Wow Allan is in this thread. Very old school.
According to Audi/Lamborghini financial disclosure documents, Lamborghini sales were up over 20% last year. That's a significant increase in sales so the Ferrari community's claims that Lambos aren't selling is simply untrue. (I currently own several Ferraris and no Lambos). That said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. IMO, the 360 is no art work and will not go down as one Ferrari's better designs (It ain't no Dino or 250 SWB!). Both the Lambo and Ferrari are "interesting" designs. Dollar for dollar, the Lambo is a better car than the 360. Perhaps a toss up if you compare Gallardo and 430. But then again, 430 prices are much higher than Gallardo. Given the price differential, I'd take a Gallardo coupe over a 430 coupe. Now, if we could finally see a Gallardo SPIDER then Ferrari would be in trouble! Remember, the 360 has no Gallardo Spider to compete with!
The G is selling but not as expected and not as much as needed to be profitable . Thats the point of the thread. It being the 2nd best selling Lambo means next to nothing .
Man, this is a long-standing thread. With the benefit of some hindsight, and a little better sense of the Lambo market since this thread got started, i've got a few ideas about the market: *For those who want a Lambo and have enough dough, the Murcie would probably be the car of choice, not the Gallardo. Why? Apart from the lack of scissor doors, the type of buyer is not looking for subtle, or even best value for the money. These cars are a statement, and buying the second largest penis available doesn't make much sense. This was borne out by a recent article i posted in another thread- wherein the dealer near me was quoted as saying potential buyers often come in for the Gallardo, and leave with the Murcie. *For those whose budgets are tighter and/or are looking for an "entry-level" exotic, I think the Ferrari marque has more appeal, it's better known, and there are more cars, more dealers and probably a little more comfort overall- from service to resale market- things we all have some concern about, but which may play an even bigger role for the first time entrant. *So who is the potential buyer? The first time exotic buyer, i doubt it, maybe a few. More experienced exotic buyers who like Lambos, want the performance, yet don't have the bucks for a Murcie? I would think that would be a pretty narrow market.... These are my subjective insights, and are not intended to demean Lambos in general, or Gallardo buyers in particular. In fact, the more i see of the car, the more i like it. I just wish they'd make the interiors of both the G and the M more sexy....
They need to do a modern interpretation of the Miura to complement the Murcielago. Basically, something lighter, razor-sharp handling, and no AWD. Most importantly, it has to be as beautiful as a Miura.
Could it be that expectations by parent company Audi might have been set too high? The Gallardo is selling well. The balance between supply and demand might be somewhat tilted due to parent companies expectations... Their knowledge of this market segment is somewhat limited... Gallardos a great car. One of the first truly usuable (sp) exotics.. Meaning that the maintaince that accompanies mileage does not exceed common sense... What people pay for 30K mile service(and others further down the road) on some of the older F cars is truly shocking.. With todays technology there really is no need to have those kinds of services at such frequent intervals... I was over at a Lamborghini dealership this past week and one of the most attractive traits to the Gallardo..(besides its looks, acceleration, handling, braking etc) is its a real car that you basically change the oil....and drive it. Or at least thats what was explained to me.. I would assume the parent company has read the riot act to suppliers in much the same way Ford did with Aston Martin... The new Aston Martin 2 seat V8 should really crack a lower portion of the exotic sports car market as well.. Its a stunningly beautiful car that again....can after the purchase price...be driven everyday...(or whenever) but with little concerns towards HUGE maintaince bills... Its my understanding the F430 will follow a similiar path where the cars maintaince costs are not quite as overwhelming as the miles rack up.... Its a big plus.... Even the exotic car markets changing..... but the thrust of my post is maybe the expectations of the parent company were somewhat high... JMO
What are you talking about its ugly? The Gallardo looks better than most cars out there WTF is wrong with you!!!?
Man it must be really slow around here to be digging up an old post like this one! Give it a rest folks..This **** remindes me of the Van Halen boards,,Who's better Dave or Sammy?
Facts are facts! Most Lambo dealers are sitting on Gallardos. The Scottsdale, AZ dealer was sitting with 18 of them. THat's right.......18! They couldn't sell them until they discounted them. Symbolic has had the same cars for months...they just don't sell. It's really a shame, because it is a much better car than the 360. It looks better, is faster and handles better. I've spent a fair amount of time with both and that's my take. Two of my 360 owning friends bought them and said that the Gallardo is hands down the better car. Both of these guys bought their cars new and paid under $150K (1 6speed and 1 E-gear). That price point is what the market will bear for that car, and at that price point I will pull the trigger too!
That's insane! At less than $150K for a new car, you're basically just moving them out the door. I can't imagine there is any profit at that price - not that the dealers are looking for any, when they've got 18 of 'em that they've got to sell. On my way to the Scottsdale, AZ Lambo dealer site right now.
If you want a supercar under $125,000that does everything well the SL55 kicks both Gallado and 360 butt. Ferrari still has history and brand character that is definitely worth real money to buyers. Lamborghinis have been everything including Chryslers, Protons and now Audis. Hard to make a case for any aura around a Lambo. The Gallardo is definitely a very competent car in its class but it does have questionable stying from the rear, somewhat like the BMW 745 - another great car doomed by its looks.
I like the styling of the G save the rear and bland interior. Those two points really make it hard sell for something in this market. This is what the car should have looked like. (Thanks to Raylex Design for the image) Image Unavailable, Please Login
I have to strongly disagree. The SL55 is an auto tranny(albeit very adaptive), front engine tank weighing in at 4,235 lbs(100lbs HEAVIER than a Ford Explorer Sport Trac) that shares its body with several other models within the SL range that can pretty much be seen on a daily basis. I don't really see how it can compared...
Hmmmm. Ryalex, are you going to design anything for Anniversary Countaches? The rear is butt-ugly! I'd love to clean mine up a bit. I'm not exactly electrified by the styling of the G myself but if I start seeing them approach the 100K mark anytime soon, I may just put off the next Diablo/Testarossa/355 acquisiton.
I might have said this earlier in this thread -- just too lazy to check. But here are the main reasons I'm not a potential buyer of the current Gallardo, in no particular order: 1. limited warranty. Give me 4 years, unlimited mileage; ie, better than a Ferrari. 2. AWD - Give me RWD. 3. excessive mass - Give me 100-200 fewer Kgs. 4. disappointing interior - Lose the blatant Audi bin parts. I really like the styling, though the rear end is only tolerable. I love the compact size. I've actually driven one and the stock exhaust note is better than the 360's. I would buy one in preference to a 430 if the above objections were addressed. btw, even if I had deep enough pockets, I probably wouldn't consider the Murcie -- it's just too huge!
What? Try taking that SL55 around some curves. The Gallardo unfortunately looks like a Celica from the front especially the lights.
Well, as far as I'm concerned, you got 1 out of 3 there. Looks are subjective of course, but I much prefer the 360. And having driven both the 360 feels more "alive" in the twisties. Don't know how the lap times would compare, but the 360 is subjectively the better handling car, for sure more fun to drive. The G *is* faster, although it doesn't feel like it because of the tall gears and lack of the F-car shriek. Gary
