Curious observations from a new(ish) Lamborghini Owner (long)

Couldn't sleep last night - so I thought I would write down a few thoughts on being a first time Lambo owner and the differences in F and L cars - From my experience.

Also - I am trying to have the longest post on F-chat...

A little Background First:

Having owned several sports and exotic cars over the past 15 years (vintage and modern), marquees of mainly Porsche and Ferrari’s. I decided to enter a new marquee at the end of 2004. One that as a boy, like Ferrari, one day I wanted to own - Lamborghini.

I entered my search with trepidation. Having spent the last 6 years in Ferrari ownership, learning the ins and outs of the vintage f-cars I have owned, the history, maintenance, costs, suppliers, mechanics, knowledgeable people, etc. To enter a new marquee is not an easy thing – the research, knowledge, and shall I say comfort – starts all over.

To side step some of this trepidation – I thought I would go new to have a warranty… Because everything (especially the clutch) breaks on a Lamborghini… right?

So I do my research, talked with a bunch of the boys hear on F-chat, and end up buying a new Lamborghini Gallardo…

The Comparisons (non performance wise):

I consider myself very fortunate and privileged to have the opportunity to own such wonderful cars with rich and colorful histories.

Ferrari’s are some of the finest works of art – they are an elegant painting of the automotive world.

Lamborghini is like a new age sculpture – cut from hard metal with no subtleness about it.

One is the Popular High-school Athlete – the other the School Yard Bully (with Tattoos, a Purple Mohawk, and nose ring).

It takes 20 Minutes to do anything in a Lamborghini:

Before you read this next part - which you might think I am a poser or attention prostitute – know that I am almost 40, 2 kids, happily married. Average looking (at best) , 5’ 11” – 210lbs stocky build, pretty much bald… Never have be called a “player” do not really like crowds, night clubs, etc.

Look at this as more my general amazement of the attention that this car brings/draws out, than anything else…

With the Vintage F-cars you get little attention from the general public except for the true enthusiasts. The Modern F-cars get a lot more attention and on lookers while driving around than the vintage.

The Lamborghini – is not for those who want to go un-noticed. You will be driving and people will turn around a follow you. People screaming (and I mean screaming) (insert WOO HOOoooo, or Nice CARrrrrr with a doppler effect) at you as you pass buy (car to car or pedestrian yelling at you as you pass by). I have had people follow me home and up my drive way on a few occasions…

If you pull into a gas station or Starbucks – be prepared to spend 20 extra minutes. People will come and look, ask to sit in it, want to see the engine, get the stats on the car. And often times you will get requests to take people for rides (more on this a little later).

The primal response you get with these cars is something that I did not expect, nor did I get (as now predictably and constantly) as I did with my f-cars.

I have had many of odd moments in this car which strike me as very interesting. Two such funny/odd instances:

During the middle of the day a buddy and I were out and about and decided to stop for lunch at a local establishment. After eating a quick lunch we come back out to the car – in which around a dozen people were standing around the car, taking pictures and the like. After the standard barrage of questions a few ladies (4) that were together (married, kids, etc) ranging from their mid 30’s to early 40’s asked for a quick ride. Of which I gave them each a ride around the block. So – when in this day and age, do responsible people (not alone females) get in a car with a complete stranger? Not that I look like an axe murder or anything – but no one (I didn’t know) had ever came right out and asked for a ride in my porsches or ferrari’s…

The other odd moment was after dinner with my wife one evening – we come out of the restaurant the valet has my car up front – in which there was a crowd of about 30 people looking at the car (popular restaurant area). One of the girls has a camera – and as I come up to the car with my wife – the girl asks if she can get some shots of them (the other girls) with the car. My wife gives me the usual - I knew this car was not a good idea They start to do poses by the car – one by one. There was obviously some alcohol involved in this girls night out. But each of the 10 girls proceeded to get more “interesting” poses with the car(use your imagination – all clothes remained on for the most part) As each one continued to pose – the crowd grew from other passer bys (mostly men wanting to check out the girls). The Valet was trying to keep traffic moving due to the large amount of people standing around the car, and in the street (the parking was a cut out beside the main drag of several restaurants.). The crowd grew to about 50 people – cameras still flashing, my wife about to kill me – and then a police cruiser pulls up… You would have thought that would have dispersed the crowd – no… The guys gets out of the cruiser, comes up to the valet and I – says “cool car”… Stands there looking at the poses the girls are doing… All the time the traffic is honking, etc. Finally the police officer says – I have got to break this up – traffic is getting backed up too much.

My wife came up with a new rule that night – I am never allowed to go out in the car without her with me… She also gave me a nice slug on the shoulder – to seal the deal…

Needless to say you can always get a parking spot – just be prepared when leaving – it might take a while.

Common things you hear:

Question / What I would like to answer

Is that an Enzo? Yes it is the new Lamborghini Enzo
Is that a Countach? Yes – 1989 Anniversary Model
Is that a Diablo? No – Murcielago
Why don’t the doors go up? The Kit didn’t come with verticle doors
Can I take a picture? It is stealth – it doesn’t show up on film
How fast have you taken it? Never above the posted speed limit
How much are these things? Free – won it at the Elks raffle last year
What do you do for a living? Inventor – of the Flux Capacitor
Are you married? Check back tomorrow

The performance:

Being all-wheel drive is a huge plus (imo). Since I do not track or race (nor am I a rear wheel drive purist) it is nice to have all 4 wheels grabbing with 500 hp. Also when my wife takes it out – it gives me a little more security that it is much less likely to get squirrelly with her (aka a little more forgiving sportscar).

The low end torque is amazing, the sound like thunder, the speed and quickness addicting.

The fit and finish is amazing – it is tight, well designed, comfortable, and almost German in construction… Oh Wait – it is

I have put 3000 miles on the clock thus far – more than I ever did my F-cars in a year let alone a 5 or 6 months… I literally take it out every chance I get… Where the f-cars I did not as much… I have asked myself why – and have only come up with a few reasons why this could be the case:

1.) The vintage cars – were mostly show cars, hard to get parts for, and worked on, etc – so I didn’t drive them as much. The modern (355 Spider) I drove about 2 – 3K per year. Only when sunny/dry.

2.) The 355 needed to warm up – the lambo is get in and go. The top on the 355 was a pain – so I left the top down 99% of the time – if it even looked like rain – I didn’t drive it… Which cuts down on drive time in Ohio. I drive the lambo – rain or shine… Well maybe not rain – but if it looks like it might rain – I will still take it out – and if it gets wet – so be it. (I just don’t like to wash them – so no rain = just a quick wipe down instead of me spending 4 hours detailing them). This also has to do with it being all wheel drive… You can have some fun on wet surfaces

3.) I also think that in the back of my mind – since the lambo is under full warranty – it gives you a little more piece of mind – meaning you want to drive it… Even though my philosophy was and is with cars – if they break, fix ‘em and move on… But knowing it is under warranty – does give you a little more comfort… Also being new – I think that there is some inherent comfort there as well. My 355 was a 95 – so when I sold it last year – it was 9 years old – maintained to the hilt – but still older…

4.) And of course it is exhilarating to drive...

This by far is the best performing and absolute fun car I have owned. So much so – the only thing I do not like about the car is that it is not convertible… This will be remedied in about 6 months when I get the spider

If you have not had a chance to spend time in a lambo of any model (old or new) – it is something that everyone should do… for a completely different perspective…

EDIT - AND HERE IS A PICTURE - Hey I have posted 100 of these - I thought you guys would have it memorized by now
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Thank you for the wonderful post Richard! The G car is one of my favs, one of these weekends I've got to make it down to Fox Valley!

 

Excellent write-up Richard, and very good reading!!

 

great post richard..it makes for great reading...was lol when reading the question and answer section....you should write for a living...never mind, you wouldnt be able to afford the lambos as a writer!!! i am like you in that i always dreamed of buying a ferrari growing up...i loved my 360 spider, liked the 355 spider,but luster of ferrari ownership seemed to fade after several years...as everyday sports cars i almost get as much satisfaction with newer porsches as i do with the ferrari, minus all the attention...but over the past two years i began lusting over the lambos, from the diablo,to the murci and now , recently, the gallardo and future spider...part of me actually giving lambo a chance was some of the lambo members on this site who seemed to be more objective and knowledgalbe about sports cars than some of the die hard ferrari fans, some of whom dont give any other cars a chance....i should know, i used to be one of those people,....but like you said, a true sports car fan should be lucky enough in their life to know both a ferrari and a lambo, not to mention porsches.....

 

Excellent post. Pictures are always welcome.

Have you driven any of the newer F-cars, 430/575, or the Gallardo or a 6.0? I'd be interested to see your comparisons, especially with the 6.0.


Forza,


Cavallini

 

After 3 Porsches, 3 Ferrari's and now my first Lamgborghini, I could not agree with you more...

 

nice write-up, richard....
fyi, for something this lengthy i often find it easier to read if there are pictures to go w/ it (kidding ya, my friend)

 

Smart Asp Pic is there - how did you miss it

 

Cavallini,

I have driven most modern F-cars (550, 360's) haven't driven the 430 yet - non of my buddies have one yet - though a couple might be close in getting one. I have also driven a number of Diablo's (SV, VT, 5.7 and 6.0) as well as the Murci.

The Diablos and Murci are all very wicked - very fast - as fast or faster than the Gallardo - The Diablo VT Roadster is still one of my favorite cars of all times. Though the speed is there - the Gallardo is more comfortable and easier to drive than the diablo range of models/years - and more nimble feeling (much smaller). As I mentioned - I almost went with a Roadster - so it was a close call... Actually the warranty pushed me over the edge and thus went with the gallardo...

The murci was bigger, faster, as comfortable, not as nimble feeling, and 100K more - thus that ruled that one out - not worth the difference - even though they are awesome.

The 360/550 and I would suspect the 575 are magnificant cars - Hard to compare the 550/575 - they are GT cars in terms of drive/comfort. The 550 is as (if not more comfortable) than the Gallardo - but handles like a GT. The 360 is an older make - so not really comparable in terms of speed, new features, etc. The 430 I am sure will be better/equal - in speed, new features and comfort (for a sportscar). I look forward to getting in one. My only complaint about the 430 is that even though it is an entirely new car from ground up - I was hoping it would look entirely different than the 360. It does look a little different - but I was hoping a little more different. That, and I also would be waiting 4 years for mine - made me go with the Gallardo.

 

You should work for an automotive magazine.

Best review... ever.

 

Apologies for the pic request. I didn't realize you had posted several. She's gorgeous.

I'm admittedly a Ferraristi, but the 6.0 and the Gallardo are very interesting, especially the G for winter driving and its gorgeous lines. Have had driven the G in inclimate weather?

The 6.0 I think would be one of those mood cars- not everyday or maybe not even every other week, but there's a magic to it, the interior, exterior and the sound, that nothing else has.

BTW, do you have a Tubi on yours? It makes an exquisite sound, very F1-like.

Again, excellent post. Thanks for the insights and observations.


Forza,


Cavallini

 

My exact feelings - I started to pay more attention to Lamborghini when the Diablo Roadster came out - and then the Murci and then Gallardo - I said I have got to try one - and I was pleased as can be once I pulled the trigger.

Also - I also agree on my porsches (even though it has been 7 years since I have owned my last one) - They are rock solid, fun, great performance, dependability, etc. Probably the best money can buy for a sports car... However, Some Gallardo owners are now into their second year of virtually maintenance free owership - if the Gallardo holds up from a dependability and cost of mainteance standpoint for the next few years - This will only help in the future sales of new and used Lamborghini's...

 

You are to kind

Thanks for the comments guys...

 

You prefer it even over the CS?



BTW, Richard, thanks for the writeup. Interesting the silver car gets more attention than the red.

 

Richard - great writeup, and completely mirrors my experience. I had lived in my neighborhood for 3 years with two Ferraris and a Corvette and never had a second glance from any neighbors. The moment the door came down on the trailer delivering my Diablo, the yard was full of instant-paparazzi and it still is the only car to draw people up the driveway when I'm washing them.

Was at a McDonald's one night with the Diablo, sitting inside, eating & reading the newspaper. High school kid with a beautiful blonde girlfriend asked if it was mine and then sat down and started asking about the car. Eventually the girl asked for a ride, so I took her up and down the strip out front. Like you, I was pretty surprised that a 16 yo girl would hop in the car with a stranger. Of course, if she hadn't come back I guarantee her boyfriend could have given the police a DETAILED description of the car.

Like your wife, my fiance is not at all comfortable when I go driving the Diablo by myself. She refers to it as my 'picking up teenage chicks car' though she knows deep down that I am devoted to her.

You must be eternally vigilant when driving the Lamborghini because so many people are taking pictures of the car or yelling things as you said that they often don't notice they're drifting into your lane. Sometimes you sit through an extra cycle of stoplights because the car in front of you is checking out the Lambo in his mirrors and misses the green light completely.

I think your 20 minute estimate is right for most things, but it's at least 45 minutes to get gas in a Diablo. Something about the filler neck makes it impossible to fill at anything over a trickle, so there's 25 minutes of pumping gas and then 20 more minutes of Q&A with the fans.

Like you, I'm not an attention hog and I also consider myself very lucky to be able to have the car, so I forego the delicious smartass retorts and answer questions as best I can. I drive mine a little less than the Ferraris just because the attention everywhere is so much more over-the-top and I worry more about finding safe parking for it. Also around here I get tired of every guy in an F150 doing smokey burnouts as a stoplight challenge.

People used to ask me if I had to choose between which of my Ferraris I could keep, which would it be. I honestly couldn't answer because I like them both for such different reasons. Now when I get the same question there's no hesitation with the answer. The Diablo stays. It's everything anyone's ever fantasized that an exotic car should be.

 

Yes. The CS is unchallenged if it's on the track - the steeering input and feedback is awesome but under 4,000 rpms and casual driving, the stick and the torque of the Gallardo is unmatched. It is like a cross between the 575M and the CS.

Maybe the F430 (when I get one) will be even better...;-)

 

Rich and Charles -

Great reviews guys. It's always fun to get these informal, honest, up-front and unbiased opinions - I wish people did more of it. Rich, I loved the FAQ's you posted, and the responses - had a good laugh on that one.

From everything you read, the Gallardo seems like a special car. I can't think of a better car for the money that balances drop-dead styling, superb performance, and strong reliability. The fact that Lambo blundered (either in initial pricing or in subsequent marketing), causing NEW MY04 cars to trade significantly off sticker was somewhat of a boondoggle for buyers that bought in 2005 - it just means that you get the same amount of car for that much less money (tens of thousands of dollars in some cases). It seems that production has been cut on MY05's, which has limited the discounts of off MSRP, and I can see that even pre-owned cars are holding strong around the $150K-mark, which is encouraging from a resale standpoint.

Having owned a 1995 355B, I can empathise on the benefits of having a warranty, although I can't imagine not having to play Russian Roulette with the "Check Engine" light every time you turn the car on. -

I must say that it is amazing that for a vehicle with "supercar" status, to have so FEW issues with reliability. Other than the initial coilover TSB that was issued, I don't believe I have read owners post about wide-spread (or even small, nagging) issues re: their vehicles. I will say, that for competitive purposes though, VW/Audi needs to step that warranty up to match the 3-year period being offered by Ferrari.

Rich, I'm glad that you are continuing to enjoy the car in all of her glory. One always wonders if the initial sparks will ultimately turn into a dull grind, but I don't see how that can ever happen with the Gallardo. I look forward to more fun stories, good times, and great pictures - and hopefully getting in the Baby Bull myself in the near-term!

Forza!

 

We should do a Rich and Charles Lamborghini Monthly Newsletter or something

Good comments and addon's!!

 

It happens because general public believe that Lamborghini is the best car.

 

great writeup !

 

Thanks Vik - or should I say Supreme Moderator for the East Coast

 

great thread.... post of the month!!!

 

Thank you for the fantastic write up! I truly am happy that you are enjoying the Lambo! I am a fan of all cars, so weather it be the bull, the horsey, or a tank, I just like to hear about happy owners - That is what it is all about!

Rock on.

 

Great write up. I appreciate you taking the time to do that, and as usual, car looks great!

 

Rich and Charles, forget your day job. I second that this is the thread of the month. Like both of you, I enjoy truthful and authenic facts and impressions of all the exotic cars.
Post on!!