MCLAREN 720S OR 488

Reviving this thread. Looking at used 720s right now compared to used F8s. F8 prices are way higher, but hoping they may come down with the 296 hitting the used market.

 

They’ll go up within one year of 296’s becoming plentiful preowned…. Imho - so buy now.


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458

 

Expand, please. Is it because its the only "modern" mid-engine Ferrari that doesnt need any exhaust mods?

 

LOL. Total troll post on my side.

The McLaren fit and finish issues have always held me back, but the 720s is extraordinary and would be my choice.

 

Haha! Yeah, for the price range, I have to think it is a better value than the 458/488. Unless the F8's start dropping, that is the one I will go for. I wish to get into an F8 then 296 VS though, but I can't swing it yet...

 

The steering in the 720s is amazing and my fave part of the car. Have never driven an F8 but doubt it would be as dialed in (electric vs hydraulic)

 

I have a 570S and a 488, and while the drama of the Ferrari is definitely better… the performance of the two is comparable. Edge to 488 for power delivery, edge to 570S for handling. IMO you need to think of F8 as the comparator for a 720.

 

Even though the F8 claims the same power as the Mc 720, it feels actually relatively close to the 488 - I suspect in terms of performance there's still a significant gap between the F8 and 720S.

 

Thanks everyone. I suspect the 720 is superior to the F8 in terms of performance. With that said, the F8 (to me), looks nicer and has nicer interior. The 720 has better track controls and information and I will be tracking the car. However, I am not concerned about the getting every last 0.01s out of the car because let’s be honest, both cars are significantly faster than my skill level.

The choice is difficult for me. Both offer pros in certain areas and have cons as well. One day I think the 720 and the next day I think the F8.

 

You probably already know this, but If you’re going to track the car AND keep it under McLaren’s warranty, you’re looking at some really expensive track days. Pre/post inspection$$$$. Not sure if Ferrari do the same?

 

720S is a great value, an amazing car, basically been bench mark for speed since it first debuted until fairly recent. 488 is also a great value. Virtually perfect in every way with exception of odd responds off the line, everywhere else is pretty instant and lag free. If cost is consideration, I would go 720S>488>F8.

The F8 is much closer to 720S in terms of speed than 488 (1/4mile, 60 to 130mph etc).

The 488 is several bus lengths behind in 1/4mile compare to 720S where F8 can match or not be too far behind. I have a ton of seat time in all 3 cars. The advantage of F8 over 720S is the responds. In sport mode not race mode, it gets off the line instantly with zero delay, might actually be quicker than using launch control. Actually can jump off the line quicker than my hybrid 22 NSX type S.

 

Very informative reply. If cost was not a consideration, how would you rate them? F8>720>488?

This part doesn't actually sway my opinion either way, but are you saying that the Ferrari will respond slower off the line in race mode than in sport mode? It can't hook up?

Thanks buddy!

 

There’s no clear winner here when you consider them in aggregate. I prefer the F8 (and own one), even if the 720 has a slight performance edge.

Both are wicked fast on a track, somewhat quiet and deceptively quick. Tires and grip will always be the weak link in the chain here, regardless of one’s slight edge in performance numbers.

I ran the F8 in automatic mode (race) to manage the flat torque curve and avoid bouncing off the rev limiter, these engines spool up so quickly! It did a good job on upshift…..

 

The carbon monocoque, hydraulic steering and overall lightness and rigidity (compared to the 488/F8) will always give an advantage to the 720S, even if lap times don't prove it, the driving experience does.

Where the 488/F8 has an advantage over the 720S is in daily usability. The cabin is more spacious, ingress/egress is easier (b/c you don't have to climb over the carbon monocoque frame), and even though sexy, the dihedral butterfly doors on the Mclaren are a pain in the ass for daily use, or even semi-regular weekly use.

TL;DR the 720S is a better track car, but the 488/F8 is a better GT car.

 

I track a lot.

If you’re going to spend a lot of time tracking, get a dedicated Challenge car. The F8 (and the 720S) are fast, but the 458 Challenge is much more fun (and safer too). And you won’t be constantly thinking what if….

 

It could just be me. I am guessing in race mode which is meant for track and launch control where ecu take a little time calculating amount of grip available. In Sport mode, ecu may just let you off then it calculate the available grip after car is already moving.

I drove the F8 100% on race mode for a year, literally never touched the mode selector dial until a few months ago. I was pleasantly surpriased when I tried sport mode, after that I mostly drive in sport mode. I find that the jump off the line is more instant, nearly EV like and I don't need to feather the throttle as much once the car gets going, the traction control is freaking good, you almost don't feel it working other than see the traction control light flashes. It puts the perfect amount of power down base on amount of grip available really really well. If I punch it in race mode, car will spin 1st, 2nd, and sometimes 3rd, and I even span in 4th before in dry.

Every car is different. On my NSX Type S where in sport+ is absolutely noticeably quicker off the line vs track mode (less of delay from pressing gas pedal to car moving). On my Aventador SV it is opposite, in sport mode esc off, if punch off the line, it will simply do a long massive burn out, the rev climbs up like thrust mode rapidly without need to hold the brake, then it unleashes and will not regain traction for a while. Where in Corsa mode/esc off and punch it, depending on luck it will either get off the line with zero delay or bog for brief second.

The Mclarens has more racy feel cabin, driving it almost feels like riding a super bike, where Ferrari has a lot more roomy GT feel. I prefer Ferrari overall,but there are areas I prefer Mclaren. That being said, for the price point 720S is unbelievable value at currently going price and such amazing car all around.

If cost is not consideration, I would go F8>720S>488. Which I did voted with my wallet. That being said, all 3 are amazing. If you could get extensive test drive of all 3, that will be the best way.

 

this is VERY interesting-- I'll have to try it also... I've never taken ANY of my 3 Ferraris out of RACE and manual in my total 12 years of ownership-- thanks for the interesting twist and giving me a little experiment to try.

 

FWIW I cross shopped the 488 and 720s and ended up with a 720s. I couldn't pass up the performance and all of the crazy race car stuff (CF tub, active aero wing, hydraulically linked suspension, etc) since it is my weekend fun car. With mild mods (ECU flash and catless downpipes) I just did a standing mile event and hit 207 MPH in the mile and 212 MPH at the 2 KM mark.

 

I didn't say the 720s is a track car.

Just that it is a better track car than the 488/F8.

 

Awesome… go on YouTube and check out Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds…. Lots of cars doing .5 mile up to 2.7 mile top speed runs. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQKDgEAYylSy6fcE6bwD3EQ

 

I watched those clips for inspiration. The event that I do (https://www.ectamile.com/) is at a rural airfield that used to host B-52s in the cold war so the runway is huge for a rural airport. It isn't Johnny Bohmer but it is plenty long enough to run 2 KM and still have plenty of slowdown room. I would love to get down there sometime.

And to be clear, I still daydream about the 488 sometimes. There is no doubt it would be a better daily car and is better than the 720s in many ways. There is no wrong answer here.

 

@Will Motivation I see you just drove the 720 in your new video. Any other thoughts that didnt make it in the video while filming?

 

I’ve a McLaren 600lt and 488. McLaren is raw, industrial and feels like a go kart

 

So, which do you prefer? And have you driven any other McLarens, because I know the LTs have a bit different feel to them.

thanks