To many, the pinnacle of success is a sick car, especially one where the doors go up. For rich people, celebrities, and YouTubers like me, Brad Danger, a Lamborghini is the statement that says, “I made it!”
And if you want to show the world how successful you are, then check out this list of the cheapest Italian raging bulls that money can buy! Now, grab the bull by the horns!
2004 – 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo – The First “Normal” Lambo
First up on our list is probably the most boring Lambo, and the only one you should actually buy! That’s right, we’re talking about the Lamborghini Gallardo! One of the most daily-driver friendly and reasonable Lamborghinis ever made. And that’s in part because it comes with a legendary 5-liter V10, which is loosely the same engine as the one in the best deal in supercars, the Audi R8.
That dime piece launches this car to 60 in under 5 seconds, and just like a bull, the Gallardo uses all four limbs to accelerate to 60 in under 4 seconds with that all-wheel drive system you can eat corners for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Adding to it’s daily driver utility, the Gallardo is about the size of a Ford Focus, making it one of the first Lambos that could navigate tight alleys and streets, and easy to park! Now, this Lambo cost about $192,000 new. And if you want to get the best bang for your buck, you’re going to want to get a 2006 model, because it has that raw feeling of the raging bull with the updated engine and technology.
You get an increased power bump from 492 horsepower in the 2004 and 2005 to 520 horsepower in 2006. And because Audi owns Lamborghini, you get lots of tech like a standard front suspension lift to go over speed bumps.
Just make sure to save yourself some time and get one with a gated 6-speed manual transmission, because it’ll hold its value and is one hell of a blast to drive. And if you want to get one, I found a lovely Gallardo for $60,000. Now, I know what your thinking, $60,000 ain’t cheap! But, keep in mind, this is a fully fleshed-out Lamborghini. People pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for these new.
And this is the list of least expensive Lambos you can buy. That’s right, do not expect some $10,000 bargain when it comes to Lambos, they hold their value far better than almost any exotic brand, period.
Now, if I had one complaint about the Gallardo, is that it’s missing two things that really make a Lambo a Lambo, 12 cylinders and doors that go up. It’s time to raise your hands, or doors for the Lamborghini Murcielago!
2003 – 2010 Lamborghini Murciélago – The Last of the Dinosaurs
The Murcielago is the first proper Lambo on this list! Why? Because it has a screaming Italian V12 that sounds like pure heaven. That jaw dropping engine note comes from a 572 horsepower naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V12 that catapults this big boy to 60 in 3.6 seconds! And it can crack 200 miles per hour! Which, if you haven’t seen it, check out our video about the cheapest ways to hit 200 mph. Spoiler alert: the Murci ain’t on there!
The Murci was stupid nuts for a car that came out in 2001, and it was the replacement for the Diablo, so it had to be good, especially when it came with an MSRP of $315,000. And, thankfully, it doesn’t disappoint.
From the outside, the Murci is as stunning today as it was 20 years ago when it was designed. When the doors go up, that’s what a Lamborghini is all about! Now, from the inside, it’s kind of a bland Audi, which means it’s comfortable and covered in good materials, but nothing about it says you’re driving an Italian supercar.
But who cares, as long as it has a 6-speed manual transmission, this thing will feel like a spaceship. Now, sadly, what’s also out of this world is the price. We were able to find an 2006 roadster for $125,000. Just make sure you live somewhere sunny, because the tops on the Murci are kind of an afterthought. Yes, $125,000 is a ton of cash, but if you consider that prices for these are going up, it isn’t insane for a Lambo. Because a cheap Lambo is anything under $200,000!
Alright, alright, maybe $125,000 is a bit much. If you’re looking for a cheaper stampeding sports car, look no further than the Lamborghini Urraco!
1972 – 1979 Lamborghini Urraco – The Entry Level Countach
See, the Urraco was to the Countach as the Huracan is to the Aventador, the budget-friendly, entry level model that time has all but forgotten. Naturally, Everyone remembers the V12’s, and the Urraco with it’s unappealing name, functional yet boring 2+2 design, and unappealing 2-liter V8 pumping out a mere 180 horsepower when it was released in 1972, didn’t exactly make it the poster car of many high school bedrooms.
But it’s still a Lamborghini, and shares enough design language with the Countach to make it stunning to look at even today. And at $92,000 for a P250 Urraco, which came with a 2.5-liter V8 and 217 horsepower, it’s actually not a bad deal, and makes it one of the cheapest Lamborghinis money can buy right now.
Now, you want a screaming deal? How about an Aventador for only $42,000? Insane, right? Well, you’re right. You’d have to be insane to buy it, because it’s none other than the litany of knockoff Aventador kit cars for sale around $50,000 right now.
Fake Aventador – You’re Bad and You Should Feel Bad
With zero self respect, you can be the proud owner of a fake Lambo, impressing literally no one. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Well, Lamborghini is probably the most replicated car brand ever. And there’s even been some decent knockoffs over time.
But, putting an LS2 on a GM chassis and topping it off with a flimsy fiberglass replica body does not make an Aventador. No. So, yes, while this will be the cheapest supercar Lamborghini money can buy, never, ever, buy one.
Now, the cheapest way to drive a car with a real Lamborghini badge that won’t make you look like a jackass? That, my friends, will be the forgotten 80’s legend, the Lamborghini Jalpa.
1981 – 1988 Lamborghini Jalpa – Cocaine’s One Hell of a Drug
Oh, man. The 80’s were wild. I mean, I was like five years old, but everything television and movies have shown me, I assume literally everyone in the 80’s was driving a Lamborghini or a Ferrari and doing lines of coke. And nowhere is that proven more true than the window visors of the Jalpa. They have removable mirrors on them so you can check your makeup, or take the mirror off and use it for… Well, you know.
So, the Jalpa was the baby Countach, costing about half the price, and a direct competitor to the fantastic Ferrari 308, which, if you haven’t seen it, check out the list of cheap Ferraris! And the Jalpa is by all accounts just an awful, awful car. They only made about 400 of them, but that doesn’t mean they did a very good job!
These things were all pretty bad right from the start. Poor body fitment issues, leaky carburetors, inconsistent performance, meant the Jalpa was destined to be forgotten by all but the weirdest of collectors. They’re dreadfully slow, and make awful noise, that is, if they ever run.
But if you ask me, they’re still stunning to look at, and for just $63,000, you can have one broken down in your driveway today! So, the Jalpa isn’t exactly a cheap Lamborghini you would want to own. It’s slow, funky, unreliable, and not a Lambo any one has heard of.
What if you want a proper lusted-after Italian supercar for as cheap as possible? Introduzione, El Diablo!
1990 – 2001 Lamborghini Diablo – The Car of Dreams and Nightmares
The Diablo is the car that defines what makes Lamborghini, Lamborghini. The raging bull on the hood isn’t just a mascot, no, driving a Lamborghini Diablo is akin to trying to ride an angry bull. The steering is heavy, you never skip leg day operating the clutch and brake pedals, the gearbox is clunky and difficult, and, with 485 horsepower, you’re going to be fighting for your life to keep this thing pointed straight.
The Diablo is a demon on the streets, and in the sheets, and it’s visually incredible. The Diablo is one of the most iconic Lamborghini supercars of all time, and one of the most affordable! That’s right, examples have sold for under the six figure mark! Like the yellow coupe we found for $95,000!
Just remember, it will try to kill you. The Diablo is all about letting everyone know you’re driving a Lamborghini. But, our next car is just about owning one.
1970 – 1976 Lamborghini Jarama – The Sleeper Lamborghini
The Lamborghini Jarama is quite possibly the ugliest Lambo ever made. At first glance, you would never guess it’s even a Lamborghini. With its 2+2 layout, its weird hard-edged rear end, and curvy, sleepy eyed front, you can see why the Jarama convinced Lamborghini to never make a 2+2 car ever again.
But, the Jarama is something special. It’s a grand tourer Lamborghini, designed for Americans. So, it’s built to cruise across miles of highways comfortably, and quickly. With its 3.9-liter V12 and 350 horsepower, the Jarama is an ugly duckling with the heart of a real Lamborghini. And maybe that’s why you can find Jaramas for under $90,000.
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