Gallardo vs F430
Discussion
Been thinking of buying an F430 for a while, I was looking at 360s but as business has been good recently I can extend my budget up to 80k now. So I started looking at other options and realised the Gallardo is also in my price range.
I would be interested on opinions on both cars. It would be a weekend car and not used daily or in bad weather. Might do a few trips to south of france, spain etc... I have driven an F430 and enjoyed it, made the mistake of driving a 458 afterwards which unfortunately is out of my price range. I have never driven a Lambo.
Running costs are not too important unless their is a massive cost between the 2.
I would be interested on opinions on both cars. It would be a weekend car and not used daily or in bad weather. Might do a few trips to south of france, spain etc... I have driven an F430 and enjoyed it, made the mistake of driving a 458 afterwards which unfortunately is out of my price range. I have never driven a Lambo.
Running costs are not too important unless their is a massive cost between the 2.
Please post back your thoughts because I'm interested to hear them.
I've looked at both. The Gallardo is great from the outside. The interior is rather a non-event, sadly, but I could put up with that. It's a strange car, really, in a strange price bracket. It's both exotic and almost sensible. It's dramatic and yet not (not in the common black colour at least). I feel as if the R8 almost stole it's mantle for being newer, stealing its engine, possibly better looking and being a bit janglier.
I know (of) a chap who had a 360 and Gallardo, and reckons the 360 "felt" quicker. This seems surprising and unlikely to me so I'd need to confirm with a good drive in a Gallardo, maybe the 4wd saps a bit of power or it's not got a particularly good torque curve.
I've looked at both. The Gallardo is great from the outside. The interior is rather a non-event, sadly, but I could put up with that. It's a strange car, really, in a strange price bracket. It's both exotic and almost sensible. It's dramatic and yet not (not in the common black colour at least). I feel as if the R8 almost stole it's mantle for being newer, stealing its engine, possibly better looking and being a bit janglier.
I know (of) a chap who had a 360 and Gallardo, and reckons the 360 "felt" quicker. This seems surprising and unlikely to me so I'd need to confirm with a good drive in a Gallardo, maybe the 4wd saps a bit of power or it's not got a particularly good torque curve.
Nano2nd said:
430 for me, better build quality, better looking, proper v8, better gearbox, correct wheel drive, better sounding, lower weight, better steering, cheaper to run... seems like a no-brainer to me 
seriously though, you need to drive both and buy which you prefer
Eh, better build quality????? You're joking surely. Mechanically the 430 is strong enough, engine , gearbox are good but paint, electrics ,suspension components made of cheese, dropping wiper mechanisms scratching the screen, fading carbon fibre all issues. By comparison the Lamborghini is solid as a rock, an Audi in an Italian designer suit.seriously though, you need to drive both and buy which you prefer
The Gallardo V10 has the Ferrari V8 covered in every way, Scuderia power with more torque, noise just as good (better IMO ) the 360 sounds better than the 430.
Ferrari is more tactile, more delicate in its steering responses and has superior TC systems and diff.The Gallardo feels more planted but also heavier.
Costs on a par, certainly the Ferrari is not more expensive but certainly no cheaper, both have frankly offensive parts and servicing costs at times. Neither will depreciate much from where they are, if at all.
Looks a personal thing but I like the Gallardo more, 430 not Ferraris best, rides far too high and has some ordinary angles. My experience of both has resulted in more positive comments for the Lambo I would say, everyone loves em'
Pentoman said:
Please post back your thoughts because I'm interested to hear them.
I've looked at both. The Gallardo is great from the outside. The interior is rather a non-event, sadly, but I could put up with that. It's a strange car, really, in a strange price bracket. It's both exotic and almost sensible. It's dramatic and yet not (not in the common black colour at least). I feel as if the R8 almost stole it's mantle for being newer, stealing its engine, possibly better looking and being a bit janglier.
I know (of) a chap who had a 360 and Gallardo, and reckons the 360 "felt" quicker. This seems surprising and unlikely to me so I'd need to confirm with a good drive in a Gallardo, maybe the 4wd saps a bit of power or it's not got a particularly good torque curve.
Interesting comments. I prefer the interior of the 430 but Gallardo is still nice if you get the right spec. Being exotic whilst remaining sensible is a good thing surely?? Agree that black or white are just not Lambo colours and the shape is lost. The R8 doesn't hold a candle to the Gallardo in terms of presence and attention, a rather muted wall flower to the italian car. (Has other attributes though as an owner) The Gallardo, even earlier ones, are massively faster than the 360 every way you measure it, it has the 430 covered let alone the 360. Ferrari V8s have nothing like the torque either so in the real world the difference is more pronounced not less.I've looked at both. The Gallardo is great from the outside. The interior is rather a non-event, sadly, but I could put up with that. It's a strange car, really, in a strange price bracket. It's both exotic and almost sensible. It's dramatic and yet not (not in the common black colour at least). I feel as if the R8 almost stole it's mantle for being newer, stealing its engine, possibly better looking and being a bit janglier.
I know (of) a chap who had a 360 and Gallardo, and reckons the 360 "felt" quicker. This seems surprising and unlikely to me so I'd need to confirm with a good drive in a Gallardo, maybe the 4wd saps a bit of power or it's not got a particularly good torque curve.
I looked at both extensively ,for every person telling you the 430 is better ,there will be someone telling you the gallarco is better.
I drove several of each ,and back to backed where. I could....I ended up with a gallardo spider because I have never laughed so much driving a car,it is just a riot .
Do yourself a favor and just drive some of each then go with your gut.
I drove several of each ,and back to backed where. I could....I ended up with a gallardo spider because I have never laughed so much driving a car,it is just a riot .
Do yourself a favor and just drive some of each then go with your gut.
Dblue said:
Eh, better build quality????? You're joking surely. Mechanically the 430 is strong enough, engine , gearbox are good but paint, electrics ,suspension components made of cheese, dropping wiper mechanisms scratching the screen, fading carbon fibre all issues. By comparison the Lamborghini is solid as a rock, an Audi in an Italian designer suit.
The Gallardo V10 has the Ferrari V8 covered in every way, Scuderia power with more torque, noise just as good (better IMO ) the 360 sounds better than the 430.
Ferrari is more tactile, more delicate in its steering responses and has superior TC systems and diff.The Gallardo feels more planted but also heavier.
Costs on a par, certainly the Ferrari is not more expensive but certainly no cheaper, both have frankly offensive parts and servicing costs at times. Neither will depreciate much from where they are, if at all.
Looks a personal thing but I like the Gallardo more, 430 not Ferraris best, rides far too high and has some ordinary angles. My experience of both has resulted in more positive comments for the Lambo I would say, everyone loves em'
lol u obviously missed the bit where i wrote "seriously though" The Gallardo V10 has the Ferrari V8 covered in every way, Scuderia power with more torque, noise just as good (better IMO ) the 360 sounds better than the 430.
Ferrari is more tactile, more delicate in its steering responses and has superior TC systems and diff.The Gallardo feels more planted but also heavier.
Costs on a par, certainly the Ferrari is not more expensive but certainly no cheaper, both have frankly offensive parts and servicing costs at times. Neither will depreciate much from where they are, if at all.
Looks a personal thing but I like the Gallardo more, 430 not Ferraris best, rides far too high and has some ordinary angles. My experience of both has resulted in more positive comments for the Lambo I would say, everyone loves em'
of course i was joking about the build quality, engine power i can't argue with, noise and looks are subjective i'm not a fan of the huge dashboard on the lambo, reminds me off a Renault Espace don't get me wrong i'd still have a Gallardo in a heart beaton a more practical note, if your tall and what to do track days theres much more head room in the 430 thats for sure!
Nano2nd said:
lol u obviously missed the bit where i wrote "seriously though" of course i was joking about the build quality, engine power i can't argue with, noise and looks are subjective i'm not a fan of the huge dashboard on the lambo, reminds me off a Renault Espace don't get me wrong i'd still have a Gallardo in a heart beat
on a more practical note, if your tall and what to do track days theres much more head room in the 430 thats for sure!
Fair enough and a couple of valid points re headroom especially which would be an issue for anyone over 6 ft and anyone wearing a crash helmet. E Gear is nothing like as good as F1 either. of course i was joking about the build quality, engine power i can't argue with, noise and looks are subjective i'm not a fan of the huge dashboard on the lambo, reminds me off a Renault Espace don't get me wrong i'd still have a Gallardo in a heart beaton a more practical note, if your tall and what to do track days theres much more head room in the 430 thats for sure!
I've recently sold a f430 after using it for 6,000 miles in six months and it was a joy. I've also hired a Lp 560-4 for a weekend recently and the difference is huge. Early gallardo's were more on par. The F430 sounds much better, the interior is a much nicer place to be and is slightly better over speed bumps as the lambo was just so very low. Need lifting gear fitted as standard. The Lp560-4 was so much quicker than the f430, as you really felt confident pushing quickly into bends and getting in the power early. The lambo had a whine in first occasionally when pulling away gently and also a knock from the front driver side. So I would say the build quality wasn't perfect and I would let that sway my judgement.
I'm currently in a 360 and you really have to be considerate with your right foot or it's very twitchy. Both ferraris feel lighter in your hands as the lambo was planted and less involved - but so, so quick. If u can stretch to £100,000 get a lp560-4 or if u can't you should be able to get a good F430 for 80k. If not, I'm selling my 360 soon 😁.
Also, f430 sounds so much louder, and in my opinion better than a 360. F430 all round brutal loud sound, 360 high end scream with not much low end. Both standard exhausts.
Have fun choosing
I'm currently in a 360 and you really have to be considerate with your right foot or it's very twitchy. Both ferraris feel lighter in your hands as the lambo was planted and less involved - but so, so quick. If u can stretch to £100,000 get a lp560-4 or if u can't you should be able to get a good F430 for 80k. If not, I'm selling my 360 soon 😁.
Also, f430 sounds so much louder, and in my opinion better than a 360. F430 all round brutal loud sound, 360 high end scream with not much low end. Both standard exhausts.
Have fun choosing
I had a LP560 coupe and a 430 spider at the same time for 3 years so drove both regularly. That tells you that I really liked both. I bought the LP560 new in 2009 after months deciding whether to go for a 430 or LP. 2 years later I bought the 430 spider to keep it company. Both were used for road trips across Europe. The 430 did more trips but that was purely because it was a soft top and a better 'holiday' car in the sunshine. Both were comfortable for long trips, the LP was the better as it was quieter and more civilised but that you would expect as one was a coupe and the other a spider. I did find the throttle valves opening around 85 mph on the 430 a bit annoying on long trips but more fun on a quick blast.
Styling and appearance is really personal choice. I thought the LP best view was front 3/4 and the 430 rear 3/4 view.
Good and bad points about both.
The LP was so much quicker than the 430. That was probably the biggest and most important difference.
The ride was very hard on the LP and too soft on the 430. Probably because it was a spider. The 430 would bottom out at times on an undulating road which spoilt making rapid process over an Alpen pass.
The build quality was better in the LP. The LP felt very Audi like (which you would expect) whereas the 430 felt a bit cheap inside. The 430 had a bigger boot so more practical for a road trip. Both were 100% reliable over the 10k miles I did in each.
Servicing was slightly higher with the LP but the advantage long term would be so many parts are Audi so can be purchased cheaper from an Audi dealer if you do a bit of research.
I thought the LP had better shifter quality than the 430 but not much in it.
Both were fun and enjoyable to drive but in different ways.
The LP felt more modern than the 430.
Which was the better car? I would say the LP, but really it is down to personal choice.
I sold both when I got my Speciale. Just for reference that is so, so much better than either. It is such an absolutely amazing car. Everything that people rave about it is true. It just does everything so well. I even find it comfortable for long journeys. I have just come back from a European road trip and to be honest I found it more civilised and quieter than the 430 spider was.
Styling and appearance is really personal choice. I thought the LP best view was front 3/4 and the 430 rear 3/4 view.
Good and bad points about both.
The LP was so much quicker than the 430. That was probably the biggest and most important difference.
The ride was very hard on the LP and too soft on the 430. Probably because it was a spider. The 430 would bottom out at times on an undulating road which spoilt making rapid process over an Alpen pass.
The build quality was better in the LP. The LP felt very Audi like (which you would expect) whereas the 430 felt a bit cheap inside. The 430 had a bigger boot so more practical for a road trip. Both were 100% reliable over the 10k miles I did in each.
Servicing was slightly higher with the LP but the advantage long term would be so many parts are Audi so can be purchased cheaper from an Audi dealer if you do a bit of research.
I thought the LP had better shifter quality than the 430 but not much in it.
Both were fun and enjoyable to drive but in different ways.
The LP felt more modern than the 430.
Which was the better car? I would say the LP, but really it is down to personal choice.
I sold both when I got my Speciale. Just for reference that is so, so much better than either. It is such an absolutely amazing car. Everything that people rave about it is true. It just does everything so well. I even find it comfortable for long journeys. I have just come back from a European road trip and to be honest I found it more civilised and quieter than the 430 spider was.
A Lambo trumps a Ferrari in the high street head turning contest every time, Ferraris are a bit, well, common 
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