Wasn't buying just yet then saw this 12c!

[interstellar]

I had planned to buy a 12c in a couple of years time approaching retirement but I am starting to think they have bottomed out so maybe I should get one now.

I don't want a white, silver or black car which a lot of them seem to be and would prefer a rather understated colour which brings me to this car I have seen online.

I have been to Thorney and know much of the cars pitfalls etc but know there are some experts on here. I am not sure I am ready to buy just now, this literally caught my attention this morning so I haven't called them yet.

The advert isn't great as I can't tell the spec on it but any thoughts from you guys would be helpful, The car would absolutely have to have a PPI at Thorney preferably before I went further but the MOT history looks very good, mileage is in order and it has a fresh mot so a positive start.

Any thoughts would be welcome, the dealer gets mixed review and sells mostly classics

https://www.loweclassics.co.uk/used/mclaren-12c-mp...

[davek_964]

A few obvious points:

I suspect it's very low spec - it doesn't even have carbon on the centre console / steering wheel which is pretty unusual.

The plastic vent over the engine should not be grey - especially from a dealer trying to sell a car. Ten minutes with some back to black type stuff would improve that vastly, but maybe a minor concern that the previous owner doesn't seem to have bothered.
Oddly - the side vents look the same shade of grey, which I wouldn't expect.

Might be a great car, but you might find your "must have" options needs to be : Not many.

[interstellar]

davek_964 said:

A few obvious points:

I suspect it's very low spec - it doesn't even have carbon on the centre console / steering wheel which is pretty unusual.

The plastic vent over the engine should not be grey - especially from a dealer trying to sell a car. Ten minutes with some back to black type stuff would improve that vastly, but maybe a minor concern that the previous owner doesn't seem to have bothered.
Oddly - the side vents look the same shade of grey, which I wouldn't expect.

Might be a great car, but you might find your "must have" options needs to be : Not many.

Thanks Dave, interestingly two of the four 12c's Thorney have, have the same non carbon interior, it doesn't bother me to be honest, sure it looks nicer but no deal breaker. The plastic as you say is easy to sort and I wouldn't mind doing small things to improve it, quite satisfying really.

I need to get the spec, are there any options that are a must on the 12c? I understand a lift wasn't on the early cars but it was fairly high at the front anyway but anything else needed for resale?

Am trying to weigh up cashing in my premium bonds and some cash and having one of these instead, I am not expecting a great return but they can't go much lower and its more fun than it sitting in the bank.

Alternatively, this is lovely at Thorney at 9k more but would be sorted but its a NZ import and its been there a while so it must be putting most off?

https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/car/mclaren-12... £75k

Others at Thorney but colours don't excite me

https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/car/mclaren-12... 70k

https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/car/mclaren-12... 78k

https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/car/mclaren-12... 79k

[Smooth Smith]

Sits at the very bottom of the market and, according to Thorney, there's usually a reason why any 12C is less than £70k. It would definitely need a PPI but you might struggle to get it in at Thorney or V. Of course, it could be a decent car, but low spec, and the owner keen to sell if it's on SOR.

Thorney have a 10k miles Volcano Orange 12C for £75k. It think that's where my money would be going for peace of mind.

12C's do seem to have hit the bottom of the depreciation curve and should hopefully start rising slightly from here.

Edited by Smooth Smith on Wednesday 1st July 13:17

[interstellar]

Fair point. Maybe the colour will be the better trade off. The orange car I mentioned above already but it’s an import, no carbon, no parking sensors.

The black car at 70k has carbon interior and engine bay, heated electric seats and parking sensors, the other two do not. It also has the sports exhaust and iris 1 so long term could be better as its original plus it’s from Thorney so will be perfect on collection.

[davek_964]

From the two cars I've owned, I'd say:

I'm not a big carbon fan, but I do think it suits the interior. I don't think I'd buy one without that - but obviously that's very much personal taste.

Lift is important to me - it just means you never have to worry about the height of the car. But, that's 650 - the 12C might be different.

Heated electric seats are important to me - again, that would stop me buying a car - but plenty of people are happy with manual.

Electric steering wheel (was that even an option on 12C?) - first one didn't have it, seems a bit gimmicky on the current one - although I suppose it helps comfort entry a little bit.

Exterior carbon / engine bay has never been important to me - first one didn't have it, current one has side blades / mirrors but I'm not that bothered about it.

Sports exhaust is nice to have.

Parking sensors are nice to have (and I assume standard on a UK car) although the rear sensors are pathetically quiet (assuming the 12C is the same).

Reversing camera - didn't have it on the first one, always forget to look at it on the current one.

I think IRIS 1 is pretty limited (IRIS 2 is hardly the media centre of the day, even when it was "the day") - I suspect it would annoy me but I don't know if it would stop me buying a car, since I've never used it.

Regarding colour - it's all relative. My first car was VO, my current one is Aurora Blue - which is a bit less "out there". It makes very little difference to how much attention it gets. As I said on another thread - I was video'd while filling up with petrol the other day. Whatever colour you choose, you will be photographed / video'd a lot and your car will appear on FB / Insta / whatever when people take photos / videos when it's parked somewhere. You just have to accept it's part of the ownership I think.

[Smooth Smith]

interstellar said:

Fair point. Maybe the colour will be the better trade off. The orange car I mentioned above already but it s an import, no carbon, no parking sensors.

The black car at 70k has carbon interior and engine bay, heated electric seats and parking sensors, the other two do not. It also has the sports exhaust and iris 1 so long term could be better as its original plus it s from Thorney so will be perfect on collection.

Yes, I hadn't realised that the VO orange was an import.

Some of the blacks have tones of other colours in the sunlight so may be more striking in person than in photo's.

[RDMotorsport]

Have to agree a 12C is still amazing value and in my opinion you can't find that combination of pace, comfort, classic styling, rarity and 'special-ness' for less money.

I'm sure you have looked but do view them in person before committing either way on colour, the cars look amazing in any colour and from any angle. I ended up with pearl white and although perhaps I wouldn't have made it first choice, it looks amazing in the flesh. Plus you spend the time on the inside

Get one with a decent spec, sensible mileage and a solid service history and you'll love it.

I can't bring myself to sell mine even though I ought to really..!

[ChrisW.]

Smooth Smith said:

Sits at the very bottom of the market and, according to Thorney, there's usually a reason why any 12C is less than £70k. It would definitely need a PPI but you might struggle to get it in at Thorney or V. Of course, it could be a decent car, but low spec, and the owner keen to sell if it's on SOR.

Thorney have a 10k miles Volcano Orange 12C for £75k. It think that's where my money would be going for peace of mind.

12C's do seem to have hit the bottom of the depreciation curve and should hopefully start rising slightly from here.

Edited by Smooth Smith on Wednesday 1st July 13:17

John Thorn recently said as much ! There is the Thorney Motorsport McLaren October Auction planned where all the cars for sale have been checked over first by Thorney with a report as part of the info pack prior to the auction ??

[Smooth Smith]

Thorney have just listed a gorgeous Volcano Orange 12C coupe. No price as yet online but it's well used at 39k miles.

Looks stunning though and mainly dealer history plus a few years of Thorney looking after it.

[interstellar]

Smooth Smith said:

Thorney have just listed a gorgeous Volcano Orange 12C coupe. No price as yet online but it's well used at 39k miles.

Looks stunning though and mainly dealer history plus a few years of Thorney looking after it.

I have spoken to John early this morning on this car, waiting for him to let me know some details.

[kevinpsw]

I’ve owned a VO 12C for 41/2 years. Now on 63k miles. Had to change accumulators (service item), soft close door latch and aircon radiator. Otherwise just servicing.

My advice.

Don’t ignore higher mileage cars as likely more reliable than the very low miles ones.
Find one with soft close doors or budget for adding them. Get the hose clips all changed if they aren’t done already. IRIS 2 is tolerable. I believe IRIS 1 to be a pain. Check age of tyres.
Lift desirable - I don’t have it so I avoid multi-story car parks.
Maybe buy with warranty for piece of mind but thereafter put the money a warranty would cost aside just in case. Likely work out cheaper.
Paint corrosion is inevitable. I doubt if any cars are immune from this. Check and budget accordingly.

Personally, I don’t see 12Cs growing a lot in value but they should be depreciation proof. Which makes them cheaper to own than any new or nearly new car.

[ajm_ph]

kevinpsw said:

I ve owned a VO 12C for 41/2 years. Now on 63k miles. Had to change accumulators (service item), soft close door latch and aircon radiator. Otherwise just servicing.

My advice.

Don t ignore higher mileage cars as likely more reliable than the very low miles ones.
Find one with soft close doors or budget for adding them. Get the hose clips all changed if they aren t done already. IRIS 2 is tolerable. I believe IRIS 1 to be a pain. Check age of tyres.
Lift desirable - I don t have it so I avoid multi-story car parks.
Maybe buy with warranty for piece of mind but thereafter put the money a warranty would cost aside just in case. Likely work out cheaper.
Paint corrosion is inevitable. I doubt if any cars are immune from this. Check and budget accordingly.

Personally, I don t see 12Cs growing a lot in value but they should be depreciation proof. Which makes them cheaper to own than any new or nearly new car.

Interesting that you see the soft-close doors as a must-have.

Mine failed on my 650, there weren't any available and it caused havoc because the car always thought the door was open. In the end I had them taken off and replaced with regular latches. I do not miss them even a little bit, has made zero difference to my use of the car.

Not saying you are wrong to value them, just pointing out that it is a matter of opinion. I agree with all your other points though.

[kevinpsw]

I’ve owned a VO 12C for 41/2 years. Now on 63k miles. Had to change accumulators (service item), soft close door latch and aircon radiator. Otherwise just servicing.

My advice.

Don’t ignore higher mileage cars as likely more reliable than the very low miles ones.
Find one with soft close doors or budget for adding them. Get the hose clips all changed if they aren’t done already. IRIS 2 is tolerable. I believe IRIS 1 to be a pain. Check age of tyres.
Lift desirable - I don’t have it so I avoid multi-story car parks.
Maybe buy with warranty for piece of mind but thereafter put the money a warranty would cost aside just in case. Likely work out cheaper.
Paint corrosion is inevitable. I doubt if any cars are immune from this. Check and budget accordingly.

Personally, I don’t see 12Cs growing a lot in value but they should be depreciation proof. Which makes them cheaper to own than any new or nearly new car.

[kevinpsw]

ajm_ph said:

kevinpsw said:

I ve owned a VO 12C for 41/2 years. Now on 63k miles. Had to change accumulators (service item), soft close door latch and aircon radiator. Otherwise just servicing.

My advice.

Don t ignore higher mileage cars as likely more reliable than the very low miles ones.
Find one with soft close doors or budget for adding them. Get the hose clips all changed if they aren t done already. IRIS 2 is tolerable. I believe IRIS 1 to be a pain. Check age of tyres.
Lift desirable - I don t have it so I avoid multi-story car parks.
Maybe buy with warranty for piece of mind but thereafter put the money a warranty would cost aside just in case. Likely work out cheaper.
Paint corrosion is inevitable. I doubt if any cars are immune from this. Check and budget accordingly.

Personally, I don t see 12Cs growing a lot in value but they should be depreciation proof. Which makes them cheaper to own than any new or nearly new car.

Interesting that you see the soft-close doors as a must-have.

Mine failed on my 650, there weren't any available and it caused havoc because the car always thought the door was open. In the end I had them taken off and replaced with regular latches. I do not miss them even a little bit, has made zero difference to my use of the car.

Not saying you are wrong to value them, just pointing out that it is a matter of opinion. I agree with all your other points though.

I test drove one with slam doors. Maybe something was wrong with it but the driver’s door was so tiresome.

[meridian]

12C arguably the best value McLaren of all. Genuinely fabulously quick, docile, special, individual supercar, and nothing compares to them at the price..

Genesis model, may or may not appreciate, but deserves to in my view

Proper Super Series car with awesome suspension ride/handling overall usability attributes, and Active Aero..

..easily dismissed by some, but McLaren engineers will disagree. These highly engineered features, developed at huge cost, at the instruction of Ron Dennis (some will know who he is) are not worthless gimmicks, they set the car apart from it's rivals at inception

Technology moves on, but do not overlook the engineering, not to mention the carbon monocell

Historically significant supercar that looks head on at 458/Huracan at 50k less

Get one now, if only because it's the best supercar at this money

Ps. My swipe doors sans soft close are a piece of cake

Edited by meridian on Thursday 2nd July 18:37

[kevinpsw]

Just remembered. Very highly respected McLaren independent told me 12C and 650S are the most reliable models. If he was spending his own money it would be on one of these two models.