Lambo's - That hard to drive?

[dictys]

Are these cars (diablo in particular) that hard to drive? nearly every story i come across these cars have been damaged in one way or another, usually by driver error.

I quite fancy getting a early diablo, but are they so much harder to drive than my Esprit that I'm going to have to take driving lessons just so I can have some fun on a sunday morning? or am I hearing just the bad things rather than the fun moments.

[tony_996hasgone]

The early Diablo's (2wd) can be quite heavy as steering and gears were unassisted. Mine, which is a 4wd 5.7 VT has power assisted steering, clutch and gears, and I've never found it particularly hard to drive. Visibility obviously isn't a strong point especially when reversing but no worse than an Esprit. I manage to reverse into my garage with a 2.5cm clearance on each side.

When driving spiritedly on country lanes you obviously have to consider that it's a very wide car, but again, it doesn't particularly impede you from hustling it around, it certainly isn't slow or unwieldy, and I love those Sunday morning blasts. Conversely, I live in central London and have no problems around town either.

Driver training is an obvious good idea, but that goes for any car driver. After having done a Ride-Drive day recently and taken the car onto an airfield to see what happens at the limits,there is no question that those limits are extremely high, and if you do pass them there is very little chance of getting it back (except for the likes of Mr Hill and co), as such, if you are approaching the limits on public road then any subsequent accident is going to be major. I would guess that is why you "are hearing the bad things".

Would I recommend the car....ABSOLUTELEY.

[Nightmare]

agree with everything that Tony has said. Always bear in mind when reading a mag article that the journalists (who are all writers by profession, not supercar drivers) have usually had access to x vehicle for about an hour. I found my diablo VERY intimidating for the first hour too - but then I found driving a transit quite interesting to start with too. They arent hard to drive, but you have to respect them

My car has 620 (ish) bhp under my right foot, and no traction control. Surprisingly, if you nail the throttle in first, the car will slide everywhere and then crash into something (like JKs and the BBC1 one). If you thik its like driving a Micra you'll likely drive it into something too.

Only genuinely unusual thing on diablo is that rear flanks ARE wider than fronts. Scraping the rear wheel arches must be the most popular form of damage! As long as you dont forget that, you should be fine.

Night

[dictys]

Thanks guys for the feedback...I'm going to explore this route further.

As I'm aiming for a early 90's model which is the better the 2wd or the VT.

I'm also 6ft 3" (long legs / short back) will I fit?

running costs about 4-5k a year excluding insurance?

anything thing I should be on the lookout for?

Rgds
Dictys

[Nightmare]

I'd say the VT, I imagine Anjum would suggest the 2WD! I dont think early 2WD models were very well sorted, and trhe were lots of quality and heavy controls complaints. I also think the VT may save your life/car at some point - but thats just my opinion.

Im around 6'2" - definitely long legs to arms ration...isn't a problem...thuogh you may not find it hugely comfy. Getting a different type of seat is an easy solution though.

running costs - too risky to comment! In theory that's a good amount..but....if you have the misfortune of a bolt to fly off the back of an AA lorry and go through your windscreen (happened to me on the A1M, bloody terrifying), it will cost about 4K.....other bits are equally silly money!

Aside from that....all the standard things to look for on any car...good servicing, decent mileage for age (DO NOT get a garage queen), even tyre wear etc...

cheers
Night