Ferrari 488 Compared to the McLaren 720s

Yes- all cars have depreciation. However Ive seen nothing that compares to what Im seeing with Mclaren. They take it to a different level.

 

+1 - and it was very painful

 

Only 12C/650S though. 540/570/675/P1 all have been fine in terms of residuals.

The trend is the latter cars, not the former.

 

but the 720 is the next generation of the 12c/650.

 

I don't think that matters though. The car is getting great reviews, it's very exotic looking, and the performance tests will probably show it being insanely quick. I think it will do well in terms of residual, and by well, I mean it will depreciate like a normal exotic in that price range, not new Ferrari V8 residuals.

 

I think the point is that the residual on the car is an unknown which will keep guys like me on the sideline for the time being. I like mclaren and think the 650 is a great car. But I prefer my 488

 

It is perfectly fair for you to think that but I suspect the depreciation curve for the 720S will be more somewhere between 570S and 675LT in line with the car feeling like the over-achieving baby of those two vehicles.

Only time will tell. In the meantime you should drive one when you get a chance. In my opinion it's a big step up from the 488 in several ways.

 

Certainly not in subjective design and pleasing lines...well to my eyes anyway.

As for depreciation, well I guess that depends on whether a special edition is announced 5 months or rather 6 months after the initial car is launched. Or perhaps the special edition of the special edition.

The 650S also over achieved in many respect yet it suffered huge depreciation, made worse by the arrival of the 675LT.

 

It will happen again...watch.

720 isn't a limited edition. McLaren will over build like they always do. Just hope they don't end up with a warehouse of them like 650's, which exacerbated the depreciation issue.

 

I have every intention to drive one. I was debating back and forth between 650 and 488. Despite spending over 100k more on 488, I don't regret the decision one bit. 650 as many have stated had no "soul" compared to 488. Very quiet, boring lifeless.

I'm excited to try the 720 and see if it is an improvement.

 

Once you go Mac you never go back?

 

+1

Clearly true and on point.

 

What's the residual on a MB SL series after 2-3 years? How about an Aston, or a Ferrari 599, 612, F12, FF?
McLaren's clearly suffered heavy depreciation in the early years but It's not like they suffered 20-30% more than the rest. (458 excluded). New company, no history, and other factors and mistakes.
If you took the newest released or special/limited cars out of consideration there is a different story to tell. Most high end cars depreciate heavy first few years. Even Ferrari's.

The 458 is almost mythic in that it has enjoyed an unusual lack of depreciation. I don't think this is or will be true for the 488.

Who knows about the 720. I'll bet it's in line with everything else. Nobody that buys one should cry about the money. I say there should be no crying in supercar land...just be happy to be there

 

2015 McLaren 650S Spider | Carbon Exterior | Hi-Fi Sound Convertible in Scottsdale #FW0033994994 | Luxury Auto Collection

This car above, which is the predecessor to th 720, has a roughly 150k depreciation in 2 years. I'm quite certain that the 720 will be a great car. But until the depreciation is better known on their regular production cars, I'm quite content to sit on the sidelines for s while.

Depreciation is evident on most cars. Mclaren has taken it to a different level.

 

You love to continually post why you won't do something.

 

No- I love to continue to participate in a discussion on a public forum.

 

Well to be fair, thats pretty high mileage for that age of super car as well.

 

to be fair - most mclarens were sold new at a significant discount to MSRP.

So if he paid 275k...

 

Exactly.

However his over all point is true, these Mac cars dive in value.

 

agreed maccas dive in value....
then again, California, f12's and FF's do too

 

Yes. Totally fair point.

But still.....

 

Ferrari's don't depreciate as quickly as Macs for one simple reason.

They rarely (in the modern age) build new cars that have no customers for them. That is, you don't see brand new 488's on showroom floors all over the country waiting for someone to buy one. Usually, the dealers won't accept back a new car from a customer for at least 6 months after it's been sold.

That's not always the case with Macs. They way overbuilt the 12c and sent them to America where new cars were drastically discounted to get them moving. If you can get a new car for $50 grand off, how much is a used car worth then?

Will Mac do the same with the 720s and hold back production to equal demand?

I rather doubt it.

And there are 2 other factors.
1) Mac owners tend to drive their cars a lot more than Ferrari owners. This also accelerates depreciation.

2) Service centers are generally far away to many customers. After a sending the cars back and forth for stupid little things like door latches that don't work and check engine lights, it gets old pretty fast. The cars end up being traded a lot faster than Ferrari's.

 

I don't think it will be necessary for them the employ artificial means to reduce supply. The fact that they have two product lines now, and more dealers (with more on the way) will help take care of that. Their entire capacity for this year for 720S is only 1,400 cars. Demand will be way higher than that. 570S has been doing well and 570S Spider is coming this year and I expect it will be in pretty high demand as well.

My dealer said they've got deposits representing a year-and-a-half of customer-ordered cars already and that's before anyone has gotten a test drive. Once people drive them the demand is going to skyrocket.

I just took delivery of my new Panamera Turbo a few days ago (and drove it about 400 miles back from a track day in New Jersey yesterday) and I am surprised to say the gadgetry in the McLaren 720S is better thought-out and more intuitive to use than Porsches latest and greatest! The 720S isn't just an amazing driver, it's also a really amazing car to live with!

And yes I traded my beloved Ferrari FF for the Panamera. I took a huge bath on the FF - I've now lost more money on Ferraris than McLarens and two of my Ferraris were 458s.

 

Ouch, feel for you. I got a 650s new at a HUGE discount and still ate some selling it back.
Guess you need to stay out of Ferrari's.

 

People worried about depreciation should wait and invest in 488 GTO Aperta or 745? LT Spider, right?