Diablo Roadster first time driving impressions

Hello Boys just got back from L.A after a 5 day trip, went down take care of some business but for the most part to take my Lambo for a 5 day cruise before I import her back to Canada.

The weather was nice not great, cool at times but that was OK I was still able to take the roof off most of the time. On Sun I was able to take her out for a 8 hour cruise up the PCH (pacific coast highway) all the way to Santa Barbara. I love this town, I must retire there streets were perfect, homes were gorgeous, Yacht club was impressive but the scenery was incredible, absolutely loved it there.

Any hoo back to my thread

Since I have been a Ferrari owner for 3 years thought some of you might enjoy my pics of the new toy and my driving impression between the Lambo and Ferrari.

Thanks to a friend of mine that lives in Oxnard (another Ferrari owner) I picked up the car in Costa Mesa on Fri for my test run for 4 days, I wanted to drive it and get use to the characteristics. Let me tell you getting use to a Lambo in Los Angeles traffic is like taming a Bull in a china shop

When I first laid eyes on it it's visually stunning, makes you gasp , by far this is one of the best looking exotics I have ever seen. I like the normal Diablos but the Roadster has a better stance, the upgraded sides, engine bonnet and front end make this car unique and sleek, like a spaceship landing is the only way I can describe it.

Starting the Lambo is like winding up a turbine, there is this fast spinning sound till VRRRRROOOOMMMMM the engine comes to life. The clutch feels as heavy if not slightly heavier than the 348, with a Kevlar clutch it grabs hard takes some getting use to. The shifting is very easy and precise, unlike the Ferrari you can easily shift into second when cold.

The power and torque on this Roadster is stupid crazy , I waited for a day to get use to the power before I put it through it's pases. 1st gear grabs hard so you definitely do not want to drop the clutch as you will either snap the axle or snap your neck. Lucky the shifting pattern on the Lambo is identical to the 348, in fact to pay tribute to the 348 I ordered a 348 chrome shift ball and installed it . When you first shift into 1st gear and start to take off the engine note is a low growl till 3000 rpm and it is gradually building speed, then like a boost from NAS it whips from 3000 to 7800rpm in 2 seconds reaching 60mph, with now the engine note sounding like the world is coming to an end. The sound is definitely not a pretty or as soothing as the Ferrari and I will definitely miss that sound but the sound is still pretty awesome.

2nd and 3rd gears come and go quickly and the speed + g force is awesome, thank God for those giant rear meats for tires or this thing would shred and destroy anything else. By the time I hit 5th gear I was going well over 150mph and easily had plenty of room to go, but I refrained as I was not going to push my luck. At no point in time did I feel like I was out of control in fact it felt solid more so than the Ferrari.

I will admit the Ferrari is a drivers car, very easy to drive, easy to handle and comfortable to control, with no major blind spots. The Braking is superior in the Ferrari, precise and controlled. The lambo has Brembo brakes but you need to stand on them to make it perform like the Ferrari, mind you it is a heavier car but still no excuse. The blind spots on the Lambo are severe, you really must know your car and driving skill when operating it, even with the large side mirrors it is daunting. Backing up without a camera is well just silly, luckily I am tall and I was able to lift myself up and look when roof was off, but when roof is on furgettaboutit doing it by yourself in a parking lot backing up into a stall. The comfort level is surprisingly great, I went for a 4 hour drive up the Pacific coast highway and the seats were wonderful, way more comfortable than the Ferrari.

For prestige and sheer awe value sorry fellows but the Lambo blows away the Ferrari, I was getting more attention in the middle of Rodeo DR and Beverly hills with this machine than I ever received with the Ferrari in a small town all year long. At one point I even had a guy come up and lick the car, seriously he licked the car Not that one buys a car simply for this reason but let me tell you it is sure nice to receive many thumbs up

Overall the Lambo is just awesome, what you give up in sound and visibility you make up in sheer power and speed. The overall looks are intense, the style is pure sex and speed, nothing will make a person react or act out like when someone lays there eyes on a Lambo Roadster. This thing is insanely fast, I thought my Ferrari spider was fast this thing is just SICK Here are some pics of the trip.
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Great..so glad you like the car..

Did the part I sent to your guy in Cali get there in time and put on..?

Roy

 

I couldn't agree more with you. I just love my 98 Diablo Roadster. It is just a blast to drive, and the attention it gets is next to unbelieveable.
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Beautiful roadster and love the color on it! Congrats and enjoy the new toy!

 

The Roadster is a completely different experience from any Ferrari. It's an event any time it leaves the garage.

The brakes are somewhat marginal on the earlier cars and were upgraded significantly in 1999 for that reason.
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Tim,

I believe the 98 brakes, are even better than the 97 ?


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Nice roadster. Don't perform any burn-outs. In order to protect the life of the clutch, simply pull from a stop, at between 1,000 and 1,500 rpms.

 

Dear Lamborghinisti,

Welcome to the Diablo VT Roadster club Roberto. It's the most insane car ever! I have one in my garage and I'm looking at your photos going...ooooh!

There's nothing like hearing about first impressions. Come on...admit it.. the phrase "when the doors go up...the panties go down" wasn't too far from your thoughts. I'm glad you're having a blast with the car. I assure you, the feeling never goes away, it's just too cool. All the F haters in the silver section have NO IDEA what driving a Lamborghini is all about....and most never will.

You thought driving a Ferrari was an event...wait until you have to stop at a gas station...you won't be able to leave.

Beautiful VT Roadster ! Is that the one that was at Cavallino?

The brakes were changed for the 98 MY to cross drilled rotors and ABS. My 97.5 has the solid rotors and slightly smaller caliper.

The feel is still very hard as they weren't "valved" properly.



Hey Roberto, this is also what you get with Lamborghini ownership.....


Lindsay ( 18 + 2 weeks)


Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !
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I would imagine Roberto has already had that with night club ownership, lol!

 

Yes Roy it did and thank you so much, I will be contacting you for more stuff as soon as she gets here, hopefully in 1 month, thanks again

WOW WOW WOW beside the Titanium as my favorite color yours comes a close second if not equal, good God that is beautiful

Those look like way beefier brakes, is there any upgrade that can be purchased?

Ha I love it, next trip Folrida

you ain't whistling Dixie brother

 

Are you from Arizona? If so, I've seen you at some of the shows, gorgeous color.

Mr. Butabi (), your car looks amazing too

 

Dear Lamborghinisit,

 

The OEM stuff is incredibly expensive but I believe Movit makes an aftermarket brake upgrade for the Diablo.

 

Thank you

 

Very nice indeed!