advice on buying Lamborghini Countach. help needed
Discussion
After reading the Octane magazine edition featuring the Lamborghini lp400 Countach, it has got me into the idea of maybe owning one. I wouldnt and couldnt afford an early car but I would want to consider and maybe afford a late-ish car.
Is ownership of this car realistic for me or is it better in fantasy than reality. Cant think of any car I would want in preference though.
I have a garage next to my house that could take the car but i'm kind of going into this blind. How can I avoid buying a poor example if I dont really know what to look for? I have seen that a dealership called Amari has some very nice examples. They are based near Manchester but the prices are quite high.
I know im entering a big new world but i need help in starting this journey. Can anyone take me under their wing and help?
Pete
Is ownership of this car realistic for me or is it better in fantasy than reality. Cant think of any car I would want in preference though.
I have a garage next to my house that could take the car but i'm kind of going into this blind. How can I avoid buying a poor example if I dont really know what to look for? I have seen that a dealership called Amari has some very nice examples. They are based near Manchester but the prices are quite high.
I know im entering a big new world but i need help in starting this journey. Can anyone take me under their wing and help?
Pete
Hi
I had seen a few before i eventaullu bought my QV last year. It depends on which model floats your boat! I dont like the anniversary but others do. It is the most developed of the range and had loads of mods over the QV, allegedly 500. However it depends on what you want? Anniversary's are possibly a cheaper way in.
Main problem is only a few lunatics actually drive these things a lot! As Colin Clarke said, people just dont drive these old cars any more! Clutcches are now £4500 plus VAt plus fitting although Oliverin germay claims they can be fully refurbished! At aht price its worth exploring
I spent £17000 putting mine on the road and there were no major faults!
If want some guidance happy to chat, email me for my mobile
Paul xx
I had seen a few before i eventaullu bought my QV last year. It depends on which model floats your boat! I dont like the anniversary but others do. It is the most developed of the range and had loads of mods over the QV, allegedly 500. However it depends on what you want? Anniversary's are possibly a cheaper way in.
Main problem is only a few lunatics actually drive these things a lot! As Colin Clarke said, people just dont drive these old cars any more! Clutcches are now £4500 plus VAt plus fitting although Oliverin germay claims they can be fully refurbished! At aht price its worth exploring
I spent £17000 putting mine on the road and there were no major faults!
If want some guidance happy to chat, email me for my mobile
Paul xx
I didnt realise that I was going to get so many friendly responses so quickly regarding this matter. I felt completely alone in where to begin this journey as this is all new to me. The Lamborghini world seemed like a very exclusive private world, so its nice to see that alot of the owners are just like me - passionate fans. It kind of scares me to hear about bills of 17k as if I buy the car, a bill like that could stop my journey dead. I like the QV model with the side skirts or the Countach 25th. I know there is a nice one in blue metallic around and I think Amari cars in Lancashire have a white one (QV with side skirts).
Are there any common faults with the later cars that i should look for? (ie.rust, engine wear etc)
I have just looked at topgearcars and they do not have any Countach cars for sale at present unless they are just not being shown on the site.
cheers for all your help everbody
pete
Are there any common faults with the later cars that i should look for? (ie.rust, engine wear etc)
I have just looked at topgearcars and they do not have any Countach cars for sale at present unless they are just not being shown on the site.
cheers for all your help everbody
pete
XXV111 - im really happy to have received your email with all this super insider info. Thank you for taking the time to write to me. Sorry to sound like a fool here but where are the cars for sale on here? As much as I like the Diablo, its really the countach that I would like to have - hope i dont become unpopular for saying that. I might be mistaken but is it sometimes better to buy a club member's car as it could be the case that its normally been owned by an enthusiast and therefore better maintained?
pete
pete
Hi Pete,
I've jsut made a similar choice / decision...
For me, as a kid, the Countach was THE poster car and the Esprit was *the film car*
I debated for a month over the virtues of a Countach vs a Diablo and I personally came down in favour of the Diablo.
From my reasearch, as said above - an Anniversary model was a fairly sorted car as in was the last model in the line of years of development.
I was also going to suggest speaking to David Price from LCUK and Carlo at Top Gear Cars.
I won't go into details but suffice it to say that I haev been given teh imrpession that Amari don't have the best reputation here! (I am sure someone will fill in those blanks in private!)
I just got my Diablo on sunday from Carlo at Supercar Sunday
I am so unbelievably over the moon I can't recommend it enough! Just do your research (as you are doing) I spent 5 months putting the whole thing together - so being in no hurry will serve you well.
Make certain you get rhe right car - Carlo seems to be universally considered to be the guy to go to there!
iirc they have a Countach at Anniesland in Glasgow atm but I know nothing about it and would seriously suggest that you check the background on that with the club guys if I were you!
Just to save you the time...
The infamous "Five Star" Candy Blue car which is doing the rounds is reputed to be a sh177er - don't touch it!
I've jsut made a similar choice / decision...
For me, as a kid, the Countach was THE poster car and the Esprit was *the film car*
I debated for a month over the virtues of a Countach vs a Diablo and I personally came down in favour of the Diablo.
From my reasearch, as said above - an Anniversary model was a fairly sorted car as in was the last model in the line of years of development.
I was also going to suggest speaking to David Price from LCUK and Carlo at Top Gear Cars.
I won't go into details but suffice it to say that I haev been given teh imrpession that Amari don't have the best reputation here! (I am sure someone will fill in those blanks in private!)
I just got my Diablo on sunday from Carlo at Supercar Sunday
I am so unbelievably over the moon I can't recommend it enough! Just do your research (as you are doing) I spent 5 months putting the whole thing together - so being in no hurry will serve you well.
Make certain you get rhe right car - Carlo seems to be universally considered to be the guy to go to there!
iirc they have a Countach at Anniesland in Glasgow atm but I know nothing about it and would seriously suggest that you check the background on that with the club guys if I were you!
Just to save you the time...
The infamous "Five Star" Candy Blue car which is doing the rounds is reputed to be a sh177er - don't touch it!
You guys are really making my year here. I have made more progress in 1 hour than i have in months! I am so happy that you told me about that blue Countach 25th. This is what worries me, i could have bought that thinking it was a good one, then to find out its a terrible example. You must be so excited to have just got your Diablo - is the plunge into the Lamborghini world as intimidating as it seems? I like the late cars as indeed all the faults from the earlier cars would have been sorted (not that i am aware of any).
I have received an email from david already and he mentioned some cars advertised on here but I cant find the links to cars for sale. am i missing something obvious?
pete
I have received an email from david already and he mentioned some cars advertised on here but I cant find the links to cars for sale. am i missing something obvious?
pete
Pete,
i went through the whole 5 month Saga with Robin so i know how much research he did.
As mentioned Dave Price was exceptionally helpful and the whole Lambo community is a welcoming one.
most of the guys bought them because they are dream cars as opposed to status symbols
Even though i'm an F-car owner i've come to appreciate both side of the coin.
at the end of the day we're all car enthusiasts so you'll get plenty of honest advice on here and on the respective marque specific forums
oh, the link to the classifieds......
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/index.asp?c=26
i went through the whole 5 month Saga with Robin so i know how much research he did.
As mentioned Dave Price was exceptionally helpful and the whole Lambo community is a welcoming one.
most of the guys bought them because they are dream cars as opposed to status symbols
Even though i'm an F-car owner i've come to appreciate both side of the coin.
at the end of the day we're all car enthusiasts so you'll get plenty of honest advice on here and on the respective marque specific forums
oh, the link to the classifieds......
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/index.asp?c=26
Harsh: thanks for the link to the car sales section, dont know why i couldnt find it myself. Im so releived to know that im going through a normal set of emotions when trying to make my initial step into the Lamborghini world
redwing: cheers for your offer mate, have you had yours a long time? Where did you get yours from? I havent seen this white with blue interior car, and this is now the second car I have been heavily warned to stay away from. Hope people can see how nervous this can make one feel when looking for the right car
he is certainly one for detail, not sure that i have ever read a car advert that long. I find the costs he has spent a little scary but its quite a car! Does anyone know the car personally? Maybe its awkward to ask on here, but does it have any faults or problems etc i should know abaout?
pete
redwing: cheers for your offer mate, have you had yours a long time? Where did you get yours from? I havent seen this white with blue interior car, and this is now the second car I have been heavily warned to stay away from. Hope people can see how nervous this can make one feel when looking for the right car
Diablo_Pete said:
Pete,
Daniel has just put his black anniversary on the market (yesterday). It's in fantastic condition and been looked after without compromise. Why not give him a call? Sure the price is negotiable.
Pete
Is this the anniversary? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/571400.htmDaniel has just put his black anniversary on the market (yesterday). It's in fantastic condition and been looked after without compromise. Why not give him a call? Sure the price is negotiable.
Pete
he is certainly one for detail, not sure that i have ever read a car advert that long. I find the costs he has spent a little scary but its quite a car! Does anyone know the car personally? Maybe its awkward to ask on here, but does it have any faults or problems etc i should know abaout?
pete
Daniel's Countach is fantastic..nearly won/should have been joint first with a certain Diablo at Supercar Sunday 2007 best in breed competition.Check out LCUK galleries.Plate reads HOT SEX.....failing that....you could dip a toe in with a V8.Cheers.
Diablo_Pete said:
Pete,
Daniel has just put his black anniversary on the market (yesterday). It's in fantastic condition and been looked after without compromise. Why not give him a call? Sure the price is negotiable.
Pete
Daniel has just put his black anniversary on the market (yesterday). It's in fantastic condition and been looked after without compromise. Why not give him a call? Sure the price is negotiable.
Pete
[quote]
I drove what's now HOT 23X before Daniel bought it from another LCUK Member - hello Keith if you're watching today!!
It was very close to perfect then, a real good buddy to drive and very, very popular with the main 'participants' on the TV show I drove it to... !
Daniel has only had done the work needed to make it slightly closer to perfect. That and about a £zillion's worth of extra stuff that perhaps he didn't really need to have done but wanted to for the sake of the car.
DiabloPete said he might accept an offer of less than the asking price - I'd agree but would be more inclined to say that might be just an offer of about £1.37 less... or perhaps he would throw in a couple of tins of travel sweets for the asking price buyer.
The buyer will need some minty/fruity stuff because the buyer will be in the car a lot. As in, almost very day for a month or two - owning/driving a Countach is very addictive and sod the price of fuel!!
I also recall saying to the presenter of the TV programme at lunch on the filming day that the car was such a good example that it scuppered some of the usual press comments about the Countach being a b
h of a car to drive... Yes, it gets hot in there, yes, seeing out was difficult (well, it was before Daniel's camera!) and the various driving elements were challenging (so, not a shopping car runabout per se) but all that paled into insignificance when set against the pleasure of driving the car - probably the best Countach I've driven (of 5 so far...) and the first I was ever able to successfully reverse in the 'preferred cool-ass sitting on the sill, looking over the roof' manner... but don't tell Daniel ... doh!
When I drove the car it had been awaiting sale for a while and needed a new battery. Once fitted, the run from Haywards Heath to the midlands the night before filming was accomplished with just two problems...
Problem 1 involved the driver (ahem) having insufficient knowledge to be able to turn on the lights without them being on max-fry setting for approaching traffic...
Problem 2 was actually quite serious (I thought) - the floor heaters didn't want to work, it was late and October and my tiny toes were frozen - again, something that has probably been sorted by now...
I am now going to go and take a look at the videotape (yikes!) that the BBC sent me of the programme and marvel at my ability to gently drive the car into the filming area and also the bloody ace roar from the exhaust pipes - that's me a blipping that throttle for the camera!!
Diablo_Pete said:
Pete,
Daniel has just put his black anniversary on the market (yesterday). It's in fantastic condition and been looked after without compromise. Why not give him a call? Sure the price is negotiable.
[/quote=Diablo_Pete]
Is this the anniversary? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/571400.htm
he is certainly one for detail, not sure that i have ever read a car advert that long. I find the costs he has spent a little scary but its quite a car! Does anyone know the car personally? Maybe its awkward to ask on here, but does it have any faults or problems etc i should know abaout?
pete
PeteDaniel has just put his black anniversary on the market (yesterday). It's in fantastic condition and been looked after without compromise. Why not give him a call? Sure the price is negotiable.
[/quote=Diablo_Pete]
Is this the anniversary? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/571400.htm
he is certainly one for detail, not sure that i have ever read a car advert that long. I find the costs he has spent a little scary but its quite a car! Does anyone know the car personally? Maybe its awkward to ask on here, but does it have any faults or problems etc i should know abaout?
pete
I drove what's now HOT 23X before Daniel bought it from another LCUK Member - hello Keith if you're watching today!!
It was very close to perfect then, a real good buddy to drive and very, very popular with the main 'participants' on the TV show I drove it to... !
Daniel has only had done the work needed to make it slightly closer to perfect. That and about a £zillion's worth of extra stuff that perhaps he didn't really need to have done but wanted to for the sake of the car.
DiabloPete said he might accept an offer of less than the asking price - I'd agree but would be more inclined to say that might be just an offer of about £1.37 less... or perhaps he would throw in a couple of tins of travel sweets for the asking price buyer.
The buyer will need some minty/fruity stuff because the buyer will be in the car a lot. As in, almost very day for a month or two - owning/driving a Countach is very addictive and sod the price of fuel!!
I also recall saying to the presenter of the TV programme at lunch on the filming day that the car was such a good example that it scuppered some of the usual press comments about the Countach being a b
h of a car to drive... Yes, it gets hot in there, yes, seeing out was difficult (well, it was before Daniel's camera!) and the various driving elements were challenging (so, not a shopping car runabout per se) but all that paled into insignificance when set against the pleasure of driving the car - probably the best Countach I've driven (of 5 so far...) and the first I was ever able to successfully reverse in the 'preferred cool-ass sitting on the sill, looking over the roof' manner... but don't tell Daniel ... doh!When I drove the car it had been awaiting sale for a while and needed a new battery. Once fitted, the run from Haywards Heath to the midlands the night before filming was accomplished with just two problems...
Problem 1 involved the driver (ahem) having insufficient knowledge to be able to turn on the lights without them being on max-fry setting for approaching traffic...
Problem 2 was actually quite serious (I thought) - the floor heaters didn't want to work, it was late and October and my tiny toes were frozen - again, something that has probably been sorted by now...
I am now going to go and take a look at the videotape (yikes!) that the BBC sent me of the programme and marvel at my ability to gently drive the car into the filming area and also the bloody ace roar from the exhaust pipes - that's me a blipping that throttle for the camera!!
Edited by XXVIII on Thursday 19th June 10:33
oh my,judging by these comments this is the one i should be looking at. that advert now begins to make alot more sense - he is an obsessive compulsive when it comes to his car. I would suppose thats the best person to buy a car from. I will contact him tonight, but are there any specific questions that I should ask him (ie. when the last clutch was fitted etc)? i know that he has mentioned just about everything in his advert but has anyone seen the car up close in the last year or so? is this considered the best example around or does anyone know something better or as good? I hope i dont bother people with my questions, but please understand that I have had noone knowledgeable to talk to on this subject and now I find this forum! Great stuff.
cheers you guys
pete
cheers you guys
pete
Hi Pete: I was the previous owner of this car, every thing Daniel has said is true: I owned the car for six years with no problems.
Cheers Keith
Cheers Keith
PNaylor said:
Harsh: thanks for the link to the car sales section, dont know why i couldnt find it myself. Im so releived to know that im going through a normal set of emotions when trying to make my initial step into the Lamborghini world
redwing: cheers for your offer mate, have you had yours a long time? Where did you get yours from? I havent seen this white with blue interior car, and this is now the second car I have been heavily warned to stay away from. Hope people can see how nervous this can make one feel when looking for the right car
he is certainly one for detail, not sure that i have ever read a car advert that long. I find the costs he has spent a little scary but its quite a car! Does anyone know the car personally? Maybe its awkward to ask on here, but does it have any faults or problems etc i should know abaout?
pete
redwing: cheers for your offer mate, have you had yours a long time? Where did you get yours from? I havent seen this white with blue interior car, and this is now the second car I have been heavily warned to stay away from. Hope people can see how nervous this can make one feel when looking for the right car
Diablo_Pete said:
Pete,
Daniel has just put his black anniversary on the market (yesterday). It's in fantastic condition and been looked after without compromise. Why not give him a call? Sure the price is negotiable.
Pete
Is this the anniversary? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/571400.htmDaniel has just put his black anniversary on the market (yesterday). It's in fantastic condition and been looked after without compromise. Why not give him a call? Sure the price is negotiable.
Pete
he is certainly one for detail, not sure that i have ever read a car advert that long. I find the costs he has spent a little scary but its quite a car! Does anyone know the car personally? Maybe its awkward to ask on here, but does it have any faults or problems etc i should know abaout?
pete
hello keith, would never expect to actually be conversing with the car's previous owner. One heres so many stories about cars that are just 'bad' and even in this forum post, i have heard about 2 to be avoided. So when you had it you did not experience any faults associated with these cars? I think you are mentioned in Daniel's advert as being as particular and obsessive as he. If so, this car sound almost too good to be true
cheers for all these responses
pete
cheers for all these responses
pete
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