EVO TV: McLaren MP4-12C Long Term Test. Part 1.

Pretty great car, it is.

 

hard to get past the first bit with him swaying so badly, but its a pretty cool car.

 

Cool. Very detailed long term review. I just wished he had some footage of something exciting like track days!!

 

any other parts available?

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFdUAFTnlBE]McLaren 12C long term test: Part 3 | evo DIARIES - YouTube[/ame]

 

Launch Control! Works well and does not hurt a thing to use it from time to time. If you have seen the US Top Gear episode where the trio drag race a 12C, new Viper GTS and Gallardo, the 12C crushes the other two when launched.

 

Keith, one thing I have noticed when using LC on my 12C is to really keep the Pedal down hard on the Brake, I mean not even for a fraction of a second can you lift or it goes to normal mode.

The other thing is, with L/C I use Auto as it revs so fast.

 

Fun stuff isn't it?

 

Keith I agree with your post. I own both cars and love them both. The 12C wins because of the dual clutch transmission. I beleive the Viper pulls harder when pushed but manual shifting always is slower although I prefer a manual transmission.

Lee

 

It's not the forced air?

 

A supercar being suitable as a everyday car is the kiss of death...just ask Acura/ Honda about the NSX

 

Although it's serious thread creep, I think a 20 year old NSX is worth nearly half of original MSRP if in excellent condition. What's the comparable percentage for a 348 or Testarossa?

 

You can't let a 12C thread go without posting something negative can you.

For the record: I think you very very wrong when it comes to the NSX! The fact that a 22 year old still gets mentioned when new sports cars are launched should tell you something. Everybody who bought a NSX loved it's everyday practicality. What killed it was the lack of evolution. Between 1991 - 2005, Honda added a slightly larger engine, a 6-Spd and a revised front bumper. In those 14 years, Ferrari sold 348's, 355's, F360's and by 2005 the F430. Porsche went from 964 to 993 to 966 to 997. That and the fact that Bean counters took over after Mr. Honda passed away is what killed the original NSX.

I love my NSX so much that I have no plans to get rid of it! Most owners who "upgrade" to other Sports cars seriously regret it and come back to buy another NSX.

 

I think though he has a point about modern super cars in general (I have the same problem with the 458).

When you make them too easy to drive everyday, they lack drama. They are just too easy. It's like driving a Camry. Ok, a Camry that can go like stink when you want but it's still missing something.

I really want a bit of personality in a super car. That's sort of the point.

 

Well then our beloved 458 is going to die. The 458 is even more suitable as an everyday car than the 12C is. Easier entry/exit, larger trunk, more storage inside the car, roomier cabin, better gadgetry, great outward visibility, and easy to park.

The NSX probably wasn't as good a daily driver as a 458 is but was a great car none-the-less. People who owned (or still own) them love them the way people here love our 458s and 12Cs.

 

As I said, I have the same problem with the 458. In fact, I hope it's the last car of it's type to come from Maranello.

 

When it comes to the 12C, haters gotta hate. I don't personally get the "drama" thing, but to each their own. There is simply nothing really wrong with the 12C, but you don't have to love it, either.

I have decided that my saying for the 458 vs 12C is that the 458 is for special driving occasions and the 12C can make every driving occasion special.

I think I'd rather already be in my 12C just toodling when the desire to make some drama arises, rather than wish I was in my 458. At 4400 miles in about 5 months with my 12C here. How many 458 owners do that?

My honest belief that the single biggest problem with the 12C is that it is not a Ferrari. Take that out of the equation and I think you get a much more balanced and equal assessment of the two, with the majority of subjectives from the majority of people favoring the 458, and the majority of objectives favoring the 12C.

 

I was going to post what you said but your post is perfect.

Best

Lee

 

Yes, but the NSX is not an attractive car... well, not quite that bad, but sure as hell not good looking.

Just generic Japanese non-design.

The ML is striking.


And, no way is the NSX a 'supercar'.

IMO.

 

I think the 12C is a lot better than most Ferrari fans want to admit and the 458 is a lot better than most McLaren fans want to admit. They both find wins in categories each consider to be their own cars' bread and butter.

For example when I hear people saying the McLaren is a better daily driver, I shake my head wondering how much they love climbing in and out of it or whether they miss having satellite radio, decent bluetooth implementation, perfect steering feel and room to actually put an umbrella or a jacket behind your seat that the Ferrari has.

Likewise when people say the Ferrari is more fun to drive I wonder if they've ever felt the awe-inducing acceleration of the McLaren, its incredibly supple ride on road surfaces that unsettle the Ferrari and its superior interior fit & finish with more comfortable seats.

Both cars have their faults too. But bottom line is they're both wonderful cars.

I'm so glad I have both and I urge people to own one of them to give the other a fair shake. They both deserve equal respect. I have little doubt McLaren will improve with each new model or that Ferrari won't keep hitting it out of the park. If you own one of them, be happy! If you own both, be ecstatic. I am.

 

Well said. I can't justify both and got a deal on my 12C that was so much less than a 458 that the decision was easy. The 458 is not a 25+% better car IMO and given that I also intend to drive some miles at least the depreciation starts with a smaller number. I agree the dihedral door is unnecessarily dramatic and did not work since the car apparently lacks drama anyway and the Bluetooth is terrible. I am limber enough that the car is fine - after all I also daily drove an Elise too and I hate to talk on the phone and drive anyway. For me it is a bad idea to drive and talk on the phone except for emergencies, anyway. So I have my self-serving justifications and am enjoying the heck out of the car.

 

The same goes the other way around too.

Don't forget, we "Fezza" lovers are all poser diaper wiping types praying to the image of Enzo on a certain Mac lovers site.