LFM Spotlight – Mr. Elliott’s Gated Manual Gallardo!

Welcome to another edition of our LFM Spotlight series and we are happy to introduce you to Mr. Elliott, owner of a Gallardo Coupe with a gated 6 speed manual!
Growing up idolizing Lamborghini as a teen, Mr. Elliott was excited to get up and close with a Murcielago. After that memorable moment, he knew what he had to do in order to own a Lamborghini! Mr. Elliott first set up a goal, started saving, and finally had the means to go purchase his Lamborghini.
This very inspiring interview will show you how anyone can own a Lamborghini. With patience, sacrifices, and saving, Mr. Elliott tells us his story about his journey to own a Lamborghini Gallardo!
1) When was your first exposure with a Lamborghini that inspired you to get one?
The first time I got to see a Lamborghini up close and personal was in 2006. I was already a member of several Lamborghini forums that were popular back then, because, like most teenagers, I was a fan of the brand. The Murcielago and Gallardo had both been released around the time I was getting my driver’s license and graduating high school, but my “obtainable” dream car back then was a MKIV Toyota Supra.
It was while enjoying a car show that I found a Giallo Evros (pearl yellow) Lamborghini Murcielago in the parking lot. I was checking out the car, and noticed the owner standing close by. I struck up a conversation with him, and it turned out that we were both on one of the same Lamborghini forums. After talking to him about all sorts of things regarding the car, he offered to let me sit in the driver’s seat. I will say that that moment was the pivotal experience that cemented the dream that would eventually turn into my future Lamborghini ownership. It was then that I knew I wanted to do everything I could to get back behind the wheel of an exotic car.
2) What made you get a Gallardo?
The goal I set for myself when I was just starting to drive was to purchase an exotic by the time I was thirty. When I hit that age, I told myself that I could get an exotic, but it “wasn’t the right time.” This went on for a while, until I essentially convinced myself that there will never be a “right time,” and then I started shopping. After cross-shopping a couple of different options, I decided on the Gallardo for the following reasons:
- I could find one with a gated shifter
- The price was within what my budget would allow me to comfortably spend
- The Gallardo looks amazing years after its release
- The amazing sound of the V10
- The DIY community that exists with tutorials and instructions on how to perform basic maintenance as well as troubleshoot any issues with the car.
3) What are your favorite aspects about your Lamborghini Gallardo?
My absolute favorite aspect of the car is the reaction kids have to it. The general public usually sees it as just a fancy car, but it’s the youth that have grown up playing video games that have a passion for the car. Besides the sound of the exhaust and shifting through gears as mentioned above, it’s really a fun car to drive.
4) How many times a week do you drive your Gallardo?
With my career, I’m often traveling a lot during the week. But when I’m home, I’m usually behind the wheel of my Gallardo pretty quickly. I often find myself just cruising around enjoying the car over the course of my weekends, or finding excuses to take it out.
5) If you have to choose, which Lamborghini(s) is(are) your all time favorite(s)?
That’s an interesting thought in that they all have different unique personalities to them. One of the coolest things that I have experienced as an exotic car owner has been the opportunities it has afforded me to check out all the other models up close and personal. I will say that my current dream car is a Rosso Efesto (metallic almost candy red) Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster , which I suppose could be my current all-time favorite.
6) To anyone who wants to own a Lamborghini, what would you say to them?
I know it’s cliché to say, but if I can do it, anyone can do it. I’m not a YouTuber, or some bitcoin bro, or some other social media star that people seem to want to emulate and follow in their footsteps. I’m just a guy who had a dream as a kid, and made choices and sacrifices along the path that eventually led to owning a Lamborghini. I would tell that person to set a goal, and then make a plan on how to achieve it. For me the plan was to start setting money aside every month in a “Lamborghini Fund,” and then having the discipline not to touch it. While all my friends were buying flashy new cars, I was driving older used cars that didn’t require a car payment. I will say, there’s nothing quite like the experience of shopping for a Lamborghini while you pull up in a 200+k mile Toyota Yaris Hatchback.