Gallardo 2wd variety .... Thoughts ?

Gallardo 2wd variety .... Thoughts ?

Author
Discussion

TISPKJ

Original Poster:

3,649 posts

207 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
What's the general thoughts on the 2wd models ? Balboni and 550-2 if I am correct.
Do we think they will become the most sought after due to the rarity value, should they be compared to say the 911 GT3 ? Appreciate the GT3 appears the more hardcore of the two marques.
Is there any difference other than 2wd between 550 and 560 variants ? I know the balboni was a bit different suspension wise.
Thanks

70proof

6,051 posts

155 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
wow, you've opened a can of worms with that question....... yikes






actually, its a regular thread started.....
interesting topic..... when it comes to 'supercars' in general, lambo's are criticised for being 4wd cf 2wd... but when the same people talk Gallardo or buy, the opt for the 4wd 'cos its safer.... WTF!!!
taking your 911 analogy further.... the 911 turbo is faster outright, but the gt3 rs loved more as its rawer... if one follows this through, then the 2wd should in the future be the one that people want... esp if the huracan always stays 4wd, which it might.
personally, I opted for a 2wd when I re-bought a lambo, who am I to argue with the experience of a mr balboni..... its not about how much skill etc one has, the steering is sharper, even more communicative, and its so playful even at reasonable speeds..... makes you concentrate and respect driving it more too, if you know what I mean.

TISPKJ

Original Poster:

3,649 posts

207 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
Ah didn't realise you had one...
I had the original mk1 GT3 with a 410bhp Manthey kit, did loads of track days and loved it, driving a turbo at the same time and on circuit as well was just a lardy old beast, albeit a quick in a straight line car.

70proof

6,051 posts

155 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
TISPKJ said:
Ah didn't realise you had one...
I had the original mk1 GT3 with a 410bhp Manthey kit, did loads of track days and loved it, driving a turbo at the same time and on circuit as well was just a lardy old beast, albeit a quick in a straight line car.
biggrinbiggrinbiggrin
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

andrew

9,970 posts

192 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
four legs good, two legs bad

hth

TISPKJ

Original Poster:

3,649 posts

207 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Thanks for all the links Mohan, some interesting comments and great photos.

70proof

6,051 posts

155 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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andrew said:
four legs good, two legs bad

hth
Its not just homo sapiens brain but the fact he is up on two legs that has led to his domination of all.... Best to use the front legs for doing things other than forward motion.... smile

Magic919

14,126 posts

201 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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I'm sure JeremyC sold the baked bean GT3 and bought a 550-2.

70proof

6,051 posts

155 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Magic919 said:
I'm sure JeremyC sold the baked bean GT3 and bought a 550-2.
Yes, as has motheatenhound, dale, dblue amongst others...

jeremyc

23,468 posts

284 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Magic919 said:
I'm sure JeremyC sold the baked bean GT3 and bought a 550-2.
thumbup The GT3 is a good comparison in terms of driving characteristics, though I wouldn't consider the Gallardo quite as hardcore as the Porsche.

I'm not the best person to ask this question of: I didn't buy based on future desirability, but rather my peculiar and specific requirements for a manual 'box in a citrus coloured coupe. smile I would have taken either a 4WD or 2WD variant that ticked the correct boxes.

That said, I'm very glad to have ended up with the 550-2. It was some weight advantages over most other Gallardos as well ... driving



Edited by jeremyc on Sunday 23 November 09:14

TISPKJ

Original Poster:

3,649 posts

207 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
So approx how many 550-2 cars are we talking in the UK ? Would have to be egear for me although I do get the possible reasons for a manual.
GT3 was a great car and untouchable on track, but at times because of the RS plus spec suspension was a pain at times on the road, you had to be in the right mood for it, so something a touch more refined would probably be better, I doubt very much I would ever use on track if I were lucky enough to own one.

andrew

9,970 posts

192 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
70proof said:
andrew said:
four legs good, two legs bad

hth
Its not just homo sapiens brain but the fact he is up on two legs that has led to his domination of all.... Best to use the front legs for doing things other than forward motion.... smile
nah. freeing-up your front legs just encourages mischief

Slickhillsy

1,772 posts

143 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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TISPKJ said:
GT3 was a great car and untouchable on track...
Really - compared to what? The GT3 is actually quite difficult to drive 'untouchable' and most drivers would probably be quicker in something like for like. The thrill in the GT3 is mastering it the challenge... The Lamo might not be as durable but I'd guess most real world drivers would be quicker in it (round the ring for example) than in the GT3...

TISPKJ

Original Poster:

3,649 posts

207 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
I had mine in around 05 from memory, I was at the time a "fair" driver, I did a few events a year with Porsche club GB and a couple a year with French club, and a few others as and when, there was not a lot that came past.
My comments were more towards the turbo in 996 form and then 997 form neither as expected were a particularly good track car, at that time the GT3 and 964 RS pretty much had it sewn up.
I was just wondering if the 4wd and 2wd Gallardo were similar.

Dblue

3,252 posts

200 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Got some insight on this one as I've recently changed to an LP550-2 from a gen 1 997 RS

I specifically wanted 2WD and an open gated manual for a few reasons. Rarity value , interaction, feel, weight mainly. I personally think there's too many special editions of the Gallardo to make a huge difference in residuals on any of them but as a drivers car for high days and holidays I'm not looking for the fastest , I'm looking for the most fun.

If Valentino wanted the version of the Gallardo like he did then thats good enough for me, Be buggered if I'm going to pay £30k for a stickers set, a little plaque and some white leather so LP550-2 suits me fine.

Re the comparison between the RS and the 550-2, initial thoughts are;

Nothing , short of a Lotus or Cater/Aerial, makes you feel as connected to the car as a GT3. The feel through the steering and your bum is unrivalled and a level ahead of the G, its NVH levels are pretty marginal though and its ground clearance is a pain
Its a fabulous engine too with huge grip and traction

The Gallardo looks more spectacular, is much more comfortable and is more of an event. Its also faster and its motor is a force of nature. Traction is very easily overcome (At least it is in November ) and it doesn't generate the lateral grip of the Porsche . But its much more solidly made , better materials better put together IMHO than a 997 Porsche.

Lets be honest it may look like an outrageous Italian but its very much an Audi in many ways. Which is good wink



TISPKJ

Original Poster:

3,649 posts

207 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Thanks for that.
My initial thoughts at the couple of Gallardo's I have viewed are that it's a German built Ferrari.
Italian flair with German reliability and build quality ..... At least that's what I am hoping if I don't go 430 route

70proof

6,051 posts

155 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Dblue said:
its motor is a force of nature.
yes

Dblue said:
Traction is very easily overcome (At least it is in November )
that'd be the case even with a 4wd, v10 generates too many torques for the tyres to grip in this weather!

70proof

6,051 posts

155 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC0j17r2VPU

sums it all up..... with the 550-2, you drive the car, not a computer...

andrew

9,970 posts

192 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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70proof said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC0j17r2VPU

sums it all up..... with the 550-2, you drive the car, not a computer...
you do realise that valentino worked for marketing at the time ?! biggrin