550 vs Gallardo

How do these two stack up against each other?
The longer I look at the Lambo, the more I like it. I know these haven't been particulairly popular with the lambo folks, but I think they are beautiful! I also realize that so far they are more expensive, but I think the prices seem to be dropping quickly. I'm not in the market for quite a while, (driving the turbo car is no chore!), but I've been eyeing my next "victim"................

 

funny, but i too have been looking at these cars. they are both becomming bargains and they are both high on my list. i am curious what the 550 owners will say. i am thinking of a new toy to add to my garage in the spring and am thinking that 550's will be around 100k and gillardos will be 120-130k.

pretty compelling in my opinion.

 

I own a 550 and recently had a chance to test drive a Gallardo. Gallardo is a whole different animal. Interior is very cramped, visibility to the sides and rearward is uncomfortable to dangerous. Very small space in the driver's fotwell made operating teh 3 pedals a bit of a challenge, nad my shoes are an 11D. Seats in no way compare to the comfort and elegance of a 550. In general, interior appointments on a Gallardo seem flimsy and cheap, reminiscient of a Volkswagen -- especially the center console switches, etc. Storage/luggage capacity of the Gallardo is a fraction of that available in the 550, making the G less useable for weekend getaways. Nonetheless, some of my F-car friends tell me the Gallardo is beautifully engineered and reliable.

As far as handling and performance were concerned, the G is an impressive, very quick, responsive and tight handling car. Faster than a 550 ? Maybe, but I prefer that big torque in all gears at all speeds of the 550. I drove a 6-speed and the shifter was clean and smooth. It can be thrown around a track very vigorously. It was a fun drive as a sport car, but not what I am looking for in a high-performance car. I am more of a GT type.

As a lot of folks will tell you, they are two different animals. To me the Gallardo is more of the sports car/weekend thrill toy for fast and spirited competition-type driving. The 550, by comparison, can probably hold its own with the Gallardo in most situations but is eminently more useable as a car. You can fit stufff in it and go places - with elegance and super high performance to boot, when you want it.

 

apples and oranges....the 550 is a large, heavy front engine rear wheel drive car that a gt car...it is not a quick, tossable nimble car, it is at high home cruising at high speed, its very comfortable and refined...in fact, with a tubi no one would know you have a ferrari engine...also the styling is low key, many people dont even know its a ferrari...i helped a friend buy a 575m recently, so we drove both the 550 and the 575...the 575 is a big improve, but i digress.........the gallardo is a lighter, more nimble car, more sporty exhaust note, faster, very german like interior, and wild styling....my only gripe with the gallardo was the steering feel, which while it was good, it wasnt quite has good as a mid engine ferrari, ...this is probably due to the 4 wheel drive.....a better comparison to the gallardo would be 360 coupe....similar price and execution, with the gallardo being more powerful and faster and the 360 having better steering feel and quickness.......my 2cents

 

I love the 550, defnitly my pick. Heres a link to a video about each. But I dont think it was accurate. http://www.pistonheads.tv/video.asp?id=181&nr=1

 

The 20-30k difference in price isn't that big of a difference. So what it comes down to is whether you pride performance or looks. Personally I like the Gallardo a bit more because of it's look. Less hassle on maintenance is another reason I like the Gallardo. Overall, they are both awesome cars, and you couldn't go wrong with either.