Bought my dream car - McLaren 650s
Discussion
Sleep deprived ramble warning
Feels weird to be writing a 'bought a dream car' type post rather than a 'is x better than y' or 'x budget, is y worth it' and other typical day dreamy/planning posts.
Like really surreal.
I get that some people buy their exotics like takeaway orders but I'm the type to spend days and months obsessing over a choice, driving it, enjoying it and keeping them as long as I can.
So after a few years and a long list of cars I've loved, I finally arrived at a car where I literally get the same sort of excitement I'd get as a kid looking at his model cars - and I haven't had that in a long time. The sort of car where I instantly stopped lusting after something else, thinking that 'I love it but oh what I'd do for x instead'
I'm lucky that my car ambitions have always been a little eclectic I suppose, everything from a Renault R26 through to M3's, Mk4 supras, GTRs and Paganis all feature on the list and at least some of them I've been able to tick off over the years.
After having a few Porsches over the past few years, 2000s Maserati's, Mercs, Beemers, a supercharged Mustang and god knows what else, I decided that whenever I Could get the next car which would hopefully be a keeper, it would probably be mid engine, naturally aspirated, at least 8 cylinders and lightweight and basically a supercar.
I suppose 4ish out of 5 isn't bad.
I was looking for a Gallardo superleggera originally, but couldn't find one in the right spec - yellow/grey, carbon bits, manual. I'd still like to get one one day - but after a little seat time in a standard Gallardo, I think I came to the resolution that they weren't *that* fast, weren't particularly comfortable to drive and the seating position was a little weird. I'd still like one one day but imagine that it would be an occasional driver.
Then it became a 458. Stunning car, screaming V8. But the prices of them are as such that there are lots of alternatives on the table and In fact the prices here are not a mile away from 488 pricing here.
By chance, I was selling a couple of cars and daydreaming about potentially looking at a Ferrari 488 (drove one, amazingly, really didn't gel with it at all) . I think it was in contention simply because it was a Ferrari in all honesty..
Then someone mentioned a bright green and carbon McLaren had come in and not been listed - turned out it was being sold on consignment by someone I loosely knew. I saw it and within about 30 seconds had decided I needed to take it home. Tried to talk myself out of it for about 10 minutes and looked at some others and signed my life away..
My dad did a tiny bit of CAD work on the McLaren F1 back in the day and it's always been the ultimate dream car of mine that has drifted further and further into the distance. So I've always been excited about the newer McLarens but funnily enough never thought about owning one.
But it turns out the 650s' pretty perfect to me, I love the mashup between the MP4 rear and P1-esque front.
So far I'm loving everything about it, Smooth drive but solid in sport or track mode, Acoustics sound great on a push when the revs get up and the performance is laugh out loud addicted. Accurate, communicative, very fast and never feels unwieldy.
I sold the R-Spec to free up the space , brilliant car but I just found myself not using it much, not sure if it was in my head to preserve the value or because spinning wheels and making a LOT of noise got a little bit old for what also looked and felt like another mustang albeit a very brutal one with some nice distinctions. I think all in all I'm just not much of a muscle car guy.
I loved it but never felt that it was a keeper, so was reluctant to add on to the low odometer it had when I bought it - I made a good effort but there was just something missing.
The GTR has been my track / weekend hack for the last few years and it's a car I can't see myself ever moving on..But next to the McLaren it feels heavy, slightly blunter, bigger and rougher around the edges. Which I guess is to be expected being front-engined and 1800 kilos vs rwd and 1350 kilos.
It came optioned with some Carbon fibre from MSO (I LOVE everything carbon). Spoiler, rear vents, mirrors, side vents, sideskirts, steering wheel, interior trim, front bumper sections.. And then the previous owner added some aftermarket aero sideskirts.
It only had 500 miles on the clock since new in 2018 (Assuming it was built in 2017 and delivered in 2018.. APPARANTLY going by the VIN research I could find whilst nerding out over a coffee, there were 2,730 made world wide, with the highest VIN sequential going to 6253.. Mine is 6237 so possibly one of the last 16 or so made. Not that it matters but nice to know.
I don't buy cars to be economical or save money - but it's nice to think that they will hold some value.. Arguably a Ferrari would do so better but I suppose being *relatively* low volume should help. and if it doesn't, so be it.
The main thing I was looking for was sense of occasion and to fall in love with driving again. I never fell out of it as such, but missed that x factor feeling, and from the vertical doors to the performance and handling and sparce interior it has it in spades. In a weird way it scratches that ambition of one day owning an F1 (No, I'm not suggesting it is in anyway like one, doors aside
)
So far it's addictive, the communcation through the chassis, brake feel and throttle response on a push are all so telepathic.. Not sure if it feels slightly turbo laggy or not - much likely more me driving with a bit more caution being new, it likes to squirm under full throttle and I'm very aware I don't have the GTR's fancy AWD system to get me out of the s*** if I get carried away..
The main plan is to drive the thing. I won't join the local supercar owners for regular car and coffee meets regularly - country roads and track mostly. I've already doubled the 500 miles on the clock with a huge grin.
Next up will be
- protection film all round when I get the time to wrap it.
- HRT wheels are high on the list if I can find the right colour combination, the grey / anthracite is a little too subtle, bronze a little too big a clash, and I don't like the metal/diamond cut look. I'd love some carbon rims, but don't love the idea of the price!
- I have a Carbon fibre rear louvre to add in to complete the replacement of any black plastic on the car
- At the same time I'm possibly going to add a Liberty Walk GT style overwing (which retains the factory aero)
- Possibly a Quicksilver exhaust - the exhaust actually has a nice, aggressive tone as is but a couple of options make it sound a little more exotic.
- Not sure if I'll go the route of adding performance. It doesn't need it.. buuuut I've said that before.
Undecided yet if I'm going to rely ojn a dealer, performance shop or DIY for maintenance - residuals say that I should probably opt for the dealer, the petrolhead in me opts for the latter and I have tools and a lift - Probably will be recorded DIY and supplemented with a dealer visit every few thousand kms / year or two.
Currently sits in the garage with two very different cars (and a few other project cars) but so far has been everything I wanted in a car that's usable, has x factor and suits the sort of driving I enjoy..
Hopefully will have a few mod photos to add in the coming months.
I'm in love
Feels weird to be writing a 'bought a dream car' type post rather than a 'is x better than y' or 'x budget, is y worth it' and other typical day dreamy/planning posts.
Like really surreal.
I get that some people buy their exotics like takeaway orders but I'm the type to spend days and months obsessing over a choice, driving it, enjoying it and keeping them as long as I can.
So after a few years and a long list of cars I've loved, I finally arrived at a car where I literally get the same sort of excitement I'd get as a kid looking at his model cars - and I haven't had that in a long time. The sort of car where I instantly stopped lusting after something else, thinking that 'I love it but oh what I'd do for x instead'
I'm lucky that my car ambitions have always been a little eclectic I suppose, everything from a Renault R26 through to M3's, Mk4 supras, GTRs and Paganis all feature on the list and at least some of them I've been able to tick off over the years.
After having a few Porsches over the past few years, 2000s Maserati's, Mercs, Beemers, a supercharged Mustang and god knows what else, I decided that whenever I Could get the next car which would hopefully be a keeper, it would probably be mid engine, naturally aspirated, at least 8 cylinders and lightweight and basically a supercar.
I suppose 4ish out of 5 isn't bad.
I was looking for a Gallardo superleggera originally, but couldn't find one in the right spec - yellow/grey, carbon bits, manual. I'd still like to get one one day - but after a little seat time in a standard Gallardo, I think I came to the resolution that they weren't *that* fast, weren't particularly comfortable to drive and the seating position was a little weird. I'd still like one one day but imagine that it would be an occasional driver.
Then it became a 458. Stunning car, screaming V8. But the prices of them are as such that there are lots of alternatives on the table and In fact the prices here are not a mile away from 488 pricing here.
By chance, I was selling a couple of cars and daydreaming about potentially looking at a Ferrari 488 (drove one, amazingly, really didn't gel with it at all) . I think it was in contention simply because it was a Ferrari in all honesty..
Then someone mentioned a bright green and carbon McLaren had come in and not been listed - turned out it was being sold on consignment by someone I loosely knew. I saw it and within about 30 seconds had decided I needed to take it home. Tried to talk myself out of it for about 10 minutes and looked at some others and signed my life away..
My dad did a tiny bit of CAD work on the McLaren F1 back in the day and it's always been the ultimate dream car of mine that has drifted further and further into the distance. So I've always been excited about the newer McLarens but funnily enough never thought about owning one.
But it turns out the 650s' pretty perfect to me, I love the mashup between the MP4 rear and P1-esque front.
So far I'm loving everything about it, Smooth drive but solid in sport or track mode, Acoustics sound great on a push when the revs get up and the performance is laugh out loud addicted. Accurate, communicative, very fast and never feels unwieldy.
I sold the R-Spec to free up the space , brilliant car but I just found myself not using it much, not sure if it was in my head to preserve the value or because spinning wheels and making a LOT of noise got a little bit old for what also looked and felt like another mustang albeit a very brutal one with some nice distinctions. I think all in all I'm just not much of a muscle car guy.
I loved it but never felt that it was a keeper, so was reluctant to add on to the low odometer it had when I bought it - I made a good effort but there was just something missing.
The GTR has been my track / weekend hack for the last few years and it's a car I can't see myself ever moving on..But next to the McLaren it feels heavy, slightly blunter, bigger and rougher around the edges. Which I guess is to be expected being front-engined and 1800 kilos vs rwd and 1350 kilos.
It came optioned with some Carbon fibre from MSO (I LOVE everything carbon). Spoiler, rear vents, mirrors, side vents, sideskirts, steering wheel, interior trim, front bumper sections.. And then the previous owner added some aftermarket aero sideskirts.
It only had 500 miles on the clock since new in 2018 (Assuming it was built in 2017 and delivered in 2018.. APPARANTLY going by the VIN research I could find whilst nerding out over a coffee, there were 2,730 made world wide, with the highest VIN sequential going to 6253.. Mine is 6237 so possibly one of the last 16 or so made. Not that it matters but nice to know.
I don't buy cars to be economical or save money - but it's nice to think that they will hold some value.. Arguably a Ferrari would do so better but I suppose being *relatively* low volume should help. and if it doesn't, so be it.
The main thing I was looking for was sense of occasion and to fall in love with driving again. I never fell out of it as such, but missed that x factor feeling, and from the vertical doors to the performance and handling and sparce interior it has it in spades. In a weird way it scratches that ambition of one day owning an F1 (No, I'm not suggesting it is in anyway like one, doors aside
)So far it's addictive, the communcation through the chassis, brake feel and throttle response on a push are all so telepathic.. Not sure if it feels slightly turbo laggy or not - much likely more me driving with a bit more caution being new, it likes to squirm under full throttle and I'm very aware I don't have the GTR's fancy AWD system to get me out of the s*** if I get carried away..
The main plan is to drive the thing. I won't join the local supercar owners for regular car and coffee meets regularly - country roads and track mostly. I've already doubled the 500 miles on the clock with a huge grin.
Next up will be
- protection film all round when I get the time to wrap it.
- HRT wheels are high on the list if I can find the right colour combination, the grey / anthracite is a little too subtle, bronze a little too big a clash, and I don't like the metal/diamond cut look. I'd love some carbon rims, but don't love the idea of the price!
- I have a Carbon fibre rear louvre to add in to complete the replacement of any black plastic on the car
- At the same time I'm possibly going to add a Liberty Walk GT style overwing (which retains the factory aero)
- Possibly a Quicksilver exhaust - the exhaust actually has a nice, aggressive tone as is but a couple of options make it sound a little more exotic.
- Not sure if I'll go the route of adding performance. It doesn't need it.. buuuut I've said that before.
Undecided yet if I'm going to rely ojn a dealer, performance shop or DIY for maintenance - residuals say that I should probably opt for the dealer, the petrolhead in me opts for the latter and I have tools and a lift - Probably will be recorded DIY and supplemented with a dealer visit every few thousand kms / year or two.
Currently sits in the garage with two very different cars (and a few other project cars) but so far has been everything I wanted in a car that's usable, has x factor and suits the sort of driving I enjoy..
Hopefully will have a few mod photos to add in the coming months.
I'm in love
That's fabulous and the colour suits it really well.
I got a 570s as my first McLaren last Month and still can't quite believe it either.
I've actually joined the McLaren Owners Club UK (actually a club as opposed to just a free online page) and they are doing some excellent planned road trips plus each region has an active wats app local group for more casual drives etc. Worth £50 so far. There's a pyrenees trip as well as am alps trip planned for summer).
Enjoy!
I got a 570s as my first McLaren last Month and still can't quite believe it either.
I've actually joined the McLaren Owners Club UK (actually a club as opposed to just a free online page) and they are doing some excellent planned road trips plus each region has an active wats app local group for more casual drives etc. Worth £50 so far. There's a pyrenees trip as well as am alps trip planned for summer).
Enjoy!
Cheers all yes really love the colour and it gets better the more I see it - really pops with the silver flecks in the sun
Had the first track day this weekend. Utterly fantastic. 500 kilos lighter than the gtr - hadn't thought about it but you notice it how huge it is instantly.
The carbon ceramics nail it to a halt with the air brake and it just pulls relentlessly.
No awd to keep you steady but much more feel on turn in and around a corner. Didn't dare take the TC off just yet 😂
Enjoy the 570!
Had the first track day this weekend. Utterly fantastic. 500 kilos lighter than the gtr - hadn't thought about it but you notice it how huge it is instantly.
The carbon ceramics nail it to a halt with the air brake and it just pulls relentlessly.
No awd to keep you steady but much more feel on turn in and around a corner. Didn't dare take the TC off just yet 😂
andymc said:
congrats, bought mine a year ago, it seemed better value than a 458/488 which I would have struggled to afford.
Very nice. Here you can probably get a cheaper 650 for just shy of $300k with more kms etc. Paid a bit of a premium for mine being a lste model and having the low kms and spec I wanted, 35k cheaper than the 488 I was looking at but haven't looked back since 200Plus Club said:
That's fabulous and the colour suits it really well.
I got a 570s as my first McLaren last Month and still can't quite believe it either.
I've actually joined the McLaren Owners Club UK (actually a club as opposed to just a free online page) and they are doing some excellent planned road trips plus each region has an active wats app local group for more casual drives etc. Worth £50 so far. There's a pyrenees trip as well as am alps trip planned for summer).
Enjoy!
Awesome, there's a few similar here but it's fairly isolated so not as many great destinations but certainly great to get on the road more especially if it's well organisedI got a 570s as my first McLaren last Month and still can't quite believe it either.
I've actually joined the McLaren Owners Club UK (actually a club as opposed to just a free online page) and they are doing some excellent planned road trips plus each region has an active wats app local group for more casual drives etc. Worth £50 so far. There's a pyrenees trip as well as am alps trip planned for summer).
Enjoy!
Enjoy the 570!
If you track it a lot don’t let the pads go below 50% worn, otherwise you’ll wear your carbon discs rapidly, and they’re really expensive to replace.
650s is a great car, best value McLaren out there in my opinion and generally reliable too but it’s obviously stood around a lot so, don’t be surprised if a couple of gremlins appear once you start using it, they hate not being used. . Just keep the battery on a trickle charger when not in use.
Sounds like you’re enjoying it, they get better with more miles.
650s is a great car, best value McLaren out there in my opinion and generally reliable too but it’s obviously stood around a lot so, don’t be surprised if a couple of gremlins appear once you start using it, they hate not being used. . Just keep the battery on a trickle charger when not in use.
Sounds like you’re enjoying it, they get better with more miles.
200Plus Club said:
Great track shots! Standard pads or uprated ?
Standard..... for now Crazy4557 said:
If you track it a lot don’t let the pads go below 50% worn, otherwise you’ll wear your carbon discs rapidly, and they’re really expensive to replace.
650s is a great car, best value McLaren out there in my opinion and generally reliable too but it’s obviously stood around a lot so, don’t be surprised if a couple of gremlins appear once you start using it, they hate not being used. . Just keep the battery on a trickle charger when not in use.
Sounds like you’re enjoying it, they get better with more miles.
Thanks will keep that in mind about the brakes and upgrade when the time comes!650s is a great car, best value McLaren out there in my opinion and generally reliable too but it’s obviously stood around a lot so, don’t be surprised if a couple of gremlins appear once you start using it, they hate not being used. . Just keep the battery on a trickle charger when not in use.
Sounds like you’re enjoying it, they get better with more miles.
I bet they do, I'm getting that sense already. Yes the trickle charger was something I picked up on from general chats - funnily enough the previous owner hard wired a charger into the car and left it in the frunk
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