MCLAREN'S MP4-12C IS NOW CHEAPER THAN A HIGH-END PICKUP TRUCK
A smart daily driver or a dedicated weekend car – like a drop-top Miata – is all well and good, but the dream for many of us gearheads is to get behind the wheel of a supercar. Sadly, the barrier to this exclusive club is quite high, as not only are many supercars built in limited numbers – a trick Enzo Ferrari first used to create artificial scarcity – but they sport impossibly high price tags, too.
Thankfully, though, the powers of depreciation sometimes work in our favor, enabling mere mortals to save up and stand a chance of one day getting behind the wheel of a genuine supercar. While some of the very best seem only ever to soar in price, others, like McLaren's first effort at making a modern supercar, have dropped into the realm of attainability.
The MP4-12C Was McLaren's Well Overdue Return To The Supercar World
McLaren has enjoyed a long and illustrious career in motorsports, but stood more as a one-hit wonder in terms of production vehicles. After launching the world-beating McLaren F1 in the 1990s, the British brand disappeared back into the shadows, instead of tackling that tricky second album. However, all that would change in 2010, when the MP4-12C would debut for the very first time at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed.
Finally, McLaren were to launch another supercar for the road, and this time, it would be a more attainable offering, rather than a super-exclusive model like the aforementioned F1. It was mid-engine, sported dihedral doors, and was built around a carbon-fiber tub. The interior was minimalist and focused, echoing McLaren's focus on performance rather than flamboyance.
McLaren's Modern Supercar Was Met With Stiff Competition
While the McLaren F1 of the '90s stood in a class of its own, only really phased by other ultra-exclusive models like the Bugatti EB110 or Jaguar XJ220, the more approachable MP4-12C faced a raft of quite serious competition. Models such as the R8 V10 and Lamborghini Gallardo made for tempting opposition, but there was one car in particular that really gave the McLaren a run for its money — the Ferrari 458 Italia.
No one can deny that the McLaren name carries some weight in the automotive world, but against a name like Ferrari, nobody comes out the winner. The Italian 458 looked sleeker, its interior was more characterful and inviting, and in terms of grunt and performance, it matched almost every move the McLaren made. For those who dream of one day owning a supercar, choosing the MP4-12C over the 458 Italia would have been a tricky choice, especially as the two sported very similar price tags when new.
Under The Hood: Engine And Performance Specs
Cosmetically, the McLaren does look a little softer than some of the competition. It doesn't sport the angular lines of a Lamborghini, and its face isn't quite as harsh or aggressive as that of a Ferrari. However, under the skin, the MP4-12C is every last ounce a supercar. Providing motivation is a twin-turbocharged V8, which kicked out 592 horses in early iterations, and 616 from the 2013 model year onward. Torque output stayed consistent, at 443 lb-ft.
Stamping on the loud pedal would see the McLaren dart from 0 to 60 mph in just over three seconds, and keeping your foot in place would see the needle creep past that all-important 200 mph. In practice, that means the MP4-12C could outpace not just the 458 Italia, but also the V10-powered Lamborghini and Audi efforts, in addition to just about anything else south of its price point at the time.
The McLaren wasn't simply about straight lines, though. Carbon-ceramic brakes, active aerodynamics, and adaptive suspension settings meant it was pretty capable through the corners, too. To put the Mac's pace into perspective, it sits as the 15th fastest car to ever lap the Top Gear test track, completing its lap just 0.1 of a second slower than a 991 GT3 RS, and 0.3 of a second faster than the V12-powered and all-wheel drive Aventador.
The MP4-12C Is A Slept-On Supercar Bargain In 2025
So, the McLaren MP4-12C looks ace, goes like stink, and wears a historically important badge. It does everything right, and yet, for some reason, the values of these sharp supercars are sinking faster than a lead balloon. Marching into a McLaren dealer back in 2012 and ordering an MP4-12C Coupe without ticking any options would set you back $231,400, but fast-forward just over 10 years, and you could net three fine, sensibly traveled examples for the same price.
The world is your oyster, too, as regardless of whether you prefer fixed-roof or drop-top, understated or bold, and modified or standard, McLaren's first modern supercar is easy to get hold of for sub-$100,000. Most also come with comprehensive service histories, low mileages, and will be presented in fabulous condition – exactly what you would expect for a car that cost a quarter of a million just a few short years ago.
Supercar Or Pickup Truck? The Choice Is Yours
Placing things into perspective, this means that a low-mileage McLaren can now be picked up for the same price as a nicely specified full-size pickup truck. For example, a Tundra Capstone kicks off at $80,800, Ford's F-150 in range-topping Raptor guise is around the same price, and a flagship GMC Sierra HD will run you right up to six-figures with a few options thrown in.
Sure, the Mac won't be much use when it comes to moving house, or picking up that extra-large Christmas tree. It must be said, though, a $15,000 pickup truck could always handle those duties, and that saved money would surely be put to good use by placing a 600-horse supercar on the driveway, in our minds at least.
Here's Why The McLaren's Value Has Tanked So Harshly Over The Last 10 Years
It's not unusual to see Ferrari's 458 Italia selling for $200,000 and beyond, which begs the question, why is the McLaren so comparably cheap when its main rival has kept its value so well? Being the last naturally aspirated mid-engine Ferrari sure does help the 458's cause, but there are other reasons why the British supercar has become so cheap, instead of following in the Ferrari's footsteps.
Chiefly, the MP4-12C doesn't exactly enjoy a Toyota-level reputation for reliability. In fact, these earlier efforts were plagued with costly common problems, such as transmission issues, failing door sensors, and even infotainment woes. Despite used prices being more affordable, repair and maintenance costs still very much reflect that original asking price, which puts many owners off. In addition, while the McLaren's cabin is certainly focused and well-finished, it lacks the glitz and glamor of an Italian interior, which is what many gearheads are after when seeking out a first supercar.
Finally, McLaren's commitment to continual development has been the last nail in the MP4-12C's coffin. Each iteration that followed this first release was sharper, faster, and more focused, effectively rendering the MP4-12C a little disappointing in comparison, supposedly. Why settle for 592 horses when you can splash out a little extra for a 641-horse 650S, or lightweight and track-focused LT model? Still, for anyone simply wanting to dip their toe into the pool of supercar ownership, this cut-price supercar represents an undeniably exciting entry-point, just remember to tick the extended warranty option.
2026-02-10T13:54:40ZSources: McLaren, Top Gear