Automatic Murciélago
Discussion
Not really a great follower of Lamborghini so forgive my ignorance on this one. I stumbled accross an 'internet fact' (i.e. not necessarily a fact at all!) that US basketball player Kobe Bryant bought and converted a Murciélago in 2001 for his wife so that it was fully automatic. Apparently the conversion cost was US$400,000(?). Does the E-Gear or whatever its called not have a full auto option?
On a related note generally with 911s the maunal is often deemed more 'real' than the tiptronic ('gaytronic' commentc etc.). With the current incarnation I understand sales of tip in the UK now exceed manual (which may or may not tell us more about the type of new 911 buyer than the car itself).
Accepting that its down to each driver's preference my passing interest in the Italian stuff suggests that the paddle shift with its association with F1 is more popular, and perhaps there is a similar general perception the other way round with them that the semi auto trumps the manual.
With regard to Lamborghinis, Ferraris etc. am I right in thinking most view the semi auto as superior to the maunual and if so what sort of reasons are put forward? (obviously flames explaining it by differentiating porsche drivers from Lamb / Fez drivers are more than welcome!).
All other things being equal this car seems to me to be keenly priced, would that be because its manual?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/834447.htm
On a related note generally with 911s the maunal is often deemed more 'real' than the tiptronic ('gaytronic' commentc etc.). With the current incarnation I understand sales of tip in the UK now exceed manual (which may or may not tell us more about the type of new 911 buyer than the car itself).
Accepting that its down to each driver's preference my passing interest in the Italian stuff suggests that the paddle shift with its association with F1 is more popular, and perhaps there is a similar general perception the other way round with them that the semi auto trumps the manual.
With regard to Lamborghinis, Ferraris etc. am I right in thinking most view the semi auto as superior to the maunual and if so what sort of reasons are put forward? (obviously flames explaining it by differentiating porsche drivers from Lamb / Fez drivers are more than welcome!).
All other things being equal this car seems to me to be keenly priced, would that be because its manual?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/834447.htm
I personally wouldn't touch a paddle shift with a ten foot barge pole! it's the epitome of everything I dislike most about modern cars / the modern 'driving experience' 
Of course, it's each to their own but I'd much rather drive 1/2 a second slower and do the shifting myself and actually enjoy the drive
I've driven 2 tip cars (but not paddle) in the past and hated the experience with a billious passion! lol
I couldn't wait to get back into (wait for it!) my 1.4L Metro!!! Yes, it's one of the worst cars out there but I had so much more FUN in it!
Of course, it's each to their own but I'd much rather drive 1/2 a second slower and do the shifting myself and actually enjoy the drive
I've driven 2 tip cars (but not paddle) in the past and hated the experience with a billious passion! lol
I couldn't wait to get back into (wait for it!) my 1.4L Metro!!! Yes, it's one of the worst cars out there but I had so much more FUN in it!
evil_dr_fish said:
I personally wouldn't touch a paddle shift with a ten foot barge pole! it's the epitome of everything I dislike most about modern cars / the modern 'driving experience'
Of course, it's each to their own but I'd much rather drive 1/2 a second slower and do the shifting myself and actually enjoy the drive
I've driven 2 tip cars (but not paddle) in the past and hated the experience with a billious passion! lol
I couldn't wait to get back into (wait for it!) my 1.4L Metro!!! Yes, it's one of the worst cars out there but I had so much more FUN in it!
I used to be of the same opinion. But love paddles now! I have 2 cars with paddle shift gears. My Maserati and our 1.4 Honda Jazz! lolOf course, it's each to their own but I'd much rather drive 1/2 a second slower and do the shifting myself and actually enjoy the drive
I've driven 2 tip cars (but not paddle) in the past and hated the experience with a billious passion! lol
I couldn't wait to get back into (wait for it!) my 1.4L Metro!!! Yes, it's one of the worst cars out there but I had so much more FUN in it!
pork911 said:
Not really a great follower of Lamborghini so forgive my ignorance on this one. I stumbled accross an 'internet fact' (i.e. not necessarily a fact at all!) that US basketball player Kobe Bryant bought and converted a Murciélago in 2001 for his wife so that it was fully automatic. Apparently the conversion cost was US$400,000(?). Does the E-Gear or whatever its called not have a full auto option?
On a related note generally with 911s the maunal is often deemed more 'real' than the tiptronic ('gaytronic' commentc etc.). With the current incarnation I understand sales of tip in the UK now exceed manual (which may or may not tell us more about the type of new 911 buyer than the car itself).
Accepting that its down to each driver's preference my passing interest in the Italian stuff suggests that the paddle shift with its association with F1 is more popular, and perhaps there is a similar general perception the other way round with them that the semi auto trumps the manual.
With regard to Lamborghinis, Ferraris etc. am I right in thinking most view the semi auto as superior to the maunual and if so what sort of reasons are put forward? (obviously flames explaining it by differentiating porsche drivers from Lamb / Fez drivers are more than welcome!).
All other things being equal this car seems to me to be keenly priced, would that be because its manual?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/834447.htm
As far as I know, the story about the basketball player is true, insane really spending $400,00 on an automatic, but each to their own. The e-gear system didn't come out until 2003/04 so obviously that was his only option. On a related note generally with 911s the maunal is often deemed more 'real' than the tiptronic ('gaytronic' commentc etc.). With the current incarnation I understand sales of tip in the UK now exceed manual (which may or may not tell us more about the type of new 911 buyer than the car itself).
Accepting that its down to each driver's preference my passing interest in the Italian stuff suggests that the paddle shift with its association with F1 is more popular, and perhaps there is a similar general perception the other way round with them that the semi auto trumps the manual.
With regard to Lamborghinis, Ferraris etc. am I right in thinking most view the semi auto as superior to the maunual and if so what sort of reasons are put forward? (obviously flames explaining it by differentiating porsche drivers from Lamb / Fez drivers are more than welcome!).
All other things being equal this car seems to me to be keenly priced, would that be because its manual?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/834447.htm
As for you other question about which gearbox is considered better, most people choose the paddle gearboxes. I know new Ferrari's are 90% paddles and 10% manuals. I guess most people would regard them as "better", but in my opinion no matter how good they are, it will never be the same as a manual. If you are a good driver anyway (and know how to blip the throttle and heal and toe etc) then there is no need for the paddles, it just takes your involvement away from it. Anyway, each to their own. I can understand why people buy them, but personally i wouldn't unless I had too.
Yes the story about the auto Murci is true. I saw it on MTV Cribs about five years ago. I remember thinking then what a pointless waste of money, but then again I seem to remember him buying her a $1mn dollar ring or something after he cheated on her so obviously he has money to burn. 
With regards to the manual/e-gear thing, I think the paddles have an element of "fun" to them. They're exciting the first time you use them and I can imagine someone who's less than a perfect driver (i.e. cannot heel-toe) or someone who isn't a petrolhead would prefer them. Also, I think it is perceived to be easier to sell on an e-gear than a manual, although I think this is incorrect as someone wanting a manual is likely to wait a long time and then snap up a model once it goes on sale as it's that much rarer.
I'm not sure Lambos have a fully auto option, but I know the Ferrari F1 gearbox does.
With regards to the manual/e-gear thing, I think the paddles have an element of "fun" to them. They're exciting the first time you use them and I can imagine someone who's less than a perfect driver (i.e. cannot heel-toe) or someone who isn't a petrolhead would prefer them. Also, I think it is perceived to be easier to sell on an e-gear than a manual, although I think this is incorrect as someone wanting a manual is likely to wait a long time and then snap up a model once it goes on sale as it's that much rarer.
I'm not sure Lambos have a fully auto option, but I know the Ferrari F1 gearbox does.
I think there is also the huge factor of the sort of person who buys a Fez or Lambo brand spanking new (and hence specs it up)
While a fair few here can and do buy new, most of us are the "enthusiast drivers" who tend to buy used cars once they've done the worst of their depreciating...
The likes of the "lifestyle accessory" buyer tends ot be the sort of person who would consider a car over 3 years as "old" and hence no good and would want the latest gadget / doodad / fad and whatever made them *think* it was superior - quote Clarkson in northern accent "Ai've got oone of them flappy paddle thing-gs laike Maichael Schoomacker!"
That's not to say that flappy paddleage doesn't make for a quick car etc - but for a huge quantity of us "enthusiast drivers" here on PH, they're not the preference as we are in it for the "holistic driving experience" rather than just the new-car sugar-rush!
Blimey! That's a serious post from me! I better do something about it...
While a fair few here can and do buy new, most of us are the "enthusiast drivers" who tend to buy used cars once they've done the worst of their depreciating...
The likes of the "lifestyle accessory" buyer tends ot be the sort of person who would consider a car over 3 years as "old" and hence no good and would want the latest gadget / doodad / fad and whatever made them *think* it was superior - quote Clarkson in northern accent "Ai've got oone of them flappy paddle thing-gs laike Maichael Schoomacker!"
That's not to say that flappy paddleage doesn't make for a quick car etc - but for a huge quantity of us "enthusiast drivers" here on PH, they're not the preference as we are in it for the "holistic driving experience" rather than just the new-car sugar-rush!
Blimey! That's a serious post from me! I better do something about it...
Edited by evil_dr_fish on Friday 17th April 22:49
evil_dr_fish said:
I think there is also the huge factor of the sort of person who buys a Fez or Lambo brand spanking new (and hence specs it up)
it's standard on my slevil_dr_fish said:
While a fair few here can and do buy new, most of us are the "enthusiast drivers" who tend to buy used cars once they've done the worst of their depreciating...
i bought the sl new, and regard myself as an enthusiastic, if possibly crap, driverevil_dr_fish said:
The likes of the "lifestyle accessory" buyer tends ot be the sort of person who would consider a car over 3 years as "old" and hence no good and would want the latest gadget / doodad / fad and whatever made them *think* it was superior - quote Clarkson in northern accent "Ai've got oone of them flappy paddle thing-gs laike Maichael Schoomacker!"
i run a 19 year old car too, and dislike lifestyle accessory people almost as much as i hate that chapevil_dr_fish said:
That's not to say that flappy paddleage doesn't make for a quick car etc - but for a huge quantity of us "enthusiast drivers" here on PH, they're not the preference as we are in it for the "holistic driving experience" rather than just the new-car sugar-rush!
i preferred the e-gear to the manual gallardo, likewise the f1 430evil_dr_fish said:
Blimey! That's a serious post from me! I better do something about it...
eureka ! agreed !not picking an arguement as i'm sure you realise mr fish, but to each their own
Absolutely! - I think I used a sufficient quantity of the word "most" or "generally" to cover all bases 
hahaha
To O/P Nick Cartwright sell a lot of cars, presuming their reputation is good, that looks like a nice car - very low mileage!
"Sound upgrade" - I must confess that doesn't seem the most professional of terminology! lol
Ultimately, if YOU want a manual - go for it... If you prefer the idea of an F1 shift then go for that... If resale value is an issue for you (ie you're not plannign on being buried in your car - like some of us are! hahaha - then presumably the relataive value of F1 Vs Manual ought to be reflected in you buying price
There will (as Andrew so rightly pointed out) be people on both side of the fence - It's a bit like asking which is the best colour! lol
I can say however that there will ALWAYS be a market for manual cars and due to their rarity, they may not show up very often / get snapped up in future?
To those who know way more than I do:
Ok... I am aware that F1 boxes tend to command a premium but surely in future, basic supply and demand must mean that manuals will end up evening that out or even going for more? I can't believe that 90% of ALL drivers - or future Ferrari drivers all want F1? Surely the final 'enthusiast owner' market must have a slightly different demographic to the 'new purchaser'?
hahahaTo O/P Nick Cartwright sell a lot of cars, presuming their reputation is good, that looks like a nice car - very low mileage!
"Sound upgrade" - I must confess that doesn't seem the most professional of terminology! lol
Ultimately, if YOU want a manual - go for it... If you prefer the idea of an F1 shift then go for that... If resale value is an issue for you (ie you're not plannign on being buried in your car - like some of us are! hahaha - then presumably the relataive value of F1 Vs Manual ought to be reflected in you buying price
There will (as Andrew so rightly pointed out) be people on both side of the fence - It's a bit like asking which is the best colour! lol
I can say however that there will ALWAYS be a market for manual cars and due to their rarity, they may not show up very often / get snapped up in future?
To those who know way more than I do:
Ok... I am aware that F1 boxes tend to command a premium but surely in future, basic supply and demand must mean that manuals will end up evening that out or even going for more? I can't believe that 90% of ALL drivers - or future Ferrari drivers all want F1? Surely the final 'enthusiast owner' market must have a slightly different demographic to the 'new purchaser'?
evil_dr_fish said:
I can say however that there will ALWAYS be a market for manual cars and due to their rarity, they may not show up very often / get snapped up in future?
I completely agree. As more and more people buy e-gear or f1 that means that there are very few manual cars and I reckon they will sell quicker and easier because there is less of them. For example the new Gallardo Lp560, I've only seen one manual for sale, it wasn't greatly spec'd, but it sold very quickly.It's definitely one of those issues that people will disagree on and I think that will always be the case. My advice is to buy what YOU want. Don't believe what people say about manual's being worth less, especially if you are buying used. Just choose what you want and enjoy it.
Hope that helps
Edited by lambo_xx on Sunday 19th April 13:45
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