mdrums

Because CJ has a bunch of friends on this part of the forum.

Enjoy the car CJ...it's cool knowing it went to someone that knows how to drive.

GreenLantern

Very nice! Congrats!

In for more as you've driven it a bit.

Thanks for sharing!

NJ-GT

Don't let emotions drive your sudden rapid almost decisions. I drove it and I love it.

I went back to the same deep study I have been doing with cars since my old Fiat 131 2000 Twin Cam. The logic that made me skip a 964 Carrera 2 to get a E36 Euro Spec M3, the same logic that made me pass on the Boxster to get a S2000, pass on the E46 M3/996 C2 to get a 996 GT3.

MP4-12C is not ready for prime time, it needs a mechanical or electronic differential, more feedback from the engine, a 150 lbs weight reduction, and very important, static predictable aero package.

2-3 more years, and it should come good, but Fiat is working hard on smashing Ron Dennis and his desires to open a niche in the sport car market.

My expectations are that McLaren will succeed, and VW will fail (960).

dfwporsche

Makes sense. So the top of the market is the GT3 RS 4.0, GT2RS and Scuderia. Is there a car which would make you sell the Scuderia?

NJ-GT

Nothing currently and nothing within the next year. I'm awaiting the MP4-12C GT3 and the 458 Corsa. Minor problem, how much better they will be for the 250% the premium.

On the other end, I'm seriously considering a 997 GT2 (the unloved GT Porsche in the U.S. market ) with the suspension/aero/power/tranny tricks it has available. This as an addition to the stable, and a clear GT3 Cup, F430 Challenge, Scuderia, MP4-12C, Viper ACR, ZR1 beater.

VW is going downstream with the next GT3. Fiat on the other end is pressed by McLaren, and these two are on the verge of becoming the edge of track day cars. In the 2000, my loyal BMW friends had a hard time converting to Porsche. In the 2015, my loyal Porsche friends are going to have a hard time converting to McLaren/Fiat.

McLaren and Fiat have a long heritage in Racing, while VW Group keeps diminishing the value of the Porsche brand. We shall see.

TNetworks

Looks like Porsche's good ole GT cars represent 5 outta the top 6 lap times times at Nurburgring.....in 5 better looking cars than the MP4-12C. What kinda name is that anyway? Sounds like a Makita power drill or something. Neat but ugly.

aussie jimmy

clarkson had it right when he suggested the name sounded like a photocopier!

Bill_C4S

on the etymology of the MP4-12C name: (ex wiki)

The name of the new McLaren sports car is MP4-12C. 'MP4' has been the chassis designation for all McLaren Formula 1 cars since 1981. Since 1997, 'MP4' has stood for McLaren Project 4 (from 1981 to 1996, when McLaren's title sponsor was Marlboro, the "M" stood for this), resulting from the merger of Ron Dennis' Project 4 organisation with McLaren.

The '12' refers to McLaren's internal Vehicle Performance Index through which it rates key performance criteria both for competitors and for its own cars. The criteria combine power, weight, emissions, and aerodynamic efficiency. The coalition of all these values delivers an overall performance index that has been used as a benchmark throughout the car's development.

The 'C' refers to Carbon, highlighting the application of carbon fibre technology to the future range of McLaren sports cars.

MP4-12C shares its name with the MP4/12 Formula 1 car that raced in the 1997 season. This car featured a second brake pedal discovered by photographers to counter understeer on the exit of the corners by selecting the inside rear wheel, similar to the computer controlled "brake steer" system of the MP4-12C.

-eztrader-

That's all great - for internal coding, but how about a real name for consumers - for ex- "diablo".

Bill_C4S

would concur but such seems to find ill-fit with McLaren Automotive.

Their corporate psychology seems to eschew naming that is superfluous to engineering dictums.

In this respect they find kinship with MIT....in which a course 10.40 you take in building 66.015

Numbers are soooo much more efficient

(Personally I like the idea of it being the McLaren Bulldog.....British, aggressive, punchy....but they'd need to acquire the rights from Aston...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Bulldog.)

GreenLantern

That's really interesting. Thanks for the explanation, Bill_C4S.

dfwporsche

HMMMM. Says here its now faster (more hp) and they have a way to make it sound better? They are solving the flaws quickly:

Free Power Upgrade: New and Existing McLaren MP4-12Cs to Get 616 HP
http://wot.motortrend.com/free-power...l#.T86Et8WQnDY

GreenLantern

Indeed. McLaren has been improving the MP4-12C since launch. Some people see that as a bad thing (i.e., launched prematurely), I see it as a good thing in that they're responding to what their customers and critics are saying, and iterating on it in order to make a better car.

dfwporsche

What do you guys think? Will the MC have similar a depreciation curve as the 458? I assume it's quite a bit more rare. Anyone know production numbers?

C.J. Ichiban

my girlfriend also really likes the car. that's a key reason for me to like it as well- the mp4 is much more ergonomic and usable than the CGT- the CGT makes great noises and I'll keep it forever but the MP4 is really a pleasure to drive daily...which is my intention. I've got the inconel exhaust system and in sport or "track" modes it sounds fantastic...especially up in the 7000rpm + range.

really happy with the car so far- only driven about 300 miles to work and back the last few days...