Pista-STO- 765LT- AMG Black series

I’ve had the car all of 5 hours from the PPF guys. All I can say is holy ****! It’s so engaging. Speed is a give n. Power is a given. This is the complete package. Excellent.

 

I’m at a loss for words. Engaging, powerful, connected. Looks amazing. Have gotten tons of positive reviews from spectators on the spec. Blessed!

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I have a Pista. Ill post on this later after I get some more seat time. Initial impressions are 765 tighter, more engaging, quicker. But Pista is no slouch. I dont want to prejudge as I want more time behind the wheel of the 765 first.

 

I’m absolutely smitten with this car!!!

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Ok here are my thoughts on Pista vs 765 LT Spider.

Short answer- If I had to only choose one, 765 Lt any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Longer answer- Both are compelling cars and both have pros and cons. For me my Pista has been fun and engaging but not without its quirks. Things I dont like about my Pista are a few. There is lots to like. But I just like more things about the Mclaren

The stance- I dont know what the hell is wrong with Ferrari but the cars in the US look like they ride like a 4x4. The stance is horrible. I had to have this corrected by putting on Novitec springs and lowered the car. I also put spacers on the wheels to push them out to make it look proper. Baffles me that Ferrari cant get this right. Every 488/F8/Pista owner knows what I am talking about. The Mclaren on the other hand is even better. Its pretty close to perfect. I think Porsche does it the best with the stance. But the ride height of the 765 is perfect. With my Pista after lowering it slightly and putting spacers on, its darn close to perfect now. Winner from factory- Mclaren. Its a tie after I had the Pista modified.

The chasis- I have been a vocal critic of the aluminum chassis ever since I got my 720 back in the day. The carbon tub on the Mclaren is so superior its laughable that Ferrari still hasn't done this. The car just feels so tight and in control with the carbon tub. You really feel it when you drive as it just hugs the road with no flex in the car whatsoever. The 765 has a go cart feel with regards to handling. The Ferrari feels a bit looser, not as tight. While you dont feel the flex per say its not as rigid of a car as the Mclaren. I feel like I can weave in and out of traffic so nicely with the 765 where the Pista feels bigger. It feels like a larger car although both are about the same size. I wish Ferrari would go carbon tub but with the release of the 296- that doesnt look like its happening any time soon. Winner by a mile here is the Mclaren

The handling - Again referring to the previous paragraph - the Mclaren is the winner. The steering, the handling, its much better in the 765 than the Pista. I feel more planted, more in control. There is less body roll with the 765 than the Pista. Winner - 765

Cockpit- I think both have a nice cockpit. The Mclaren is a bit tighter as it hugs you a bit more- the Ferrari is a bit more roomy. I have the Senna seats in the 765 and while they are a pain in the ass to get in and out of the car, I really like them once you are sitting inside. Amazing buckets once seated. Here I think both cars do well- they are just different. Ill call it a tie.

The look and curb appeal - We all know this is subjective. I personally am a huge fan of how the 765 looks. Its much more exotic and futuristic looking. The Pista is more refined and classic. This is just the design language of the two cars. While Ferrari is going for a lets go out to dinner in tuxedo and dress look, Mclaren is more of a lets go clubbing look. Winner here is a tie. Both cars have their charm.

The infotainment and technology - Frankly this sucks on all cars. Im not big technology guy in cars but I think it sucks a bit less in the Mclaren than it does in the Ferrari. Ferrari is just outright horrible. Half the time my phone is connected to bluetooth but there is no music. And the car asks if I want to connect a device when the screen clearly shows my phone connected. The sound system in the Mclaren is however AWESOME! It's on par with some of the luxury cars Ive driven. I was very impressed by this. Ferrari sound system, even with the upgraded 5k option, sucks. Ill give the edge here to Mclaren but only because of the sound system. Infotainment a little bit but not by much.

The sound- If there is one complaint about the current generation of turbo assisted cars its the sound. People find the 720 sound to be lackluster. Even the Pista so many people are putting exhausts on it. I never had an issue with the Pista sound personally, thought it sounded great- until I got the 765. Holy crap. This thing is amazing. Only thing better is a NA Lambo. The 765 has pops, gurgles, burps, farts. It just sounds so good, especially with the top off. My wife has never complained about the sound of the Pista but she commented that the 765 is too loud. Now we know there is no such thing so that just tells you how good the sound is. Imagine if they would have put this exhaust on the 720 where Mclaren would be today. The sound on the 765 is an A++ Clear winner goes to Mclaren.

The drive - I like the drive of both. I really like the Pista. Its plenty fast. But the 765 is faster. The Pista is quick around the turns The 765 is quicker. The Pista is nimble in traffic. The 765 is more nimble. The Pista sounds good, the 765 sounds better. I think on every metric the 765 is superior to the Pista in terms of drivability and driver engagement. Winner - 765.

The nostalgia and history - I know this is a Ferrari forum and the comments will come up that hey- at the end of the day a Ferrari is a Ferrari. And for this reason, Ill give the nod to the Pista. You cannot argue with the prestige, the history, the nostalgia of Ferrari. Mclaren has a long way to go here. Mclaren has made some mistakes in their short 10 year history of making consumer cars- but at the end of the day- they are making leaps and bounds for the product they are putting out. Plenty to find fault in their strategy but if you were to ask me who builds a better car (not quality wise but driver engagement) I would say Mclaren at this point in time. Who has built better cars for 75 years? Ferrari.

Ive already placed an order to be one of the first to get the 750 - the 720 replacement before they go hybrid. My wife does not like the carbon Senna seats in the 765. She doesnt like my carbon sills as she is afraid of scratching them, so I will do more of a luxury, comfort spec there. A date night car that my wife can go out in. The 765 will be for me.

I have yet to drive the 296 but really at this time have no interest in it. I hope to get some time behind the wheel and I hope that I fall in love with Ferrari again but at this point in time, for my use and personal taste Mclaren is the only company that is making a car compelling enough for me to put my money down and buy it. If you haven't had a chance to drive a 765- please do so. It will shatter everything you thought sacred about sports cars. Its that good. I have no interest in any current or soon to be released Ferrari.

Summary- clear winner for me between the Pista and 765 is 765. I would be curious as I know @Thecadster and @Gh21631 both have a 765 and Pista and would be interested in their thoughts as well.

 

Or why is the stance so bad with the Pista. I never appreciated how bad the Pista sound is till I heard the STO and 765.

 

That is true. We still don’t know the number of Pistas. And My mclaren dealer has treated me very fairly. No prerequisite to buy anything, car at msrp. To be fair I did not have to buy anything to get my Pista either.

 

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Looks are subjective and at the wend of the day both cars look great.

As far as sound- compare apples to apples. Stock Pista vs Stock 765. 765 by a mile. If you throw novitec on the Pista- compare it to a modified 765.