Which one; F430 v Gallardo v R8

[acme]

I'm planning on making a major purchase next year in the form of one of these. It's a life opportunity and as with all my purchases I want to go in very much with my eyes open, so I'm looking for some advice, experience and suggestions.

As mentioned this is very much an ultimate purchase for me, and likely to be relatively short term, 1-2 years so would rather not 'loose my shirt', but I want to be able to look back later in life knowing I had one, like many on here one of my first words was car!

So;

- F430; manual Rosso Corsa & preferably Nero hide, like this, any thoughts on it?

http://www.nottingham.ferraridealers.com/en_gb/use...

- Gallardo; early ish manual
- R8 V8; manual, bose & magnetic dampers (recent Evo guide was interesting)

Anyone got actual experience of them, what to look for, what to avoid etc? I can't deny the Ferrari is my preference, I'm a long term 911 (993) owner and totally avoided C4's when I bought mine, I tend to think 4 wheel drive is for tractors, but am I missing out?

Been thinking on this for a while, and as if by magic this appeared;

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

Cheers for any input/

[graeme4130]

An r8 v10 is more alike to the two Italians. IMHO, an r8 V10+ is a better driving car than a 430 or an older Gallardo, but less of a drama or occasion
Your best bet is to try a few of each and see what the seat if your pants prefer
Fwiw, the Audi will cost you less to run

[KFC]

acme said:

Ibut I want to be able to look back later in life knowing I had one, like many on here one of my first words was car!

Your grandkids will be bored to tears in 40 years if you're telling them that story about how you used to own an Audi.

If you want something special to look back on... get a real supercar. I tested both and the Gallardo was the one for me... no bad choice from them both though. If you're only keeping it for a year or two I'd be looking to buy privately and sell privately - I've no idea which is likely to drop less? I wouldn't wanting to taking a beating on a dealer cut if I was sort of struggling to pay for it, and only looking to keep it for a short time.

[ZeusF]

Why manual ?
For me I went Gallardo but would happily take the F430 or the R8.
The only R8 is the later model and the F430 is a serious super car, under-rated I think by many people.

Either option will have you smiling from ear to ear, the R8 will be the most comfortable drive though.

[jeremyc]

You could also check out the R8 vs Gallardo Blood Brothers article for a further comparison (albeit with the V10 R8).

[Chad_Hugo]

If it's a supercar ownership experience your looking for I would forget the early V8 R8's, chances are it won't deliver what your looking for, although it is significantly cheaper than the other two at 43k-45k for 07 manual examples, has far lower running costs and potentially much easier to move on in a private sale.

I wouldn't worry too much about depreciation either- early examples of all three are probably at the bottom of their respective depreciation curves. If you buy well and sell privately you should not lose a lot over the next 18 months, perhaps just 2k-3k depending on how many miles you do/condition of car when you sell/impending service etc?

My advice would be go for a 06 Gallardo, e-gear.

That is 70k minimum though, if that not possible then I would go for a early 06 manual 430 over the equivalent 04/05 manual Gallardo.

Drive a V10 Audi also though, very fast, very capable car...

[Pioneer]

[quote=Chad_Hugo]

My advice would be go for a 06 Gallardo, e-gear.

That is 70k minimum though, if that not possible then I would go for a early 06 manual 430 over the equivalent 04/05 manual Gallardo.


+1

[acme]

Many thanks for the responses, appreciated.

I should've added to the original post apologies as I appreciate this has possibly been done to death.

So to answer a few questions, why manual; for me interaction in a car of this type is imperative, experience as compared to an auto tells me manuals the way to go, whenever I hear a sports car change automatically I feel sad, it's just not the same. I'm not that bothered by ultimate speed, having (previously) ridden sports bikes little compares, a sense of occasion is VERY important, hence why I feel the Ferrari may be THE one, but I'm open minded (as I should be about the gearbox).

Agreed a R8 V10 would be more in line with the other two, the reasons for a V8 as with an early Gallardo is to minimise depreciation.

Agreed buying & selling privately would be the way to go, I bought the 993 privately and had a PPI BUT this level of spend is a whole other ball game, one reason the Graypaul one appealed, but appreciate they've probably got 5k for being a main agent, so if I bought that and sold the following day privately what would I lose, 10k?

Why the 06 Gallardo e-gear? I know next to nothing about Gallardo's, but inevitably grew up on Countachs, can't deny the thought of a Lamborghini in the garage does make me smile!

[ZeusF]

You need to drive the egear.
Ive spent years working on this system and my changes are far quicker and sharper than any manual shift.

[hazy]

Forget the Audi, Ferrari and Lambo are special cars either of which will be an event to drive, but IMO avoid manuals in either. 430 is more tactile and involving to drive and the Lambo will draw the crowds and has the best sounding engine ever. Happy shopping!

[andrew]

ZeusF said:

You need to drive the egear.
Ive spent years working on this system and my changes are far quicker and sharper than any manual shift.

...and noisier !

[andysv]

I'm totally biased but for the noise alone it has to be the G, that v10 howling is like nothing else at that price level.

"I just bought a Lamborghini" sounds good doesn't it.

[KFC]

andysv said:

I'm totally biased but for the noise alone it has to be the G, that v10 howling is like nothing else at that price level.

"I just bought a Lamborghini" sounds good doesn't it.

Exactly this.

Or you can tell people "I just bought an Audi" and get a response "oh. My mum just bought one too..."

[lambo_xx]

acme said:

I'm planning on making a major purchase next year in the form of one of these. It's a life opportunity and as with all my purchases I want to go in very much with my eyes open, so I'm looking for some advice, experience and suggestions.

As mentioned this is very much an ultimate purchase for me, and likely to be relatively short term, 1-2 years so would rather not 'loose my shirt', but I want to be able to look back later in life knowing I had one, like many on here one of my first words was car!

So;

- F430; manual Rosso Corsa & preferably Nero hide, like this, any thoughts on it?

http://www.nottingham.ferraridealers.com/en_gb/use...

- Gallardo; early ish manual
- R8 V8; manual, bose & magnetic dampers (recent Evo guide was interesting)

Anyone got actual experience of them, what to look for, what to avoid etc? I can't deny the Ferrari is my preference, I'm a long term 911 (993) owner and totally avoided C4's when I bought mine, I tend to think 4 wheel drive is for tractors, but am I missing out?

Been thinking on this for a while, and as if by magic this appeared;

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

Cheers for any input/

I've owned all three so hopefully I can help. The R8 V8 is a very good car (never driven a V10 one) it's pretty quick & capable, however it isn't on par with the other two tbh. A friend of mine summed it up well when he was asking me how I felt about the R8, he said "I guess as a first supercar it's great" which I think is a fair statement. The R8 is much more of a rival to a 911 than a Ferrari to be honest. I really liked mine & I would have another one but it definitely lacks the drama & emotion that a Ferrari/Lambo has.

The 430 was good I had an F1 spider. Gearbox was great loved it. Found the car a bit twitchy on damp/cold roads (i.e. all the time up here in sunny Scotland ).

Gallardo is brilliant, my father has an 05 Manual which I've used quite a bit & I've got a 2010 Superleggera which I love! If you can stretch to it I would go for a 06 car or later. There was a few updates done to the car which were worth while in my opinion.

If you've got any more questions please don't hesitate to ask.

[DevonPaul]

If it was me I'd buy the R8.

I'd want the G, I actually do want a G, I'd go out and test a G and the R8, I'd decide the G was what I wanted, and I'd get to the dealer with my card in hand, my wife's worries over using the G in all weathers, leaving it outside, and having something ruinous go wrong with it would ring in my ears, and I'd buy and R8 convincing myself it was almost the same car.

Then every time I drove it I'd wish I'd bought the Lambo.

[Pioneer]

DevonPaul said:

If it was me I'd buy the R8.

I'd want the G, I actually do want a G, I'd go out and test a G and the R8, I'd decide the G was what I wanted, and I'd get to the dealer with my card in hand, my wife's worries over using the G in all weathers, leaving it outside, and having something ruinous go wrong with it would ring in my ears, and I'd buy and R8 convincing myself it was almost the same car.

Then every time I drove it I'd wish I'd bought the Lambo.

Haha, love it. I spent most of the summer last year looking at F430's and G's. The R8 didn't come into it at all for me. Love my G and have had no regrets at all since getting it.

[acme]

lambo_xx said:

I've owned all three so hopefully I can help. The R8 V8 is a very good car (never driven a V10 one) it's pretty quick & capable, however it isn't on par with the other two tbh. A friend of mine summed it up well when he was asking me how I felt about the R8, he said "I guess as a first supercar it's great" which I think is a fair statement. The R8 is much more of a rival to a 911 than a Ferrari to be honest. I really liked mine & I would have another one but it definitely lacks the drama & emotion that a Ferrari/Lambo has.

The 430 was good I had an F1 spider. Gearbox was great loved it. Found the car a bit twitchy on damp/cold roads (i.e. all the time up here in sunny Scotland ).

Gallardo is brilliant, my father has an 05 Manual which I've used quite a bit & I've got a 2010 Superleggera which I love! If you can stretch to it I would go for a 06 car or later. There was a few updates done to the car which were worth while in my opinion.

If you've got any more questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Many thanks for the additional responses, this is just what I need.

The R8 is kind of the sensible option, I'd buy an early one so cost wise would be much less, and other than I understand suspension parts they're reasonable to run, BUT the above is what concerns me; emotion. I bought the 993 as oppose to the 996 because it's far more of an event, the 996 being a 'better' car, but it just doesn't engage as the older less refined air cooled cars do. As mentioned this will be the pinnacle of a lifetime of car obsession, so the F430 appeals. If you read the reports it stands above the Lambo, but many on here are suggesting as a proposition to own the Lambo's a winner, I shall re-visit this month's Evo buying guide!

Any ideas what the 06 upgrades are and what the likely depreciation is? I'm thinking price wise it would be on a level with the 06 plate F430 I mentioned in my original post?

Cheers

[UH-Matt]

Drivers car? 430.

Crazy car? Gallardo.

Sensible car? R8.

HTH.

[UH-Matt]

Wouldn't bother with the R8. If this is the life purchase you speak of then go for a proper Supercar and get yourself into one of the Italians on the list.

If you want the overall experience, people starring in the street, Crazy colour, over stated, loud, insane - go for the Gallardo.

If you want the best driving experience, slightly more understated, go for the 430.

[Adam B]

I don't even know why you are considering an R8 given your once in a lifetime description, either of the others would fit the bill very well.

If you asked "I want a sports car that will be fun, capable, reliable and relatively cheap to run" the an R8 would be top of the consideration list.