considering a Diablo | FerrariChat

considering a Diablo

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by steveirl, Jul 6, 2005.

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  1. steveirl

    steveirl Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,163
    ireland
    Full Name:
    steve
    I am thinking strongly of buying a Diablo, and as I am located in Ireland price is more of a big deal because of the weakness of the Euro and our criminal registration taxes on used cars. So I would be limiting myself to a mid ninties VT or SV model, and would be really interested in hearing ownership experiences. I have not started looking yet but info on cars for sale or reputable sellers would be good too.
    Thanks in advance
    steve
     
  2. yellowtr

    yellowtr Formula Junior

    Feb 23, 2004
    367
    London
    Full Name:
    Peter
    Had some experiences with them as a friend ran one for many years. Very very well built and strong cars. Servicing costs are not to insane to be honest, but parts on them are stupidly over priced. Early cars suffered from Electrolysis and so body panels can suffer from corrosion. Also they used to generate a lot of heat and distortion of the rear grill and top panel can occur. Brakes are generally good and a soft pad is recommended for daily driving.

    The early cars are very demanding to drive and do require a lot of concentration, in the wet a delicate foot is needed. I will go for one when the funds permit and look forward to it, but cannot at the moment. Best person to talk to is Mike Pullen at Carrera Sport. He is in Haywards Heath and always has a few to hand for sale-his number is 01444 455100-tell him Peter with Yellow TR sent you. Also have potentially got a red with grey interior available through me, if you are serious PM me.

    Peter
     
  3. Bubblesb

    Bubblesb Rookie

    Oct 14, 2004
    20
    london
    Full Name:
    nick burnett
    Steve
    I had a Diablo back in 2001, and it was by far the most fun car to own. Mine had a sports exhaust and it was amazing. It was an early car and belonged to Flavio Briatore before me. Drove it through Europe many a time, and it gave so many grins per mile! When I bought it, it needed a clutch, but if done through a specialist, it is not too bad. I also had an electrical problem which restricted rpm's and that took time to solve, but boy, when it was on song, well.....! I wish I had not sold mine, and would love to own another. Every other car since has been a let down. Go for it. There are three in Top Marques for sale this week, all around the mid £50's. Have fun.
     
  4. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    The one i bought last year was 38k, it was quite high milage. It was a bsatard for me to fit in, but then hey i knew what i was walking in to.
     
  5. CUE99T

    CUE99T Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2004
    838
    Scotland
    Full Name:
    Paul
    Try topgear cars in autotrader the guy seemed pretty genuine but he's scotland based but has owned lambo's for over 20 years too, so he's not only a seller hye's an owner which ihas gotta be worth something. when I went to see one ther he was really nice to chat to and was very enthusiatic, but don't remember his name but sure he's italian.

    Paul
     
  6. simon355

    simon355 Formula Junior

    Nov 23, 2003
    650
    W.Yorkshire, UK.
    Full Name:
    Simon George
    His name is Carlo and he's a top guy. Lovely bloke. Was racing the Murcie against one of his Diablo SV's recently at Knockhill.
     
  7. Badapple

    Badapple Formula Junior

    Nov 20, 2003
    875
    West London
    Full Name:
    Phil
    was that left hooker? any pics
     
  8. barabus

    barabus F1 Rookie

    Aug 22, 2004
    4,777
    12 Cylinder Village
    Full Name:
    Si
    A up Playboy, saw a yellow l/h drive Murcie today on A1 near Hatfield, lovely colour:D
     
  9. The Don

    The Don Karting

    Oct 10, 2004
    131
    I have a funny story about a Diablo. Was at the Slone Square end of Kings Road with the Testarossa with the window down. I started heading towards Kings Road and saw a black Diablo right behind me. It was behind me for a couple of minutes and all I heard from passers by saying 'wow look at that Ferrari' which was all I heard for that time. Then suddenly the Lambo started to slow down behind me, getting smaller and smaller, causing a huge gap between us. I actually was looking forward to acknowleding him/her.
     
  10. barabus

    barabus F1 Rookie

    Aug 22, 2004
    4,777
    12 Cylinder Village
    Full Name:
    Si
    Kam hows the capristo? Mines fantastic, at 1st I thought it was so loud that I couldn't live with it but soon got used to it now its awesome, cheers:)
     
  11. The Don

    The Don Karting

    Oct 10, 2004
    131
    Its doing well, however it was a pain to fit it because Capristo do not have exausts that fit 1987 TR's. So with some welding here and there Karl and the boys at Verdi's managed to do it. It is bloody loud once you put your feet on that accelerator.
     
  12. barabus

    barabus F1 Rookie

    Aug 22, 2004
    4,777
    12 Cylinder Village
    Full Name:
    Si
    The brackets off yours didn't fit on mine either, I had to bend them around to enable them to fit:eek:
     
  13. steveirl

    steveirl Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,163
    ireland
    Full Name:
    steve
    Thanks for the replies guys, I have been doing some research on them and they appear to be quite tough and reliable cars if taken care of, aside from parts prices, some of which are insane. I think its often difficult to get an objective view from owners because so many are overwhelmed by the car and will forgive it anything.
    Peter, I will give Mike Pullen a call in the next few days, I have heard of him before.
    Nick, what model of Diablo did you own in 2001?
    Paul, I will give Topgear in Scotland a call too, they seem to always have several cars for sale. Btw there is also a guy called Jason Barker advertising on Top Marques, anyone ever herad of him.?
    Steve
     
  14. yellowtr

    yellowtr Formula Junior

    Feb 23, 2004
    367
    London
    Full Name:
    Peter
    Steve,

    Jason Barker used to work at Lambo UK, but set up on his own. He knows he stuff, but never had any personal dealings with him.

    Peter
     
  15. Badapple

    Badapple Formula Junior

    Nov 20, 2003
    875
    West London
    Full Name:
    Phil
    Loads of good things posted about him on pistonheads & some of the members know him well, I think he used to work for lambo uk
     
  16. burriana

    burriana Formula 3

    Jul 8, 2004
    1,675
    North Yorkshire UK
    Full Name:
    AL
    er, Simon, what happened to ... "oh, it's just a cheap stainless steel one, nothing fancy" on Sunday? Hm??????

    Have we been rumbled per chance :D
     
  17. Bubblesb

    Bubblesb Rookie

    Oct 14, 2004
    20
    london
    Full Name:
    nick burnett
    Mine was a 92 car. Awesome!
     
  18. barabus

    barabus F1 Rookie

    Aug 22, 2004
    4,777
    12 Cylinder Village
    Full Name:
    Si
    Al

    When I say mines fantastic I mean the one I bought off Kam, he is the one who's got the Capristo ive got his old stainless-exhaust.com one :D but I'm sure you knew that LOL:D
     
  19. 328Matt

    328Matt Karting

    Dec 3, 2003
    222
    Lymm,Cheshire
    Full Name:
    Matt
    Have dealt with Jason Barker in 1996, when he worked for lamborghini uk.At the time the sole dealer and importer was part of the porsche afn group in reading. Seemed a nice bloke with no bullsh*t.....i think he got an award for selling the most cars one year, plus the other good point is that he will personally know some cars imported around the mid nineties as he was the only sales guy. There was an official dealer/salesman in park lane but i think he was only there 6 months or so.
     
  20. steve f

    steve f F1 World Champ

    Mar 15, 2004
    12,119
    12cylinder town
    Full Name:
    steve
    jason barker is a good old northern lad from bradford
     
  21. steveirl

    steveirl Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,163
    ireland
    Full Name:
    steve
    Thanks guys
    As a matter of interest can someone tell me the rear track dimensions( distance between outer edges of both rear wheels) for the diablo VT and SV. I can find the overall width but not the rear track, which I need to know to know if the car will fit on my garage lift?
    thanks
    steve
     

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