Buying first Exotic; Advice needed Ferrari or Lamborghini?

Sounds like you don't need a word from anyone else. If the Gallardo gives you that "feeling" inside.. get it. The Gallardo owner I knew said his car was rock solid reliable. Get the Gallardo.

 

really...

 

Between 430 & Gallardo, I'd give the edge to the Lambo, but slightly.
Between 599 & Gallardo, all day to the 599. What colors are you considering?

 

I would drive both the Gallardo and the 430 over some rough roads ( I'm not saying Potholes), also drive if possible both on a small cruise then make your decision. I will venture to say it will not be a Gallardo!
Docf

 

Volkswagen Group makes some wonderful cars, the Gallardo being one of the most flashy. It's certainly more eye-catching than it's siblings, the more well known VW Golf or the cute Audi A-1. And VW's (except the air cooled classics) are famous for their reliability. You can't go wrong with a Vee Dub.

But there's something about driving a Ferrari. When you own a Ferrari you know you're driving something from a company which produces nothing but high performance vehicles, except, of course, the current crop of Ferrari F-1 racing cars which are pretty much dogs.

There is an exclusivity associated with Ferrari. The Ferrari brand is appreciated by people both young and old all over the world. On the other hand, owing something from the VW Group isn't quite the same thing.

Of course if you happen to make you living as a pimp, get the Gallardo so you can blend in with the other guys working in the same industry.

 

I currently have a Bentley GT-C....Bentley is owned by VAG...but the car is built by Bentley. I am planning on pulling the trigger on a Ferrari this year....a car builder which happens to be owned by FIAT. Do those facts bother me? Not in the least! If Ford was successful in acquiring Ferrari from Enzo would you have considered that in purchasing one if the build quality was the same. I venture to say no.

 

one question is which one do you like the best
another question is which one sends the message about yourself that you like the best.

the last question is whether you care.

owning an exotic has a lot of extra baggage. are you ready for it?

 

Sounds like the cars looks are the priority to him. If that is the case, nothing looks better standing still than a Lamborghini. But nothing is better than being behind the wheel of a Ferrari.

 

Most people ready to buy an exotic have the same question as you.
I've never driven a Lamborghini Gallardo, but I have a friend that owned both the lambo and Ferrari. A synopsis of their opinion:
Gallardo is more of an attention getter, a wilder look
Gallardo has rock solid reliability
Gallardo is a little faster in the straight line
Gallardo's exhaust sounds meaner
Gallardo feels heavier in the turns (possibly caused by AWD) the wheel needs muscling when pushing it hard into corners

430 has a nicer higher tech "Ferrari wail" sound
430 has a racing heritage
430 has less of the "hey look at me" factor (of course it still gets an insane amount of attention) - this can be a positive or a negative, depending on your goal.
430 feels more nimble and connected to the driver, and is more anxious when taking high speed turns. It feels more effortless and "feels" like it handles better.
430 is easier to drive and feels less bulky.
430 always put a smile on his face, andmade him giggle when he pushed it hard - I have to admit, I know that feeling as well. It's a wonderful feeling and a reason alone to buy the car!

All that said, he doesn't have either one anymore, and is itching to get another exotic. Surprising enough, the answer still isn't straight forward for him. He definitely likes the Lambo for the "Audi reliability", and likes the Ferrari for the handling feel.


They are both great cars and you can't go wrong with either one, but they are very different machines. If you test drive them both, I think one will jump out at you as the one that you prefer. Pick the one that makes you feel good. Let's face it, these cars are not necessities, they are feel good cars. I never drove a Lambo, but I trust my friends opinion enough that I knew that the Ferrari was the correct car for me. I wanted the more reliable and wild looking Lambo initially, but I ultimately went for the Ferrari for it's superior feel and nimbleness. Feel is the most important aspect of driving for me when I'm enjoying my cars.

 

What he says^^^^^^^^

If you want to buy a Ferrari you'll need to back to 1969,that's about when Fiat started taking part in production car interest.....unless,of course you wanted a formula 1 car,Fiat stayed out of that for a bit longer.

 

Sounds like you want a Lambo. They are great cars, I've never been a fan huge fan of the looks of the 599. Sometimes it is gorgeous, others it seems awkward. I actually prefer the 430 over the 458 looks wise. I do love the Balboni, but I'd still pick the Ferrari.
See if you can rent a couple cars and drive them, and pick from there. But if you're going looks first and for most, pick the one that makes you smile every time you open the garage.

 

I say test drive both, buy the one that moves you now, and then in the future get the other. I got my start that way. First the 360 spider, a year ago the Diablo SV

 

I would never take a 2004-2008 Gallardo (pre LP560) over an F430. LP560 vs F430, no contest - I'd take the Lambo.

 

The wisest advice I received from the most knowledgeable Lamborghini guys I came accross was that if you want the full Lambo experience, you skip the Gallardo and buy a V12 car.

So I did....

Ferrari-wise you are comparing apples, oranges, and peaches....go drive a few.

 

+1. Sounds like he just wants some affirmation.

Based on my experiences with the Gallardo, its rock solid reliable, but it as stated before doesn't come into its own below 60 MPH. Ferraris tend to handle better, more "nimble" at slower speeds and IMHO tend to feel better in the corners. I would get a Gallardo as a DD. Yes they are that reliable.. but lack that.. how do I say it.. that "SLAP" in the face that a good italian girl will give you if she catches you looking.

 

Wait until your first servicing and how you're treated by each dealership; there will be a complete difference in how the two companies treat you.

Lamborghini is known for stepping up and doing the right thing, putting the customer at the pinnacle of service while Ferrari prepares to gouge you, trump up charges and fabricate needs for more work at outrageous prices.

Then look at the build quality - Ferrari could design exhaust manifolds well, but why do that when their service department can gouge you on charges trickling in profit for years?
Ferrari's bedside manner is atrocious, divorce will be looming.

 

Not sure why you "need advice". You're the one purchasing the car, not anyone who responds, so buy what you like.
I don't understand why anyone posts questions like this without actually having driven the cars they're considering??? (this isn't like mail ordering a new computer where you buy it based on reviews, etc.; this is a car that you can go test drive or rent for the day, etc.) If you haven't, this is just a hypothetical...fantasy.
That being said, buy what you like and all the other things such as service costs, how the dealership treats you, etc., is just the price to play the way you want to play...no big deal.