Owner's opinions on the Balboni?

I think it's a cool concept, just not digging that stripe and odd interior. I think they made a big mistake on that part, you should have been able to order the car without it. I saw an orange one which was a manual on Tuna Canyon Rd last week. Wasn't diggin the stripe and interior at all.

 

Also why lower the horsepower by a meaningless 10hp? Non plussed on that one.

 

All the reviews world wide have been extremely positive.

 

Funny. To me a huge part of the appeal is the stripe and the interior. Absolutely love both. IMO the Balboni is the prettiest G made so far. But obviously to each his own.

Fortis has it right as usual

 

Thank you buddy hold it right there let me bring my wife to see this

^LOL! Priceless!

 

Agree with Fortis.

 

IMO, I see the Balboni --- unfortunately --- as a "filler" car. A quick but not-so-comprehensive solution to distract people's focus on the F458, SLS, new McLaren etc... Sort of the hey-guys-we-have-something-interesting-and-new-too type of product. Look at what's "new" about it, a slightly de-tuned engine, SL wheels, a new paint scheme and RWD. Is that really "new"? It's also a quick test of the market on people's interest in RWD-Lambo's. I, for one, am rather upset that they named a parts-bin car after one of the living legends of supercars history.

The white one I saw in Frankfurt looked very nice even the stripe sort of blended in nicely.

Thank you buddy hold it right there let me bring my wife to see this

i agree with what you said too..they shouldve made the VB the SL instead..

This reminds me of the outcry from BMW guys about the lack of a stickshift in the M5. BMW came through, then nobody bought it.

 

And of course all they did was put the E39 models in it, since they probably had them laying around, which wasnt well suited for the V10. I drove an 6speed E60, and it was garbage compaired to the SMG!

I think, there is also problem with promotion of the car. Lamborghini's press realise is very short and just with four pictures. Other companies release many pictures, not just 4...

I wasn't at Frankfurt Auto Show, but I heard, that Balboni wasn't at official stand, but somewhere else, where almost nobody came. If this is true, it's mistake too...

Thank you buddy hold it right there let me bring my wife to see this

 

I can post the same thing.... if you pay me

 

 

I think what Lamborghini does is actually a good idea. They try to keep up the interest of potential buyers.

The Balboni is an awesome car, not hardcore as a SL but I would take the reguar coupe or Spyder any day of the year.

I can post the same thing.... if you pay me

 

 

I think what Lamborghini does is actually a good idea. They try to keep up the interest of potential buyers.

The Balboni is an awesome car, not hardcore as a SL but I would take the reguar coupe or Spyder any day of the year.

 

Why is everyone so quick to dismiss the Balboni as "not as hardcore as the SL"??

 

Perhaps it's not as light, or maybe doesn't have the same brakes or whatever, but RWD is RWD. To some people this is huge, and all the work you can do to an AWD car will not change that.

 

Look at some of our members who have done RWD conversions to Murcis....you think they would trade to a factory RWD model if it was available?

 

The value of this car may not be apparent now but several years from now in the used G market, I'm willing to bet it will stand out over most of the AWD lineup.

 

Agree that the SL should have been RWD, but unfortunately what's done is done.

I agree, the Balboni has a more firmly adjusted/revised suspension and other significant tweaks over the normal LP560-4, and the result as kinella mentioned have been rave reviews from anyone who's driven one. Much more of a hardcore driver's car than many here are giving it credit for I'd imagine.

 

Definitely a lot of good reasons in this thread why the car has failed on the marketplace, just a perfect storm of problems both inside and outside the factory's walls that crushed it.

 

I will say as others have that one of those reasons is definitely the "focus group" effect, where a mfg will listen to the more vocal and adamant minority on an issue like RWD 6-SPEED! only to find that once they comply with the request no one comes through and buys it.

I wonder how poorly the Balboni has done, exactly. If you take it versus the number of regular Gallardos shipped in the same period. It's not like Lamborghini is selling the regular 560 at record pace.

 

But yeah, if they're supposed to do 1200 Gallardos a year currently, it seems odd that 250 Balbonis can't find a home.

I think, there is also problem with promotion of the car. Lamborghini's press realise is very short and just with four pictures. Other companies release many pictures, not just 4...

I wasn't at Frankfurt Auto Show, but I heard, that Balboni wasn't at official stand, but somewhere else, where almost nobody came. If this is true, it's mistake too...

 

you are right it was upstairs VIP only, I thought it was strange, they should've had it at their official stand but the stand was solely dedicated to the Reventon Roadster

I can post the same thing.... if you pay me

 

Why are you such a materialistic guy?

Ok I will pay you to write that not less than $100 but not more that $150 if you fly me first class to Monaco and put me in the Presidential Suite at Hotel Du Paris one week all expenses paid with $10k/day spending money at the Casino next door! Since a bum around everyday I am ready to leave at your convenience

That white one above looks really good, but I'd rather the gold stripe become grey or maybe even black. I'd buy one for $160K maybe.

 

It's a G at heart. It's been out for nearly 7 years in 8 forms/editions. The design is getting stale and the used market is super cheap. I think that's all there really is to it. I think you'll find that most exotic car purchases in this price range are based on looks and personal taste, and this, well, looks like all the other Gallardos. It doesn't matter how good you can make the car once it reaches a certain age. Ferrari could cram all the 458 advancements into a 430, but it would sell far worse than the 458 simply because the 458 is new and people want fresh things.

 

New SL won't help things either.

With that said though, with the F458 being SOOOO fcuking unbiasedly but-ass-ugly, do you really think it's guaranteed to sell better than another year of the F430 would? I mean, I know many feel that Ferraris have gotten progressively uglier in recent years, yet they've always found more than enough buyers. But THIS one -- THIS one -- it's just . . . sooooooo fcuking heinous!

 

Are people really, seriously going to buy that thing??

 

That white one above looks really good, but I'd rather the gold stripe become grey like the wheels, or maybe even a bit lighter grey. I'd buy one for $160K maybe.

 

It's a G at heart. It's been out for nearly 7 years in 8 forms/editions. The design is getting stale and the used market is super cheap. I think that's all there really is to it. I think you'll find that most exotic car purchases in this price range are based on looks and personal taste, and this, well, looks like all the other Gallardos. It doesn't matter how good you can make the car once it reaches a certain age. Ferrari could cram all the 458 advancements into a 430, but it would sell far worse than the 458 simply because the 458 is new and people want fresh things.

 

New SL won't help things either.

F458

Brian, the 560 is pretty close to being as much a new car as the 430 was to the 360. Nip and tuck on the looks, brand-new running gear.

 

I don't think the G is looking stale in any way and it still looks far better than the V8 Ferraris.

 

The secondary market ain't that cheap either. Asking prices on the 560 is still in the 195's. Sure, you can get a 2004 G for 95. Just like you can get a 360 for that price. While both a late model 430 and G will be close to 200.

 

Again, obviously personal taste. By I love the looks of the new car. I love the offset stripe on the interior seats. And given the stellar reviews, it would seem that it's significantly different to drive too.

 

Evo had this conclusion:

 

There had been a concern, admittedly a small one, that this was a marketing car, old Balboni’s name slapped on to bolster sales in a slow year. It’s not. Instead it’s as good as we dared hope – the best Gallardo yet.

I only know of 3 LP560-4 Spyders ordered and delivered in my area and 2 Balbonis. We can come up with all sorts of explanations why it doesn't sell, but it's just as simple as the fact that new Lamborghinis just aren't selling right now, regardless they're Balboni, LP, Spyder etc...

 

My personal opinion on the Balboni edition is that it should have been a much more special model that would have been an instant classic and collectible, instead of another version of the Gallardo which even had a different test driver developing it.

VB tested V12 Lambos most of his life, mostly Countaches and Diablos. Last Murcielago version should have been the Balboni, or even something crazy like a RWD Reventon, then the people who have serious car collections and for who money isn't an object would have ordered it. They might have other names they can use to 'special edition' cars in the future, but none will be more important or better known than VB's, except for Ferruccio I guess.

 

Let's just hope they don't name the next Gallardo - LP580-4 Winkelmann edition.

Brian, the 560 is pretty close to being as much a new car as the 430 was to the 360. Nip and tuck on the looks, brand-new running gear.

 

I don't think the G is looking stale in any way and it still looks far better than the V8 Ferraris.

 

The secondary market ain't that cheap either. Asking prices on the 560 is still in the 195's. Sure, you can get a 2004 G for 95. Just like you can get a 360 for that price. While both a late model 430 and G will be close to 200.

 

Again, obviously personal taste. By I love the looks of the new car. I love the offset stripe on the interior seats. And given the stellar reviews, it would seem that it's significantly different to drive too.

 

Evo had this conclusion:

 

That's a valid argument. I didn't really think about that. OT, the F430 front looked better, but the CS rear was better.

 

Maybe it's simply the fact that the Gallardo is always perceived as the same model, even though it isn't. F430 and F360 are two generations and everyone knows thats. It's not so clear with the G because it has had so many iterations of gradual progress. The following is how I perceive it, even though I know very well that the 560 is way better and a completely new car.

 

360 -> 360 Spyder -> 360 CS

430 - 430 Spyder - 430s

G -> G Spyder -> G SE -> GSL -> 560 -> 560 Spyder -> Balboni -> soon 560 SL

 

To me, I see the G as one big product line, whereas I see the 360 and 430 more distinctly. Maybe it's simply marketing (good on F, poor on L.) I don't know, but that's how it looks to me and I think how it looks to many people. You gotta remember that most exotic car buyers aren't forum members. They are marketed to a lot differently than us. Lamborghini just never really marketed the 560 as a new model IMO. It was marketed more like the 997.1 TT -> 997.2 TT, and that to me isn't a new model.

 

$195K is on the high side for a 560. There were quite a few floating around $170-180K not too long ago. Price will stay stronger because they aren't selling as many, thus there aren't as many for resale. But still, is $195K that expensive? I bet you can get one with 5K miles on it for $185K, if not less. Considering some of these had stickers north of $235K, that's $50K practically overnight. And that's with only a few thousand miles in 1 year. You figure that most people do shop around before buying a car, especially an exotic, and that's regardless of if they are a gear head or not. There are quite a few on here whose garages give some indication of their bank accounts, but I bet they look at eBay and Autotrader too. Hell, I just looked at a Lamborghini dealer and in their used inventory they had a used 09 560 with 1700 miles for 199K. They also had a brand new one. Let's just say you could get into the new one for $220K. $20K discount minimum for 1700 miles? How the hell can you sell new cars when barely sat in ones are at such deep discounts?

 

640's are even worse. I don't know how they sell new roadsters... Maybe just pray someone with a lot of money and a lust for a certain stitch/exterior combo walks in.

To me, I see the G as one big product line, whereas I see the 360 and 430 more distinctly. Maybe it's simply marketing (good on F, poor on L.) I don't know, but that's how it looks to me and I think how it looks to many people. You gotta remember that most exotic car buyers aren't forum members. They are marketed to a lot differently than us. Lamborghini just never really marketed the 560 as a new model IMO. It was marketed more like the 997.1 TT -> 997.2 TT, and that to me isn't a new model.

 

Yes, the marketing of the change wasn't strong enough, but you and others here should be wiser than just that. IMO, the 560 rear and front ends look as different as the 360/430s do. Remember that the 430 uses plenty of 360 bodyparts as well. The dimensions are almost identical and things like doors are entirely shared. If anything, the Gallardo is missing an interior refresh. Not an exterior one. The bodyshell is imo as fresh as anything currently on the market.

 

$195K is on the high side for a 560. There were quite a few floating around $170-180K not too long ago. Price will stay stronger because they aren't selling as many, thus there aren't as many for resale. But still, is $195K that expensive? I bet you can get one with 5K miles on it for $185K, if not less. Considering some of these had stickers north of $235K, that's $50K practically overnight. And that's with only a few thousand miles in 1 year. You figure that most people do shop around before buying a car, especially an exotic, and that's regardless of if they are a gear head or not. There are quite a few on here whose garages give some indication of their bank accounts, but I bet they look at eBay and Autotrader too. Hell, I just looked at a Lamborghini dealer and in their used inventory they had a used 09 560 with 1700 miles for 199K. They also had a brand new one. Let's just say you could get into the new one for $220K. $20K discount minimum for 1700 miles? How the hell can you sell new cars when barely sat in ones are at such deep discounts?

 

640's are even worse. I don't know how they sell new roadsters... Maybe just pray someone with a lot of money and a lust for a certain stitch/exterior combo walks in.

 

What are you comparing this to? $20K for rolling a 250K car off the lot -- that seems par for course. It's never been free to drive these cars. Ferraris have exactly the same issue. Even highly desirable ones like the Scuderia. That car went for 290K and can now be had for 220. Lambo is doing no worse than the horse.

 

Also, prices do change and move. There are no 170-180 cars left on the market. Just like the 640 coupes headed north a while back. There are few enough cars that it doesn't take a whole lot of sales to change the market.

 

Additionally, this isn't "overnight". I've had my 560 for 1.5 yrs and in that time it's gone from 246 sticker to 195 asking. I think that's comparably reasonable. And about the same as how it was even in the heydays.

 

New 640s are another matter. Those cars are getting hammered and I feel sorry for anyone picking up a 09/10 roadster or coupe at sticker. That's going to be a monster drop. But that's also coming off a 450+ sticker. What other cars are selling well at that price point right now? Nothing.

I only know of 3 LP560-4 Spyders ordered and delivered in my area and 2 Balbonis. We can come up with all sorts of explanations why it doesn't sell, but it's just as simple as the fact that new Lamborghinis just aren't selling right now, regardless they're Balboni, LP, Spyder etc...

 

Somehow about 300 Superveloces were sold and those are more then two times more expensive then the Balbonis.

Good point Nath4N give the market what the market wants and they will buy it, target your market and research it properly and I don't care how though the times are you will sell your crap!

The Balboni was not needed in the line up and the sales show it, they were trying to please the RWD 6 speed manual crowd but that crowd is not writing any cheques, poor market research leeds to poor sales.

To put it in realestate terms it is sort of like me developing a retirement village on a university campus ground.

 

the question remains:

Do we have any owners on LP?

Yes, the marketing of the change wasn't strong enough, but you and others here should be wiser than just that. IMO, the 560 rear and front ends look as different as the 360/430s do. Remember that the 430 uses plenty of 360 bodyparts as well. The dimensions are almost identical and things like doors are entirely shared. If anything, the Gallardo is missing an interior refresh. Not an exterior one. The bodyshell is imo as fresh as anything currently on the market.

 

 

 

What are you comparing this to? $20K for rolling a 250K car off the lot -- that seems par for course. It's never been free to drive these cars. Ferraris have exactly the same issue. Even highly desirable ones like the Scuderia. That car went for 290K and can now be had for 220. Lambo is doing no worse than the horse.

 

Also, prices do change and move. There are no 170-180 cars left on the market. Just like the 640 coupes headed north a while back. There are few enough cars that it doesn't take a whole lot of sales to change the market.

 

Additionally, this isn't "overnight". I've had my 560 for 1.5 yrs and in that time it's gone from 246 sticker to 195 asking. I think that's comparably reasonable. And about the same as how it was even in the heydays.

 

 

 

New 640s are another matter. Those cars are getting hammered and I feel sorry for anyone picking up a 09/10 roadster or coupe at sticker. That's going to be a monster drop. But that's also coming off a 450+ sticker. What other cars are selling well at that price point right now? Nothing.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2009-LP560-...=item27af605b05

178 BIN, could probably get it for less. MSRP was 240.

 

I understand pay to play, but I just think this is ridiculous. I mean, good for a bottom feeder like myself, but no one likes getting burned like this. Now, I don't know what the manufacture date on that car is, but to me 6K miles is one year of ownership. It couldn't be much older than a year. 1.5 tops. Still, the car is practically new, and there have been no changes to the model. As a percentage, perhaps depreciation is still in line, but my issue is that the car's MSRP is just too high. What's the discount on a new 560? Is there one?

 

I'll get shit for making this comparison, but a V10 R8 with every option (including an 8000 CF front/rear diffuser,) costs $176K. I just can't find value in the 560, knowing how similar these two cars are. I understand a premium for name/style, but $65K is pushing it. If you get rid of the CF bits on the R8 (which that 560 has none of as far as I can tell,) the difference is $75K. Then look at used G or G Spyder. The difference in cost becomes 6 figures.

 

Look at this one:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lamborghini...ht_15377wt_1165

 

Same options more or less as the 560. Same color. MSRP was 200K then. I don't see the justification for $40K. R8 V10 is still less than the old G was new.

 

I think people are seeing these outrageous differences in prices and it's hurting it big time. People just aren't seeing the value. If anything, the MSRP on the Gallardo line should not be increasing by anything more than inflation, and perhaps not increasing much at all considering how much R&D was done by Quattro. The higher these prices go, the further and faster they fall. If people are willing to pay, then it's justified, but I'm simply of the opinion that some people aren't willing to pay, and that sales are reflecting it. If people are buying Ferrari's still, then that means they aren't buying Lamborghinis.

Somehow about 300 Superveloces were sold and those are more then two times more expensive then the Balbonis.

 

Only 1 in my area.