[Harry's Garage] McLaren 750S 2000-mile Monaco road trip special + buy this or the Ferrari 296

I purchased 570s, 720s, etc new and like the Mclaren brand overall. I look at it as an extension of my love for Lotus but with actual HP.

The issue with the Mclarens is some of their performance is in an isolated bubble. Launch control, keeping rpms at mid+ to help with turbo lag, etc. We have evolved past pure IC + Turbos to add in electric assist. It is the perfect marriage of the best of everything. Keep the weight down and the battery small.

My 296 AF feels more refined, no performance gaps, and the handling feels slightly superior on decent roads.

The Mclaren shines in the lack of complexity, weight, and their suspension is a better "jack of all trades" even over the non-af versions.

I will still buy both products and enjoy them equally for what each provides. I had a 5k deposit down on a 750s before it was named and rolled it over to the next Mclaren super series model instead tba.

 

I would disagree on the reliability issue with McLarens. I think it's more perception than reality. I have had two cars (570S and now a 720S) and they have been relatively reliable. Never left me stranded or had a serious problem. A leaking hose here and there. Now, I'm knocking wood. I think McLarens get something of a bad rap in this department. I will say that McLaren corporate doesn't help itself, it doesn't do anything to make owners feel "special" and doesn't even engage with the ownership base at all. I think this probably tracks for the owners of cars that do have more problems and they leave the brand feeling like the company doesn't really care about their customers. I frankly feel unappreciated by McLaren, even though I will defend their cars openly. My biggest problem with the 750 and the reason why I'm waiting for a 296 is the styling. The changed the 720 styling so little (and for the worse IMO) and I absolutely love the 296. I do think the haptics will be a source of frustration, vs the McLaren electronics which are quirky and sometimes lack logic, but are pretty easy to use.

 

I agree with you on Mclaren corp being absolutely useless and doing nothing to engage owners. I've owned my 765, from new. You'd think that would endear me slightly. My dealer (Philly, PA) is fantastic, however. Mclaren makes nothing I currently want. Artura spider is nice but not for me. I'd take my Z06 vette over it all day. However I am going to the NYC reveal. The 750s replacement thought, that would be fantastic. In 2027......

 

Philly is a great dealership, I bought my 570S there and they shipped to me in Chicago.

 

I've owned several McLaren products. I can corroborate the "suspect" nature of their after-sales treatment once you've signed on the bottom line. In the States their dealer network is quite lacking compared to Ferrari as well. So if you live in certain parts of the country the nearest dealer might be 1000 miles away. McLaren roadside is farmed out to the lowest bidder too, so they show up with the most clapped out roll back tow trucks when you're stranded on the side of the highway. My dealer had to replace three of my wheels because the tow truck driver strapped them down with chains rather than cloth straps. It also took nearly 3 months for them to do it because of McLaren North America tried to fight them on it.

If they weren't wildly fast and beautiful I don't know if anyone would buy them. The QC is deplorable...and my most recent experience is with a 2023 model year so I don't want the whole "their early models were sellable prototypes" argument.

 

I've been treated like a VIP by Ferrari sales professionals as well as the FNA west coast regional rep with whom I had the pleasure of speaking yesterday as well as texting. I don't even own a F yet and currently waiting to receive word as to production eta for the 296 GTB I have on order. The more I learn about this brand, the more impressed I am.

 

I feel the same way. Ferrari is already treating me like a valued customer and all they have is my deposit. McLaren sold me two cars and I've never even heard from the factory.

 

my comments are based on the experience of friends who have owned the cars over the past few years with McLaren dealers here in the UK really not supporting the cars; cars being passed from dealership to dealership when they can’t fix the faults and just generally poor/ indifferent service. It is a sharp contrast with the experience I have had with Ferrari both pre and post purchase of the 296 including the guest events including to Maranello to drive the car, factory tours when I have requested, regular invitations to launches, driving tours etc. And any issues with the car they come pick up the car, sort it out and return it promptly.

Having said all that I still would love to have a 600LT or 675LT as they incredible drivers cars (and look great as you say!) but I don’t think I could stomach the whole ownership experience (or depreciation) :-D and certainly not the first owner who will have to sort out all the inevitable bugs!

There is a great documentary on McLaren in the Discovery Channel I think which goes some way to explaining the quality issues on the cars. The factories and assembly processes seem like a cottage industry compared to the state of the art production lines at Ferrari.

 

I agree with everything said above. And I’ll still say 765 is greatest car on earth under $1.5MM.

 

Wait what???? Have you been converted to the dark side?? lol

Good luck on the journey.

Lots of comments here but the fact is that we as end users have 2 great companies to choose from. both Ferrari and Mclaren offer an incredible experience and having owned multiple examples of both marques, its great to be a consumer these days.

 

I have had about 15 Ferrairs and run in Challenge, I dont think Ferrari gives a F about me. In fact, some of my friends who are heavier hitters feel the same. I have had 3 Mclarens and the dealer has been fantastic in every way. Your dealer must be doing a good job to make you feel this way.

 

Interesting perspective. Did they try to get some allocations and were refused? My experience has been the opposite and I don't think it's that they just want to make a sale. I'm contrasting this to my experience with Porsche, so admittedly a narrow field.

 

Weirdly, my Porsche dealer has been much better to work with. In fact they are getting me an RS Spyder with no BS and markups. As an example, my F dealer has my 812 GTS listed for sale and has known that I wanted the replacement and I have yet to hear from them. Moreover, when I initially inquired I was told they might be limited. I then told them to cancel my 296 GTS and my Puro orders and to F off at which time they backtracked. I have had 3 V12 cars and no chance of getting an 812C, 4 or 5 of my buddies got them. So the reality is, they dont give a F and to be honest I am getting tired and feel like pulling my orders and focusing on older cars that to me are becoming more interesting.

 

This is really bad treatment. Did you speak to the GM or the store owner? My previous SA was polite, friendly but simply refused to convey my offer on a consigned Roma. He simply wouldn't do it and it wasn't because the owner had instructed him not to bring any offers under a certain number. He just made a judgment that he wasn't going to tell him my offer. Mind you, I already had a deposit with him for the 296.

Then I spoke with the sales manager at another store about a 296 they had on the floor. I happened to mention that I was waiting on an allocation and he told me he could order the car for me that day which we did. I cancelled the first dealer and went with the second. I even got a call from the regional FNA rep to see why I cancelled the first store. (the SA at the first store had actually assigned me an allocation without telling me, so I had two orders in the system). Now I'm texting with both the sales manger (the second and my preferred store) and the regional rep who will both be coming up for a visit and lunch, my treat!

 

These dealer complaints seem to emanate in the US predominately . A large market with plenty of potential customers .

I am not there and have had nothing but a great experience , save for the usual factory lack of updates

 

@KL runner the dealer is the last mile, the face and emissary of the company. My 30 minute long conversation with the regional rep was amazing. I really understood and felt the passion and ethos the brand embodies. I was lucky to meet Shane, my SA and friend whose store is a multi cavallino award winner and in good graces of the factory.

 

I think it’s dealer dependent. My Scottsdale McLaren dealer has been great. Lots of events and drives. Ferrari Scottsdale has been fine but after buying a Pista from them, I don’t get invited to any of their events. Not sure why I did to piss them off. lol. Either way- I’d buy a car again there if I could find a Ferrari that peaks my interest.

 

In smaller markets there are no regional reps, there is basically the company , based in one city and dealers around the country that deal directly with the Ferrari Company office in the country. I have found being straightforward with the dealer and realising that there are limitations to what they can do within the global sphere then you get great service. If you think that your order or orders will make or break the company then think again . Going back a few years multiple orders over years made you a good customer , these days it is multiple cars bought new from the dealer and still in your possession. Multiple means 10 or more .

Life has changed , what has not is the product of Ferrari is still the most aspired too sports car in the world.

 

I have had great McLaren dealer experiences and McLaren Chicago is great. I just never got so much as an email from the factory that said, “thanks for buying your car”. I get an occasional survey now, and they do have events but the infratstructure for the brand and factory support don’t seem there. I contrast this with Porsche, Aston Martin and now Ferrari. All reached out after I bought a car. The McLaren app is terrible. Maybe they don’t have a budget for it, but after sales care goes beyond who repairs your car when you get into high end items (not just cars) and my experience with McLaren corporate has been less than I had hoped.

 

Yeah, Mac needs a lot of work. It would be great to see them get the funding and leadership to really compete at all levels.

 

I can buy complaining about the after care service from mclaren
But please don’t bring up the app. With all of Ferraris resources, their app is designed and maintained by a 3rd grader. It’s horrible.

And are you guys forgetting how horrible communication is while your car is being made? God
Forbid you ask for a status update. No one knows a damn thing.

 

Even worse is the tech in the car.

 

the older I get the less tech I want. Told my AV guy I want no home automation. Everything can live on its own app. Thermostat has its own app. Music has its own app. Garage door opener- its own app. Tech sucks and I’m not a fan of where Ferrari has taken the tech in their cars.

 

We could always go back to having someone walk in front of the car with a flag .

 

Huh?