[dennis]

I had the happy privilege to test drive the 12C yesterday in Palo Alto at the newly opened McLaren San Francisco dealership. Like the other posters after their first drives, my reaction is: WOW.

There were 2 12C's at the dealership - a Volcano Red to drive and a Carbon Black to sit in. There was also a Red F1 and a 12C rolling chasis. I guess they are touring the cars around the U.S. and offering test drives to deposit holders only while the dealers are waiting to get their demo cars.

What really struck me was the versatility of the car. Docile daily driver in normal modes morphs into a track beast at the more aggressive settings. I got to drive it for about 20 minutes, including a short run to 110 mph on the freeway and some quick twisties on a two lane rural road. I was surprised how quickly I felt comfortable driving fast - the car is so predictable.

I'll be counting the days until my January build and late March/early April delivery.

- Dennis

 

[jlMP4]

I test drove the same car a couple of weeks ago down here in southern cal. It's funny that my biggest take away was the same: I've never been in a car whose character could change so dramatically with the twist of a couple of knobs. It really is staggering how wide a range there is to the dynamics of the car. But at the same time, I felt that it was incredibly responsive and flat in all settings.

 

[Senna]

Its interesting that most people have the same opinion. The car really is multiple personalities rolled into one chassis. As strange as it sounds for a super car, i just started leaving it in full automatic, and let the computers adapt to my driving style, they respond so quickly it is amazing. When sitting around in city traffic its so easy to forget you are in one of the fastest cars made . I think McLaren have done a great job in making a car that is just different. As someone said in another thread, once the cars are on showroom floors in the US orders are going to increase to a huge degree.

 

[falb]

Why my dealer didnt connect with me for a test drive is absolutely infuriating.

 

[SSO]

Was your order placed before or after the test drive?

 

[gripforce-mclaren]

Why my dealer didnt connect with me for a test drive is absolutely infuriating.

+1, I'm utterly disappointed my So Cal dealer didn't contact me.

 

[HyperMac954]

I'm assuming you guys ordered through AutoGallery?

I'm not sure when they're getting their demo cars, but McLarenSF should have theirs before Thanksgiving - try giving them a call.

 

[Senna]

I think some dealers held off on the test drives, for a couple of reasons, if you had 50 deposits but could only invite 20 guest, someone is going to be upset, and if you are getting your demo's in a couple of weeks, why not wait till everyone car drive it.

I would check with your dealer and see when the demo is coming

 

[falb]

^^^ these justifications may be true but the reality is that these cars are touring the country and even non-buyers are driving them. It was a bad decision plain and simple.

 

[dennis]

^^^ these justifications may be true but the reality is that these cars are touring the country and even non-buyers are driving them. It was a bad decision plain and simple.

At least at McLaren San Francisco they are only letting deposit holders drive the cars. A friend of mine went to the dealership and they were nice to him, answering his questions about the 12C and letting him sit in the black one, but they would not let him test drive it.

 

[Senna]

^^^ these justifications may be true but the reality is that these cars are touring the country and even non-buyers are driving them. It was a bad decision plain and simple.

I agree with you !