Hi,

I am new registree. This seems like a great site.

My reason for registration is to benefit from some Lambo thoroughbred 'bull info' minus the bull so to speak.

I like useable (put on some mileage) performance cars hence my concern about getting involved with F-cars and their cost of running and depreciation if you do much more than 5k miles per annum.

Hence while I had a Countach poster on the wall I have inevitably considered a Porker Turbo a great practical choice. However they are great sports cars not great exotics and the new reliable world of 'Audi' based support and early reports on the new Lambo's has led me to consider the ultimate exotic in my view.

It is the Gallardo which catches my eye I think its lines are beatiful and more consistent than the new f430 and more assuring and less twitchy is my suspicion.

I have a number of Questions I would appreciate any comments from the bulls mouth especially G owners.

Can you genuinely use it weekends and a couple time during the week ie almost daily user?

what are the regular user headaches of an exotic like this ie. heard someone mention reverse parking etc.?

what are the running costs of a Gallardo like relative to say a porsche Turbo?

In the UK I saw an ad for gallardo's if ordered new could be secured 15% below list, not sure if this was EU sourced, if any one knows the most affordable way in to order a car? For Uk based person.

Thats loads and I appreciate any comment on any one of the Q's as this is a big one for me. I would love to do a Sant Agata collect sometime in the future with some guys from the board.

Thanks again for any views.

Hi Blambo
I am a Gallardo owner, and I can tell you that the car is fantastic!!! You can see my car in the garage section of the site. First off, in my opinion, the Gallardo could be used as a daily driver with ease. My car was purchased in mid-April and already has 3000 miles on it. I have the e-gear version, and have had no troubles with it. Other than regular maintenance, I have not experienced any problems; in fact, it is probably the best overall and user friendly exotic car that I have ever driven. As far as depression goes, I am from the camp that says if resale is a big concern, exotics are not worth the risk. I bought my car out of love and passion, not resale! Most modern day production exotics should be seen as an expense not an investment; they will lose money and cost you something in the end. If you are like me, you will love your purchase, and when the time comes for another car, you will move forward without hesitation. Overall the Gallardo is outstanding, and equally as important, it is a Lamborghini, the greatest most exotic car company ever!

Good luck!

I drive my Gallardo every single day of the week. I drive it to get groceries, I drove it in the rain today, I drive it to the gym, etc.

It's not so much that I go fast each day, but I do feel special every time I'm in it.

Francis,

I have had my Gallardo since June this year. It's an e-gear.

Yes, we genuinely use it on weekends for trips away. Not a lot of luggage space, but my wife and I have been away for four day weekends and found the space quite enough. Actually you would be surprised just how much you can stuff in the luggage compartment and behind the seats. Golf clubs and surfboards could be a problem though!

I try and use it a couple of times during the week, but city stop-start traffic jams can be a bit irksome with the e-gear. It does the job fine, but is rather "clunky" at very low speeds, especially when it drops back to first, as you pull up at lights or an intersection. No big deal, and certainly no headache - but don't expect it to be "slush bucket" smooth at very low speeds. The manual would probably be a better bet for these conditions. However, the e-gear absolutely excels in all other respects, and once you get moving it is an absolutely fantastic experience. I know that opinions are divided as to which is better. I have driven both, and especially when it comes to performance driving, for me the e-gear is just streets ahead - I love it.

As far as headaches, well, standing starts on very steep hills with the e-gear, can be a bit demanding on the clutch (and driver!), espectially if you are caught up in a line of traffic. Reverse parking takes a bit of getting used to. And there is a horrific blind spot around the C pillars which can initially make merging and changing lanes rather intimidating. But the mirrors are fantastic, and within a very short time you will become quite proficient at safely merging, changing lanes, and parking.

Proabably the biggest headache I've found with the Gallardo is it's predisposition to scraping it's nose on inclines, driveway entrances, speed bumps etc. Whilst it has a sacrificial metal strip under the nose that always touches first, so the actual front nose/spolier does not get damaged, it sounds horrific whenever it happens. There are many entrances and "obstacles" which I would not tackle in the Gallardo, that I would not even think twice about in a "normal" car.

The "wow" factor produced by a parked Lamborghini will always mean that it is the centre of attention and will attract a lot of on-lookers. So if you intend to park it at your local Supermarket and DIY store, then expect it to get noticed. If you are going to be worried about "adverse" attention, finger marks, scratches, dents from other people opening car doors etc., then you may end up a nervous wreck! Me? I am very selective where I park it in public areas.

So, I have given you a few things to try and put you off Gallardo ownership. You did ask! Having said all that, these things completely pale into insignificance when you get behind the wheel and start to drive it as it was designed to be driven. It is a truely awesome and entoxicating car, it's finish and build qualilty is first class, it's handling defies description, it's acceleration and power is relentless, and the brakes are incredible.

Go for it - you won't be dissapointed.

[quote=blambo boy]Hi,
In the UK I saw an ad for gallardo's if ordered new could be secured 15% below list, not sure if this was EU sourced, if any one knows the most affordable way in to order a car? For Uk based person.
QUOTE]

15% below list may be for a LHD car or for a EU-sourced car. Either of these will mean a lower resale value when you try to sell it in the UK, so much of the initial saving will be eaten up when you resell it.
There also seems to be a slight bias in the way that Lambo UK treat customers who sourced cars from them rather than from the EU, when it comes to servicing, or warranty problems. Ask James Ketchell about this!
To be honest if I was buying a Gallardo now, I'd buy a used one with about 800-1000 miles on it. Their condition is absolutely as new and you'll get a good healthy discount off list as there are now quite a few available in the UK.
William

Thank you so much for both comments. I know I will have to watch the sleeping policeman etc..

If any of you are UK based where did you source/buy your car from and what is the current waiting list.

Any sellers of low milers on the board?