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I thought I'd give a 6 month/2000 mile update to my experience of owning a V12 Lamborghini. Around 18 months ago I quit my well paying job to start, along with a partner, my own company doing mobile game consulting. After about 6 months of zero income, I had my first month of a small profit. 6 months after that and the company was booming. Today our 2 person company is one of the largest mobile game consultancies in the world. So I decided to sell my GT-R and buy something really stupid for my 33rd birthday. I had initially been looking at McLaren MP4-12cs, but after driving one I wanted something even dumber. The McLaren was extremely fast but it was lacking some excitement. I figured with manual transmissions going away and older Lamborghini prices skyrocketing, the Murcielago may be my last chance to own a V12 6-speed car. I was initially set on trying to find an LP640 6-speed. There were roughly 40 in total made, and I had a bead on one up in Vancouver. But the seller was just giving me all sorts of bad vibes. Young kid with family money and he absolutely blew up on me over the phone after I told him I had called the dealer that serviced it "without his permission". gently caress that. Back to the search. Found a non-LP640 at a local dealership, but it had some unique qualities. First, it was blue, which is my favorite color on a car. Second, the previous owner had poured roughly $70,000 of money into making it a LP640 clone with factory parts. So it had all the good parts of being an LP640 without the huge cost. It was roughly $100k less than what a true LP640 was going for. I decided to go take it for a test drive...and within 5 minutes I was hooked. The car also had about $20k of engine/exhaust work done by Heffner Performance. The noise was absolutely unreal. And the car was brutally fast. While these cars are AWD, it's around 80% biased to the rear so it will still break loose constantly. I placed an offer and it was accepted within 10 minutes. Picked it up 3 days later:  I love the simplicity of the interior, and once you get in it's actually really comfortable:  Glorious gated shifter:  Had to get a custom plate:  Wife then wanted a matching blue car:  Only cosmetic thing I've done is pull the fuse to keep the "bat vents" up:   And a crappy cell phone video of the exhaust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjsl1IXA3Xo&t=115s So how has it been as a car and how reliable is it? Well, the one big hiccup it's had is the first and only time dasvolk rode in it, the ECU poo poo the bed. I had washed it earlier that day, and it turns out due to the engine bay being open to air you need to cover the engine with two big towels when you wash it, or the ECU will get wet and fry itself. That was $1400. There's been a few small wear issues - a front seal was leaking, the AC needed to be recharged, and my power window was wonky. Total repairs for all three was $800 (really nice having found a local independent Lambo mechanic). Other than that, it's been amazing. It is a HUGE attention draw. Everywhere you go, people are taking pictures or filming you. At one single stoplight I had 5 people taking a picture at the same time, and a car going the other way ran the light because they were staring at the car. I've also had people drift into my lane on the freeway because they are so focused on the car they aren't paying attention. 99% of the attention has been positive, but it's been spit on once and I've had a few people yell about being a 'rich kid' or 'daddy wants his car back'. Some of the positive attention can go wrong too - I recently had a group of teenagers ask to take pictures with it, then one of the girls ran up to the car, put her hands with rings on all over the paint and stuck her rear end out like it was a porn shoot. I can see how owners eventually get tired of this poo poo, start telling people 'no', then deal with the 'rear end in a top hat supercar owner stereotype'. More importantly, the car always makes me smile. Wide open throttle 1-2 shift will actually make me laugh it's just such glorious fun with the V12 screaming right behind you. I've done a Make A Wish day for a dying kid and the family said when he saw the car, it was the first time he'd smiled in 6 months. For the future, I plan on keeping it for a long time. I'll probably upgrade the stereo soon with a backup camera, because the rear visibility is atrocious. I'm most likely buying something else to use as a more daily driver car - probably a Focus RS - so the miles will go down on the Lambo. It's not great at getting groceries as the storage space is pretty tiny. On the financial front, I've already had someone offer me $25k more than I paid, so I feel values are already starting to climb on these. I doubt they'll do what Countaches/Diablos have done, but I'm recommending anyone I know interested in these to try to buy now before they get unattainable.
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Oct 9, 2015 20:04
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I envy you. That is an amazing vehicle and I hope you have fun with it!
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Oct 9, 2015 20:10
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Lamborghini still great. We seem to have similar overlap on Destiny times, you wanna play together?
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Oct 9, 2015 20:11
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Comrade Flynn posted:
What happens when it rains? Seriously though, that's an absolutely beautiful car and I'm pretty jealous.
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Oct 9, 2015 20:12
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CornHolio posted:What happens when it rains? Good question. It requires a pretty big downpour with the car sitting still for this to happen. Normal rain won't bother it. Plus I got an updated ECU which is sealed better. But I'm still careful. Seat Safety Switch posted:Lamborghini still great. We seem to have similar overlap on Destiny times, you wanna play together? Yeah. Nija and I are trying to do the raid this weekend I think.
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Oct 9, 2015 20:23
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Comrade Flynn posted:Yeah. Nija and I are trying to do the raid this weekend I think. Cool, I'll send you a message so you know what my PSN ID is. I joined your fireteam for a bit last night but you were just orbiting.
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Oct 9, 2015 20:30
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Seat Safety Switch posted:Cool, I'll send you a message so you know what my PSN ID is. I joined your fireteam for a bit last night but you were just orbiting. rayuva or something? Sorry, I was reading up on the final step of the sleeper stimulant quest. EDIT: A few people asked, the insurance rate for this is waaaaaay too cheap. I pay $120/mo for full coverage. Most people don't realize that Murcielagos are almost 100% carbon fiber - the only aluminum piece on the car is the doors. Those side sills under the door? $10k to replace.
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Oct 9, 2015 20:37
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I'm glad you're still enjoying it. When you say about older Lamborghini prices going up, if a Diablo or a Countach came up at a "reasonable" price to change, would you? Or the same question going the other way for newer ones, I guess.
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Oct 9, 2015 20:50
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That is loving cool and I hope it puts a big dumb smile on your face every time you drive it.
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Oct 9, 2015 20:51
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InitialDave posted:I'm glad you're still enjoying it. I really, really wanted a Diablo until I drove one. I drove a Countach and it's even worse. I think the Diablo is the pinnacle of Lamborghini styling, but I could not get over how bad it drove. Keep in mind those were dark years for Lamborghini - over the Diablo production they were owned by 3 different companies, and were on the verge of bankruptcy twice. Also due to all the different owners, they constantly changed the car so repairing one is a NIGHTMARE. Look at Rob Dahm - it's been two years and his Diablo still isn't repaired. The Murcielago benefited quite a bit from Audi/VWs ownership. There's a lot of 'sanity' in there, but it still retains a lot of Lamborghini rawness that's gone in the Aventador. The only car I'd probably trade for is a true LP640, and that's just due to the rarity.
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Oct 9, 2015 21:09
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That is rad as hell. What are the buttons and "1-2-3-4" lights under the shifter for?
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Oct 9, 2015 21:41
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MustardFacial posted:That is rad as hell. What are the buttons and "1-2-3-4" lights under the shifter for? It's active suspension which I have never, ever touched. Ever. I just leave it in Auto. Speaking of cool suspension tricks: it has an optional $10,000 front lift system and I literally have no idea how you drive the car without it. It lifts the front end 3" then drops it. It's like a really expensive hydraulic system!
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Oct 9, 2015 22:04
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I like that blue, what year / how many miles does the car have on it? I'm curious how the maintenance gets as it gets older.
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Oct 9, 2015 22:15
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MomJeans420 posted:I like that blue, what year / how many miles does the car have on it? I'm curious how the maintenance gets as it gets older. 2003, just clicked over 26000 miles. I've put on 2000 miles in the past 6 months. Supposedly the motor/transmission are rock solid. There was a Murci running around at 250,000 miles before it got into a wreck.
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Oct 9, 2015 22:22
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drat, I would never have guessed it was that old. I was thinking 2012 or something.
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Oct 9, 2015 22:28
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68ugkg9RePc
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Oct 9, 2015 22:30
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I am disappointed I haven't seen you driving around in that since I moved back to Ballard(bought a house on 22nd and 70th, so not far from where I think you are). Granted I work from home now, so I don't drive around much anymore.
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Oct 9, 2015 23:16
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Negromancer posted:I am disappointed I haven't seen you driving around in that since I moved back to Ballard(bought a house on 22nd and 70th, so not far from where I think you are). Granted I work from home now, so I don't drive around much anymore. I drive it constantly. I go to E@RTC and constantly hear people going "so you're who owns that car!"
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Oct 9, 2015 23:21
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Yea, I guess thats more a sign of how little I leave the house more than anything.
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Oct 9, 2015 23:29
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MomJeans420 posted:drat, I would never have guessed it was that old. I was thinking 2012 or something. Same. I completely forgot how long that car had been around. I just want a ride in it  I played cat and mouse through some canyons with one a few months ago, it had an aftermarket exhaust on it and every time hed shift down for a corner it sounded like god in front of me.Then he'd get pissed when my ratty bike went by him on exit
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Oct 10, 2015 01:00
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Comrade Flynn posted:It's active suspension which I have never, ever touched. Ever. I just leave it in Auto. It's crazy how those systems aren't standard. Both the Huracan and 650S have lift kits without which you can't get over a speedbump or into a parking lot with a ramp, and in both cases they were $7k options (although on the Huracan it also gets you the magnetorheological dampers and in the McLaren I think it gets you the upgraded IRIS infotainment).
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Oct 10, 2015 02:49
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If you don't have that, you can get a set of kws that does it.
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Oct 10, 2015 04:02
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Comrade Flynn posted:I really, really wanted a Diablo until I drove one. I drove a Countach and it's even worse. May I ask what Diablo you drove? Did you get to drive one of the final VT 6.0s? I thought Audi worked those ones over?
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Oct 10, 2015 05:32
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Can you tell a little more about the make-a-wish thing, how did it go?
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Oct 10, 2015 13:55
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I love you and yes blue cars are da best
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Oct 10, 2015 15:14
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bolind posted:Can you tell a little more about the make-a-wish thing, how did it go? Yeah, I've given you some poo poo for the burnout comments, but this is a serious stand-up thing to do. Any pictures?
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Oct 10, 2015 20:18
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EVERYWHERE 
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bolind posted:Can you tell a little more about the make-a-wish thing, how did it go? Sure. Apparently they put out a call on Facebook trying to find a Lamborghini owner as this kid's dream was to ride in a Lamborghini. I responded and said we could do a lot better than just a ride. I was able to put a few calls in to Lambo corporate and got him a private tour of the Lamborghini Composite Lab here in Seattle (http://www.lambolab.org/) which normally doesn't offer tours. We weren't allowed to take many pictures inside, but they had the actual honest to god Sesto Elemento used on Top Gear, half ripped apart to study how it held up. They even let him use this state of the art carbon molding machine to make his own carbon fiber lamborghini model. Also got the dealership I bought the car at to host him. Here are some pictures. Pulling up to the children's hospital. Got my buddy with a Superleggera to come along.  Supposedly the first time he'd smiled in 6 months.  In heaven at the dealership.  He got him models and he insisted on us autographing them.  Picture at the composite lab. The woman on the end has a PHD in advanced composites and owns an Alfa 4c.  Taking him for a ride. 
Somebody fucked around with this message at 17:20 on Oct 12, 2015 |
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Oct 11, 2015 00:43
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That's one hell of a good effort. I'm sure it's something he'll always remember.
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Oct 11, 2015 00:50
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That... *sniffle* that's allergies getting to me, I swear. Seriously awesome of you to arrange all of that.
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Oct 11, 2015 02:16
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iwentdoodie posted:Same. I completely forgot how long that car had been around. Not quite a canyon chase, but here's my buddy in a GT-R chasing me around Mercer Island: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdKhWdvgrY8 some texas redneck posted:That... *sniffle* that's allergies getting to me, I swear. Purely selfishly it was an absolute blast. I'd do it again in a heartbeat and told the local Make a Wish chapter to please contact me again if they need an exotic car or video game connections. One of the things I really enjoy about the car is sharing it with people that appreciate it. If I see a kid checking it out I always ask if they want their picture in the drivers seat. I remember being that kid once and getting to sit in an F40 when I was 8. I think I've already taken 20+ people for rides in it. Comrade Flynn fucked around with this message at 02:22 on Oct 11, 2015 |
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Oct 11, 2015 02:20
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Comrade Flynn posted:I thought I'd give a 6 month/2000 mile update to my experience of owning a V12 Lamborghini. Too funny, I've been a regular at ERTC for a good 6 years, although I didn't go once this year. Know Roy very well. Have you ever gone to any of the Fowler parties? How long have you been going? I usually drive up with Nick, Anthony and Ted when I go. They definitely do appreciate too, Ted did good with his Superleggera when he upgraded. I don't think we've run into each other yet. Congrats on the ride man, throw some OC exhaust on that bad boy. Worthington fucked around with this message at 18:40 on Oct 11, 2015 |
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Oct 11, 2015 18:37
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Worthington posted:Too funny, I've been a regular at ERTC for a good 6 years, although I didn't go once this year. Know Roy very well. Have you ever gone to any of the Fowler parties? Nick Allahyar? I haven't really attended any of the exotic meetups. I mostly hang around the GTR crowd. A few younger exotic owners and I were commenting how we feel like the black sheep. The older exotic owners seemingly want nothing to do with us, and the other car groups seem to think we believe we are 'too good' for them. Kind of weird.
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Oct 11, 2015 22:44
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Comrade Flynn posted:Nick Allahyar? Yeah Nick is one of them. GTR crowd, so I assume you know Seth Thomas? The older crowd actually isn't bad at all -everyone is very down to earth, at least the core group of ERTC. That said I haven't really been much this year and I know things have changed a bit since Nick took over. Where do you live? Next season you should drive up with us sometime. Bunch of us on the south end drive up together.
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Oct 11, 2015 23:43
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Worthington posted:Yeah Nick is one of them. I do! Seth and I went racing a few weeks back and had a blast (I took my wife's 335is). I'm in Ballard but always up for taking a drive.
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Oct 11, 2015 23:54
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I would give my left nut to be able to spend a few (maybe 6?) hours in the CAT SEX OTICS showroom. You're a good guy. Keep on Lamboing
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Oct 12, 2015 04:19
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Comrade Flynn posted:One of the things I really enjoy about the car is sharing it with people that appreciate it. If I see a kid checking it out I always ask if they want their picture in the drivers seat. I remember being that kid once and getting to sit in an F40 when I was 8. I think I've already taken 20+ people for rides in it. Excellent. I'd like to think I'd be the same way, at least in letting people check it out and talking with them. Thanks for sharing with us, too. My only experience with a Lambo is spotting a gorgeous white Countach in a restaurant parking lot. Me and my buddy walked over and looked at it, drooling, and the owner came out and got in. We both were like "awesome car man" and he just went "yup" and shut the door. Then we stepped back and waited for him to start it and I think he waited for us to leave. I just wanted to hear the V12. Funniest part was that he was a full-on 80's cliche, super skinny with acid washed jeans, puffy shirt and a spiked mullet. Around 2008. Could have dressed like Crockett but instead dressed like the 80's dance kid.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:31
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Comrade Flynn posted:Purely selfishly it was an absolute blast. I'd do it again in a heartbeat and told the local Make a Wish chapter to please contact me again if they need an exotic car or video game connections. That's a very cool thing to do. I shall amend my prejudice of expensive car owners. Comrade Flynn posted:If I see a kid checking it out I always ask if they want their picture in the drivers seat. Yeaah, I can see that ending badly.
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Oct 12, 2015 12:58
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Comrade Flynn posted:I do! Seth and I went racing a few weeks back and had a blast (I took my wife's 335is). Man, it's a small world huh? Funny story, Seth and I both learned to race from the same instructor. I'm amazed how fast he's improved, he's a natural. Where did you guys go? I'll be looking to snag some of the half priced off season runs this year, we should all coordinate something. Been talking about doing a drive for awhile, but I've been pretty sick the last two weeks. Next nice weekend we should snag Seth and do a ride, Leavenworth or something.
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Oct 12, 2015 16:43
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It is seriously weird seeing you pop up on my FB feed for knowing Blake at NWAS, I went to Highschool with him. Anyway, love the Lambo and bitterly disappointed I haven't seen it around Ballard yet. Nice work on the RS as well, can't wait to hear how it performs.
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Oct 13, 2015 02:24
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Maksimus54 posted:It is seriously weird seeing you pop up on my FB feed for knowing Blake at NWAS, I went to Highschool with him. Anyway, love the Lambo and bitterly disappointed I haven't seen it around Ballard yet. Nice work on the RS as well, can't wait to hear how it performs. Blake is one of the nicest people I've ever met. When I had to get the Lamborghini flatbedded to the mechanic's shop around 8pm, he was just closing down Northwest Auto Salon for the day when I showed up. He insisted on staying there waiting with me for OVER AN HOUR for the tow truck, then let me leave the car inside his shop rather than leaving it in the parking lot outside. He refused any payment. Plus my pug and his french bulldog play together.
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Oct 13, 2015 03:39
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