Why would you pay over 30K for a Lamborghini look alike ...I just don't get it? In my book, either you can afford the REAL thing or drive what you can afford.
WOW the exterior and interior are one of the best Lamborghini replicas I've seen. The ENGINE, however... and the rotors look kinda goofy without calipers on them
It's like having a really beautiful wife but she's empty and characterless as a shoe box
But if she's fun to drive, who cares?
Seriously, though, great work on the body and interior, but damn, they didn't even CLEAN the engine compartment? And an automatic? And you just gotta love the fake big brakes - especially when big brakes for Fieros are available.
If I wanted a Lambo kit, I could see paying that for something like this, but for me it would have to be on an 88 chassis and a 5-speed. Engines can be swapped, etc.
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01:23 PM
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
There's a guy here in LA who buys Fieros and turns them into Lambos, that looks like one of this builds, seen them in person and they look really nice, but only does exterior/interior conversion, no engine work. Chris at West Coast Fiero said some of the guys clients bring the cars in for the V-8 swap. Coincidently every time I need a body part I give him a call and he hooks me up, so if any of you so-cal peeps need parts hit me up and I'll give you his cell number, He also sells on e-bay.
[This message has been edited by Maloso (edited 09-08-2007).]
Some people that have replicas also have the real thing. They prefer the replicas for every day use as they are cheaper to insure and use. Ask the owner of a Ferrari how much it costs for them to get a tune up. They can't just take it anywhere as it will void the warranty, so they have to go to the dealership and it ain't cheap.
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04:54 PM
RACE Member
Posts: 4842 From: Des Moines IA Registered: Dec 2002
Beautiful exterior but that engine compartment-yuuuuck, just terrible looking. Needs a 3800SC or similar in there.
------------------ 87GT 3.4 Turbo- 0-60 5.2 seconds 2006 3800SC Series III swap in progress Engine Controls, PCM goodies, re-programming & odd electronics stuff " I'M ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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06:35 PM
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
Well, with a price tag of MSRP: $288,000 - $320,000 for the real thing it is a nice option, but not for me. I just can't drive around in a "fake" car when I can have something unique as one of those:
You can drive it with pride
[This message has been edited by Mister (edited 09-08-2007).]
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06:40 PM
Mr.PBody Member
Posts: 3172 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Registered: Oct 2006
As mentioned above, a lot of these cars are sold in California. CA has the toughest and most byzantine regulations regarding engine swaps in the country (I lived there for one year). For example, if you have relocated the cat converter from it's stock location, EVEN IF THE CAR TESTS CLEANER THAN STOCK, you will fail the visual inspection portion of the test. So, leaving the stock 2.8 intact might actually be a selling point in CA, it'll make it a lot easier to get it smogged.
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08:38 PM
Mister Member
Posts: 1975 From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Registered: Aug 2004
Lamborghini VT roadster, replique monter sur une fiero gt 1988 (meilleur modele avec suspension made by Lotus), 6 cylindre (2.8l), 5 (sp) vitesses, 4 pneus/ brakes neufs, 2 portes lambo, voiture terminer a 95% ( besoin d'un peu de finition), roule parfaitement tel quel, fait craquer le gyproc partout ou elle passe, ressemble enormement a une vrai pour le 1/3 du prix! tres rare au canada, a voir absolument!!
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10:17 PM
Sep 9th, 2007
gaas88 Member
Posts: 435 From: Burlington,Ontario,Canada Registered: Dec 2003
Mister - that's your opinion and you're entitled to it - however, people who own kit cars are not all wannabe's as you suggest. There's a lot of Fiero kit owners on this forum who are front and center Fiero enthusiasts. I'm betting you'll see a wack of kits at the 25th and none of them are "Super car" wannabe's. I happen to like my Ferrari 328 re-body with a 3800 SC1 and I make no apologies or hide the fact that it's a Fiero. In fact most people are impressed with versatility of what you can do with a Fiero. As far as the money the guy is asking, it's worth it given the body and interior because he probably has more in it than that. Whoever buys it will no doubt do a swap to give it justice and complete the transformation. By the time that's done, $40 - $45K into a machine that looks and performs is not out of the question.
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08:54 AM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15841 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
Well, with a price tag of MSRP: $288,000 - $320,000 for the real thing it is a nice option, but not for me. I just can't drive around in a "fake" car when I can have something unique as one of those:
You can drive it with pride
These are nice looking cars but I have concerns about the nose on the gray one. At Carlisle this year there was a girl parked next to me that had this front end design. It was hinged at the front and latched at the windshield side. While I admired the nice look she was quick to tell me that at 70 -75 MPH air gets under it and the nose starts to shake violently. As a result the car must be driven only below that maximum speed. I would guess that at 100 MPH that nose would be in danger of breaking off and flying away. Point is that modified looks can be great but only if the body parts are mounted as is soundly as the OEM design.
------------------ 87GT 3.4 Turbo- 0-60 5.2 seconds 2006 3800SC Series III swap in progress Engine Controls, PCM goodies, re-programming & odd electronics stuff " I'M ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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09:35 AM
PFF
System Bot
avengador1 Member
Posts: 35468 From: Orlando, Florida Registered: Oct 2001
The engine compartment of that kit does leave something to be desired but you can get an engine cover kit to make it look like a Lamborghini engine is in there. Here is one of those kits http://www.kitcarmagazine.c...0Lambo%20replica.htm it's for a logitudinal nounted engine but I have seen them for the 3.8SC engines as well. Here is one I saw at Carlisle a couple of years ago, but I have seen better ones than it. Notice the Fiero air filter can and cheap intake hoses.
[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 09-09-2007).]
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09:39 AM
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
SoCal: The CAR is the real star there. LOTS of money there, too.
I like it
Price difference is much greater than many of the F355 kits...many of those builders spend 30k to replicate a car that can be bought for $60-75k in some circumstances. You won't touch one of these south of 150k for a while...and 20k worth of mods would make this a finished product and a screamer.
Imagine a Forged LS2 with 500-600rwhp, upgraded brakes on all corners and a badge delete. No need to put lambo badges on it and try and pass it off as the real thing, it's a beautiful car in it's own right...
Wow, that sure a nicely crafted kit. If I were to do a kit it would be because I like the look/style not because I'm trying to fool myself (or others) into thinking it's the real thing. I agree with the badge delete comment above and if I had the cash on hand I would buy this car.
That is worth 30 grand in IMO If had that to spare I would much rather buy the replica than a new car or a used Z06 although I would consider a used Ferrari as well
These are nice looking cars but I have concerns about the nose on the gray one. At Carlisle this year there was a girl parked next to me that had this front end design. It was hinged at the front and latched at the windshield side. While I admired the nice look she was quick to tell me that at 70 -75 MPH air gets under it and the nose starts to shake violently. As a result the car must be driven only below that maximum speed. I would guess that at 100 MPH that nose would be in danger of breaking off and flying away. Point is that modified looks can be great but only if the body parts are mounted as is soundly as the OEM design.
Hmm I have had mine up to 80 and it did just fine. I don't even have the sides done yet. I wonder if the front part where it hinges is loose on hers. I plan on reworking mine as I don't like how it is setup now.
The car looks great, I wouldn't spend that kind of money on just a great looking car. I would rather have just a nice looking car that ran and stops great then one that looks great but cant back it up.
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03:39 PM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
That is worth 30 grand in IMO If had that to spare I would much rather buy the replica than a new car or a used Z06 although I would consider a used Ferrari as well
Hell yes!
That's a very nice replica, IMHO. Aside from the obvious engine bay disaster, nothing screams "I'm fake!"
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07:31 PM
Mr.PBody Member
Posts: 3172 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Registered: Oct 2006
A crap suspension or rims out of balance would explain the violent rattle above 75, sometimes suspension issues like to present themselves at random speeds, but it happens. I really doubt norm would sell a product that makes your car un driveable at legal speed limit in some states.
A crap suspension or rims out of balance would explain the violent rattle above 75, sometimes suspension issues like to present themselves at random speeds, but it happens. I really doubt norm would sell a product that makes your car un driveable at legal speed limit in some states.
Thats how it goes with everything, the last person or part replaced is probably what is wrong Once the hood is latched it feels pretty stable. I would like to add some cross bracing but only to keep the hood from warping when I try to open it.
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08:02 PM
PFF
System Bot
Sep 10th, 2007
Austrian Import Member
Posts: 3919 From: Monterey, CA Registered: Feb 2007
As mentioned above, a lot of these cars are sold in California. CA has the toughest and most byzantine regulations regarding engine swaps in the country (I lived there for one year). For example, if you have relocated the cat converter from it's stock location, EVEN IF THE CAR TESTS CLEANER THAN STOCK, you will fail the visual inspection portion of the test. So, leaving the stock 2.8 intact might actually be a selling point in CA, it'll make it a lot easier to get it smogged.
That's a bigger problem that you guys in other states think. We literally only have less than a handful of SMOG legal engine choices here in Cali. If one has a manual tranny preference the choices shrink even more dramatically. Besides, most people won't buy a car with an engine swap for anywhere near what the swap costs to put together in the first place. I guess people don't trust other's work when it comes to engines.
From the pictures I'd say it's one of the nicest (if not the nicest!!!) replica of a Lambo I have ever seen. We should post and save all the pictures in another place before the auction and the pictures disappear. I'd like to see more interior shots. (another thing replicas usually don't have. They're all about looks and the interior is shoddy at best)
Even if I could afford the real thing, I'd daily drive a replica and take the exotic out for special events. Keeps the real thing nice, and more affordable. Also, most haven't considered: In Los Angeles, it doesn't really matter how many horsepower one has. One is still stuck in the same traffic behind the car in front of him/her, and surrounded by the same L.A. drivers around him/her.
Also, I could justify $30k on a replica in a heartbeat (with good interior), (if I had the money. ), but I doubt I could justify $70k. For that price I'd start considering Audi RS4's, or used R8's. (they will come... )
As much as I like original work. Replicas (if accurate) have one consistent design/look that flows inside and out. The car was usually put together by a team of the most skilled artists in the world. Most "home designed" cars have a tendency to look like patchwork. A lot of very nice design cues, that just don't flow well together with the theme of the whole car. (although there are exeptions. :-) ) There has to be a reason designers go to design academies and learn the skill over many years. From that pool of skilled artists a even smaller pecentage ever makes it to design a car that will be built. (I've been told chances to win the lottery are higher.) Now a home-brew car that was designed by a skilled and educated designer, is a real sight to see. (Rinspeed, Fisker, Colani, select Veilsides, and a few more could barely squeeze into "homebrew" with their 1-off's.)
(edit for formatting)
[This message has been edited by Austrian Import (edited 09-10-2007).]
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03:33 PM
Mister Member
Posts: 1975 From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Registered: Aug 2004
Does anyone out there know if Ferrari makes it a habit to go after people that own a nice replica of one of their models?
I am very interested in buying and continue a half-way done F40 project.
From what I have read in the past, if it's just your personal car/kit then you might get a nice letter saying just do the one but otherwise you should be ok. I think it's the kit manufacturers themselves that they go after so any kit you buy might not have spares in a year or two, or the manufacturer could have disappeared.
I like that Lambo kit though, looks to be very well done but what's with the front brakes, or lack of. How'd they work. The engine is fixable, even in CA.
The brake rotors on that car are just covers. The real brakes are stock ones behind them. He should have done a brake update kit instead of the fake covers.
[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 10-06-2007).]
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04:07 PM
RUNDLC Member
Posts: 802 From: Elk Grove, California Registered: Jul 2005
Well I guess I need to chime in here! Since I have a "fake" lamborghini rebodied car I have seen very nice lambo replicas and very poor ones, I am not going to bash that car, it's pretty nice. It will need some kind of engine upgrade. I know everyone has their opinion, if you don't like the replica's, oh well. If nothing else a well done replica is worth 50-60k that go into them, I USED to think oh yeah anybody can build one for 25-30K!! Boy was I wrong, when you start paying attention to details so that it does not scream replica, then you are onto something. When you consider some of these cars have a replica chassis (just like the factory), BMW v12 engines, fully adjustable suspension, air ride and a host of other options, these cars are hot. Now everyone building one knows it's a replica but half the fun is BUILDING something from the ground up. I have car guys look at mine all the time and they can't believe the work that goes into them, I am doing the 3.4L DOHC swap (as some know) to give the car looks and go power.
I love this site because of the ingenuity that you guys have here! Some of the stuff that goes into a fiero is unreal, I mean what do you have when you stuff a firebird interior, 4.9 caddy engine, wide body FIBERGLASS kit and all the other mods that are being done? IMO it's not really a fiero anymore! Lambo replicas that are built on fiero chassis' are no different, they aren't fieros anymore, call them custom cars.
Lambo replicas are getting so close to OEM that even some real lambo owners can't tell the difference, and that makes them very angry, why? because people will walk up to them and ask if it's a replica!! Now I personally know a few REAL lambo owners, and they don't have an issue with them. I say if you can afford to replace a clutch at 15K GREAT! I can't so I have a "fake" one the runs, drives and is a fun talk piece.
I can't wait to get my swap done!! I say drive whatever you want! it's the individuals hard earned cash, let them spend it the way they want too.
just my 2.00 worth
RUNDLC
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05:07 PM
Oct 8th, 2007
Mister Member
Posts: 1975 From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Registered: Aug 2004
...I just don't get it?
) 
