Trading a 997.2 GT3 in for a McLaren 12C

[drswideopen]

A bit lost about what to do and I thought I'd turn to the ever helpful pistonhead forums and see what everyone else would do? I know im posting in the McLaren section so I can expect the answers to be a bit biased!! I've heard some stories about the 12C and it's reliability but think a properly inspected example can't be all that bad? The loss of a manual transmission is something I think I'd miss. Beyond that the price of the 12C and its future value are worth thinking about but it seems like a really decent deal at the moment, wheras I think the 997.2 GT3 should hold.

Thanks!

[IMI A]

Have a look in the mirror and give yourself a good slap!

[Evolved]

As above. Give your head a wobble, sit in a darkened room and say ‘I am a moron for thinking such crazy thoughts’ 500 times. Exit the room, get in the GT3 and drive it remembering why you bought in originally.

Alternatively, if the above doesn’t work and you’re still hell bent on doing this. Sell it cheap as you’re obviously wanting rid and let me know via DM how much and when.

Obviously only having the one post, and discussing porches in the McLaren forum can only mean one thing..

[JPCGT]

As above.

Your basically wanting to trade a car (GT3) that’s been honed over many years, for a first generation car (12C) that wasn’t. Not a good move imho.

[drswideopen]

Ahah, about what I expected! One too many drinks I think... also re: discussing Porsche in the McLaren section I wasn't sure where to post - Supercar General maybe.

[MDL111]

tough one - I really like the look of the 12C. Have never driven one, so can't opine on that.

I think you will miss the manual a lot (judging from when I went GT2 to FF), especially road driving the paddle shift transmissions (DCT, single-clutch) are rarely really exciting and engaging - basically only when you are accelerating or braking really hard (which you should not really do on the road). I still enjoy driving them, but not as much as a manual car.

I do think the 997 GT cars are the high point of modern Porsches - easy enough to live with to drive daily, but still raw enough to be engaging on country roads (I still have not had mine on track, but suspect it will excel there as well).

On the other hand, I also really fancy trying a McLaren for a while and I suspect the 12C will give you most of the experience of the more expensive/newer models for a lot less money - so I can understand the temptation

Good luck (I know my answer was probably not super helpful)

[drswideopen]

MDL111 said:

tough one - I really like the look of the 12C. Have never driven one, so can't opine on that.

I think you will miss the manual a lot (judging from when I went GT2 to FF), especially road driving the paddle shift transmissions (DCT, single-clutch) are rarely really exciting and engaging - basically only when you are accelerating or braking really hard (which you should not really do on the road). I still enjoy driving them, but not as much as a manual car.

I do think the 997 GT cars are the high point of modern Porsches - easy enough to live with to drive daily, but still raw enough to be engaging on country roads (I still have not had mine on track, but suspect it will excel there as well).

On the other hand, I also really fancy trying a McLaren for a while and I suspect the 12C will give you most of the experience of the more expensive/newer models for a lot less money - so I can understand the temptation

Good luck (I know my answer was probably not super helpful)

Thanks for the reply! I think you're right about the transmission. The main reason I went for the 997 was because of the transmission in the first place (this was at the time every motoring journalist opened every Porsche 991.1 video with 'THE END OF THE MANUAL ERA!!' nonsense) I think the 12C is great value for money but one can't help but wondering if its dropped that much for a reason... The biggest red flag is McLaren dealer support, especially with the recent news about supplying aftermarket.

[Crazy4557]

I've not driven a 997GT3 but owned a 996 version from new so expect them to be in the same ballpark performance wise. You'll find a 12C sooo much faster all round except possibly in the lower rev range with it being turbo'd. The McLaren is a more modern design, will be an epic event every time you drive it and you'll hardly see another unlike 911's.
Most people commenting on here have probably never driven any McLaren so can't comment from experience of both marques but if you buy one you won't look back.

[DT398]

I’ve owned both and I’d say if you really really gel with the GT3 and love it for what it is, you won’t keep the 12c for long and there’s a good chance you will find it fast but relatively dull. That was my experience with a 650 and I’ll never have another.

If it’s an itch you really need to scratch and could see your way back to a GT3 in the future then why not but if you are thinking you’ll make the change and not get back into a GT3 again for some reason, then you may regret it, imho.

[EK993]

If it were a 997 Turbo, I would say yes, go for it. Not a GT3 though, the McLaren will seem dull by comparison (regardless of how much faster it is), and the 997 will likely appreciate in value, I don’t think you could expect the same from the 12C.

Now, if you could own both……

[12pack]

Depends on how well and hard you drive . 12C any day for proper steering feel, low rotational inertia, the driving position, front visibility and a suspension you can count on on bumpy tracks. Limited by front end grip - a pair of spacers is an easy fix. And yes, you CAN turn off the electronic help. Convertible gets you better sound, and no compromise top up or down. A 650 is even better on many counts.

Most casual drivers (including journos) will favor the GT3 for its “analog” feel, but for me it’s just so limited when truly on the go.

Depreciation is only an issue if you plan to sell quickly. And despite the current prices, it IS a supercar - with supercar expenses, so please only buy if you can afford these things, and don’t complain after the fact


An exception to the journo comment:
https://www.topgear.com/videos/chris-harris-drives...

Edited by 12pack on Sunday 26th September 21:57

[Streetbeat]

Its taken quite a while on this earth to realise, porsche guys are porsche guys, ferrari guys etc etc and so on and so forth on the most part.

Personally we are on this earth too long to get stuck on a marque and pump out the same spiel year in and year out, go drive some other stuff, enjoy some other experiences, some you may like, some you may not, but whats the worst that can happen, you loose a few quid and get back into what you know and like.

At the very least your experience of ownership is valid, rather than rubbishing a marque just because its not a *enter marque here*

I wouldnt rule out any of the range, i am more than impressed with my 570s, your budget should be pretty reasonable, good luck with your decision op.

[IMI A]

OP I think like with many old cars its really dependent on getting a good example which is easier said than done. I'd only buy from McLaren or a car with Official Mcl Warranty. Reminds me of penguins looking to get past a pod of Orcas. We all want to jump in feet first but too f scared .

Be nice to hear from a few more owners on here who maybe regularly still use them. Beautiful car its aged sowell. Thought it was dull at launch funny how perceptions change and I love its design now. Looks very cool.

[barriejames]

Id dump the Porsche in a heartbeat for anything with a Mclaren badge. I sold my 991 Turbo s as it was the most dull ownership experience I can remember, bought a Mclaren never going back.

[IMI A]

Hahahaha I'm sure you did not say that when you owned the superior german car

[barriejames]

IMI A said:

Hahahaha I'm sure you did not say that when you owned the superior german car

Spoken like a true well used Porsche owner. I did get a good part ex deal on it to be fair, so more than happy the brand has a good reputation, but so did Harold Shipman

Edited by barriejames on Monday 27th September 20:21

[IMI A]

I love both of them - looked so good in yellow

[IMI A]

If you've got the itch I'd first see if you can maybe get a drive. Then take it from there. The car still look very modern. Its so different to a 7 GT3. Spaceship like by comparison.

[MDL111]

12pack said:

.....Most casual drivers (including journos) will favor the GT3 for its “analog” feel, but for me it’s just so limited when truly on the go.......

Edited by 12pack on Sunday 26th September 21:57

I need to move to wherever you live - your place sounds so much better than Alps and Autobahn. I'd love to be "truly on the go" on the road from time to time.

[IMI A]

So shuffled over to classifieds and came across this which is now sold. Nicest 12c I've ever seen IMO being a 50th anni 1 0f 50. Congrats to whoever bought looks like a stealth fighter in triple black.