Gallardos at SW7 showroom

[bebbesen]

Hi all,

My office is on the Old Brompton Road in SW7 and whilst returning home last night I spotted the orange AND black Gallardos from Goodwood at the new Lambo dealer.. Had a good look around it - and was told to call to arrange a test drive... ooohyeah

I hear what you guys are saying re. size compared to Murci.. BUT.. darn it looks good and ready to take on the world. If it drives anything like it looks...Wow.
I'm sure it will have serious road presence despite size (which I must say didn't seem that small to me but I see what you mean next to the orange Murci in the showroom).

I like the sharp edges and it certainly looks purposeful...even more in black.

I'd be seriously tempted if it drives anything like the 360.

Now where did I put that lottery ticket...

;o)

[ew_topcat]

I placed my order for the gallardo some 18 months ago and finally managed to drive one last sunday at Goodwood when lamborghini called me for a test drive. I have to say it is very easy to drive compared to most "super cars", I am still keeping my current Diablo but that may all change once I have two in my garage, I think that will be a very hard decision which one to part with.
Goodwood was fun, people not knowing who I was yet still asking for autographs, I tink they will be a little disappointed when they find out im no one famous.

[rich1231]

topcat,
what did you think of the car?

Rich

[bebbesen]

Yeah - Topcat,

How was it? You say easy - hopefully not as easy as an A4 with as little steering input...?

I understand the sound is sadly of the EU kind....
non-existent - shame with those big bore rear exhausts - they look good.

Manu - are you on the case already? I'd be very surprised if you weren't... ;o)

B

[ew_topcat]

When I said easy to drive, I mean it is more like a highly tuned porsche than an audi. It certainly had some audi ness about it but it is made by them i suppose. The power delivery was very smooth up to 6000 then it just took off and you had to hang on and be ready for the next gear change. The interior was very comfortable and definately german switch gear ( it all worked). The sound from the exhaust is much quieter than my diablo but you still get a lovely induction noise from inside the cockpit, overall quiet but you know you re sat in some thing that demands a lot of respect.

[claude leloush]

Wow Topcat.

You drove at Goodwood, what a privilage. What car did you drive the orange or the black?

[ew_topcat]

I drove the black one but had a good look at the orange one too. Actually prefered the look of the orange one, however im trying to get mine in the green but lambo say they wont be doing for the gallardo but we'll see.

[claude leloush]

Top cat

Ahh the black one. I liked it so much I put my spec in last Monday.

Met Black with black, yellow callipers, yellow stitching.

What did you make of the e-gear?

[ew_topcat]

Your spec sounds lovely,. not a fan of the electronic gear shift, I prefer manual in all my cars

[chris_crossley]

Sat in the black one this weekend at the SW7. Very cosy, I also liked the layout even though it's a left hooker. Shame about the door opening, that has always done it for me.

Better start saving the pennys eh!

[claude leloush]

Hi Topcat

So a drive of the e gear didn't change your mind then.

[rich1231]

Popped in on Saturday, sat in all the cars.

I thought the G was fab. The Murc looks too long in the showroom, like a stretch limo. But one pulled up outside and it was fine.

MMMmmmmmmm what to do ?

[tony_996hasgone]

rich1231 said:

Popped in on Saturday, sat in all the cars.

ditto, along with Jason_360... I'm guessing they were pretty busy this week-end!... the "ex Damon Hill" orange Murci was absolutely fantastic.... can only assume that it has been driven hard in its first few thousand miles (having seen how he drove a Diablo in the past). And as for the black Murci out the back.... a life of crime beckons

Re. the Gallardo, obviously didn't hear or drive it, but in the looks dept, I think the F360 still has it.



>> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Monday 21st July 12:54

[ninja_eli]

Yep, I think Rich liked it more than I did. I'm gutted though as I went there to speak to Steve, who was off, and they told me the bad news... the orange Diablo had been sold, just the day before! I felt like I was trying to hold back the tears! I think I kept my composure, what d'ya reckon Rich? Wasn't too obvious I was going to break down and cry?

Seriously, I think the 360 still has it in terms of looks. Don't like the driving position either, but that's God's fault for making me such a shortarse.

Interior boring, but very well made. BUT, it didn't have that supercar leather smell that Ferrari's have. Shame, because that is a big part of the occasion of taking the car out for a blast.

Not sure what I'm going to do now, might just keep the 355 for longer until either insurance becomes stomachable for the Murci, or if another Orange or Yellow 6.0 comes up for sale. Don;t like the Viola one they have there. looks too "Edgware Road, lets stop for some hubbly bubbly"

I've also been thinking about what Rich said, and I think perhaps the size of the V12 cars could hinder?

[anjum]

tony_996hasgone said:

rich1231 said: Popped in on Saturday, sat in all the cars. the "ex Damon Hill" orange Murci was absolutely fantastic.... can only assume that it has been driven hard in its first few thousand miles (having seen how he drove a Diablo in the past). >> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Monday 21st July 12:54

Mmm - well - the ex-Damon Hill Murci broke down on a regular basis - spent more time with Lamborghini London sports car centre than with the P1 boys. It regularly broke down with P1 members - many of whom cancelled orders.

And the icing on the cake?

Lamboghini London did a straight swap for their current one - even though the Orange one had 8,000 miles on the clock - for no money......

One rule and all that!

[rich1231]

Ali,
actually the tears in your eyes were commented on by the missus. Was he crying over a car she asked!!

Seriously, must have been fate!

The Viola Murc outside and the one out back looked the biz, but to me its too big. I mean it, im not just trying to convince myself!

I could see the G as an almost daily driver, the visibility is good, driving position for me was fine once i realised the steering wheel moved in!

I bet the staff were cringing as I got in the orange ones driving seat lol.

I am very interested in the car, want a test drive though. want to see if its as good as the mags have said. I cant see my work email until tomorrow so we will see. I do have a call I can make to try another route.

As for comparisons to the 360 I would have to say I prefer the angles to the curves. The car looks very agressive.

[claude leloush]

Hi Anjum

When I speced my Gallardo I had a look at the ex P1 car. You mention that it broke down a lot but it was registered in January this year.

If it was that bad, how come it managed to cover 8,000 miles in less than six months? That must be the most reliable unreliable car in the world!

By the way whats the spec of you LHD Gallardo?

[anjum]

Hi

I covered 6,000 miles 2 months in the MY98 SV - in between it being in HR Owens for Oil cooler replacement, cooling fan replacement and a cat warning lamp/sensor and headlamp sticking. The car was off the road for two months.....

Doesn't mean I didn't love it!

Do you know that there are "dealer optional" fixes that you can have for your Murci - you just need to ask - they won't be offered - including:-

excessive engine vibration (affected ALL early cars)
drive belt jumps under heavy loading (early cars)
headlights/rear lights fogging

There are more - but I don't feel that this is fair to the marque - which I am very fond of. Remember the volumes that these cars are being built in - it's to be expected.....

Gallardo - Yellow, black interior, yellow stitching, yellow brakes, sat/nat/tv etc - the usual.

[claude leloush]

Hi Anjum

I was told that Sat Nav is not yet avaliable and also not priced. I had a quick look at mainland European delaers websites who say the same thing. Are you getting a later car? Are you getting from a UK specialist or are you buying direct from a dealer abroad?

I must admit I did think long and hard about yellow but did'nt have the bottle. Well done, it's gonna look great.