Pottential Italian sportscar virgin seeks advice !
Discussion
Well,
I've thinking of buying either a Ferrari 355 or
a Countach qv - budget (30~47K).
Are they a complete nightmare to own - it's going to
be another toy since I already have a TVR 450 SEAC.
What are the running costs like.
Is the reality of owning a car like this more of
a nightmare than a dream.
I've thinking of buying either a Ferrari 355 or
a Countach qv - budget (30~47K).
Are they a complete nightmare to own - it's going to
be another toy since I already have a TVR 450 SEAC.
What are the running costs like.
Is the reality of owning a car like this more of
a nightmare than a dream.
I've owned both. They are very different cars. In my experience the Ferrari has cost more to run on account of the need for cambelt services and more electronics to go wrong. The Ferrari is easier to drive, has better visibility, handling, gearchange and overall performance. The Lamborghini is more old school supercar, has delicate bodywork but looks outrageous and sounds great.
I think you'll be hard pushed to get a RHD QV due to scarcity whereas 355's are fairly common. If you're interested I'm selling my 355 due to imminent arrival of new 911 GT3.
I think you'll be hard pushed to get a RHD QV due to scarcity whereas 355's are fairly common. If you're interested I'm selling my 355 due to imminent arrival of new 911 GT3.
One important point, is that with older Lambo/Ferrari models, you are not tied in to the main dealers (with their glossy and expensive overheads), and as such can use some of the good specialists that will keep the cars on the road for a lot less than you might imagine. Service history through known specialists seems to be accepted once the car is more than 5/7 years old. For example, I was recommended a specialist down in Surrey who has already proved very good and reasonable on the cost front..... obvious caveat is that the costs of parts are controlled from Italy, so you cannot get away from them as a factor in the expense equation.
As with any car, but even more important with these, as mistakes are expensive to rectify, only buy if you're absolutely happy with it's history.
I can't tell you whether it's a dream or nightmare yet as I'm still in the "too excited to sleep" phase.
As with any car, but even more important with these, as mistakes are expensive to rectify, only buy if you're absolutely happy with it's history.
I can't tell you whether it's a dream or nightmare yet as I'm still in the "too excited to sleep" phase.
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