[jlMP4]

Teamspeed got in touch with me and asked if I'd be willing to write a short piece as an owner's perspective. I'm not a professional writer... or photographer for that matter... but I threw together some words and photos while taking a reluctant break from driving the McLaren around. I thought I would share the link and a few photos here for anyone considering the car. Hope it is informational!

http://www.teamspeed.com/forums/mcl...tive-teamspeed-com-exclusive.html#post1213738

jlMP4

 

[HyperMac954]

Very nice write up, and great shots in SoCal!

 

[6th element]

Loved it! Thanks for sharing!

 

[roundincircles]

jlMP4 Thanks for posting your thought and quality photos. A well balanced review.

 

[andy c]

one of the best write ups yet John,thanks for letting everyone here have the benefit

 

[roundincircles]

andy, are you saying better write up than mine

 

[Moncho]

Great job!! Is that Titanium silver? Awesome looking car!!

 

[jlMP4]

Great job!! Is that Titanium silver? Awesome looking car!!

Yes, it is. It looks a little more grey in low sunlight but shines a bit more when the sun is out.

And thanks for the compliments everyone. Glad I could contribute!

jlMP4

 

[Moncho]

Same color I'm considering... Looks great!

 

[andy c]

andy, are you saying better write up than mine

well im expecting something special and very technical from you in march,hope you dont dissapoint.And a full route from the Alps with the appropriate petrol stations and altitude variations plus loads of pics,and maybe a passenger ride if your wife is not up to it

 

[Peloton25]

And thanks for the compliments everyone. Glad I could contribute!

jlMP4

It's an excellent piece - well thought out and engaging to read. I really enjoyed it. Pictures are sharp too, but I have to know how you took this one? Through the glass in the engine compartment, a timer on the parcel shelf, or a different trick?

Thanks!

>8^)
ER

 

[Chrisb]

It's an excellent piece - well thought out and engaging to read. I really enjoyed it. Pictures are sharp too, but I have to know how you took this one? Through the glass in the engine compartment, a timer on the parcel shelf, or a different trick?

Thanks!

>8^)
ER

Many thanks for an excellent article. The only issue that I have with it is that it appears from the article that you only ordered the car when the dealership was announced which would be sometime in 2011??

I am clearly living in the wrong place as I live within 15 mile of MTC, put my name on the list in mid 2009 and I am still waiting for my car which is due in April 2012, some 32 months after I said I wanted one !!!!

Not only do you get the weather but you also can get a car much quicker that we can in the UK !!!!!

 

[HyperMac954]

Speaking of the above pic - I was wondering how close the doors are to the other car while opening? Can you open/close without knicking the Fezza or the wall? And can you do the same with the Ferrari when the Mac is parked? Or is it super tight? Thanks!

 

[jlMP4]

It's an excellent piece - well thought out and engaging to read. I really enjoyed it. Pictures are sharp too, but I have to know how you took this one? Through the glass in the engine compartment, a timer on the parcel shelf, or a different trick?

Thanks!

>8^)
ER

You guessed it! Camera was on a mini-tripod on the shelf and picture was taken with a timer.

 

[jlMP4]

Many thanks for an excellent article. The only issue that I have with it is that it appears from the article that you only ordered the car when the dealership was announced which would be sometime in 2011??

I am clearly living in the wrong place as I live within 15 mile of MTC, put my name on the list in mid 2009 and I am still waiting for my car which is due in April 2012, some 32 months after I said I wanted one !!!!

Not only do you get the weather but you also can get a car much quicker that we can in the UK !!!!!

Thanks, Chrisb. I did leave out that I put my name on the McLaren list when they announced the forming of McLaren Automotive, I believe in early 2010. The dealer in my area was the last to get announced in the US. I put my name on his list as soon as McLaren sent me the press release.

I can see your point, though. My guess is that McLaren has to get some volume of cars to each dealer to an extent which created some inequity given that ours were announced later. I can understand that business rationale, but can see how it would be a little frustrating.

jlMP4

 

[roundincircles]

And cheaper????

ChrisB. I registered in 2009 and get mine in late March some 4/5 months after the promise date. I have VIP status on the list for what that is worth but I think Mclaren are trying very hard to stay loyal to the time line.

The London dealer tells a lovely story how the lead singer of Jaramoqui (however you spell it), a confirmed Petrol Head with a collection, came into the showroom after launch demanded instant delivery as he was a VIP . He was politely told that he would have to go on the 18 month wait list as everybody else and that Roundincircles, who cannot sing for toffy, was a VIP but had to wait his turn.

 

[jlMP4]

Speaking of the above pic - I was wondering how close the doors are to the other car while opening? Can you open/close without knicking the Fezza or the wall? And can you do the same with the Ferrari when the Mac is parked? Or is it super tight? Thanks!

I pulled the side mirror in on the 430 and both drive and passenger door open fully without a problem on the MAC. The 430 door doesn't open all the way, but enough to get in fairly easily. I am thin, though! There is no room to the right of the Ferrari for a passenger to enter since I have cabinets built into the wall. But, honestly, the biggest reason getting into the Ferrari isn't problematic is because I haven't been getting into it since the 12C arrived!

jlMP4

P.S. I should mention that this was shot with a very wide angle lens giving the illusion that the garage is a bit smaller, too, particularly at the far wall.

 

[andy c]

And cheaper????

Is that not car tax and VAT??? at least we dont have the problem that CKA has.I wonder how cheap you can get one?? in a tax free state.What about you guys in the middle-east?

 

[roundincircles]

Andy, don't remind me about tax this early in the new year ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Did you read about Mary Portas recommendations to David Cameron about reviving High Streets. She said that parking charges should be reduced to sensible levels and all the Councils said impossible as they would have to fire their staff........yes another tax to create employment in local Councils.

 

[andy c]

Andy, don't remind me about tax this early in the new year ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Did you read about Mary Portas recommendations to David Cameron about reviving High Streets. She said that parking charges should be reduced to sensible levels and all the Councils said impossible as they would have to fire their staff........yes another tax to create employment in local Councils.

Dont get me started,how about the advert for the Traffic warden co-ordinator in birmingham,no experience needed (not surprised a half wit could do it) £87k,they couldnt pay less because it would upset the pay scale below.
Why do we bother with an attitude like that the country is screwed.
Jeremy Clarkson for Prime minister or is that going too far??