1st supercar - running cost differences?

[Walton]

Hi

I'm hoping to buy my first bona fide 'supercar' in the next few weeks - and I'm REEAAALLLY excited!!! I'll probably only have the car 6 months / 3k miles as I've another car on order for next spring. Will only be for the road, so sense of occasion is more important than outright handling/speed.

Currently looking at a 360 or 360S or an early Gallardo - budget £85k max. Friends have tried to steer me towards a 355, but they just look a little dated for my tastes.

I haven't driven either car yet, and I know that this aspect is very personal and there are plenty of reviews comparing the 2 cars out there.

What I'm interested in is advice on running costs. I know these things ain't cheap, but is one much different to the other? How about reliability? I read EVO mags long term test on their Lambo Merci and it was horrendous - £2k a service, £4k for discs, £1.5k for pads, clutches at £6k that seem to need replacing every 10k miles. Are Gallardos in the same ballpark? Are the replacement clutches (that most cars seem to have had) much better?

I don't mind spending a few grand on bits (if nothing go's wrong!), but certainly don't want to be spending 10k+!

Thanks

W

[Walton]

Forgot to add:

Is there anyone out there who sources private cars to order? I know people specialise in other marques and for a fee will find a good 'un.

[RossiT]

Have you thought about a GT3? If you don't mind me asking, what's on order for next spring?

[Walton]

I've got another Ariel Atom 300 on order for next spring.

I've considered a 996 GT3, but having owned a CSL and the Atom, I don't think a GT3 will offer anything revelatory on road or track. If you're talking about a 997 GT3, I don't think my budget would get one (though a friend is soon selling his). I'd also prefer something a bit more 'exotic'.

[Mattt]

Walton, have a word with Dion from Elms Collection - he has helped many PHers out in the past

http://elmscollection.co.uk/

[propaganda]

I think your biggest problem will be keeping the margin between buying and selling fairly narrow. Buying through a dealer and then trading back in could cost at least 5k and as much as 10k in the 6 months. Dealers margin is probably at least 5k, private is best but you will obviously need some kind of warranty cover, as anything major going wrong will be a financial moneypit.

However on a brighter note , sounds like a fun six months!

[klm]

You need a nice 360 F1 with full Ferrari Waranty and major service and cambelt carried out, all it will cost you in 6 months is the petrol.

Now where could you find one!!!!!!!!!!

[tony h]

klm said:

You need a nice 360 F1 with full Ferrari Waranty and major service and cambelt carried out, all it will cost you in 6 months is the petrol.

Now where could you find one!!!!!!!!!!

unless you're offering to sell him yours at cost, he'll do dough buying a similar car from a main dealer -fact

[klm]

Mines availible at the right money, as with anything if the money is right it will be sold.

Now,,,,, the Mrs

[tony h]

well, you know the original poster's budget so......

[bromers2]

klm said:

You need a nice 360 F1 with full Ferrari Waranty and major service and cambelt carried out, all it will cost you in 6 months is the petrol.

Now where could you find one!!!!!!!!!!

If you've come from a CSL then you won't like a std 360 - handling isn't as good / enjoyable. If you can afford it then go for a CS but at 3 times the cost of CSL it is difficult to justify.

[Murph7355]

bromers2 said:

...If you've come from a CSL then you won't like a std 360 - handling isn't as good / enjoyable. If you can afford it then go for a CS but at 3 times the cost of CSL it is difficult to justify.

And buying right now to sell in 6mths' time could possibly be the worst timing in history

[Walton]

Thanks for replies.

The CS is a bit beyond budget - and maybe too track focused. Original plan was to buy a bit deeper into Autumn/Winter to offset any depreciation - but cars are cheaper at that time of year for a reason i.e. it's rubbish to drive them, so sod that.

My 1st choice would be a Gallardo, but if the upkeep is much more than a 360 that may swing it. A lot of Gallardo's also still have some warranty remaining - which is GOOD.

[klm]

Walton, you should have got an email from me, let me know if you got it or not, cheers

[Paracetamol]

There are some nice 360s knocking about at the 50-60k mark. The Gallardo is alot more expensive. Probably the better car but word seems out that the 04s did have a few teething problems.

[tony h]

Walton said:

Thanks for replies.

The CS is a bit beyond budget - and maybe too track focused. Original plan was to buy a bit deeper into Autumn/Winter to offset any depreciation - but cars are cheaper at that time of year for a reason i.e. it's rubbish to drive them, so sod that.

My 1st choice would be a Gallardo, but if the upkeep is much more than a 360 that may swing it. A lot of Gallardo's also still have some warranty remaining - which is GOOD.

are you sure ? IIRC lambo only has 2 yr wrrnty, ferrari 3 yrs

[Bish]

Walton.

Try calling Webber Curtis 0207 073 2654. They specialise in sourcing vehicles of that calibre.

Ask for Mike.

[Burba]

wouldn't a 360 at 50-60 have less to fall than the Gallardo over the same time frame?

[Walton]

Thanks for replies.

I'll reply to emails directly.

I think the Gallardos with warranties left have probably been extended. There's a few '04 cars in the classified section with them.

I've looked into Eurospares.co.uk, and it seems the Gallardo has similar parts to the Merci ie. pads £1.6k a set, discs £1k a corner. A 360 by comparison pads are around £300 a set and discs £150 a corner! I know I can check discs/pads before buying, but it doesn't bode well for any other parts that may be needed!

I'd pick a Gallardo over a 360 any day if running costs were the same, and clutches didn't seem so fragile, but sadly it looks like this isn't the case.

[Thorny]

Another option is to join Ecurie or P1 for a year for circa 10k and have your pick of motors for that special occasion? If you have a runaround that is?