Gallardo service
Discussion
Rumbled 
The background's simple, but the rest isn't easy to put into words!
Background:
I had a bit of bad luck with the car. At 600 miles it developed a major oil leak, and when they had stripped down the engine they discovered that a cylinder head O ring had been distorted (pinched) during manufacture.
This was rectified and the engine re-installed. They then discovered a water leak - a fractured pipe, so out came the engine again. Nobody told me about all this during the weeks the car was away, despite their promises to keep me informed, and in fact they were incredibly casual about the whole thing.
After the car came back I couldn't help feeling that it wasn't the new car I had bought - it had lost its virginity, and I lost faith because of the way they handled the customer relations aspect. OK, difficult things happened in my Ferrari days, but at least I knew the nuts and bolts of what was wrong.
Other little things have bothered me - howling backache whichever way I adjust the seats, a feeling of claustrophobia due to the cabin size, a very harsh ride on our (admittedy) lousy roads up here, and the downside of the Porsche image. It's not exactly a pretty car, but it seems to arouse peculiar anger in other drivers.
None of the small things matter much, but the whole experience has been disappointing, and it hasn't been helped by having to cope with a newish dealer 100 miles away. Porsche GB wouldn't take the car back to Reading for repair, and that angered me. I have never had a problem sending a car 400 miles for a service (300SL for starters), but I expect good service and good treatment for my money!
The Rest:
Being realistic, I've only got a couple of years hard driving left in me. Reactions are still good, awareness sharp, vision spot-on, and everything still feels right. But this can't go on forever, and when the Gallardo came out I wondered whether I should have one last fling. It looks right, seems to perform OK, and isn't something people up here would recognise - particularly in a dark colour. I like anonymity, and with a bit of luck folk here are so uncar-minded that they might think it was a kit car. Also, I love Italian cars - they seem to fit me better.
If I could pick up a Gallardo off the shelf tomorrow I might do it, but obviously I'm not suitable for a long wait! So in a nutshell I think I will probably stick with the 996 Turbo. Dynamically unbeatable at the price, and practical too - a superb machine all round.
Nevertheless.....
The background's simple, but the rest isn't easy to put into words!
Background:
I had a bit of bad luck with the car. At 600 miles it developed a major oil leak, and when they had stripped down the engine they discovered that a cylinder head O ring had been distorted (pinched) during manufacture.
This was rectified and the engine re-installed. They then discovered a water leak - a fractured pipe, so out came the engine again. Nobody told me about all this during the weeks the car was away, despite their promises to keep me informed, and in fact they were incredibly casual about the whole thing.
After the car came back I couldn't help feeling that it wasn't the new car I had bought - it had lost its virginity, and I lost faith because of the way they handled the customer relations aspect. OK, difficult things happened in my Ferrari days, but at least I knew the nuts and bolts of what was wrong.
Other little things have bothered me - howling backache whichever way I adjust the seats, a feeling of claustrophobia due to the cabin size, a very harsh ride on our (admittedy) lousy roads up here, and the downside of the Porsche image. It's not exactly a pretty car, but it seems to arouse peculiar anger in other drivers.
None of the small things matter much, but the whole experience has been disappointing, and it hasn't been helped by having to cope with a newish dealer 100 miles away. Porsche GB wouldn't take the car back to Reading for repair, and that angered me. I have never had a problem sending a car 400 miles for a service (300SL for starters), but I expect good service and good treatment for my money!
The Rest:
Being realistic, I've only got a couple of years hard driving left in me. Reactions are still good, awareness sharp, vision spot-on, and everything still feels right. But this can't go on forever, and when the Gallardo came out I wondered whether I should have one last fling. It looks right, seems to perform OK, and isn't something people up here would recognise - particularly in a dark colour. I like anonymity, and with a bit of luck folk here are so uncar-minded that they might think it was a kit car. Also, I love Italian cars - they seem to fit me better.
If I could pick up a Gallardo off the shelf tomorrow I might do it, but obviously I'm not suitable for a long wait! So in a nutshell I think I will probably stick with the 996 Turbo. Dynamically unbeatable at the price, and practical too - a superb machine all round.
Nevertheless.....
I think he's leading me astray!
Yessir Mungo!
If I can talk myself into it...
Ninja,
Hi there! I don't think the cabin size is entirely a question of dimensions. It's the impression you get - or the way it feels. I can't explain this very well, but I suppose it all comes down to a car feeling 'right' for a driver - and there's no logic in it!
Agree with what you say about the 996TT, but I think I need a change - how perverse can you get!
rico
That's a very useful photo, and I'm much smaller than you! About 5'9 and still at my schoolboy weight. My main problem is the lack of a backside, which may explain my difficulty with German seats, and I have to raise the seat to see out. Longish legs, shortish torso. Never a problem with Ferrari seats - they always seemed perfect.
Try before you buy!!
>> Edited by McNab on Friday 16th January 22:57
If I can talk myself into it...
Ninja,
Hi there! I don't think the cabin size is entirely a question of dimensions. It's the impression you get - or the way it feels. I can't explain this very well, but I suppose it all comes down to a car feeling 'right' for a driver - and there's no logic in it!
Agree with what you say about the 996TT, but I think I need a change - how perverse can you get!
rico
That's a very useful photo, and I'm much smaller than you! About 5'9 and still at my schoolboy weight. My main problem is the lack of a backside, which may explain my difficulty with German seats, and I have to raise the seat to see out. Longish legs, shortish torso. Never a problem with Ferrari seats - they always seemed perfect.
Try before you buy!!
>> Edited by McNab on Friday 16th January 22:57
Cheers Ernest! The whole thing's on hold right now thanks to the shock of a mad proposal from the faceless goons who run this world.
Informed a couple of days ago that they intend to reroute the National Grid through my fields alongside my house.
55 metre pylons every 300 metres across one of the most beautiful valleys in the country.
The whole district is in an uproar, so cars and other delights will just have to wait until we get this stopped!
Letters to MPs and newspapers and every man and his dog are keeping me busy!
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