[MyMp4-12c]

So the idea for this thread emerged this weekend. I was at a fair in my car and had a chance to talk with owners of a 458 and a gallardo. We bantered back and forth about the merits of my car (cts-v) as a daily driver vs the real supercars as daily drivers.

Even with my humble american luxury/fast car, I have to consider safety issues and daily wear tear on an ongoing basis Ie. chips on windshield, dings at the grocery store, bugs on front bumper, etc

So, as a future 12c owner with the intent of using it as a daily driver--this thread could be a great place for current drivers To provide tips and lessons they've learned and implemented in using a true super car as a daily driver.

 

[Jerry]

1.) Don't trust the front parking sensors too much or you'll end up with yellow paint on your carbon splitter.
2.) Approach speed humps with much more caution when you have a passenger in the car or you'll end up destroying the air deflectors behind the front wheels.
3.) Be wary of parking anywhere that a Range Rover driving moron and his idiot children can open both front and rear doors against the side of your car! 200 empty spaces in the car park and he just has to park beside me.
4.) Remember that it is just a car and it's insured.

To be continued.

 

[6th element]

- NEVER pull right up to the rear bumper of another car at a stoplight or any other traffic queue. Because the 12C is so low, they WILL NOT SEE YOU and if they decide to reverse for any reason (i.e. to let pedestrians cross), they will crumple your front bumper. This almost happened to me at a gas station last week - a woman decided to reverse to go to a different fuel pump. Of course, this goes for any low car, but it's good to keep in mind.

- If you have a tailgater at highway speeds, remember that if you need to stop suddenly, the Air Brake may deploy and completely block rearward vision. Hence, you will no idea if you need to take further evasive action (i.e. pulling off to the shoulder when you see him about to lock up behind you). I pull over and let tailgaters pass ALWAYS, for this reason.

 

[roundincircles]

In the UK add at least one hour to every journey to accommodate public interest.

Tailgater's, especially on motorways, are a persistent crowd so I tend to slow down and hope they pass but several have followed me for miles, despite taking exit ramps and going a couple of times round roundabouts and back up entry ramps, so I try and chill and let the world do it's thang!

In London pedestrians stop in the middle of crossings and take endless shots......when they are pretty girls and they throw their knickers at you then your wife can get miffed.

Leave your doors open at petrol stations so arriving cars cannot block re-entry.

If staying overnight in Scottish towns park in a garage or the local kids will remove the badges on the bonnet.

People will lean on the rear wings to see the engine bay and scratch the paint with zips and buttons.

 

[AugustWest]

1) The leading edges of the turning vanes and the flares adjacent to them take a lot of rock chips.

2) Uncompressed tracks make the audio system sound awesome

3) The car really will get 30mpg cruising along at 65-70mph.

4) Push down on the outer corners of the front boot to latch it; don't press in the middle

5) If you hear a very long beep (not the horn honk) as you lock the car, the engine cover is likely not completely latched.

6) First time passengers often scream the first time you accelerate hard through the first 3 gears

7) It is FAR friendlier than any supercar you can imagine. Everyone drives them much more than they expect to. And yet - with the push of one button - it'll kill pretty much everything that costs less than $1M.

8) It is FAR more comfortable than any supercar you can imagine. This video does a good job of 'splainin' why: http://youtu.be/iJmBIJuEgt8

 

[andy c]

3rd Degree Burns!
Do not operate loud start when in inclosed buildings,such as when replacing a set of tyres as this can cause the manager to spill his Tea

 

[roundincircles]

Andy, remind me how to loud start.....I can spill tea.

 

[andy c]

Andy, remind me how to loud start.....I can spill tea.

before putting your foot on the brake go through thr start up procedure ,then press active and put the powertrain on track.THEN PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PRESS START!! Do not do in enclosed areas ,or around children animals and people with a nervous disposition,or people with a DICKY TICKER
And dont embaress yourself by trying it with a cold engine ,it wont work

 

[roundincircles]

Great fun. Or wicked,bad or in will.i.am parlence.......dope. You know your out of sync with the kids when 'dope' makes no sense! Is it dope is bad and bad is good

 

[6th element]

A few more for the WIN column, as I had this thread in mind on my drive in, this morning:

- The side mirrors are deceptively large and the view backwards from them is excellent. Combined with the amazing forward viz, the car is very confidence-inspiring in traffic.

- The air conditioning can freeze the nuts off a polar bear.

- The electric windows work beautifully, easy to open exactly the amount you want without overshooting and mandatory one-touch open/close. Trivial, but often overlooked.

- The suspension is compliant enough to save you money. A month ago, I hit a pothole so hard, I was convinced that the rim must be bent or cracked, or at the very least the alignment thrown out. I even pulled over right away to investigate. Nothing.

- Wind noise is minimal and crucially, when the windows are down, there is no harsh buffeting lashing at your face. Very nice to cruise at speed with windows partially or completely open.

 

[roundincircles]

Another wicked benefit. Doris is silent, my exhaust noise generator is disconnected and I can revel in an assault of playful V8 with an ever changing soundtrack.........clack, clack brmmmmmmm,brmmmmm,clack,clack,pop, pop......brmmmmmmm

 

[6th element]

Another wicked benefit. Doris is silent, my exhaust noise generator is disconnected and I can revel in an assault of playful V8 with an ever changing soundtrack.........clack, clack brmmmmmmm,brmmmmm,clack,clack,pop, pop......brmmmmmmm

You know, I was just playing around with the modes this morning and I'm oh so close to booking an appt to get the "Harry Metcalfe Delete" option. Really can't decide.

By the way, this isn't you, RIC, is it?

 

[roundincircles]

You know, I was just playing around with the modes this morning and I'm oh so close to booking an appt to get the "Harry Metcalfe Delete" option. Really can't decide.

By the way, this isn't you, RIC, is it?

Remember 6th the pipe can be reconnected.

Your a very funny man! A couple of years back I was at Silverstone with Calfornia Superbike School on the Stowe circuit and we had to stop for lunch when Honda F1 decided to test two cars. Within 15 minutes all present were pleading with them to stop as the noise was just too painful. And some of the guys were superbike racers!

 

[MyMp4-12c]

These are awesome especially about the undies being thrown at the car!

 

[ergoproxy]

This is super useful and funny. These pearls are things the dealer won't tell you and you cannot find out from a short test drive or magazine review.

 

[Jerry]

You know, I was just playing around with the modes this morning and I'm oh so close to booking an appt to get the "Harry Metcalfe Delete" option. Really can't decide.

I've just decided to go for it, should be done when the car is back for attention mid June.

 

[roundincircles]

For me it is a big improvement, somehow 'natural', involving, caressing and.........proper.

 

[Jerry]

"Proper" ... exactly what I'm looking for. I'll let you know what I think in a few weeks time when it's done.

 

[6th element]

caressing

I think I know where you are going with this, but I'm worried about you nonetheless RIC. Side effect of the recovery meds?

 

[Moncho]

A few of my observations;

Bumps and road imperfections sound much louder than they feel. Resist the urge to step out of the car and look for damage after you hit a big one... You won't find any. It takes a bit of time to get used to it.

As mentioned above, the faces of your passengers when taken for a spirited drive. Truly priceless to see... Absolute fear and joy all in one.

Not a low mileage car. I drive it way more than I ever thought that I would. You'll feel like a teenager again, always looking for an excuse to drive somewhere... And taking the longest route possible. Try doing this without being too obvious.

Again... Awesome car!!