360, gallardo, 550, diablo...

Hello there,
this is my first post. i've searched and read a lot of old posts, but figured i would still post my question.

so basically i am looking to buy my first exotic. and i had been leaning towards a 360 coupe, but then i started thinking some more and searching these forums more, and i came up with those alternatives too.
so here's my situation:

1. as far as the ultimate performer goes, that doesnt interest me too much. i know i will never explore the limits of any of these cars on the street. i assume all of these cars will be fun to drive, but my daily driver is a silver 996 TT. so if i want to go fast and unnoticed, i can do that everyday.

2. this car will basically to be for the experience of owning an exotic.

3. i like the 360 because i like the way it looks and i always swore i would own a ferrari before i die (but i am only 33, and i probably have a reasonable amount of time to do this)

4. i like the 550, because its a v12. but i dont particularly like the way it looks. and i feel like it wont attract that much attention, and i'm gonna be honest and say, i think i want that attention, cuz i feel like its part of the experience. also, they seem to be a good deal at the moment.

5. the gallardo appeals to me, because for some reason i feel like it will be more reliable, and i can get a much newer car for the same amount of money (vs a 5-7 year old 360).

6. the diablo appeals to me, because it is just so extreme. but i dont think there is a dealer near me. and such an old car scares me a little. a murcielago, is more money than i want to spend.

so thats where i'm at. i want to keep it fun and under say $130k. if its more money than that, the money may start to hurt me, and i think that will take a lot of fun out of it. i have researched the service of the 360, the dealer told me around $1200 for a yearly oil change and anywhere from $5-7k for every 3rd year service. i know those may be high (i hope not too low), but i am ok with that. i have no idea of what kind of service an early 90's diablo would require.

thanks!

 

If you're looking for a Diablo here is a fine specimen

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=168832

 

thats a nice one. are service costs for a car like this comparable to the 360?

 

If you want a modern car, and like the way the 360 looks, that's probably the best bet on your list. They are fast, easy to drive and new enough that parts and service are straightforward. 360s are still falling in price and seem like a reasonable deal at around $100K (for a Modena - Spiders are more$).

The Gallardo's a great car, but the Audi ingredients are pretty obvious (Audi's are great - I drive one - but it's not so exotic-feeling.) That said, I like how it looks, and F'Chat-er JeffSD has an orange one with the most unholy-sounding exhaust I've ever heard on a car. So, less exotic, but in some ways I like it more than the 360. However - disclaimer - I haven't driven one.

The Diablo definitely feels like an old car. Make sure you get some seat time in one before you think about it. It's very good at getting attention, but build quality is more like a kit car in the pre-Audi era. I found it sort of comical (extruded styling was just too 'drug-dealer' for me), uncomfortable and impossible to see out of. For driving forward on an empty road, it's fine. Murcielago is probably the best Lambo ever (and I haven't been in the LP640 version.)

My bias: Older 'exotics' feel more 'exotic'. The Ferrari Boxer, Dino 246 and Ferrari 308/328 have that old school, hand-built, European small car company feel to them. As the cars got 'better' (newer), they kind of got less 'exotic'. If you want a serious exotic, and have your dependable 996 to go fast in, I would spend the money on something like these cars, where you won't see another one on the road (360 is 'common' for a Ferrari) and where you could probably sell it for more than you paid in a few years. If it was my money, and given your range, IMO there aren't any other Ferraris right now that are worth buying. Obviously, older cars require more attention, so this may be 180 degrees away from what you were thinking. Just thought I'd toss it out as idea.

 

If I'm not mistaken I believe the biggest expense with the Diablo is the clutch. I believe the motor has to come out to change it. But if you know how to drive there are Diablo's with >30K on the original clutch. The Gallardo is an awesome machine in both looks and performance. However IMO the Diablo is the most attention getter from the cars that you have listed. I have driven a 360, Murci, Diablo & LP640. I have owned a 348, 355 & Gallardo. Out of all of them the LP is a rocket and the Gallardo had the best handeling. But you need to drive all of them before you make a decision. The yearly maintenance for the G and the 360 are similiar. Good luck!

 

How's the yearly maintenance on the Diablo?

 

Gallardo.

 

I recently went through a similar decision process and test drove the 360 and Gallardo.

360:
Magical Ferrari name.
Classic Ferrari beauty. Classy and tasteful.
Good acceleration and handling.
Great forward and side visibility. Acceptable rear quarter visibility.
Airy cabin.
Comfortable driving position.
Interior quality not the best.

Gallardo:
Less prestigious name.
Modern and very exotic, but too showy for my taste.
Great acceleration.
Poor visibility, particularly unacceptable to the rear quarter. I was afraid to change lanes.
Modern and exotic cabin.
4 wheel drive prevents powerslides. This was almost a deal breaker.
Uncomfortable seat that angles up sharply at the front edge. This was the deal breaker.

I bought the 360 and I'm still very glad to have picked it.

I sat in a Murcielago and thought it was even more extreme in all of the above aspects compared to the Gallardo. The Diablo is probably not worth considering due to its age.

 

I believe there are a few threads in the LamboChat area about specific Lambo dealers/servicers. I dont remember the exact thread or subject, but basically, someone spent a whole lot of money on thier diablo (30K plus) and the repair shop really was terrible, didnt put it together right at all.

I'm commenting because this supposedly was a "great dealer" who know what they were doing. As with any exotic, if you dont do the work yourself, you'd better have a good and trustworthy repair shop that you KNOW (i.e. previous experience or recommended positively) will work on the car and get it right.

It might be different for the Murci or the Gallardo, they may have more "Audi" in them and be easier to work on.

Just a thought. BTW, I've never sat in a Lambo, this is just based on what I read in the LamboChat area of FChat.

James in Denver

 

Hard question to answer in short due to all the variables but to keep it short, the answer is NO. The clutch on a Diablo can run b/w $8-$10k depending on the service sources and quality of the sources but that's just a white sheet estimate. Once the engine is out, you can count on spending at least another 50% of the original estimate on what I call the "might as well replaced or fix" factor. This is esp. more true on the older model cars. The most I've ever paid for a major engine-out belt services on my 360s was $6k and that included a new clutch (Cauley Ferrari), fresh fluids, new brake pads. The Diablos will set you back at least $15k to $20k or more.

Fwiw, the last regular maintenance (not engine out service) on my 96 Diablo at Lambo of Chicago (great service center) cost around $5k.

 

I've owned all of the cars your are looking at except for the Diablo. I have driven a friends Diablo Roadster and was disappointed. The Diablo looks great, but doesn't drive like the newer cars.

I would recommend the Gallardo hands down! Second choice would be the 360.

Performance - Gallardo is faster than any of the other cars.

Style/Looks - Gallardo or 360, just deponds on which car excites you the most.

Reliability and Maintance - Gallardo, just as reliable as the 360, but the Gallardo will be by far less to maintain.

Resale - Gallardo, it doesn't look like there is a replacement car for the Gallardo for several more year.

 

thanks for all the info.

i guess i am left leaning towards the 360 and the gallardo....

 

Since you are driving a rear engine six cylinder. I would go for the cylinder count. 12 is the preference there. While the Diablo has wow factor still, I like better visibility from the inside looking out. But it is a supercar.

Then there is the 550. A grand tourer with a proper engine up front. It differs from your rear/mid layouts in that. I really highly recomend that you drive this car. Huge value, fantastic drivability. It is a mature car.

If you get a Boxer, nobody will know what it is. That won't stop me, but you may like everyone knowing that you'll be bringing the Diablo. It will get noticed more. The Boxer you may really make money with though.

The Gallardo you won't go wrong with. It is just 2 cylinders light in that dept. The 360, not different enough for you. Too close to your P car.

 

I think the real question is what is your tolerance for pain and frustration. You say you want the exotic car experience, buy a Countach.

Its fast, uncomfortable, difficult to drive, quirky, unreliable, expensive to maintain, will break your heart a thousand times, AND worth every bit of it.

Seriously, if you want an exotic for the sake of an exotic: a Gallardo or an R8 will be your best bets for reliable always on exotics. If you have a passion for these things and can handle the peculiarities and cost of more exotic cars, like the 360 or Diablo, get one of them. I recommend against a car that you don't lust after (550), as every annoyance will be magnified and every joy overlooked.

best,
dsd

 

Judging by the fact that you say your daily driver is a 996 Twin and you are basically buying this car for the "exotic car experience" I would go with the Diablo. If the car in post #2 has had a recent clutch and service, it's a damn good deal--and the car is fully depreciated. The extra money you'll spend on various things due to suboptimal build quality on the Diablo is really a wash b/c you're saving the money you'll lose in depreciation on the others--and who knows--you may just get lucky and not have to dump too much money into it (or not!). Remember--there are no 3 year belt services on Lambos! If you don't want something as raw, I agree with some of the others--early 360s are a relative bargain in my opinion--you get all of the visceral feeling and history of Ferrari with modern styling and driveability for $100k--and they're pretty reliable as well. Both of these cars would leave you w/ plenty of money left over for potential unforeseen mishaps. Good luck in whatever you chose--it sounds like a pretty good problem to have at 33!

 

I don't know much about Diablos, but they are rare, exotic, fast, and most importantly, a real sports car.


These modern cars have lost much of their sports car genetics.


If you want something fast that will perform well enough and will garner attention, get the Gallardo.


Just keep in mind that there's a reason you can get a Gallardo for $130k; there's a lot of them. Keep that in mind when shopping. They don't appear to hold their values as well as the F430s or even 360s.



EDIT: Also remember that '04 and '05 Gallardos (which is what you're looking at in that price range) differ from newer ones. Aside from the power boost, there were some other nice improvements

 

I also am pleased to have a 996TT as a daily driver and am also thinking ahead as well. Since I already have an AWD car, the Gallardo would be more of the same. The Diablo is just too old and strange looking.

I'd also look at the Ford GT and a DB9.

In the end though, the 360 presses all the right buttons.....

 

again thanks for all the info. you guys are making it hard.

 

come on guys, I would say anything before 1985 can be called "old" but a 10 year old diablo is still a modern car for christssakes!

 

update to this thread...i chose the 360. so far i love it.

you know, two days after i picked up this car, i saw a black diablo vt on the tappan zee bridge. i hadn't seen one on the street in a very long time. as soon as i saw it, i almost regretted my decision.

oh well, maybe one day, i can get a lambo.

here's a pic:
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

if your main concern is to buy a exotic for attention as nobody will know what a Boxer is you are getting one for the wrong reason and will be disappointed

Most Ferraris get alot of attention anyway from the badge itself, my BB gets more attention than my 355 and the same can be said with 360s I driven and checked out, the big difference is the Boxer gets positive attention and many thumbs up, 1/2 hour
conversations at fuel stops and oohs and ahhs when you open the rear engine cover to show the big flat 12, the newer Ferraris are a turn off to many and you just don't get the same enthusiasm with them its more jealousy from others and indifference.Funny how a 30 year old Ferrari can still get cat calls as well

 

The more moving part's you have the greater the cost of maintenance and repair but that's common knowledge.

 

Looks great!

Don't underestimate the value of having a reliable exotic in the garage. I think Diablos are uber-exotics, but one of my favorite features on my 328 is that I can climb after a tough work week, turn the key and not worry about it. The 360 is also considered a dependable Ferrari, so I think you made a good move. There's nothing cool about breaking down in an old exotic car.

In terms of athleticism, I think everyone on this board would agree the 360 is several leaps better.

 

I think you almost regretted it only because the diablo was "black"......................

 

Man I wish I had to make decisions like that!