Gallardo questions
Discussion
I'm considering swapping my GT2 911 for a Gallardo and wondered if anyone could advise honestly, how reliable they are and possibly how much they are to service/ run every year.
I really like the style of the car and have always hankered for one. I just don't want to swap from what is a car that can be used every day and not cost the earth to a potential money pit.
Thanks in advance for the help.
I really like the style of the car and have always hankered for one. I just don't want to swap from what is a car that can be used every day and not cost the earth to a potential money pit.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Super Ted said:
In my experience I would put them on a level near Porsche. The level of Gallardo build is well ahead of other Italian marques in many ways (not that anyone would like to admit it).
The most annoying thing is, that all these cars need similar levels of maintenance, although if you own something Italian you seem to pay 2/3/4 times as much for servicing than if you had a Porsche.
So a small service is £1,000, a medium one is £2,000 and a biggy is £3,000 roughly speaking.
Parts availability can also be an issue - especially in summer holidays - for most things that come from Italy.
There is no manufacturer backed warranty currently (I think they are working on it), so you may want to spend £1,000 with a third party to give you £5k cover. Personally I would chance it.
Somehow the level of performance is delivered without drama. If you had a 500hp Porsche or Datsun, then you know you have bought something that is heavily biased on speed. Strangely the Italian cars deliver this speed as a bi-product of being drop-dead gorgeous. There are no buckets and buckles to strap into, wings and splitters etc, just elegant interiors and beautiful body shapes.
So, as an engineering point of view, the Gallardo is very well sorted and I think a very underated car. It manages to pull off being a thoroughbred Italian supercar, and also its German father makes sure it is well built.
Most of the big issues (clutch wear rates) for example are confined to the early 2003, 2004 and 2005 cars. Although these should have all been updated to the sintered type now. SE models and 2006 MY onwards have other upgrades too.
In terms of specification, then choose a colour YOU want (blacks and greys for stealth, yellow and orange for shouting out), front lifter if you have a very steep drive (general concensus is that the standard set-up is fine), navigation if you want to go places (bear in mind it works very well as it is Audi), and items such as glass engine cover and Callisto wheels finish them off nicely.
Egear / manual debate will continue for many years yet - but the egear is not regarded as being as good as a Ferrari's F1 (even though the components are the same) and therefore many more manuals are about. Clutches last longer on manuals - similar to GT2 wear rates really.
The other big running cost is fuel. I have had over 20mpg on a motorway run, but on cold start stop work they go down into the just over 10mpg region. 14mpg being typical for me.
Insurance is cheaper than Porsche by £150 per year for me.
I assume tyres would be similar to your GT2.
Three services? As far as i was aware there are only two, minor £1000 at 7500 miles and the major £2000 at 15,000 and then back to minor etc. Well thats how mine went with Lambo Brum....The most annoying thing is, that all these cars need similar levels of maintenance, although if you own something Italian you seem to pay 2/3/4 times as much for servicing than if you had a Porsche.
So a small service is £1,000, a medium one is £2,000 and a biggy is £3,000 roughly speaking.
Parts availability can also be an issue - especially in summer holidays - for most things that come from Italy.
There is no manufacturer backed warranty currently (I think they are working on it), so you may want to spend £1,000 with a third party to give you £5k cover. Personally I would chance it.
Somehow the level of performance is delivered without drama. If you had a 500hp Porsche or Datsun, then you know you have bought something that is heavily biased on speed. Strangely the Italian cars deliver this speed as a bi-product of being drop-dead gorgeous. There are no buckets and buckles to strap into, wings and splitters etc, just elegant interiors and beautiful body shapes.
So, as an engineering point of view, the Gallardo is very well sorted and I think a very underated car. It manages to pull off being a thoroughbred Italian supercar, and also its German father makes sure it is well built.
Most of the big issues (clutch wear rates) for example are confined to the early 2003, 2004 and 2005 cars. Although these should have all been updated to the sintered type now. SE models and 2006 MY onwards have other upgrades too.
In terms of specification, then choose a colour YOU want (blacks and greys for stealth, yellow and orange for shouting out), front lifter if you have a very steep drive (general concensus is that the standard set-up is fine), navigation if you want to go places (bear in mind it works very well as it is Audi), and items such as glass engine cover and Callisto wheels finish them off nicely.
Egear / manual debate will continue for many years yet - but the egear is not regarded as being as good as a Ferrari's F1 (even though the components are the same) and therefore many more manuals are about. Clutches last longer on manuals - similar to GT2 wear rates really.
The other big running cost is fuel. I have had over 20mpg on a motorway run, but on cold start stop work they go down into the just over 10mpg region. 14mpg being typical for me.
Insurance is cheaper than Porsche by £150 per year for me.
I assume tyres would be similar to your GT2.
running a new 996 c2 over 4.5 years/28k has cost 1.5k in routine servicing, 2.5k in insurance, 1k in tyres, 1k in worn/broken bits, whatever at 20mpg
running a new sl over 1 year/8k has cost 1k for a minor service, 1.5k in insurance, whatever at 14mpg
the tyres are half way gone ( 1k ? )
the only faults have been crap on the engine sensors plus a kapput screenwash hose, both fixed under warranty, plus a hub cap dropping off
i've excluded depreciation because i intend to keep both for a while, but the lambo marketplace is tiny
the 996 is discreet, more practical ( boot, sprogseats ) and is better at manoeuvring, especially reversing
the sl is as well built as the 996, much more fun to drive, an is one big event
running a new sl over 1 year/8k has cost 1k for a minor service, 1.5k in insurance, whatever at 14mpg
the tyres are half way gone ( 1k ? )
the only faults have been crap on the engine sensors plus a kapput screenwash hose, both fixed under warranty, plus a hub cap dropping off
i've excluded depreciation because i intend to keep both for a while, but the lambo marketplace is tiny
the 996 is discreet, more practical ( boot, sprogseats ) and is better at manoeuvring, especially reversing
the sl is as well built as the 996, much more fun to drive, an is one big event
Super Ted said:
Most of the big issues (clutch wear rates) for example are confined to the early 2003, 2004 and 2005 cars. Although these should have all been updated to the sintered type now. SE models and 2006 MY onwards have other upgrades too.
2004, 11,000 miles, still on the original clutch
Thanks very much for the advice. The car is absolutely stunning and as far as I am concerned a far better looking car than the F430.
It is a bit of a concern re the warranty, as I have more than made up for buying one for the GT2. Like you say though, I could look at a alternative extended warranty.
The MPG is not so much a concern, as I really don't mind spending money on fuel if the driving is so much fun. Different for the daily commute! I reset the computer on mine in town when I was home last and only got up to 6MPG. Out of town is only ever about 19mpg.
Going to get my car up on Pistonheads when I'm back I think and see what kind of interest I can get. I totally love it, but the lure of that stumpy little nose and the sound of the V10 is quite alluring. My friends think I'm just trying to drive as many supercars by the time I'm 30 as I can. No point in putting it in the bank!
Also I know silver is good for stealth, but the pearlescent orange is calling me out. Don't know what that says about me!
It is a bit of a concern re the warranty, as I have more than made up for buying one for the GT2. Like you say though, I could look at a alternative extended warranty.
The MPG is not so much a concern, as I really don't mind spending money on fuel if the driving is so much fun. Different for the daily commute! I reset the computer on mine in town when I was home last and only got up to 6MPG. Out of town is only ever about 19mpg.
Going to get my car up on Pistonheads when I'm back I think and see what kind of interest I can get. I totally love it, but the lure of that stumpy little nose and the sound of the V10 is quite alluring. My friends think I'm just trying to drive as many supercars by the time I'm 30 as I can. No point in putting it in the bank!
Also I know silver is good for stealth, but the pearlescent orange is calling me out. Don't know what that says about me!
alz said:
I'm considering swapping my GT2 911 for a Gallardo and wondered if anyone could advise honestly, how reliable they are and possibly how much they are to service/ run every year.
I really like the style of the car and have always hankered for one. I just don't want to swap from what is a car that can be used every day and not cost the earth to a potential money pit.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Had mine 3 years and it's brilliant. It's never given me any major problems, had a flat battery (my fault hadn’t driven it for a few months, but that’s all. They are extremely reliable cars and could probably be used every day. You need to remember though that they are shockingly low, so steep hills could be a slight problem. I really like the style of the car and have always hankered for one. I just don't want to swap from what is a car that can be used every day and not cost the earth to a potential money pit.
Thanks in advance for the help.
As for servicing costs I’m not sure of the exact figures but it's reasonable for a car like that. My advice would be to go for it. I absolutely love mine, the best thing I've ever bought. Whatever you do though, buy a manual. The e-gear is far too jerky especially at low speeds.
If you have any more questions feel free to PM me.
alz said:
I'm considering swapping my GT2 911 for a Gallardo and wondered if anyone could advise honestly, how reliable they are and possibly how much they are to service/ run every year.
I really like the style of the car and have always hankered for one. I just don't want to swap from what is a car that can be used every day and not cost the earth to a potential money pit.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Allan,I really like the style of the car and have always hankered for one. I just don't want to swap from what is a car that can be used every day and not cost the earth to a potential money pit.
Thanks in advance for the help.
You`ll miss the 996GT2 matey, trust me!
Lambo G - Fanny Factor
Porsche GT2 - f
king beastI do this everytime I'm offshore. Think about new cars!
I totally love the GT2. It does everything over and above any other car I have driven. Including the F430. I just love the look of the Gallardo though. I guess I just want to drive all the supercars I can afford. Sadly that is only one at a time. If I could afford to I would keep the GT2.
What I may do is put the GT2 up for sale and see what kind of interest I get. I'm only going to accept serious offers as I don't need to and don't really want to sell it. Until then though I get to drive it, like it was intended. I would love to track it before it goes, but it's just not the weather. This is a bit of a hard decision, but a lucky one I suppose to be able to make!
I totally love the GT2. It does everything over and above any other car I have driven. Including the F430. I just love the look of the Gallardo though. I guess I just want to drive all the supercars I can afford. Sadly that is only one at a time. If I could afford to I would keep the GT2.
What I may do is put the GT2 up for sale and see what kind of interest I get. I'm only going to accept serious offers as I don't need to and don't really want to sell it. Until then though I get to drive it, like it was intended. I would love to track it before it goes, but it's just not the weather. This is a bit of a hard decision, but a lucky one I suppose to be able to make!
Depends on what you are trying to achieve. The G has a gorgeous sound and is more of an event for sure and of course is more exclusive. The GT2 is simply one of the fastest cars you can drive.
Andrew your running cost are impressive, my C4S has cost far more to run than your SL, but as discussed a trillion times on other threads it depends on where and how you drive.
Andrew your running cost are impressive, my C4S has cost far more to run than your SL, but as discussed a trillion times on other threads it depends on where and how you drive.
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