Buying an early Gallardo; What to look out for?

[Rochester TVR]

Hi, Myself and my dad have been looking at prospect of joint ownership of a car for the weekends instead of us having a car each. Originally I was going to pay to have his Cayman tricked up etc... But, eventually I was put off as I would never see the money again come resale time.

The other possibility is for my dad to sell his car (approx 28k ish) and for me to put in around 25k giving a budget of 53k (sorry my pound sign is not working) there are other cars that could be a possibility (AMV8) but the Gallardo is my first choice, hence why I’m researching about this first!

By scanning the adverts it seems that our budget could get us into an '04 or '05 Gallardo, but I’m (we're) slightly worried that an early one could be a bit of a money trap.

If anyone could give us some advice about the running costs of these early Gallardo's, and/or any potential problems that they suffer from, or what to check etc I will be very greatful.

I understand that our budget wouldn't get us a particularly desirerable spec (no E-Gear, Sat Nav or the nicer wheels) (Calisto?) but we understand this and are happy with that as it will only ever be used as a fair weather weekend toy.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Caelum Blue]

Rochester TVR said:

Hi, Myself and my dad have been looking at prospect of joint ownership of a car for the weekends instead of us having a car each. Originally I was going to pay to have his Cayman tricked up etc... But, eventually I was put off as I would never see the money again come resale time.

The other possibility is for my dad to sell his car (approx 28k ish) and for me to put in around 25k giving a budget of 53k (sorry my pound sign is not working) there are other cars that could be a possibility (AMV8) but the Gallardo is my first choice, hence why I’m researching about this first!

By scanning the adverts it seems that our budget could get us into an '04 or '05 Gallardo, but I’m (we're) slightly worried that an early one could be a bit of a money trap.

If anyone could give us some advice about the running costs of these early Gallardo's, and/or any potential problems that they suffer from, or what to check etc I will be very greatful.

I understand that our budget wouldn't get us a particularly desirerable spec (no E-Gear, Sat Nav or the nicer wheels) (Calisto?) but we understand this and are happy with that as it will only ever be used as a fair weather weekend toy.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

04 car, no issues, still on original clutch, so long as it has been looked after and driven regularly (does not have to mean high mileage) you should be OK. You won't regret buying a good one.

[Rochester TVR]

What would you deam as 'high mileage' in one of these?

How long do clutches generally last?
(I've seen a new one costs around 1800, is that about right?)

Is there a point in their life where an engine rebuild is required?

Anything else to be aware of?

[nigelw]

I am new to this as well and am researching as well . It seems that an E spec sintered clutch is the best to have ( with recent paperwork to show how old it is )...other wise put £3 k aside to replace it when its worn . manual car clutches tend to last twice as long as E gears , both depend on driving habits . someone who knows more will be along in a bit I'm sure .

[Rochester TVR]

nigelw said:

I am new to this as well and am researching as well . It seems that an E spec sintered clutch is the best to have ( with recent paperwork to show how old it is )...other wise put £3 k aside to replace it when its worn . manual car clutches tend to last twice as long as E gears , both depend on driving habits . someone who knows more will be along in a bit I'm sure .

Yes I have been reading your thread with interest.

So far my research has shown that theres not really too much to be careful of when buying... apart from the obvious FSH, condition etc.

Being a TVR chap I know expect to know about every nut and bolt on a car before laying my money down...

Are there any problems with corrosion?
Suspension?
Overheating?
Leaking doorsills?
Electrical problems?
4WD system?

This is all looking a bit too simple!

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Rochester TVR said:

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Ferrari....575....F1....silver with blue. 23k...... and enough money left over for Insurance and a years fuel and servicing ...

mail me

[Rochester TVR]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

Rochester TVR said:

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Ferrari....575....F1....silver with blue. 23k...... and enough money left over for Insurance and a years fuel and servicing ...

mail me

Sod the 575! I'd take your Tuscan Racer any day!

But to be honest Ferrari's have never 'done it' for me... Saying that IF I was to pick one it would have a V12 in the front and would be TDF Blue, so yours is close... but I also know that as this is a joint purchase with the old man (and he's getting on now at 66 now bless him, he'll proberly read this!) that the only Ferrari he would choose would have the engine behind him and it would be red.

So unfortunately due to a conflict of tastes I feel we are onto a non starter there, but good luck with the sale anyway.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

unfortunately the tuscan is now more afer a big crash and subsequent fire at Castle Combe.....

www.amgtv.co.uk/owentvr.mpg

shame really - good luck with the search for the Lambo.

Regards

Owen

[nigelw]

During excessive reading of back posts it only seems like the clutch is an issue . It sounds like catching fire looks like a badly routed pipe on early cars and pictures of the fire damage lead me to believe it is in the left hand side of the engine bay . If I get one I will look at re routing / protecting anything suspect near the exhausts . I am only passing on gossip here really , but hope it helps !

[custardkid]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

Ferrari....575....F1....silver with blue.

spotted looking very clean opp Lloyds?

not a ferrari man, but had to have a closer look

Custard

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

today? was out and about in Bristol but not at waterfront. when was this?

sorry OP

[ineedagallardo]

nigelw said:

I am new to this as well and am researching as well . It seems that an E spec sintered clutch is the best to have ( with recent paperwork to show how old it is )...other wise put £3 k aside to replace it when its worn . manual car clutches tend to last twice as long as E gears , both depend on driving habits . someone who knows more will be along in a bit I'm sure .

E Series Clutch is not Sintered, D revision is the sintered version and is the better and more expensive of the two clutches.

[Rochester TVR]

nigelw said:

During excessive reading of back posts it only seems like the clutch is an issue . It sounds like catching fire looks like a badly routed pipe on early cars and pictures of the fire damage lead me to believe it is in the left hand side of the engine bay . If I get one I will look at re routing / protecting anything suspect near the exhausts . I am only passing on gossip here really , but hope it helps !

Thats all good news, Im a surprised that the only real issue is to check the condition of the clutch (the advantage of Audi R&D I guess)

Plus Im not that worried about the fires... AFAIK there was only a handfull of cases, and I suspect the only reason it got so much attention was because it was a Lamborghini... I bet there are more Kia Picanto's that have caught fire but no one gives a st about them!

Thanks for the advice.

[lordbluf]

Put aside 4K a year for sevicing and replacing the clutch, tyres etc - that should do fine...oh and if you plan on removing bugs with a scourer (highly recommended), put aside some money for detailing

[Rochester TVR]

4k a year is very reasonable (even better when it will be split 50%)

Are there any colours to avoid within the Lambo community?

[Gring]

I wanna know where people are getting their clutch's done for £2k to £3k, best quote (From someone I would allow to do it) I have had is about £3.8k inc vat!

[andrew.]

about this clutch business
my 2007 car's ( e-gear ) clutch is only 22% worn at 15k miles
as you were

[lordbluf]

Rochester TVR said:

4k a year is very reasonable (even better when it will be split 50%)

Are there any colours to avoid within the Lambo community?

A controversial topic. I have black but my favourite colour would be white.

Gring, are you talking sintered clutches?

[//dean]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

unfortunately the tuscan is now more afer a big crash and subsequent fire at Castle Combe.....

www.amgtv.co.uk/owentvr.mpg

shame really - good luck with the search for the Lambo.

Regards

Owen

[Gring]

lordbluf said:

Rochester TVR said:

4k a year is very reasonable (even better when it will be split 50%)

Are there any colours to avoid within the Lambo community?

A controversial topic. I have black but my favourite colour would be white.

Gring, are you talking sintered clutches?

Yeah, I got a quote of £2500 inc vat for one from a fairly respected place, but was told that the sintered clutch was exactly the same as the e-gear clutch and when I started to speak revisions the guy just kind of dismissed what I said. Put me off. I think I am gonna stick with the more expensive option and get it done at LHW, at least I know they know what they they are doing!