The McLaren 12C, formerly known as the MP4-12C, was only in production for about three years. But during that time, it put the British carmaker back on the map as one of the world’s top exotic supercar manufacturers. The 12C would later morph into the 650S and the rest is history.
What people may not realize today is that despite its age, if you buy a used 12C for the right price, you might just end up with the steal of the century. Why am I so convinced? Well, name me something you can buy today with 600+ horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds. Not a chance.
There are a few used options out there. For example, the C7 Corvette Z06 can be a sub-$100k affair. It’s got 650 horsepower and a sub-3-second 0-60 time. But now name me something that’s a premium product and can put down those figures for under $100,000. Yeah. See what I mean?
Looking at this 2014 McLaren 12C Spider, I realize it’s not a mint-condition car. There is some fading on the headlight lenses, and that steering wheel definitely looks like it’s been gripped a lot. But damn, $85,000 for a frigging British exotic supercar with Huracan-like performance? Where do we sign up?
There’s a lot to admire when it comes to the specification too. It’s got carbon fiber mirror casings, bi-xenon headlights, dihedral doors, a power-retractable hardtop, active rear spoiler, front and rear parking sensors, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, dual exhaust outlets, and a set of 19” and 20” alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and red McLaren-branded calipers.
This 12C is also fitted with Launch Control and McLaren’s ProActive Chassis Control system, which means you can lift the suspension a tiny bit for going over speed bumps and such.
Meanwhile, the interior features black and red leather heated and power-adjustable seats, lacquered carbon fiber accents (steering wheel, center console, center stack, door switches), dual-zone automatic climate control, sat-nav, a Meridian sound system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters.
Photo: Bring a Trailer
As for the engine, it’s a 3.8-liter twin turbocharged V8 (with carbon fiber engine bay trim), putting down 616 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Everything gets sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
What you’re basically getting with this car is a Lamborghini Huracan alternative for the price of a used Nissan GT-R. Even the seller thought they could have gotten more, but decided to wrap up the auction at $85,000 even though they had a reserve set for $99,000. Some might call this a fair price, but even “base-spec” MP4-12C variants hardly ever go for less than $90,000.
It’s also worth noting that the M838T engine found in this 12C Spider has been used in a lot of other McLaren products (at least variations of this engine), including the 650S, 675LT, P1 and newer cars such as the 540C, 570S, 600LT or the 620R. Just a fun fact.
Sergiu got to experience both American and European car "scenes" at an early age (his father drove a Ford Fiesta XR2 supermini in the 80s). After spending over 15 years at local and international auto publications, he's starting to appreciate comfort behind the wheel more than raw power and acceleration. Full profile
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