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      08-26-2017, 08:10 PM   #1
Jo-Sta07
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What is the i8? My thoughts

So I crossed the 5k mark in my i8 and I think it's taken me about that long to figure out what the car is. This is because it's not a car that excels in any one area but it's really good at a lot of things. To me, the i8 is a sports GT with super car looks. It's lacking straight line grunt above 100 mph. It is however so planted. It's Comfortable. It's relatively quiet. The cabin is isolated. I can drive hours in the car and not feel tired. It has lots of sports car capabilities but ultimately it's not an out and out sports car. It really shines during road trips in my opinion. Its a car that basically does everything well. Fun to drive, you can use it everyday, looks to kill, good performance, sounds good (inside anyhow). It's just such a good car.

On a side note, I swung by McLaren Sterling and drove a 720S. Guys......it's beyond acceleration in anything I've felt except for being a passenger in a 918 Spyder. Things always feel worse as a passenger though so it's tough to compare but I can tell you the 720S being nearly as quick as a P1 I totally believe it. The 720S actually causes internal pain during acceleration. The sales manager told me it's known within Mclaren the car is pushing close to 800 hp and weighs about 3100 pounds. It's also super comfortable, easily rides as nice as the i8. But man that acceleration is nuts. The fold away dash is a cool trick as well. It definitely feels like the future. Hopefully they are sub $300k in a couple years.
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      08-26-2017, 10:22 PM   #2
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I think you nailed it on the i8!!! I have around the same mileage, but I think it's missing something. Does the 720 feel that much quicker then a 570, which to me is the quickest car I have driven
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      08-26-2017, 10:34 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taxdr1965 View Post
I think you nailed it on the i8!!! I have around the same mileage, but I think it's missing something. Does the 720 feel that much quicker then a 570, which to me is the quickest car I have driven
720 makes the 570 feel like a toy. It's honestly painful. Your passengers would ask you to stop if you floored it enough. I mean it traps mid 140's in the quarter.....

That's Veyron/LAF/P1/918 territory and those cars are all well over $1mm
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      08-27-2017, 03:49 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07 View Post
I mean it traps mid 140's in the quarter.....
I knew it was fast, but that's on another level.
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      08-27-2017, 10:44 AM   #5
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The i8 is an exercise in compromise and moderation. It is a bridge between all-petroleum based motivation and electricity. It gives us a glimpse of the future with cutting edge technologies. As a result, it is not a wholly satisfying vehicle, and yet it is a vehicle I have enjoyed for the last 3 years.
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      08-27-2017, 02:33 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07 View Post
So I crossed the 5k mark in my i8 and I think it's taken me about that long to figure out what the car is.

On a side note, I swung by McLaren Sterling and drove a 720S.
Agree 95% with your comments on the i8. It is an excellent all round car I only disagree with the statement "not a car that excels in any one area". I think it excels in its stunning design and looks, and of course as you rightly acknowledge, in its broad range of capabilities

The 720S does look like a stormer in performance terms. I've arranged to test drive one next month, and am looking forward to it. Have you driven a Huracan Performante? I'm curious how the 720S would compare to the current "fastest road car in the world" (Nurburgring record holder, beating the 918). I'm driving a Performante tomorrow.
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      08-27-2017, 02:49 PM   #7
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I've not driven the Huracan P but I am keen to. It looks like a fantastic car in nearly every way.
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      08-27-2017, 03:38 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07 View Post
I've not driven the Huracan P but I am keen to. It looks like a fantastic car in nearly every way.
"Nearly"? I am genuinely curious about what you see as its weak points please?

I placed an order for a 488GTO, but am being messed around by Ferrari (as is normal), so am considering all options.

720S is on the list, but I am very concerned about depreciation on those, and reports of terrible dealer service (in London). It seems they can't cope with the very high volumes here.

The Huracan P looks like it is very useable to me, although I am sure straight line speed of the 720S is superior. I will know more after driving it tomorrow.
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      08-27-2017, 04:23 PM   #9
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I say nearly just because there are times when I get tired of driving a loud shouty car. The Huracan P (in my view) is a full on super car that can shortly pretend to be a civilized. I think the 720S has a greater duality of character. I love a NA engine though. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

The Ferrari run around is awful isn't it? Just being appreciated would be nice.
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      08-27-2017, 04:33 PM   #10
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how were the people at the Mac dealer? i think I'll drive one for the giggles & grins but in no position to buy one- pushy or no? i'm just going to see because i was so close to buying a 12c but wasn't comfortable with reliability & depreciation- id like to see how it is compared to the 12c so in a couple of years if the price is right i could get one
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      08-27-2017, 04:34 PM   #11
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Thanks, and now I understand...and agree. Loud and roaring is fun, but gets old quickly on a long journey.

In fact on any journey over 20 minutes in my Lotus, I would use ear plugs

Ferrari, yes it is ridiculous. They seem to be under the impression that they are doing YOU a HUGE favour by taking £300k from you
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      08-27-2017, 05:28 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonnyParisi View Post
how were the people at the Mac dealer? i think I'll drive one for the giggles & grins but in no position to buy one- pushy or no? i'm just going to see because i was so close to buying a 12c but wasn't comfortable with reliability & depreciation- id like to see how it is compared to the 12c so in a couple of years if the price is right i could get one
I've dealt with both Mclaren Philly and Sterling and both have been great. I've not purchased a Mclaren though. My business partner bought his 675LT from Mclaren Scottsdale and they were great too deal with according to him. Much more inviting brand. If only I didn't grow up to believe Ferraris are the greatest cars in the world. Tough to shake our child hood beliefs
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      08-27-2017, 05:30 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JasH View Post
Thanks, and now I understand...and agree. Loud and roaring is fun, but gets old quickly on a long journey.

In fact on any journey over 20 minutes in my Lotus, I would use ear plugs

Ferrari, yes it is ridiculous. They seem to be under the impression that they are doing YOU a HUGE favour by taking £300k from you
Imagine you treated your customers in that manner? I wouldn't be in business long if I did. But Ferrari has that mystique.
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      08-29-2017, 11:55 AM   #14
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2.5 years and I'm keeping this car. My sentiments same.


Quote:
Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer View Post
The i8 is an exercise in compromise and
moderation. It is a bridge between all-petroleum based motivation and electricity. It gives us a glimpse of the future with cutting edge technologies. As a result, it is not a wholly satisfying vehicle, and yet it is a vehicle I have enjoyed for the last 3 years.
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      08-30-2017, 03:58 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07 View Post
... This is because it's not a car that excels in any one area but it's really good at a lot of things. ... It is however so planted. It's Comfortable. It's relatively quiet. The cabin is isolated. I can drive hours in the car and not feel tired. It has lots of sports car capabilities ... It really shines during road trips in my opinion. Its a car that basically does everything well. Fun to drive, you can use it everyday, looks to kill, good performance, sounds good (inside anyhow). It's just such a good car. ...
It is a great car. But you left out one thing: it does all of the above with economy that is unheard of in this general class of cars. And that is what the i8 does excel in. That is what makes it special.
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      09-08-2017, 08:07 AM   #16
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Agree 100% @Jo-Sta07 ... only had about 2k miles and 1.5 months of lease ownership (transfer from a friend). But having had a 997 Porsche GTS that was a true driver's car, the delta for me is the looks/styling of the BMW is better, but not the performance. AWD did help with the track day I did, but I think an Audi R8 would be a better blend -- but lacking technology, fuel economy, and in some ways, exclusivity (I've seen R8s around, not i8s!)
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      09-09-2017, 12:13 AM   #17
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Drove to Philly today. Rest stop was again me and the i8's worst enemy.
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