Snatching Defeat From The Jaws of Victory: Just How Did McLaren Screw This Up So Badly? 

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I still want one , you don’t scare me! The aftercare scares me though !! 😂

Incredible that companies will still find ways to cost cut on products with price tags like these. The short sightedness is astounding.

TVR called- they want their business model back.

You send a bit ambigous message over the last couple vids about mcl

We have a road here in West Auckland ,New Zealand ,Bruce McLaren Road named after our Kiwi Hero also have a school named after him as well ,Theres a Mclaren dealership on Great North Roade Aucvkland and the best car i saw there was Ayrton Sennas Honda /Mclaren turbo FI car from the 80s

Good morning James; I've never owned a McLaren; the closest I came was a test drive with a friend who wanted my opinion before he bought one. It broke down on test when a hose gave out. Somehow, according to the dealer, that was my fault! Apparently I didn't know how to drive a supercar....erm. One lost sale. The friend's broken ankle has healed, and he now owns, and loves, a Ferrari.

It's a very moot point lol, but they never did anything for me, as a discerning EVO reader and Supercar judger. Gave me the impression of a rather sterile, if very clever, technical exercise, with too many quality and reliability issues. If I were ever in a position to take a punt on something like this, you know it would an Italian, with all the emotion and history

I'm gonna go ahead and say Shareholders. Usually the source of all bag fumbling in an up-to-then well functioning business, due to their pursuits of personal short-term bags.

I'm on my 2nd 650s spider over 5 years. Wouldn't change for anything else. Except maybe a right-hand drive P1 (spider), so that's not happening. Not even for a 488 spider (50+k more). No warranty required so long as proper thorough PDI with a knowledgeable aftermarket specialist, of which there are now a few. (Thorney, V-Engineering being superb). Do your research well prior to buying. Get an *independent* PDI (even when buying from dealer). Avoid the stealership network (some are good, just many are not) and charge £x2 of independents. However, even with major breakages the good independents know how to spot and fix stuff. Yes the brand and company are shockingly bad at looking after customers. But the products can be awesome. Have had more problems with my BMW than either McLaren.

Get a used Mclaren from Thorney, even if you have to pay over the odds. Job done.

And of course once again a great video, James😃👍👍👍

If it’s any consolation my Ferrari won’t always go into 1st if I am not pressing the brake hard enough. Embarrassing at traffic lights!

We Bristish just like our cars to work........ i spat out my coffee at that point. And I say that as a previous and current owner of many british cars.

I still want a GT, in black with the P1 style purple metal flake, and tan leather interior... a used one is not that far out of reach, which is a worry. Because if one showed tomorrow in the dream spec, I'd just have to take it home.

Makes me wonder if these dealerships would ever behave this way if the company was still run by Ron Dennis.

"A useless rear boot oven"😁

I have never met someone who is passionate about McLaren. Maybe that's because, under Ron Dennis, McLaren was never a brand of passion... McLaren was a brand of OCD-level attention to detail. Unfortunately, the road cars McLaren builds are considerably off brand.

Jay, you are fast becoming one of my top five youtube channels. Top job. Totally agree, if you don't look after your customers you will fall faster than a supercar. John...

JayEmm for MacLaren CEO (or at least consultant advisor). An external, no-nonsense viewpoint seems to be what they could most use right now.

The model definition is diffuse and confusing. Yes, almost all car manufacturers have that problem since 2012 but it is bad here. Additionally, the brand and cars have a plastic image, just not "proper". No charisma, designed by committee.

I don't know, I've always found the 12C sound to be very distinct from everything else. No need to make it any louder as well. Compared to that, newer models sound totally generic, IMHO.

I’d still love a 12C Spider in Volcano Red, utterly stunning.

Get your hands on a C8 Z06!!!

Doesn't McLaren realise that we're all with you in wanting them to succeed? As what is pretty much now the sole British Supercar manufacturer, they're flying the flag for a country that once set the standards for ultimate driving experience.

It’s a sad story because I think most petrol heads wanted McLaren to be great, but they don’t seem to have learned their lesson on the road, ironically just as the F1 team finally seems to have found their mojo on the track and are back to winning ways.

After watching your recent McLaren video about how your friend’s 720s who let you borrow it for week, only one hour later it broke down, I watched your trilogy of McLaren customer service videos about the 570S/600LT/purple 720S saga. I gotta say, I’m more of a Lamborghini or Ferrari guy, not much of a McLaren guy, but I love how the 720s looks. But tbh I really like your honesty especially in your reviews. I really do like your rant videos especially long ones they are just so enjoyable to watch. Those McLaren videos I kinda like them because of your honesty and calling out dealers for screwing people off especially rich people. I don’t hate the brand their cars are cool it’s just that some of them are too generic for me. Hopefully I hope for the best of McLaren from quality control to management to good customer service.

Why do I, in these uncertain and cynical times... 🤔 ...keep feeling Honda purchasing/merging with McLaren... 😊 ...and these two going on to purchase Maserati... before bringing Chrysler into the fold... 😉 ...would solve alot of financial, engineering, execution, and marketing issues for all four manufacturers?

11:07 Now THAT sounds superb to my ears! McLarens also look spectacular, hyper modern and purposeful. I'd also guess that their choice of a smaller turbo assisted engine preempted what was coming with all the EU regs being forced upon car manufacturers. But you are SO right about their desperate need to sort out their customer service in certain areas of the UK. Spending house money on a car should guarantee PERFECT customer service, if not then repeat custom will disappear. As McLaren is British I am 100% behind it!

Loved your video, I've thought this for years and the crazy part is until 2016 (when there problem is quality control) they had a partnership -through F1- with Honda the best at build quality and with a dealer network. They through it away for the Renault F1 engine. Such a shame the Artura should have been 570s with the NSX tech!

Jay going scorched Earth on McLaren! Some very valid criticisms fairly pointed out. If only McLaren would now listen....

I hope McLaren are able to survive and thrive since their cars seem amazing. I look forward to performance and reliability in equal amounts because I drive my sports cars 15-20k miles a year.

I've just come back from a short Stay in theV8 Hotel in Stuttgart. In the car park under the Hotel were about 8 unregistered McLarens and in the Showroom was an unsold 2022 car [at a substantial discount] great Cars BUT hideously expensive annual warranty and servicing prices, not thought to be reliable etc. I will stick to my 911 thanks

Far too many variants that just cannibalised their portfolio. They should have doubled the price and halved the volume. Scarcity is what truely wealthy people seem to crave for and something they can't always buy. McLaren could have had one UK service centre and have it attached to an exclusive golf course and Spa hotel where McLaren owners would look forward to their car requiring servicing. For many the Mansory style is quite vulgar, it is in anyway massively over priced but, the Mansory exclusivity and lack of convenience is all part of the brand. McLaren should compete with Mansory, not Ferrari, sell each of the cars they build to a named customer for a stupid price, it was, and never will be, a car for the masses.

I hear what you're saying but the 458 Italia and 488 weren't great, they were too soft in the rear, both were "fixed" to some degree with the Speciale and the Pista. I "lucked out" with my McLaren 720S, bought from new its been outstanding and in Mantis Green it really stands out. The McLaren experience is dealer specific, also if you deal with MSO they're outstanding. I suspect you're dealing with cars that have been passed on to some degree - in the UK lots of dealers behave very poorly toward customers and cars alike, many have no idea how to look after a McLaren. What I do agree with is, Mclaren should be all over these issues. Best service I've had is with Ferrari, by a long way. Porsche is now very hit and miss, service centres, since the advent of Macan, have become terrible. PS the 600LT is an outstanding car. Of the many great cars I have owned the keepers have been 720S, 991.2 GT3 RS, 296 GTB and 600LT. The real issue is, fundamentally the British workforce DGAF and neither does the management - thats why major industries failed in the UK and continue to fail to this day. Its not McLaren specific, Mclaren is simply a manifestation of the underlying problem. This is simple, people are paying for a product, they expect it to work and be fit for purpose - if it doesn't meet expectations they get rid of it and buy a reliable product. If you're workforce doesn't understand this your company doesn't deserve the custom. Period.

I’ve never seat in a McLaren, or a Lamborghini, or a Ferrari … I’m not a target buyer for any of these companies as I can’t afford their products … but, I hope McLaren and any other supercar companies can exist and allow us to enjoy the fact that there are supercars in this world. It makes me happy to see these amazing machines from time to time on the road. It makes me smile and therefore I wish them to improve.

@JayEmmOnCars years ago you posted a video stating Mclaren would need money by a certain date because they sold cars with the promise that they would buy them back at a certain date I've never heard anything like that I wish you would do a video about it

Lets also not forget that when McLaren released the GT, they already had the 570GT, which was an already slightly more practical and much prettier 570S - absolute insanity. For what its worth I've seen two Artura's in the wild. A quite dull metallic slate grey one shortly after it released with a suspiciously McLaren-esq plate that I will presume was a press car going over Richmond bridge. The other I saw going through Isleworth in a fetching shade of bright blue with two tone black and orange wheels.

I love my 720s and accept its foibles though my main problem is pothole damage which ensures the need for warranty cover. If we had decent roads my three years of ownership would have been problem free.

I would love to get an honest statement of McLaren cars about all that bashing they get on social media about their apparently far from perfect products and after sales service… dream on, dream on… still, there’s genius in these carbon creations from Woking…

I was seriously considering ‘levelling up’ to a 720s.. But I think I’ll be holding onto my R8 V10+ for a bit longer. Only warning light in 3 years - key fob battery a bit low 😄

i saw a Mclaren at our local track GT Club it spanked those Porsche GT3s then drove home. Was lapping them.

The extra fancy doors refusing to work during one of the times you really, really want them to work, in the rain sounds a very special level of hell all on its own let alone all the problems.

I’ve always felt the vultures have been flying over Woking for a long time, the first horror story I heard about from the Manchester dealership was my confirmation something was very wrong.

With my former 600lt, I gave up using pay-at-pump petrol points as twice the thing didn’t restart after filling up (no key found). The people behind must have thought I was a right twonk. Ended up having to walk away from the car, lock it, unlock it and then it would fire.

I know nothing about McLaren beyond their physical appearance, which I find sterile. Nuff said.

I bought a 570gt in January done 4000miles it’s been great. Had to buy a battery but that’s all..drives like nothing else…just get an inspection & go to independents who know the cars.

Possibly one of RU-vid’s best intros ever. I was howling. Great stuff James.

Spot on, early days great cars and desirable ala 675 etc, a Had the want one factor. . until the 570s range came out and then I lost any interest in them.

Ugh mid management at its finest, how is it so hard to get it right when you have templates like Ferrari and Porsche. Its one thing to know that the cars are a bit wonky but when they arent looking after their staff properly it changes the story.

Says he doesn't want to be known as the mclaren hater; proceeds to post 15 videos hating on mclarens

Haven't seen an Artura? I suspect owners see you and do an immediate 180.

Wth James.. you said buy one so I sold my house and kids but now you say McLaren bad.

The GT is my favourite McLaren, and I saw one in the wild yesterday. Never seen the new one either.

another maclaren bashing , I really dont get it , I was out in mine few weeks ago met few other with maclarens and the chat was just about the cars what one you fancy next blah blah blah , are you going on the next trip , nothing about how shit they are supposed to be , iam starting to think its just YOU!!! if you hate them that much buy a Toyota .ps the last video the bolt fell out the front suspension 🤦‍♂like it was the cars fault lol

TY J 🙏🙏. Does sound like McLaren forgot the basics, & continued to do so!

Harry M is a canny old chap...650S seems a decent choice ?

So was Ron part of the problem or was he trying to stop the issues that got him ousted? They seem to be getting worse from this programme?

Oof these are 2x expensive in Australia than a f430

Whatever happened to the GT, it was one of the McLaren’s of all time

Where was the 540c filmed? Looks wonderful.

MP4 12C was the Best. after that..... all shit broke loose

I still want an Artuta....i think I'll get my head tested

Every year it gets more embarrassing to be English.

Sometimes James your happiest in a old little nothing car 🙃

A lot of work gone into this video, well edited, well done.

I truly hope that McLaren sort their problems out as their cars are otherwise loved and raved about by reviewers. I hope they are listening to the critism and actually learning from and improving from it. It was horrendous when TVR and the other small sports car manufacturers died off in the late 90s/2000s. Having McLaren producing some of the greatest supercars of all time here in the UK that it would be devastating to see it go! We don't want to see a LOT of ultra talented designers, engineers, production staff, quality control, mechanics etc out of a job in a country with an almost non existent car industry. Come on McLaren! You have done the hardest part, which is design, refine and produce the most incredible supercars of all time. Refine that quality control, ensure that cars are fully prepped for sale and improve customer service and tighten the model range (maybe copy the Porsche model release schedule?) You CAN do it!

I get it - you really want to like the car and the company ...

I know of one MCL GT, and I saw it 4 years ago in Oxford.

When I get the six numbers in the right week I will be getting one.

Do you think it all went down hill after Ron Dennis left?

How to win friends and influence people?!

Good balanced video thank you

McLaren peaked with the 720S.

British made. Say no more.

Fixing the damage he's done😂

Really really on the point.

I never understand why some people like cars that are noisy?

They should hire you, doing this as someone who understands all of their faults, they could turn around the company.

kudos for the title

Depreciation is still glacial. Even Artura models are available for less than £150K

Each video is like a breath of fresh air. You bring joy and inspiration!💗💗💗 ! 🍅!

😊

Shouldn’t have pushed Ron Dennis out…standards seemed to drop when he left.

Every other car brand has these issues. The biggest problem is the shocking aftersales car from certain dealers. Kind of a shame we're back to the McLaren bashing. I really don't think it's justified and you're absolutely a part of the reason why people are afraid to buy a McLaren. You've gone hugely public and built your channel off of second hand experience and bashing the brand.

I really like the Mclaren GT. The thing is I also really like the Aston Martin Rapide. The Rapide AMR takes up physically less space on the ground, longer but narrower and takes up less space overall. The Rapide has 4 more cylinders, 2 more seats, and far more luggage space and the AMR is hardly any slower. What is the point in the GT then? Some may say it is because the Rapide is a GT and the Mclaren is a supercar.... why was it called the GT then?

Very glad to have found your channel! Your videos are an example of how to make quality content. Keep it up 😆🏈🐻

Wake up, honey. Jay just dropped another video slabbering about McLaren.

I have yet to see a good looking McLaren. Hideous looking cars.

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