The McLaren That Costs Less Than A Brand-New Mercedes-AMG SL43 Roadster
Quick Links
- 2011 McLaren MP4-12C
- The New Option: Mercedes-AMG SL43 Roadster
- 2013 Ferrari California
- 2020 Lexus LC 500 Convertible
- 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL55
- Other Options
We all dream of an exotic supercar parked in our driveways, but with prices for entry-level Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and McLarens regularly breaching $300,000, it usually remains just that: a dream. Even the cheapest Ferrari - the Roma - costs a quarter of a million dollars nowadays. Depreciation tends to be the used car buyer's friend, and this also applies to pricey exotics. While a $30,000 Ferrari is either a burned-out wreck or a misfiring Mondial, there are several genuine supercars on offer for the price of entry-level luxury sports cars.
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McLaren
McLaren Automotive is a manufacturer of sports cars, supercars, and hypercars based in Woking in the United Kingdom. It was launched by Ron Dennis as a spin-off from the McLaren F1 team, and as such, is named after Bruce McLaren. It is famed for its F1-inspired development of high-performance sports cars, supercars, and hypercars like the F1 - the first official roadgoing project from the automaker - and more recent projects like the P1 and McLaren Senna. McLaren was recently purchased by the Mumtalakat Holding Company, a sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
We picked the latest Mercedes-AMG SL43 Roadster as our baseline for this comparison. It kicks off the current SL range, and, in many ways, reflects the current tenuous and ever-changing automotive landscape.
We used the base MSRP of a new Mercedes-AMG SL43 Roadster as a yardstick for our used supercar comparison. All vehicle data was sourced from the respective manufacturer.
The McLaren MP4/12C
2011-2014 McLaren MP4-12C Gold Front Angled View
2011 McLaren MP4-12C
Make and Model | McLaren MP4-12C |
Engine | 3.8L twin-turbo V8 |
Power | 584 hp (uprated to 607 hp) |
Torque | 443 lb-ft |
0-60 mph | 3.1 seconds |
Pricing | +-$110,000 (MY 2011) |
The McLaren MP4-12C arrived on the scene in 2011 like Superman flying down from the clouds in his traditional bent-knee landing pose. Here was a twin-turbo V8-powered supercar that outperformed all its natural rivals and a few well above its pay grade. Its carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer chassis made it light and extremely rigid, and the mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 was more potent than the Ferrari 458 or Lamborghini Gallardo. It drove with an ease that made its thoroughbred Italian rivals seem like a lot of hard work.
"The MP4-12C was criticized for being too clinical when it was introduced, and I know exactly why. The Ferrari 458 was the GOAT then, and as the last naturally aspirated mid-engine V8 Ferrari, it still is in many ways. But the McLaren was noticeably faster in every possible way, which was also charming. Back then, the two cars cost roughly the same, but now that the Big Mac's prices have dropped so low, I don't think I'd be able to not choose it if I had around $120,000 to spend. For the money, there's nothing else like it out there."
- Gerhard Horn, Senior Editor, CarBuzz
As it turns out, supercar owners prefer a bit of theater, and the first batch of MP4-12C's were criticized for being a touch too clinical. A characteristic that was remedied, at least partially, by some software tweaks that were available standard on new cars and a free upgrade for existing models. Shortening the name from the robotic-sounding "MP4-12C" to simply "12C" did nothing for the driving experience, but it did sound less like a household appliance and more like a supercar. Subtle visual tweaks were added and a drop-top Spider version was introduced, too.
"McLaren dropped the nerdy "MP4" (a reference to Formula 1) in 2012, and at the same time made some subtle upgrades to the vehicle. These upgrades (all software) were also offered to existing owners. Personally, I feel like the 12C Spider is the one to go for because it offers more theater, and the 12C was designed to be a drop-top from the start, so there's no downside. It only weighs 88 lbs more than the coupe, and you're not going to notice that in a 600+ hp car."
- Gerhard Horn, Senior Editor, CarBuzz
The basic mechanical layout, including that impressive engine, was retained for its successor, the 650S, and the many other variants until the arrival of the 720S in 2017. When new, the McLaren 12C was around $225,000, which was on par with the Ferrari 458, and slightly more than the already aging Lamborghini Gallardo. These days, $110,000 will net you a perfect-condition used example, and in many cases, mileages are laughably low. That's not exactly a bargain, but it's a lot of supercar for the money.
The New Option: Mercedes-AMG SL43 Roadster
2024 Mercedes AMG SL43 Roof Down Blue Front Angled View Driving
Make and Model | Mercedes-AMG SL 43 Roadster |
Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 hybrid |
Power | 416 hp (375 hp pre-2025) |
Torque | 369 lb-ft |
0-60 mph | 4.6 seconds |
MSRP | $111,950 (base) |
We aren't for a moment suggesting that the Mercedes-AMG SL43 Roadster is a direct competitor to the McLaren 12C. But they do have one thing in common: the price. Few cars bring home the combined effects of depreciation, stifling emissions regulations, and the sheer exorbitant pricing of new cars like the Mercedes-AMG SL43 Roadster does. Viewed objectively, it should be a solid sports car with decent performance, plenty of modern tech, and all the latest luxury features.
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It ticks most of these boxes, but dig a little deeper, and you see that it is missing the one main ingredient of what makes a sports car; a characterful engine. Seemingly, Mercedes hasn't learned from the mistake it made with the latest C63 S E Performance sedan. Despite its 671-hp power output, swapping out the sonorous twin-turbo V8 for a tech-laden four-cylinder hybrid was not what AMG customers were asking for.
If, at this point, you think that 671 hp is at least some compensation for the engine downsizing, the SL43 doesn't even get this motor. Instead, it's fitted with the mild-hybrid 416 hp version that you get in the $62,500 AMG C 43 sedan. A lightly optioned SL43 is easily twice that figure. We'll let you decide whether that's a good deal or not.
What Else Is Out There For The Money?
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C8 Convertible Top Up Orange Rear Angled View Driving
Having roundly condemned the SL43 and shown how much more tantalizing buying a used supercar can be, what other alternatives are there that cost similar money?
2013 Ferrari California
The California may not be everybody's favorite Ferrari, but it's still a Ferrari. It also seats four, and its 4.3-liter V8 produces a serious 454 hp, which equates to a 0-60mph time of under 4.0 seconds.
2020 Lexus LC 500 Convertible
Scared of the potentially huge servicing bills on an older McLaren or Ferrari? Then take a look at the absolutely stunning Lexus LC500 Convertible. Then, take one more look. It's hard not to. The driving experience doesn't disappoint either. It has a lusty 5.0-liter V8 that makes all the right noises, and is on par with the SL43 in acceleration if not fuel economy.
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Why The Lexus LC 500 Is A Modern-Day Classic
There are better cars out there but we wouldn't buy any of them over the LC.
2022 Mercedes-AMG SL55
If it seems like we have been lambasting the current SL range a bit too much, then let's reiterate: The Mercedes-AMG SL models are mighty impressive. If they are fitted with a V8. If you can settle for a slightly used model, then the $144,650 SL55 becomes a $110,000 SL55 if you buy a 2-3-year-old one. This one's fitted with a 469 hp twin-turbo V8 that sounds like an AMG Merc should, and it's extremely quick, too.
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Drop-Top Showdown: Lexus LC Convertible Vs. Mercedes-AMG SL43
If you're looking for a performance-focused drop-top, these are two of the best to compare. Which comes out on top?
Other Options
If you have already taken your brave pill, an older Lamborghini Gallardo is another viable alternative. A four-year-old Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible is another excellent choice, as is a box-fresh Corvette Stingray. The new and used car market is full of excellent alternatives to the SL 43, and if you are in the market, it's your duty to shun this four-cylinder abomination so that it doesn't encourage Mercedes to make any more of them.
Supercar Vs. A Four-Cylinder Hairdryer
2011-2014 McLaren MP4-12C Red Front Angled View Driving
New vs. used comparisons inevitably highlight the eye-watering costs of modern cars. They also serve as a good gauge of how far we have progressed over the years. It's certainly not a one-sided battle, as the lower price point of a used vehicle must be viewed in conjunction with the higher servicing and maintenance costs that go with it.
New cars also have far slicker infotainment setups, and most are dynamically more capable than their predecessors. In this particular match-up, we specifically pitted the underwhelming SL43 against the overachieving 12C to show just how varied your choices are if you have $110,000 to blow on a weekend toy. We'd pick the McLaren in a heartbeat, potentially ruinous repair bills and all.
Sources: McLaren, Mercedes, AutoTempest
