Retirement, old skool is best, or simply past it?
Discussion
So, I have been thinking about retirement for a little while , as I now have to tick the 60+ box on forms these days. I decided to sell my much loved Huracan, in what now seems a different lifetime ago, in the August of 2019. The plan then was to take the winter to decide what to replace it with and start looking seriously in the spring. Of course things changed quite dramatically as Covid came along and lockdown hit just as we got back from Las Vegas having celebrated the big six zero.
Now I had plenty of time to think about what really matters both in life and a car. As this is PH let’s focus on the car bit. I’ve been a genuine petrolhead all my life, probably since getting my first Dinky and Corgis. These are purely my thoughts and I am not claiming to be right or others wrong, just what is correct for me.
Taking into account impending retirement and the fact that income would be limited I wanted something that would be relatively reliable, could be serviced at a good independent if necessary, and wasn’t too complex in terms of mechanics and electrics. Depreciation is less of an issue as I have no intention of changing it, at least not until the point where I can’t physically get in the car!
I’m a mechanical engineer to trade so certain elements are very important to me. I love the sound of an engine particularly throughout the rev range, I like to hear it develop as the revs rise and change in pitch and timbre. I like a mechanical connection with the car, so a manual would be ideal if possible. As much as the twin clutch in the Huracan is utterly seamless, after a few years it had become a bit anodyne.
I also love the feel of fresh air around me, I’ve already used the ‘wind in what’s left of my hair’ line but it is still true, so a convertible is another requirement. I’m not a track day warrior so any lack of perceived rigidity or weight penalty is of no concern to me.
Design aesthetics are important too, I wanted something that was identifiable and had a distinct character of its own, something that makes you want to turn around to look at after parking up and starting to walk away. Equally, I do a reasonable amount of charity work with my cars during the year so I wanted something that would help draw people in, create some attention, and help raise funds.
I like cars that are relatively hard core too. I had an Evo FQ in the past and the original 3 door Cosworth, and I really admire cars like the Challenge Stradale and 16M, a bit of NVH is not too much of an issue, although I do hate droning exhausts. Buckets seats are great for me, I’m only 5’ 10” and not too podgy so they generally fit well.
As you can see from the above I really like spoilers too, so it would be great to have one, especially in Carbon Fibre, another lifelong fascination. In fact the more CF the better, and definitely the old fashioned diagonal weave, I think the modern day composite fibre is really clever and I can see the advantages in constructing with it, but looks wise it’s not for me.
That’s the wish list and I’ve had to make some minor compromises, but I finally bought the ideal car from Motion8 just a few days before Christmas. I’d like to thank Chris and Matt for their excellent service and some nice touches. The car itself is truly immaculate, the last owner is a professional detailer and it reflects in the car which came with full PPF. The full main dealer service history is detailed and faultless and has all the additional bits in too, like wheel refurbishments and upgrades to PPF. The only issue I had with one of the seats was dealt with swiftly and professionally.
The car was delivered in a covered trailer but was accompanied by Chris in his car, that’s a really good touch, so I could have a proper handover and with all the documents presented in a binder. We like to name our cars so I was highly amused to find a small figurine of Princess Fiona sitting in the car, and I later found Shrek hiding in the console. All follow up emails and calls have been dealt with quickly and satisfactorily, great service thanks, and Motion8 come highly recommended.
So here it is, some Old Skool Lambo, and one I am looking forward to getting to know:
Did I mention carbon fibre?
or spoilers?
Now I had plenty of time to think about what really matters both in life and a car. As this is PH let’s focus on the car bit. I’ve been a genuine petrolhead all my life, probably since getting my first Dinky and Corgis. These are purely my thoughts and I am not claiming to be right or others wrong, just what is correct for me.
Taking into account impending retirement and the fact that income would be limited I wanted something that would be relatively reliable, could be serviced at a good independent if necessary, and wasn’t too complex in terms of mechanics and electrics. Depreciation is less of an issue as I have no intention of changing it, at least not until the point where I can’t physically get in the car!
I’m a mechanical engineer to trade so certain elements are very important to me. I love the sound of an engine particularly throughout the rev range, I like to hear it develop as the revs rise and change in pitch and timbre. I like a mechanical connection with the car, so a manual would be ideal if possible. As much as the twin clutch in the Huracan is utterly seamless, after a few years it had become a bit anodyne.
I also love the feel of fresh air around me, I’ve already used the ‘wind in what’s left of my hair’ line but it is still true, so a convertible is another requirement. I’m not a track day warrior so any lack of perceived rigidity or weight penalty is of no concern to me.
Design aesthetics are important too, I wanted something that was identifiable and had a distinct character of its own, something that makes you want to turn around to look at after parking up and starting to walk away. Equally, I do a reasonable amount of charity work with my cars during the year so I wanted something that would help draw people in, create some attention, and help raise funds.
I like cars that are relatively hard core too. I had an Evo FQ in the past and the original 3 door Cosworth, and I really admire cars like the Challenge Stradale and 16M, a bit of NVH is not too much of an issue, although I do hate droning exhausts. Buckets seats are great for me, I’m only 5’ 10” and not too podgy so they generally fit well.
As you can see from the above I really like spoilers too, so it would be great to have one, especially in Carbon Fibre, another lifelong fascination. In fact the more CF the better, and definitely the old fashioned diagonal weave, I think the modern day composite fibre is really clever and I can see the advantages in constructing with it, but looks wise it’s not for me.
That’s the wish list and I’ve had to make some minor compromises, but I finally bought the ideal car from Motion8 just a few days before Christmas. I’d like to thank Chris and Matt for their excellent service and some nice touches. The car itself is truly immaculate, the last owner is a professional detailer and it reflects in the car which came with full PPF. The full main dealer service history is detailed and faultless and has all the additional bits in too, like wheel refurbishments and upgrades to PPF. The only issue I had with one of the seats was dealt with swiftly and professionally.
The car was delivered in a covered trailer but was accompanied by Chris in his car, that’s a really good touch, so I could have a proper handover and with all the documents presented in a binder. We like to name our cars so I was highly amused to find a small figurine of Princess Fiona sitting in the car, and I later found Shrek hiding in the console. All follow up emails and calls have been dealt with quickly and satisfactorily, great service thanks, and Motion8 come highly recommended.
So here it is, some Old Skool Lambo, and one I am looking forward to getting to know:
Did I mention carbon fibre?
or spoilers?
Morning all and thanks for the positive response to my post. I definitely owe you a full comparison once I’ve had the chance to actually drive her properly. The lockdown has obviously had a big impact and N Yorks police are looking for non essential journeys, so it may be a little while just yet. Plus it has the Pirelli Corsa tyres on at the moment, I do have a set of new Sottozeros at my local tyre centre waiting on an essential journey to get them fitted.
Two early impressions, the interior with extensive CF and very dark alcantara feels more special, the Huracan definitely feels a bit quicker, as indeed it is, but the Performante is more engaging as you can feel the gear changes with egear, 3rd/4th gear in particular feels brilliant, much more on all that once I’ve been through the three modes properly.
Thanks again and I shall update, I will try to be as objective as possible and avoid the traps of confirmation bias.
Two early impressions, the interior with extensive CF and very dark alcantara feels more special, the Huracan definitely feels a bit quicker, as indeed it is, but the Performante is more engaging as you can feel the gear changes with egear, 3rd/4th gear in particular feels brilliant, much more on all that once I’ve been through the three modes properly.
Thanks again and I shall update, I will try to be as objective as possible and avoid the traps of confirmation bias.
Hi David, you are spot on, in fact the car has always been bought and sold through Motion8 including the original specification. Yes it is fully loaded including the lift so I had no hesitation in buying it. The only problem is that the previous owners have set a very high bar for me to follow!
It is one of those cars that when I went to see it there was no way I was going to walk away without buying it, thanks for the kind comments.
It is one of those cars that when I went to see it there was no way I was going to walk away without buying it, thanks for the kind comments.
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