Discussion
Has anyone ever moved from a Cerbera to a Diablo SV or similar or have both? If so, how did you find the difference in power, running costs, reliability, daily driving etc....???
Will be looking into purchasing a Diablo in the very near future and have been doing some model research, mmmmmmmm....there are some tasty models out there. Some which are well out of my reach like the GT's, and if a standard V12 ain't enough, I heard about a twin supercharged version, the SVS!!!!
But a normal SV would suffice I suppose
Can anyone give me any advice on purchasing one and what to look for and what not to look for? Are there any buying guides out there?
I know the dealers to look for one like SANTA AGATA, TOPGEAR-CARS, MODENA CARS, but are there any other good Lambo dealers out there or people to talk to?
I appreciate any help or advice.
Also, how do track days fair with Diablo's regarding costs? Do any of you Diablo owners take your gorgeous machines on the track?
T.
>>> Edited by Big T on Monday 26th January 13:29
Will be looking into purchasing a Diablo in the very near future and have been doing some model research, mmmmmmmm....there are some tasty models out there. Some which are well out of my reach like the GT's, and if a standard V12 ain't enough, I heard about a twin supercharged version, the SVS!!!!
But a normal SV would suffice I suppose
Can anyone give me any advice on purchasing one and what to look for and what not to look for? Are there any buying guides out there?
I know the dealers to look for one like SANTA AGATA, TOPGEAR-CARS, MODENA CARS, but are there any other good Lambo dealers out there or people to talk to?
I appreciate any help or advice.
Also, how do track days fair with Diablo's regarding costs? Do any of you Diablo owners take your gorgeous machines on the track?
T.
>>> Edited by Big T on Monday 26th January 13:29
T! 
I also have been looking for a Diablo see my post here
www.lamborghini-talk.com/cgi-bin/forum/discus.cgi
under general discussion.
Rgds
Dictys
www.lamborghini-talk.com/cgi-bin/forum/discus.cgi
under general discussion.
Rgds
Dictys
Thank you for that very useful resource dictys, just what I was looking for. I'll spend some time on there this evening.
Oh and Podie, I'll be an old man before they'll be enough of those on the market for me to buy. And a new one, I'd be so old waiting I wouldn't be able to get in and out of one
I'd love a Typhon considering a new one is not much more than the second hand Diablo's I'll be looking at.
Oh, and I only just found out that Ferruccio Lamborghini has the same birthday as me!!! Should there be any other reason to buy one, a raging bull just like me
Oh and Podie, I'll be an old man before they'll be enough of those on the market for me to buy. And a new one, I'd be so old waiting I wouldn't be able to get in and out of one
I'd love a Typhon considering a new one is not much more than the second hand Diablo's I'll be looking at.
Oh, and I only just found out that Ferruccio Lamborghini has the same birthday as me!!! Should there be any other reason to buy one, a raging bull just like me
T,
Sounds like we should be going out for a few beers to discuss... what happened to the "Saggy Arse"?
Assume you have done a search back for old threads, if not have a look at
[url]www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=63&h=&t=62146[/url]
Shame you hadn't posted this last week, as I dropped my motor down to Mike Pullen at Carrera Sprorts.... you could have come down for a spin and seen a few motors to dribble over. He doesn't sell Diablos but has a good reputation for servicing and seems to know a lot of people in what is essentially a small market. I use him for work on mine and would say that it's definitely worth him looking at any cars you're thinking about (in terms of inspection or history).
Sounds like we should be going out for a few beers to discuss... what happened to the "Saggy Arse"?
Assume you have done a search back for old threads, if not have a look at
[url]www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=63&h=&t=62146[/url]
Shame you hadn't posted this last week, as I dropped my motor down to Mike Pullen at Carrera Sprorts.... you could have come down for a spin and seen a few motors to dribble over
. He doesn't sell Diablos but has a good reputation for servicing and seems to know a lot of people in what is essentially a small market. I use him for work on mine and would say that it's definitely worth him looking at any cars you're thinking about (in terms of inspection or history). 
I was the streamed up ginger Yorkshire Man. 
I can give you any advice you need on the Diablo Sv. I own a 1998 U.S. model which i think differ from the U.K. models. One thing i can say is that from a reliability standpoint, it has been absolutely trouble free since brand new. Mine is heavily modded also. As for the TVR, i dont know much about its performance as they are not sold here. I will tell you that a stock Sv is capable of running the 1/4 in 11.6-11.8 sec at 121-123mph.
forget the diablo and get this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2456327977&category=6209
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2456327977&category=6209
I found Modena Cars vey helpful. I was shown a variety of Diablo's from early 91 2wd up to the last of the 6.0 GT's. A 93 onwards car will have a revised dash and slighty roomer interior.
However I found there was more room with the final countach contary to most reports I've read (I'm 6ft 3. The diablo driving position is very offset. Mechanically very robust the only failing is the clutch which if ridden might only last 4k. It is a engine out job so this seems to be big cost.
Rgds
Dictys
However I found there was more room with the final countach contary to most reports I've read (I'm 6ft 3. The diablo driving position is very offset. Mechanically very robust the only failing is the clutch which if ridden might only last 4k. It is a engine out job so this seems to be big cost.
Rgds
Dictys
<flame suit on..>
The problem I have with Diablos.. is that while they look the business.. um.. that's about it.
They're not particularly fast (when compared to say a 911 Turbo), not practical (rear view anyone ?) and huge outside for such a cramped inside.. and not particularly easy to drive.. and that's before we get onto the high maintenance and fragility of them.
It strikes me, that the only people who benefit from the experience are those not sat inside it..
</flame suit>
The problem I have with Diablos.. is that while they look the business.. um.. that's about it.
They're not particularly fast (when compared to say a 911 Turbo), not practical (rear view anyone ?) and huge outside for such a cramped inside.. and not particularly easy to drive.. and that's before we get onto the high maintenance and fragility of them.
It strikes me, that the only people who benefit from the experience are those not sat inside it..
</flame suit>
No need for flame suit, as everyone has their own opinion, however to respond to your comments:-
No, they also sound the business and have the performance and handling to match!
Depends what you call fast but when I look up the performance figures in the magazines, they look pretty good to me.... and in practice on the roads I can assure you that they are not slouches.... I have been out for runs with a few PH'ers and I don't think that many would say that it is not fast... ok probably not as fast as a 911 Turbo but the margin of difference is not that huge.
I have no problems reversing into a single garage with it, and whilst driving have honestly never had problems with rear-ward visibility.... observation and anticipation come to mind.
The interior is obviously that of a two seater but not exactly what I'd call cramped, even if 'C3 GTK' and myself are in the car together (both having eaten too many pies), there's still a good foot of space between our shoulders... if anything most people comment on how much space it does have in comparison to what they had believed.
... in what sense, I drive mine in central London without any problems. I have been known to let friends and family drive it, and none have found it to be the monster that some people like to suggest (C3 GTK, Iguana, Mungo... care to comment?)
I don't want to tempt fate here and I've only done about 5k miles, but it's been a sight better than some brand new Italian exotica that I have witnessed over the last year... or certain British cars for that matter.... only been let down once, and that was with an oil pipe failure (but if I'd looked on the garage floor before going out, then a few clues would have saved me the AA call). Cost of repair was negligible, in fact the repair and first service and brake pads all round was just over £800 at a good independent (Mike Pullen at Carrera Sports)
I've had four 911's previously (admittedly not Turbo's or RS's) and at this time, even though I'm a Porsche fan, I think my next purchase will have a bull on the front
>> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Wednesday 28th January 16:25
GT2man-2 said:
The problem I have with Diablos.. is that while they look the business.. um.. that's about it.
No, they also sound the business and have the performance and handling to match!
GT2man-2 said:
They're not particularly fast (when compared to say a 911 Turbo)
Depends what you call fast but when I look up the performance figures in the magazines, they look pretty good to me.... and in practice on the roads I can assure you that they are not slouches.... I have been out for runs with a few PH'ers and I don't think that many would say that it is not fast... ok probably not as fast as a 911 Turbo but the margin of difference is not that huge.
GT2man-2 said:
....not practical (rear view anyone ?) and huge outside for such a cramped inside...
I have no problems reversing into a single garage with it, and whilst driving have honestly never had problems with rear-ward visibility.... observation and anticipation come to mind.
The interior is obviously that of a two seater but not exactly what I'd call cramped, even if 'C3 GTK' and myself are in the car together (both having eaten too many pies), there's still a good foot of space between our shoulders... if anything most people comment on how much space it does have in comparison to what they had believed.
GT2man-2 said:
....and not particularly easy to drive.. .
... in what sense, I drive mine in central London without any problems. I have been known to let friends and family drive it, and none have found it to be the monster that some people like to suggest (C3 GTK, Iguana, Mungo... care to comment?)
GT2man-2 said:
and that's before we get onto the high maintenance and fragility of them. .
I don't want to tempt fate here and I've only done about 5k miles, but it's been a sight better than some brand new Italian exotica that I have witnessed over the last year... or certain British cars for that matter.... only been let down once, and that was with an oil pipe failure (but if I'd looked on the garage floor before going out, then a few clues would have saved me the AA call). Cost of repair was negligible, in fact the repair and first service and brake pads all round was just over £800 at a good independent (Mike Pullen at Carrera Sports)
GT2man-2 said:
It strikes me, that the only people who benefit from the experience are those not sat inside it.
I've had four 911's previously (admittedly not Turbo's or RS's) and at this time, even though I'm a Porsche fan, I think my next purchase will have a bull on the front
>> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Wednesday 28th January 16:25
tony_996hasgone said:I'd agree on the sound part, although I've yet to hear one with a decent exhaust. At Supercar Sunday 2yrs ago they were near silent compared to my F355 with straight-through exhaust. Do you have a WAV/mp3 file of a decent one ?
No, they also sound the business and have the performance and handling to match!
tony_996hasgone said:I guess that's the rub.. for all it's massive power, stark styling and compromises, there doesn't seem to be any edge over it's lesser priced "rivals".
ok probably not as fast as a 911 Turbo but the margin of difference is not that huge.
tony_996hasgone said:Of course, safe parking is possible when common sense is applied but the Diablo is widely acknowledged to be a "bit of a pig" parking / reversing (which is why Lambo engineers reverse the car sat on the door sill rather than in the car itself). Also, the car can fall foul of width-restrictors and won't fit into most parking spaces (and unless every trip is a round trip back to your garage, you will have to park it somewhere)
I have no problems reversing into a single garage with it, and whilst driving have honestly never had problems with rear-ward visibility.... observation and anticipation come to mind.
tony_996hasgone said:Heavy clutch, heavy steering and a recalcitrant gearbox... (I realise later Diablos had some servo assistance for these)
(hard to drive) in what sense
tony_996hasgone said:
I don't want to tempt fate here and I've only done about 5k miles
I'm glad to hear your experience so far has been relatively trouble free. It's when I look at adverts for Lamborghinis and see "Just had £10,000 service" or "lots of bills" on a car that's covered hardly any miles it makes you wonder!
tony_996hasgone said:And good luck to you I say !
I think my next purchase will have a bull on the front
GT2man-2 said:
ok probably not as fast as a 911 Turbo but the margin of difference is not that huge.
I guess that's the rub.. for all it's massive power, stark styling and compromises, there doesn't seem to be any edge over it's lesser priced "rivals".
You've got to remember that the Diablo covers a very wide price range. A 5.7L VT like mine or the earlier 2WD versions are cheaper to purchase than 996TT's, so for the money, you are getting the performance you pay for. For 996TT money, you can get a 6.0L VT and I would say that it would match the Porsche and probably beat it on top speed.
GT2man-2 said:
Of course, safe parking is possible when common sense is applied but the Diablo is widely acknowledged to be a "bit of a pig" parking / reversing (which is why Lambo engineers reverse the car sat on the door sill rather than in the car itself). Also, the car can fall foul of width-restrictors and won't fit into most parking spaces (and unless every trip is a round trip back to your garage, you will have to park it somewhere)
I think it was the Countach that was famous for the "sitting on the door sill trick". The Diablo is fine for a competent driver
i.e. not my wife. You are actually correct in terms of the width issue, and there are times that you have to make a detour... but hey, that's a small price to pay.
I can't think of anywhere I've been where I've had problems parking.... the worst that can happen is that you have to take up a couple of spaces at a hotel or an NCP (normally, end of row spaces have extra space anyway).... and in London I can leave it on the street.
GT2man-2 said:
Heavy clutch, heavy steering and a recalcitrant gearbox... (I realise later Diablos had some servo assistance for these)
Yes, post 95 (I think) and it was all assisted. The early 2WD were hard work though, I agree. But 95 onwards and the clutch and steering are fine. Dog leg first is a bit of a pain at first, but you soon get used to it.
GT2man-2 said:
I'm glad to hear your experience so far has been relatively trouble free. It's when I look at adverts for Lamborghinis and see "Just had £10,000 service" or "lots of bills" on a car that's covered hardly any miles it makes you wonder!
Biggest bill I had was on a 964 for £3.5k.... bleedin' German crap
.... Seriously though, there is no question that the parts can be expensive and if you've got a newer car then official Lambo service is going to cost you. Go in with your eyes open, do a lot of research, and keep your fingers crossed.
Big-T... let's have that beer soon.
>> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Wednesday 28th January 18:01
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff