Would a 12C be a good long-term investment?
Discussion
Have been pondering this one for a while and keen to get people's thoughts.
I think they're coming to the bottom of their depreciation curve, or getting close anyway but who can really say?
And if they are, are they set to make a sizeable gain over say, a 5-10 yr period - again, who knows?
The car would be used but only on an occassional basis so not massive mileage by any stretch; stored the rest of the time.
I'm keeping a close eye on the market as I personally think this car has good potential, plus, it's a lovely car to have!
Please chip in with your comments.
I think they're coming to the bottom of their depreciation curve, or getting close anyway but who can really say?
And if they are, are they set to make a sizeable gain over say, a 5-10 yr period - again, who knows?
The car would be used but only on an occassional basis so not massive mileage by any stretch; stored the rest of the time.
I'm keeping a close eye on the market as I personally think this car has good potential, plus, it's a lovely car to have!
Please chip in with your comments.
Always thought early MP4 12C coupes would bottom out at £100k and then rally a bit. That's F430 territory these days and believe me there is no comparison between the 2 cars. As much as I loved my F430 F1 spider its not a patch on the 12C.
Long term > 5years and poss 10 years + I think early McLaren models 12C/650S will be good investments purely due to the low production numbers and the rapidly growing brand. The cars are certainly under appreciated at the moment and playing catch up with the power brands of Ferrari and Lamborghini but even from comments on this forum you can see the tide is turning and more and more people are defecting from the Italians and joining the bandwagon.
Newer and better McLaren products will strengthen the older car prices as well IMHO
Long term > 5years and poss 10 years + I think early McLaren models 12C/650S will be good investments purely due to the low production numbers and the rapidly growing brand. The cars are certainly under appreciated at the moment and playing catch up with the power brands of Ferrari and Lamborghini but even from comments on this forum you can see the tide is turning and more and more people are defecting from the Italians and joining the bandwagon.
Newer and better McLaren products will strengthen the older car prices as well IMHO
Cars are supposed to be driven and the motor industry needs you to replace them therefore built-in obsolescence leads to depreciation
Appreciation is more down to luck than anything and cannot be predicted or quantified or timed - you might as well 'invest' in Lego bricks or tulips (no wait that's been done before.....wonder how it ended)
Appreciation is more down to luck than anything and cannot be predicted or quantified or timed - you might as well 'invest' in Lego bricks or tulips (no wait that's been done before.....wonder how it ended)
Who knows but it's hard to see why they would depreciate in the current climate especially when you look at what else you get for the same money...ie not a great deal in comparison.
I cannot see them going up in value a great deal either though...but then all sorts of things drive values and I preferred the style of the 12c over the 650s for instance.
I cannot see them going up in value a great deal either though...but then all sorts of things drive values and I preferred the style of the 12c over the 650s for instance.
Even though I would selfishly like 650's and 12c's to go up in price , it doesn't seem likely. The only car I unintentionally made money on was a merc sls and that was due to the new gt coming out and switching to a turbo. It would be interesting to see how 458's perform as its most likely the last na 8 cylinder Ferrari for a while. I think the mclarens don't have that us- to fall back on with the introduction of newer cars which will mostly be the same but faster. Best bet is to try and buy as the drop slows down so most of the depreciation has been taken out. Enjoy, then move on to next car
“Investment” is a strong word when it comes to cars, but as with most PH threads relating to McLaren, there’s always a negative angle on anything to do with them (have no idea why – other than trying to influence the price) and hence they’re talked down.
I took the plunge last year and put my money where my mouth is and purchased a 12C with the hope that I keep my stake and any upside is a bonus. I’ve employed the same thought process with other cars I’ve brought, namely a 360 CS, a 997 GT3 RS, various S1 Lotus Exiges, Clio V6’s and randomly a Merc 190 Evo II – all of them made money, some small, some large (from a % perspective). If I keep my stake I’ll be happy, as the 12C is a lovely thing to own and drive.
Why the 12C?
Looks - Looks are subjective, but I think the 12C has dateless beauty, with a front visual that reminds me (at least) of the F1
History – Firstly the brand and all of its history. Watching Senna a few nights ago, I couldn’t believe that I had a McLaren sat in my garage. Secondly the innovation that McLaren bring to the sector and finally the first road car since the F1
Nostalgia – As a kid I thought McLaren were the best racing team, the F1 a dream car and something that seemed unattainable
Price – new circa £180-200+ with options, now hovering just over half price in 3 years
Performance – more BHP than a Zonda F, Porsche Carrera GT etc – tick, Carbon Tub – tick, dihedral doors – tick, active aero – tick, trick suspension – tick, flames - tick
Halo Effect – P1, 675 LT etc
All slightly biased, I appreciate, but have a look at the latest EVO – buyers guide in this month’s edition
I took the plunge last year and put my money where my mouth is and purchased a 12C with the hope that I keep my stake and any upside is a bonus. I’ve employed the same thought process with other cars I’ve brought, namely a 360 CS, a 997 GT3 RS, various S1 Lotus Exiges, Clio V6’s and randomly a Merc 190 Evo II – all of them made money, some small, some large (from a % perspective). If I keep my stake I’ll be happy, as the 12C is a lovely thing to own and drive.
Why the 12C?
Looks - Looks are subjective, but I think the 12C has dateless beauty, with a front visual that reminds me (at least) of the F1
History – Firstly the brand and all of its history. Watching Senna a few nights ago, I couldn’t believe that I had a McLaren sat in my garage. Secondly the innovation that McLaren bring to the sector and finally the first road car since the F1
Nostalgia – As a kid I thought McLaren were the best racing team, the F1 a dream car and something that seemed unattainable
Price – new circa £180-200+ with options, now hovering just over half price in 3 years
Performance – more BHP than a Zonda F, Porsche Carrera GT etc – tick, Carbon Tub – tick, dihedral doors – tick, active aero – tick, trick suspension – tick, flames - tick
Halo Effect – P1, 675 LT etc
All slightly biased, I appreciate, but have a look at the latest EVO – buyers guide in this month’s edition
Thanks for the detailed reply. It seems you know how to make wise choices when it comes to buying the right cars!
Yes, I've read the latest EVO issue and I've spoken to Alistair Bols. His advice is hold off for a while...he thinks there's another couple of years left to get to the bottom of that depreciation curve but for me, I think if the right spec'd car came up (which is fairly unlikely given my ideal spec) I might be tempted. I've just got a gut feeling on this one that it's the right thing to do. I should have done it when I had the same chance on a F430 Scud / GT3-RS 4.0L / 360 CS but I didn't, I listened to too many people saying it was too risky, but I should have gone with what I thought was right.
Yes, I've read the latest EVO issue and I've spoken to Alistair Bols. His advice is hold off for a while...he thinks there's another couple of years left to get to the bottom of that depreciation curve but for me, I think if the right spec'd car came up (which is fairly unlikely given my ideal spec) I might be tempted. I've just got a gut feeling on this one that it's the right thing to do. I should have done it when I had the same chance on a F430 Scud / GT3-RS 4.0L / 360 CS but I didn't, I listened to too many people saying it was too risky, but I should have gone with what I thought was right.
duggan said:
“Investment” is a strong word when it comes to cars, but as with most PH threads relating to McLaren, there’s always a negative angle on anything to do with them (have no idea why – other than trying to influence the price) and hence they’re talked down.
Actually I think everyone has been pretty positive about the car in this thread. It's a great car, just not a great investment. But then I don't think there are really any cars many people would consider to be truly great investments after considering maintenance, storage, capital costs, insurance, inflation, etc.Whilst your reasons for buying one, and how happy you are with the car, are good to hear - those factors are not going to make it a good investment. Though it sounds like it certainly was a good purchase.
Buy the car because you really want it, hope that it won't lose much £ (though don't be surprised if it loses a little bit, especially after dealer spread and costs) and realise that if you want to make a good investment, you should look elsewhere.
sealtt said:
duggan said:
“Investment” is a strong word when it comes to cars, but as with most PH threads relating to McLaren, there’s always a negative angle on anything to do with them (have no idea why – other than trying to influence the price) and hence they’re talked down.
Actually I think everyone has been pretty positive about the car in this thread. It's a great car, just not a great investment. But then I don't think there are really any cars many people would consider to be truly great investments after considering maintenance, storage, capital costs, insurance, inflation, etc.Whilst your reasons for buying one, and how happy you are with the car, are good to hear - those factors are not going to make it a good investment. Though it sounds like it certainly was a good purchase.
Buy the car because you really want it, hope that it won't lose much £ (though don't be surprised if it loses a little bit, especially after dealer spread and costs) and realise that if you want to make a good investment, you should look elsewhere.
Would also be surprised if Alastair Bols (or any salesman for that matter) would advise a client to hold off on a purchase as the car has a few year left on its depreciation curve, but there you go…
In theory there is so much "old crap" in the market (especially ferrari) making serious money that it should be near impossible for the 12c to drop any lower due to the underlying holding it up price wise.
I bought mine middle of 15 and prices have remained fairly stable with the odd one or two cars currently available being cheaper due to time of year.
I hope they hold like all of us owners, if they come off a touch then so be it but I cant see them being 70k anytime soon.
Longterm, like 10 years, I think they will possibly go up due to numbers, it would be interesting to see how many cars are actually registered in the UK as there is never more than around 25 ish coupes for sale at anytime.
I bought mine middle of 15 and prices have remained fairly stable with the odd one or two cars currently available being cheaper due to time of year.
I hope they hold like all of us owners, if they come off a touch then so be it but I cant see them being 70k anytime soon.
Longterm, like 10 years, I think they will possibly go up due to numbers, it would be interesting to see how many cars are actually registered in the UK as there is never more than around 25 ish coupes for sale at anytime.
duggan said:
“Investment” is a strong word when it comes to cars, but as with most PH threads relating to McLaren, there’s always a negative angle on anything to do with them (have no idea why – other than trying to influence the price) and hence they’re talked down.
Just because I own the car doesn't mean I stop being realistic about what I think it's future value will be or feel compelled to try to talk the price up. Thinking 12c's will go up significantly is IMO wishful thinking.They will never be £70k territory, NEVER. That's Ferrari 360 money 
Still reckon most will stand firm at £100k for the foreseeable future bar the higher mileage low specs cars.
Being positive they are such great cars whilst they have not appreciated like older Ferrari models they cerytainly wont fall as hard either if a correction happens.
Some of the Ferrari and Porsche prices now are simply stupid and I can see a few people getting their fingers burnt whereas a McLaren is not only a better car but a safer bet IMHO
Still reckon most will stand firm at £100k for the foreseeable future bar the higher mileage low specs cars.
Being positive they are such great cars whilst they have not appreciated like older Ferrari models they cerytainly wont fall as hard either if a correction happens.
Some of the Ferrari and Porsche prices now are simply stupid and I can see a few people getting their fingers burnt whereas a McLaren is not only a better car but a safer bet IMHO
It depends on how you rate the "investment". Over 5 years a 12c purchased today will cost you less than a new 570s due to where on the depreciation curve they are. Will you make money - unlikely. Will you lose money - probably but not as much as you would buying a new model. It is unlikely that the 12c will go the same way as the SLS as the later McLaren models are essentially upgrades. A 12c will never command as much as a 650s. However all in all the 12c is a great car for the current money.
Edited by propaganda on Thursday 31st December 15:05
z4RRSchris said:
they will drop, it's a mass produced sports car.
430's will drop, gallardos, 360's etc.
I admire the idiots thinking mass produced sports cars are good investments jumping into a over inflated market.
3,500 12C worldwide and only 2,500 650S.430's will drop, gallardos, 360's etc.
I admire the idiots thinking mass produced sports cars are good investments jumping into a over inflated market.
Hardly mass produced in comparison to Ferraris and Lamborghinis and remember tomorrows demand will be far greater than todays with production capped as old models
johnnyreggae said:
Cars are supposed to be driven and the motor industry needs you to replace them therefore built-in obsolescence leads to depreciation
Appreciation is more down to luck than anything and cannot be predicted or quantified or timed - you might as well 'invest' in Lego bricks or tulips (no wait that's been done before.....wonder how it ended)
Very wise wordsAppreciation is more down to luck than anything and cannot be predicted or quantified or timed - you might as well 'invest' in Lego bricks or tulips (no wait that's been done before.....wonder how it ended)
RamboLambo said:
3,500 12C worldwide and only 2,500 650S.
Hardly mass produced in comparison to Ferraris and Lamborghinis and remember tomorrows demand will be far greater than todays with production capped as old models
6000 cars! the F40 was considered a bit mass produced at over 1000.... Hardly mass produced in comparison to Ferraris and Lamborghinis and remember tomorrows demand will be far greater than todays with production capped as old models
If I was investing in blue chip cars I would want production runs in the low 100's.
the idea that you buy a 3 year old car and expect to make money over the next 5 years is a modern one and will turn out to be a fantasy. we are are the top of an asset bubble, or maybe we've gone past the peak.
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