McLaren 650s

I haven't driven a 650s. I sat in one when we picked up wife's 458. It felt a bit cramped in the driver's seat. I have a 430 and it's much more roomy in comparison IMHO. I'm 6'2 170 lb.

 

I had a 570s which I know is different but after six months of ownership and the newness wears off, only then will you understand the mistake you made and also understand why Ferrari can be snobs with their new car inventory. It’s called sex appeal and even though the Mac will crush the Ferrari in every possible performance category, it just doesn’t matter. Performance can only take a brand so far. Ferrari is quite the brand and one you should not pass up on owning.

 

I see a lot of McClarens here in So Cal. I know they are good cars. I just dont get that same feeling I do when I see a Ferrari. I could care less about how fast any exotic is. I care about the way my heart beats when I hear and see one, and Ferrari are the only
machines that have ever done that for me.

I still get a huge hard on whenever I see a 3 x 8, that does not happen when I see other exotics from other manufacturers. Im not a huge fan of the 360 / 430 machines. When the 458 / 488 came to be, I was like holy ****. I would have to say the 650 and other M machines look better than the 360/430, but thats it .

The 360 / 430 have that Ferrari sound, but not so much in the design . Years ago I was on one of my bikes on 74 when a 430 came by me in the opposite lane, when I heard it go screaming by, which by the way I was able to hear over the music on the Ipod , I nearly
soiled myself.

I will admit that I left out Porsche. They do it for me, not as much as Ferrari, but much more than McClaren.I hope to own one at some point in the future. If its in God plan for me to become a millionaire, I will for sure buy another Ferrari.

Big G

G

 

Go ask the question on Macca forums. My answer (have never owned either, but have one from each brand (F8, 720S) on my next purchase list next year) is pretty complex. It depends on what you are looking for.

1. The 650S is a decade newer
2. The 650S will destroy a 430 on any performance metric
3. If you want a spider, a 650S gives you a hardtop with no scuttle shake
4. Fancy doors on the 650S
5. The 650S will have a better ride dues to the hydraulic suspension
6. You damn sure better have that OEM warranty on any McLaren (about $6k a year I think) - And live close to a dealer
7. For me, the 650S looks awkward....especially the 12C rear end
8. A 430 is a safer buy
9. A 430 is way easier to get in and out of
10. The 650S is underpriced for what you get, but you take risks

 

Shark01, no way you will end up buying a 720s over the F8. Stop playing. The Mac forum is garbage and full of guys in denial and they always bring up the performance aspect as the reason for buying the car over Ferrari. Ferrari is a no joke brand and the world knows it. Everything else is hot garbage, even Lamborghini. The demand is so over the charts, they screw over celebrities all the time and don’t care if they drive one or not because the brand desirability is just that strong. Ferrari oozes class and sophistication

 

My 360 is the first Ferrari I have ever owned. I am planning on my next and I must change my mind a thousand times on which one that might be… When I had my 570s, I never thought about which McLaren was going to be my next if that says anything. Not many owners go past one let alone two. The 570s was literally so perfect, it was boring if that makes any type sense.

 

LOL…..typical fan boy post, that is very tone deaf in 2024.

I don’t see the world through Ferrari colored glasses….they aren’t the only game in town to n this segment and that has been true for decades. Do they make great cars? Of course they do, and others do as well.

Would I choose a 720S spider over a F8 spider? Well there is a $200k price difference so I will certainly look closely at both, and the Macca will have some advantages going in.

 

There are no excessive maintenance differences between the Ferrari V8s and V12s to be concerned with.

I think the decision process there will be more along the lines of “GT car versus Sport model” and whether you value low torque/high rpm or you want a higher torque car.

As a V12 owner, I will say the old adage “every true car guy should own a V12 car at least once” is true.

 

Fan boy?? I had a 570s?? You miss that part? Buy the 720s big baller. Leave the exclusive fan boy brand that is so loved that they pick their clients. You won’t buy a second Mac.

 

You said your 570 was literally perfect, so why the hate?

I happen to NOT like the way Ferrari dealers do business, another point in the 720's favor....thanks for reminding me

 

These Mclaren hating posts are funny. I totally agree that some dealers are just terrible to deal with Ferrari unfortunately has lots of company here.

 

Yes, my 570 was perfect and light years faster. Do I think Ferrari are better track performers, no, But they don’t give that feeling Ferrari’s give an owner is what I am saying.

 

Yes, and my local dealer Ferrari of Houston soured me so much on the “buying” experience that I haven’t stepped foot in there since 2005. Really bad experiences stay with you, and they sucked.

 

Thats an opinion and you are certainly entitled to it. I can assure you others have the opposite opinion and while even more are just pragmatic and appreciate the cars and manufacturers for their pros and cons. Just to put some things into perspective- I was on a rally recently. About 12-14 owners- everyone was driving a mclaren except for one person who was in their new 296. This individual had the 296, TDF, F40, Pista and about 6 Mclarens and another dozen or so cars -Singers, K-egg, Senna, P1 etc. Serious collection. There were two other gentlemen with similar collections between 25-30 cars each.
Each of these individuals found Mclaren to be vastly superior than Ferrari. Now that doesnt mean they crap all over Ferrari- they were just pragmatic and appreciated the nuances of each brand.

My point is while you may not have appreciated the experience of your 570 and much prefer your 360 - there is nothing wrong with that but please stop the myopia and making statements such as people only buy one mclaren. I currently own two with a 3rd on the way. a fourth was traded in. And Ive also owned multiple Ferraris including my Pista and numerous other cars.

In short - chill with the Mclaren hate. What you are saying might be true for you but it nowhere bears reality for many others.

 

I adore the 430 but I'd go 650s over 430 just because they are so capable and turn so nicely, 675's are incredible too

458 over a 650 though imo

 

SoCal, while I do understand what you are saying, you must understand the vast majority prefer Ferrari over McLaren which is why they can blow people out of dealerships. The demand around the world trumps Mac. You are the rarity customer that continues to buy Macs but you still are here.

 

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I know the 360 is the pinnacle of performance in the Ferrari world and honestly too much car for me to handle so you will have to take what I say with a grain of salt. Ive only owned a couple of Ferraris- most recently a Pista so I know that is no where as impressive as a 20 year old Ferrari 360.

All I can say is that Ferrari makes a great car. I understand your experience with the entry level 570, quite possibly the worst car Mclaren has made wasn't too great so I can understand you are jaded.

But I can assure you that the reason that I hang out here is not for the car talk any longer. It's for the friends Ive made over the years who are rational and logical in their assessment of car manufactures.

Enjoy your 360. I hear its quite the car.

 

The 570s is an entry level McLaren? Hmm, it’s just as fast as that Pista. You can argue all you want and debate that my old Ferrari is inferior to your Pista. If I had a F8 Tributo, does that mean your Pista experience is less than me at that point? You’re talking out your a$$ and in denial that McLaren is as desirable as Ferrari.

 

"even though the Mac will crush the Ferrari in every possible performance category, it just doesn’t matter."

Yes the 570 is entry level. And probably the worst model they ever made.

You don't own a F8.

Never said 360 is inferior to Pista. Was just commenting on a Ferrari I have owned. The point was not to make you feel inferior- im sorry if you did. The point was to tell you that I have recent experience in Ferrari ownership of a recent model. I have a deposit for a 296 and have been looking at SF90. By no means am I saying anything is more or less desirable. I simply buy cars I enjoy.

What color is the 360? Would love to see a picture of it.

 

I am pretty sure the MP4-12C is one of the worst but to be honest, I would not call any McLaren the worst let alone the 570S. The 720s I guess would be considered the new entry level but the performance is next level. I would assume it would keep up an SF90 on a track which is just nuts considering the price delta.

 

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