Moving from manual Gallardo to 599 - anybody done this?

[eye121]

Hello fellow petrolheads

I am loving my manual gallardo but still hankering after a 599, which still look good value. Anyone actually owned both and in a position to compare? I know that the 599 is much faster but is it really possible to take good care of the Ferrari for reasonably sane money? Have you actually had to stump up for new carbon discs? I am no stranger to bills in multiples of four figures but the 599 looks on another level. The Gallardo is lovely to drive even at 30mph. Is the 599 similarly entertaining or as gorgeous sounding with an aftermarket exhaust? Do people let you out of junctions or is it colour dependent with a big red Ferrari getting their backs up?

What a first world problem and thanks for your experience.

[johnnyreggae]

Take a look at some of the very recent threads involving 'cake eater' - should be a large amount of helpful information (even if his 599 is grey....)

[eye121]

Thanks. I'll check it out

[CitySlicker]

They’re a bit muted with the standard exhaust system. I had an aftermarket on mine, just make sure that it’s from an expert company because particular ones can drone at cruising speed. Also with a remote valve would be handy as well.

[sparta6]

Be prepared for the vast expanse in front of you.
Takes a bit of getting used to but once mastered they are lovely things.

[eye121]

Having looked at cake eater’s excellent rundown of his experience with his 599 I think that maybe it might not be analogue enough for me. There are no settings for me to fiddle with on the Gallardo, and no endless warning lights once we programmed out the ones due to the ‘cat bypass tubes’. No hill start routines or workarounds - just get in and drive and if I wear out the clutch it’ll be entirely my fault.
I know that the two cars are chalk and cheese but I’ll stop lusting after the lovely ‘expensive donkey’.