i've had my 1994 rosso/nero 355gtb (2.7) for almost 6 years now. it's in pretty immaculate condition despite having done 49,000 miles, and i use it mainly for regular but infrequent continental trips. i've always admired both the 512TR and more recently the gallardo, but find it difficult to reconcile the obvious attributes of these 2 cars with the fact that they would cost essentially double the 355's value in the real world , do you feel that a 512TR or a galladro would deliver the additional driving and ownership pleasure to warrant this significant replacement cost also, how would these 2 cars compare with the 355 in terms of reliability and servicing costs?
I own a F355 and Testarossa. I've never set foot inside a Gallardo so I can't speak about that. However, the 2 Ferraris couldn't be more different. I love them both but for entirely different reasons. The F355 is *much* easier to drive quickly but is very high-strung and can get a bit tiresome over long distances. The more you thrash the F355, the more it likes it. The TR demands your attention but will gobble up long distances without any drama. That said, I wouldn't take it to the track...it just seems too fragile of a beast in comparison to the F355. For both, the designs are undeniably cool and will get you attention even today. I'm not sure how well the Gallardo's design will age. Only time will tell. I have a feeling you won't be entirely happy giving up the F355. The TR or Gallardo probably won't fill that entire empty spot in your soul.
If you get an '06 or newer Gallardo, they are very reliable and services are cheaper than the 355. Prices have come way down on them making them very affordable for the amount of car you get. Over 500 HP, handles like a dream and Audi reliability. My 355, knock on wood has also been very reliable, but I would definately be more leary of the 355. Depreciation has already bottomed on the 355, whereas the Gallardo will still probably dip another $10-20,000 depending on how long you intend to keep it. I love Lambos, and think once you dirve the Gallardo you will fall in love too.
I had a 512 TR and am on my second 355. I loved the 512, and sometimes think about trading back. I am partial to the 512 over the older TR. I think it is a more direct comparison to the 355. The 512 TR is one of the best old school cars. Visually, it is properly dramatic. It has a notchy but satisfying dog-leg gated manual, fantastic non-power steering, and a very stiff chassis. It doesn't sound all the dramatic outside the car, but inside the motor is a symphony. The interior, though dated by the mouse-belts, is clearly of the next tier in quality, with more robust leather and a quality feel to everything. Like the 355, for a car of its class it has great visibility and a large trunk. It has that classic feel, but everything - such as AC and power windows - works as it should leaving nothing important behind. I think it is on that line where people who appreciate the things that modern cars have brought about (functional headlights and brakes and climate control) will not be left wanting. In comparison, my 355 GTS feels more racy. It feels a bit lighter but not as "solid". It feels quicker but not as powerful (less torque). It seems to ask for more care with it's gearbox but still has a rewarding feel. It is not as edgy on mountain roads but still loves them, and is equally at home as a GT car. The 355 has an incredible sound with the top off or from outside the car, but inside with the top on and windows up, it cannot match that V12; even the character of the sound mirrors the cars: the 355 sounds like a modern F1 car, the 512TR evokes memories of a 512S from the late 60s, early 70s. As for maintenance, 512s are probably more reliable. The slim but real possibility of a gearbox failure always made its way into my subconscious. The major on a 512 is the most difficult and expensive of any Ferrari I know of, eclipsing the 355. I think in the long run a sorted example of either car will be similar maintenance costs, the 355 probably having a few more irritating needs in between the big engine-outs. I'd love to have both - an open top 355 and a 512TR. That would be my pair if I could swing it. Drive one and see for yourself!
I rented a brand-new Gallardo Spyder and here is my thread on a quick comparison to my 355. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243468
If you have ever hung around a Lambo crowd, especially the new moneyed, you would never even think of associating with those clowns. Seriously, an Audi?
Hey now ah I forgive you Unless you get a Galardo TT you might be a bit disappointed with performance, yes it's quick but I have been told time and again not thrilling to drive like the 355 is. Car sort of drives itself, not a drivers car. It's still friggin beautiful though.
The mechanic at my shop used to test drive the lambos for Ferrari in Italy so they could get a comparison and he told me that the Galardo despite having 100 more horses is only fast in a straight line and cant handle the corners at high speed. In a lap around the track the 355 was faster than the Galardo. Here he is driving an F1 Ferrari a while back. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGnwp1WWOMI[/ame]
The Gallardo bashing is nuts. What a great car, but also very different. Even a lowly early Gallardo will run circles around a 355 or a 512TR. The soulless thing is also overplayed. Often flaws become character in the eyes of the smitten. The Gallardo has few flaws, but it is a different beast and will evoke different emotions in different people. Personally I prefer the manual G-car, that gated shifter being the best I have ever used. Truth is, I simply cannot afford a Gallardo spider. Or I'd be down in the Lambo section instead of goofing off up here. Gallardo is lacking in luggage space, especially the spider. That's a real-world issue for me. A weekend getaway is doable, but you better have her trained to pack light. But when you get there you have no worries about parking in the sun and returning to a shrunken dash.
I had the opportunity to participate in the Lamborghini Las Vegas track event a while back and got to drive a couple of flavors of the Gallardo. It is quite fast and did do well on the track but I feel the F355 can outperform it on a road course. It was not quite as raw as the F355 in my opinion, which makes teh F355 so much fun to drive. Other Lambo owners at the event provided horror stories on the e-gear. One of the test drive cars actually caught fire, but was quickly extinguished. I have a write-up and videos of the day on my site below: http://terracode.com/LamboTrackDay/LamboTrackDay1.html
Well the guy in my last post helped design 5 different Ferraris and knows how to drive on the track. He was paid to test these cars at high speed on roads designed for such. The Gallardo is very unstable at high speed cornering and in his words a scary car at high speed cornering. The 355 will blow the Gallardo away on a road course. If any of you ever see a lambo sans engine it is easy to see that they first built tractors.
The jury is still out on your crazy switch of allegiances, dude. You do have a pre-Audi version, so there's that...
I have owned a 348, 355, Diablo and a Gallardo. The Gallardo I daily drove for 7 months before I traded it for the Diablo. During the time I had it I put about 6,000 miles on it and never had any issues with it. The fastest I had it up to was about 175 and it was glued to the road. And I totally disagree with a 355 out performing it on a road course, the AWD makes cornering a blast. I pushed the G harder then I would have ever tried with the 355 or 348. (I wore the tires out after 5,000 miles) Alot of guys dont like the AWD and say that its not a real drivers car but for me that was one of the thing I liked the most. Hindsight I wish that I never traded it for the Diablo, but at the time I couldnt help jumping from one car to another.
Interesting little video. Maybe the gallardo had engine difficulties. http://fliiby.com/file/587345/15mugxvf8z.html
I have posted this video a couple of years ago (was a re-post) and everybody said there is no way a 355 could outperform a Gallardo. The one in the video must have had problems or the driver was not too good. Also, in the Gallardo there were 2 people riding in it. I have driven a 2006 Gallardo and found it absolutely astonishing !
