PH buying guide: Lamborghini Gallardo
A proper supercar experience for vaguely affordable money or an expensive money pit? Time to find out...
As prices of the Lamborghini Gallardo now regularly dip below £60,000 in the used market, this so-called baby Lambo looks seriously tempting as a supercar bargain. With German quality to back up the Italian engineering, we find out if a Gallardo is a whole lot of fun or a whole load of trouble.
The Gallardo was the first Lamborghini to be fully conceived, designed and produced under Audi's ownership of the Italian supercar firm. Arriving in 2003, the Luc Donckerwolke-styled Gallardo borrowed much of its look and aggression from the larger, faster Murcielago he'd signed off the previous year.
Search for Lamborghini Gallardos here
This was the right car at the right time for Lamborghini, introducing a smaller, more compact model but still with the drama and excitement a Lambo must offer. Sticking with the four-wheel drive of the Murcielago, the Gallardo also ushered in a new 5.0-litre V10 engine with some design similarities to Audi's 4.2-litre V8 from the RS6.
As you can seen from the list of models below, Lamborghini has not been shy about leveraging the most from its best selling model. There are subtle differences between most, notably more power over the years and a couple of rear-wheel drive models.
However, the essence of the Gallardo has remained the same and it continues to offer a Ferrari-rivalling driving experience whether you choose the coupe or open-top Spyder. Thanks to its sensible dimensions, with a footprint much the same as a Ford Focus', the Gallardo is also, and perish the thought for a Lamborghini, practical.
With more than 12,000 Gallardos produced so far, there's a good selection of used models to choose from.
Lamborghini Gallardo models:
Gallardo 5.0
Gallardo SE (250 built)
Gallardo Spyder
Gallardo Nera (185 built)
Gallardo Superleggera (173 built)
Gallardo LP560-4
Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder
Gallardo Supertrofeo (30 built)
Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale (150 built)
Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni (250 built)
Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera
Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition
Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder
Gallardo LP560-4 Bicolore
Gallardo LP570-4 Singapore Limited Edition
Gallardo LP560-4 Tricolore
Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante
Owner's view:
"From the age of 17, I knew I had to have a Lamborghini one day. It's the stereotypical 'boy done good' supercar. I was always a Countach/Diablo kid over a Testarossa/Porsche one. I still feel like a Lambo guy and Lambos are just outrageous, everything a real supercar should be."
Steve Morrisey
Buying guide contents:
Introduction
Powertrain
Rolling Chassis
Body
Interior
Search for Lamborghini Gallardos here
Photos: GF Williams/Lamborghini
It was concieved as a rival to the Ferrari 360 Mondena when the Ferrari was towards the end of it's life. It's since competed against the F430 and is still competing with the 458 Italia.
Reminds me of the Mercedes SL R129 in many ways. very nice car though:
Here is a great review on one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3knDnfTVCY
Good job too as it gives most of us mere mortals a chance to get our hands on what was once cutting edge supercar.....
....still a supercar however, just not 'that' cutting edge, but heaps of petrolhead fun
Good job too as it gives most of us mere mortals a chance to get our hands on what was once cutting edge supercar.....
....still a supercar however, just not 'that' cutting edge, but heaps of petrolhead fun
Much more presence and proper Lambo doors as well.
Much more presence and proper Lambo doors as well.
I'd love to know the thoughts of owners who may have experienced both of the marques.
From my point of view, the Gallardo and 430 are about the same price, so to me they are direct competitors in the 2nd hand market. Personally, I'd rather the Ferrari, but I'm not wedded to this.
Love these cars (all of them), and would be happy with any one of them.
Much more presence and proper Lambo doors as well.
Very different cars really... The Gallardo was a much greater challenge to drive and attracted far more attention than the F430, but nothing can detract from the fact that the F430 is in another league altogether when it comes to the drive itself.
I miss the Gallardo a huge amount, but no matter how much I'd never trade my 430 in for another.
Personally I still prefer the LP to the 458 as the test drives I have had in a 458 it felt a little too uninvolving and play station and for the price of a 458 I can have the best of both worlds with a LP and a 430!
And do not compare an R8 to a LP. Yes it is cheaper but I would say it is only 75% of the driving experience and not even that pratical. In that price range I found the 911 Turbo I use to own a far more pratical daily driver.
Just think he's a legend for a) getting it and b) driving it daily and treating it like a focus (never seen it clean and parked on the street).
I can't imagine the same happening with a Ferrari or a Diablo.
A Black Filthy Gallardo has an almost understated cool about it (yes, I know, how can a Lambo be understated).
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