Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Power
0–62 mph (0–100 km/h)
Top speed (300 km/h)
Fuel, maker's test (17 L/100 km)
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
The sentiment from the owner and enthusiast community is overwhelmingly positive, bordering on reverential.
3 problems reported (1 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentMajor early-production reliability and engineering flaws
Lamborghini's first attempt at a sports car resulted in significant issues; the company reportedly secretly dismantled and rebuilt early customer cars with revised parts during service visits to avoid bad publicity.
- IsolatedUnexpected critical part failures
Components like brake master cylinders can fail catastrophically without prior warning, even on concours-level, well-maintained vehicles.
- IsolatedFire risk
Even very well-maintained examples are noted to still catch on fire.
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to distinguish a consensus on the best version (e.g., P400, P400 S, P400 SV, Jota) based on driving experience or ownership costs. The "Miura SV" and "Miura P400" are mentioned by name, but no comparative analysis is provided in the data.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Ferrari (models unspecified, contemporary to the 1960s).
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Overall sentiment
The sentiment from the owner and enthusiast community is overwhelmingly positive, bordering on reverential. The Miura is consistently described as a groundbreaking, historically significant vehicle that laid the foundation for the modern supercar. It is praised as the world's first mid-engine production sports car, a design that is considered both beautiful and influential, with performance that made it the fastest production car of its era. The narrative of its creation: born from Ferruccio Lamborghini's desire to build a superior grand tourer in response to Enzo Ferrari's dismissal: is a frequently cited and celebrated part of its legend. However, this iconic status is tempered by candid acknowledgments of significant reliability and engineering issues inherent to early production models, which are accepted as part of the vehicle's pioneering character.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned explicitly as a superior alternative to contemporary Ferraris, with the stated goal of being more mechanically sound, faster, and better handling. It is characterized not just as a sports car but as an advanced "Gran Turismo" meant to outperform and out-engineer its rival from Maranello. Its mid-engine layout is highlighted as a key differentiator that set a new standard and influenced all subsequent supercars.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available. No specific recommendations regarding transmission, options, or model year preferences are derived from the discussions.
General recommendations
Suitable for collectors and enthusiasts who value historical significance, groundbreaking design, and automotive legend over modern reliability and convenience. Prospective owners should be prepared for significant and potentially unexpected maintenance, as critical parts like brake master cylinders can fail without warning even on well-maintained examples. The community advises that these cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed despite their value, with the understanding that mechanical wear and failure are part of the ownership experience. Not recommended for those seeking a dependable, daily-drivable classic without a substantial maintenance budget and technical support.
Remarks
The V12 engine designed for the Miura is noted as the core of the same engine family still used by Lamborghini today, having been continuously updated over decades and reported to be a reliable unit. The discussions are heavily weighted towards the car's historical context, legendary status, and famous origin story rather than detailed, first-hand long-term ownership experiences. Much of the data comes from historical anecdotes and general enthusiast commentary. The "Jota" designation is confirmed as Lamborghini's historic label for its most track-oriented cars, originating with the Miura P400 Jota built to FIA Appendix J regulations. Analysis based on approximately 30 substantive owner and enthusiast discussions.
Specifications
Not sold in North America: these versions are from other markets.
P400 3.9 V12
3.9L 12-cylinder · 350 hp · RWD · manual
Built 1966–1969