Having just done this, I would highly recommend just driving it! Good way to bond with the car, an experience you'll always remember and just plain fun. I made sure I had a radar detector, a way to stream some music/podcasts, and a code reader just in case (didn't even get it out of the box). The recommended oil is something you can get a most any auto parts store along the way, ditto the coolant. Ymmv always, but life is an adventure. Enjoy it!!
2k mile road trip home after purchasing?
Hi all. I purchased a 12C, and take ownership next week. Don't worry, a proper 'new owner' post will eventually come with photo proof!
Rather than ship it to my home, I'm considering driving it back myself. I need to do business in the area, and love a good road trip in a new vehicle - I've driven/owned similar cars in the past.
My only hesitation in driving it rather than shipping is that it's a 2k mile trip, and the 12C has only driven about that many miles in the past 2 years. It has a clean bill of health, annual service has been performed every year since new, and has a PPI from a McLaren dealer (they're not the seller). Fluids were just changed and it has PPF on the front panels (but not the upper doors or windshield). Travel cost (flight/gas/depreciation) vs shipping cost is not a concern. They work out to be about the same, not adjusting for risk.
I plan to do three things on the trip:
1. Take it easy with the throttle, at least as much as my heart will let me.
2. Bring oil and coolant with me in the frunk so I can add a cup if I need to. Will check levels frequently. Likely overkill.
3. Make sure that Atlanta is on my route back so that the McMedics can save me if something goes amiss.
Thoughts? Drive it or ship it?
Rather than ship it to my home, I'm considering driving it back myself. I need to do business in the area, and love a good road trip in a new vehicle - I've driven/owned similar cars in the past.
My only hesitation in driving it rather than shipping is that it's a 2k mile trip, and the 12C has only driven about that many miles in the past 2 years. It has a clean bill of health, annual service has been performed every year since new, and has a PPI from a McLaren dealer (they're not the seller). Fluids were just changed and it has PPF on the front panels (but not the upper doors or windshield). Travel cost (flight/gas/depreciation) vs shipping cost is not a concern. They work out to be about the same, not adjusting for risk.
I plan to do three things on the trip:
1. Take it easy with the throttle, at least as much as my heart will let me.
2. Bring oil and coolant with me in the frunk so I can add a cup if I need to. Will check levels frequently. Likely overkill.
3. Make sure that Atlanta is on my route back so that the McMedics can save me if something goes amiss.
Thoughts? Drive it or ship it?
1 - 20 of 58 Posts
Awesome! Glad you suggested the bluetooth adaptor, I just searched the forum and ordered one off Amazon.Having just done this, I would highly recommend just driving it! Good way to bond with the car, an experience you'll always remember and just plain fun. I made sure I had a radar detector, a way to stream some music/podcasts, and a code reader just in case (didn't even get it out of the box). The recommended oil is something you can get a most any auto parts store along the way, ditto the coolant. Ymmv always, but life is an adventure. Enjoy it!!
Hi all. I purchased a 12C, and take ownership next week. Don't worry, a proper 'new owner' post will eventually come with photo proof!
Rather than ship it to my home, I'm considering driving it back myself. I need to do business in the area, and love a good road trip in a new vehicle - I've driven/owned similar cars in the past.
My only hesitation in driving it rather than shipping is that it's a 2k mile trip, and the 12C has only driven about that many miles in the past 2 years. It has a clean bill of health, annual service has been performed every year since new, and has a PPI from a McLaren dealer (they're not the seller). Fluids were just changed and it has PPF on the front panels (but not the upper doors or windshield). Travel cost (flight/gas/depreciation) vs shipping cost is not a concern. They work out to be about the same, not adjusting for risk.
I plan to do three things on the trip:
1. Take it easy with the throttle, at least as much as my heart will let me.
2. Bring oil and coolant with me in the frunk so I can add a cup if I need to. Will check levels frequently. Likely overkill.
3. Make sure that Atlanta is on my route back so that the McMedics can save me if something goes amiss.
Thoughts? Drive it or ship it?
[/QUOTE
Dont drive it! Ship it.
Do it. (Drive the 12C, I mean.)
Epic first drive and never forgotten
Definitely drive it. Mine was only 800 miles, but I'll never forget that day. My profile picture was taken at the top of Pike's Peak on the way back.
Drive it! Memory will last a lifetime. I've done it a bunch:
Ferrari Testarossa: Menominee, MI to Phoenix
Lots Esprit Turbo: Short Hills, NJ to Phoenix
Ferrari Mondial t cab: Rochester, NY to Phoenix
Porsche 928 S4: Springfield, MO to Phoenix
BMW E39 M3: St Louis to Phoenix
Ferrari F40: Orange County, CA to Phoenix.......... in 3 hours, 20 mins!
Each trip had its own character, speeds and roads driven. Towns visited and the people you meet along the way.
Ferrari Testarossa: Menominee, MI to Phoenix
Lots Esprit Turbo: Short Hills, NJ to Phoenix
Ferrari Mondial t cab: Rochester, NY to Phoenix
Porsche 928 S4: Springfield, MO to Phoenix
BMW E39 M3: St Louis to Phoenix
Ferrari F40: Orange County, CA to Phoenix.......... in 3 hours, 20 mins!
Each trip had its own character, speeds and roads driven. Towns visited and the people you meet along the way.
Ship it.
I feel sorry for anyone who leads such a boring life that a 2000 mile drive in a car becomes a unique experience.
I feel sorry for anyone who leads such a boring life that a 2000 mile drive in a car becomes a unique experience.
Sounds like you have a solid planned route for the drive home. I recommend driving the car home so you have a chance to sort out the car and familiarize your self with the new purchase.
Ouch! Have you done it yourself and regretted it?Ship it.
I feel sorry for anyone who leads such a boring life that a 2000 mile drive in a car becomes a unique experience.
For the sake of time, a majority will be interstate. I do have many miles on more engaging roads planned too.Sounds like you have a solid planned route for the drive home. I recommend driving the car home so you have a chance to sort out the car and familiarize your self with the new purchase.
Drive it. Best way to learn and bond with a new car quickly. Done it quite a few times and always enjoyed the experience. Here's one example:
karenable.com
Buying a Ferrari & Driving It Across Europe | karenable
Story of buying a Ferrari F40 and then driving it across Europe
karenable.com
Who hurt you? A 2,000 mile drive in a McLaren is what some people dream about their whole lives… Me included.Ship it.
I feel sorry for anyone who leads such a boring life that a 2000 mile drive in a car becomes a unique experience.
If you're worried about depreciation, you've bought the wrong genre of car. On that note, driving it will uncover anything their PPI missed or show what happens when you don't drive a car for a while then start driving it so it can be addressed. Only once have I ever transported a car after buying it (though I did put over 800 miles on it over 5 days before sending it cross country home) and looking back I should have driven the 2,300 miles home. Transport caused over $4k of damage and I haven't seen the country along that path.
Thank you to all that have replied. I've decided to drive it!
Drive it with your significant other and it will be memorable. Wished it had 2+2 that the whole family enjoys my McLaren too.
I drove my 12C home from Miami to Dallas. About 1400 miles with a few destinations along the way. I would have preferred to ship it but the seller was in a rush to get it sold so I didn't have time to arrange transport. It wasn't a bad experience overall and I would not ever do it again, but when you can calculate that every mile has a cost it's just not something I would have preferred. We got a CEL from poor gas along the way. Some parts of the country do not have premium fuel so I'd say bring a pocket scan tool and pickup octane booster if you think you'll encounter poo poo gas. It's still a risk I wouldn't have taken if given the choice. Something like a rock chip in the glass of a $5K windshield would sour an experience quickly.
You can get a rock chip driving it in front of your house.
every mile has a cost………🥴
every mile has a cost………🥴
Agree, but to Scott's credit, it would be especially sour if the rock chip happened on a trip that one was considering avoiding in the first place. Still plan to drive it!You can get a rock chip driving it in front of your house.
every mile has a cost………🥴
1 - 20 of 58 Posts
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