The paintings are assets at least valued somewhere in the realm of what he paid, and his income is no doubt hundreds of millions per year.
And remember, just because he spends $500M on something we'd spend $500 on, doesn't mean everything in his life is proportionally expensive. His Big Mac still costs $5 just like everyone else.
Even if he spent 10% of his money, the other 90% still equal $4.5B, which is more or less infinity in the real world. I'd be shocked if most billionaire even spent $100M/year.
The white 720S changed my opinion on the car. I still find the front problematic but the overall appearance of the car is very special and futuristic. Now I like it so much that I started negotiating a production slot. Playing with the price list and the configuration got me to EUR 330K (German price). That's with a lot of carbon-fibre both inside and out and almost all the extras...From what I see and read about the car it really seems to be one generation ahead of the competition.
I got the feeling that even with the contraversial (even ugly from some angles) front this car will be a game changer for McLaren.
I would probably drive it before ordering... On paper the previous McLaren was also a game changer. In the end the feeling behind the wheel is what matters
ATTENTION : on topic post coming . Please skip it if you are a regular poster in this thread .
Yesterday I went back to the Geneva show and had a much better and longer time looking at the 720 . I went at the end of the day, so there were not many people and could take my time .
The first time, the big front light openings were a '' problem'' ....... but , after seeing the car again, they already grew on me . The orange car is a very bad choice of color . Looking at the white car made a very different impression .
The car does look so much more modern then any 488 , Lambo or Porsche . The aero is impressive and so interesting how it is integrated . The inside is purposeful and fits the car and it's modernity .
The car is colors sensitive, if you choose the right one with the different carbon accents , it looks great . The front openings from close are gorgeous as there is lots going on inside them . It is just from far that it looks strange ( like a big hole , specially on the Orange car )
If I had to get a car in that category , not taking into account any depreciation, I would slightly heisitate between then Huracan Performance and the 720, but would probably take the 720 , or better the next LT . The 488 looks so old and dated compared to it . No comparaison .
The 720, to me, has lots to reveal and will be a game changer in the integrating of aero in modern sports cars .
Which really begs the question, what are good uses of one's time beyond just being entertained?
Contributing to mankind?
Christian, a $10,000 purse or a $50,000 watch can be used to their full extent. Granted there are cheaper products that do the same but they can be fully used. A supercar is useless 99%of the time for 99% of the drivers. Yet, they pay for something they will never use. That's my definition of insanity.
Seriously? A 10k purse or a 50k watch make even less sense than a 250k sportscar in my opinion but I guess I have different priorities.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet (2015), Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (2017), Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mini JCW (2015)
Yeah, Frank often incorporates animals into his designs, though I'm not sure he is the actual lead designer on the 720S. He no doubt sets overall directions for the brand though and gives input into everything.
Saw it live at Geneva and felt it looked horrible. Such fussy insecure styling, really not for me, but perhaps that's what the marketplace wants these days.
Tails, We Win: McLaren Confirms LT Version of 720S Will Happen, Sports Series LT under Consideration
We find it hard to curb our enthusiasm when it comes to new supercars. Which is why McLaren had barely taken the sheet off the new 720S at the Geneva auto show before we had asked company CEO Mike Flewitt whether he was going to sign off on an even-higher-performance Long Tail version, as with the previous 650S and 675LT.
To his credit, Flewitt gave us an answer—and it’s a yes. “The 675LT was a huge success,” he said. “I was delighted from a market perspective, but also internally because we love that car. We have a huge enthusiasm for it. We’ll certainly repeat Long Tail, and now that the LT brand is established, if we announce an LT derivative of a car, then everyone will know what to expect: that it will be lighter, the chassis dynamics will be way sharper, and it will have more power. We’ll definitely repeat that in models going forward.”
All of which should make things very interesting for both the Lamborghini Huracán Performante and the upcoming Ferrari 488 track derivative, especially when you consider McLaren’s claim that the standard 720S already is very nearly as quick as the 675LT was on track.
Such willing confirmation also raises another interesting question: whether other McLarens also will be given the LT treatment, with the smaller Sports Series the most obvious recipient. Flewitt confirmed such a move is being given serious consideration in Woking, although a 570S version might not get to carry the same LT branding.
“There’s huge potential to do that,” Flewitt told us. “I think that a lighter, faster Sports Series has great appeal, although whether it would be an LT or not is another question. But yes, I’m sure there would be an appetite for it.”
There are nine LT for sale and only two 650S . Again, a marked dominated by speculators and speculation
Give it a little bit of time... When the new models start pouring in, it will change.
The sad and problametic thing is that the people who would want to drive these cars , don't get the chance to buy them. Same for the R . ( except a few exemptions )
and this is a real problem. These cars were developed to be driven , not to sit in stables.
And then there is a further twist to it. People who did at first buy then to drive them , suddenly get a fright and don't drive then anymore because they fear the loss of value ...
I couldn't agree more but this is how people are... Many of the buyers are successful business men and they want to profit from their cars as well. I can't say I do not understand them but yes, it is unfair.
The Munich dealer has 3(!) 12C Spider available, one 2015 650S Coupe and one 570GT.
Frankfurt dealer has two 570S, two 650S Coupe and one 650S Spider.
The prices may not look cheap but they are negotiable and dealers often offer interesting lease or finance deals.
As soon as the new McLaren models hit the markets, the prices of older ones will drop. Maybe not a lot but they will. The 720S is too "cheap" compared to the 650S...people will try to get a 720S at some point.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet (2015), Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (2017), Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mini JCW (2015)
Or come to Germany and buy a used McLaren here Approx. 70 650s offered on mobile.de plus about 40 LTs
Based on the official statistics I could find that suggests that the number of McLaren offered (just these two models) exceeds to total number of registered McLaren's in Germany by 50% Quite a bit of an overhang, it seems...
Again, 675LT was not hard to get. People slept on it because they worried about depreciation, and then once it got great reviews and started selling above sticker, it was too late. If you want a car so bad, don't wait until it's too late...
Again, 675LT was not hard to get. People slept on it because they worried about depreciation, and then once it got great reviews and started selling above sticker, it was too late. If you want a car so bad, don't wait until it's too late...
Couldn't agree more.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet (2015), Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (2017), Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mini JCW (2015)
Or come to Germany and buy a used McLaren here Approx. 70 650s offered on mobile.de plus about 40 LTs
Based on the official statistics I could find that suggests that the number of McLaren offered (just these two models) exceeds to total number of registered McLaren's in Germany by 50% Quite a bit of an overhang, it seems...
70 or so in Europe, in Germany 38 cars.
Not sure if they all are on sale. One of the cars wasn`t available (already sold) last year when I have searched for one but still on sale.
Saw it live at Geneva and felt it looked horrible. Such fussy insecure styling, really not for me, but perhaps that's what the marketplace wants these days.
Same goes for the 812, really busy and fussy.
I agree about the 812 (Can not properly judge the 720 yet), it seems that the challenge was "Let us try to come up with a design as fussy as a GT Porsche without the need for a big wing" .
Oh c'mon, what do you need a 720S for? It has four wheels and a steering wheel, so does a Skoda for much less money . All the same...four wheels, steering wheel, seats, roof...
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet (2015), Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (2017), Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mini JCW (2015)
720s looks much better in vids than photos. Depreciation may be a good thing for me as maybe I'll look at one used in a couple years. My Porsche Dealer is also a Mclaren Dealer 😬
I put this video in here, as I want to focus on the 720S.
Now, I find nearly all of his videos really attractive and this one gives a very good summary of the Geneva Motorshow 2017.
McLaren comes at 29:53 , Ferrari at 32:31. Though I still do not like the hollow head light design of the new 720S, after seeing this video I have to admit, that it really does look modern, in fact so much more modern than its rival from Ferrari, which is shown right after the 720S. Though not the best colour for the 488, I really think it almost looks ancient next to the McLaren. Only car that - design-wise - can hold a candle to the McLaren is the Perfomante, featured here: Lamborghini at 2:00.
Very nice video indeed.
BTW, absolutely love his comments about Mansory (25:50):
"No Geneva is complete without a quick look at the horrors on the Mansory stand, yes, they don't disappoint. There is a Maserati that I can't see anyone would buy, but they know better than me, they know their customers. Ugh, another horror, they must love that Bentley, imagine how much that costs. I guess the customer that has gone to Mansory said, with a bit of kitchen counter and said, 'Can you make my Rolls Royce out of this?' 'Of course we can, Sir.' "
Was at Geneva and had a 2h tour and configuration of the 720S - WHAT a car ! They had 2 configuration rooms in the back and People where in and out the whole 2 hours we sat there. Sitting in both cars (White and orange - red was closed and only for MSO Display) it is by far the best feeling - comparing to the Performante and 812 , Aventador S etc
At least in my book - anybody who is Shopping in this category it's a no brainer. Ferrari has years of waiting list already and the seats of the Performante suck big time and the Forget carbon doesn't look to fancy either. Another stunner was the Mercedes concept car and the Glickenhaus Close up.