Lamborghini Countach Question

[Simonelite501]

Since the sale of my Lotus, the fleet is down to a volvo, avan and my old Dutton, so I have been looking around for something fun. I have always wanted a Lamorghini Countach LP400S, but finances have never/will never allow for such exotica, so I have seen a few replica's. Does any one on this forum, A; Have any experience of such vehicles?, B; have any advice? Ideally, the budget would be around £10-12 grand, but my stretch a little for a diamond, thanks in advance, Simon.

[Simonelite501]

Thanks, I'e checked the Lamberti site before, Mucho Dollar! There are a few cars around with renualt V6 motors, but I was hoping for V8 wether it be over or Yank. I'm still not syre that its a good idea, resale will be even harder than the Lotus, but the Countach has always been on the top of my wish list.

[Simonelite501]

The feed back I am getting, not only from here but also other knowledgeable outlets, and the heaps of rubbish that I have seen during my quest to find the elusive "Good One", all seems to be pointing me away from the idea, which is a great shame. I will however, keep looking, but the right car will have to be GOOD, as my standards, though not normally so high, have been raised due to resale ability.

[Simonelite501]

Although the LP400S countach is my all time favourite car, the replicas that I have seen, which are in my price range (£12-13,000), are absolute SHITE! Why people who have no experience in building cars and a limited budget even bother to start a project such as a countach is beyond me. I'm sure that they begin with all the best intentions but even the better engineered cars have bodged finishing touches. I had thought that I could re-finish the cars myself, but if the cars original builder wasn't bothered about the finish, what else wasn't he bothered about? So my eye was caught the other day by a rather wide, low slung, pointy thing in bright red. A Ferarri Mondial.Probably one of the most unloved 's ever, but the 2+2 set up suits me, and the price tag of £15,000 isn't too far off the mark, although don't tell the wife! The only thingt that really does concern me is the serviing costs, but I figure that once you've got the car thats just another bill, and if you check out my Lotus you'll see thaqt repair bills are nothing new! Its a real pity about the Countach, but hey, a real Ferarri, now who'd have thought!

[simonelite501]

smeagol said: I knew someone with one sitting in a garage simply because it needed a new cam belt (wait for it) £2k.

Wow! Scary numbers! I had heard some stories that would keep you awake at night, although I wasn't convinced of their accuracy. Seems I may be staring down the ballel of a loaded gun! Hmmm, Can't afford that sort of cash, maybe a rethink is in order, or just do it! ?????

[simonelite501]

I have always been smitten by the Esprit S2, but the NON galvanised chassis was a worry that put me off. The S3 is a far better car but somehow lacks the attraction of the S2. Its a great pity about the replica Countach, but the good ones are out of my meagre financial reach. That just leaves the Ferarri, which, it now appears, will bankrupt me if the ash tray needs empting! I'm really not sure what's next on the drive although with the iminent demise of the Esprit it would be rude not to, wouldn't it?

[Simonelite501]

The only cars on your list that would tempt me are the GT4 and the Esprit. The GT4 is an unknown to me, but the S2 esprit is pretty much home ground. However you are very wrong to say that the S2 is just an S3 without bumpers or enxpense. The main, but by no means the only problem with the S2 is that unlike the later cars the chassis is not galvanised (galvanised chassis came as standard on the S3 onwards). The S2 was arguably the best looking Esprit, but the thought of another Lotus with a chassis that needs relacing sends shudders down my spine. As I write, the ferarri option seems to be pie in the sky as the Mondial I had been looking at has been purchased, though armed with the cam belt changing information that may be a good thing.