I Bought The CHEAPEST McLaren In The Country And It BROKE Before I Left The Parking Lot

I bought a McLaren sight unseen and that right there is enough for you to know it was a crazy deal. No PPI, I never saw the car, just "Clean CarFax, Clean AutoCheck, Clean Title" so I sent the money right then. I bought this 2012 McLaren MP4-12C for just $76,000 so today we're flying to Anaheim, California to check it out and hopefully drive it 1,400 miles back to Kansas. If the car runs that is, we'll find out just how bad it is when we get there!
MERCH: shopWatchJRGo.com
Shop Motul: motul.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
Common Questions:
What motorcycle do I ride? A few. Ducati 1198, Honda Goldwing, Honda Grom, Honda Ruckus
What do I do for a living? Make KZbin videos.
Can you wheelie? No, I suck.
Are you fast? Sort of. I suck mostly though.
Where can I keep up with you off the bike?
Instagram: WatchJRGo
Facebook: WatchJRGo (or JRGo, FB hates my branding)
Do you go to school? College, for 2 classes.
Why do you ride so dangerously? What do mean? I was doing 25.
Do you go to the track? Of course, hopefully there will be videos in the future.
Do you play video games? No, but I might stream N64 Goldeneye at some point. Twitch: WatchJRGo
Are you afraid the police will watch your videos and arrest you? Something something evidence something something warrants and due process of law
#McLaren #Supercar #CheapSupercar

[@JUST_ONE_ID10T]

buy one of those car extended warranties if you can.

[@WatchJRGo]

It’s too old, McLaren won’t do the 12s 😥now

[@JUST_ONE_ID10T]

@@WatchJRGo 3rd party warranty company like endurance, carsheild, or one of the many others. A lot of the time they will sell it directly to the public. and I checked and they do give the option to get a quote for your car but it doesn't tell you the quote they will contact you. I am afraid of the price of the warranty but with the cost of the parts it would be worth it if you had to have anything replaced.

[@lockingdiff]

@@WatchJRGo Contact McLaren Orlando, they started using a new warranty provider that is VERY well priced. You can cover the entire powertrain or you can cover most of the car. I warrantied my 570S with Autrella Lux. Yours is a much higher mileage car, but it is still worth calling around and asking for powertrain coverage at the least.

[@unclejoe6811]

Bumper to bumper

[@0lars]

You were only a few blocks away from the brewery I own... would have live to pour you a beer!

[@Samcrac]

Random Cylinder Misfire; if ONLY when the car is cold is the damper or whatever they call it (basically a flywheel with springs that dampens engine vibrations). All this nonsense that the car is stupid unreliable is only on REALLY early vins that were never fixed by the dealer. Well at least I don't want to believe it...

[@busydadscooking001]

I'm so envious of Gabe's fully alert attitude at 5am. "Why you up so early?" ... "well, to drink my coffee".

[@TheRealAlpha2]

Isn't he a military guy? I feel like those old habits don't go away too easy.

[@tedharveyiii5194]

Gabe definitely has a dad's sense of humor. Appreciate how he and JR compliment each other's attitudes. Dad jokes for the win!!

[@pkt1213]

After 22 years in the Army...coffee is the primary reason I get up in the morning.

[@chrisparsley9647]

When Tyler's telling you to stay away from something like that you probably should stay away

[@andrewnorris5415]

:O

[@Olds_Gold]

I think he was jealous and wanted to buy it himself. I took it as a joke. I could have taken it wrong

[@gwaddles]

Unless he wants to buy it!

[@Str8upstoopid]

Lol what lesson did you learn john?

[@johnonthedoe4877]

Tyler ween's 🤣👍🏽

[@svtman93]

This brings back memories. I worked for Mclaren in 2016, and we had a 12c as a "shop car". Had some fun runs to Staples to pick up office supplies hahaha

[@frostshock13]

Usually, when the supercar buying starts is when I stop watching youtubers. I am stoked you got a dream car and am sure you are gonna keep doing the flips and other stuff. That price is hard to say no to.

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

Yep same here. They made too much money and don't need my support any longer after that.

[@frostshock13]

@@YouSoundButtHurt For me it's relatability, I enjoy working on cars fixing them up. It becomes I bought another supercar investment, etc etc and yeah it's ends up just being something not as interesting for myself.

[@Stanley-u4me]

Same here nothing more frustrating than watch a rich person live large and spend money......bye bye

[@auzmo]

I feel like a cheap super car is very different though. Kind of a bargain bin super car. Like he said it costs less than many new trucks cost.

[@tedharveyiii5194]

I can relate. However, I do feel that even though his family (read dad here) has enough money to get by very easily, JR's roots are deep enough to keep it humble and real. Remember the R8..? Where'd that end up? I do believe this one will be enjoyed for a while as it get fixed or upgraded and will move on to the next owner...and JR will continue doing JR stuff just like before.

[@MBelcher500]

Don't go down the now unrelatable Hoovie and Tavarish road. Your channel is honest and something normal people can appreciate. Now all of the car KZbinrs are buying multiple supercars and it starts to feel a little entitled and obnoxious.

[@rockin86ranger]

Yeah I still watch hoovie and Tavarish but I have lost interest in their videos and am just following along hoping for a return to what they were.

[@Shauma_llama]

@@rockin86ranger Been thinking about unsubscribing from Hoovie. Tavarish doesn't do videos any more so it doesn't matter.

[@richardgreene3460]

Hoovie is the KING of trying to impress/brag! I delete (without watching) most of his videos of late! JR is quite the opposite! He is real and not a phony! He works hard and earns his cars.

[@atomicbogator6799]

@@richardgreene3460 you act like hoovie didnt work hard to get where he was

[@jmaxim80]

Well stated, sir couldn't agree with you more. I can't even watch tavarish anymore and rarely watch Hoovie either.

[@TheJohn8765]

I would be scared to buy a McLaren. They seem very fragile. And are extraordinarily expensive to fix out of warranty. I hope Hoovie just got a lemon and your experience is markedly better, mate.

[@JoshuaBrown-is8fb]

Just don’t let Hoovie touch it or it’ll break for sure 🤣 Also could those issues just be from it sitting at the auction for a period of time?

[@DeatGaming]

Hoovie actually had a decent amount of luck with his McLaren, one of the reasons he got rid of it.

[@bikeman1x11]

is a POS

[@James_Hough]

It never ceases to amaze me that what is considered an ultra-high-end car can't be expected to demonstrate the reliability for 60k miles that a 2007 Impala can pull off for 200k plus. To me the ultimate achievement would be the high performance along with anvil reliability, but in 2022, that still seems entirely elusive. Best of luck.

[@toddrobertson1398]

Porsche I feel is the only one that you can daily drive

[@ryanmartinage]

Porsche can do it. Ive detailed several 1-200k+ mile 911 Turbos.

[@davidquinn9676]

They can be reliable. But $$ to fix when something breaks. Things break on Chevy too, they're just cheap to fix or (all together now) do an LS swap.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

Yup, when I was a kid I thought the reason Porsches, Lambos & Ferraris were so expensive & sought after (besides being fast) was because they were built a lot tougher to handle the faster driving so they could last as long as a normal car. Boy was I wrong...Something like 10- 15,000 miles on a 90's early 00's Lambo and it's time for a $7,000 clutch job. 15,000 miles later, back to the shop to lose another $7,000.

[@macho4x4warlock98]

Engine Misfire? May be Water in the gas. I live in N Ca, and that 10% Ethanol in the fuel raises havoc in gas tanks when car is in storage. The tank may have collected some H2O.

[@Miloshe71]

This is such a risky buy. You be entering hoovie world.

[@gsmith207]

Nailed it. Chip off the ole Hoovie block

[@TheBobruub1]

thar be Dragins!

[@johnrodebaugh7120]

JR, Glad Your Happy with the New Ride but I still like the F Type Jaguar………

[@Kimsey47]

This seems like a "hold my beer" moment... lol Hope it all works out for you JR! Beautiful car and wrap for sure!

[@keithharms8859]

I live in Yorba Linda Drive to 91 all the time and I hate that road sound scrubbing it always makes me think my tires are coming apart. Cool car can’t wait to see what you do with it!

[@franzvanjulio5523]

It looks good. As far as it's mechanical condition goes, if anyone could tackle it you'd be they guy I'd think of doing it. However, I think I'd be totally freaked out doing so, but I'm lucky to know how to change a light bulb.

[@nicholasrhoden9828]

When JR risks it for the biscuit, we have to watch just to see how it plays out. Not gonna lie if I had the money to make purchases like this, I'd do the exact same thing. Hopefully it's nothing major and you can have some fun with this vehicle.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

He did it all for the nookie

[@hungryhungryhummer]

My dad has had quite a few mclarens. All I can say is RUN! 😂

[@jiveh4x]

Those Santa Ana winds man. Welcome to the OC!

[@bean99a]

Love the travel opener!! We need more JOHN!

[@Knockturnall1]

Gabe #1. Would like to have a friend like him.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😉👍🏼

[@unstablebobgable]

If I could pick up the McLaren with Watch Jr Goes I would drink the shot of whiskey and cold Bartle Skeets with him and puff on the Cannibus cigars with him and get all schmoked up.

[@mmonkeyman1403]

I've known a couple of people to have early 12Cs, and they've not had good experiences with reliability. Looks like yours is right there with them.

[@figmo7494]

95% of McLarens are on the road and 5% made it home. 😅

[@Demy26]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@michaelackerman8009]

You have balls that clang. Can't wait to see how it goes.

[@someone28]

Someone got that 76k for that 40k McLaren and shouted "GOTCHA"

[@Harlemcars]

First thing Hoovie is gonna say…”You idiot”

[@bearing_aficionado]

Awesome you gave a shoutout to the F150 Lariat!!! That's what I drive!

[@Flies2FLL]

I owned a "super car", a 1985 Porsche 928S2 5 speed. Back in the day, MotorTrend and Car and Driver and Road & Track all called the 928 a "super car". They were dealing with the American version; Mine was an S2 that was not sold in the US and it had 50+ more horsepower than the US version, and gearing that meant business. This car, with about 330 hp and 3350 pounds would DESTROY an '85 Corvette in any sort of race! My point is that the term "super car" is subjective; My '85 S2 5 speed 928 turned a MEASURED best time of 13.86 @ 105 mph in the quarter at Bithlo speedway in 2002 with no mods other than a Borla exhaust, and my G-tech said 0-60 was between 5.1 and 6.0 seconds. Those numbers are not impressive anymore, but Back in the Future of 1985, Doc Brown and Marty thought they were pretty fast!

[@mikem5922]

“Have I out Hoovie’s Hoovie?” I would say yes! Lol

[@upstateshenanigans430]

Gotta replace that steering wheel lol it's a McLaren but that steering wheel would have you thinking it's a Hyundai sonata with 4 different colored body panels from the junkyard lol I'm not a fan of the interior at all but if you replace the steering wheel I might be able to deal with it. Idk the 12c is a timeless car, I'm excited for you. SS717 always throws aftermarket carbon steering wheels on his giveaways and they look awesome, I'm sure whatever company it is has one for the 12C, a OEM replacement would be great but it would look like crap again in 5 years lol

[@starkyslp16]

Love the MP4-12C! Would be scared to death to own one after seeing Hoovie try it. Hope this works for you (or at least provides a bunch of content from somehow cheap fixes)

[@BuildTheSandbox]

I'm so happy you pulled over to sleep. Driving tired kills. Love the vid JR! GLWTMCLaren.

[@roscocsa]

have you ever considered buying maybe the 3rd or 4th cheapest?

[@TheRealAlpha2]

I'd image the price goes up exponentially with each place. If this was 70k, then 3rd place could easily be 150k.

[@roscocsa]

@@TheRealAlpha2 Yeah. But might make it say.... to the nearest mcd for a burrito before it exploded.

[@Tarkov.]

Man, Hoovie's gonna take you off the Christmas mailing list.

[@richieduck67]

If the previous seller wants out probably a good reason e.g. something expensive needs fixing

[@mikaeljonsson4686]

Even Hoovie traded his McLaren for a quality Gallardo when his warranty was running out... If I remember right he had warranty repairs for $25000 in the first 2 years..

[@LostSoul-dp6gb]

60k on the odo, oddball noises and random misfires?--engine-out service $$$. Timing chain or plugs/coils?--engine-out serivice. $$$ Get something designed by F1 engineers, expect everything to be an engine-out thing. Give Freddy a shout and get his opinion.

[@markphillips2076]

Before JR mentioned Hoovie, I imagined Tyler screaming at the screen "No, No No, Don't buy it!!!!"

[@CarswithNash]

Sweet car, that wrap looks great!👍😎

[@jeremylynn8631]

Good editing at the beginning JR! That really makes good vids, I feel if you keep up the good editing you will get more views and subs. Take care brother and God bless!

[@DC-bm7oz]

I would say an ordinary Joe shouldn’t take a chance on a supercar as you did…….but with your talent for buying and fixing cars there’s NO CHANCE you’re gonna lose on this one. Enjoy the ride home !

[@VidTubeWatch]

I think everything is going to be alright. Looks like you got a really good deal. I'm excited for the next video. Sleep now John Ross.

[@Cartier_specialist]

Uh oh, there went the profit from the building sale. The 70 to 100+ was otherworldly though.

[@MrPabsUk]

Ah, just put some 20/50 in it, the rattle should go 😁

[@me007gold2]

Mexico sure is nice this time of year

[@targetglen]

And the British theme continues ! Jaaaguar, Bentley, McLaren.. even your Dad's got a Triumph ! Well done.

[@Knockturnall1]

No way John Ross. I used to work there. hahah. that's so crazy. Manheim in Anaheim Ca. That lot is so huge and tons and tons of cars.

[@WatchJRGo]

What a wild place, loved getting to see behind the curtain 💯

[@jasonruch3529]

Dld will give those codes. Sounds like you need cam phasers. Do the 2 min oil check

[@tombittikoffer412]

You FOOL! Lol! If you actually FIX a broken Mp12C, you would win the internet.

[@akeemd2120]

You got some Balls for buying that car😭 I think Tyler is rubbing off on you really bad but the only difference with you is you know how to fix your cars😆🤣

[@jaybokay6444]

The misfiring issue shouldn’t be a big issue when the car is running without any problems up to Phoenix. You’ll find out and fix it at the end of the day. Great content, JR!

[@thegeekyouseek8229]

Congrats! And in the words of Jeremy Clarkson MP4-12c is a fax machine model, not a car!!

[@PaintGuy]

Pretty much all tires make that sound on some CA hwys. I forget which ones, but parts of the 10 (leaving LA), 91 and 15 for sure.

[@tonyneises5195]

That is a beautiful wrap job, I really like that color. So excited for you!!! Here is hoping that the previous owner didn't dump that car knowing it had a high $ problem. Just kind of scary that he would sell a car he obviously liked to drive for that low of a price. I am rooting for ya! Yes, there are beautiful scenic views out there, what a great country we have the privilege to live in.

[@br549rdr]

Man your channel messed this💪💪💪💪 very interested in this series. I waited for that R8 to scream then it sold. Waiting for this one. Wish you the best on this purchase. Hopefully the previous owner will reach out🙏🏻

[@GeekGinger]

I wonder how much it is for coils and plugs on a McLaren.

[@shanewarnes7339]

Here in the uk man.. great videos.. sat in my 8 wheeler on lunch break

[@williamwales6619]

You and i both know that van will fly. It's a works van dents and paint shading ain't gonna make a blind bit of difference. Money talks. That van is competitively priced. Thanks for the vid. Onwards and upwards .

[@RodderFiles]

I So dont miss that SoCal Traffic , So glad we escaped that place ;)

[@fockwulf1]

wait. why would a veloster n get taken by the state?

[@LukeEdward]

In my best dad face, “I’m disappointed in you.”

[@FALCORTON]

I mean I wouldn't touch this car unless I had an Automotive shop with every tool necessary... Almost like a giant warehouse... Oh wait we're back to JR garage again LOL

[@sleepyhollow783]

Many will understandably say "foolish, too risky, etc." What i want to know are the dimensions of the car's storage space to be able to carry JR's luggage as well as his testicular fortitude to buy this thing & drive back across 2/3s the country! Safe travels!

[@Leebs]

Wow brother, feels like a dream all the cars you've bought in the last 2 months. Good for you, enjoy this Life And I'd like a Motul Hoodie and some updated merch.

[@shanewarnes7339]

Here in the UK man, sat in my 8 wheeler on my lunch break. Great videos to watch as I'm resting. Cherrs Shane

[@RobinDale50]

Do ANY McLaren's actually make it out of a parking lot once bought before breaking??

[@charkswitlazers]

Yeah you came to soCal right when we got our Santa Ana Winds. Lol. Happens every fall. Plus side though is that the air gets cleaned out.

[@johnm1008]

The R8 is definitely a supercar and they are pretty relable and a new 2LT C8 has zero miles on it

[@Saint_Vincent1735]

Your the right guy for this car. You'll drive it properly and if/when I breaks you've got the knowhow to fix it right too.

[@nurburgrinding]

Very british thing to do for a british car. Go Mr Ross

[@pablopicaro7649]

Seller is laughing his ass off, and an expert at clearing codes

[@Tool0GT92]

Oldest trick in the book

[@davidquinn9676]

@@Tool0GT92 not a trick, it's normal. But if you can run it a few hundred miles and not get the codes back, that's meaningful.

[@_RiseAgainst]

Some guy likes a supercar so much they drive it 80k and never has a problem. Rides into a dealership and just "wants to be rid of it"... that didn't happen! But it will make good content!

[@ronaldwarren5220]

I have driven that road. Beautiful during the daylight once you get out of the stop and go traffic. Good luck brother!

[@ThatDudeMrRoyalty]

23mpg? That's better than my 2012 Lexus IS250. The most I've ever gotten was about 22mpg. IS250 is horrible on gas.😥😥😥

[@chrisnorwood903]

Duuuude literally down the street from me in Santa Ana how cool was that....

[@violinmiata]

This is going to be some fantastic content, need to grab a popcorn and a beer

[@jeffmac3071]

Great time of year to buy a busted McLaren to use on your channel. High youtube commercial time. Can't wait to see more.

[@xnadave]

You just happened to pause for a chat in front of a building with street number 1320? Nice. :)

[@everythingtrendingworldwide]

From the Bentley to a known trouble maker maclaren you keep on out doing yourself each week 😂😂😂. Your pain is our gain since we will get some good content out of it aleast

[@globus2010]

Beautiful machine JR! Enjoy the new ride.

[@williamegler8771]

My neighbor has a McLaren very similar to this one. It spends most of it's time in a heated garage and about once a month he drives it down to Starbucks and then comes home and parks it in the driveway with the doors up. He leaves it like that for a couple hours before putting it back in the garage.

[@supermans62287]

Enjoy that drive. I did it twice a year going home on leave from Fort Riley to Sacramento.

[@euromafia2341]

I seen you when i was getting off the jefferson exit by the indio sign haha i said to myself that the car was clean

[@lockingdiff]

Contact McLaren Orlando, they started using a new warranty provider that is VERY well priced. You can cover the entire powertrain or you can cover most of the car (if eligible). I warrantied my 570S with Autrella Lux. Yours is a much higher mileage car, but it is still worth calling around and asking for powertrain coverage at the least.

[@ailmmkahan]

Hey how reliable is the 570s?

[@lockingdiff]

@@ailmmkahan Knock on wood, no issues. Approaching 1 year, 13k miles on the car. It's a 2017, and I've put 3500 miles on it in 9 months. It's my daily, because why the hell not? Have an E92 M3 and E60 M5, but I don't drive them too much. Biggest thing is to keep these cars CHARGED when they're not going to be used for more than 2-3 days. On the road, it's a weapon. Best car I've ever owned, coming from a V10 R8 Spyder and an F-Type R (sold both for this).

[@ailmmkahan]

@@lockingdiff thanks for replying buddy. I had a TVR in my younger years and people always said they break down blah blah blah. But i loved every bit of it. Iv had my eyes on the McLarens since the mp12 but with that being the first in their relaunch I wanted to avoid that at all cost. Looks like the 570s is something to work for then!

[@mckrackin5324]

Beautiful car and hey, we have a common problem finally. I have a 2007 Impala SS and the accel doesn't work on cruise. I hit the button and it just pops and lurches. I can't even accelerate with the gas pedal when cruise is on. But in my case, the car isn't worth my time to figure out such a non issue. I'd probably want a McLaren to work though. lol

[@germineduhon51]

Tell Gabe I want that Routan when he done beating on it 😂

[@hamiltonr]

I'm sorry but I would run as far away from that thing as possible. Hoovie had multiple issues with his, even rust and he had a warranty albeit it was double the price. They're notoriously unreliable and expensive to fix. I'm getting flashbacks to your R8 and not in a good way. Hope I'm wrong of course and it works out for you.

[@magthemagnificent8437]

Sounds like that place put a gallon of reg. Unleaded to get you out of there. And once you filled it with the proper fuel. The problem went away.

[@Bigmystic18]

Ha, I was on the freeway in palm springs and indio when you made this video. Saw the car, but didn't know it was you.

[@DLDX]

I enjoy the "Get Bent" song!

[@houseofno]

He is buying a Mclaren at auction. What could go wrong?

[@KevinArrant]

Awesome JR .... Love the challenge

[@KellyJelly9976]

12:07 I recognize that freeway sign. I know exactly where u are on the 91 *sighs such a congested freeway. And Del Taco is delicious 😍👍🏾

[@1Starscream117]

I.G tag on the side window. I'd hit up the previous owner and ask some questions about the car

[@ericcindycrowder7482]

WHAT do you mean not close to the wear bars? Sport 2 Cups come brand new almost at the wear indicators! Lol

[@ap101081]

You might want to run it past the Car Ninja when you get home and let him do a full inspection. Well worth the time and money.

[@larrybe2900]

I bet the drive to Kansas is all it needs.

[@adrinfanning493]

Most cars do strange things when they set for a time and most times it clears up on it's own

[@pablopicaro7649]

Italian tune up

[@jamesnall569]

Hey JR, welcome to sunny California and I hope that you enjoy your visit.

[@dontuno]

Keeping everything crossed for you JR. This should one to watch.