Well the Ferrari 458 is sold. It was/is an amazing car that is hard to fault. After 18 mos or so, as the mileage was starting to add up, and the warranty was running out, so I figured it was time to try something new before the typical Ferrari depreciation got ugly.
Before I found the 458, I was initially considering a Mclaren MP4. In part because they were still too new and a lot was unknown, I went with the Ferrari. Since then, the Mclaren's have had quite a few updates to fix their new model bugs, and yet have still taken a recent beating in terms of early depreciation, so I thought it might be a good time to sell the 458 and find an MP4. I looked for a short while, and found the Tampa Mclaren dealer very nice to work with. Initially, I thought I would like to find a relatively 'low-key' black/gray/silver car, as I try to be as inconspicuous as one can driving such a machine. I was close to making a deal on a metallic gray when my wife saw one in Volcano Red at Mclaren's booth at the Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance. I normally am not a red car guy, but it is a stunning color with a lot of depth and complexity. Photos don't do it justice as it changes appearance and form in different light. When I find a car or color my wife really likes, I act quickly (before she changes her mind). The interior of the car is really nice too. I find it a little less frilly than the 458 - probably half way between the more spartan GT and the 458.
The early Mclaren reviews in the various mags and websites said it was too 'plain' looking. I have to say, it looks pretty awesome to me. I can't say that either the 458 or the MP4 looks better than the other. I like them both. Also, some reviewers said the Mclaren is too quiet or not exciting. With the sport exhaust (a must) and the 2013 upgrades, I beg to differ. Car is very quick and I actually prefer the exhaust sound to that of the Ferrari. Again, it is completely subjective, but I found the really high pitched wail of the 458 a bit too shrill after a minute or two. The Mclaren has a bit of a lower grunt. I haven't had much time to drive it due to too much rain and too much work.
Here are a few photos. Hope to get some seat time in this weekend.
Before I found the 458, I was initially considering a Mclaren MP4. In part because they were still too new and a lot was unknown, I went with the Ferrari. Since then, the Mclaren's have had quite a few updates to fix their new model bugs, and yet have still taken a recent beating in terms of early depreciation, so I thought it might be a good time to sell the 458 and find an MP4. I looked for a short while, and found the Tampa Mclaren dealer very nice to work with. Initially, I thought I would like to find a relatively 'low-key' black/gray/silver car, as I try to be as inconspicuous as one can driving such a machine. I was close to making a deal on a metallic gray when my wife saw one in Volcano Red at Mclaren's booth at the Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance. I normally am not a red car guy, but it is a stunning color with a lot of depth and complexity. Photos don't do it justice as it changes appearance and form in different light. When I find a car or color my wife really likes, I act quickly (before she changes her mind). The interior of the car is really nice too. I find it a little less frilly than the 458 - probably half way between the more spartan GT and the 458.
The early Mclaren reviews in the various mags and websites said it was too 'plain' looking. I have to say, it looks pretty awesome to me. I can't say that either the 458 or the MP4 looks better than the other. I like them both. Also, some reviewers said the Mclaren is too quiet or not exciting. With the sport exhaust (a must) and the 2013 upgrades, I beg to differ. Car is very quick and I actually prefer the exhaust sound to that of the Ferrari. Again, it is completely subjective, but I found the really high pitched wail of the 458 a bit too shrill after a minute or two. The Mclaren has a bit of a lower grunt. I haven't had much time to drive it due to too much rain and too much work.
Here are a few photos. Hope to get some seat time in this weekend.
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