So I stopped by Boardwalk Lambo of Dallas Saturday. I've had my 11' XKR for 6 months and its a great car. But I've been somewhat missing a more focused toy.

A bit of background on my car history. I've had 3 NSX, Viper GTS, 993, Z06, Lotus Elise, Z4M, Evo, S2k, a bunch of other stuff and now the XKR. Basically everything this side of Ferrari and Lambo. The F360 and F430 have never really moved me aesthetically - though they sound great. But the Gallardo has always seemed like a car I could dig. The previous and first time I drove a Gallardo it was when I had an NSX back in like 2004 and oddly it didn't seem any where near 2x the power of the NSX to me. Felt good otherwise but I wasn't super moved. I also told myself I wouldn't get a Ferrari or Lambo until over 30 so I had something to look forward to.

Fast forward to last Saturday. I miss rowing my own gears, sitting lower, quicker steering and a motorsports soundtrack. So I accidentally stumble into Boardwalk Dallas .

2005 Yellow 6spd
First I drive a yellow 2005 6spd. It had 5k miles and was stock. Since it was rush hour I didn't get to open it up. Impressions were that I heard some rattles I didn't understand. Yet I thought G's were tighter. It didn't feel fast at all because a) it was rush hour so I couldn't open up and b) my Jag has 510hp Supercharged V8 and has torque everywhere. So this left me wondering if it was really 500hp.

2008 Orange Superlagerra eGear
Loved the carbon fiber. But liked the cleaner lines of standard G. Perhaps it will grow on me. I did like the ceramic exhaust that looks no frills and the overall focused nature. So I guess I'm divided. Although the gated shifter can be cumbersome I think I definitely preferred it. Again, couldn't really open up due to rush hour.

So here are my questions:
1) Those of you that own or have driven other 500hp cars; does the Gallardo seem slower? Or does it really surge up in the revs?

2) The sound is a key element of this car. with a 6spd you can effortlessly blip throttle as you take off from light and hear that music. Or heel/toe downshift etc. Not to mention the feeling working with the beast instead of working the beast. How many of you prefer 6spd? And are there any major reasons I should shy away from one?

3) The rep was telling me the LP-560 is a HUUUGGGE difference. That owners of pre 09's drive them and exclaim "its a different car". The ride, power, suspension etc. Is this really true?

4) I work from home and travel sometimes once per week. While I won't be commuting to work I do like to drive my toys a lot around town. Would I be crazy to put 10-12k per year on a Gallardo? Both in maintenance and resale?

5) What else did you consider and how does it compare to other cars you've owned? 997 GT3 feels great but 911's aren't a Lambo. Haven't tried R8 yet. Not sure where else I could go for under $150k.

6) I have always loved the Murci and believe it will age VERY well. It's such a pure and classic shape and presence. Would I be crazy for buying a Murci and doing 12k per year? Is it a better built car? Anybody have both or can offer perspective on driving and ownership experience?

6) Were any of you concerned about friends and family thinking, saying, concluding you're rich; and all the good and mostly bad such thoughts can lead to? Alienation - people feel closer to people they can relate to. Anger or jealousy - why don't he offer me some $ since he's so rich etc. I do OK but am not independently wealthy. Don't want to nor would I keep assuring people of this because that is uncouth.

Thanks in advance for your feedback. I'm looking forward to learning more.

 

I had an '04 manual Gallardo and, yes, its slow. However mine had a Capristo aftermarket exhaust and the sound was phenomenal.
I traded it for a Murci Roadster. You mention the '05 didn't feel tight. If that's your point of reference the Murci will feel like a wet noodle. My friends are my friends for a reason, so they all get a kick out of my toys. My family goes without saying.
If you can afford the maintenance its up to you. However, the Murcielago does require more care than the Gallardo.
Aside from being slow, I loved the Gallardo. The Murcielago does have a certain coolness factor, but the classic style and construction is also its undoing as it really is an inferior platform. I ended up moving from the Murci to the Ruf RT12. I didn't miss the Murci, but I still had the itch for something ridiculous which is why I ended up with my UGR Gallardo TT. That said, I would consider buying another Murci to have one, but I wouldn't trade my UGR TT Gallardo for one.

 

I love my 2005. Plenty of power compare to other 500-550 hp cars such as 996tt modified. Much more power than stock 360.

Lp560 key strength is improved looks and egear. It is faster but 0.5 second 0-60 difference is not that huge considering the price difference.

If you want to put 10-15k a year, you should consider a second car or an r8 that is easier to live with. You will get too much attn everywhere you go.

Murci is a car you change your life style for. Gallardo is more versatile. Neither car should be your only car. Although gallardo may.

 

This is an interesting point. If its your only car, you will definitely have a change in lifestyle, lol.

 

When I said the 05 felt loose I primarily mean in the steering off center. The LP seemed more connected whereas in the 05 I could move the steering wheel much more from center before the car turned.

I wouldn't literally drive the car daily as I work from home. Also would have 2 other cars, SUV and a sedan. So it won't be going to grocery stores etc. But that doesn't mean I won't put 10k plus on it annually.

Finally, on the difference in performance between LP and reg may not justify $40-$50k. So I guess I'm leaning toward the first gen Gallardo.

 

OK, that makes more sense. Gallardos are extremely solid cars.
My only beef with the older Gallardos is that a new 5.0 Mustang or Corvette will give it a run for its money. If you can get past that, the sound and look is beyond compare for the money.

 

No mustang or vette will provide the ownership experience of an exotic... If trap speedis the only concern, I would have gotten a gtr or zr1. Very few cars can beat an exotic while costing half as much.

 

Gallardo really shines up-top. Down low and in traffic, it won’t feel that fast until you can open it up. My last two cars was a 608whp 996TT and then a 700awhp GTR. The Gallardo doesn’t have the same brutal fast accel, but certainly a fast car. Most people will tell you that pre 560, to go 6sp if you can, and post 560, to go egear. With the 6sp, not only are the gear changes a lot smoother, the gated shifter is definitely an added plus as well. After having a GTR and then driving an egear, I knew I had to have a 6sp. No chances of egear hoses leaking, actuators failing, etc. The car by itself is very reliable…not much different than driving an Audi.

As for the Murci, I have a few friends that have had Gallardos then move to a Murci/LP640, and then came back to another Gallardo. The Murci you will look like a rockstar, but it will be like driving a boat from what I hear.

Alienation – this will be the issue with most high-end cars if people who don’t understand cars see you driving them. At the end of the day, people that matter won’t care. My friends and close family that know I have a G treat me no differently than before. I will say an exotic opens up a different world of networking with similar people that drive these cars.