Is the LP5000S fun to drive?

I've been doing some thinking after I recently sat in a Countach LP5000S. It was an incredibly beautiful car and although I'm biased towards the QV, I'm not sure if the LP5000S is fast enough. Trust me, there is a place in my heart for this car and the first opportunity I have to get it, I will, but I feel like it's in a kind of funny place in between the LP400 and the QV. The QV swings around and drifts and spins tires and has HP in the 400's and the LP400 weighs next to nothing out of the Countaches and has that classic vibe, but I'm not sure if the LP5000S has enough HP at 375 to feel fast for how much it weighs. I know you don't buy a Countach for winning races but HP and fun to drive factor are definitely things I take into consideration. Can anyone weigh in?

all countach are fun

please keep in mind i do have more fun in my 400S with "claimed" 375 hp than in a 520 hp SV diablo ....

power is not all, is important and fun for the straight lines but is not everything

 

the steering feel, the connection to car, suond, handling, weigh...all are importants

 

all countach are full of driver feed backs, they feel "alive" in your hands.

 

I've been doing some thinking after I recently sat in a Countach LP5000S. It was an incredibly beautiful car and although I'm biased towards the QV, I'm not sure if the LP5000S is fast enough. Trust me, there is a place in my heart for this car and the first opportunity I have to get it, I will, but I feel like it's in a kind of funny place in between the LP400 and the QV. The QV swings around and drifts and spins tires and has HP in the 400's and the LP400 weighs next to nothing out of the Countaches and has that classic vibe, but I'm not sure if the LP5000S has enough HP at 375 to feel fast for how much it weighs. I know you don't buy a Countach for winning races but HP and fun to drive factor are definitely things I take into consideration. Can anyone weigh in?

 

Is it fun to drive? Yes

Is it fast? No

I have driven in QV cars and under full acceleration they will suck you back into the seat, the 5000S will not do this. Well at least not mine and it has been gone through thoroughly.

Those questions are all relative to what else you've driven.

lol you make me laugh. Twat!

Fun is a given.

 

Fast? I’ve never finished a ride and thought wow what a fast car. In fact there are times that I feel like I’m pulling a boat anchor. But hey, my DD is a CTS-V.

lol This is akin to asking if a Van Goh painting is vibrant enough to bring out the colours of your carpet.

lol you make me laugh. Twat!

 

Glad I could make your day.

 

 

lol This is akin to asking if a Van Goh painting is vibrant enough to bring out the colours of your carpet.

 

True. I realize I could have phrased my explanation a whole lot better. Don't flame me too bad.

 

 

Fun is a given.

 

Fast? I’ve never finished a ride and thought wow what a fast car. In fact there are times that I feel like I’m pulling a boat anchor. But hey, my DD is a CTS-V.

 

I guess I'm kind of undecided, but leaning more towards a QV when the time is right for me. I was hoping that the 5000S just didn't feel too slow, haha. Even my 533i is fun when I think about it. It's as slow as a snail today, and hard to believe it was the fastest sedan sold in the US at one time, but it gives me thrills every time I start it up. I'm just thinking and wanted to read feedback from owners. I really enjoy cars that give a decent pull when you stomp on the gas.

Glad I could make your day.

 

 

 

 

True. I realize I could have phrased my explanation a whole lot better. Don't flame me too bad.

 

 

 

 

I guess I'm kind of undecided, but leaning more towards a QV when the time is right for me. I was hoping that the 5000S just didn't feel too slow, haha. Even my 533i is fun when I think about it. It's as slow as a snail today, and hard to believe it was the fastest sedan sold in the US at one time, but it gives me thrills every time I start it up. I'm just thinking and wanted to read feedback from owners. I really enjoy cars that give a decent pull when you stomp on the gas.

I think as a fun feeling, the Lotus Esprit is what you need, it feels like a slingshot, the max power output in the CT is at high revs, so it takes a lot of time to get up there, the handling of the Esprit is like a ballerina, nimble, the CT? like a charging bull! right? (Actually now that I think of it, that is the feeling in the CT!) it has anger as if it saw red..

In todays world, I dont think anyone is buying a Countach for its performance. Its the realization of a dream. The sight, sound, feel, smell... the entire experience. If youve driven any better modern day sedan, you will not be impressed with the Countach's straightline speed. I love driving mine. I dont remember the last time I ran it up through the gears, but I do love throttling it up coming out of a turn and then listening to the motor crackling and backfiring when I let of the gas. Is the 5000S slower than a Qv, certainly, is it any less fun, I dont think so.

 

Heres a 5000S high speed run... Does that look boring?

 

 

 

And here you can see how much harder a QV can pull, especially when he really lays into it at the 35 sec mark... Where the 5000S was hitting a wall at 240kmh.. the QV sails past the mark...

 

In todays world, I dont think anyone is buying a Countach for its performance. Its the realization of a dream. The sight, sound, feel, smell... the entire experience. If youve driven any better modern day sedan, you will not be impressed with the Countach's straightline speed. I love driving mine. I dont remember the last time I ran it up through the gears, but I do love throttling it up coming out of a turn and then listening to the motor crackling and backfiring when I let of the gas. Is the 5000S slower than a Qv, certainly, is it any less fun, I dont think so.

 

Heres a 5000S high speed run... Does that look boring?

 

 

 

And here you can see how much harder a QV can pull, especially when he really lays into it at the 35 sec mark... Where the 5000S was hitting a wall at 240kmh.. the QV sails past the mark...

 

 

 

Aw man. That's awesome. Thanks Allan

Well, to begin with, you have a modern V10 M5. So your concept of speed is already biased. Between your M5 & the QV, the technology is at least 20years apart, let alone a 5000S. Your M5 could likely drive around it in circles.

 

If you want to have a car that "feels" fast, get a Lotus Exige or even a a super-charged Elise. Those will make you feel like it pulled the skin out of your body under hard acceleration (and your teeth fillings will feel like they fell out if the road isn't smooth). But look at the 0-60 time and it really isn't that fast. Like everyone said, the CT's fun factor gets top marks. I would go as far as saying just sitting on the driver's seat of any Countach is plenty of fun. But hearing all the valves busily working, the sound of the exhaust, the heavy steering at low speed and the somewhat panicky feel when you step on the brakes and nothing really happen until you stand on them take the fun factor to another level. To others on the road, you "look" fun & fast. Heck, the car already looks fast even when it's parked.

 

So if you are looking at "academically fast", be prepared to get disappointed. But it would never feel slow because it simply is so much fun and engaging to pilot the thing. Using "my" speak, driving a CT is like listening to vinyl: it's troublesome and convenience is non-existence; but the reward is oh so gratifying.

I will add, since I drive and have driven all my cars on the same roads, its more exciting to drive the Countach for me at 50mph, then it was my GTR on the same roads at more than double that. You need to spend time driving the Countach. If you spend limited time in the car its nuances may get the better of you. The more you drive it, the more you learn it, the more those nuances turn into a part of the cars character that you learn to love. After a drive through the real twisties on Mullholland I swear I feel like I went to the gym. Get the car home, park it and a few hours later, I think to myself...God damn that was fun, I cant wait to do it again.

I think as a fun feeling, the Lotus Esprit is what you need, it feels like a slingshot, the max power output in the CT is at high revs, so it takes a lot of time to get up there, the handling of the Esprit is like a ballerina, nimble, the CT? like a charging bull! right? (Actually now that I think of it, that is the feeling in the CT!) it has anger as if it saw red..

 

 

Love the Esprit..

Well, to begin with, you have a modern V10 M5. So your concept of speed is already biased. Between your M5 & the QV, the technology is at least 20years apart, let alone a 5000S. Your M5 could likely drive around it in circles.

 

If you want to have a car that "feels" fast, get a Lotus Exige or even a a super-charged Elise. Those will make you feel like it pulled the skin out of your body under hard acceleration (and your teeth fillings will feel like they fell out if the road isn't smooth). But look at the 0-60 time and it really isn't that fast. Like everyone said, the CT's fun factor gets top marks. I would go as far as saying just sitting on the driver's seat of any Countach is plenty of fun. But hearing all the valves busily working, the sound of the exhaust, the heavy steering at low speed and the somewhat panicky feel when you step on the brakes and nothing really happen until you stand on them take the fun factor to another level. To others on the road, you "look" fun & fast. Heck, the car already looks fast even when it's parked.

 

So if you are looking at "academically fast", be prepared to get disappointed. But it would never feel slow because it simply is so much fun and engaging to pilot the thing. Using "my" speak, driving a CT is like listening to vinyl: it's troublesome and convenience is non-existence; but the reward is oh so gratifying.

 

Very true. I hope it hasn't ruined me, but like I said, I even enjoy my slow as heck 533i. It's just classic and very raw. "Like Vinyl" as you said. It's not convenient, but it's fun.

 

I like the video that Allan shared of the QV going all out on the Autobahn. That is an exhilarating feeling as I have reached those speeds a few times, but in that Countach it looks like he's going 250 mph. I definitely am not one who is easily disappointed in cars but still look for that fun feeling while driving it. I like having heard from Red Lambo that the QV sucks you into the seat.

 

 

I will add, since I drive and have driven all my cars on the same roads, its more exciting to drive the Countach for me at 50mph, then it was my GTR on the same roads at more than double that. You need to spend time driving the Countach. If you spend limited time in the car its nuances may get the better of you. The more you drive it, the more you learn it, the more those nuances turn into a part of the cars character that you learn to love. After a drive through the real twisties on Mullholland I swear I feel like I went to the gym. Get the car home, park it and a few hours later, I think to myself...God damn that was fun, I cant wait to do it again.

 

 

 

That put a smile on my face. I'm one who doesn't get tired of cars. I love them for what they are and never stop enjoying them. I drive my cars often and can only imagine the experiences I would have.

 

 

At the 3:16 point, everything after that is how I've always imagined the Countach. Just seeing Valentino ride it like a raging bull is incredible. It's awesome to hear these things from you guys.

 

 

I want a Countach real bad!

In todays world, I dont think anyone is buying a Countach for its performance. Its the realization of a dream. The sight, sound, feel, smell... the entire experience. If youve driven any better modern day sedan, you will not be impressed with the Countach's straightline speed. I love driving mine. I dont remember the last time I ran it up through the gears, but I do love throttling it up coming out of a turn and then listening to the motor crackling and backfiring when I let of the gas. Is the 5000S slower than a Qv, certainly, is it any less fun, I dont think so.

 

Heres a 5000S high speed run... Does that look boring?

 

 

 

And here you can see how much harder a QV can pull, especially when he really lays into it at the 35 sec mark... Where the 5000S was hitting a wall at 240kmh.. the QV sails past the mark...

 

 

the cars in video i think are a carbed 5000s with the big wing Vs (probably wingless) DD qv

the DD is more powerfull and without the wing is much easier at hi speed

 

same video of a stock FI QV wingless Vs stock carbed 5000s wingless would quite a bit closer in performance i believe

I will add, since I drive and have driven all my cars on the same roads, its more exciting to drive the Countach for me at 50mph, then it was my GTR on the same roads at more than double that. You need to spend time driving the Countach. If you spend limited time in the car its nuances may get the better of you. The more you drive it, the more you learn it, the more those nuances turn into a part of the cars character that you learn to love. After a drive through the real twisties on Mullholland I swear I feel like I went to the gym. Get the car home, park it and a few hours later, I think to myself...God damn that was fun, I cant wait to do it again.

Well said. There are many times when after a "harder" drive my hands and upper arms hurt as if I've been to the gym. No doubt that driving the CT is much more exhilarating than the CTS-V on the same roads. The V is predictable, the CT not so much which make it all that more FUN.

 

...and as VCR said, just sitting in it is a great experience. My wife periodically catches me in pajamas drinking coffee in it on the weekend. She thinks I'm crazy.

 

I gave my QV it's monthly start up today. Backed it out of the garage let it warm up. Drove it back in. Those few feet of sat in the drivers seat at the controls. I could die happy. Yes there are faster cars that handle better. But the owners will know, that there is nothing else like it to drive. it's a full immersion experience and irrespective of a QV or sidedraft (I've owned both) its full on drama.

 

If you get the opportunity to drive one, you'll understand what I mean.

 

Rob

I know the taboo of molesting such an iconic classic as a Countach that has shown considerable appreciation is out of the question for most, but I think it would be cool if someone did a Diablo 5.7/6.0 or Murcielago 6.2/6 speed swap in one. The cost & engineering might pose a challenge,not sure on dimensional constraints of the driveline, but at least the heartbeat is still Lamborghini.

 

Nah...maybe UGR could engineer a not to evasive TT kit for one to keep up with the Jones' Benz.

 

 

Seriously though like many here have mentioned, its the experience or more bluntly the unique RAW experience you don't get in most of the modern clinical supercars.

the cars in video i think are a carbed 5000s with the big wing Vs (probably wingless) DD qv

the DD is more powerfull and without the wing is much easier at hi speed

 

same video of a stock FI QV wingless Vs stock carbed 5000s wingless would quite a bit closer in performance i believe

 

 

Haha... the all elusive dream that a downdraft is faster than a fuel injected Qv.... Where do I begin?

 

 

Heres my take on the elusive hype between these two. It is well known that in the days of yesteryear, Lambo didn't have press cars to send abroad, so the majority of US tested vehicles were done at the wheel of privately owned cars. Many of the testers noted being abit gentle at the wheel of these U.S. cars with the owners standing over them. On the flip side its also well known that back in the day (even till this day) manufacturers such as Lambo and Ferrari kept ringers at the factory for press to drive.

 

But in the end there is a consistency of things to consider.

 

#1. The majority of the euro tests conducted were with either one or two red , wingless DD QV,( one with silver wheels, one with gold, or simply the same car with a wheel swap) without emissions equipment and sport exhaust. U.S cars tested, as not being press cars, were primarily delivered with wing and of course laden with all emissions equipment.

 

#2. U.S cars are burdened with additional weight from the bumpers, emissions equipment etc.

 

The only magazine to directly compare both the DD and the Fuel injected Countach (although not together at once, they tested again a red QV DD in Italy) was Car and Driver, and they used a winged DD to do so. There recorded data was as follows:

 

DD 0-60= 4.5 sec, and the 1/4 mile in 12.8@111

F/I 0-60mph=5.1 sec and the 1/4 mile in 13.3@111mph....

 

As you can see from this instrumented test, unlike Euro tests such as FastLane using a stop watch, the Euro car holds a 1/2 second lead to 60mph, which it holds through the 1/4. This lead can be easily explainable by the fact that the U.S. car was shifted at 59mph, so its 0-60 time includes the dogleg shift to 60, while the majority of euro cars tested were able to achieve 60mph in 1st gear. Additionally, Et, has more to do with driver, while mph tells the hp story. Both clocked an identical 111mph. For the U.S. car to do so, it would need actually be more powerful, to make up the weight, and emissions difference.

 

Inmo, taking both cars and running them in the same configuration, meaning euro bumpers,winged or wingless, and sans emissions control equipment with sport exhaust, the F/I car is just as fast, if not faster than the DD. But one thing is for certain, the F/I car is far easier to keep running in optimal tune than the DD. The slightest changes in temp, altitude etc can effect how the DD runs from one minute to the other, not to mention the carbs going out of synch simply over time.

 

Lastly this has been my experience having driven pretty much every variation of the Countach, baring the Lp400, which was actually the first Lambo I ever had the pleasure of riding in. In any event, any Qv is significantly faster than a 5000S.

 

On a side note, hopefully James Chen and I can get our schedules to align and finally put an end to the debate, with his DD vs my F/I.

Haha... the all elusive dream that a downdraft is faster than a fuel injected Qv.... Where do I begin?

 

 

Heres my take on the elusive hype between these two. It is well known that in the days of yesteryear, Lambo didn't have press cars to send abroad, so the majority of US tested vehicles were done at the wheel of privately owned cars. Many of the testers noted being abit gentle at the wheel of these U.S. cars with the owners standing over them. On the flip side its also well known that back in the day (even till this day) manufacturers such as Lambo and Ferrari kept ringers at the factory for press to drive.

 

But in the end there is a consistency of things to consider.

 

#1. The majority of the euro tests conducted were with either one or two red , wingless DD QV,( one with silver wheels, one with gold, or simply the same car with a wheel swap) without emissions equipment and sport exhaust. U.S cars tested, as not being press cars, were primarily delivered with wing and of course laden with all emissions equipment.

 

#2. U.S cars are burdened with additional weight from the bumpers, emissions equipment etc.

 

The only magazine to directly compare both the DD and the Fuel injected Countach (although not together at once, they tested again a red QV DD in Italy) was Car and Driver, and they used a winged DD to do so. There recorded data was as follows:

 

DD 0-60= 4.5 sec, and the 1/4 mile in 12.8@111

F/I 0-60mph=5.1 sec and the 1/4 mile in 13.3@111mph....

 

As you can see from this instrumented test, unlike Euro tests such as FastLane using a stop watch, the Euro car holds a 1/2 second lead to 60mph, which it holds through the 1/4. This lead can be easily explainable by the fact that the U.S. car was shifted at 59mph, so its 0-60 time includes the dogleg shift to 60, while the majority of euro cars tested were able to achieve 60mph in 1st gear. Additionally, Et, has more to do with driver, while mph tells the hp story. Both clocked an identical 111mph. For the U.S. car to do so, it would need actually be more powerful, to make up the weight, and emissions difference.

 

Inmo, taking both cars and running them in the same configuration, meaning euro bumpers,winged or wingless, and sans emissions control equipment with sport exhaust, the F/I car is just as fast, if not faster than the DD. But one thing is for certain, the F/I car is far easier to keep running in optimal tune than the DD. The slightest changes in temp, altitude etc can effect how the DD runs from one minute to the other, not to mention the carbs going out of synch simply over time.

 

Lastly this has been my experience having driven pretty much every variation of the Countach, baring the Lp400, which was actually the first Lambo I ever had the pleasure of riding in. In any event, any Qv is significantly faster than a 5000S.

 

On a side note, hopefully James Chen and I can get our schedules to align and finally put an end to the debate, with his DD vs my F/I.

 

I don't care which is faster....6 carbs....no thanks.

Haha... the all elusive dream that a downdraft is faster than a fuel injected Qv.... Where do I begin?

 

 

Heres my take on the elusive hype between these two. It is well known that in the days of yesteryear, Lambo didn't have press cars to send abroad, so the majority of US tested vehicles were done at the wheel of privately owned cars. Many of the testers noted being abit gentle at the wheel of these U.S. cars with the owners standing over them. On the flip side its also well known that back in the day (even till this day) manufacturers such as Lambo and Ferrari kept ringers at the factory for press to drive.

 

But in the end there is a consistency of things to consider.

 

#1. The majority of the euro tests conducted were with either one or two red , wingless DD QV,( one with silver wheels, one with gold, or simply the same car with a wheel swap) without emissions equipment and sport exhaust. U.S cars tested, as not being press cars, were primarily delivered with wing and of course laden with all emissions equipment.

 

#2. U.S cars are burdened with additional weight from the bumpers, emissions equipment etc.

 

The only magazine to directly compare both the DD and the Fuel injected Countach (although not together at once, they tested again a red QV DD in Italy) was Car and Driver, and they used a winged DD to do so. There recorded data was as follows:

 

DD 0-60= 4.5 sec, and the 1/4 mile in 12.8@111

F/I 0-60mph=5.1 sec and the 1/4 mile in 13.3@111mph....

 

As you can see from this instrumented test, unlike Euro tests such as FastLane using a stop watch, the Euro car holds a 1/2 second lead to 60mph, which it holds through the 1/4. This lead can be easily explainable by the fact that the U.S. car was shifted at 59mph, so its 0-60 time includes the dogleg shift to 60, while the majority of euro cars tested were able to achieve 60mph in 1st gear. Additionally, Et, has more to do with driver, while mph tells the hp story. Both clocked an identical 111mph. For the U.S. car to do so, it would need actually be more powerful, to make up the weight, and emissions difference.

 

Inmo, taking both cars and running them in the same configuration, meaning euro bumpers,winged or wingless, and sans emissions control equipment with sport exhaust, the F/I car is just as fast, if not faster than the DD. But one thing is for certain, the F/I car is far easier to keep running in optimal tune than the DD. The slightest changes in temp, altitude etc can effect how the DD runs from one minute to the other, not to mention the carbs going out of synch simply over time.

 

Lastly this has been my experience having driven pretty much every variation of the Countach, baring the Lp400, which was actually the first Lambo I ever had the pleasure of riding in. In any event, any Qv is significantly faster than a 5000S.

 

On a side note, hopefully James Chen and I can get our schedules to align and finally put an end to the debate, with his DD vs my F/I.

 

stfu

Just got back from a nice spirited drive in my not as fast as a QV Countach.

The car drove flawlessly and sounded great, while it did not suck me into the seat it still felt awesome.

 

 

I know the taboo of molesting such an iconic classic as a Countach that has shown considerable appreciation is out of the question for most, but I think it would be cool if someone did a Diablo 5.7/6.0 or Murcielago 6.2/6 speed swap in one. The cost & engineering might pose a challenge,not sure on dimensional constraints of the driveline, but at least the heartbeat is still Lamborghini.

 

How bout a 6.1 11 to 1 compression 9000 rpm?

Soon

GeorgeV12