, but don't crave them. At this point I plan to keep my 458 forever (and drive it when I want without care for total miles) and maybe skip over the 488 and get whatever replaces it as an additional car. Not that I don't like the 488, I do, but I expect it'll be a couple years before I start looking, maybe close enough either for whatever is next or to swoop in and get a beautifully spec'd 488 with 1000 miles on it because someone else just has to have the next thing. Who knows, maybe RCorsa's beautiful white 488 spider.

Paula T.

 

The look and build quality of the 720 is so impressive, I must schedule a test drive. If the reviews are accurate and the car performs like it looks, a purchase might be in the offing.

 

Here's a fun little review we did OG the 720 here.

https://youtu.be/jRCE3AcAIK0

You can read my thoughts here too if you get really bored. http://www.mclarenlife.com/forums/mclaren-720s/#/topics/74153




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Nicely done and thanks for sharing.

I've driven LT about 6,000 miles and 720s 2,300 miles, tracked both and I agree with your comments. The 675 is more playful wheras 720s just does everything well. 720LT would be epic.

 

I don't frequent Mclarenlife much but I did read your comparison between the cars. It was very well detailed. Thanks for taking the time to write it up. I found it interesting how in your experience the 675 and 720 are basically equal in acceleration. Most say 720 is quicker. 675 is the quickest car I've ever driven btw

Edit: your video seems to differ from your Mclife write up in that regard.

 

That interior looks really, really good. But the LT sounds better to me.

Interesting the comments that the 570s not worth it spending the money on in comparison,

But daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn that car looks fast on the track.