Traded my McLaren for a 15 GT3 and couldn't be happier!
07-17-2017, 05:46 PM
#1
Traded my McLaren for a 15 GT3 and couldn't be happier!
Well after 18 months of McLaren ownership I am out. 
I traded the 12C for a 15 GT3 with 8000 miles on Friday and I could not be happier. A year ago I had a choice of spending ~$150k for a GT3 or a McLaren and the decision was easy (at the time) and I quickly chose the McLaren. Cut to 18 months later and now I was willing to pay more on top of my trade to get into a GT3.
My biggest issue was reliability (or lack thereof) and dealership location. I'm in Austin and the dealer is in Houston. While the car was under warranty, if an issue happened and the car was still drivable it was my duty to get it to Houston and back which meant either $1000 flatbed or getting someone to drive with me and bring me back (~350 miles total). The car had to be trailered to Houston two or three times and each time spent between 3-6 weeks at the dealer waiting on parts. I spent the last six months just hoping the thing didn't break down on me and leave me stranded. Other annoyances were a $2100 glorified oil change at the dealer with absolutely no indy support so I had no choice really. On top of that, I'm expected to pay $4800 annually for warranty renewal, and considering I had $35-40k in warranty repairs in 18 months, that's non-negotiable. Maybe they've gotten their act together with the 570s and 720s, but my 12C had many issues. Regardless, I've test driven the 570s and prefer my GT3 for many of the same reasons listed below.
Reliability aside, I flat out love the GT3 more. It is more involving, more visceral, more confidence inspiring, and more fun. I miss two things about the McLaren, the rocker type paddle shifter (you could upshift by pushing the opposite direction with the left paddle and vice versa), and the dustless carbon ceramic brakes (GT3 has steel rotors). The GT3 looks better in my eyes as well. The sound compared to the 12C (GT3 has the Shark Works exhaust) is other level. I never really loved the way the 12C sounded while the GT3 immediately struck a chord with me.
The 12C is faster in a straight line, but revving to 9000 RPM is more enjoyable in the GT3. The 12C is an incredibly capable car and handles remarkably well, but there were just far too many downsides to ownership. I'm glad I scratched the exotic itch, but having a Porsche just suits me better.
I traded the 12C for a 15 GT3 with 8000 miles on Friday and I could not be happier. A year ago I had a choice of spending ~$150k for a GT3 or a McLaren and the decision was easy (at the time) and I quickly chose the McLaren. Cut to 18 months later and now I was willing to pay more on top of my trade to get into a GT3. My biggest issue was reliability (or lack thereof) and dealership location. I'm in Austin and the dealer is in Houston. While the car was under warranty, if an issue happened and the car was still drivable it was my duty to get it to Houston and back which meant either $1000 flatbed or getting someone to drive with me and bring me back (~350 miles total). The car had to be trailered to Houston two or three times and each time spent between 3-6 weeks at the dealer waiting on parts. I spent the last six months just hoping the thing didn't break down on me and leave me stranded. Other annoyances were a $2100 glorified oil change at the dealer with absolutely no indy support so I had no choice really. On top of that, I'm expected to pay $4800 annually for warranty renewal, and considering I had $35-40k in warranty repairs in 18 months, that's non-negotiable. Maybe they've gotten their act together with the 570s and 720s, but my 12C had many issues. Regardless, I've test driven the 570s and prefer my GT3 for many of the same reasons listed below.
Reliability aside, I flat out love the GT3 more. It is more involving, more visceral, more confidence inspiring, and more fun. I miss two things about the McLaren, the rocker type paddle shifter (you could upshift by pushing the opposite direction with the left paddle and vice versa), and the dustless carbon ceramic brakes (GT3 has steel rotors). The GT3 looks better in my eyes as well. The sound compared to the 12C (GT3 has the Shark Works exhaust) is other level. I never really loved the way the 12C sounded while the GT3 immediately struck a chord with me.
The 12C is faster in a straight line, but revving to 9000 RPM is more enjoyable in the GT3. The 12C is an incredibly capable car and handles remarkably well, but there were just far too many downsides to ownership. I'm glad I scratched the exotic itch, but having a Porsche just suits me better.
07-17-2017, 05:59 PM
#4
Race Director
Congrats on the car! Thanks for sharing info about your 12C.
07-17-2017, 06:01 PM
#5
Thanks...I'm back. I had a 997.1 Turbo that I loved (I even reached out to the new owner to see if he were interested in selling). Ultimately glad I went this route, but I loved my previous Porsche.
Yes, the Z3M is amazing...it may not be getting much seat time for a little bit but it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Yes, the Z3M is amazing...it may not be getting much seat time for a little bit but it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
07-17-2017, 06:07 PM
#6
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Yes! Congratulations on grabbing the GT3, better a late correction than long-term regret. I like the single stripe, very classy.
Digging the MCoupe as well. Such an awesome car.
-Andrew
Digging the MCoupe as well. Such an awesome car.
-Andrew
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Porsche | Audi | Ferrari | Lamborghini | McLaren
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07-17-2017, 06:18 PM
#7
Congrats! That '15 GT3 looks great. I've thought of going the McLaren route given how difficult it is to get an allocation for a GT car from Porsche. I've heard the McLaren guys are so much more accommodating than Porsche when bringing in new customers. I've owned plenty of P cars but not enough over my 22 years as a PCA club member to impress a dealer to give me a GT3 allocation. I haven't yet brought myself to buy a "flipper" car with delivery miles that was spec'ed by someone else. Appreciate you sharing your experience with the service and reliability.
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07-17-2017, 09:50 PM
#15
Race Director
Congrats!!!
I know this may over reacting but it is a shame how much bad press McLaren has received the last year or so on this forum. Enough that I will not buy one and maybe a year ago I might of considered one in the future. This is not aimed at the OP but there have just been too many not so happy stories.
Same issue my Buddy had with his Aston convertible. He needed a part for the top to close and it took 6 months to have it fixed so he just left it at the Dealer
I know this may over reacting but it is a shame how much bad press McLaren has received the last year or so on this forum. Enough that I will not buy one and maybe a year ago I might of considered one in the future. This is not aimed at the OP but there have just been too many not so happy stories.
Same issue my Buddy had with his Aston convertible. He needed a part for the top to close and it took 6 months to have it fixed so he just left it at the Dealer