| Author | Message | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2475 Registered: 9-2001 |
Steve, I don't blame you as I always call a flatbed rather than a tow truck too. | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 102 Registered: 5-2002 |
Had an 88 1/2 Countach. The car never came close to a tow truck. No problems with electronics either. It had the original clutch and the engine was never out of the car. Paint was original and very well done. I had a custom exhaust and the sound from this thing was incredible. My only complaint about the Countach is headroom, since I am 6'3". The Boxer is also a very nice machine and I have actually thought about buying one. Keep in mind that any of these cars are older now and might need some upkeep. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2467 Registered: 9-2001 |
I have a 1982 BB512i and love it. It's fast enough for the street, looks great and sounds WONDERFUL. The prices are low right now too. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 716 Registered: 9-2002 |
Ralph, I can tell you some NSX stories... | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 613 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thats intelligent. Would you say that quality control is at an all time high when comparing a 85 308 to a new 360? | ||
| Gabe V (Racerxgto)
Junior Member Username: Racerxgto Post Number: 62 Registered: 4-2003 |
I have never read experiences of a Countach bashed so elequently!  That was very good reading! Sports Car International said it all in their Mercialago issue, "Quality control from Lamborghini is at its all time high with the release of the Mercialogo" | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Junior Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 203 Registered: 3-2002 |
Alot of this depends on "individual" cars. It depends also on what you got from the factory. Some years are better than others. Positively. Some sub-contractors produce better equipment than others. One small example ~ The first C/T's had Stewart Warner gauges. The cars were later switched to Jaeger gauges. Girling brakes were introduced with the car only to be replaced later on with ATE. Obviously there were other ( internal ) parts that were switched from one manufacturer to another. And you all know that two identical cars on "paper" with the same test driver will probably run different times when racing against the clock. Magazines always have different times when recording cars abilities. Again alot depends on what you get when you unwrap your prize. Perhaps Tony was in a good mood when he made your car ? Maybe Italy did good in the World Cup when your car was made! Lambo is not JUST style. They have made some cars that do not just scream when you see them. Jarama 350 / 400 GT + others. Each marque has owners that have good and bad stories to tell. Lets here some bad stories about an NSX. | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 612 Registered: 6-2002 |
I dont think so. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2639 Registered: 2-2001 |
Now obviously the Boxer wont be as worry free as a Honda Civic but I think maintenance & mechanical worries will be less with the Boxer than the Countach | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2638 Registered: 2-2001 |
I'm in the Lambo club & I'm complaining about the lousy job they did on electronics. In general Lambo has great designs, great engines, but Ferrari kicks their butt in details that Lambo just couldnt afford to do until recently now that they have Audi/VW Deutsch Marks. Back in the pre Audi days when you bought a Lambo you were buying a 95% finished car. You signed on to become a test driver, mechanic, engineer & finish the last 5% LOL | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 611 Registered: 6-2002 |
I agree that a clutch change on a Countach is more expensive than a Boxer. But if you know how to drive, it will last forever. I had absolutely no problems with the electrical system on my car, nor does anyone in the Lambo club complain about theirs. Brakes are no worse than a Boxers. | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Member Username: Modman Post Number: 641 Registered: 11-2001 |
Just get a late model car for reliability purposes. I'm getting fed up with car problems in general, it reminds me of the Fiat days and hope to never see it again. I am really surprised my Lambo has no problems at all even through hard driving and high speeds. The car has 26K miles on the clock and has been reliable so far and since owning it all I did was change fluids. I wish my former Ferrari could have done that for me but the car was old, oh well... | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2636 Registered: 2-2001 |
I have an 86 Countach QV I can guarantee you that repair bills on the Boxer will be MUCH lower!!! On the boxer to change the clutch all you do is open the rear clamshell & maybe remove it & the clutch is right there. On the Countach you have to remove the engine AND the transmission through the engine cover. Its sort of like pushing an angry Rotweiler through a mail slot The Countach has great power, lousy brakes, good suspension but you cant see any apexes out the windows. The Countach is also a horror story as far as electronics | ||
| Scott85 (Scott85)
Junior Member Username: Scott85 Post Number: 89 Registered: 12-2000 |
The Febuary 1982 issue of Road & Track compares both the 512 & Countach . | ||
| David Edward Carden (Dacycar)
New member Username: Dacycar Post Number: 8 Registered: 6-2003 |
I have a friend who has both a Coutach and 512BB, I'll contact him, see if he can help you. For me I would go with 512BB my preference the Fuel Injected version. Also if you are over 6 foot forget the Coutach, unles you want a stiff neck. | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 201 Registered: 2-2003 |
I know JRV has a customers boxer for sale. Check the V-12 Ferrariads.com. | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Junior Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 200 Registered: 3-2002 |
I do not think either of these cars have a rust problem. James -NOTHING rusts in Arizona. Even a Pantera or old pickup. The C/T is aluminum over birdcage with some fiberglass/kevlar. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1647 Registered: 10-2002 |
I think Alan makes some good points. One thing I would keep in mind is that a car from Alan's neck of the woods (Arizona) is a better bet than one that comes from New England. Rust esp. in a 30 year old car can be a IMHO deal breaker. I think that upgrades that keep the essential nature of these cars but makes them more useable is a very good idea. | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 610 Registered: 6-2002 |
87 Countach, 70,000+km on original clutch, motor had never been out of car, only services consisted of one valve adjustment, and oil changes. Had it for 3 years, never one problem. I agree on it being alittle harder to drive, blind spots you get used to, performance better than even later Ferraris. Today, there are many improvements that can be made to both cars. Modern day electronic fuel injection, distributorless ignitions, a/c improvements, etc. I had all fitted to my Countach, and the difference in performance and fuel economy was night and day. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1131 Registered: 11-2002 |
Keep in mind the available cars. The Countach came in all different kinds of trim levels throughout its life. The 512 had the BB and BBi. Just make sure you compare apples to apples when it comes down to some saddle time. I'm guessing the values are going to be all over the place in these quasi-classic cars. Condition of the car, history and all that are going to spread the conceived value throughout a broad range. Cheers | ||
| Russ Turner (Snj5)
Junior Member Username: Snj5 Post Number: 187 Registered: 2-2003 |
A contemporary side by side comparison of a Countach S and BB appeared in the Feb 1982 Road and Track. This article and other Boxer tests are available in the collection 'Road and Track - On Ferrari 1981 - 1984' available at on-line or other bookstores. hope this helps rt | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1645 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ken IMHO neither of these vehicles are cars in the traditional sense. They are wonderful but quite different mechanical devices that will both give you great enjoyment if you are willing to put up with their fobiles and not expect them to be a grocery getter. The BB is a little more user friendly but the CT is a bit more out there with the good and bad that that entails. Never fall in love with a car from a picture. As the Contessa warned me: "It's the same with a beautiful woman, you must put a few miles on her before you know for sure." After spending some time with one and the other you will know. I drove a CT from LA to Vegas once, I can still feel the desert night blowing by 30 years later... | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Junior Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 193 Registered: 3-2002 |
Dear Ken: I know an owner who recently had "both" cars in his collection for years. He recently sold me his C/T QV in April. He was the original owner of "both" a 512 BBI and C/T QV for (many) years. This has to be "the" guy to talk to about the two cars pros and cons. As of the beginning of May 03 he still had his Red/Tan 83 BBI forsale. Original owner/books, tools, and records. - low miles Jeff- you make the C/T sound like a horror story. I do not see it that way. The car has a bad blind spot. It can be overcome to some degree. A full size F-150 mirror can be cut to size and put on the small passenger side mirror to help with lane changes. Their is also a small fiber optic camera you can use to help with lane changes; if you need extra help. If all else fails make a lane change after passing someone and seeing their headlights appear in the rear view mirror. As far as the clutch and gym style workouts I have yet to experience that. The clutch is stiff. I do not see it "that" much as a bother. It is not like shifting my 5 speed Corolla though. The heel toe setup is too close for easy agressive driving. I have heard this was a problem with other early GT cars of the era. My car has 9.6K Kilo's on the clock. The original owner told me that the car still has the original clutch. He lives around the hills of San Jose. The factory paint is decent and consistent as far as quality. I have seen better jobs on a used Lexus. But that goes for both marques. That is the price for a hand-made Italian car. The car is a built with quality materials throughout. Perhaps some years were built with better materials and build quality ? The later C/T cars have much improved ventalation. You can also modify the AC to bring it close to modern (Toyota) standards. Jeff I have just touched on the cars attributes that you feel are quite inferior. The car has many superb characteristics that I have not mentioned. ~ Engine, large tires, style, sound, retaining its value etc.... NONE of these fun GT (street) cars are racing cars. ( Boxer, C/T, TR ) etc.... The technology today has improved the GT cars tremendously. Choose whatever flavor makes you happy. P.S. Ken call me next week if you want to check on the availability of the Boxer and or talk with the owner about the two rival cars abilities. I will give you my # if you need it. Ralph | ||
| Tony Roberts (Pantera)
Junior Member Username: Pantera Post Number: 161 Registered: 6-2003 |
If you buy a countach most of it's time on the road will be on a tow truck going from your home to the mechanic! | ||
| jeff ryerson (Atheyg)
Member Username: Atheyg Post Number: 289 Registered: 8-2002 |
Most of the owners of Lambos I talked to say if you want attention the Countach is it but thats all they are good for, to sit and look at it with the doors up, you want something to drive get a Ferrari I am not trying to bash them but this is the info I have learned while researching a potential purchase. The windshield is at such a rake you see ghosts of the dash and can't see very well out of it,you also cant see forward from the hood and fender shape,rear vision? forget it. The A/C is pathetic, the drivers compartment is hot and muggy,fresh air? forget it the windows roll down 2",1st gear is tall so if you live in an area with hills or slip the clutch you'll be lucky to get 1500 miles out of one,$5000 replacement. Parts are outrageous and hard if not impossible to find for some, they are delicate and unreliable most need work as they have alot of issues particularrly with electrics, I asked Al Bertoni ( a well know Lambo guru)what issues they have he said "everything". Paintwork is also very inconsistent with bubbles and flaws through-out. Some posters on other sites (Lambo) say its a mans car, well if they mean the clutch is stiff,its hot and muggy inside, bad A/C, stiff steering,impossible to see out of I guess so | ||
| Ken Ross (Kdross)
Member Username: Kdross Post Number: 370 Registered: 2-2002 |
I have always wanted a Lambo Countach since I was little. They are by far the most exotic looking car ever made. With that said, they are not the most enjoyable car to drive and the repair bills are horrendous. However, I still want one. This may very well be an example of "be careful what you wish for because you may get it". The other car I have looking at purchasing (if I can ever locate a nice clean car without any stories) is a Ferrari BB512 Boxer. How do these two cars compare in terms of performance, reliability, and maintenance? Do any Fchat members own both or care to comment on these two cars? Thanks. Ken |