Originally Posted by 87turbo911

I discovered that, while I could afford to BUY an older Ferrari, I couldn't afford maintaining it!

Originally Posted by svb

Surprised my fiance this weekend and rented a 2013 Gallardo LP-570 4 Performante. She's full Italian from Milano and this is a "normal" car for her. However I was giddy excited, and it was a dream come true and my first experience with Lamborghini. To make this post legit, let me compare it to my recently acquired Boxster Spyder, and mention my 997, and as a loyal Porschephile convey my first impression with an Italian supercar. I know these cars are in different economic segments and its like comparing apples to oranges... but lets leave cost out of this:

Ride
Lambo is downright more comfortable and more compliant than the Porsche Spyder (no PASM), but on par with my 997. Hard to believe, but we were actually cushy in this thing, even in Sport and Corsa mode. Seats, ride, just perfect. Now the Spyder seems unduly stiff.


Sound
Lambo sound...shockingly intoxicating and loud, especially in Sport or Corsa mode. I prefer it to even a PSE Porsche. I don't know how it passes Euro sound regulations, unless the US spec version is different. There is just nothing like it. Even on a downshift, its just pure sex.

Handling
Porsche Spyder here. Porsche feels nimbler, more balanced, more dialed in, and would be much harder to throw into the weeds. The Lambo had me unnerved. I was completely wired the whole time. But I was very impressed with the steering, it had Porsche-like feel and accuracy. Lambo brake feel is superior with better initial bite, equal to my 997S.

Transmission
Porsche PDK is superior to whatever flappy paddle (?Audi DSG) system was in this car. It was clunky and you needed to lift throttle between shifts to avoid whiplash. Didn't like it and expected better.

Interior
Lambo is nice, with full Alcantra interior, but honestly I wasn't completely blown away. I think I prefer the Porsche believe it or not.

Exterior
The matte black finish and styling on this car is just gorgeous. The body work with, carbon bits drips of quality. The roof works amazing well. As cool as the Spyder looks, have to go Lambo here.

Panache
No contest here. The Lambo just stops traffic dead everywhere we took it. This was a negative for me. It attracts too much attention and cameras. People yelling, screaming, walking out in front of the car at a traffic light, etc. It just makes people act stupid. I kept thinking..."sheesh its just a Gallardo." But it still pulls a crowd like a Countach. We are private people and we wanted to hide in the footwells because we had the top down. My Spyder still gets looks, but its not annoying like it was with the Lambo.

The wacky conclusion

First I have to say, at the price point that the Porsche Spyder was built with, it is an impeccable and glorious achievement and a downright bargain for what it is. From an engineering, performance, and quality standpoint the cars were very close. You are just paying a heck of a lot more for that Italian style with the Lambo. Whether that is worth the extra cost comes down to a subjective decision.

That being said, we are actually in the market for one now. Wedding gift for my soon to be wife. She can tame this thing like you wouldn't believe, and its rather arousing to see her drive it and bully it, instead of vice versa. I was so completely smitten by the experience, and as old as the Gallardo platform is now, its amazing that it still feels so fresh. The whole Italiano thing has me intoxicated (hell I'm marrying one) And My fiance told me the "Performante" edition was the one to buy a long time ago when she drove it in Italy, and I have to agree. Downsides are cost and attention, but I'm willing to make concessions.

My Porsche Spyder may be on the cutting block soon. As much as I love it, it would be redundant, and I'm running out of garage space! Keeping the 997. It is quirky, has character, and just cannot be replaced.

Originally Posted by MessyMarvin

I used to love Lambo's, but I guess age changes things. I love my Porsche, but the 2 cars that tempt me are the Ford GT and the Audi R8.

The Ford GT to me gives you everything and I would bet if well kept and only driven 2-3K miles a year will only appreciate with time, I also think it looks much better than any Lambo.