After a 2000ml road-trip in the McLaren 650S to S.France & back; is it staying or going?
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- I took my McLaren 650S on a 2000ml road trip across France to see how it performed as both a GT and driver's car. I also give my guide to the best back roads I know should you be driving to the S.France anytime soon.
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There’s something very life affirming about someone of Harry’s generation still getting such obvious pleasure out of checking out his dampers while he’s getting his tyres changed. Never change Harry….
To the power of 10.
Doesn't everyone do that?! The suspension is pretty special on a 650S after all..
@@harrysgarageI’d like to think so!
Lovely indeed. Never change
@@harrysgarage I thought I was the only one 😊
Some called Doug Demuro the grandfather of automotive youtube. I couldn’t let that stand and stood up for my man Harry. He’s been at this longer than anyone and still does it the best. Even after all these years, Harry is still the best
Even Doug would admit that Harry is better at it than him.
Doug would admit THIIIIIIS about most people anyway.
Nobody said that about Doug Demuro.
@@lenhister Doug Demuro said so almost himself, but mostly that he is viewed as the daddy to all current large US automotive channels.
Why would you care at all about this?
Where you parked in the gorge by that bridge Harry is exactly where we parked the last time in France with my late wife Libby, thanks so much for the memory Harry.
Did you have an ice-cream from the little café there too? We did!
@@harrysgarage I’m afraid not Harry, we had a day out exploring the area and just stopped off on our return to St Martine so I could take some pics of the bridge, it’s quite spectacular (I love bridges….).
What a lovely memory
@@dhdove I love bridges too. I'm glad it's not just me. I thought I might be uniquely weird.
@@PaulFellows3430 Fear not Paul, there’s even a word for us bridge lovers, “Pontists”.
My absolute favourite HG videos - made me bite the bullet and do 2000 miles down to Italy and back in my GT3 - best thing I’ve ever done in a car! Even bought the Michelin maps too 😎
992 gt3? How doable was that with road noise and high gearing? Would you do it again?
@@atom999 yes it was, Nottinghamshire to Lake Como in 6 days, 6 fill ups total. The Mrs didn’t complain either 👍🏼😎
@@simon737 Awesome 👏
Bite the bullet? You shouldn't have to do that. As a real car enthusiast you'd be chaffing at the bit to go and then just go.
@@gregsdreamtimechannel1842haha no I suppose not…so much so I’m off to Austria at the end of next month in it! 👌🏼😎🏔️ bullet bitten 😉
With you on paper maps Harry, long may they live on.
The only way I can fix myself in time and space is using a map.
Thanks King H.
I might get one. Or a 720.
*Youngsters today would have no idea to **_Read a Paper Map_** !*
When I was at school in Geography lessons, before we delved into the big bad world order at the time, we learnt how to read ordnance survey maps! great lessons learned. One never knows if and when the internet goes pop, we might have to know where it’s actually safe to walk…avoiding rioting scumbags these unhappy days. 😕
@@GrrMeisterI think most young people could read a paper map, but there’s no need when you have a more efficient map on your phone
Thanks for taking us along again, and kudos to Mrs. Metcalf, your patient cinematographer and confidant.
Harry is the reason Top Gear is defunct. His wonderful videos are like watching the motoring version of Grand Designs... Lovely, pretty unaffordable cars, but presented with such excellent journalism and enthusiasm, we forgot the price and instead just enjoy the cars with Harry. He's now essential Sunday evening viewing.
😂😂😂 yes, he's Kevin McCloud inCARnated.
Harry is like as if Jeremy Clarkson went to Oxford.
I couldn't agree more
Top Gear turned into Tiswaz. It just got ridiculous.
Props to Mrs. Metcalf for getting out on the roadside with 39°C outside to get us viewers those incredible passing shots, great video as always!
Love the Pirelli guy, so enthusiastic about the product ❤
What's with the Robert Downey Jr tattoo ?
@@GutenmorgensideI wondered who it was!😂
@@GutenmorgensideMy guess was Robbie Fowler
Charlie did his best to get a close up but I'm still none-the-wiser 😂
I wonder how effective the noise cancelling foam is in those new Pirellis
It's always a good day, when you see Harry has uploaded a road trip video 😊
2:30 - I love paper maps, Harry. I spent a few years rallying in Britain, Kenya, and Finland and, whether actually driving in an event, navigating, piloting a service barge, acting as a marshal, or stage-hopping as a spectator with a bunch of mates in a van, paper maps were essential.
Reading the contour lines gives a much better idea of what you're heading into than any number of GPS spot-readings.
The past is getting more appealing as the future rolls on.
@@andrewnevermind4902I'd say since 2012 this has been the case
Great, when did you race in Kenya? I used to follow the Safari rally
Exactly this. Me and my mate had a road trip from Scandinavia all the way down to the Italy (Maranello, Rimini). It was real PITA to navigate even with *preplanned* Google Maps / Ways -routes! Fortunately we had a Michelin "Tourist & Motoring Atlas ITALY" with us, made the journey at Italy so, so much more enjoyable. Than trying to plan things with your 5" mobile device screen which is constantly trying to alter the planned route + you can set only so many (7?) way points.
Paper maps FTW!
Another excellent video Harry, glad you're enjoying your McLaren.
I have some information on Electronic Stability Control operation on the 650S that I hope you find useful.
At 36:12 you mention no control of ESC. In Track handling mode, ESC is still in operation even though the slippery surface warning light is illuminated. You should feel assistance when pushing hard. To turn off ESC press and hold the ACTIVE button for 5 seconds, a warning message will be displayed in the left-hand display 'Confirm ESC Off'. To confirm the selection, press and hold the AERO and MANUAL buttons together for 5 seconds. The ESC OFF warning light illuminates and a confirmation message appears in the left-hand display. To reactivate ESC change the handling or powertrain setting or press the ACTIVE button. Enjoy!
So good to see you gushing about your 650s Spider, we need more positive comments about the brand rather than all the negative rubbish spouted online. They really are very special cars, so adaptable for cruising, track work or a fast drive out on your favourite roads. I've experenced my 600LT Spider fpr almost 5 years and 20k miles, never kept a car this long in 45 years of driving all sorts of stuff.
We love them, but those online comments are very scary!
Had my 600LT for 2.5 years , what an incredible car, driving dynamics are insane, used if on track and European trips 👍
I've had my 600LT since 2019. It has done 115,000 km. It has been fine as a daily and more reliable than the german cars i've owned.
Noooo, haha, keep them cheap!
Jeremy Vine??!! WTF Harry
The joy of unfolding your map on the hood of your McLaren to plan your route through France must be just be sublime.
Greatr Video, I live in France and yes, the rural roads are surprisingly empty compared with the UK. However you said the offical speed limit is 90kph, that might get you into trouble, the offical speed limit on rural roads (unless otherwise indicated) is 80kph and has been for a few years now, and I have the speding tickets to prove it. For anyother viewers the other thing to be careful of, because its not often signposted is that in urban areas the speed limits often go 70 kph, 50kpg, 30kph and the gendarmes can often be found with their speed guns at the entrance/exit into these villages especially. The best way to be safe is when in a village the 50kph limit starts the moment you go past the sign that tells you the name of the village. Hope that is useful, drive safe !!
This is what I like about Harry's road trips is that he actually drives the car the whole way there and back. He doesn't put the car on a transporter and meet it at the destination and then drive around the locality like some, oh no, he does the full trip. Good stuff:-)
Are you referring to shmee 150? He normally does that with more than one car while driving the other all the way 🤔
Yes, he does when necessary. He did exactly that a while back with the Countach on a similar trip. Sometimes it makes sense to keep the mileage low and avoid bad roads and drama in delicate cars. They also need to keep the mileage low, as he said in this video, to keep the insurance price down. 5k miles a year isn't a lot. Especially when you just bought a new car. But when you have a collection of 15 amazing cars and can drive 5k/year in each of them, it starts to make sense for a ridiculously low insurance price.
@@strawman3059 Nah. Wasn't referring to Shmee:-)
One of the best Harry's Garage video. Be great to have a note of the key stop over destinations and roads if you have the time.
Yes, this ^ 😎
Love it when the map comes out!! . A great trip and a great review. Thanks for the ride Harry!!!
Just watched it all with some astonishment... you took the route I take! I've done 5 variations on that empty area, had lunch in those forests, just stop where you can, and I have spent an hour on the side of the road eating lunch and perhaps one local car would pass by!
That area is a family favourite... now you've been and publicised it... "there goes the area" I suppose... lollers.
Brilliant, Harry. France, to me, is without doubt the most beautiful country to drive across. Done it many times, but not with the intimate knowledge you have. Thanks for the experience.
Pretty cool being able to set the car up for specific tyres!!
These videos are a great inspiration Harry! This year I did a trip through the south of France with my MR-2 ZZW30 and loved every minute of it. Having the paper map with scenic roads is great. With the MR-2 you can also enjoy the very tight, rough and narrow roads as visibility, suspension travel and ground clearance is plenty. Also did the route Napoleon! Best bit ended up a completely deserted road in the Ardeche up to Mont Gerbier de Jonc. Made up more than 30 minutes on a 2 hour Google Maps estimate, do not ask how. Having the paper map really helped us heading a little west when we drove from Lyon down to Arlès to find these great driving roads. We really enjoyed the historical towns of Arlès and Avignon. Thanks again for being such an inspiration!
Hi Harry, the area that you crossed from Chablis to Vichy is called "le Morvan". It's a highland, hilly country, with a lot of forests, and has always been bypassed by the main communication network throughout history, as the main highway from Paris to Lyon (and now the autoroute A6) avoid that difficult area. So yes, nowadays it's a fantastic place to go touring by car : a large variety of vistas, winding roads (but not too much) and not a lot of trafic.
These tour reviews are really excellent. I feel I learn a lot more about the cars - and the accommodation too!
you convinced me to buy a 650. I was deliberating for a long time. Many thanks! Great story!
As always with these road trips special thanks to Harrys better half for the beautiful footage . Top notch Mrs Metcalfe , Bravo !!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks Harry. You have just increased the value of my 650S by 20% 😊
Thanks Harry for the small chat in Goodwood speaking McLaren and allowing a selfie. Very kind and gentleman of you ! Regards
Fantastic video and it confirms what I know, (as I am lucky to own a 650S Spider myself) that pound for pound these cars are by far the best value supercar (with hypercar performance) available! It won’t surprise me now if prices take a jump as people see for themselves that Harry thinks he hit the bullseye when he bought his 650S. May you have many happy miles in it Harry 💜😍
Completely agree about the Michelin maps. Some wonderful journeys started with those spread out on the living room floor. Still a brilliant planning tool.
Still the Michelin 721 map (989 a few decades back) makes me nostalgic. I always enjoy making your route with that map. It is still the best in colour usage!
You’re out-nerding me on maps there but good to know I’m not the only paper map fan around these parts!
@@harrysgarage For 12 euros I can be nerdy. The cars are somewhat more expensive.... Enjoyed the roadtrip!
If they would invent a foldable weatherproof screen with a few feet in diameter weighting only an ounce which can last for years on a charge, I would quit using paper maps.
Nothing in sight so far ;-)
Nearly bought a 722 today but wanted a 721 because Harry has one. Does anyone know the difference?
These road trip videos are always amazing and this is one of the best ones! I love all the info/scenery and travel advice you present so clearly.
I hope to do a big road trip like that soon.
Also, paper maps are the best!
I love the way you always use a paper map to plan the main flow of your journey THEN add in Sat-Nav to cover the bits it does best.
The French road surfaces on minor roads always look smooth. Far better than typical British local roads at the moment.
Jayemms sam from stg take note this his why we tune into harrys garage because where not subjected to the same boring stuff think ive hd enough of ferraris and porsche to last a life time big thumbs up to harry always worth a sunday afternoon
I love STG but oh my lord his obsession with Ferrari & Porsche turn me away sometimes. We get it, they're very good, and he's of course free to make whatever content he likes. But maybe he should be wary his viewers might start getting tired of constant Porsche/Ferrari glazing
@@CB21001 Got tired of him a good while ago. Exactly what you said and unfortunately I tried his podcast....some truly awful takes, and lack of research/knowledge on there.
I'd say that's a bit harsh on Jayemm he reviews some quite interesting cars not all of them are Porsche and Ferrari’s like Sam from STG.
@@teabagtowers3823 Agreed, Jayeem sure owns plenty Ferrari's, but he makes an effort to find qualities in all of the wide variety of cars he reviews, even ratty old Rovers. Sam tends to just dump on anything other than Porsche/Ferrari, especially on the podcast
Jayemm 👍
Sam (stg), sadly not interested.
No malice intended
Thanks Harry for taking the time to share all of that. Im about to go and by myself a 720s.....!
I appreciate Harrys map talk on his trips, somthing very life afirming about it.
Harry’s garage at its very best, proper driving, great reviews, proper stunning roads and journey we could all (sort of) replicate. Would love to take my JCW MINI convertible down this route, I just know it would be a riot….
Next time you are at the Lac de Sainte-Croix (where you stopped at Gorges du Verdun), I can thoroughly recommend going south to Aups, and turning left out of village to head to Tour Tour, the village in the sky. Lovely route, well worth it for the views. Love your videos both cars and farming. Thank you for sharing such real pleasure in what you do.
I have a Viola Metallic GT4 RS and just completed 4000km across Europe and missed that Lavender region. The 650S is such a great car, I had one for 18 months. The suspension makes it the perfect car to take on a road trip. Much better set up to the Sports Series.
Jermy vile on the radio dear oh dear Harry,love the new car and I love your road trips! You are the Master!
Lol. You would think Harry wouldn't listen to the enemy.
Jimmy Young was far better than Jeremy Vile will ever be. I still miss him. RIP. "This is J.Y. saying BYE for now..."
I simply can not get enough of your road trips Harry.
Thank you for your work also Mrs M.
Harry, your Road Trips, especially those in any McLaren, are my favorite UA-cam “vehicle review” videos. This one is Exceptional for the Beauty of Rural France in July driven Top Down. Keep up the Incredible work!
Wowsers. What a car, what a trip. Love the colour. I initially thought it was black but then saw the light hit it. Beautiful. Those roads are fabulous. I used to live in Belgium and quite often the missus and I would shoot off for the weekend and find roads like this in our 695 Tributo Ferrari. Great times great memories. Glad you had a nice holiday. See you back at work in Harry's Farm.
I do love Harry's films when they start with a map. So much better than any hybrid review.
Harry, loved the 650s amidst the lavender countryside! Henri Matisse smiling on you 😊
Thanks for the journey.
A great road trip really good. I’m quite an old wrinkly now and have used paper maps all my life, can’t beat ‘em.
These "adventures" of Harry's are the best. So well produced and interesting. Thanks, Harry!
The Man
The Automobile
The Journey
Keep on driving Harry. Thanks!
Thanks for once again bringing us allonge on your adventures. And a big thanks to your better half for all the camera work! She is a werry patient one.
There is something cool about the older Mclarens that have the AC controls on the doors
Espace IV got there first ;)
>something cool about AC controls
i see what you did there
You are a fountain of information Harry! Phenomenal car, advice on map reading, tyres, travel and everything else in between. Looked like a glorious trip what an inspiration!
My favourite type of content from HG, great video, always makes me feel good watching Mr M. I bought a 600LT and sold it after a year - I should have got a 650S with hindsight! Better value for money.
*What a delight to enjoy roads like that, very rare to be able to do that in the UK !*
22:00 I like that Harry wears a watch on each wrist. Because Harry is the kind of cat who always knows what time it is!
That is the holy grail of drivers' cars Harry. A GT to get you there and a light, playful, eager sports car at the press of a button. Always thought the concept behind MP4-12C was spot on and your 650S does it all better, especially the Spider. Enjoy and stick the extra miles on the insurance. It sounds like it's a keeper anyway.
Harry is my life goal. Building a life that I can just take my son/wife on road trips in cool cars.
Great video. Watched it while eating lunch and Harry kept me company with his travel tale and exotic car review. Great marks for Charlie too, if he is the one that films and edits most or all of this. Harry & team really know how to present in numerous formats and I'm glad that he continues to do it and that he didn't stop after his time with Evo.
@@yossarian3 I belive the additional filming and the drive by's on the trip is done by Mrs Metcalfe. Many thanks Mrs M👍🏽
This is such a great endorsement for picking the right car, even when it costs a bit more. Absolutely perfect.
The way you revealed your road trip to me , both joyfully reminded me of, and confirmed, my choice of my 3rd car as being wonderful.
My budget is probably less than 1/10th of yours, so I am limited to an old Alpina B3 Biturbo Cabriolet (E93) --- but I do have the same euphoria when we do a road trip -- Thankyou for reminding us how good it all is. :)
There’s not many channels I like more than yours Harry. Informative, entertaining, interesting and well put together. It now makes me want to buy a McLaren and do that exact journey. It all looked brilliant. Many thanks. 😎👍👌
I also still carry a Michelin Europe map, but more as a backup. Michelin also has a great (free) app for planning road trips, which mentions the same "green line" touristic routes. You can navigate with it in "Discovery" mode and it will plan the destination with as much of those scenic routes as possible. I've used it a lot, but prefer Calimoto nowadays.
Harry,
Thank you for showing us parts of France I had not seen before.
We have been through the Loire Valley, but not the areas around.
Interesting conclusion about the McLaren, but any new (to you) car or other stuff only becomes familiar with use and time spent living with it.
Glad that you are happy overall with the car. It is a heck of a car, but for most of us we will never get to experience it, to live with.
Thank you for 'biting the bullet' for the rest of us!
Great to see you having a great road trip in the new steed. Take care, hope Mrs M is well 👍
Harry, thanks for all the great videos through the years; here or on the farming channel. Love your stile of presenting, your English and they joy you bring.
Have fun, be well! Greetings from Belgium.
Love these videos, and love your paper maps helping us figure it out. I've followed a number of your trips and they've been great. Thank you.
Watching this at 20.35 and love the fact Harry still uses maps as I do. I also have the same map. You get so much information from them.
Vintage Harry’s Garage, interesting car, fantastic journey through France and very well informed commentary as usual… 💯
I have been kayaking in the gorge du Verdon, it is one of the most beautiful, spectacular places I have ever been to! Utterly breathtaking! Discovering it was another moment of realising how much I didn’t know about France, and its sheer size.
God I’d love a holiday! Kudos to Harry for his regular vacations, possibly the last generation to experience this.
Your road trips to France are great, and I’m going there in your foot steps next spring with the Michelin map!! Bravo Harry and looking forward to the next Rd trip.
Go you! Allez 😄
Another great video Harry; one thing! pulling out of your first nights digs it sounded like a bag of spanners [don't worry both my sylva and RS twingo do the same when cold] at the end of your round up towards the videos end you pulled back in to your "gaff" tickled the throttle and it just sounded beautiful...we are lucky to have someone with access to these cars and their delights who ALSO shares the experience like this. Thank You.
To me, the McLaren is the supercar that I would buy if circumstances permitted.
Great video and you clearly love it!
Back in the 1980's we followed an Arthur Eperon guide book (was a BBC series) thro' France non-autoroute all the way (in a mk1 Golf Gti) - spent a week going down, a week on the coast, and a week coming back (twice).
Gorgeous holidays 😁.
Of course we only stayed in 2* hotels, but the food was always good 😂.
Your trip brought back memories 😀.
Gorgeous car and scenery
Love the sound of that McLaren
Another great video has always harry charlie and family 👍
Worth the wait Harry I do love a good road trip. That colour definitely pops.
Harry, thank you for showing us the McLaren and taking us with you on this incredible and lovely road trip. The engine sound was gorgeous and hypnotic! Our favorite videos of your car channel are the travel vlogs, no question! Thank you and God bless, you are a gentleman sir.🙏🏻🏁
30:20 that zoom is insane
Chap on the road noticed it too
Just reaffirms what a great mix, Harry and a great car and the majesty of France, with a Michelin paper map ...great entertainment and plenty of facts and honest opinion,,,Bravo
Great video! Takes me back to a trip through the same regions of France in 2018. A cheeky late evening drive to the summit of Ventoux was particularly memorable. The 650s is a fantastic car.
I've spent some hours today continuing the mission to try to tame my garden, so it was great to have this video to enjoy this evening. Loved the trip, and will take notes about this route for the future.
Have boated in the Gorges du Verdon with the children and there are many beautiful villages in that area. As you say, not all driving roads but spectacular region of France. Thanks for the great video again Harry!
Another brilliant road trip video.
Love that McLaren
Thanks Harry. 👍
Great video Harry, one of the best I think, certainly one of the ones I've been most jealous of 🙂!
Love the dampers! Impressive that a McLaren did so well as a grand tourer!
Blasting along empty french roads in a Mclaren with the top down, sounds great!
Wish planners would have an "avoid motorways" or "senic" option (as well as a prioritise motorways for an experience I had in the snow once!)
An absolutely epic video. Many thanks Harry.
Thank you for the trip. I've always found France without the French to be rather beautiful.
You always make such fantastic videos Harry, with help from Charlie of course. These videos are a Sunday viewing routine. Thanks for making them, always wonderfully informative.
Im in France now, Harry. First night was in Hotel de France. Wow. Then I discovered some deserted roller coaster roads just south of Saumur. Wow!
I’ll be doing exactly that in 3 weeks😊
@@stevetremlett7917 Good man, enjoy! The D145 out of Saumur is a sweetie!
I thoroughly enjoy your scenic road trips. I'll probably never get to Europe, but your trips almost put me there because your videos are so entertaining and informative.
Stayed in that hotel on one of our road trips........very nice and, i have to say , i am now addicted to chablis wine
Oh dear oh dear Harry, you perfectly nailed it with yet a brilliant video of cars of the utmost desire. Well done old chap!
Thanks Harry for bringing us along
Brilliant video Harry and your childlike car enthusiast continues to shine through! Couldn’t believe watching this back that I may have been one of those motorhomes you overtook around the lavender region heading down to the Verdon Gorge. Went through from Sault and stayed on the banks of the lake by the gorge/river for a few nights on a family holiday, distinctly remember a dark McLaren blasting past. Epic area and some fantastic roads.
We had so many good times in our 12C on the same routes, D996 / Verdon Gorge / Route Napoleon down to Antibes. So glad you are enjoying the 650s they are terrific. The TC isnt all off in track / track. If you press the 2 buttons (manual & aero) for 2 or so seconds you will get a dash warning telling you its all off then. You still have TC in track/track. The 675LT and 720s have esc dyn, which is an amazing setting and creates real witch craft. Unfortunately the 650s pre dates it. Crazy to think 10 years old and still 100% relevant performance.
What we need is a hack to retrofit ESC DYN on 650S / 12C. Maybe the boys at V Engineering could figure it out. Should be possible as just software
@@auto_stable If anyone can make them look into it you can 🙂 I think they can do car play now on the IRIS for about £1k too? My 12C was my favourite touring car, the P11 platform is so good. Just a shame a band of negative youtubers stole all its limelight back in the day and 'real' owners opinions were ignored. Its time has come. Ben mentioned he was behind Harry on the tunnel coming back and said he was very 'chatty' about the car. Glad he's enjoying it. Need to see yours soon?
I’ve owned a 12C spider for 4 years, amazing car and trips.
You were always one of the very few commenters that defended this model from the overly negative comments on YT, much appreciated!
I do the same and won’t give up, because the trash you get from the Porsche or Ferrari lovers is simply ungrounded as they most likely never owned a Macca.
However, the UK has many more options to buy and maintain these super cars, compared to EU in general. So IMHO outside the UK any McLaren is usually overpriced or badly maintained and the risk for bad surprises does go up ;(
@mich5528 so pleased you are enjoying your 12C. I almost bought another! They are amazing 👏🏻
Really entertaining and well put together episode, what a life Harry has.👍👋
Wish I had a cool dad like Harry
Excellent job Harry and support crew.
Big Francophile here and loved watching it.
Thanks for the effort put in, to the M clan
I bought a pair of socks yesterday, I'm still undecided to keep them
Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant! Love a Harry's road trip, I've sat the family down to watch this on the big telly 😂 inspiring stuff and a great motor to do it in 👍
The ghost bezel on your Master II can only be an authentic result of the road-trips to the South of France 👌🏻😎
Ha! you're probably right. I nearly got it swapped for a new one but then learnt it was quite cool to have a faded bezel, so I didn't bother. Rarely do I rate as being 'cool' so I have to take it when I can!
@@harrysgarageI also have a faded Pepsi myself and it’s one of my favourite watches 😍
Thanks for bringing us along Harryand crew ;) Always enjoy the roadtrip videos