| Author | Message | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member Username: Whart Post Number: 179 Registered: 12-2001 |
Ditto that... al had a periscope roof lp400 that he had restored; was gorgeous; only problem: it felt too claustrophobic for me. Th euro QV (carb'd) is the other one, yes? If i lived anywhere near big al, i would seriously consider one, cause i too love those beasts (sans fins, and all the other stuff, please). | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1136 Registered: 2-2001 |
I seriously doubt a Diablo is any more reliable. Listen to my advice since I earned this experience the hard way. Call AL Burtoni at Milano Imports, tell him u want a really nice sorted COuntach & if he says he will charge u $1,000 or even $3,000 to check the car for you, do it, cus it'll be 1 of the best bargains u ever got. So u buy a Countach from AL for $85k or so & u dont have to do the $40k rebuild for a Long time | ||
| Brad Beutlich (Brad)
New member Username: Brad Post Number: 13 Registered: 3-2001 |
Someone help me out here. I too have loved the Countach for many years and have been watching with great interest the decline in prices for this great car. If it would cost $50K to go through a Countach so that it's reengineered and reliable, would a Diablo be a better buy? As I track it, a Countach is selling for between $60K and $90K. Adding $50K to these prices and you're at $110K - $140K. You can get an early Diablo for those prices. Adding to this conversation, is a Diablo, without reengineering, a more reliable exotic than the Countach? | ||
| Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Junior Member Username: Deleteall Post Number: 70 Registered: 12-2001 |
Makes one long for the quality of a Kit Lambo. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1134 Registered: 2-2001 |
Al rebuilt my engine & trans & suspension for a mere $50k, thats why I'm saying that u HAVE to go over these or any exotic with a fine tooth comb before putting down your $. I didnt on this Countach cus I had such a woodie for th car & I had to poay to restore it but hell, now I have 1 of the best Countaches on the planet, she just needs a little paint & interior work & she'll b far better than new. Al Made me some headers too, cant wait. I asked him to make me an exhaust with no muffler but he just laughed | ||
| Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
Member Username: 4re308 Post Number: 460 Registered: 6-2001 |
Allow me to chime in here. I have merely driven 3 Countachs, and I absolutely LOVE the cars. Sure they are expensive to own, all exotic automobiles are to some extent. If you can even THINK about owning a Countach, then you probably will not have that much sticker shock from parts. Do you know what I mean? The Countach has been a favorite of mine since I can remember, hell I was 2 years old when they came out!! Driving a Countach is a neat experience. They sound outrageous and look remarkable. To me, it was one of the best handling cars around. You had to muscle the car around corners, but it just felt cool. Toss in some nice torque and it was a fun car. The cabin is very small, but intimate and not so claustrophobic as you would think. The steering is heavy, and the clutch is herculean. But hey, its a Countach. The ride is not that bad. I totally agree with WIlliam, you need to talk to Al Burtoni, he has been playing with Lambos for a long time. I remember Al Burtoni did a black/tan Countach for some guy, with a fire belching Bertone racing exhaust and all kinds of engine work. He said the car could accelerate from 0-60 in 3.0 seconds! I just wanna HEAR THAT!! To conclude, I want a Countach before I take the dirt nap. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1133 Registered: 2-2001 |
Eric, if u really want a Countach then I would highly advise u to Only buy from Al Burtoni & tell him u want a car that is already well sorted out. Good Luck | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Junior Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 215 Registered: 11-2001 |
William: I've been waiting with great anticipation for you to chime-in with your personal Countach ownership experience / opinions - thanks! I've seen a pic awhile back of your black Lambo QV -- it's absolutely awsome! I've wanted one of these for years, and would love to own a well-sorted out QV model someday soon. Have you decided yet whether or not to send your interior off to the factory for recovering? I also appreciate and respect all of the opinions concerning the problem areas with ownership -- they have been very enlightening. Was discussing this with my wife the other night. So, as it stands, it's a toss up between a Testarossa or a Countach. She obviously favors the TR (more "practical" she said). I guess it will boil down to the cost factors of ownership / maintenance, when the time comes to decide / test drive. I'm only about 5'10" also (the wife is under 5'0"), so climbing into a Lambo should not be a big problem either. Keep those Lambo opinions coming -- they're very helpful. Post more pics if you'd like, too  . | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1132 Registered: 2-2001 |
HA, Ive had a few flat bed experiences no fires yet though. The problem with Lambos is that they never had the $ to do proper testing nor did they have the $ to go over the details like Ferrari does, never mind perfect quality like the Japanese. So basically the owner becomes the cars test driver. Ive had people fix lots of little things that Lambo overlooked, most important was that Al Burtoni rebuilt the engine & trans. Biggest electrical problem is that u have far too many junctions on too few relays, You really have to have a good meachnic add more relays & fuses & a bigger generator to keep the elictrical gremlins at bay | ||
| Tino (Bboxer)
Junior Member Username: Bboxer Post Number: 56 Registered: 8-2001 |
I never hesitate telling my Countach story because I still feel stupid having gone thru it. After many years of hesitation and pressure from a friend who was/is a chassis designer at Lambo, I bought my new 1988 Countach in Feb 89. I sold it in Feb 92 with about 2,500 miles on the clock, four flat-bed reciepts, three fires (one fuel and two electricals) and more embarrassment than I've ever had. A true bad ownership experience. | ||
| www.SuperCasinoNet.com (Supercasinonet)
New member Username: Supercasinonet Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2002 |
Thanks William I stand corrected, so its $12,000 every 10,000 miles another bargain. Ha Ha By the way William you have the Countach to own the QV, its got the power and then some. Robert www.SuperCasinoNet.com | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1131 Registered: 2-2001 |
There were only 2500 Countaches ever built from 1970 till the last 1 in 1990 I believ so its far more rare than a Testarossa, of which Ferrari built like 14,000. Also every teenager since 1970 has dreamed of owning a Countach. It is THE Supercar as far as the public is concerned. The styling is still far advanced, it is a timeless classic. If the Countach never existed before & Lambo built a modern car with Countach looks the world would b just as awed as it was in 1970 cus the styling is still SO out there. BTW SUpercasino, its about $6,000 for a clutch job every 5,000 miles or less | ||
| Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Junior Member Username: Deleteall Post Number: 68 Registered: 12-2001 |
With the problems so well documented, and the cars apparently not easy to sell, how come they keep selling for so damn much then? Is it because there are always enough people out there willing to pay the premium that prices havn't fallen. Questions, thoughts, comments? | ||
| www.SuperCasinoNet.com (Supercasinonet)
New member Username: Supercasinonet Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2002 |
I love the Countach but with all the downsides I will pass on it. $10,000 clutch chenge every 10,000 miles not to mention the electic board you will have to replace. You will also not get much driving time with them as they are always in the shop and I am not kidding about it. Try the Diablo as you can at least use it as an everyday driver as long as it is a 94' and up model. Yes you will always have to deal with the clutch change but it is not as bad as the Countach. Good luck Robert www.SuperCasinoNet.com | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1128 Registered: 2-2001 |
I own an 86 Countach 5000QV, its THE Countach too own cus it had the most power, most aggresive looks. Mine is black with gold wheels & cream interior & Man is she fast, in a straight line at least shes a killer The maintenance is quite high so get ready. Also you absolutely MUST have one gone over tooth & comb before agreeing to buy cus parts r astronomically high. No mechanic inspection no purchase, also of course u must test drive it. I am 5'10" if u r over 6' the only way u will fit is if u remove the seat & sit on the floor Al Burtoni in Gilroy Ca owns Milano Imports & he is the BEST Lambo guy in the US, maybe the world, I would highly advise you asking him to find a car for u & inspect it. Good luck. I'll give u mine if u give me an F40 | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
Member Username: Richelson Post Number: 644 Registered: 12-2001 |
Are there any Countach tech sites? I have been wanting to read about them. | ||
| Michael Fennell (Mfennell70)
New member Username: Mfennell70 Post Number: 37 Registered: 7-2001 |
Here's a number to ponder: $7000. That seems to be the concensus price for a new clutch on a Countach. FWIW, I've heard they can be just fine once they've been thoroughly gone over by one of the few and far between experts. One of the guys on the yahoo lamborghini-info group said he spent about $25k with Wil DeGroot making his Countach right. Ouch. But what price love, right? | ||
| Steve Will (V10_nut)
New member Username: V10_nut Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2002 |
Several years ago a dealer in Maryland told me "the only two things you need to own a Countach are a big checkbook and a good sense of humor". The Countach was a very ambitious car for a reletively small company to build. Radical from the ugly U.S. bumpers to the exhaust tips. It's a great car but it is what it is. Rough riding, heavy steering and shifting, bad A/C, etc. these are all part of what makes it unique. And when you drive one the experience isn't like any other Italian example. When the engine fires you could be blind folded at 100 yards and know exactly what kind of car it is. This is definately not a car for everybody, but if you've done your research and understand what to expect and you can live with the negatives then go for it. | ||
| Richelson (Richelson)
Member Username: Richelson Post Number: 569 Registered: 12-2001 |
I think they look great too. I have heard lots of negatives about them though from many owners. I have heard that the clutches can go in 5000 miles, Also the clutch requires engine removal and they tend to have serious electrical problems. The steering is suppose to require lots of effort and the visibilty in the cockpit is poor. I have also heard that the ride is quite rough. The belts are in the rear though so, that makes belt changing and access. items easier to get to. The ventilation isn't the best either. Plus, they look great, sound great. My favorite Lambo. On the other hand my friend owns one and really loves it. His has been very reliable. | ||
| Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Junior Member Username: Deleteall Post Number: 51 Registered: 12-2001 |
I have no personal knowledge of them other than short term experiences(free rides, etc.). I can tell you I was looking at one in Springfield, MO (fairly well-known dealership only deals in high-end cars, mostly exotics) talking to the salesman and he basically said they suck. He'd worked there a while so he actually had experience with them and since he was already letting me sit in it, he didn't have anything to gain by lying to me. He wasn't completely down on them though, his point was just that they're not $80,000 cars(this was a couple years ago). I tend to agree I think the complaints about build quality and mechanical issues would disappear if they only cost 30K or so. Of course, none of the negative things I heard about them has stopped me from wanting one, just helped in the expectations department. Have you considered leasing one? Even at $1,000 or so a month, you'd probably do allright compared with buying it and selling it a short time later. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Junior Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 196 Registered: 11-2001 |
Good questions, Ken... I've heard from 3 different Countach owners thus far who all stated that they only kept their cars for 6 months at the most. Comments ranged from looked beautiful in the garage, drove and shifted like a dump truck, had electrical / fuel fires, too impractical, etc., etc. Rather disheartening to say the least for those of us who have been saving our pennies for one. William H. (here on FerrariChat) owns one (a QV model) -- and a very nice one at that! Maybe he'll chime in on his experiences with his. I'm with you -- I prefer the 81-88 models over the anniversary as well (by the way there is an 89 anniversary, red / tan, listed currently on e-bay). | ||
| David Bob� Jr. (Supraoz)
New member Username: Supraoz Post Number: 48 Registered: 9-2001 |
I love the car also. Go for it! | ||
| Ken Ross (Kdross)
New member Username: Kdross Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2002 |
I have always had a weakness for the Lamborghini Countach, but now that I am able to afford one I am seriously toying with the idea of purchasing one. The die hard Lambo guys love them, but everyone else considers them junk. Any comments from present or past Lambo owners? I would be considering a US version from 1981-1988 (I do not like the anniversary edition 1989 model). Finally, how hard is it to sell a Countach for a reasonable price? One major complaint I have heard is that once you buy a Countach you own it for life. TIA. Ken |