WTF Happened to the McLaren MP4-12C? The Unloved Supercar 

I know I don't film exotics too often - but I thought this was a fun one to revisit. Thoughts?

I told myself as a younger man, if I ever hit it big one day, my 1st big car purchase would have been an MP4-12C. Nearly ten years later, that sentiment hasn't changed.

I remember when this first came out thinking that is an excellent looking car and I think it’s aged very well

I’ve always liked the way the 12c front end looks like compared to the 650s. Wish they had kept it for more models

I remember the spain special from top gear where hamster had the 458 and he said something like "you follow the mclaren and think I'll just enter the corner at the same speed as it. But it just doesn't do it like the mclaren". That capability of the mclaren is what I really love, it just smokes every damn car it faces

Still one of my favorite McLaren's I think this 1 has really helped shape where mclaren is today as it continues to be a production performance car manufacturer. I really like looking at cars such as the speed tail to see where they have come since they released this. I think it's luck still holds up today, Partly because they continually refine it when they pull out a new car and yet this one still seems to hold its own elegance. Id take the 12-c over a 458 anyday

I got introduced to the MP4-12C in TDU2, I would spend months driving the car; One of the top 5 cars I would want to own.

I definitely appreciate the wide range of cars you review on your channel. It would be great to see more supercar/exotic car reviews here!

I actually prefer this one over the others. I'm not a fan of the new mclaren design language, and I've always like the taillights on this one. Plus, there's a bit of nostalgia for this, bc I was like 11 when this thing came out, and I fell in love with it in Most Wanted 2012 back before I got okder and realized how bad that game is

The best Mclaren that everyone forgot about Still a “bargain”. I’m hoping people avoid it like the plague so it remains a bargain.

Love those simple lines! The newest ones are so complex that they're ugly ...this is just timeless!

I wanted to buy a higher mileage 12c so badly, but opted for a Lotus Evora. At least here in Phx the Lotus dealer is the McLaren dealer, so for service I get to enjoy the eye-candy

Thanks for sharing your views on the 12C. I am currently in the "how long is it until christmas" situation: Put down a deposit on a 12C Coupé and I am now waiting for my Exige to sell, so I can collect the McLaren. I would most probably not consider any other McLaren because I don't like their looks. The 12C however is everything I was looking for. I only hope that Exige is going to sell soon :-D

Twelve C debuted a swaybarless suspension system with constantly variable active dampening. The same system was later reworked for offroad use on the Toyota 4runner TRD Pro.

I think technically, the SLR was the first supercar from McLaren after the legendary F1.

as a C7 Z06 and an Amg GTs owner I was hoping you were going to say some negative things about this car. I've been looking to add it to my garage for the past year and I was hoping you would influence used prices to go down! Great video

"Does the McLaren deserve to be overshadowed by the Ferrari?" No, let's explore why From a fundamental perspective of what the companies are, Ferrari has always been (or at least was) about the race cars and not the road cars to the point even Enzo Ferrari himself hated Ferrari customers/owners. McLaren has always been about not only making the best race cars but translating that into a road car with the same attention to detail and passion. Only difference is, as was pointed out in this video, Ferrari and McLaren have very different ideas on what a road going performance car should feel like. Both are high quality and deliver an exhilarating driving experience, but Ferrari is more in your face about it while McLaren is about doing so in a more sophisticated manner. Going back to the fundamentals of what each company is about, that also translates to the customers. Ferrari owners, in many cases and in my opinion, are about being loud and proud of their cars, while McLaren customers have nothing to prove and just want the best driving machine for their money. I would say to an extent McLaren kinda shifted over time to be less subtle, but considering the wild crazy cars Ferrari and even Lamborghini make compared to something like the Senna or Speedtail... McLaren is still fairly subdued in comparison. Going full personal opinion, I also remember the 12C in Hot Pursuit but didnt really fully appreciate and admire the car until, ironically, Need for Speed World. I thought compared to the 458 and the Murcielago, the 12C was just such a high tech looking car without being so edgy like the Ferrari or Lambo

I personally just think it deserves a lot more love than it’s getting. Because it’s for one thing, stupid fast for the time it came out. And even at less than 600hp(more than 600 for later years) it drives like it massively faster than what it says on paper. Some people at a cars and coffee will not give it a second look let alone a third if there’s a Ferrari or Lamborghini anywhere near it but the second you out run both those other cars from right off the line everyone watching will be like OMG THATS RIGHT ITS A MCLAREN!! Then suddenly remember how fast it is.

Ever since playing tdu2 the 12c has always had a soft spot in my heart.

Has been my dream car for so long ever since I saw it on Forza. Thanks for a great review David!! I’ll be saving my money for one some day 😅

I adore this car and I like the history of the engine too! It's basically a nissan derived Le Mans powerplant but heavily modified.

Fun fact, most if not all of mclarens twin turbo v8s since this car are just versions of an 90s nissan race engine called the vrh35L with different tunes, exhausts etc.

As 650s owner, I love the 12c. It's difficult to find a better supercar for the money. And the fact you can daily drive it makes even more special

i drove one of these, the handling is unreal. love this car. the straps for door handles were unique

You're in Va Beach. I saw London Bridge Rd. Looks like you were over by Racewerks and Julian. Enjoy your time back home.

I always liked the 12C, even as a huge 458 fan. The front end redesign for the 650S wasn’t my favorite, wish they had done the 12C-like design for longer. The split side vent was sick too, wonder why they decided to ditch that.

12c is what the intelligent enthusiast wants. I love understated.

Honda NSX, McLaren MP4 12C and Lexus LFA are my dream cars. I'm not a guy who likes generic exotics, but unique, rare and beautiful supercars. These three cars are timeless and they'll never get old.

One of my absolute favorite super cars of all time. Love how understated it is, and one of the best cars in Hot Pursuit. Thanks for showcasing it🤘

The 650s is a much better choice. Most of the issues and oddities from the 12c had been addressed. Plus it keeps the sick rear end, and a more modern front end.

Unloved? This thing is a racing game hero of many childhoods out there

12 c is underrated still a great first supercar in my opinion.

I've had my 2014 12C foe 3 years now and love it... great video

I love the way McClarens look, but wouldnt ever own one without a winning lottery ticket lol. You should do a Lotus! Elise or Exige, for sure. Toyotas psuedo-super car really, post LFA, or at least sports cars before GR. The MR2 replacements were the Elise and Exige.

Those taillights are gorgeous.

Literally one of the only exotics im in love with. Fell in love with it cause of NFS Hot pursuit on the ps3

Thank you @ThatDudeinBlue always get excited for uploads. 😻👍Always a thumbs up and love the energy you bring to the car community on YT. ❤

I love how TDIB is basically the complete oposite of Doug Demuro when it comes to his review, can we please get a colab between you two?

Drew Peacock shivering in his timbers rn 😂

I had a RARE 12c MSO Project Alpha 1 or 6 for a year put @2k in it 20-22k & loved it! Zero issues ever. Sold to a good friend whose since put another 5k on it last 2 years and only had to replace wiper motor $400. I loved my 12c so much I stepped up for a 650s as I loved the look & overall of the 12c so much but wanted updated stuff like better looks, wanted the spider (game changer) it has WAY more power the TQ is insane. I have had it over a year now just broke the 22k mark & only 2 issues. I had a hose fail on me but somehow it failed parked in garage so towed to my shop & hose was 2 hours & $12 from Napa. Not joking. Other failure was the dumb fuel door sensor again it's random & doesnt doesn't do sh** so I haven't replaced yet. It's an amazing car & everyone asks about it plus I like it's not common. I see cell phones out always when I drive it. Handles brakes incredible fast like my sportbikes fast & yet comfort mode drives as good as my RS6 Avant everyday. Oh and 23mpg on highway just cruising! Such sub underrated car. Shame some people abused them & broke them to give bad rep. Take care of them, ensure FULL oil temp before driving, run best fuel, they are wonderful cars. Next one I'll be aiming to get is 765lt one day soon. That is the 🦄

I drove a white coupe through dream racing in las vegas back in 2013 and fell in love with how it felt on the track. That car is forever on my to own list. Just can't afford one right now.

One of my clients has one. It has 74 miles on it. The electronics never worked right from day 1. Every attempted repair made it worse, until it stopped moving

I remember when they came out as this was top gear and reading road & track days it was like a blip on the car industry history and then it was gone… what a beautiful machine @drewpeacock has one with exhaust and some mods they really shine as well as any super car of that decade 😎👍🏻

It looks like an amazing car to drive, but I think you answered the question of the title at the beginning of the video. It was unproven and ended up having a ton of expensive electrical issues (also the battery thing is wild). Not that Ferraris are cheap to own....especially when they turn into a camp fire, but I would assume that a lot of people who spend that kind of money on a new car want to have the brand recognition. Enthusiasts knew what it was, but most people would have no clue or maybe not even notice it, if it isn't in a flashy color (and then would say nice Lambo).

When we see the scenery instantly blur and your facial expression change that’s all we need to know! What an amazing car!

This is my absolute favourite McLaren, I used to have a MEGA Bloks one of these as a tie in with NFS I dream of owning one in the McLaren Orange cause it looks so damn beautiful in it

Despite its age, the MP4-12C is my favorite McLaren

I had a Ferrari 458 fort 18 months before my I bought a Mclaren 12C I have it for 5 years without any problems. I consider in my opinion the 12C to be a much better car all round than the 458 it's fast handles well and is very comfortable.

4:10 Wastegate noise? Dude. The waste gate valve is a solenoid on the exhaust side. It doesn't make any noise. Even cars with blow off valves have waste gate valves. What you hear is a recirculation valve. They make more noise on this MClaren cause they intake doesn't suppress the noise. You can hear the recirculation valve on almost any turboed car if you swap the intake with a CAI.

Rob Ferretti’s video on this car scared me out of buying one a few years back

Need for speed is where I feel in love with this car too.

Love the MP4-12C David its one of my favorite McLarens !

I was fortunate enough to ride as a passenger in one of these up to 186 MPH, and I can tell you that it is very comfortable indeed. I want one lol.

This was the first McLaren I drove. I was given one of my favorite Christmas gifts ever. My wife’s grandma got me the appointment to drive this car back in 2021. And I also had the opportunity to drive a Lamborghini Gallardo in the same place. I love the feeling of the McLaren better than the lambo. It felt so much better.

I’m an owner so I guess biased, I bought mine in 2019, I’d heard the scare stories but soon realised these were from non owners. Mine has been totally reliable, very fast and with such low numbers rare. Add this to the fact it was McLarens first production car, and still so cheap to buy on the secondhand market, you can’t go wrong if you do the necessary checks and homework.

The one I drove a bunch had a midpipe and tune, and the thing screamed. Yes, there were electrical issues. Largely with the airbrake function of the rear wing. One maintenance per year, but yeah, it's pricy. I like the design language more than the 650. Though, the 600LT is my favorite of all of their cars. I'm also pretty big, 6'3" 240lbs, and getting in and out took some learning to not look ridiculous. Very comfortable once you're in it.

It needs a manual swap like the 599 conversions

Reason that you can feel on downshift paddle the upshift one is they made it you can upshift/downshift with any of them you dont need both

Turbo upgrade makes this competitive with a metal framed outdated f8 tributo

That car is an awesome bargain brother Dude.

When I win the lottery it's the 2nd purchase I'd be getting. This is my favourite car and I'd be buying it used with a service contract from Thorney motor sport.

They didn’t put enough of these in celebrities hands like the 458 did

Just got me this car and im in love with it🙌

Love the exhaust note from the 12C even in stock form.

12c was introduced to me in Hot pursuit, and nfs shift 2

I love mclarens so this is refreshing, hope to see some modified exotics like sheepy or ugr r8's/lambos.. i hear the calvo vipers are crazy too

I've been really considering buying one of these just worried about if it's dependable enough that I can actually drive it. I'm ok with more expensive maintenance but if it's breaking down all the time that's just annoying.

I love the 12C. It was inspired when Ron Dennis drove the 1991 Acura NSX. They are both widely underrated vehicles. SS

This is still one of my all time favorite cars and one of these in either orange or green is the goal

this car has always been one of my favorites, turns my head over all other mclarens. This was the car i drove for hours and hours as a kid in video games

I’ve loved the 12C since day one. Still do. I plan to have one some day.

The 12C is one of my dream cars, like the 71 challenger rt 440 six pack, the car has many flaws, but the point of a dream car is that you dont care about the flaws, you love the car cuz of the car.... idk to put it into words

when the 12c come out it was my dream car but in late 2021 one come up for sale cheap a 2015 12c with high miles 51k with in 2 years had some marks around the body you can tell it was someone daily driver they was asking 45k as needed some work i did everything to get the money fast ended up putting all my savings in and sold my tvr chimaera i had my dream car just shame in my 2 years of ownership its been off the road for over a year of that time after needing a engine after losing a rod out the side and the last 1 month been having transmission issues and McLaren have quoted 24k to fix it so will be laid up for the next 2-3 months as got a used transmission coming from a car that only had 11k miles and will fit my self as all ready had the transmission out in the passed when i was fitting the new engine

It's a great car. Underrated.

Weird that it still makes 592hp, the car should be making 616hp. In 2012 McLaren gave a free tune to 12Cs which should have been given to every 12C.

As the first McLaren to get me into them, i absolutely love the car besides the door handles 😂

This is my dream car to own someday at around 100k it's surprisingly achievable ngl

That is not a wastegate, lol. Wastegates open on full throttle to bleed of excess exhaust gases to control boost pressure. What you are hearing is compressor surge when you lift off the throttle.

They used that same 3.8L tt v8 from the 12c until the p1 after that it was updated still a 3.8 but updated

The Mp4-12C is still one of my favorite McLarens, alongside with the Speedtail and the F1.

Great video! Thank you!

It was maligned because of three big reasons: the clinical experience (compared to the 458), the many quality issues combined with the slightly insane wait times to get fixed, and the resulting depreciation. These are sweet cars and I prefer them to most modern McLarens, but they did not stand out.

The MP4-12C niner foxtrot 4897642537989 was never a car I was into at the time but it’s aged well, I can say that at least

Hell no! I love the mp4-12c I still remember when it came out I was back in middle school 😭

i love these cars there almost getting affordable

For a moment, I thought this was a Drew Peacock video

This and the p1 sounds so good.

i love these so much my dream supercar but the reliability issues drive me away. if i ever had the money, i would certainly buy one in a heartbeat.

Those who don’t “love” this car, have most likely never driven one, let alone sat in one or even seen one in person lol. My buddy and I rented an orange MP4-12C in Vegas for 24hrs, unlimited mileage. That car is insanely fast. Every single gear pulls like a freight train. Is it reliable? No. Is it older? Yes. But it Will absolutely smash any stock vehicle still to this day, in its price range, and even a bunch that are more expensive. It’s insanely fast, it brakes hard, and it’s 100% worth driving!

It will be a future classic. New tech, first attempt, classic styling, which is proving to be timeless. Depreciated to the point of being a bargain atm. A low km later model year with a bit of carbon will be worth a lot of money in 10 years and will age better than anything in their lineup apart from the P1. The 12c to the P1 is what Jesus is to God 🤗

12c would circle the 458, however I’m not a Ferrari guy and for the most part I would take mclaren over Ferrari. No Ferrari could touch the 765lt but I would take the 458 over this

Damn there goes the fourth one it looks like a portion of front

@thatdudeinblue did you do a 600LT video? I would love to see one!

Idk but this car just has something i have always liked this car now i started to love it its best looking mclaren

it held up well given all the hate. looks much better than most try-hard supercars covered in look at me accents.

12c is the reason we have all these amazing mclarens now anyone who argues differently is insane

The closest thing I can have to a real 12C is a 1/18 scale model... The supercar dreamcar for me, no doubt

Very good video.

To be honest it looks like something mitsubishi would build as a new eclipse and like Clarkeson said .. its named after a fax machine

Bitchin car. Beautiful. Wouldn't matter to me if it was more subtle then the others. More comfortable. Rare and seldom seen. ❤❤️‍🔥👍🔥🤑😎