10 Years Later: Does The McLaren 12C Still Impress?

In today's video we explore the McLaren 12C, originally the MP4-12C, McLaren's first production car after the McLaren F1. We review the car and ask whether it has matured like a fine wine or if it is starting to show its age?
→Ant & Damani first encountered this stunning Volcano Red McLaren MP4-12C here:
• Surprising My Friend W...
→"Getting Coffee" At Podium Place In A McLaren 675LT MSO Carbon Series:
• "Getting Coffee" At Po...
→Watch more of our motoring content here:
• CARS & MOTORING
More McLaren videos below!
On camera today: James, Ant, Damani
Behind Camera: Ant
Editing: Ant
JayEmm & Friends was borne of two other KZbin channels, ‪@JayEmmOnCars‬ and ‪@sportzntouring‬ - check them out if you want more motoring content!
→Chapter Listing:
00:00 Introduction
01:32 Meet the McLaren 12C
04:04 McLaren 12C Review - On The Road
13:57 Special Thanks To Michael
#mclaren #mclaren12c #supercar
→More McLaren Related Content:
For the McLaren F1 Fans - Undressing The MP4-4:
• Disassembling The Grea...
Does History Remember The McLaren MP4-12C Unfairly? A Vlog
• Does History Remember ...
Is McLaren's Original 12C Still Worth Buying? (Drive and Review)
• Is McLaren's Original ...
Should I Buy A McLaren 12C? (Why I Really Might, But Probably Won't)
• Should I Buy A McLaren...
Five Reasons Why THIS YEAR Is The Perfect Time To Buy... A McLaren 12C!? (Yes, Really)
• Five Reasons Why THIS ...

[@sportzntouring]

Here's the video where Ant & Damani first encountered this stunning car: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqDNp2psbLGsg7M

[@farishanafiah8461]

It's an easy 'Yes' for me. I never like the 650S styling at all and I still can't warm the 720S front design. For me, the 12C, especially the Spider version, is an absolute beauty.

[@sportzntouring]

Totally with you on the 720S!

[@somebloke2238]

I'm the other way around. I can't get on with the 12C's front end, I think it's too rounded (650S fixes that). I didn't like the 720S when it came out but it has really grown on me to the point where I think it's one of the best looking modern cars.

[@brianboyle2681]

A design classic. Better than anything they’ve made since. You can see the effect of Stephenson’s involvement. The only issue would be the, frankly, uncertain future of the company and availability of servicing. Even with this though, I would be very tempted soon. All things being equal the prices of these things will only go up from here.

[@sportzntouring]

I think your right! -Ant

[@robertdavies922]

With the likes of John Thorne - Thorney Motorsport, and others elsewhere in the country, servicing really just isn’t an issue.

[@sportzntouring]

@@robertdavies922 agreed. I should have been clear that I meant that it is a design classic and that prices are likely to go up from here.

[@gazzabrownhigh8891]

Ummmm I dont think so buddy, that title goes to the 675LT Spider which is an iconic car and sure fired future classic

[@robertdavies922]

@@gazzabrownhigh8891 no, history dictates probabilities. And the strongest probability is that the original will be more iconic, more original, more coveted, more desirable as the original. Same with the original E-Type. Impreza WRX. Hell, even the S1 Elise. All of them massively outperformed subsequent versions in terms of collectibility, iconic status and ultimately value. If you’re betting against that - then you’re betting against history repeating. Which would be a first.

[@kevinvanneste2500]

Really like the 12c even back in 2012 when most people didn't.

[@sportzntouring]

Likewise! Its looks really have matured well too! -Ant

[@lukamilic]

Only got a 1/18 scale model in Volcano Orange. Always appreciated its timeless design.

[@sportzntouring]

Nice! That's a great colour!

[@paulkeenan2691]

Charmingly eloquent presentation that dances with ones' intelligence.

[@sportzntouring]

What a charmingly eloquent comment, that rocks our world! Thank you!

[@gustavoflorio5383]

Really thoughtful review! Very nice, chaps!

[@sportzntouring]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@bulversteher]

Got a massive sweet spot for the 12C Spider. Prefer the front lights over the 650S's. I'm even one of the few who like the sound a lot, definitely more character then the 4.0 units. Papaya, black forged wheels, done. Someday, maybe!

[@sportzntouring]

Keeping our fingers crossed for you! -Ant

[@bulversteher]

@@sportzntouring Thanks! Had a seat in a papaya coloured coupé in 2012 with a rallye driver behind the wheel, blown away by the performance obvs. Took photos in 2013 for an Austrian magazine in your very spec - RHD of course - on public roads. Loved how it negotiated my former motorcycle home turf, as if a balerina was dancing over all those tight bends. Even the massive, old-school turbo lag was entertaining and the suspension truly magical. For me, the car is actually full of character.

[@sportzntouring]

@@bulversteher It is full of character, just not as much drama as other supercars we've driven... But, for some that is what they would want from a car like this. The more time I spent editing this video, the more I found myself wanting one 🙂 -Ant

[@gazzabrownhigh8891]

The P1 lights on the 650S transform the car IMHO and something that was far too plain and boring on the 12C

[@bulversteher]

@@gazzabrownhigh8891 Should have fixed the weak rear instead of the perfectly fine front IMHO.

[@akashk911]

I had totally forgotten about this gem of a car. It was such a headturner when it came out. There’s barely any new content on KZbin about this car. Sad.

[@sportzntouring]

Sadly, that's largely down to viewers' interest. Believe me, if it got enough views, more channels would make content on it. We are like you, we love this car and made this video "just because"... and have linked more 12C videos in the description for people like us 😁

[@jackleonard2088]

Nice work lads. Enjoyed going for a ride with you.

[@sportzntouring]

Thank you! It's great to have you along! Thanks for watching!

[@henryblackburn3031]

Watched a Top Gear episode on the 12C spider (S20 E3) in 2013 and immediately wanted it. One of the best Supercars out there

[@henryhol8538]

I have always loved the MC4 12C! When it just came out, it was virtually the only British car to take the fight to the Italians. The factory tour on telly provided us petrolheads with Car Factory Por*. I'm sure something can be done with the sound to put the icing on the cake. Looking forward to your next video!

[@sportzntouring]

Thank you Henry!

[@conspiracybuisness4414]

I adore this car

[@noelstevens6190]

2 minutes in and the answer is yes, that car looks stunning.

[@sportzntouring]

Doesn't it just?!

[@JBsC6]

Excellent insights on the very cool first production car mclaren . Nice exotic

[@sportzntouring]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@mikadavies660]

Totally correct, it just looks better with age. If I could achieve any supercar, this would be it. Bhp is just not the point... It has to be the design externally and quality internally.

[@NudaMan]

This was my favorite car for years! First seen it in a need for speed game and was hooked!, now I love Jaguar P550’s & P575’s or Listers 666hp P575 🤩

[@sportzntouring]

Nice! I think my preference is still the 12C... But that Lister 😍

[@MrHydevsDrJekyll]

This car goes for about $90-$120k. That is a deal you can’t pass on. Plus it looks better than the newer McLarens

[@iMANTlS]

Still my favorite McLaren ever after the F1 They should've perfected it over a decade, increased quality, reliability, parts and customization.

[@sportzntouring]

Totally agree on that. Although, we're also quite partial to the 675LT 😁

[@nigeldeforrest-pearce8084]

Fascinating!!!

[@dadcars]

You CAN take cars like this to the supermarket if you use wide parent and parking spaces 😜 love these reviews with father and son. The 12c always been better looking than the p1 inspired later cars. I’d love to own one of these.

[@sportzntouring]

I don't think we qualify for those parent parking spaces anymore ☺️ It's a great car for sure!

[@DeeperImageAutomotive]

I love my 12C and hope to add a 675LT in the future. The interior may be simple and dated by today's standards, but the fit and finish are much better than other cars I've been in from the same period. Looking inside many Gallardo's, you'll see the panels deform quite a bit around the window sill. Ferrari and Lambos from this era have many interior flaws, from the dash delaminating to the sticky buttons. None of those issues are present in the 12C. The problems from the early cars should be sorted out by warranty by now, and the DIY community continues to grow. Parts availability is a challenge and quite costly indeed. However, none of that matters once you get in and drive around the mountain or track. Even at ten years old, it still hangs with many new sports/supercars. Remember the super low production numbers compared to the others. Roughly 600 coupes, and about 2,900 Spiders, make this one of the rarer supercars. Some estimates say they made close to 20,000 458s. Again, not taking anything away from how amazing the 458 sounds, looks, and drives, but people are sleeping on the 12C. Buy one now or two, as these will skyrocket in the next five years.

[@dutoitm1]

Not sure where you got the coupe-spider numbers from? From what I have seen it's meant to be about 2000 coupes and 1400 spiders which would absolutely make sense if you look at the production years. Coupe around for much longer. The 650s was the other way around as spider was available from the offset.

[@gazzabrownhigh8891]

675LT is a completely different level, a more fun P1 without the electrics

[@richspjones]

Great video and very insightful; reinforced my belief that the 12C is a classic. Only thing putting me off would be reliability, and what actual ownership is like if you're putting decent miles, say 6-12k per year. Time to look at your other other vids, and others, out there in KZbin land. Cheers

[@sportzntouring]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. There's several links for other reviews in the description of this video if that helps. And, if you didn't already know, there's folks out there like Thorney Motorsport doing PPIs to find common issues, provide warranties and have improvements to help keep McLarens as reliable as possible.

[@QiuyuanChenRyan916]

It came out the same time Ferrari 458 did. except it has a smaller engine with turbo. However, something tells me that this is going to stands its own market in the next few years as it has a very good chassis.

[@sportzntouring]

I think you may be right!!

[@benpenagonzales6014]

Would be high on my list for 3rd car. Sub 100k vs 150k + for a F458. But. I know this sounds boring but taking a small golf bag and a folding trolley is a must or I'd hardly ever use it.

[@sportzntouring]

I can't say if it fits good clubs or not. It's not my thing... As for the 458, I've only driven one on track, but I don't think it's £50k+ better... I guess it's all down to taste.

[@wideshadyy]

My ultimate dream is to own this car someday. Same spec as the one on this video. Such an incredible piece of machinery

[@sportzntouring]

It's beautiful!

[@fudganuld]

I saw an Orange one recently and it looked Mega...!

[@sportzntouring]

Gorgeous cars!

[@TypeVertigo]

This and the P1 are my favorite McLarens of the present era. Everything else feels half-baked and not different enough from those two by comparison. Always had a soft spot for the 12C, silly name and ownership idiosyncrasies aside, and nice to see the car gaining the following it never got when brand new.

[@sportzntouring]

We've always liked the 12c... Also on our list is the 675LT, which I think is the perfect middle ground between the 12C and the P1. The 650s felt like a design experiment for the front of the car, ignoring the rear. The 675LT nailed it in my opinion.

[@gazzabrownhigh8891]

675LT is the sweet spot both in looks and performance and being truely limited is the rarest and most collectable

[@MPfor12C]

12C would be my 100% choice 👌👍

[@LawrenceTimme]

Looks great even today. Just a shame they never made a manual.

[@sportzntouring]

I can imagine that would make for a much more dynamic experience. Many manufacturers were at one time offering manual options on supercars but few were buying them... hence their rarity today... So I can imagine, it wasn't worth the R&D to make that an option.

[@LawrenceTimme]

@@sportzntouring yeah that's true. It's the people who buy them new that get to pick the way the market goes.

[@sportzntouring]

@@LawrenceTimme I think that's largely true. -Ant

[@ckmurphy1]

Clearly I am biased given the 458 spider vs 12c spider comparisons that abound … McLaren had better colors especially metallics and the stiffness due to the carbon tub complete with the cool doors … Are all strong points it’s just in the end just not a Ferrari has no soul nor inspiring sound for me less visceral less engaging… better than an Audi… I fear running costs will skyrocket as McLaren’s are already known for part’s scarcity…. Love the channel

[@sportzntouring]

I'm not sure it's fair to say it has no soul. A 458 is good (although, I've only driven one on track)... It's funny, the 12C is probably the better car, but the Ferrari has more fizz-factor in many ways. I agree, the 12C is generally better than most R8s, but the engagement of the R8GT might be the exception to the rule... But in terms of fit and finish, and presence, the 12C is in a different league.

[@jamiemiddlemiss9618]

I love my 12C

[@lucianbakerii4047]

I think I would choose between the McLaren 12C and the Caterham 7 420R.

[@BarryMakariou]

I’d buy one over a Porsche equivalent

[@sportzntouring]

Oh yeah, much more drama to this car!

[@brianiswrong]

Not sure what a 12c spider sells for ? But ,because lots of mclarens look sort of the same it looks like a modern super car to my casual eyes.

[@sportzntouring]

A Spider goes for around £80-90k in the UK. I think the 12C looks very different to the 720S and the GT... But, they're all noticeably "McLaren"... Eitherway, it's certainly aged well.

[@fredmercury1314]

It annoys me that I can afford a car like this but I can't park it where I live. Some oik would trash it. My car has been reversed into twice, that I know of, and has marks on it as a result. One of my neighbours had his car keyed, seemingly for no reason. Someone else had their tyres slashed. It's not even a rough area, all the people I've spoken to are just normal decent people. But there's this vile element that passes through, who have no regard for other people's stuff. So I can never own anything nice. 😒

[@mcc5901]

UK parking spaces are really tight compared to where exactly? Try Spain, then you’ll know what limited parking space is and why all cars have dings in their side because people don’t think twice about smacking their doors into a car that is alongside them, even if the driver is inside.

[@JayEmmAndFriends]

Compared to the USA

[@mcc5901]

@@JayEmmAndFriends Everywhere has tight parking then…

[@bulversteher]

Key questions are: Did McLaren lastingly sort out the electronics of these early cars? Did the active suspension turn out to be reliable or is it a constant money sink when the car is actually used and not just stored away to be driven twice a year?

[@boomdaus]

I am not a owner but no. I think good 650 exist but don't ever consider a 12c and you should really start at a 2016 540 or 570. These Supercars should be turned on every week but only really used on smooth South of France alps roads. 4 years in mclaren should have figured out a little more and honestly a car with higher mileage would be better as someone would have found a fix the fault on higher mileage car.

[@sportzntouring]

@@boomdaus There's several reviews on James's channel on this specific car (links in the video description) - where this car has seen very few issues. I'd consider one, with a satisfactory Thorney Motorsport PPI and waranty. -Ant

[@Harpreet06]

I think I'd get the 650s instead

[@clkgtr12]

same it looks better in the front, 675lt looks better from the back and overall but doesnt sound as good so 650s is the sweet spot

[@sportzntouring]

@@clkgtr12 We drove a 675LT (filmed after this video, but released sooner)... I do prefer the 675LT, and while a low-ish spec model is £100k more, I'm not sure it's £100k better.... So, as you say, the 650s is probably the sweet spot! Here's the 675LT video (in case you missed it) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXuoi5RqgZagnNU

[@clkgtr12]

@@sportzntouring Yeah i agree, i saw it :)

[@sportzntouring]

@@clkgtr12 awesome!!

[@Tap-in-Dab-In-Up]

I love this car! Always have even when I said I hated it but looks sexy , I driven it couple times n with the time I’ve driven it I was the 1st person in Canada to probably be the 1st person to drive up to the clubs n drive till dawn in Canada after club closes, life was blessed then , but I’m working up to that life again, my mother took me away from that life , I was underaged with friends in high places , n they didn’t want to take her kid away from me so they told me well come back to the house when ur 21 n now I’m 30😢😑🤮

[@truebluemiata]

For the sound: Supercharger yes; Atmo, yes; Turbo, meh. Tha KS guys.

[@gazzabrownhigh8891]

The McLaren 675LT Spider is still the best supercar out there today 6 years after launch and the best Mclaren since the original F1. Sure fired future classic and an absolute bargain at todays used car prices. Better than a 458 Spciale Aperta yet half the price

[@JayEmmAndFriends]

Did you catch our video on a very special 675LT Spider?... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXuoi5RqgZagnNU

[@gazzabrownhigh8891]

@@JayEmmAndFriends Yeah and didn't think it really did car justice. maybe thats your unconcious bias against anything McLaren

[@JayEmmOnCars]

@@gazzabrownhigh8891 I don't know why people think I am biased against McLaren cars. I've loved pretty much every one that I drove. I loved the 675LT, I just didn't think it was "triple" the car the 12C is.

[@gazzabrownhigh8891]

@@JayEmmOnCars is the 430 Scuderia twice the car of a F430 ? I've had both so know the answer. Ive also had 650S and 675LT and I would wager the difference is bigger with the 2 McLarens than the 2 Ferraris. IMHO the 675LT is the equivalent of Ferraris 458 Speciale or Challenge Stradale and is an iconic cult car

[@AffordablePC1]

The latest Corvette, hands down bargain.... If that Mclaren breaks it is VERY VERY expensive to fix...

[@jamiemiddlemiss9618]

How do you know? Plus huge difference in vehicle handling etc