720S Spider vs 675LT Spider vs 488 Spider vs... Another 458 Spider?

If you get either of the Mclarens mentioned, you'll end up selling the 458.

Might as well stick with Ferrari and get a 488 Spider.

 

IMO, Lamborghinis are the most reliable of the 3 (not including the new ones, not enough data on how well they are integrating the hybrid crap....err stuff).

The best car of the group mentioned IMO is a 720S, while the 675LT has increasing value potential (only 500 spiders exist) and charisma the others lack. So depending on how one feels about McLaren reliability (I'm OK with a 720S after talking with some owners I trust, but would buy the warranty).

 

Why?

 

Because they are better cars.

 

When they work they are

Mclaren are absolutely better when both are in tip-top shape but i've only ever heard bad things about mclaren reliability AND dealership experience

Lambo Huracan/Gallardo are really bullet proof (aventadors .... not so much) and would provide a very different experience (life is short, have some variety)

Porsche also make amazing vehicles but depending on how you feel about the brand this might be a non-starter

If staying in Ferrari space, how about try one of the other models or chassis. 458/488/F8 are all on the same platform and it doesn't feel like a sensible thing to get two cars from this family unless one of them is a Speciale/Pista/F8(which is just a production Pista more or less). One of the V12 GTs would make an awesome addition next to the 458 Spider (figuratively next-to, understand they'll be geographically seperated)

 

Rubbish post.

“I heard”

No first had experience whatsoever.

My personal dealer and car experience with McLaren has been second to none.

I’ve owned 5 McLarens. 720, 765 spider, 675 LT roof scoop, 765 full carbon roof scoop, 750.

the cars work just fine and they are every bit as reliable as other makes.

You will run into problems with McLarens when they are tuned. That’s when the issues occur.

Buy anon tuned car and you will be fine. Oh and I’ve also owned a 488 coupe and Pista.

To the OP- really you can’t go wrong with any of the choices. The 720 would be my choose as it does everything well. 675 is more raw and more track focused. Not as much fun for a daily drive but a great weekend cruiser.

the 458 you already know about. The 488 will feel underpowered compared to the 720 and not as raw as the 675. So could be a better “daily” but my vote over all of them would be the 720.

Good luck.

 

Owned and driven them all…debated what you are also deciding on over the last few months and it was VERY clear to me what to do…I have negotiated for my 5th 458 model, and my 3rd 458 Spider. I prefer it over my sold Pista, 765LT, Performante, Spyder RS, and potential newcomers like Vette, MC20 Ceilo, 296 GTS, F12. To be fair, the 296 GTS is very high on my list to try, but my reasoning is it is getting very difficult to find low mileage, great spec with racing seats 458 Spiders, whereas I can wait years and years and still get any flavor of 296 with race seats (the GTB’s are nearing the price of the best 458 Spiders already).

That said, you have one already so might I suggest another car I owned recently that was shockingly good: the new Spyder RS. Really liked it, but not enough to keep. In your situation, I think it could be a wonderful variety add.

 

What's the difference between first hand experience and hearing from people who own the cars around me ? FWIW I live in Hong Kong and the "super car club" here has hundreds of members who meet up like every other week so there's a large sample size to draw from with experience in multiple brands/models.

It's a pretty universal opinion, almost everyone here agrees Mclaren reliability is awful, I don't know how that's controversial.

I also don't have much 1st hand experience with Porsche either but I "know" they're very reliable relative to Ferrari/Lambo/Mclaren/etc. .... do you have an issue with that statement ?

 

Can you tell me the reliability of a Porsche Taycan?
Can you share with me about the engines in the GT3 that every single one had to be replaced?

The reliability of all the cars is similar. I’m telling you as an owner of 5 McLarens I’ve had no issues with reliability.

I can share with you dozens of individuals who own McLarens who Have had no issues with reliability.

What I can tell you is if you tune a McLaren- likely you are gonna have issues.

I’ve owned all of the brands and am speaking from first hand experience. You are relying on second and third hand information. OP can decide who is more credible here.

 

That's fine dude, I'm not trying to make a whole thing with you.

You have had good experience with Mclaren, that's great for you.

I'm just sharing what I've heard from several dozens of owners whom I know personally. Make of that what you will.

I lean more towards what I've heard because 1) I've heard it from people whom I know personally with first hand experience (you're one dude, and your friends and 3rd hand info to me) and 2) it agrees with pretty much all "independent" reviewers/car-influences/car-people/car-socialmedia

Is it the case that car social media just decided to gang up on Mclaren for funsies ? Maybe ... Or maybe you have one of the rare dealerships who have really good customer service. Or maybe you are their VVVIP customer so your experience is a bit better than the normal owner who only has 1 vehicle. I have no idea.

I get that I'm a random dude on the internet to you and you don't (and shouldn't) trust my word at face value (and vice versa). That's fine.

You had a great experience and know many others who did as well, I have no first hand experience and only know of experiences given to me by people I've known for many years. Let's leave it at that. Who knows, maybe it's Mclaren Hong Kong that have terrible service, that could be true too.

 

As my GTS is not likely to arrive this year, and I’ve now been waiting 3+ years for a convertible, I’ve asked this similar question lately to some friends. Other option is a Murcielago Roadster but that’s even more A to A.

@dustman ever consider a Ford GTX (the Gennadi targa)?

 

Disagree with your statement on Aventador reliability, they have been very reliable

 

Many more than once.....

Then you have the design issues like RMS, IMS bearing failures, bore scoring, coil packs and having to pin coolant lines.

Porsche reliability is a thing of the past.

 

The Murcielago Roadster top is so tragically poor that you would be better off going Diablo or Aventador. Then the e-gear of that Murcielago generation is absolutely rubbish.

I have not heard anything positive about the GTX1 over the years (as a Ford GT owner as is Dustman (I think, the guy goes through cars like I change clothes)).

 

My Taycan sat at the dealer ship for 6 weeks while they were trying to figure out the issue.

 

Go with the 720S, it represents next level to the other models. It's an amazing car, and still benchmark in so many regards.

 

Oh I agree, with that option the game plan would be to convert it: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/murcielago-manual-conversions-from-royalty-exotics.705576/

 

The top situation alone would be a great reason to chose something else. I do occasionally need to put the top on the Diablo, even though the cute weather girl says 0% chance of rain.

 

I've never owned or driven a McLaren...I am too tall to get in a McLaren but... I have friends in the Tampa area that have had problems with stock oem McLarens and one is a friend of mine. We both had 488's same time, he went and bought a stock 2020 720S showroom condition, 1 owner, low miles. Nothing stopped the car from running but had little issues with electronics and pieces and parts on the car then he got is sorted and was fine for a year. He now has a F8 with zero issues like his 488 and has kept the F8 now for 2.5yrs. the other local McLaren owners on a group message board we all are on or see them at local events and either have no issues or other do and far more issues than 458-488-F8 local Ferrari owners.
Yes I agree with you ....McLaren has far more issues than Ferrari.

 

Try a 675LT lots of car for the money …..675LT better driver over 458, and 458 is timeless. Sold both and miss the 675LT driving performance is raw.

 

Keeper forever

 

if budget allows- please go drive a 765. You will be forever spoiled.