675 LT vs 675 LT Spyder

675 LT vs 675 LT Spyder

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Discussion

IMI A

Original Poster:

9,670 posts

208 months

Thursday 27th August 2020
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Any views from guys that have run them which one better? I like coupe but the spyder may be more fun.

WilliamWaiver

439 posts

52 months

Thursday 27th August 2020
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I've not owned one yet but driven both.
For me the no compromise spider appeals as I like open top motoring and only do a few track days.
40 kg for the roof mechanism is neither here or there.
Some argue coupe roofline is cleaner but I think both look good and with the metal folding roof up your average punter will think its a coupe anyway.
Apart from the obvious roof down on a sunny day the big advantage of spider is roof up and back window down.
Thats when the car sounds its best as no wind noise. Spider is a lot more visceral sounding than coupe IMHO and takes experience to another level

If you are a track animal go coupe otherwise spider all day long for me.
There are also less spiders in UK than coupes apparently.

But as I'm looking for a spider I think you should definitely go for a coupe

Rocketreid

655 posts

79 months

Thursday 27th August 2020
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If you aren’t going to track the car but it is an LT !
go for a Spider. Little difference in most aspects but if you like open top motoring then only one choice. Having driven both not really any difference except access to cabin with roof down

IMO though a well specced 720s 2018 model onwards is a far superior car in every way. Improved design, better engine and more advanced. Some niggles in some cars which can be remedied with some patience and faster than a 675LT, although why you need to go any faster is another debate

WilliamWaiver

439 posts

52 months

Thursday 27th August 2020
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Rocketreid said:
If you aren’t going to track the car but it is an LT !
go for a Spider. Little difference in most aspects but if you like open top motoring then only one choice. Having driven both not really any difference except access to cabin with roof down

IMO though a well specced 720s 2018 model onwards is a far superior car in every way. Improved design, better engine and more advanced. Some niggles in some cars which can be remedied with some patience and faster than a 675LT, although why you need to go any faster is another debate
Depends how you define better.
I like my supercars to be very visceral and as fast and comfortable as a 720S is it doesnt make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up like a 675LT.

If it was a daily driver I agree with you the 720S is better and cheaper but for a weekend toy 675 LT all day.

Was it Chris Harris or Steve Sutcliffe, anyway one of tge big journos described the 675LT as a P1 without the electrics and more Fun.

Don't get me wrong the 720S is a fantastic car and unbelievable value for money and as a daily I would have one but not as a weekend toy its just too good and accomplished but a little soulless if I'm being harsh.

For me the 675LT is a cult car in limited numbers that will be a future classic. As good as a 720S is it won't be a classic.

OP seems set on a 675LT just like me even though we could both save £100k for a newer car. I think that says it all


Rocketreid

655 posts

79 months

Thursday 27th August 2020
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The 675LT does have some X factor in the same way as say a 458 Speciale does and that is appealing to some folks. No different to anything else in life !

But nevertheless the 720s is a far better designed car in all aspects, the aero is from another era compared to the 675LT. The Laminar flow and Boundary Layer effect bodywork give the 720s far superior road manners. On track the 720s is quicker although I concede the 675LT is probably more involving at the limit but not faster on lap times. You can always fettle with the 720s to improve its track manners !

I never felt the 675LT drove on road as well or felt as quick as a 720s and never tried one on track to compare.

I think the mystic of a limited edition car is probably the biggest factor and on that the 675 can not lose.

But other than being a bit lighter and potentially more desirable for some it loses out to the 720 in every other area. I think most people’s hairs would be up full chat down the Hanger Straight at 178mph in a 720s, I know mine were

WilliamWaiver

439 posts

52 months

Thursday 27th August 2020
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I'm speaking as a neutral with no horse in the race and my preference is the 675LT at £100k more but everyone is different.
The 720S hasn't tugged at my heart strings and whikst it has grown on me with physicsl familiarity I still can't adjust my eyes fully to the headlight sockets and overall design but I do appreciate it still.

To me its definitely more hyoercar looking and a bit wacky than cohesive and sexy.

Still think bar the original F1 the 675LT spider is the best car McLaren have produced hence the £100k premiums over list just 4 years ago.
720S are already £100k under list after 6 months making 2nd hand cars a great buy IMHO for a quick fling but not a special purchase as a keeper

DeltaOne

560 posts

220 months

Thursday 27th August 2020
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[quote=WilliamWaiver]
Still think bar the original F1 the 675LT spider is the best car McLaren have produced hence the £100k premiums over list just 4 years ago. /quote]

Not disagreeing on how good 675 is, but not sure where you numbers come from - they’re very wrong.

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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There’s little point comparing 675LT with the 720S. Both have a different design purpose. 675LT = fast track car and 720S = fast road car.
Fairer ‘purpose’ comparison will be with the 765LT, although that too will be pointless if the 720S as a newer generation car has already moved the game along. 720S was already bordering on hypercar performance - can’t wait to try the 765LT.

Back on topic: Spyder for me. Best of both worlds.

Wilmslowboy

4,312 posts

213 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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In my humble view....

The only reason to have a coupe 675LT over a spyder, is if it came with the roof scoop.


justin220

5,450 posts

211 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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Wilmslowboy said:
In my humble view....

The only reason to have a coupe 675LT over a spyder, is if it came with the roof scoop.
Similar to me. The roof scoop would almost be enough to persuade me to a coupe over a spyder.. If I had that choice!

WilliamWaiver

439 posts

52 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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Wilmslowboy said:
In my humble view....

The only reason to have a coupe 675LT over a spyder, is if it came with the roof scoop.
Good point but very rare and expensive option at £30k.
Price wise I guess that would make the roof scoop coupe similar to spider but i would still choose spider for road driving.

The induction noise with roof scoop is great and adds to the experience but I still rate the exhaust sound with the roof up back window down on the spider higher

IMI A

Original Poster:

9,670 posts

208 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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I do love a roof scoop. A friend who is getting 765LT tells me they are just there for looks hence he is not bothering? Doesn't seem very Mcl? Is 675LT the same ie no added performance?

WilliamWaiver

439 posts

52 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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IMI A said:
I do love a roof scoop. A friend who is getting 765LT tells me they are just there for looks hence he is not bothering? Doesn't seem very Mcl? Is 675LT the same ie no added performance?
Its fully functional but I dont know what the performance gains would be.

BMC air filters will give you a similar whooshing effect

RBT0

1,540 posts

126 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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WilliamWaiver said:
IMI A said:
I do love a roof scoop. A friend who is getting 765LT tells me they are just there for looks hence he is not bothering? Doesn't seem very Mcl? Is 675LT the same ie no added performance?
Its fully functional but I dont know what the performance gains would be.

BMC air filters will give you a similar whooshing effect
Tell me more about BMC filters on McLaren please.

First of all, when is the air filter due for change? Every year?

I was used to re-usable BMC filters on my early days with cars.

Does McLaren approve it?

tyrrell

1,687 posts

215 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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You can get them from Thorney, of course they are not approved by McLaren as they are aftermarket & not OEM.

WilliamWaiver

439 posts

52 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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tyrrell said:
You can get them from Thorney, of course they are not approved by McLaren as they are aftermarket & not OEM.
Yeah but better than the OEM ones and adds a bit more drama with the induction noise.

This and sports cats will be my first OEM + upgrades

RBT0

1,540 posts

126 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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No way I am going to do that, only option would be to ask a McLaren dealer to approve it...I mean, I’d lose my warranty.

I’d love to hear some induction noise though.

Anybody that has tried on 600LT? If the added induction noise is not loud enough then it would be waste of time as exhaust and engine are pretty loud inside the cabin.

tyrrell

1,687 posts

215 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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You can ask a McLaren dealer all you like, but at the end of the day it’s Woking who will approve any warranty claim.

MDL111

7,169 posts

184 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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I would want a coupe with a cage / harness bar and harnesses - normal seatbelts are not really all that great when using the car as intended

Edit: no experience of the particular model but I assume a seatbelt is a seatbelt

WilliamWaiver

439 posts

52 months

Friday 28th August 2020
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tyrrell said:
You can ask a McLaren dealer all you like, but at the end of the day it’s Woking who will approve any warranty claim.
675LTs are out of the original manufacturer warranty and when I asked Thorney about his warranty on one he said he was more than happy to have my money but he didn't think it was necessary for the 3,000 Road miles pa I intend to do in the car.
Seems 650S/675LT are the best built and most reliable McLarens by far once first owner has addressed any minor issues not that there are many of those either unless you have a Friday afternoon car.

Higher grade air filter and sports cats are unlikely to cause an issue when they are better than OEM