Most of us will never know what it’s like to order a supercar. Thankfully, we have collector extraordinaire Jay Leno to share the process. Leno is the proud owner of a 2012 McLaren MP4-12C, and he recently discussed how he went about buying his new toy.
Leno says that normally, acquiring the latest exotic can be annoying. Sales associates want to tell you that the car is sold out while also pushing options you may or may not need. Not so with McLaren.
When Leno ordered his MP4-12C, he simply phoned the McLaren office and went through the options list. When doing so, he found a refreshing level of honesty in the person helping him buy the car. Leno said he wanted the carbon ceramic brakes, and the sales associate asked whether Jay would be tracking the car or not. Leno said no, and the salesperson told him he wouldn’t need the ceramics, then, as the standard steel brakes were cheaper, lighter and very effective. The associate also informed Leno that the carbon fiber interior accents were merely decorative and offered no weight savings, helping Jay save even more on the bottom line.
All told, it seems Jay Leno is just as smitten with the car as he with McLaren’s operation as a whole. The MP4-12C will occupy a space in Leno’s giant garage, positioned, we assume, right next to the McLaren F1 he already owns. Before purchasing the MP4-12C, however, Leno took a trip to Woking to see how the car is made.
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