McLaren MP4-12C: The Supercar Bargain That Surprised Everyone

The McLaren 12C: A Personal Favorite

• 💡 The speaker, having owned 60 cars, names the McLaren 12C as his favorite, specifically the 2012 first-year model, MP4-12C.
• 🎯 The "MP4" designation is explained as a nod to McLaren's original Formula 1 race car.

A Risky Purchase and Unexpected Journey

• 🚀 The car was discovered on Facebook Marketplace in Scottsdale, Arizona, for approximately $95,000.
• ⚠️ The purchase involved a spontaneous trip, a significant storm, and a family road trip from Grand Junction to Scottsdale, including a stop at the newly opened Sphere in Las Vegas.
• 💥 A dramatic moment occurred on the drive home when the back of the engine started smoking due to faulty coolant clamps, a known issue with the 12C.

Reliability and Daily Use

• ✅ Despite the initial scare, the McLaren 12C is described as one of the most reliable cars the speaker has ever owned, with minimal issues beyond the clamps and some electrical quirks.
• 🧠 The electronics were considered "funky" and required constant resetting, possibly due to technology being ahead of its time and not fully tested.
• ⛰️ The car was driven daily in various conditions, including mountains and rough roads, in both summer and winter, and even used for kid-friendly events like trunk-or-treat.

Reputation and Mechanicals

• 📈 The reputation of the 12C is seen as rebounding, with people recognizing its value as a great car.
• 🔧 Known issues include problems with accumulators due to the hydraulic suspension system, and less common issues with cam phasers and transmission.
• ⚙️ Videos were made about maintenance like oil changes and the use of BMC air filters, which improved the car's sound.
• 🏎️ The McLaren engine is believed to have originated from Nissan's race car plans, featuring a flat-plane crank V8 with a low center of gravity, providing exhilarating acceleration.

Ownership Experience and Financials

• 🚗 The speaker sold the car back to the original owner, Brendan, for $89,000 after putting about 7,000 miles on it, valuing the experience gained immensely.
• 💰 This purchase was made possible by prior successful investments in JDM cars like the Supra and NSX, which were sold during market peaks.
• 📈 While other car flips like the NSX, Supra, and GT4 were profitable, a Honda S800 imported from Germany resulted in a significant financial loss.