675LT - Buying Help Please

675LT - Buying Help Please

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Discussion

Basskika

Original Poster:

10 posts

149 months

Tuesday 27th December 2022
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Hi guys

Been around the forum a long time but first time posting. On the hunt for a 675LT and would be really grateful for some insights from those more informed than I. Will be my first MCL and very much looking forward to joining the club!

1. I’m looking to buy a LHD to keep in EU so looking at EU classifieds. Based on my tracking of the market over the last 4-6 months or so, pricing appears to be all over the place. Cars selling (or delisting but assumed selling) are at very different price points to listed prices and cars sit a long time. Most of the good options seem to be in Germany. Dealers don’t seem particularly interested in much price negotiation. Anyone have any experience with German dealers and what is considered a reasonable discount to list price? I unfortunately just missed out on a nice roof scoop optioned car at €250k having had agreement re price - couldn’t make it to view on time frown

2. How sensitive should I/price be to track use?

3. How sensitive to damage? I have found a car that “hit an animal” resulting in fender, headlight and bumper damage (around 25k total repair).

Thanks - appreciate the help!


Wheelspinning

1,613 posts

37 months

Tuesday 27th December 2022
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Like most cars, they are colour and spec sensitive.

Some cars seem to sit for a while, some sell pretty quick upon listing and the best spec cars sell without being offered on the open market.

My advice would be what you already know; if it's the spec you want don't hang about.

Was the one that hit the animal Mexico blue?

If so, thats a corker and I wouldn't be in the slightest bit concerned about its track use.

Edited by Wheelspinning on Wednesday 28th December 12:41

HIAO

185 posts

100 months

Wednesday 28th December 2022
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If you’re not limited to buying from an EU country, there are a few advertised in Switzerland.

AutoScout24.ch has 10 with asking prices between chf 222k and 300k, none with roof scoops.




matt5964

85 posts

23 months

Wednesday 28th December 2022
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I take it you have seen the LHD 675lt for sale on here?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13756727

Ask for Lucas he is very helpful

RA55

Original Poster:

10 posts

149 months

Wednesday 28th December 2022
quotequote all
Yes, that’s the one.

Thanks, will look into the Swiss ones also.

I have seen the 200 mile one but am a little concerned re lack of use over so many years…

RA55

Original Poster:

10 posts

149 months

Wednesday 28th December 2022
quotequote all
Yes, that’s the one.

Thanks, will look into the Swiss ones also.

I have seen the 200 mile one but am a little concerned re lack of use over so many years…

RBT0

1,540 posts

126 months

Wednesday 28th December 2022
quotequote all
Is the one that hit an animal a Light blu one?

It sounds the one from Rob Mitchell (check on youtube).

matt5964

85 posts

23 months

Wednesday 28th December 2022
quotequote all
RA55 said:
Yes, that’s the one.

Thanks, will look into the Swiss ones also.

I have seen the 200 mile one but am a little concerned re lack of use over so many years…
Nothing a thorney inspection would sort out to uncover and if ok full service then you have a high spec fully ready motor

Wheelspinning

1,613 posts

37 months

Wednesday 28th December 2022
quotequote all
RA55 said:
Yes, that’s the one.

Thanks, will look into the Swiss ones also.

I have seen the 200 mile one but am a little concerned re lack of use over so many years…
I didn't realise he was selling it.

Thats a corker that although heavy track use, never thrashed and maintained within an inch of its life.

Mexico Blue is a fantastic colour also; has plenty carbon and the sought after louvered wings.


RA55

Original Poster:

10 posts

149 months

Wednesday 28th December 2022
quotequote all
@matt5964 - good shout. Will have a chat with Lucas and see how I get on.

@Wherlspinning - agreed great spec. Its the damage and track use that makes me hesitate. I don’t feel that current pricing properly reflects that.

Found another good option, reasonably priced which fingers crossed I will view next week smile

Wheelspinning

1,613 posts

37 months

Wednesday 28th December 2022
quotequote all
RA55 said:
@matt5964 - good shout. Will have a chat with Lucas and see how I get on.

@Wherlspinning - agreed great spec. Its the damage and track use that makes me hesitate. I don’t feel that current pricing properly reflects that.

Found another good option, reasonably priced which fingers crossed I will view next week smile
He posted a video straight after getting the car back to one of his storage units.

The damage was louvered wings, light unit, radiator, wiring and carbon splitter if I recall.

Problem with the 675 is, for instance, the front carbon splitter is around £15k fitted on its own.

Light units are specific and louvered wings are like hens teeth, and therfore even small damage is very expensive.

Goes with the territory I guess.

Best of luck with your search.

Moishe123

23 posts

104 months

Thursday 29th December 2022
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Having just gone through the searching and buying process over the year I decided on a 100 mile unused car, serviced by main dealer.
The reason for this is:
Most cars have been tracked and although they are built for it the numbers of unmolested cars are in single digits.
Always look at the track app in the car and you can see a lot of info of how much tracking has been completed
DONT buy a car that has been chipped. As an example Thorney has a stunning silver 675LT perfect to look at but has had a 30k engine rebuild (was chipped) so would be very difficult to sell on in the future.
Colour wise white seems to be the most unflavoured. IMHO in the flesh volcanic red, napier green, blues and silvers the best.
Front wing louvres a must
Full dealer service history must come with the car. Whatever no franchise deriving companies say you will struggle to resell in the future and will lose much value
What vet car you choose get Mclaren to do a full overview of the car which checks for issues and paint repair. Costs around £600 and worth every penny.
I definitely suggest the car comes with a 12 month Mcl warranty so you have peace of mind.
Personally I would steer clear of any damaged/repaired cars. The likelihood is they will never be the same and will affect resell.
Lastly research and contact if possible the previous owner/owners
With 675LT increasing in value buy the best example you can afford. Currently in the UK it’s 220k for higher mileage standard cars, 250k good spec 8-12k mileage and 300k plus for no mileage/great specs.
What you are buying is a truly epic car that is becoming a classic and very collectible in the right spec

89speedster

152 posts

224 months

Thursday 29th December 2022
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Some decent advice there Moishe. Few things I’d disagree with though.

One of the biggest drawbacks of Mac ownership has been the lack of independent specialists. That’s changing now and the days of sky high servicing costs and wholesale replacement of parts rather than sensible fixes are over. The whole Mac ownership experience has become much more affordable.

If the car has been serviced by a good independent then you have a better car. V Engineering are absolutely the go to people for 675 servicing. They are ex Mac employees and know the cars inside out. Many UK 675 owners use them.

In terms of spec, I’d say that P1 seats, ultra light wheels and a good amount of exterior carbon are desirable. The louvred wings are nice but don’t feel they are vital.

The roof scoop is very desirable but also very expensive!

The front splitter is expensive to replace just like other high performance cars. Make sure you install a product such as Mac Sliplo to protect it as much as you can.

Incredible cars and you shouldn’t lose any money if you buy right. Go for it!

Edited by 89speedster on Friday 30th December 00:08

RA55

Original Poster:

10 posts

149 months

Thursday 29th December 2022
quotequote all
Thanks both for the really useful insights!

Re modified cars - agreed, that’s a no go for me.

MCL warranty - my plan was to go with the 12 month as a minimum and then go from there once I’m comfortable with the car.

Key spec items for me are exterior and interior carbon, P1s and ultra lights (5 or 10 spoke). Louvered wings nice to have (can always have fitted but not cheap!). Carbon roof on spider / roof scoop definitely nice to haves!

Thanks for recommendation re splitter protector.

On it! I’m convincing myself to “enjoy the search”

89speedster

152 posts

224 months

Friday 30th December 2022
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The black Club Sport Pro at Alastairs Bols is the one to go for at the moment. RHD though, so presume wouldn’t be the right fit for you.

Wheelspinning

1,613 posts

37 months

Friday 30th December 2022
quotequote all
89speedster said:
The black Club Sport Pro at Alastairs Bols is the one to go for at the moment. RHD though, so presume wouldn’t be the right fit for you.
He is the 'go to' man for 675s; he knows most of the UK cars through sourcing and selling, plus they are his all-time favourite model and is pretty passionate about them.

When the time comes, I shall have him sell mines, and he would be the only person I would go to for sourcing my next mac.

Bispal

1,710 posts

158 months

Friday 30th December 2022
quotequote all
The thing to remember with the 675LT is there are only 500 coupes worldwide (around 70 in the UK).

You therefore can't be fussy with spec. Of the 70 coupes in the UK you have to assume at least 50% are in long term ownership or collections. That leaves 35 cars that 'might' come up for sale. Of those 35 cars only 25% will be a spec you like / want. So you are dealing with around 10 cars that 'might' come up for sale. Yes LHD might add another 10 or so to that in Europe.

I looked for 2 years before I found a 675LT that was close to a spec I wanted and even then I consider I got lucky as mine is a club sport pro, like the black one at AB. These are incredibly rare and that black car is a good buy, shame its RHD for you.

That leaves the LHD car at Octane. Its probably the only car for you and its actually a great spec and price. I would speak to Lucas or Frazer and see what they can do deal wise. As for the colour I like white and even if you don't you can have it colour changed. I know many owners now, especially in the USA but also in the UK, who have bought cars and sent them to MSO for a colour change, interior retrim, additional carbon fibre and even roof scoops.

The important thing is to get a car as close as you can then work with MSO to get it to your own spec, otherwise you could wait for a long time for the 'right' spec. Or if you don't want to repaint I know 3 owners who have had the peelable paint from Litchfield for £6k and it looks stunning in any colour you fancy. I believe D Class do some interior work for McLaren so they are best place if you want to make any interior changes.

As for low mileage it can be a concern and I have been there myself with my first McLaren a low mileage 12C. As long as you have a warranty for the first 12 months then anything that comes to light will be fixed. Just expect a few extra dealer visits with low mileage cars in the first year of ownership but after that you have a low mileage car that's all sorted so its a win-win. As for track use I believe mine did a few track days before I bought it but its been faultless in 3 years and 9k miles so it obviously did no harm.

You cant go wrong with a 675LT, they are stunning cars and offer a unique driving experience BUT if you want one you can't sit around waiting for the right spec to come up as the odds are well and truly stacked against you. Good luck.




Streetbeat

1,067 posts

83 months

Friday 30th December 2022
quotequote all
Bispal said:
As for track use I believe mine did a few track days before I bought it but its been faultless in 3 years and 9k miles so it obviously did no harm.
I have no idea why anyone would be bothered by a bit of track use, its not the days of 90's supercars where things spontaeniously combust at the slighest sign of seeing the rev limiter.

The mind boggles at someone wanting a track focussed car that hasnt been on track!

RA55

Original Poster:

10 posts

149 months

Friday 30th December 2022
quotequote all
Thanks again guys for the guidance. Love how this forum is a wealth of info!

@89speedster - Unfortunately not, needs to be LHD.

@wheelspinning - Need to find the EU version of Alastair!

@Bispal - yes agreed re challenges that the limited numbers pose (have to take the good with the bad!). I am approaching it from that same perspective of close as I can to preferred spec and MSO can bridge gap in future however, from what I understand any MSO related changes come at a BIG premium. Any idea re MSO colour change cost? I imagine its an eye watering number!

Light track use is something I’m very comfortable with. Main question was how sensitive pricing tends to be to it just so I have a better understanding.

Bispal

1,710 posts

158 months

Friday 30th December 2022
quotequote all
RA55 said:
Thanks again guys for the guidance. Love how this forum is a wealth of info!

@89speedster - Unfortunately not, needs to be LHD.

@wheelspinning - Need to find the EU version of Alastair!

@Bispal - yes agreed re challenges that the limited numbers pose (have to take the good with the bad!). I am approaching it from that same perspective of close as I can to preferred spec and MSO can bridge gap in future however, from what I understand any MSO related changes come at a BIG premium. Any idea re MSO colour change cost? I imagine its an eye watering number!

Light track use is something I’m very comfortable with. Main question was how sensitive pricing tends to be to it just so I have a better understanding.
Hi, no idea of cost as it varies, but its very easy to find out by calling them. Would contemplate peelable paint too for £6k. I don't think track use, or not has any impact on used values. Biggest impact is spec, cars without exterior CF and with comfort seats can be £40k cheaper than cars with some CF options as it is expensive to put it back. Roof scoop cars are another £80k+ At the moment a low spec (no CF / comfort seat) car could be had for £200k while a well specced car with food amounts of CF, CS spec is £240k. Roof scoops have been going for £320k + Mileage and track use really don't have much impact on values.