Discussion
I've been following this forum for months after test driving a 570GT. I fell in love with the Lotus-like handling and boosty engine - not to mention it's gorgeous looks. I used to dream of owning a Ferrari, but McLarens now appeal more to me. I've always had convertibles as it adds another dimension to the driving experience and is a no brainer with McLarens since they look almost as good as their coupe counterparts with no loss in performance.
I convinced myself I need a 570S Spider and have been looking for a keenly priced, nicely specified example for months - ideally bough privately with MC warranty to negate some of the inevitable depreciation. I thought prices would drop over winter, but they've actually firmed up and risen a fraction. I want to tick the McLaren ownership bucket list box, but not throw away £20k-£30k+ in what might be a 1-2 year ownership.
I really want to acquire a car before Spring and am now wondering would a 650S spider tick the McLaren ownership experience, while having solid residuals (I know warranty and running costs are more than Super Series). Ideally, I'd like to back-to-back demo the two models, but lockdown is preventing that. I've read every comparison on the two models and it's been discussed in detail everywhere.
It will be used as a weekend car, for B road blasts and the odd road trip. My thoughts are given the 570S is ballistically fast, would the 650S be too much? I've come from a world of 911 (non-turbo) and M cars, where you can pretty much use 90% of their performance on the roads without needing to go to track.
Maybe the decider will be whichever comes along first at the right price, spec, condition, warranty. Anyone care to convince me either way (or maybe you're considering selling?) I know test driving is the only way to know, but I’d be really interested in peoples’ thoughts.
I convinced myself I need a 570S Spider and have been looking for a keenly priced, nicely specified example for months - ideally bough privately with MC warranty to negate some of the inevitable depreciation. I thought prices would drop over winter, but they've actually firmed up and risen a fraction. I want to tick the McLaren ownership bucket list box, but not throw away £20k-£30k+ in what might be a 1-2 year ownership.
I really want to acquire a car before Spring and am now wondering would a 650S spider tick the McLaren ownership experience, while having solid residuals (I know warranty and running costs are more than Super Series). Ideally, I'd like to back-to-back demo the two models, but lockdown is preventing that. I've read every comparison on the two models and it's been discussed in detail everywhere.
It will be used as a weekend car, for B road blasts and the odd road trip. My thoughts are given the 570S is ballistically fast, would the 650S be too much? I've come from a world of 911 (non-turbo) and M cars, where you can pretty much use 90% of their performance on the roads without needing to go to track.
Maybe the decider will be whichever comes along first at the right price, spec, condition, warranty. Anyone care to convince me either way (or maybe you're considering selling?) I know test driving is the only way to know, but I’d be really interested in peoples’ thoughts.
Meeko said:
My thoughts are given the 570S is ballistically fast, would the 650S be too much?
The extra power of the 650 certainly doesn't seem necessary given the power of the 570. I've not driven a 570, but compared to a 540 the 650 does feel a bit mental at higher revs. Having said that - I do still have my foot to the floor in a straight line sometimes........I considered a 570 when I bought my 650 but ruled it out for other reasons. I prefer the styling of the 650 (don't really like the rear end of the sports series cars), and I preferred the interior too - the "real" tacho for one, and I wasn't a fan of the floating centre screen. All this is purely subjective though.
The 650 obviously has other super series benefits - the suspension for one, and I still look in the rear view mirror to watch the air brake flip up every time I brake hard - after 18 months and 8k miles of ownership!
When I drove the 540, I did find the power delivery more predictable than my 650 - it felt more linear (in a good way). Whether that's due to less lag, or because the 650 is more explosive when the revs rise I'm not sure.
I agree with you on both counts - the rear end and phyiscal tacho are definitely plus points. Given both are incredible cars, I'm sure I'd be happy with either on the aesthetics, but your comment on the power delivery is interesting. Given more predicable power delivery may mean it may feel more rewarding as you might extract more performance from it? I had a similar thoughts about a GTR, it was so capable it really didn't reward a great driver on the road.
As an experience the 650S might give more of a wow factor but to live with if you want to go out for a spirited drive, would the Super Series offer a more rewarding B road blast?
As an experience the 650S might give more of a wow factor but to live with if you want to go out for a spirited drive, would the Super Series offer a more rewarding B road blast?
I use my car mostly daily - when I had a 540 for a couple of weeks, I actually thought that would have been more suited to that role, and the easier entry / exit also helped. (Oh, and the headlights are MUCH better on 540 - and I assume 570 - than 650).
I didn't really take the 540 for any blasts but think it would have been more than capable - but I do find my 650 does an excellent job at that too.
I didn't really take the 540 for any blasts but think it would have been more than capable - but I do find my 650 does an excellent job at that too.
What a great place to be. I can only echo the above that's been said ie; much prefer the interior of 650 over 570 with the big tacho, driver focus etc and more cosseted. As you mentioned residual value I think the 650 would be a safer bet as it's more exclusive having lower build numbers and the suspension on them being the super series over sports series is unbelievable and that 'air-brake' !
I was in a similar situation last year and my budget would've covered 570 but I opted for a 12c for the afore mentioned and exterior looks too. Whichever you choose it will be Epic, good luck with the search.
I was in a similar situation last year and my budget would've covered 570 but I opted for a 12c for the afore mentioned and exterior looks too. Whichever you choose it will be Epic, good luck with the search.
I don't think you can really go wrong assuming you go with a warranty on either.
650S might be a bit cheaper to buy but more expensive to warranty. And the opposite for the 570S.
I'd think you're likely to lose more on the 570S in comparison. 650s seem very steady just now.
Looks are subjective
650S might be a bit cheaper to buy but more expensive to warranty. And the opposite for the 570S.
I'd think you're likely to lose more on the 570S in comparison. 650s seem very steady just now.
Looks are subjective
The new owner of my 650 spider was in the fortunate position that his best friend had a 570spider that he was selling for a 720 and offered him the 570 for the weekend for him to drive and get familiar with prior to coming to view my car.
Upon viewing my car he said he made the descion as soon as he seen it.
He couldn't elaborate why.
Since then he has kept in touch and is delighted he took the chance on travelling 350miles to view.
Performance wise, like with all McLarens, they are warp drive fast and you would have to drive like a tool on public roads to say one is much faster than the other.
As has been mentioned the airbrake and trick suspension sold it for me, and the simplicity of the dashboard in this current day is an absolute delight.
Either car you cannot go wrong.
Upon viewing my car he said he made the descion as soon as he seen it.
He couldn't elaborate why.
Since then he has kept in touch and is delighted he took the chance on travelling 350miles to view.
Performance wise, like with all McLarens, they are warp drive fast and you would have to drive like a tool on public roads to say one is much faster than the other.
As has been mentioned the airbrake and trick suspension sold it for me, and the simplicity of the dashboard in this current day is an absolute delight.
Either car you cannot go wrong.
I havent driven a 650s so cannot compare it to my 570s but overall I preferred the 570S design language. When I was looking in late 2019 the 650s was still more expensive on avg than the 570S however they now seem to be broadly the same. Warranty on the 650s will be 5k pa post 5 yrs old vs 3.5k on the 570S. Warranty is an absolute must tbh mine has had niggly problems that needed fixing nothing v serious (nothing electrical) but any Mclaren work is costly and you can lose weeks of using the car getting issues rectified. Mines been back in since mid Jan but with lockdown etc not like I can go anywhere. The car is great to drive tho and a real occasion every time and be prepared for alot of positive attention for whichever car you choose. Good luck with the search!
This topic comes up quite often here. In my own case I went for the 650 for the suspension, the backlight (noise!) the low end torque and the lunge at the top end. And I’ve always preferred a real needle revving up.
This is an interesting read.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/6-ways-the-mclare...
This is an interesting read.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/6-ways-the-mclare...
Meeko said:
It will be used as a weekend car, for B road blasts and the odd road trip. My thoughts are given the 570S is ballistically fast, would the 650S be too much?
I don't think so, no. What you may well find though is that the 650s's trick suspension is set up to allow it to also function as a GT, not only a sports car for some weekend fun, so it has a slightly different purpose and therefore feel.I think that you need to find a way to drive both. You can't really say that one is better or worse, but they are definitely different to one another.
Northernboy said:
What you may well find though is that the 650s's trick suspension is set up to allow it to also function as a GT, not only a sports car for some weekend fun, so it has a slightly different purpose and therefore feel.
With 3 different settings - one of which is track - I don't think the suspension is really lacking anything the sports series offers.davek_964 said:
Northernboy said:
What you may well find though is that the 650s's trick suspension is set up to allow it to also function as a GT, not only a sports car for some weekend fun, so it has a slightly different purpose and therefore feel.
With 3 different settings - one of which is track - I don't think the suspension is really lacking anything the sports series offers.I generally had the performance in track and handling in normal.
Best of both worlds
davek_964 said:
With 3 different settings - one of which is track - I don't think the suspension is really lacking anything the sports series offers.
I agree, but it’s not set up to be the same, there isn’t a setting on the 660 that will make it feel the same as a 570, and of course the geometry can’t be changed, so some people may prefer the 570.Northernboy said:
I agree, but it’s not set up to be the same, there isn’t a setting on the 660 that will make it feel the same as a 570, and of course the geometry can’t be changed, so some people may prefer the 570.
Only a drive in each can determine what is more suitable for the individual.As I mentioned, both are great.
However, i think the 650 is the current sweet spot of the range.
The 675 is universally mentioned as perhaps the best car produced by McLaren.
The 650 has 95% of a 675LT capabilities at 45% of the price with no compromise on ride, turning circle or day to day driving.
Northernboy said:
I agree, but it’s not set up to be the same, there isn’t a setting on the 660 that will make it feel the same as a 570, and of course the geometry can’t be changed, so some people may prefer the 570.
What do you mean? (I'm wondering if I should be demanding a refund from Thorney! 
)davek_964 said:
Northernboy said:
I agree, but it’s not set up to be the same, there isn’t a setting on the 660 that will make it feel the same as a 570, and of course the geometry can’t be changed, so some people may prefer the 570.
What do you mean? (I'm wondering if I should be demanding a refund from Thorney! )Its always best getting the geo checked by someone whom knows what they are doing on a hunters.
My geo was all over the shop upon purchase and drive was transformed afterwards.
Best £350 i spent on the 650.
davek_964 said:
What do you mean? (I'm wondering if I should be demanding a refund from Thorney! )
I mean the switches don’t change the geometry. )Do you really not agree that the 570 and 650 offer different driving experiences, and that therefore some will prefer one and some prefer the other?
You seem to be arguing that the 650s us objectively better, but most people (even those like me who bought a 650) seem to accept that some people will just prefer the 570.
Northernboy said:
I mean the switches don’t change the geometry.
Do you really not agree that the 570 and 650 offer different driving experiences, and that therefore some will prefer one and some prefer the other?
You seem to be arguing that the 650s us objectively better, but most people (even those like me who bought a 650) seem to accept that some people will just prefer the 570.
My last comment wasn't arguing - I genuinely didn't understand what you meant. In fact, I was quite careful about how I phrased it because I didn't want it to come across as an argument!Do you really not agree that the 570 and 650 offer different driving experiences, and that therefore some will prefer one and some prefer the other?
You seem to be arguing that the 650s us objectively better, but most people (even those like me who bought a 650) seem to accept that some people will just prefer the 570.
FWIW - no, I don't think the 650 is objectively better. I even already stated that - when I used a 540 for a couple of weeks - I thought it was more suited to my use!
I do find the comment about the suspension odd though - it's generally accepted that the super series suspension is quite advanced, so the suggestion that it's somehow compromised against the sports series isn't something I've heard before. It's not something I noticed, but then I only had a short period with a 540.
ETA : I think you're looking for an argument which isn't actually taking place - at least not on my part.
davek_964 said:
My last comment wasn't arguing - I genuinely didn't understand what you meant. In fact, I was quite careful about how I phrased it because I didn't want it to come across as an argument!
FWIW - no, I don't think the 650 is objectively better. I even already stated that - when I used a 540 for a couple of weeks - I thought it was more suited to my use!
I do find the comment about the suspension odd though - it's generally accepted that the super series suspension is quite advanced, so the suggestion that it's somehow compromised against the sports series isn't something I've heard before. It's not something I noticed, but then I only had a short period with a 540.
ETA : I think you're looking for an argument which isn't actually taking place - at least not on my part.
No, not looking for an argument, sorry, just probably not making my point well.FWIW - no, I don't think the 650 is objectively better. I even already stated that - when I used a 540 for a couple of weeks - I thought it was more suited to my use!
I do find the comment about the suspension odd though - it's generally accepted that the super series suspension is quite advanced, so the suggestion that it's somehow compromised against the sports series isn't something I've heard before. It's not something I noticed, but then I only had a short period with a 540.
ETA : I think you're looking for an argument which isn't actually taking place - at least not on my part.
I’m just trying to say that McLaren designed the two cars with slightly different purposes in mind, so the drive is going to be different, and a prospective buyer needs to try both to see what they prefer.
Well, the point of the proactive suspension is that it not only works like anti-roll bars without their added weight, but also deals with skew (when the front and rear of the car are being rotated by bumps in opposite directions) which no other performance suspension deals as well with - including the sports suspension. It’s not just about relative damper settings.
For me, it means the car holds the line at the limit on a rough road or track, and is much smoother while cruising. And you can feel what is going on at each corner, as opposed to the twitchiness without feel from the Europeans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkwL8lBo2e0&fe...
For me, it means the car holds the line at the limit on a rough road or track, and is much smoother while cruising. And you can feel what is going on at each corner, as opposed to the twitchiness without feel from the Europeans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkwL8lBo2e0&fe...
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