80-90k (semi) daily driver

80-90k (semi) daily driver

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Discussion

Odp_52

Original Poster:

18 posts

46 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Hi everyone,

First time poster (feel free to call me 'rookie' or 'junior') and asking for advice from more seasoned professionals than I! After reading through these forums clearly some people with unreal experience. So after years of saving (i'm in my mid 30's) I'm going to be buying my first (what i would consider) supercar this summer after i get married and will have £80-90k cash to spend. This will be a really big deal for me and a lot of money so naturally started thinking already and change my mind every 5 minutes.

It will be used for circa 8-10k miles per year, i do 2/3 days in the office per week with a 40 mile round trip on b roads and motorway mostly and the odd trip away or abroad and i'd be looking at owning for two years before likely having to go for something i can fit children into! I do have access to a 2nd car which i can use to commute at times or go to tesco/gym car park.

In my head i have a 17 - 19 plate Mclaren 540 or 570 (can they realistically do that sort of usage?), an Audi R8 v10 or a newish Aston Martin Vantage, i have discounted a 911 i think (owned a 997 and i'll likely go for a 992 when i have kids) and an AMG GT (bit hard for a semi daily) but would love to hear of owners experiences running any of these cars daily/pitfalls or great dealers in the South West/Midlands/Wales i could talk too.

I daily a fully loaded M850 BMW at the moment which is a lovely GT, but a bit dull at times, so looking for a lot more fun than that!

Any help appreciated for a novice! Happy to take offline as well.


davek_964

9,299 posts

182 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
A 540 or 570 would be a great choice. My 650 is the best semi daily car I've ever owned - very comfortable, very easy to drive around town / commuting and obviously capable of much more if the chance presents itself.

I had a 540 for a few weeks as a courtesy car and liked it a lot. Doors made entry / exit easier than mine, and I also found the power delivery more linear and hence more predictable.

Had a Vantage myself (although a 2007 one) - I loved it, and may have another - but the McLaren's are in a different league. In fact, I was planning to own another car by now, but just can't see the point of buying one when I know I'd still use the McLaren all the time

OP52

Original Poster:

18 posts

46 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Hey Davek, think that's where my heart is, so going to go look at one at Rybrook in Bristol in the next few weeks! Will be a strange feeling as always drove past it and never felt like a Mclaren would be remotely feasible or attainable as much as i always drooled! Would be crazy to buy one, although may have to do use other car if i need to do any external meetings with work! What sort if mileage have you put on yours if you dont mind me asking? Any issues?, still seems to an (unfair?) Stigma attached to Mclarens? Thanks for the input!


davek_964 said:
A 540 or 570 would be a great choice. My 650 is the best semi daily car I've ever owned - very comfortable, very easy to drive around town / commuting and obviously capable of much more if the chance presents itself.

I had a 540 for a few weeks as a courtesy car and liked it a lot. Doors made entry / exit easier than mine, and I also found the power delivery more linear and hence more predictable.

Had a Vantage myself (although a 2007 one) - I loved it, and may have another - but the McLaren's are in a different league. In fact, I was planning to own another car by now, but just can't see the point of buying one when I know I'd still use the McLaren all the time

davek_964

9,299 posts

182 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
I bought mine in August 2018, and have put 8k miles on it since then. It would have been more but I've been working from home since March.

Mine has had its share of niggles - mostly electrical - and they annoyed me a lot at first. But I've learned that 99% are minor, happen once or twice and then never again - so not really an issue.

As a summary, I'd say that McLaren quality control needs to improve a bit. Some cars are problem free, but I think on average McLaren's have more niggles than most. However, big problems are rare and it is usually just minor annoyance - and as I say most of them will be one off glitches anyway.

I am still very glad I bought mine.

marky7seven

188 posts

55 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Odp_52 said:
Hi everyone,

First time poster (feel free to call me 'rookie' or 'junior') and asking for advice from more seasoned professionals than I! After reading through these forums clearly some people with unreal experience. So after years of saving (i'm in my mid 30's) I'm going to be buying my first (what i would consider) supercar this summer after i get married and will have £80-90k cash to spend. This will be a really big deal for me and a lot of money so naturally started thinking already and change my mind every 5 minutes.

It will be used for circa 8-10k miles per year, i do 2/3 days in the office per week with a 40 mile round trip on b roads and motorway mostly and the odd trip away or abroad and i'd be looking at owning for two years before likely having to go for something i can fit children into! I do have access to a 2nd car which i can use to commute at times or go to tesco/gym car park.

In my head i have a 17 - 19 plate Mclaren 540 or 570 (can they realistically do that sort of usage?), an Audi R8 v10 or a newish Aston Martin Vantage, i have discounted a 911 i think (owned a 997 and i'll likely go for a 992 when i have kids) and an AMG GT (bit hard for a semi daily) but would love to hear of owners experiences running any of these cars daily/pitfalls or great dealers in the South West/Midlands/Wales i could talk too.

I daily a fully loaded M850 BMW at the moment which is a lovely GT, but a bit dull at times, so looking for a lot more fun than that!

Any help appreciated for a novice! Happy to take offline as well.
I was looking at the same list of cars this time last year, going from a F-Type R AWD.

I drove all of them, and were all excellent cars. The Vantage is a great little car, and its an Aston but depreciate worried me and it didn't feel as special as the others, but its a great sports car. The AMG GT sounds great and very easy to drive, I again worried about depreciate but they still around the same price as last year so possible not something to worry about (didn't fit in the garage either). 570s looks the business, and I would love a Mclaren but for me it felt like a big step up, and I didn't feel comfortable driving it. Didn't help on the test drive there was a bin lorry coming towards me on the wrong side of the road as I pulled out of the garage and it made me panic a little bit. I'm short so embrassingly struggled with the peddels due to the bucket seats of the one I drove.

I ended up with the R8 plus with sounds great, I have a S5 Cab and have had a RS6 so I felt very comfortable in the car and felt more of a progressive step, plus it's a rare colour so stands out from the rest IMO. I would like a 720s at some point, but getting a 4 seater performance car first so my kids and enjoy it also.

OP52

Original Poster:

18 posts

46 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Ok so you did a good 9 months daily driving prior to covid?
Just been reading a few of your posts re the 650, sounds like Mclaren are pretty good at taking care of things? I guess you would hope so with a 3 grand warranty, but at least its peace of mind. As a bmw driver im used to terrible service and sales teams so that at least would be a nice, albeit expensive change!


davek_964 said:
I bought mine in August 2018, and have put 8k miles on it since then. It would have been more but I've been working from home since March.

Mine has had its share of niggles - mostly electrical - and they annoyed me a lot at first. But I've learned that 99% are minor, happen once or twice and then never again - so not really an issue.

As a summary, I'd say that McLaren quality control needs to improve a bit. Some cars are problem free, but I think on average McLaren's have more niggles than most. However, big problems are rare and it is usually just minor annoyance - and as I say most of them will be one off glitches anyway.

I am still very glad I bought mine.

OP52

Original Poster:

18 posts

46 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Hey Marky

Appreciate the response! That sounds like the worst start to a teet drive of a car that would likely scare tbe s*** out of me too!! That's a fantastic point about the step up, the appeal of the R8 is that apparent usability, is it genuinely that simple? Does it still feel special? Im guessing its a yes with a 5.2l v 10! But i know ppl say it's just an Audi etc... one of the things about my 8 that's sometimes a little annoying is that friends 3 series are similar inside, it's a small niggle i guess?

How long have you had it? Any niggles/concerns? Glad you went for it?

marky7seven said:
I was looking at the same list of cars this time last year, going from a F-Type R AWD.

I drove all of them, and were all excellent cars. The Vantage is a great little car, and its an Aston but depreciate worried me and it didn't feel as special as the others, but its a great sports car. The AMG GT sounds great and very easy to drive, I again worried about depreciate but they still around the same price as last year so possible not something to worry about (didn't fit in the garage either). 570s looks the business, and I would love a Mclaren but for me it felt like a big step up, and I didn't feel comfortable driving it. Didn't help on the test drive there was a bin lorry coming towards me on the wrong side of the road as I pulled out of the garage and it made me panic a little bit. I'm short so embrassingly struggled with the peddels due to the bucket seats of the one I drove.

I ended up with the R8 plus with sounds great, I have a S5 Cab and have had a RS6 so I felt very comfortable in the car and felt more of a progressive step, plus it's a rare colour so stands out from the rest IMO. I would like a 720s at some point, but getting a 4 seater performance car first so my kids and enjoy it also.

sociopath

3,433 posts

73 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
You're buying your first supercar just after you get married?

Have you told your new financial controller?
🤣🤣

davek_964

9,299 posts

182 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Yes, about 9 months as a mostly daily - and my main issue was that I was averaging over 1k miles a month, despite my round trip to work only being 15 miles. That tells you how many excuses I find to drive it.

McLaren warranty is comprehensive, albeit fairly pricey to buy. However, the service I've received from McLaren has been far more than just warranty work and has been exceptional, and far more than I expected. 6 months after buying my 5 year old car, I decided I wasn't happy with the paint - in some light, some panels looked sightly different shade. Within a couple of days, McLaren agreed to resolve this by painting the problem panels. When the body shop said they couldn't match the paint, McLaren authorised an entire respray as goodwill.
Astounding customer service, and something I still struggle to believe despite being the owner of the fully repainted car!

marky7seven

188 posts

55 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
I love the R8 plus, that engine is very special and for me its perfect. But if its a raw driving experience, this isn't the car its very planted and easy to drive quick, easy around town or in traffic, so doesn't have the theatre of a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Mclaren. But also my insurance is £550 per year, warranty is £1400 from Audi, servicing is cheap, it's a very easy car to live with, and will still turn heads, and wake the whole street if you go to work early.

The only niggle I have is the noise braking at low speed, but I think that is down to ceramic brakes. I've only driven 1000 miles in her due to Leicestershire also been in lock down, so fingers crossed this year I can get some trips under my belt.


OP52

Original Poster:

18 posts

46 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Haha she literally is a financial controller my profession so quite accurate! She's v supportive and knows how much i love my cars. At least i know i can afford it!




e=sociopath]You're buying your first supercar just after you get married?

Have you told your new financial controller?
????
[/quote]

johnnyreggae

3,001 posts

167 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
This thread has been running for much of the second half of last year so might be useful background

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

OP52

Original Poster:

18 posts

46 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Hey, thanks, did have a look, but he/she seems to be looking for a weekender and open to options, im pretty much just picking the brains of any owners of what i (think) i want to see if i can get a feel for things as far as daily useage etc (in hindsight not made very clear in topic heading have i!?) Ill definitely have a read and also of the guys that have posted thus far prior posts, all research and help appreciated as it's (for me) a big chunk of cash saved over a long time so want to be informed as i can be and make a choice ill be ecstatic with! Thanks!


johnnyreggae said:
This thread has been running for much of the second half of last year so might be useful background

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

OP52

Original Poster:

18 posts

46 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Ah wow! What a beaut! How could anyone say that something that looks like that isn't a supercar! I bet it get's all sorts of stares!

So this is a pre 19 facelift version? What sort of spec of you don't mind me asking? By summer i should be able to stretch to a post facelift r8 or a pre face lift plus like yours? Do you notice the extra power? I did think the newer ones looked a little bit sweeter, bit good lord that colour is incredible and i may stand corrected!


quote=marky7seven]I love the R8 plus, that engine is very special and for me its perfect. But if its a raw driving experience, this isn't the car its very planted and easy to drive quick, easy around town or in traffic, so doesn't have the theatre of a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Mclaren. But also my insurance is £550 per year, warranty is £1400 from Audi, servicing is cheap, it's a very easy car to live with, and will still turn heads, and wake the whole street if you go to work early.

The only niggle I have is the noise braking at low speed, but I think that is down to ceramic brakes. I've only driven 1000 miles in her due to Leicestershire also been in lock down, so fingers crossed this year I can get some trips under my belt.


[/quote]

OP52

Original Poster:

18 posts

46 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Haha I'd imagine I'll be similar and find any excuse! Hopefuly getting an older tesla S as my 2nd car so i have something else semi interesting to run alongside it on my commute and not hammer depreciation too far.... although i will try not to worry about that when i own it and just enjoy it when i wan too rather than leaving it in a garage.

I almost like the fact that Mclaren warranty just covers everything as i guess it means you can safely budget. That's truly incredible customer service, im guessing you will go Mclaren again next then? Reading one of your posts from another thread says you werent as enamoured with it as your 360? (My dad has a 360 and it's raucous!I) really appreciate your input so far, thank you


davek_964 said:
Yes, about 9 months as a mostly daily - and my main issue was that I was averaging over 1k miles a month, despite my round trip to work only being 15 miles. That tells you how many excuses I find to drive it.

McLaren warranty is comprehensive, albeit fairly pricey to buy. However, the service I've received from McLaren has been far more than just warranty work and has been exceptional, and far more than I expected. 6 months after buying my 5 year old car, I decided I wasn't happy with the paint - in some light, some panels looked sightly different shade. Within a couple of days, McLaren agreed to resolve this by painting the problem panels. When the body shop said they couldn't match the paint, McLaren authorised an entire respray as goodwill.
Astounding customer service, and something I still struggle to believe despite being the owner of the fully repainted car!

Lee Jones Jnr

1,724 posts

177 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
I’m surprised that you think an AMG GT is too hard for daily use.
Along with all the above mauve a California T would suit you?

marky7seven

188 posts

55 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
OP52 said:
Ah wow! What a beaut! How could anyone say that something that looks like that isn't a supercar! I bet it get's all sorts of stares!

So this is a pre 19 facelift version? What sort of spec of you don't mind me asking? By summer i should be able to stretch to a post facelift r8 or a pre face lift plus like yours? Do you notice the extra power? I did think the newer ones looked a little bit sweeter, bit good lord that colour is incredible and i may stand corrected!


Sorry didn't pay much attention to spec, the car was originally spec by Tom Jaconelli at Roman International, it seems to have every option ticked, full carbon inside and out, and exclusive range colour. It was then owned by Sam De Haan (GT racing car driver) and it has only done 10,000 miles. I personally prefer the look of the Gen 2, but everyone rightly has a difference of opinion. The Gen 2 does sound better, as the facelift is fitted with filters for EU regulations that soften the noise. But nothing an aftermarket exhaust can't fix. I will get an Akrapovic fitted at some point when I've moved house, and don't have so many neighbours to annoy.

My main advice is make sure you drive everything on your list before purchasing, and get an idea of what is important to you.

OP52

Original Poster:

18 posts

46 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
Hey Lee,

It was GT C i went out in, so a little harder than a base GT admittedly, i don't know why i just didnt hugely enjoy it, was very long, bit snappy, i know sports cars are a bit of a todger extension but it also looked a bit too phallic! (Sort of joking, sort of not!) Don't get me wrong any of these cars are beyond my wildest dreams either way and in isolation it was awesome, but i probably enjoyed the Vantage more as far as how it behaved with the same engine etc and becauseit was an Aston i just loved it that bit more (i actually like the looks of the new Aston). The GTC also had the old tech on it, which felt really quite dated as well compared to some others, as did the central column in the Vantage to be fair.

I dont know why, just feel like i might regret buying an Aston, so haven't yet been as engaged as with a Mclaren or R8....

Just looked up what a California could cost, i'll do some reading, again always presumed that a Ferrari could never be a daily esque car, happy to be corrected. What are you driving Lee if you don't mind me asking?

quote=Lee Jones Jnr]I’m surprised that you think an AMG GT is too hard for daily use.
Along with all the above mauve a California T would suit you?
[/quote]

Lee Jones Jnr

1,724 posts

177 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
OP52 said:
Hey Lee,

It was GT C i went out in, so a little harder than a base GT admittedly, i don't know why i just didnt hugely enjoy it, was very long, bit snappy, i know sports cars are a bit of a todger extension but it also looked a bit too phallic! (Sort of joking, sort of not!) Don't get me wrong any of these cars are beyond my wildest dreams either way and in isolation it was awesome, but i probably enjoyed the Vantage more as far as how it behaved with the same engine etc and becauseit was an Aston i just loved it that bit more (i actually like the looks of the new Aston). The GTC also had the old tech on it, which felt really quite dated as well compared to some others, as did the central column in the Vantage to be fair.

I dont know why, just feel like i might regret buying an Aston, so haven't yet been as engaged as with a Mclaren or R8....

Just looked up what a California could cost, i'll do some reading, again always presumed that a Ferrari could never be a daily esque car, happy to be corrected. What are you driving Lee if you don't mind me asking?

quote=Lee Jones Jnr]I’m surprised that you think an AMG GT is too hard for daily use.
Along with all the above mauve a California T would suit you?
I drove a 360 daily for around 14 months and 14000 miles, a Ferrari is just a car like any other, I’d expect a Cali T to be many times better suited to the job and not as old school to drive.
I’m not in anything exciting at the moment, I drive a Range Rover as I need a comfortable van for work. I was looking at a 570 before the apocalypse but when I can trade again and have some money to spend I don’t think I’ll go McLaren after all.

TP321

1,513 posts

205 months

Sunday 3rd January 2021
quotequote all
I would say that all are good cars, some will depreciate more than others, and some will be more expensive to warranty and service. Also some will take the mileage less well.

As an all rounder, in terms of performance, looks, engine, and cheap to live with, the R8 would be my pick. It may not be the most extreme of this bunch, but it’s 95% in all areas such as looks and performance, and absolutely smashes it in terms of low running costs, build quality, mid engined layout, and the best engine by a country mile.