Why My Porsche-Loving Husband Doesn’t Drive a Supercar – What We Learned from Owning a McLaren 650S

Thoughts after owning a McLaren 650S.

Actually, my husband once owned a McLaren 650S. (This one ↓)

“If you weren’t interested in supercars, why did you buy it?” I asked. He said he was curious because McLaren had a great brand image and many magazines praised its “comfortable ride!” in test drives.

But on the very first day he drove it, he said “The claim that McLaren rides comfortably is a lie! The Lamborghini Huracán and Ferrari 488 are way easier and more comfortable to drive!” (laughs)

Compared to the old image of Spartan supercars, these newer ones are easier to drive, so maybe that’s why those reviews exist. But after comparing three cars—the Lamborghini Huracán, Ferrari 488, and McLaren 650S—all on the same day with friends who own the first two, the McLaren was the most tiring to drive.

Why the McLaren 650S is tiring

When I asked, “Why is it so tiring?”, my husband said this at the time:

Well, first of all, it’s the engine noise. When stuck in traffic idling, it feels like you’re stuck at a construction site all the time.

I also rode shotgun a few times and once drove it on the Royu Driveway and Hanshin Expressway, and the noise was definitely tiring. It wasn’t a sharp, explosive roar but a dull sound that clung to your ears. When I got out, I couldn’t help but think, “Finally free from that noise (゜o゜).”

The handling was incredibly sharp and fun—something I’d never experienced before—but the brakes were way too heavy, which might make it hard for women to drive.

He also said things like,

It feels like you’re driving right on the road surface, which is tiring. McLaren doesn’t have weird shocks, but Ferrari and Lamborghini feel smoother.

and,

It turns sharply at intersections, but the steering wheel doesn’t self-center well, so that’s tiring too.

However, on the other hand,

I think McLaren is an amazing car for the track. It’s very athletic and super fun. But not really a car for everyday use. Well, that’s just personal preference—some will love it, some won’t.

He said.

What does my husband want from a car?

My husband is not only a car lover but also loves driving, so he said cars that “make you want to drive but you can’t drive long or feel stressed” just don’t suit him. He wants both “the car itself to be attractive” and “everyday drives to be enjoyable.”

From that perspective, Porsche can be called a sports car that satisfies both. In fact, the Porsche Principal (a booklet mailed after purchasing a Porsche) says this:

There is no other sports car that lets you go shopping right after racing at the Nürburgring. Even if the number of passengers varies, Porsche creates just one thing: a sports car to enjoy every day.

Makes sense. So, I guess my husband probably won’t ever buy a supercar again. ^^