512tr vs Diablo | FerrariChat

512tr vs Diablo

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by AmoCS, Oct 28, 2007.

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  1. AmoCS

    AmoCS Formula Junior

    Mar 20, 2006
    385
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    Amo
    Hi, I would be interested to know how these cars compare, does anyone have/had both?
    Would like to know their comments.
     
  2. Ferrari Mackintosh

    Ferrari Mackintosh Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2004
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  3. AmoCS

    AmoCS Formula Junior

    Mar 20, 2006
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    Amo
    Hi Dan, haven't heard from u in a while, when u getting a Diablo?
     
  4. Ferrari Mackintosh

    Ferrari Mackintosh Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2004
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    Hi AMO,
    Looking for one now, should be within the next 4 months if I can find a nice one.
     
  5. AmoCS

    AmoCS Formula Junior

    Mar 20, 2006
    385
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    Amo
    What about this one:
    http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/214895.htm

    I really like it, and priced well
     
  6. Ferrari Mackintosh

    Ferrari Mackintosh Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2004
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    Stunning but dreadfull wheels
     
  7. robert biscan

    robert biscan F1 Veteran

    Jan 17, 2003
    5,066
    Nashville and Palm b
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    robert s biscan
    I have a 512tr and just sold a '99 Diablo Roadster. In my mind the 512 is by far the superior car. The Diablo my be more sinister but it is like a kit car. It just doesn't have the attention to detail the Ferrari does. The Ferrari feels solid and the Diablo just isn't confidence inspiring. My 512 feels and drives like a modern car and the Diablo drives worse than a normal TR. I wasn't impressed after all the hype. The cost of maintenance of the Diablo is thru the roof. My car had over 50k spent on it since new. Not by me. I just think I will stick to Ferrari. I don't think Lambo can R&D the cars like F does.
     
  8. mhiroshima

    mhiroshima Rookie

    Sep 10, 2007
    8
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    Michael Hiroshima
    The Ferrari 512TR and the Lamborghini Diablo are great vehicles.
    Instead of one or the other buy them both.
    Thats what I did.
     
  9. KENCO

    KENCO Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2006
    2,396
    FL
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    KJG
    I own a TR and a Diablo, The Ferrari is a much better car. The Diablo is like a flashy watch, the TR is like a trusted swiss time-piece.
     
  10. AmoCS

    AmoCS Formula Junior

    Mar 20, 2006
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    Amo
    That's exactly what a Ferrari/Lambo mechanic told me. Thanks
     
  11. Ferrari Mackintosh

    Ferrari Mackintosh Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2004
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    I've heard that before too, but even though the 512 is a beautiful looking vehicle, the Diablo is that bit more outrageous looking and will turn more heads.
     
  12. silvergts1998

    silvergts1998 Formula 3

    Apr 10, 2005
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    #12 silvergts1998, Oct 29, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have both cars and like them both. I tend to like the Diablo better, but drivability the Ferrari is an easier car to drive, but does not command the attention the Diablo gets. As far as maintenance goes, the Ferrari is easier. The Diablo and Ferrari seem to have a lot of commonality when you dig into it. I am sure they both have stolen each other's designs over the years. The Diablo has more of a grunt like a bull with more torque and the Ferrari 512TR is more like a sprint horse but doesn't have the power the bull has. I love both my cars and both are Icons from the later era of my ealry adulthood, but I can remember dreaming about these cars and never thought I would own or even wrench on these cars 17 years later. I actually like the older cars to the new modern cars because they have more character to them then the new ones, but then again, I didn't grow up with the new exotics. I personally think the Diablo is hands down more outragous but then the Ferrari 512TR is like art. Both engines have their own sound, but do sound similiar in ways. In the Diablo you have no visiabilty and the 512TR you have plenty. I would take the 512TR out for an evening dinner dressed up where the Diablo I would wear my jeans and t shirt. Getting out of a Diablo is a suit would look cheesey to me. The ferrari 512TR you look more inline with a suit. As one said above, buy both if you can.

    I do my own work on these cars because I want to make sure the work is top notch and I work on these cars like I am going to keep them til I die. I really have no desire to buy any other car out there beside the Lambo Roadster and Ferrari F-40 and that is it. I hope to get those cars someday and Keep what I have now on top of it. Imagine that? My write up on taking apart an f-40? LOL! I would do it!
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  13. cafebisque

    cafebisque Karting

    Aug 19, 2006
    50
    Denver, Colorado
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    Alex G
    I am not sure if my response will be as relevant, however, I have a '91TR and '01 6.0 Diablo. So the opposite, an older Ferrari and the most developed Diablo. The 2001 6.0 Diablos are easier to drive than the TR and have a tremendous updated quality to them compared to the prior years. Audi did impart a huge improvement in the last year for the Diablos. The leather, carbon fiber interior, switchgear and the dash layout are top notch. The Diablo, with 550 HP and AWD will pretty much eat anything alive from a dead start. I have to be sooooo carefull with the TR on the other hand, to avoid the differential issue and the power delivery is totally different. Comparitively, from 50-90, I bet the 6.0 Diablo will have at least 4 car lengths on the TR. The Lambo sounds like a tractor with amazing torque curve all the way beyond 7k rpm, whereas the TR needs to be spun up a bit but has a great hi pitched sound with the tubi. Nothing gets the attention of a Diablo, period! If you put the two side by side, the TR will be ignored.

    For me, though, the TR will always have a special place and I cannot imagine getting rid of it. My daughter likes the Ferrari more too by the way, "daddy, the Lambo makes my stomach hurt, I life the Ferrari better." I think the build quality is still better in the older Ferraris, but even with the 360 and newer, that has changed quite a bit. So much plastic around.

    My 2 cents worth. If you can, have them both, but definetely go with the 6.0 if possible. Price difference is pretty hefty b/w the 6.0 Diablos, Roasdsters, SVs, and the earlier models. So the same goes for the TR and the 512 TR, M. Truly though, Diablos and TR don't compare and provide a very different experience. Life is too short, so enjoy both.

    Alex
     
  14. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
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    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    Well, I thought I would add my 2 bucks. I drive a 91 Testarossa and a 97.5 Diablo VT Roadster.

    For me I like the Diablo better. It's soooo much more over the top and suits my personality better. I drive both cars as daily drivers, sun, rain, snow ( ha ha gotcha )getting groceries, take out drive thrus. I find both cars equal in those tasks. The larger TR trunk means I can add Home depot to the errands list. Ok, for big stuff, I get one of my F 250 work trucks.

    I find the cars so simular in shape and design. ...I bet Lamborghini took a TR as a study exercise. But, next to the Diablo, the TR looks um...well, conservative. I know, I know, I'm Mr. Miami Vice and love the TR, but for me the Diablo is the most beautiful car out there period.

    For build quality, both are Italian and built with more passion, hope and a prayer than engineering quality. I think an old Porsche 944 turbo is better built. That said, I wouldn't trade them for anything else.

    The interior of the Diablo is far more exotic and translates the outside apperance to it's interior. ...You feel like you're driving something special. The 97.5 has the fighterjet dash pod and angled dash so it's very visually appealing. Don't forget the doors ! No, the novelty doesn't wear off. They're actually easier to get in and out of.

    The TR interior has always been a letdown for me. The beautiful exterior never made it's way inside. I always prefered my 308 interior to the TR's. I know colonolly leather is supposed to be " all that " but I find it feels like plastic. The Italian Leather in the Diablo has a nice soft buttery feel. Both smell nice. In the Diablo you sit back and low while the TR is traditional Ferrari....not that it's bad or anything. :) I just prefer low and back.

    For performance, the Diablo hands down. But the power comes on like a turbo car while the TR has power all the way through. I find the TR a better smoother engine even though it is way down on hp to the Diablo. Both have their own unique sound. The TR screams, the Diablo grunts....in an angry fashion.

    For driving, I don't like the feel of the VT system but it's really great in heavy Florida rain. What a difference in driveability. The manual steering in the TR isn't a big deal until you parallel park.

    Both are great cars to take out on Sat. night to the clubs or the casino. Both have great "Bling" factor and my Italian suits match the cars. ( sorry Adam, I don't own a pair of jeans :) ) When arriving or leaving, the crowd around the Diablo is far greater than the TR....both get equally great preferred parking spots though.

    Maintenance? both are equally expensive. No timing belts on a Diablo but the clutch is an engine out while the clutch is engine-in on a TR. Both are 12's so figure a bit more that an 8. I find the TR engine bay easier to work in while the underdash accessories of the Diablo is easier to access.

    All in all, these are the cars I grew up with and don't want anything else. I was actually thinking of selling the TR to buy another VT coupe but I think I will add a red coupe to the Monterery Blue Roadster and the Red TR later on. ....How can you NOT have a Ferrari....make that a Testarossa!



    Shamile

    Freeze...Miami Vice !
     
  15. AmoCS

    AmoCS Formula Junior

    Mar 20, 2006
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    What is the difference between the VT and SV?

    Which is the better handling car?, Diablo or 512tr?
     
  16. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 1, 2002
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    VT is awd.
    SV is 2wd.
     
  17. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 1, 2002
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    Feeling solid ?

    You are comparing an open car with a berlinetta. A closed Diablo will be much more firm. As another member wrote, the later 6.0 cars have updated interiors.

    I have no doubt a 512TR is a superb car in many different ways. I know the engine out belt service, cannot be inexpensive to service every six years. If you know how to drive a Diablo, the clutch should last longer than six years.
     
  18. silvergts1998

    silvergts1998 Formula 3

    Apr 10, 2005
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    I feel the 512TR you will lose control of before the diablo with the same driver. The 512TR seems to be more squirelly on the roads.
     
  19. WDR328

    WDR328 Formula 3

    Dec 11, 2003
    1,476
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    D. Rose
    I had a 512M and a 99SV. The SV blindingly fast and a most raucous car. The Ferrari more civilized! I liked the SV!
     
  20. Ferrari Mackintosh

    Ferrari Mackintosh Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2004
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    The 1999-2000 Diablo SV is the fastest Diablo of them all, even faster than the Diablo 6.0 (In terms of acceleration not top end). The 99 SV is nearly as fast as an F40 and some people even claim that it can outaccelerate a MK1 Murcielago. I know that it can at least definitely keep up with one.
     
  21. silvergts1998

    silvergts1998 Formula 3

    Apr 10, 2005
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    What about the SE? Is that faster than the SV? Not sure, I know they have different gear ratios. I have changed my gears out to the SE gears in my Diablo.
     
  22. AmoCS

    AmoCS Formula Junior

    Mar 20, 2006
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    Amo
  23. AmoCS

    AmoCS Formula Junior

    Mar 20, 2006
    385
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    Amo
  24. Ferrari Mackintosh

    Ferrari Mackintosh Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2004
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    silvergts1998,
    An SV can outaccelerate a diablo SE30 as well as a 6.0SE because of it's short gear ratio, but can't match their top end.
     
  25. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 1, 2002
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    Itamar Ben-Gvir

    What about a 96 or 97 Euro SV ? - A car that never was exported to the U.S. That car had no shock lift system, airbags, and other accessories. It is lighter than the 98 and 99 SV.
     

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