RE: Gallardo Press Launch

RE: Gallardo Press Launch

Author
Discussion

anjum

1,605 posts

285 months

Wednesday 9th July 2003
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Sadly - I regret to inform you that the Diablo has gone (or rather is in the process of being sold). I will miss it - but c'est la vie.

The 996 Turbo goes on Friday - great car - but not what I'm after.

The LHD 550 stays though!

I've just joined P1 international - or whatever it called - as unfortunately my work commitments are very demanding of my time - and I am simply not having enough spare time to play properly.

I'm getting a LHD Gallardo for Aug/Sep to work out what spec I want (there will be a manual and egear versions, or so I've been advised). Still kinda hoping this is going to be awesome - although have been previously disappointed when I finally took delivery of the TVR Tuscan (after a 2 1/2 year wait) and a F355 Spyder (after a 3 year wait).

Kinda fancy an F40 right now - I know I'll never use it all the time - but what a hoot!! There look like there are a few on the market - but am still doing some more research.....

ninja_eli

1,525 posts

268 months

Wednesday 9th July 2003
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456mgt said:
I know what Ali means about price, but I think it's the Murci that's 'cheap', not the Gallardo that's expensive.


Its funny you should say that, as Abby from Verdi's reckons "the Murcielago is fantastically well made, a lot of car for the money."

He basically reckons the car is really good value! So maybe your angle on it is more correct?

Its very exciting to say the least. The SV and Cabriolet versions should be something to look forward to aswell.

456mgt

2,504 posts

267 months

Wednesday 9th July 2003
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ninja_eli swooning like a girl said:
Its funny you should say that, as Abby from Verdi's reckons "the Murcielago is fantastically well made, a lot of car for the money."

Its very exciting to say the least. The SV and Cabriolet versions should be something to look forward to aswell.

Hehe. Here we go! You're going to do it aren't you Ali? Far too consistent, for quite some time now too. [military] this is NOT a whim [/military]. If I may, I'm going to have a visual Derestrictor moment....

trackdemon

12,193 posts

262 months

Thursday 10th July 2003
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Stop press! PH'er may be getting an F40. One of the seminal pants/accident/whooshturbo/gaaawwwwwdalmightythatsfast cars. Nice. We must see it, we must feel it. I have no problems living vicariously.
Which I intend to do when (not if) Ali takes delivery of his manual ("none of this E-gear rubbish") Gallardo, quite possibly black/black with yellow stitching. You know it makes sense. We must ride they grey rollercoaster again soon....

manu

768 posts

264 months

Thursday 10th July 2003
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ORANGE DIABLO 6.0...

Ali is a pervert.

tony_996hasgone

3,160 posts

259 months

Thursday 10th July 2003
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manu said:
ORANGE DIABLO 6.0...


Very nice car... I keep going into the showroom to drool over it... and it is very ORANGE.... certainly not suited to anyone who is shy and retiring.

ninja_eli

1,525 posts

268 months

Thursday 10th July 2003
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I honestly don't know which one to get. I definitely prefer the looks of the Diablo to both the Murci and the Gallardo. But, the Murci is the better car (but not by much in terms of build quality apparently).

The Gallardo however, would be the better "hooning" car, the size is near on perfect for UK roads. It supposed to sound like an F1 car too. I mean, come on, is there much else one could want? Apart from slightly better looks, scissor doors, and better interior? Want to drive one first though!

And Manu, regards Orange Diablo, I'm still trying to sort out insurance. The underwriters of Privilege, Tesco and NatWest are all the same. And apparently they are refusing to insure the 6.0 from now on

I suspect you guys weren't able to come up with anything either?

danhf

339 posts

257 months

Saturday 12th July 2003
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in a 360-Gallardo styling shootout the Lambo wins hands-down imo. I think it's funny to hear Ferrari owners/enthusiasts critisise Lambo for using Audi switchgear - I would suggest that Fiat indicator stalks, etc are far more downmarket.....

also, whilst I'm on the subject of knocking the 360 - why does it sound like it's doing 6k rpm at 3k rpm? Manufactured exhaust note is ok on a Corsa (to the Max Power lot) but on a Ferrari? oh dear.

the Stradale does nothing for me and just sullies the reputation of the Lancias that carried the same name. a couple of tweeks here and there does not make a "special" - the Porsche GT3 is a true special with significant changes throughout rather than uprated dampers and a chip change. oh, and the natty stripe.

I think the G is in the next class up from the 360 (500bhp vs <400bhp) so the price is justified.

all imho of course. no offence intended to 360 owners.


dan

>> Edited by danhf on Saturday 12th July 01:19

manu

768 posts

264 months

Saturday 12th July 2003
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danhf said:

I would suggest that Fiat indicator stalks, etc are far more downmarket.....



If there is any in a Ferrari there's not much of it. (i.e no central console lifted from puntos).
Show me some in a modern day Ferrari please.



danhf said:

also, whilst I'm on the subject of knocking the 360 - why does it sound like it's doing 6k rpm at 3k rpm? Manufactured exhaust note is ok on a Corsa (to the Max Power lot) but on a Ferrari? oh dear.



And this is absolutely correct.


Stradale is 110kg lighter than modena, has ceramic brakes, superfast F1 'box from Enzo, 50% more downforce from a bodywork/underbody mods, 20hp more, new suspension, new wheels/tyres.... the only car faster around Fiorano is Enzo..
errr...I suggest this adds to more than just a 'a couple of tweeks here and there.'

>> Edited by manu on Saturday 12th July 11:47

ninja_eli

1,525 posts

268 months

Saturday 12th July 2003
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danhf said:
in a 360-Gallardo styling shootout the Lambo wins hands-down imo. I think it's funny to hear Ferrari owners/enthusiasts critisise Lambo for using Audi switchgear - I would suggest that Fiat indicator stalks, etc are far more downmarket.....


It's not so much a case of knocking the use of Audi switchgear. The interior just doesn't look special enough, it looks too much like one of the Audis (e.g. mostly like an A4). Things have just been lifted and plunked straight in there. Use the parts no problem, but for gawd's sake make it feel exotic. Also, in the exterior design there is a lot of Audi. If you can't see what I mean, then well? The A4 type rear lights, the little upward slant on the rear? They are much an Audi family cue. Did I mention the wheels

danhf said:

also, whilst I'm on the subject of knocking the 360 - why does it sound like it's doing 6k rpm at 3k rpm? Manufactured exhaust note is ok on a Corsa (to the Max Power lot) but on a Ferrari? oh dear.


Most sounds on cars nowadays are manufactured. Look at the Astons, and don't you dare knock that car! But I do agree a stock 360 sounds shit...

danhf said:

the Stradale does nothing for me and just sullies the reputation of the Lancias that carried the same name. a couple of tweeks here and there does not make a "special" - the Porsche GT3 is a true special with significant changes throughout rather than uprated dampers and a chip change. oh, and the natty stripe.


It appeals to those who want to buy it... and I'm sure they will enjoy it.

danhf said:

I think the G is in the next class up from the 360 (500bhp vs <400bhp) so the price is justified.


Err, no. If it were merely a pricing of BHP, Supra TTs and Skylines with mods would be costing into the hundreds of thousands. They don't. A Merc SL55 costs less than 90K. And trust me, that is one well made car, has more BHP than 360/Gallardo and has a trick roof, worth a few bob on its own. So, your reasoning, is well, erm... *not good*

When all that's said and done, its not going to stop lots of people wanting to and buying it. Its just if it did look that little bit better (inside and out) I'd have absolutely NO hesistation. Hope it really kicks Ferrari in the nuts, might get their head out of their own arse.

danhf

339 posts

257 months

Saturday 12th July 2003
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Ok - a few points here :

when Ferrari were getting back on their feet the indicator stalks in the Testarossa (the top of the range car at the time) were from a Lancia Delta. And IIRC most of the other switchgear on other models was also borrowed. On a current Ferrari I'm not sure but give Lambo a chance.. (I'm sure the ignition barrel is from a Cinq ;-))

I was being harsh about the Stradale but I really don't think the mods are quite as extreme as they could have been. Opportunity missed.

Astons - I do dare! Again, the exhaust has controlled valves in there - again, they are missing the point. The sound has to be right but in line with what the engine is doing - to have it any other way is fundamentally wrong. To do as Alfa did and tune the intake to sound throaty is fine but to have computer controlled valves to make it sound like it's doing something it isn't is not on. I love the Aston btw but if I owned one, I would replace all that gubbins.

When I said the Gallardo was in a class above I clumsily insinuated that it was by power alone. I didn't just mean on the grounds of power - my view is that in terms of power AND exoticness (not a word but I'm in a rush) and desirability it is in a class above. I would put the 360 in the 911 class - the Gallardo is in between the 360 and the 550 imo. Having said that I don't like the 550 either.

Don't get me wrong - I don't hate Ferraris. I love the Daytonas, Dino, 288GTO, etc, etc but the current range is, in comparison to past offerings bland and insipid. But, I guess I'm in the minority as they are selling better than ever (mumbling to myself "just 'cos you're in the minority doesn't mean you're wrong").

I'm not mad on interior of the Lambo but I think they are 10 years behind Ferrari in terms of getting up to date with their "shit" - once they start to make a few quid I'm sure bespoke switches, etc will return. I really can't see any Audi in the styling other than it's clean, crisp and contempory. I like the fact it's compact, driveable (whatever you say about 4wd it makes the car safer and generally, real-world driving, quicker).

dan

tony_996hasgone

3,160 posts

259 months

Saturday 12th July 2003
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Two Gallardos at GFOS today. Black one did look pretty impressive... are these the two cars that will be at Lamborghini London? (I'd guess so)

GTA

183 posts

251 months

Sunday 13th July 2003
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Any Ferrari is patently NOT in the same ball park as a 911. The stallions have sex appeal, class and exclusivity - I see a dozen porsche's on the road every day now.

On the other hand, the one thing all german cars seem to have (Gallardo included) is proper build quality.

The ideal situation will probably be with us in a few years time. Hopefully Ferrari's new generation products will lift their game a little with regard to build quality / ruggedness, to compete with ze germans.

jason360

289 posts

256 months

Sunday 13th July 2003
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NINJA ELI said:
The Gallardo however, would be the better "hooning" car, the size is near on perfect for UK roads. It supposed to sound like an F1 car too.


F1?? I'm afraid not, there were 2 @ GFoS this weekend and the "Gayardo" sounded very very quiet indeed. I was incredibly disappointed. IMHO I think they had neither the presence or style of the Diablo or Murky. In fact the car I got most excited about was the Ford GT, absolutely stunning looks, presence and alot of BHP to boot. Would like to get my hands on one of the "only 80" to be released in Europe. The best sounding cars on the Supercar run were the Diablo GT, Spyker C8, and the Stradale. I may be a little biased but after seeing the gallardo in the flesh today(mild disappoinment, thought it looked a bit stubby and the styling at the rear is questionable) I have no intention of swapping my Tubi'd 360 for one.


>> Edited by jason360 on Sunday 13th July 18:48

dazren

22,612 posts

262 months

Sunday 13th July 2003
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Jason.

Have Italy pulled a finger out of their ar$e yet?

DAZ

jason360

289 posts

256 months

Sunday 13th July 2003
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Hi Daz
Yes indeedy....car was back for the trip to GFoS.(fantastic event BTW, brilliantly organised)
So the mechanical part is fixed(faulty springs in pressure release valves?), however after doing a DASHBOARD swap with another 360 the light issue remained so there is also a faulty pressure light and gague . In a few weeks time it needs to go in for a whole new dashboard!!. Even with all this hassle I could not stop grinning all weekend. It was fabulous, hooning down some great A roads to Goodwood, sun shining, only music was the sweet sound of the Tubi'd V8!! AAAhhhhhhh life is good.

dazren

22,612 posts

262 months

Sunday 13th July 2003
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Excellent. Looking forward to swapping passenger runs at the next Bruntingthorpe Festival Of Hoonage. Hope the weather is like today.

regards

DAZ

PS - Have yourself, Gary and Tony emailed Craigw, to let him know you are interested in the next Brunters run depending on dates?

danhf

339 posts

257 months

Sunday 13th July 2003
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GTA said:
Any Ferrari is patently NOT in the same ball park as a 911. The stallions have sex appeal, class and exclusivity - I see a dozen porsche's on the road every day now.

On the other hand, the one thing all german cars seem to have (Gallardo included) is proper build quality.

The ideal situation will probably be with us in a few years time. Hopefully Ferrari's new generation products will lift their game a little with regard to build quality / ruggedness, to compete with ze germans.


On reflection, I agree - the base 360 is in a different league to the base 911 but my view is that the 911 Turbo is firmly in the same class.

The 911 is a very, very capable car and is popular because it is useable, reliable and fun. If you're prepared to make a few sacrifices then a 360 is the logical option for some. MY choice would be a 911 turbo over any 360 but as you have probably gathered, I'm not a big fan of the 360.

dan

GTA

183 posts

251 months

Sunday 13th July 2003
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It would be a tricky decision to make as a prospective owner, between a turbo and 360. From my perspective of distant admirer, I'd say the Ferrari is in a different league visually. But then again, so is a tuscan at a mere snip around half as much. To have to live with the more 'exotic' choices would be a bit of a pain though, I imagine.

rico

7,916 posts

256 months

Sunday 13th July 2003
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Fcuk it. Get a Bentley!