Test drove Maclaren 650S, but could not part with my 981 Spyder
02-25-2017, 12:00 AM
#1
Test drove Maclaren 650S, but could not part with my 981 Spyder
I'll keep this short. My wife and I drove to a Maclaren dealership yesterday with the intent of test driving a 650S, buying it if it is what I wanted, and possibly putting a deposit for the 720S. But in the back of my mind I knew it meant giving up my 981 Spyder!
The 650S was amazing in every aspect...Beauty, style, tightness, even price, ...there was nothing at fault. I also checked out the various 570 variations and they too are fantastic.
However, after everything was over and discussing it with my wife in the Maclaren conference room I decided to keep my Spyder..... and more importantly "keep" Porsche. I can't even change brands, much less models.
It's difficult to put my finger on, but for me, there's too much I liked about driving a Porsche, any Porsche. When push came to shove I couldn't do it.
The Maclaren SA hadn't even heard of a Boxster Spyder despite having several Boxster and Boxster S's as trade in's (but that's ok). When he finally recognized what I was referring to he knew that this deal was dead!
I currently enjoy the #1 contracted slot for the new 991.2GT3. Nothing has changed my mind about that. .....so I've decided to keep both the Spyder and the GT3 after it arrives. They're very different cars, but still both are Porsche. I know how lucky I am being able to do this. My biggest problem know is I still don't know where the hell I'll put them!
The 650S was amazing in every aspect...Beauty, style, tightness, even price, ...there was nothing at fault. I also checked out the various 570 variations and they too are fantastic.
However, after everything was over and discussing it with my wife in the Maclaren conference room I decided to keep my Spyder..... and more importantly "keep" Porsche. I can't even change brands, much less models.
It's difficult to put my finger on, but for me, there's too much I liked about driving a Porsche, any Porsche. When push came to shove I couldn't do it.
The Maclaren SA hadn't even heard of a Boxster Spyder despite having several Boxster and Boxster S's as trade in's (but that's ok). When he finally recognized what I was referring to he knew that this deal was dead!
I currently enjoy the #1 contracted slot for the new 991.2GT3. Nothing has changed my mind about that. .....so I've decided to keep both the Spyder and the GT3 after it arrives. They're very different cars, but still both are Porsche. I know how lucky I am being able to do this. My biggest problem know is I still don't know where the hell I'll put them!
Last edited by DannieK; 02-25-2017 at 12:01 AM. Reason: spelling
02-25-2017, 09:01 AM
#2
Rennlist Member
I have somewhat of a similar story
this past summer I sold my 991.1 GT3 and wanted to try another car just for fun. I drove the 650S, R8 v10 plus, and Hurucan. I loved them all , but for some odd reason I did not pull the trigger on any. I did end up grabbing a GT3RS this year.
by the way : weather was nice yesterday so I drove my spyder yesterday, and my comment to my son: perfect car
this past summer I sold my 991.1 GT3 and wanted to try another car just for fun. I drove the 650S, R8 v10 plus, and Hurucan. I loved them all , but for some odd reason I did not pull the trigger on any. I did end up grabbing a GT3RS this year.
by the way : weather was nice yesterday so I drove my spyder yesterday, and my comment to my son: perfect car
02-25-2017, 09:21 AM
#3
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I has a 991 RS, a Boxter Spyder and a 50th anniversary which is essentially 991 GTS. Every one drives differently and gives you a different kind of pleasure. It is really very hard to decide which one to part with if you have to choose. I guess it is a good problem to have 
02-25-2017, 11:30 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
To the OP, I know exactly what you are talking about. I too have this loyalty to the Porsche brand, very much like to a family. I think it has to do with the people and the engineering behind the products, the struggles to over come adversity, right up to last summers Le Mans win. There's a connection to greatness I believe we all feel.
To quote from the ORIGINALE Classic catalog:
"And from racing we know that it is often the smallest, apparently most insignificant parts that can determine whether or not the race is won or lost. This understanding of the significance of each individual part and their perfect interaction is what makes a Porsche".
Attention to detail. Form and function. Cool.
To quote from the ORIGINALE Classic catalog:
"And from racing we know that it is often the smallest, apparently most insignificant parts that can determine whether or not the race is won or lost. This understanding of the significance of each individual part and their perfect interaction is what makes a Porsche".
Attention to detail. Form and function. Cool.
04-05-2017, 04:55 AM
#5
McLaren not ready for prime time
To the OP, I know exactly what you are talking about. I too have this loyalty to the Porsche brand, very much like to a family. I think it has to do with the people and the engineering behind the products, the struggles to over come adversity, right up to last summers Le Mans win. There's a connection to greatness I believe we all feel.
To quote from the ORIGINALE Classic catalog:
"And from racing we know that it is often the smallest, apparently most insignificant parts that can determine whether or not the race is won or lost. This understanding of the significance of each individual part and their perfect interaction is what makes a Porsche".
Attention to detail. Form and function. Cool.
To quote from the ORIGINALE Classic catalog:
"And from racing we know that it is often the smallest, apparently most insignificant parts that can determine whether or not the race is won or lost. This understanding of the significance of each individual part and their perfect interaction is what makes a Porsche".
Attention to detail. Form and function. Cool.
The boxer engines are an amazing design. The ergonomics of Porsche are second to none
04-05-2017, 05:20 AM
#6
McLaren not ready for prime time
To the OP, I know exactly what you are talking about. I too have this loyalty to the Porsche brand, very much like to a family. I think it has to do with the people and the engineering behind the products, the struggles to over come adversity, right up to last summers Le Mans win. There's a connection to greatness I believe we all feel.
To quote from the ORIGINALE Classic
"And from racing we know that it is often the smallest, apparently most insignificant parts that can determine whether or not the race is won or lost. This understanding of the significance of each individual part and their perfect interaction is what makes a Porsche".
Attention to detail. Form and function. Cool.
To quote from the ORIGINALE Classic
"And from racing we know that it is often the smallest, apparently most insignificant parts that can determine whether or not the race is won or lost. This understanding of the significance of each individual part and their perfect interaction is what makes a Porsche".
Attention to detail. Form and function. Cool.
There are many reasons for considering a McLaren. To me, being very safety minded, The new carbon fiber monocage in the 720S is the most important reason, aside from the obvious brilliant chassis and aerodynamic engineering.. When the carbon fiber monocage trickles down to the 570 S in the next generation, it will be a very desirable car. The hydraulic system replacing traditional sway bars diminishes sports car feel and enjoyment leading me to conclude the 570 is the better car for purists, never mind of the better value. That said, there are even more compelling reasons not to buy a McLaren. On the Mckarenlife site there are just too many detailed reports of new cars spending as much time in the shop as out, and qualifying for local lemon laws. The flaws are egregious including significant body panel fit issues to the point where paint is scraping off, cooling hoses falling off, and unsolvable electrical and software gremlins. It must be frustrating to have a car with 1-2000 miles require frequent service and have the car returned with the same rough idle, for example, unadressed. The turmoil of Ron Dennis leaving can't be helping the situation. I also dislike that when the car is out of warranty, McLaren has a monopoly on service. Also, local dealers have a McLaren monopoly. Where I live in Los Angeles, there were three Porsche dealers that are reasonable driving distance. The availability of reasonably priced expert independent service is also a huge plus for Porsche.
The boxer engines are an amazing design. The ergonomics of Porsche are second to none. The traditional instrumentation is extremely appealing compared to the video game feel of current Ferraris. With Cobb tuning and a DSC module and fairly minor suspension and brake upgrades, on short tracks, a 981 Cayman has lap times surprisingly close to McLaren 570S, for example at Willow Springs. A GT4 is less than a second slower than a 570 S at Willow Springs, and a 981 with the above mods not far behind a GT4.
Reading about people walking out of a McLaren dealership and sticking with Porsche really strikes a nerve with me. I think the ownership experience of Porsche will be superior until McLaren quality control and dealer service network catches up with its great engineering.
My guess is that is five or 10 years from now Mckaren will be ready fr prime time which is still an amazing accomplishment given how short a time they have been making cars.
This is my first post.
Last edited by Tompoodie; 04-05-2017 at 02:24 PM. Reason: Typo
04-05-2017, 01:07 PM
#7
Reading about people walking out of a McLaren dealership and sticking with Porsche really strikes a nerve with me. I think the ownership experience of Porsche will be superior until McLaren quality control and dealer service network catches up with its great engineering.
My guess is that is five or 10 years from now Mckaren will be ready fir prime time which is still an amazing accomplishment given how short a time they have been making cars.
This is my first post.
My guess is that is five or 10 years from now Mckaren will be ready fir prime time which is still an amazing accomplishment given how short a time they have been making cars.
This is my first post.
