550 to Gallardo or just both ? Opinions appreciated...
Discussion
Have this urge to get a Gallardo - noise, looks and all weather driveability are the major attractions ....but the problem is the 550 is simply the best thing I have ever owned adn my fear is if i sell it and don't like the gallrdo experience after all I don't think I will ever be able to replace the car i have in spec, reliability ad history..... so I suppose the question is do I keep the 550 and try the gallardo out for a few months or am i daft to keep two cars that essentially do the same thing ....
If anyone has a gllardo here or even better has had a 550 adn now has a gallardo I would really appreciate your honest opinions on this ...
IS the gallrdo driving experience as muted as amny complain or coming from a 550 are we talking the same calm powerful driving experience without all the nail biting handling that many call 'thrills and frissons' ? If so i think i would enjoy the experience ....
I would appreciate any help here thankyou
Basher
If anyone has a gllardo here or even better has had a 550 adn now has a gallardo I would really appreciate your honest opinions on this ...
IS the gallrdo driving experience as muted as amny complain or coming from a 550 are we talking the same calm powerful driving experience without all the nail biting handling that many call 'thrills and frissons' ? If so i think i would enjoy the experience ....
I would appreciate any help here thankyou
Basher
The 550 and Gallardo are 'chalk and cheese'. If you like mid-engined supercars, you'll love the Gallardo. The only critical decision is whether to have E-gear or "flappy stick".
Try before you buy, obviously.
If you wait a couple of weeks, there's a "Buyers Guide" on the Gallardo due to appear in the next EVO. Allegedly.
Try before you buy, obviously.
If you wait a couple of weeks, there's a "Buyers Guide" on the Gallardo due to appear in the next EVO. Allegedly.
basher said:
IS the gallrdo driving experience as muted as amny complain or coming from a 550 are we talking the same calm powerful driving experience without all the nail biting handling that many call 'thrills and frissons' ? If so i think i would enjoy the experience ....
I would appreciate any help here thankyou
Basher
I take it the experience is very important to you?
Was driving a friends Gallardo few weeks back, and it is nicer to drive than I remembered last time I drove one... maybe it was better sorted, maybe I haven't driven something interesting for a while, who knows, but I did drive another mate's GT3RS recently, and although that will blow most cars away for the driving experience, I still felt the Gallardo was a decent drive. It was very, very safe, and very fast. I don't think you'll be dissappointed coming from the 550. BUT, you being a lanky bastard and all, you might find it a bit cramped. Also the seats are slightly uncomfortable, esp compared to the 550, which I thought were fantastically comfortable.
I'd say take one for a good long drive and see what you think, no one will be able to answer your question to be honest. As far as being a fast car that is safe, it definitely fits the bill. It's not as much fun as say a 355, but mainly thats because 1) 4wd, chassis setup and traction control add up to make it understeer, rather than oversteer when really taking the piss (at least it wont throw you off the road), 2) the gears are really tall, so it kinda doesn't feel right (you can sort of work round it by being a gear lower than usual), I'm told the 06 and SE have addressed this and 3)it's a little heavier.
But man can you make some quick progress in it!
Hydra said:
I think you'll be gravely disappointed with the Gallardo comparitively. Personally, I feel the switch from a 550 to a Gallardo is a downmarket move.
Superb advice! And much better than your usual throw-away one-liners. It's a good job I'm sitting down. I would have fallen off my chair otherwise! I know plenty of ex-Ferrari pilots who have crossed over to the 'dark side'. I know of very few who have gone the other way. So your assertion is ridiculous. But perhaps you know more abour cars than any of them, so congratulations to you.
Your spectacularly low post count suggests you're spending too much time at Fiorano.
Seriously, what point is there in answering someones query so negatively?
Hydra said:
I'll voice the same advice someone offered you on FerrariChat. Stick with the 550; a wonderful car. I think you'll be gravely disappointed with the Gallardo comparitively. Personally, I feel the switch from a 550 to a Gallardo is a downmarket move.
If the Gallardo is winning magazine reviews against the F430 then according to your logic, Ferrari's are not as good as they were 10 years ago right? What happened to Jeremy Clarkson? The 355 was the best car in the world according to him, now he loves the Gallardo Spyder. What are you on about. I am sure that the author is trying to say that he loves his 550 (and why not, it is a very good car) but feels that owning a a pair of two seater supercars might not be fully justified. I think that he would regret selling the 550 unless 100% committed towards something else.
I am sure that a good dealer would be able to loan a Gallardo for a weekend so that a more informed decision can be made.
thnaks matey - whcih is why you can understand how reticent i am to sell her....
Gallardo is pretty much the only one left out of a long list i have been working through to justify either keeping the 550 or seeing if there is something better out there for me .....to be honest I ahve driven one before and it was fun - the sound was great but think the car in question had a tubi (who doesn't !!)...i have tried the Vanquish as it had 4 seats but there is something missing from the aston and reliability concerns me - as do residuals (talking the S model here)...haven't tried the murcielago yet adn i think i still will but it is in ahrd competition becuase much as it is slightly quicker than the 550 its useability would be less...can take the 550 anywhere - leave it anywhere drive it pretty mcuh anywhere with no hassle....murci is a big old beast with limited visibility....but its still gorgoeous save for the back end ! Porsche don't do it for me at all to be hoenst - the 997 is impressive but have to wait 18 months or pay premium (no chance) and it leaves me breathless on grip and peromance fronts but a little cold on the emotional one - so no go there... I suppose I am lucky but so far the 550 seems hard to beat - just ahve the gallrdo to try out again and the (dont laugh) bentlry GT - never driven one so cannot comment yet - but it has 4 seats adn with 1 child and hopefully another next year it might be an idea at least - although ahving a 4x4 already i suppose i can still get away with something silly and 2 seats !!..... blimey - how will i deal with mid life crisis at this rate - hopefully by having lots of cars in the garage I suppose !!!! he he he....
Thankyou for all help and views so far
Basher
Gallardo is pretty much the only one left out of a long list i have been working through to justify either keeping the 550 or seeing if there is something better out there for me .....to be honest I ahve driven one before and it was fun - the sound was great but think the car in question had a tubi (who doesn't !!)...i have tried the Vanquish as it had 4 seats but there is something missing from the aston and reliability concerns me - as do residuals (talking the S model here)...haven't tried the murcielago yet adn i think i still will but it is in ahrd competition becuase much as it is slightly quicker than the 550 its useability would be less...can take the 550 anywhere - leave it anywhere drive it pretty mcuh anywhere with no hassle....murci is a big old beast with limited visibility....but its still gorgoeous save for the back end ! Porsche don't do it for me at all to be hoenst - the 997 is impressive but have to wait 18 months or pay premium (no chance) and it leaves me breathless on grip and peromance fronts but a little cold on the emotional one - so no go there... I suppose I am lucky but so far the 550 seems hard to beat - just ahve the gallrdo to try out again and the (dont laugh) bentlry GT - never driven one so cannot comment yet - but it has 4 seats adn with 1 child and hopefully another next year it might be an idea at least - although ahving a 4x4 already i suppose i can still get away with something silly and 2 seats !!..... blimey - how will i deal with mid life crisis at this rate - hopefully by having lots of cars in the garage I suppose !!!! he he he....
Thankyou for all help and views so far
Basher
Hi Basher,
You are in a very enviable position. Both are great cars. Personally I try to rent the car I am interested in for 4 or 5 days, preferably in Europe then you can give it a good workout without loosing your licence. I think the big difference between the two is that the 550 will be a classic in the future something you will still be proud of in years to come, as opposed to the lambo which in my opinion will be remembered as the first VW Lambo. So if you can have both. Keep the 550 as a future classic and keep the Lambo a year or two until the next new toy comes along.
The Conti GT's are a riot. So much fun in such a luxobarge.
keep us informed to your choise.
You are in a very enviable position. Both are great cars. Personally I try to rent the car I am interested in for 4 or 5 days, preferably in Europe then you can give it a good workout without loosing your licence. I think the big difference between the two is that the 550 will be a classic in the future something you will still be proud of in years to come, as opposed to the lambo which in my opinion will be remembered as the first VW Lambo. So if you can have both. Keep the 550 as a future classic and keep the Lambo a year or two until the next new toy comes along.
The Conti GT's are a riot. So much fun in such a luxobarge.
keep us informed to your choise.
basher said:
and the (dont laugh) bentlry GT
Had a Conti as a "loner" for a week and half, a couple of months back. Lovely car. Certainly, a hell of a lot of metal for the money. And it was nice to be ignored for a change.
I'd be surprised if you think it better than your 550 though.
The "rental" suggestion seems like a plan.
Or just talk to a dealer and convince him you're serious about a Gallardo and ask for an extended test. Say 24hrs. And get some serious evaluation done. That's what a friend of mine did, from Sytner Birmingham. They loaned him an '06 Gallardo for 24 hours and he's now agonizing over the spec sheet.
As a side note, he's keeping his Conti and getting rid of the 911 and SL55. So maybe there's a message there for you? Good luck.
I was going to keep this quiet but I've just sold my 430 F1 (great car but) and pick up a 2005 Continental GT Mulliner tomorrow. I always thought of them as WAGs cars but I drove one and thought it was beautifully built and with the Mulliner spec, gret fun to drive and bloody fast too. the fact I can get my Bentley child seat (£240 a snip) in the back for my 9 month old son was the clincher for me.
The 430 was a fantastic car but I drove it to the south of France and ponced around London in it and couldn't see it getting much use as the crap weather arrives (I know, I should do what simon spider does and use the thing all the time)so I got a good bid and let her (they are always female aren't they?) go at a decent price - those 2500 miles were pretty cheap anyway!
As a car to use everyday in town and for the occasional blast I really like the Conti GT - got my sights set on an SLR next year but this Bentley will do for a year of fast fun, who knows, I might even keep it (my wife has a bet I won't)
Dion from the Elms Colection did the business as he has for many on here - why anyone bothers with Hartleys or Loughrans (they are worse than Winchester Cars at calling you back - maybe the phone only receives incoming calls at these places) I don't know. He got me the right car at the right price within 2 weeks - nice one Dion.
Anyway Basher - try the GT and see what you think!
The 430 was a fantastic car but I drove it to the south of France and ponced around London in it and couldn't see it getting much use as the crap weather arrives (I know, I should do what simon spider does and use the thing all the time)so I got a good bid and let her (they are always female aren't they?) go at a decent price - those 2500 miles were pretty cheap anyway!
As a car to use everyday in town and for the occasional blast I really like the Conti GT - got my sights set on an SLR next year but this Bentley will do for a year of fast fun, who knows, I might even keep it (my wife has a bet I won't)
Dion from the Elms Colection did the business as he has for many on here - why anyone bothers with Hartleys or Loughrans (they are worse than Winchester Cars at calling you back - maybe the phone only receives incoming calls at these places) I don't know. He got me the right car at the right price within 2 weeks - nice one Dion.
Anyway Basher - try the GT and see what you think!
lambojim said:
I was going to keep this quiet but I've just sold my 430 F1 (great car but) and pick up a 2005 Continental GT Mulliner tomorrow. I always thought of them as WAGs cars but I drove one and thought it was beautifully built and with the Mulliner spec, gret fun to drive and bloody fast too. the fact I can get my Bentley child seat (£240 a snip) in the back for my 9 month old son was the clincher for me.
The 430 was a fantastic car but I drove it to the south of France and ponced around London in it and couldn't see it getting much use as the crap weather arrives (I know, I should do what simon spider does and use the thing all the time)so I got a good bid and let her (they are always female aren't they?) go at a decent price - those 2500 miles were pretty cheap anyway!
As a car to use everyday in town and for the occasional blast I really like the Conti GT - got my sights set on an SLR next year but this Bentley will do for a year of fast fun, who knows, I might even keep it (my wife has a bet I won't)
Dion from the Elms Colection did the business as he has for many on here - why anyone bothers with Hartleys or Loughrans (they are worse than Winchester Cars at calling you back - maybe the phone only receives incoming calls at these places) I don't know. He got me the right car at the right price within 2 weeks - nice one Dion.
Anyway Basher - try the GT and see what you think!
The 430 was a fantastic car but I drove it to the south of France and ponced around London in it and couldn't see it getting much use as the crap weather arrives (I know, I should do what simon spider does and use the thing all the time)so I got a good bid and let her (they are always female aren't they?) go at a decent price - those 2500 miles were pretty cheap anyway!
As a car to use everyday in town and for the occasional blast I really like the Conti GT - got my sights set on an SLR next year but this Bentley will do for a year of fast fun, who knows, I might even keep it (my wife has a bet I won't)
Dion from the Elms Colection did the business as he has for many on here - why anyone bothers with Hartleys or Loughrans (they are worse than Winchester Cars at calling you back - maybe the phone only receives incoming calls at these places) I don't know. He got me the right car at the right price within 2 weeks - nice one Dion.
Anyway Basher - try the GT and see what you think!
Jim. Hope my comments didn't offend. The Conti is awesome, especially as it's a proper 4 seater (unlike DB9 sadly).
I just meant that Basher's 550 is already special and I doubted the Conti would up stage it...
Arse, I'm just making things worse! Back peddle, back peddle!
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff