I drove a Mercedes McLaren SLR!!!

onefastdoc · 11-07-2007, 02:31 AM

Actually, I spent the day driving multiple exotic cars including the Ferrari F430, Ferrari 599 GTB, Mercedes McLaren SLR, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. The best part of this experience was getting the opportunity to drive these cars back to back and get feel for how different the cars are. For example, driving the Vantage on any given day would probably be fun, but in the company of these cars, the Aston felt like a cheap and slow piece of crap. Anyway, I'll give you my impressions:

Ferrari F430: This car was my favorite. Not the fastest, but overall was so much fun to drive. I was truly in heaven. Feels very light, very responsive, amazing handling, beautiful interior, amazing sound. The mannetino stability control knob was fun to play with.

Ferrari 599 GTB: This car was a close second. It was much faster than the F430, and the shifts were faster as well. The 599 F1 transmission shifts in 60 milliseconds as opposed to the F430's 100msec time. Going from 40mph to 120mph and cracking off lightning fast gearchanges was mindblowing. It felt a little heavier, and the ride a little softer, more of a GT than a straight sports car which is why I liked the F430 better. This car is definitely more comfortable though and you could drive it cross country easily. Interior is gorgeous. The leather and carbon fiber were just beautiful, and nicer than the F430.

Mercedes McLaren SLR: You would think that the most expensive car of the group would be the best but it was terrible. What a disappointment. Okay, it is faster than anything I have been in (including the 599) but that's about it. The interior did not look that nice, it felt big and heavy, very stiff ride, and the seats were so uncomfortable and had limited adjustments. Also has poor visibility from the cockpit. According to the event organizer, that is basically the universal sentiment. Almost everyone that drives the SLR hates it, and loves the Ferraris.

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder: This car surprised me as well, but in a good way. I did not expect much given that most of the previous Lamborghinis were terrible to drive. However, Audi has done a good job designing a the Gallardo. The interior was nice (even though all the switchgear and steering wheel are Audi parts) though not nearly as nice as the Ferraris. The ride was similar to the F430. Felt fairly light and responsive, and the engine sound was even more amazing because the top was down. It definitely is not as sophisticated as the Ferrari, and the e-gear tranny, though mechanically the same as the F430, uses different software and is nowhere near as smooth as the Ferrari. Still a fun car overall.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage: Like I said earlier, by itself it probably is a decent car. However, on this day it felt like, an overweight, underpowered, cheap car. The interior felt cheap, particularly the center console. The leather was nice, as were the seats. The car is far too quiet, and I could barely hear the engine even under full throttle. By the way, at full throttle, I was looking at my passenger and asking him if something was wrong with the car. It felt sooooo slow. It literally felt like it had 280hp instead of the 380 it advertises. The Porsche 997 Carrera S is much more fun to drive.

The cars that we didn't get to drive: The Ford GT was crashed and suffered front end damage prior to this day. The 997 GT3 was rolled and destroyed and was therefore not available to drive either. Bummer.

My face hurt at the end of the day from smiling so much. It was pure heaven...

By the way, I did this through www.WorldClassDriving.com

Peace.

onefastdoc · 11-07-2007, 02:36 AM

Almost forgot the pics.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...8AYuHDRq2YtGXb

11-07-2007, 02:38 AM

great stuff!! thanks for the review

e92phreak · 11-07-2007, 04:18 AM

Very nice! The experience includes 3 cars for $895. How much was it for all 5 cars?

normtrum · 11-07-2007, 10:35 AM

Great thread....thanks for the write up and he great pics!

onefastdoc · 11-07-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92phreak

Very nice! The experience includes 3 cars for $895. How much was it for all 5 cars?

About $1200 for 5 cars. Definitely worth it considering you can't even rent an SLR or 599.

nightkhan · 11-07-2007, 08:39 PM

Nice!!

I'm thinking about doing this next year Spring when they're up in Napa.

nightkhan · 11-07-2007, 08:43 PM

how long did you guys get to drive each car for?

and how long was the overall event?

remmib · 11-08-2007, 06:08 AM

I wish I could do that

Slke46 · 11-08-2007, 10:36 AM

Very cool... I wish they had something like that here In Canada. What are the prerequisites for being able to drive these cars...

shipill · 11-08-2007, 01:42 PM

great review thanks

Year's_End · 11-08-2007, 01:55 PM

Hey someone else here did that same thing a while ago, funny. Looks like fun. I always wanted to do that, and there's always an ad for it in any of the major car mags.

BeeEmDubU · 11-08-2007, 03:17 PM

I drove a SLR...in GT4

SpecC · 11-08-2007, 07:30 PM

wow.... did your face come off at any point of that?

ironic · 11-08-2007, 07:58 PM

looks like a blast

drbimmer97 · 11-08-2007, 08:41 PM

plan on doing this next year when they come back to chicago...

Hawkeye · 11-09-2007, 01:51 PM

That is awesome... although after driving it I am afraid everything else would just not be as fun to drive... so I will save myself the heartache and keep on believing my car is fast

omg516 · 11-09-2007, 04:39 PM

the 599 is my dream car. insanely fast but still classy and not overdone.

BoostedBMW · 11-09-2007, 05:21 PM

That looks like such an amazing experience!

Must be tons of fun to drive someone else's exotic cars for the day. How long do you actually get to drive each car for?

ALPINE6SPD · 11-09-2007, 06:46 PM

Good Review But A 599 Is Faster Than An Slr

11-07-2007, 02:31 AM	#1
onefastdoc Lieutenant 122 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: L.A. iTrader: (2)	I drove a Mercedes McLaren SLR!!! Actually, I spent the day driving multiple exotic cars including the Ferrari F430, Ferrari 599 GTB, Mercedes McLaren SLR, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. The best part of this experience was getting the opportunity to drive these cars back to back and get feel for how different the cars are. For example, driving the Vantage on any given day would probably be fun, but in the company of these cars, the Aston felt like a cheap and slow piece of crap. Anyway, I'll give you my impressions: Ferrari F430: This car was my favorite. Not the fastest, but overall was so much fun to drive. I was truly in heaven. Feels very light, very responsive, amazing handling, beautiful interior, amazing sound. The mannetino stability control knob was fun to play with. Ferrari 599 GTB: This car was a close second. It was much faster than the F430, and the shifts were faster as well. The 599 F1 transmission shifts in 60 milliseconds as opposed to the F430's 100msec time. Going from 40mph to 120mph and cracking off lightning fast gearchanges was mindblowing. It felt a little heavier, and the ride a little softer, more of a GT than a straight sports car which is why I liked the F430 better. This car is definitely more comfortable though and you could drive it cross country easily. Interior is gorgeous. The leather and carbon fiber were just beautiful, and nicer than the F430. Mercedes McLaren SLR: You would think that the most expensive car of the group would be the best but it was terrible. What a disappointment. Okay, it is faster than anything I have been in (including the 599) but that's about it. The interior did not look that nice, it felt big and heavy, very stiff ride, and the seats were so uncomfortable and had limited adjustments. Also has poor visibility from the cockpit. According to the event organizer, that is basically the universal sentiment. Almost everyone that drives the SLR hates it, and loves the Ferraris. Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder: This car surprised me as well, but in a good way. I did not expect much given that most of the previous Lamborghinis were terrible to drive. However, Audi has done a good job designing a the Gallardo. The interior was nice (even though all the switchgear and steering wheel are Audi parts) though not nearly as nice as the Ferraris. The ride was similar to the F430. Felt fairly light and responsive, and the engine sound was even more amazing because the top was down. It definitely is not as sophisticated as the Ferrari, and the e-gear tranny, though mechanically the same as the F430, uses different software and is nowhere near as smooth as the Ferrari. Still a fun car overall. Aston Martin V8 Vantage: Like I said earlier, by itself it probably is a decent car. However, on this day it felt like, an overweight, underpowered, cheap car. The interior felt cheap, particularly the center console. The leather was nice, as were the seats. The car is far too quiet, and I could barely hear the engine even under full throttle. By the way, at full throttle, I was looking at my passenger and asking him if something was wrong with the car. It felt sooooo slow. It literally felt like it had 280hp instead of the 380 it advertises. The Porsche 997 Carrera S is much more fun to drive. The cars that we didn't get to drive: The Ford GT was crashed and suffered front end damage prior to this day. The 997 GT3 was rolled and destroyed and was therefore not available to drive either. Bummer. My face hurt at the end of the day from smiling so much. It was pure heaven... By the way, I did this through www.WorldClassDriving.com Peace.
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11-07-2007, 02:36 AM	#2
onefastdoc Lieutenant 122 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: L.A. iTrader: (2)	pics Almost forgot the pics. http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...8AYuHDRq2YtGXb
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11-07-2007, 02:38 AM	#3
nico335 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	great stuff!! thanks for the review
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11-07-2007, 04:18 AM	#4
e92phreak General 392 Rep 21,745 Posts Drives: E92 335i TiAg/E46 323i TiAg Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [9.50] 2000 E46 323i [0.00]	Very nice! The experience includes 3 cars for $895. How much was it for all 5 cars? __________________ 07 E92 335i \| TiAg \| Step \| Padl \| Cmft \| Alum Trm \| PDC \| Nav \| Assist \| Sat \| Lthr \| Prem \| Sprt \| Rear Splr \| RDSport Quads \| iPod \| V1 \| LT Refl \| VS Clear Bra \| OEM Lip \| KWV2 \| Mtec Sides \| BBS LM-R 00 E46 323i \| TiAg \| 5sp \| Sport \| Roof \| RDSport Cams \| RDSport tune \| RDSport Shift \| Volk LE37 \| M3 spoiler \| PSS9 \| SuperSprint \| Brembo
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11-07-2007, 10:35 AM	#5
normtrum Colonel 52 Rep 2,225 Posts Drives: e90 335i, e46 330i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PNW iTrader: (1)	Great thread....thanks for the write up and he great pics! __________________ 07 335i sedan \| Steptronic \| Black saphire \| Terra \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Cold Weather \| CA \| PDC \| Nav \| OEM Alarm
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11-07-2007, 08:39 PM	#7
nightkhan Private Woodman 178 Rep 467 Posts Drives: 328i, JB, Space Rocket Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	Nice!! I'm thinking about doing this next year Spring when they're up in Napa. __________________ Former King of Stock... E90 325i, Jet Black: Done with Current: E92 328i, Sports Package, 335i wheels, Power Seats, BMW Assist/Bluetooth, IPod/USB, heated seats, //M Short Shifter Future Mods: 19" CSL's, KW V2, 15mm spacer, tints
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11-07-2007, 08:43 PM	#8
nightkhan Private Woodman 178 Rep 467 Posts Drives: 328i, JB, Space Rocket Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	how long did you guys get to drive each car for? and how long was the overall event? __________________ Former King of Stock... E90 325i, Jet Black: Done with Current: E92 328i, Sports Package, 335i wheels, Power Seats, BMW Assist/Bluetooth, IPod/USB, heated seats, //M Short Shifter Future Mods: 19" CSL's, KW V2, 15mm spacer, tints
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11-08-2007, 06:08 AM	#9
remmib General 1584 Rep 29,215 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	I wish I could do that __________________ F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White \| HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 \| Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 \| KW V3 Coilover \| M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar \| 3DDesign Front Lip \| BMW M Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW M Performance Diffuser \| BMW M Performance Black Grills \| BMW M Performance Pedals \|
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11-08-2007, 10:36 AM	#10
Slke46 Captain 25 Rep 952 Posts Drives: E90 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Canada iTrader: (4)	Very cool... I wish they had something like that here In Canada. What are the prerequisites for being able to drive these cars... __________________ 01 540I - M-sport Premium Package ~ 19' HP Evo Staggerrred ~
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11-08-2007, 01:42 PM	#11
shipill Major 431 Rep 1,292 Posts Drives: F10 528 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: East iTrader: (7)	great review thanks
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11-08-2007, 01:55 PM	#12
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1230 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Hey someone else here did that same thing a while ago, funny. Looks like fun. I always wanted to do that, and there's always an ad for it in any of the major car mags. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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11-08-2007, 03:17 PM	#13
BeeEmDubU Captain 18 Rep 718 Posts Drives: AW 325i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: So Cal iTrader: (2)	I drove a SLR...in GT4 __________________
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11-08-2007, 07:30 PM	#14
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing 305 Rep 15,441 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis iTrader: (4)	wow.... did your face come off at any point of that?
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11-08-2007, 07:58 PM	#15
ironic Major General 267 Rep 8,338 Posts Drives: Jet Black 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Francisco, Ca iTrader: (22)	looks like a blast __________________ Widebody 335i Project Car BUILD \| PHOTOSHOOT
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11-08-2007, 08:41 PM	#16
drbimmer97 Prvt 1st Class 20 Rep 353 Posts Drives: 2012 528i xDrive M-sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philadelphia,PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335xi [0.00]	plan on doing this next year when they come back to chicago... __________________ drbimmer97 2012 F10 sport package: gloss black vinyl roof wrap: black grills: black side markers: Stage 2 JB4: 19" CSL wheels: more mods to follow "LYF SUX - NLS U DRV A BMR"
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11-09-2007, 01:51 PM	#17
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2065 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	That is awesome... although after driving it I am afraid everything else would just not be as fun to drive... so I will save myself the heartache and keep on believing my car is fast __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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11-09-2007, 04:39 PM	#18
omg516 Lieutenant 18 Rep 572 Posts Drives: 07 e90 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	the 599 is my dream car. insanely fast but still classy and not overdone.
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11-09-2007, 05:21 PM	#19
BoostedBMW Moderator 134 Rep 6,775 Posts Drives: TiAg E92 335 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (14) Garage List 2003 S2000 [0.00]	That looks like such an amazing experience! Must be tons of fun to drive someone else's exotic cars for the day. How long do you actually get to drive each car for? __________________ -Michael. Berlina Black S2000 CR is now in the garage l 19" Rial Daytona Race l KW V2 l Eisenhaus Race Exhaust l
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11-09-2007, 06:46 PM	#20
ALPINE6SPD Lieutenant General 161 Rep 10,407 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 328i Sport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highland Lakes NJ iTrader: (2)	Good Review But A 599 Is Faster Than An Slr __________________ 2010 AW e90 328i: 6 speed, Black Leather, Dark Wood trim, ZPP, ZCW, ZVP,ZSP, Nav, Xenon BMW Performance CF Rear spolier and Gloss black grills 2008 Candy White MKV GTI 2.0T 6 Speed Manul Gone 2008 AW X3 3.0si: 6 speed Returned 2006 AW e90 330i: 6 speed Dinan Stage 1 Returned
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