NSX owners who also have(had) an R8 or Gallardo...

PghMiller

PghMiller

Experienced Member
Joined
22 April 2013
Messages
378
Location
Pittsburgh PA
For those of you who own(ed) an NSX and also an R8 or Gallardo, please provide your input about moving into one of these options. (if I moved into one of these vehicles, I doubt I would keep my NSX, but I guess I could if I really wanted to)

I know there are a lot of you that will trash this idea right away because we are all so impressed with our NSX, even being 15 years old (give or take), and half the price... but I'm looking for input from individuals who have owned 2 of these automobiles who can give real actual comparisons/opinions. Obviously the price is double+, so... "is it worth it"? I have never driven either of these. I went to Xtreme Xperience but opted for the McLaren. But I've always loved both of these cars just like I've loved the NSX. I bought the NSX without ever driving one, just because I "knew" I had to have one! Even when I met the seller to make the purchase, I had HIM drive it around for an hour before making the deal, so I didn't technically drive an NSX even for a second before purchasing one. (my license was suspended so I was nervous... I drove home 8 hours and never broke the speed limit... everyone on the road hated me)
So I KNEW I was going to buy an NSX and the only thing that would have prevented that is IF the test drive was totally disappointing. I feel the same way about the R8 and/or Gallardo.

So if I were to sell the NSX ('96, manual, 70,000 miles, stock other than the Pride V1) and get an R8 (08-12, 4.2 V8) or Gallardo (04-08, coupe, RWD or AWD), will I be happy, impressed, excited, in love?
To be totally happy with my NSX, I would have to repaint the whole car, upgrade the suspension, new wheels, new/refurbished seats, steering wheel, console/head unit, and supercharger. That is why I'm considering this change.
 
pm Rich from NJ..he had some time with a gallardo.
 
PghMiller said:
Haha, yeah, well, I'm looking in a price range about half that! Otherwise YES I would opt for the Ford GT as well!
Click to expand...

Whats the 5 year TCO on a Gallardo vs a Ford GT?
Might be the same when you factor in the Ford GT doesn't depreciate much.
 
jond said:
Whats the 5 year TCO on a Gallardo vs a Ford GT?
Might be the same when you factor in the Ford GT doesn't depreciate much.
Click to expand...
TCO would be less from both depreciation and maintenance standpoint.
davidf said:
I don't ever see the Ford GT depreciating.
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I agree, the only real hurdle is the initial cost to purchase. Major difference there. 4 years ago, you could have bought a Gallardo, 430 or Ford GT for the same money, not now!!!!
 
TomCat said:
A Nissan 300ZX TT owner I know also has a Gallardo coupe and loves it for performance and reliability.
Click to expand...

Performance and reliability? Don't they eat clutches like Chiclets? Every 4k miles from what I have been told. I see them at the auction go dirt cheap needing a clutch all the time. The service and parts ant cheap.

They fixed this issue? If so what year?

The Ford GT will hold it value if anything it will go up. Wish I got one when I had the chance.

R8 is nice but be aware of carbon build up on the motors due to our crap US gas. They need up keep if you plan on using it for a while. The newer models are better and the Diesel one will be a beast!
 
Last edited:
DRIFTER said:
Performance and reliability? Don't they eat clutches like Chiclets? Every 4k miles from what I have been told. I see them at the auction go dirt cheap needing a clutch all the time. The service and parts ant cheap.

They fixed this issue? If so what year?

The Ford GT will hold it value if anything it will go up. Wish I got one when I had the chance.

R8 is nice but be aware of carbon build up on the motors due to our crap US gas. They need up keep if you plan on using it for a while. The newer models are better and the Diesel one will be a beast!
Click to expand...

I got a lot of Gallardo info from my ZX bud...email me if you really care ([email protected])
"Clutches did not last long in the earlier models, in 2006 Lamborghini came out with a better clutch (Series "E" I think?). A lot of guys replaced their weak clutches with Kevlar clutches. Therefore, the 2003-05 cars probably have the better clutches installed"
 
I just picked up an 09' R8 and couldn't be happier with it. I am keeping the NSX as they really are completely different animals. R8 is much more comfortable and roomier inside. R8 is much more expensive to maintain from what I can see looking around at things though.
 
NA1MT said:
I just picked up an 09' R8 and couldn't be happier with it. I am keeping the NSX as they really are completely different animals. R8 is much more comfortable and roomier inside. R8 is much more expensive to maintain from what I can see looking around at things though.
Click to expand...

Pics please....
 
DRIFTER said:
R8 is nice but be aware of carbon build up on the motors due to our crap US gas. They need up keep if you plan on using it for a while. The newer models are better and the Diesel one will be a beast!
Click to expand...

The carbon build up is due to the early designs of the direct injection engines, not so much the gas. Because the gas is being injected directly into the cylinder instead of before the intake valve, the gasoline and detergents don't clean the valve nor the port.

I've seen newer Toyota designs that actually spray a tiny bit of gas right before the intake valves in addition to the direct injection. This greatly reduces carbon build up.

Back to the discussion. I drove a Gallardo LP-550-2 Spyder not to long ago. Can't say anything about the handling since I got 2 sprints down PCH and then stop and go traffic, but the drive and the acceleration were second to none. The car I drove had the dual clutch "e transmission". Shifts were lightning fast and stop and go traffic it worked like a charm. I was really surprised how smooth it engaged from a stop and just casual shifts were instant and smooth. Interior fit and finish was a lot lower than what I expected from a car that cost that much. Large panel gaps, buttons felt "cheap", driver and passenger leg room was minimal (compared to the NSX). There also is basically no reclining of the seats. The NSX at least gives you some room to recline, but in the Gallardo there was none and I'm 6'0" tall.
Car was definitely easy to drive and I was really impressed. The stock exhaust sound was amazing coming from the V10. The perfect balance of loudness when you get on it and quietness when you're cruising.

<a href="http://photos.gothamdreamcars.com/p962295891/e14104d48"><img src="http://photos.gothamdreamcars.com/img/s7/v164/p336612680-2.jpg" width="400" height="267" alt="Gotham Dream Cars: Dream Car Tour - 3/13 - PM Session &emdash; " /></a>
<a href="http://photos.gothamdreamcars.com/p962295891/e1c198e5b"><img src="http://photos.gothamdreamcars.com/img/s7/v156/p471436891-2.jpg" width="400" height="267" alt="Gotham Dream Cars: Dream Car Tour - 3/13 - PM Session &emdash; " /></a>
 
I currently have both the NSX and v10 R8 (proper manual tranny in both cars).

Both are awesome cars (distance cousins if you will) ~ I have a complete thread on this subject so do a search. I also have a few s2000's and people always ask me to compare the NSX and s2000 which you CANNOT DO!

The R8 vs NSX debate is the same, different car different animal but both will put smiles on your face. The cost of a v10 R8 is much greater than the NSX though so of course it will be a better car in most ways. However you can't beat the driving position of the NSX or road feel. R8 is too much of a touring car and isolated.

here's both my babies:



- - - Updated - - -

P.S. The carbon build up is only a problem on the older V8 cars with the RS4 motor derivative. Not an issue on the V10.

Also I've had plenty of seat time in Gallardo's and I would recommend you stay away from the E-gear tranny, they tend to wear faster and expensive to replace. The R8 had the older technology R-tronic which was also cumbersome. The 2014+ models have the newer DSG tranny if you must go auto but be prepared to pay big $$$.

Neither the Gallardo, F430, R8 have the driving position or road feel of the NSX. The NSX tends to communicate the road so much better. In all honesty the only car that has better road feel than the NSX is probably the s2000.

My plan is to eventually sell the R8 and move to a 458 but my wife keeps giving me this "look" so I think that means we will keep the R8 for now :)
 
OP, you will not be disappointed with a R8 or G. They are amazing cars and bring some intangibles to the table. The G IMHO is one of the most striking cars in person.



DRIFTER said:
Performance and reliability? Don't they eat clutches like Chiclets? Every 4k miles from what I have been told. I see them at the auction go dirt cheap needing a clutch all the time. The service and parts ant cheap.
Click to expand...

Do you always believe everything your told? Do you really think Lambo owners change their clutches out every 4k miles? I have talked to a guy with 25k miles on his stock G clutch. It's no Honda Accord 80k miles on a clutch but come on. I have not seen "dirt cheap" quality G's in years. They are going up in value as it is a lot of eyeball for the $$.


Hapa88 said:
Back to the discussion. I drove a Gallardo LP-550-2 Spyder not to long ago. Can't say anything about the handling since I got 2 sprints down PCH and then stop and go traffic, but the drive and the acceleration were second to none. The car I drove had the dual clutch "e transmission". Shifts were lightning fast and stop and go traffic it worked like a charm. I was really surprised how smooth it engaged from a stop and just casual shifts were instant and smooth.
Click to expand...

Just as an FYI, all Gallardo E-Gears are single clutch. Dual clutch did not come out until the Huracan.
 
Hapa88 said:
Ahh, good to know. I know it was violent at WOT though.
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The single clutch is one of the reasons it is so violent versus the smoothness of a double clutch. One of the gripes about the early e-gear cars is that the shifts are too violent. It is fun when you are making highway pulls but having your neck snapped shifting into 2nd in the Lowes parking lot might get old.
 
See these are the specs/facts that I need to learn about the Gallardo (which is what I'm leaning towards). What years did things change, and what changes should I definitely want?
If someone asked me about buying an NSX, I could help them out with some decisions (beware of snap ring range... need tb/wp documentation (or negotiate accordingly)... if they wanted power steering and ABS they would have to stay 94+... if they wanted targa they would have to stay 95+... if they wanted 6-speed 3.2ltr 294hp they would have to stay 97+... wheel changes by year... etc, etc)
I need to know what to STAY AWAY from in the Gallardo... and what I should "require". Someone local told me that it would be smart to buy one that has just over 30k miles and documented recent major servicing (including clutch replacement), since apparently the Gallardo has a 30k mile servicing and a 60k as well (or buy one with just over 60k miles with documented service performed). And I don't even know what this "major service" includes? What are the required service intervals, and costs?

Also, I'm trying to stay under $100k, so it seems I'm stuck with 04-06... and it's hard to find the 4-wheel drive in that price range but still possible if you're lucky. If I go slightly over $100k that's only increasing my model possibilities up to an 08, so why spend more just for an 08? Are there significant improvements? These are the details I need to learn about and I'm searching the web but that's not so easy, information is so scattered. I'd prefer to talk to someone who knows the Gallardo in and out.
 
did you pm passline?
 
They are all awd with the exception of the Balboni edition. In 05' they came standard with the front lift. The clutch was also upgraded, but I would have to think that any one you look at in your price range will have enough miles already to have replaced the clutch so it would already be upgraded.
 
Aaron94T said:
The single clutch is one of the reasons it is so violent versus the smoothness of a double clutch. One of the gripes about the early e-gear cars is that the shifts are too violent. It is fun when you are making highway pulls but having your neck snapped shifting into 2nd in the Lowes parking lot might get old.
Click to expand...

Actually I thought the shifts around town were pretty smooth. The same was with the Ferrari 599 GTB that we drove that day. Both were extremely violent at WOT though. It would take literally a second or two after the shift to get your bearings straight, it was that violoent.
 
NA1MT said:
They are all awd with the exception of the Balboni edition. In 05' they came standard with the front lift. The clutch was also upgraded, but I would have to think that any one you look at in your price range will have enough miles already to have replaced the clutch so it would already be upgraded.
Click to expand...

The lift in 05 is a big deal to some people. If I were buying a G I would only get one with the lift, however, that is due to the angle of my garage. The E-Gear was constantly being improved with the worst ones obviously being the older ones. I would test drive an E-Gear as the older ones are not universally liked.


Hapa88 said:
Actually I thought the shifts around town were pretty smooth. The same was with the Ferrari 599 GTB that we drove that day. Both were extremely violent at WOT though. It would take literally a second or two after the shift to get your bearings straight, it was that violoent.
Click to expand...

The 550 you drove was a 2009 or later which not only has the revised front and rear but also the greatly improved E-Gear. The later E-Gear you get the longer the clutch will last and the smoother it will be around town
 

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