650s, 570s, Lp570....

[nrgy]

Has anyone had actual seat time behind any or all of the cars mentioned, or thoroughly examined them?

Mclaren 650S and/or 570S, Lamborghini LP570

I was/am so close to pulling the trigger on a LP570 as I love everything about it, but I've never driven the Mclarens. I don't think I could find anyone saying the Mclaren's aren't a far superior car, especially given the age of the LP570 platform. I'm just not sold on the looks, and I'm not sure if they would be worth the price premium to me.

I think the front end on the Mclaren's look wicked, but the side profile seems soft. The rear I don't know what to think. Comparing them side by side, that LP570 just looks like it has more attitude, and still current. Am I alone in my thinking? Now the 675LT I LOVE...but that's out of the question!

If I was strictly basing my decision on performance, either Mclaren would obviously be the clear winner. But the LP570 is no slouch, and it has a ton of character that I think would make up for it's performance deficit

[RABAUKE]

For what it's worth, and I don't have seat time in any of these cars but all are spectacular in their own right. Me experience with any decision like this is that you need to buy what you really want, otherwise I'd always be thinking that I wish I had have gone for what I really wanted vs what I thought I wanted.....if that makes sense.

[cngo]

I think the front end of the 650S with the rear end of the 570S would have made for a better looking car. I never quite liked how the rear of the 12C looked, and the 650S is too similar to that. I would choose the LP570 for all the reasons you have listed!

[chillindrdude]

i've driven the 570s.

it was like a feathery rocket. and not in a fragile/wispy way. it was agile, but stable. that 3.8 turbo just pulls and pulls.

it's certainly softer than the lambo, but not in an feminine way. just looks smooth.

the 570s with the vorsteiner gt kit would be absolutely killer.

i got the GT3 because (aside from equal handling and NA/manual) the wifey slapped me with a firm limit of 100k. and questionable mclaren reliability/service and horrid depreciation swayed my decision

if you got the means. i'd go mclaren.

[gonzo]

The 570GT.

[scoobysaurus]

I've driven the 12C, 650S and LP560 Spyder. If it were up to me I'd choose one of the two McLarens and the only thing that could sway me was if the Lambo had a manual transmission.

The 650S is an insanely good car, but consider that its replacement will be out next year and your car might look outdated within months of buying it. If you're cool with that, IMHO you should go for the 650S - it's literally the fastest stock car I've driven and that's saying a lot considering I've also driven an Aventador. The suspension on McLarens is also better than any Lambo and a lot more forgiving if the roads aren't great. You could literally drive a McLaren every day if you wanted to. If it weren't for the Viper ending production soon I'd have gotten a CPO McLaren 12C or 650S instead of the snake. But oh well there's always next time.

Sound is probably the only department in which the Gallardo wins but the McLaren also sounds pretty evil especially with the optional sports exhaust. I haven't driven the 570S yet but in my opinion it looks better than both the 650S and Gallardo.

You won't be disappointed with any of these cars but in case you get the Lambo watch out for potential problems with the e-gear.

[AW335TT]

I'd go with the Lambo.

[ShocknAwe]

Second the 570S and Vorsteiner kit.

[AW335TT]

Why not a 430 Scuderia? I've had a good amount of seat time in one and I absolutely love it. It would be my pick over those 3.

[M3ZING]

Scud > all

[nrgy]

Thanks for the input guys. I keep ping ponging back and forth it's embarrassing how indecisive I am.

I was never a fan of the 12c rear either, and the 650S doesn't really improve on this but the more I stare at it it's starting to grow on me. Not sure if I'm trying to convince myself to like it, but I do like the active aero of the 650S. And some reviews I read say the 650S just seems to be built a little better than the 570S, given the price point difference.

But the one thing that actually had me swaying towards the Lambo was the more raw driving experience. The egear shifts are harsh, suspension stiff, exhaust loud, a bit of attitude moving slowly...all things I liked. I know some people view these as drawbacks and choose the Ferrari or Mc. Unfortunately I haven't had any seat time in the Mclarens yet, but everyone says how refined they are. When you're just cruising through town, or going slow through traffic, does it really feel like you're in some luxury sedan as some reviewers suggest? Not sure if I would like that. When I drove the LP570, even at slow speeds or sitting in traffic, I felt like I was in a racing car. Maybe the stiff seats had something to do with that lol.

Regarding the Scuderia, don't get me wrong I love that car but the performance is lagging IMO for the price they are commanding. I know you don't buy a Scuderia simply for how quickly it can go from point A to B, and I'm sure it has a ton of emotion but I've got to narrow down the field somehow! I'll never make a purchase otherwise ha. For that same reason, it's kinda why I eliminated the 458 from the equation, even though it arguably could be the best looking of the bunch. As much as I try not to let straight line performance sway me, I gotta say it's important to me. Maybe that's a mistake. If the Ferrari's depreciated more in line with the Macs and Lambos and I'd be more tempted, but they definitely demand a premium over the competition. I guess that's a good thing for current owners.

[chillindrdude]

supercars decisions are rarely based on performance numbers, but emotion and overall feel while behind the wheel.

not necessarily a bad thing. go with your gut!

but i think you should at least sit in (and drive) the mclaren options.

[FriskyDingo]

It sounds like you have your mind made up already.


That said, I've never driven any of the cars in discussion in these exact specifications, I agree with your overall sentiments and views on them. I would not be looking to drive these cars on such a regular basis that the McLarens' comfort and refinement would be major selling points. In fact, like you, I'd view them more as cons. If I'm buying a supercar, I WANT it to be a little rude and rough around the edges. The fact that the Gallardo is a special model rather than a standard car only makes the gap wider in it's favor. N/A high-revving V10, plus those sinister looks makes it hard to beat, imo. Plus, it's a Lambo. That in itself kinda says it all.

At the end of the day, it's your money, and you have to live with it. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them, and they would all be a blast to drive.

[KingOfJericho]

The rear of the 650 looked dated before it even hit production. I would rank them 570S, Lambo, without even considering the 650 in the first place.

[nrgy]

Thanks guys, you actually helped sway me, or give me some reassurance to go with my gut. I was trying real hard to like the 650S, but I also thought the rear looked dated the day it came out. Not sure what they were thinking with those horizontal slats? And the rear end IMO is one of the most important views for a car like this, so I better love it.

[tranquility]

Is OP just asking for opinions re looks? I think that the rear of the 12C/650S is great, reminds me of a Cylon, and the 675 LT improves upon that w/ the circular exhausts. The front is good also but quite contrived, almost resembling a snow shovel! The 570S' front looks more sorted out and functional; the rear is alright, takes getting used to since the engine's not really on display but the 'petal' rearlights are unique. Lambos always look aggressive w/ its strong angles, so it's a toss-up re personal tastes vs the more 'organic' McLarens.

[BloomRunsDubs]

Id go with the lambo too.. Much more solid of a car from what I have heard

Im hopefully getting a LP560 soon. Its pretty much the same car as a Audi R8 v10 so that provides a lot of piece of mind for if something were to go wrong with the car.

If something goes wrong with one of those Mclarens have fun with that repair bill..

[neca]

Nice car, but it's not BMW

[TSM330i]

I have seat time in a 650S Spyder. It can be more raw than you think when you switch everything to race or track mode. The nicest thing is when you don't want to get beaten up, the hydraulic suspension can make it ride like a Camry and very relaxed.

MY GOD IT IS FAST! It is simply from another planet fast. That engine at full tilt sounds great and the shifts are lightning quick. The speed just keeps going and going and going.

TBH: It's the best overall car of the three. The most raw would probably be the Lambo for sure and the 570S would be between the two.

Go with your emotions. It is what drives supercar purchases and you won't be dissatisfied.