Looking into the possibility of selling my SL55 (610hp Renntech/Brabus) and moving up to a gallardo or R8. This will be a daily driver, although my "daily drive" is rather limited as I put 5k miles on per year.

I prefer the looks of the gallardo, but how do they hold up as a dd? I think the R8 gets the nod here by most reviews that I've read. I think the price favors the gallardo at this time though. I would most likely go to FI with the R8 as the power is a bit wanting, so the additional cost should be factored in, but then you've got a supercar beast to be sure.

 

Could hold off for the V10 R8...

 

Looking for a used model at this point. The new V10 will be way too high $$$ for a while.

 

Well the '06 and later Gallardos all had a multitude of changes to the transmission, exhaust, suspension, and steering.
The biggest thing to look for in an '04-'05 would be a 6Speed, as the E-Gear isn't universally loved in the early cars. That said, a 500+HP engine is going to be a little harsh on the clutch, so look out for higher mileage. If your looking at an '06MY or later car, the E-gear was tweaked and is supposed to be much improved.

The R8 is an amazing car, and although a tad slower, it's still a superb machine. R-Tronic might as well be R-Tragic... I heavily recommend a 6Speed car.

 

i'd say gallardo

 

With the Gallardo pricing out there. I would have to say get a "G" you can find new left over 2008s for $155

 

I disagree.
My R-tronic may not be as good as the F1 on the Ferrari but is excellent for many applications. One just need to know when to shift to get smooth. As I said before, the R8 may not be the fastest car in straight line but it is the most well rounded car on the current market.

 

If you're going from a 610 hp Brabus, you're going to be disappointed in the stock V8 R8. My vote is for a supercharged pre-owned R8 or a newer Gallardo.

 

For that price you can buy a brand new R8.

I'd go for the R8 for the daily driveability, but i agree, 6speed manual is the only way to get that car. I've driven an R-tronic in normal driving conditions, and its awkward to work with and feels like a 16 y/o shifting gears.

Robert

 

what he said.

If you were getting into an LP560 thats one thing but the older Gallardos are a diff animal

 

Hahahaha... Well I'm glad you know what I was going for in the comparison.

The R-Tronic has a ton of applications and especially when the car is being driven daily. But given the OP's average annual mileage of 5k or less, I don't think that the hassle of the clutch will really be taxing.

Honestly if given the choice I pick the R8 every time. Unless a Spider is being considered... Then it get's a little tougher.

 

I have an R-Tronic and I love it. I only use it in manual mode with the paddle shifters. In auto mode it is terrible. The R8 is a great car as a DD. I have put ~3900 miles on my car since March 1st. It has all the horsepower I need. Is it 600HP? No. Do you want a DD or a dragster? As a DD I don't know of a better car.