Gallardo vs 360 spider vs AM V8
Discussion
A friend has a dream dilemma before him. His objectives are not 100% crystallised but his choice is between the above three, all of them admittedly quite different in style and execution.
However, whichever one he chooses it will be:
- used as more than a weekend toy, probably a daily driver
- highly unlikely to ever see the track
- must be reliable and cope with extreme heat and humidity (lives in Dubai)
- strong preference for good residuals and relatively affordable running costs (note the 360 and the Gallardo are only available locally with F1 shift/egear, whereas the AM is only available in manual).
Given the following price differentials for new models:
AM V8 approx 10-20k (sterling) less than Gallardo which is approx 10-20k less than 360 spider (all due to local market pricing anomalies).
What would you go for and why? (Bear in mind his priorities above).
Personally I have advised the Gallardo due to the relative value (in this market) compared with the AM and Germanic build quality, which I imagine might cope better than a Ferrari in this heat.
Many thanks for your valued opinions!
However, whichever one he chooses it will be:
- used as more than a weekend toy, probably a daily driver
- highly unlikely to ever see the track
- must be reliable and cope with extreme heat and humidity (lives in Dubai)
- strong preference for good residuals and relatively affordable running costs (note the 360 and the Gallardo are only available locally with F1 shift/egear, whereas the AM is only available in manual).
Given the following price differentials for new models:
AM V8 approx 10-20k (sterling) less than Gallardo which is approx 10-20k less than 360 spider (all due to local market pricing anomalies).
What would you go for and why? (Bear in mind his priorities above).
Personally I have advised the Gallardo due to the relative value (in this market) compared with the AM and Germanic build quality, which I imagine might cope better than a Ferrari in this heat.
Many thanks for your valued opinions!
AM V8, no question - with the 430 recently launched 360 value's will continue to slide south and it seems to me 360 Spider is overpriced anyway. The Gallardo has suffered poor residuals in this country (no idea about Dubai) so if thats anything to go by it would probably be off-list too - added to which I have a sneaky suspicion the AM V8 will be a barnstorming drive when it appears. Add to that the AM's novelty value, real value (if the price's are as expected - £80k makes an M6 look very silly IMO), and stunning looks and your onto a winner. Worth noting that EVO (or was it Autocar?) carried an article about testing the AM V8 in that region quite recently so certainly should be able to cope with the heat.
Only problem I can see is delivery date - if your names not down now, then I don't think you'd be getting one any sooner than mid 2007, certainly thats the case UK side - can't see it being different over there? Still, nice dilema. I'd probably put my name down for a V8 now and grab a s/h Gallardo/360/DB9 etc. to run about in for the meantime...
Only problem I can see is delivery date - if your names not down now, then I don't think you'd be getting one any sooner than mid 2007, certainly thats the case UK side - can't see it being different over there? Still, nice dilema. I'd probably put my name down for a V8 now and grab a s/h Gallardo/360/DB9 etc. to run about in for the meantime...
Hmm, interesting. Do you not think that with just a 10-20k differential between the AM and the Gallardo, the Gallardo is better value for money? To put a long story short, my friend knows the buyer of the Dubai Duty Free cars, and has access to the "winning" car when the lottery winner opts for cash instead (happens on a regular basis), hence the huge discount on the new price. Given that he'd be buying a heavily discounted car, this eases the pain of first year depreciation.
My friend has already put his deposit down for the AM with likely delivery for October/November (sounds optimistic, but could happen). I know the AM did a lot of hot weather testing out here so reliability is probably pretty good, but how do Gallardos fare in this respect?
My friend has already put his deposit down for the AM with likely delivery for October/November (sounds optimistic, but could happen). I know the AM did a lot of hot weather testing out here so reliability is probably pretty good, but how do Gallardos fare in this respect?
Aha, its all about "who you know"! 
I imagine that first year depreciation would be mitigated somewhat on the G by the reduced purchase price however I still belive that the AM V8 represents a better long term investment - the G no longer commands overs whereas I suspect the V8 will do for some time. To cut to the chase though, its as simple as this for me:
If money were taken out of the equation and you offered me the keys to both I'd take the AM V8 - the fact that (IMHO) it represent a sounder finnancial investment and comes without one of those damned infernal autoboxes is merely icing on the cake. I'll have mine in BRG please
I imagine that first year depreciation would be mitigated somewhat on the G by the reduced purchase price however I still belive that the AM V8 represents a better long term investment - the G no longer commands overs whereas I suspect the V8 will do for some time. To cut to the chase though, its as simple as this for me: If money were taken out of the equation and you offered me the keys to both I'd take the AM V8 - the fact that (IMHO) it represent a sounder finnancial investment and comes without one of those damned infernal autoboxes is merely icing on the cake. I'll have mine in BRG please
I don't disagree, Jonny, but the AM is not available for test drives - so it's take it or leave it. I also imagine the Gallardo has more slow-burn charm versus the more visceral 360, and this is something a cursory test drive is not going to tell you.
(Besides, I personally find dealer test drives fairly pointless, but I can't blame the dealer for protecting his precious stock).
I notice from your profile that you have an extensive curriculum vitae so your thoughts on daily living with G vs 360 much appreciated!
(Besides, I personally find dealer test drives fairly pointless, but I can't blame the dealer for protecting his precious stock).
I notice from your profile that you have an extensive curriculum vitae so your thoughts on daily living with G vs 360 much appreciated!
Not sure about the AM or 360m but if he's interested in a Gallardo, Lamborghini occasionally offer track time as a part of the test drive, which might give your friend a bit more of an idea about how they drive (better than pootling around Knightsbridge).
I dream of having such a dilema....thank the lord for Best Of The Best!!
I dream of having such a dilema....thank the lord for Best Of The Best!!
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