Top Gear Season 20 30/6/13

[Shug]

Mclaren MP4-12.. Interested to see Clarkson now singing it's praises - pretty sure he was lukewarm about it when tested A couple of years ago in the Aventador/M600 test.

I like 'em - would I chose one over a used 458? Unlikely. Still, dreamers like me probably aren't the target market!

Think they reacted massively to the criticism at first though - changed the steering response, changed the damping, upped the power and noise. Pretty much everything that the press criticised.

Was a good show on Sunday, BTW - enjoyed that.

[BiggestNizzy]

I was a little bored.

[Shug]

I was a little bored.

Not enough driving through caravans?

[BiggestNizzy]

That's even more tedious. I am beginning to get the impression that the show is run for the enjoyment of the presenters.

[campbell]

Interesting question, Greg. EVO are warming up on it a little, well the Spyder at least, and apparently McLaren are continually developing it.

I still just want that F12. Dribble.

[rossybee]

Well my Calum who is 11 liked the McLaren by a country mile.

Surely that's an acid test passed?

PS he loves lambos too

[Rusty]

just watching it just now, i can't believe how empty spain seems to be...... its tempting for a road trip to that airport!

[BiggestNizzy]

just watching it just now, i can't believe how empty spain seems to be...... its tempting for a road trip to that airport!

I dread to think what it would do to fiberglass

[campbell]

I think we drove past Ciudad Real (the old original village) on Stelvio 2001. When I heard they had an airport, I was a tad surprised right enough!

I have also driven up "the road to nowhere", back in 1994. So they took a bit of artistic license there. It is not true to say it's unfinished due to economic recession in Spain right now. It's actually because it then crosses the high pass on the Sierra Nevada and trying to maintain the road at that height with the weather they get for the low level of demand, is not economically sensible. It's finished there for 2 decades. The traffic it carries (to the ski area) is sourced from the more northern approach, which they used.

I have, however, driven right over the summit. In a rented Citroen ZX. Jeez, I could have made two of their episodes at once!! It's actually an amazing drive, quite lunar in places, and the descent down towards the sea on the south side is simply breathtaking. All they had to do was snip the padlock on the barrier (it was open when we drove it mind you...). Not Elise friendly by any means, though, before anyone gets any ideas...

[Andy G]

hmmm- really liking 458s currently.

McL scares me a bit on the residual front, and its not a looker in my eyes.

Audi did well though.

F12 looks awesome - but its £240 before options - i.e. Aventador money......

[campbell]

On the Macca - if residuals are a problem, buy into a year or two old example and have fun for a year.

[rossybee]

Saw one going in the opposite direction yesterday morning on the A90 near Forfar - copper colour with SYD plate.

Looked stunning on the road

[Andy G]

Still think you are going to lose more on an mp412c than 458.

Would be happy with either and just wish the spiders were coming down in value....

[GregR]

Still think you are going to lose more on an mp412c than 458.

Would be happy with either and just wish the spiders were coming down in value....

458 values are solid, almost a premium expected (may be due to the options over base cars). I am warming to the Macca - probably a more 'everyday' supercar. Residuals unlikely to be like the F1 - Evo insured XP 5 for £5m ... Maybe more value in it due to the fact it set the record, still hefty though. MPs are mass produced, and look what that has done to Veyron values compared to, say, Enzos.

I'd bet my house on the fact MP4 values will hold up better than the R8!

[pete]

R8 looks a TT with idas above it's station. I'm sure it's supremely competent but it's not a supercar.