Itchy feet - 720 Spider?

[964Cup]

I have a 720s coupe (threads on here if you care). We're just back from the MOC tour of Italy (which was rather good fun). The weather was spectacular. And almost everyone else had a spider. Mostly 570s, but enough 720s to leave me jealous. We did benefit from the extra luggage space - it's amazing what you can fit on that shelf, and the tie-downs work a treat - but I've usually had convertibles until now, and I came away with a case of spider-envy.

The question is one of timing. I can't help feeling there's a reckoning coming, and that spider prices will come down. So, of course, will coupe prices (and mine is on the leggy side - 2018 car, 21k miles). So am I better off trying to change now before the wheels have really come off, or do I wait and hope that the gap narrows as 720s find support, one hopes, somewhere in six figures? There are cars out there that would work for me, although none with my preferred light-coloured luxury interior (not a value plus on my car either but if I can find a spider then presumably neutral), and I'm probably looking at 75-80k to change, being conservative. It's heading into winter, and we're away for most of it, so I'm not going to get much (any) use out of the car this side of the new year; there's no practical hurry. Pleasure of ownership aside this is purely a money question. Cash deal, so interest rates don't worry me directly. Their effect on the used car market is, however, of compelling interest, obvs.

Anyone care to advance a theory? And yes, I know that now of all times we really don't have a scooby. Indulge my desire for some justificatory man-maths. Or not.

[Sarnie]

It would make sense to sell yours ASAP...you are away for Winter, then buy a Spider circa March/April next year........

[964Cup]

Sarnie said:

It would make sense to sell yours ASAP...you are away for Winter, then buy a Spider circa March/April next year........

Sure. But on the assumption that what a dealer will pay for it now without a corresponding purchase against which to fudge the numbers is a good deal less, and with no desire to engage in any kind of private sale, I'm left with Collecting Cars. My last experience with them was...not ideal, shall we say. Unless I can find a dealer with a demo that's coming into stock in spring, and they will take my car now, I suppose.

[HJG]

I'd take a spider every time. The roof is so good that it feels just like a coupe when jt's up. When it's down the aural experience is much better - even just when you drop the rear window.

[964Cup]

HJG said:

I'd take a spider every time. The roof is so good that it feels just like a coupe when jt's up. When it's down the aural experience is much better - even just when you drop the rear window.

I plan to. The question is when, not if.

[sjc]

964Cup said:

Sarnie said:

It would make sense to sell yours ASAP...you are away for Winter, then buy a Spider circa March/April next year........

Sure. But on the assumption that what a dealer will pay for it now without a corresponding purchase against which to fudge the numbers is a good deal less, and with no desire to engage in any kind of private sale, I'm left with Collecting Cars. My last experience with them was...not ideal, shall we say. Unless I can find a dealer with a demo that's coming into stock in spring, and they will take my car now, I suppose.

Thorny do a SORctype thing now with their own warranty attached .. might be the best of both worlds for you ?

[964Cup]

sjc said:

Thorny do a SORctype thing now with their own warranty attached .. might be the best of both worlds for you ?

That's a thought. I'm going to have a conversation with my dealer tomorrow anyway. Which is a dangerous place to start.

[sjc]

964Cup said:

sjc said:

Thorny do a SORctype thing now with their own warranty attached .. might be the best of both worlds for you ?

That's a thought. I'm going to have a conversation with my dealer tomorrow anyway. Which is a dangerous place to start.

Surely sell now and buy a Spider in the New Year would be the best result financially… the higher value car is likely to depreciate more generally let alone with all the apparent doom around?

[davek_964]

I've had similar thoughts since I may be shopping for a car sometime in the next 6 months and 720 coupe or spider are probably top of the list.

My feeling is that the spider may suffer less depreciation over time than the coupe. There seem to be much fewer of them.

720s are the last of their kind anyway (ignoring 765 since it's much more limited) which I think will also help.

I think 720 coupe prices will drop a bit - quite a few for sale. I think Spiders will stay fairly strong.

Having said that - even my man maths is suggesting that I should either buy another 650 spider at half the price of a 720 spider or live with a 720 coupe!

[Streetbeat]

Seems to be the general feeling on here, most members are looking for spiders, 720, 650, 570 etc etc, whos buying the coupes....lol, apart from me as prefer coupes.

[ferdi p]

davek_964 said:

I've had similar thoughts since I may be shopping for a car sometime in the next 6 months and 720 coupe or spider are probably top of the list.

My feeling is that the spider may suffer less depreciation over time than the coupe. There seem to be much fewer of them.

720s are the last of their kind anyway (ignoring 765 since it's much more limited) which I think will also help.

I think 720 coupe prices will drop a bit - quite a few for sale. I think Spiders will stay fairly strong.

Having said that - even my man maths is suggesting that I should either buy another 650 spider at half the price of a 720 spider or live with a 720 coupe!

I went 650 spider to 720s coupe, I missed my 650 big time! Early 720's weren't built as well as late model 650's. Go for a 720 Spider if you can, if not, another 650 spider will be far better than the coupe imo

[samoht]

davek_964 said:

I've had similar thoughts since I may be shopping for a car sometime in the next 6 months and 720 coupe or spider are probably top of the list.

My feeling is that the spider may suffer less depreciation over time than the coupe. There seem to be much fewer of them.

720s are the last of their kind anyway (ignoring 765 since it's much more limited) which I think will also help.

I think 720 coupe prices will drop a bit - quite a few for sale. I think Spiders will stay fairly strong.

The thing is, the 720 Coupes are mostly older than the Spiders. So the current premium is partly the roof, but also partly that they're less than half the age (and thus likely mileage too) at 2 years old rather than 4-5.
In another 3 years the relative age difference will be less significant proportionally. Therefore I'd imagine the newer, more expensive Spiders have more to lose than the Coupes. They'll always command a premium I think, but that premium will most likely shrink as both fleets age.


I think the sensible thing is to sell your Coupe now, and go look for a Spider in say February - long enough for the current turbulence to play out, but still the depth of winter so before open cars regain their seasonal premium. I hear what you say about losing out by making two separate dealer transactions rather than a part-ex, but I also think if the market does turn down, a 'cash' buyer will be more attractive to dealers than one with a part-ex.

Put it this way, I can't imagine that both Coupes and Spiders won't depreciate over the next 5-6 months, so your car will be worth more now and the car you buy will be cheaper then.

Only reason not to is if you don't want to be without a McLaren in the meantime.

[captainblakk]

Alistair Bols might be the man to speak with, he has contacts, and cars that are not on general sale, I’ve used him to buy and sell, and it was a pleasant experience

[Wheelspinning]

captainblakk said:

Alistair Bols might be the man to speak with, he has contacts, and cars that are not on general sale, I’ve used him to buy and sell, and it was a pleasant experience

I concur.

His contact book is immense and he will only source you the very best as he puts his name to it.

I cannot recommend him enough and he shall be my forever 'go-to' guy for McLaren purchasing or selling.

Good chance he shall take care of your 720 sale also.

I wouldn't hold off getting a spider as its autumn and soon to be winter. I use mines with the roof down all year round. I love crisp winter morning drives with heaters on full pelt and the roof down...they have been some of my most fav drives.

I always think its a pity when owners sorn spiders during the winter months and they are actually missing out.

[br d]

Complete agreement re Alastair, only consideration when it's time to sell, unless you can screw a really good part-ex out of McLaren.

I bought a very early 720S Coupe simply because it was "the car" at the time, previous to that I'd had a 650 Spider.
I took it around Europe on a long trip and just didn't gel with it. You're driving along some lovely Alpine road and catch a glimpse of a huge waterfall spewing from the ice above, and that's it, you don't see it again!

When I got back I sold it - even though it was only 5 months old - through Alastair and bought a 570 Spider, followed earlier this year by a 720 Spider. Your trips will be much more enchanting in a Spider and with the McLaren wizardry thrown in the car is not going to perform any differently, it's a total no-brainer I think.

[SydneyBridge]

AB has some very nice 600 LT spiders at the moment if you fancy something slighty different

[RSbandit]

Leaning towards a Mclaren spider next probably the 600LT...the 650s Spider does seem like a huge amount of car for the money tho.

[dave_Sw1]

Moved from a coupe to a new build spider 3 months ago ( there are some build slots but not many) absolutely love it, the noise alone is worth it and you lose nothing in handling ride quality and space