488 Pista vs 720s track battle

Your review is of personal interest in the driving section. My priorities and preferences are heavily weighted in the direction of what you describe as raw. I am very familiar with the driving dynamics of the 720S and highly respect its stellar technical capabilities and speed, but it does not comport with my predilections of the emotion and driver car connection I seek. I am hopeful that the F8 will provide a heavy dose of what the Pista purportedly offers in the realm of excitement, thrills and heart pounding emotion.

 

The Pista has been pure thrills, excitement and heart pounding emotions!!! The 720s only had that under hard acceleration where the Pista has that for me from the time I start the car up until I shut it off. The Pista even has that when I go out in the garage and look at it. Lol.

 

Now you are talking my language!!

 

mkraft3003,

Thanks for that review; very, very helpful and insightful. As a former McLaren owner with a Pista inbound, your thoughts were of huge importance to me. Good job.

 

I think this point alone will stabilize 720 prices. If only McLaren would slow down production.

 

Very similar car backgrounds and I currently have a 720 spider and a Pista and agree with much of what you wrote. The biggest takeaway really is that you can drive the 720 anywhere for hours comfortably but still be the star of the show when you pull up to any event. The Pista is more "special" and just beautiful from any angle. At some point you can only go so fast and both of these cars will check that box.

 

They did a great job at the beginning of the release of the 720s. However as time went on the dealers had a surplus of new cars to sell. That is a lot of money sitting in inventory which equates to dealers offering big discounts on new cars. After that the used market decreases. I agree completely that if they slowed production it would help with the market.

 

Spot on!! I’m glad there are others with this car disease. Lol.

 

In Canada 2019- 720S with 600 miles can be had for $240K USD. ( That is asking price).

 

what's the MSRP? They start at ~$280K base.

 

An owner of both cars makes an informed statement on the comparison between the two and you consider it nonsense? I don’t follow the logic. Where’s his dog in said hunt?

 

Some will always have an agenda although hey have zero real world experience. Just put them on ignore.

 

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List was $310. There are only 3 McLaren dealers in Canada and all are owned by Pfaff.

 

My shifter kart will beat both the Pista and 720's on that track and is a fraction of the cost. Who gives a **** which one is faster, they both are great cars. Comes down to your personal preference.

 

He means in a straight line. However the Pista and 720 are about neck and neck from 0-124 then the 720 pulls on it. On the track the Pista wins every time. I’ve tracked both as well.

 

Pigs can fly they just can!

https://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/vgegof4oeak6

 

Pretty much the case unless you outfit them both with comparable tires then I would imagine things would change.

 

Go for it internet warrior, tell us all what's real.

 

Gh- You seem to imply that the 720S and Pista are both at a similarly exalted performance level. The choice reduces down to personal preference with you not declaring your favourite due to them both being so desirable. Purchasing a Pista currently would cost in the range of $500K. A lightly used, 2019 720S can be had for less than 1/2. Judging by your opinion, for those who are willing or able to buy only one of these, the 720S must be the overwhelmingly logical choice.

 

I dont know if someone is going to cross shop a Pista and a 720 so not a great comparison - 720 vs. 488 is another story. If someone likes the 720 and it checks their boxes then I believe there is no better all around sports car for the money. The Pista is more of a special event and I would imagine the better track car although I haven't tracked mine. I may do a Ferrari event next month so I will have better feedback on the all around feel and performance which I imagine will be pretty sick.

BTW, the Pista sounds pretty good and seems to be getting better as I use it so those who haven't received their cars you should reserve judgment until you have had a chance to put some miles on it.

 

Actual speed is an objective metric. Measurements will quantify how quickly a car reaches 60 mph or travels 1/4 mile. In a super car, there is another factor which enters into this equation and it is purely subjective, namely the sensation of going fast. While car A may be objectively quicker than car B, the latter may actually feel faster due to factors such as engine sound, emotionally elevated driving dynamics, greater road feel etc. While the 720S and Pista are closely comparable in terms of objective speed, Gh claims the 720S is quicker. Therefore an inference may be made that for him, the 720S imparts the sensation of greater speed. I cannot comment on the Pista since I have never had the pleasure of driving it, but I do have fairly extensive experience behind the wheel of the 720S. It would disappoint me greatly, if the Pista tangibly lacked the visceral feel of speed relative to the 720S, which I acknowledge is blisteringly quick objectively but due to its muted engine sound and ultra refined and compliant driving dynamics, actually ameliorates its sensation of how blazingly fast it truly is.

 

Stunning performance.

 

I like how aggressive the 720s pulls. Nice Vid.