Hello, I'm looking to buy either an F430 or a Gallardo. I would buy either of them in the coupe version and with a 6-speed manual transmission. Here are my questions: 1, How do the rides compare to one another? (Is either one more comfortable than the other to drive) 2, And how do the engine noise levels in their cockpits compare? (I one much louder than the other) 3, Does the Lambo sound more powerful than the F430? (By more powerful I mean does the F430 have a "high pitched" sound and the Lambo have a more "rumbly" sound) 4, Is the F430 more "fun" than the Lambo or are they about the same "fun" level? And one final question: Is the F430 a better car to drive with the F-1 or 6-speed transmission? Thanks for your responses!!! Rick W.
I maybe wrong but I think some dealership, if you show them that you're a designated, legit, potential buyer, and maybe with some cash down they may let you test drive the car OR look for a private seller show them the same thing and make arrangement to see the car i'm sure once they see your seriousness they will take you for a spin.
i could only dream of the day i get to have a choice between 2 cars like that. good luck with them tho, im sure either one will be great choice.
My wife and I have driven both. My wife drove the Lambo first, and thought it was the business. I was heckling her about liking the Lambo. Then, later the same day, she drove the F430 (as did I) - hands down, we both thought the F430 was the better car - more fun - you just felt you were driving an F1 car. The F430 we drove had the F1 tranny, and it was awesome - and I'm a die-hard manual transmission guy. I was practically giggling on downshifts. As someone already pointed out, it's a good problem to have. If you drive both, and can't decide, then go with the dealer that's best/closest, etc.
I own both, and I would recommend the F430 over the Gallardo. If money is an issue, then it's hard to justify spending almost $100,000 more for the F430 (used car prices). The F430 takes the Gallardo in every aspect (IMO). There are plenty of threads discussing the two cars. Just do a search.
Need to clean the G, but they both look great!!!!!!!!!!!!! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
In my opinion and experience in taking both Lambos and Ferrari's apart, and driving them, I have to say there is something to be said about both cars, however I feel that Ferrari makes a better built car, and the lines are a bit more *classic*, Lambo on the other hand is a bit more poorly constructed, but has more *cutting edge* styling, they take more chances at Lambo in the styling dept. Sounds? my feeling is the Ferraris always tend to sound more F-1 based, where the Lambos just sound wicked and crazy, not quite as refined. This is just my 2 cents..my opinion? F430 all the way.
I can only compare between my past '02 360 and '04 Gallardo, and my choice was the 360. To me it seems a better quality car, and I (6'3" 210 lbs) seem to fit much better in it. With the 500 hp I would have expected the Gallardo to be quicker/faster than it was. They were both great looking cars that got an equal amount of attention. I haven't driven a 430, but everyone I talk to says it is just a much better version of the 360. Good luck with your choice.
drove both back to back. no question on the 430. the gallardo is just more plain. only way to describe it. Had just this discussion last night with a freind who has a 360 and a gallardo. he says the gallardo stays in the garage. much prefers the 360, and the 430 is much better yet. in my opinion, there is no contest here. i would get a 430. good luck getting reamed on one!
wow...nice grill insert on the rear of the F430!...that is the Challenge Version Grill you had put in right?...At first, I didnt like it as much...but it has grown on me...try putting some BBS wheels on the F430...Thats just what i would do.
I've had the 360 , Gallardo and the 430. You must be kidding. Compared to the Gallardo, the 360 is dog slow.
curious which way the original poster is leaning towards. there is no doubt in my mind f430 is the choice, but that is only my opinion. i am wondering what is keeping the gallardo in the running in the decision. also, what will you base the decision upon, cost, aesthetics, maintenance, etc?
This is an interesting thread....I just got back from the bookstore and perused the latest dupont registry exotic car special edition. Every car evaluated had basic stats like weight, perf. numbers, etc. and had a trite "for" and "against" box. I can't recall the "for" comment for the Gallardo but in the "against" box the comment was....."the Ferrari 430". BTW I really like the styling of the Gallardo...very aggressive but not over the top gaudy. Even so, being bias towards Ferrari, I would go with the 430....ah if only I had the dough....
* we all know this site is called Ferrrichat , so obviously the Gallardo has no chance here * but what about which car is more: User Friendly, Reliable , Trouble Free etc.
A 430 owner trying to be objective: - The 430 has a more compliant ride at the margin, esp when the manettino is dialed down. Its probably more livable than it should be for touring but you can also wring that out of the car in race mode. Caveat is I haven't driven the Gallardo on the highway but it is definitely more jarring over road imperfections - The 430 feels lighter on its feet. Some like this, others don't. The 430 feels light and agile in a corner while the Gallardo feels more hunkered down and gripping. This is no reflection of cornering ability just how the car feels in a corner. I prefer the Gallardo in this regard. It feels planted but you have to work harder to redirect it - The steering on the 430 is lighter but still very communicative (you get nice wrigglies as midcorner feedback). The Gallardo steering is higher effort, but numbs out the wrigglies / feedback. I agree with the folks who call it a bit wooden. That may be because of the 4wd system but my awd 911 also has better steering feel in the twisties - The '06 and later Gallardos seem louder to me because of the bypass valve above 4 or 5k rpm (not present in 04-05 Gallardos but easily fixed with a Tubi) - The cockpit of the 430 is a nicer place to sit. More like a racecar and no silly Audi switchgear. It just feels more plush--visible stiching, nicer grain to the leather, leather everywhere. Sit in both and it'll be obvious. Before the 2007 Gallardo there was still plastic on the interior (interior door handles in particular) - The F1 on the 430 is butter smooth and the paddles are better sized. Again this is a bit of personal preference--the Gallardo feels like it transmits the immediacy of power a bit more but largely because the shifting feels more abrupt (technically the f1 shifts faster than the eGear) - Trunk on the 430 is more useful if you need that sort of thing (the 4wd system takes up all the room in the Gallardo I'd be hard pressed to fit more than a computer bag up there whereas I can easily get a few smallish duffles into the 430) - Both are a hoot to drive. You can't go wrong either way but I'd definitely take each for a spin first TuonoR
Owning a 2006 G I am biased, I suppose. First, the only reason the 430 exists, IMO is the G - the G so soundly trounced the 360 that Ferrari had to make a quantum leap from the 20+ year game of 308-328-348-355-360. Oddly, I did not find the 430 to be that "plush" when I sat in it and the G seems to have leather everywhere except part of center console and door handles. I also like the very German feel of the car and Audi-like bits. On track, I suspect the 430 has a slight advantage due to lighter weight, but for daily driving, especially in the wet, the G should be better. The G is smaller, if you can beleive that, which has drawbacks for larger drivers. I find the G much more attractive and integrated, but that is too subjective to mean anything to anyone but me. And on the street, I love the torque of the 5.0 liter V-10, as well as its unique sound. I think it comes down to personal preference more than anything else, and then the fact that the real world price of the 430 is much higher, and IMO clearly not worth the price differential. G depreciation is starting to stabilize, as Lambo has cut back production dramatically - only 200 coupes to the US in 2006. The great thing is that competition between the marques is now more real than ever before and stands to result in improvement of both cars. Ferrari takes Lamborghini very seriously now, and stepped up the game dramatically with the awesome 430.
