F512M or Diablo 6.0VT

Like yourself, both these cars are dreamcars for me, both are amazing in their own way, since the 6.0 is newer of the 2 I'd recommend that for the sole reason that it might be more reliable to run especially since alot of the modifications done following Audi's takeover made it easier to live with, IMHO the 6.0 was the swan song for truly Italian Exotics generally speaking and it oozes its Italian Heritage from every inch of its design, engine and instrumentation, following that all exotics seem to be too globalized and have lost their "Italianess"

The choice here is Monica Bellucci or Charlize Theron, dammit either way you're one lucky sob

S

 

My Testarossa told me that this is a better car to drive and to play with. Better view, better handling & .etter sound

My Diablo is a good car too, very quick straight line acceleration, when it comes to corners, better step on the brakes earlier. The back end feels so heavy and steering is not as good as a Ferrari which you really have control over.

If i were to choose, I would go for the Ferrari. One thing the Ferrari can't match are the doors, if you want head turners, the Diablo will def get you more, even more if you dare to open UP the dorrs while driving. LOL

 

+1

The Lambo will probably turn more heads but the TR is easier to live with.

 

Both are really great cars. The 6.0 is actually very easy to drive. By far the easiest of all the Diablos. It is also a good bit faster than an M car.
The 512M is better all around car. You can drive it everyday if you like. I put a lot of miles on mine, even did a Gumball in it and it was bullet proof. The only meekness of the car is that if you put a little extra power in it (I had exhaust, headers, ECU) the input shaft in the transmission will eventually fail. I'm sure all the other TR guys here who have modified their cars can confirm.

Bottom line is you cant go wrong with either car.

 

Not exactly apples to apples...But, a few years back i flew to Lambo of Dallas to P/U a 6.0, deal was struck, just wanted to test drive it and see it in person before i wired the money...

Well long story short, i did leave with a car, however it was a 93 512TR!!

After driving both cars, as posted previously, the TR was much more liveable/user friendly. The 6.0 has the WOW factor, but for actual driving, the Ferrari is an easier car to live with.

In any case you wont go wrong with the M or the 6.0...just 2 different animals altogether. It really depends on what you are looking for in an exotic...Both cars will hold/if not increase in value over time.

 

Hi Fellow Member,

Seems like you have an hard task to deal with.. If I were you I would experience an F512M.. Drive it live with it and within an year if you decide to sell it you can still get your money out of it.. Food for thought.. After that you can always get into the Diablo 6.0 VT... Its just finding an good quality F512M are harder to come by..
john

 

This may not be the best feedback since i have a 91TR and a 01 6.0. I have never driven an M, however, I can tell you that the 6.0 feels decades ahead of the TR. Much more civilized interior and functionality, however, truly unbelievable performance. Audi did an amazing job with the last diablos.

The ride is more refined with the TR, but it is not raw enough to be a supercar. I can't see driving either of these every day. In Denver, traffic and the roads are horrible. So, when I do get an opportunity to drive them, the diablo provides a very different experience to the TR. If I am looking for a highway cruise or a longer trip, I go with the Ferrari. The Lambo is a tighter fit, much more exotic, and unfortunately gets way much more attention, which can be a PITA!

If I was left with 1 toy that I could keep, I would without a doubt keep the diablo. The grin factor is infectious, along with the experience every time I drive it.

See if you can drive both for at least 10 miles, some in traffic and go from there. You can't go wrong with either, but the TR or the M cannot keep up visually with the 6.0 (the hottest diablo, except the SE30, GT, GTR, but that's another ball game).

Good luck,

Alex

01 Diablo 6.0
97 Porches C2S
91 Ferrari TR
91 Porsche c2 Cab

 

Diablo!..

 

A friend of mine owns a 2001 VT (US version) and when we were going for a drive the other day I was quite amazed to see my 550 matched the performance without blinking. His car should be faster (lighter + more bhp), but I blame the combination of a sports exhaust on mine and the US restrictive exhaust on his for this result. Still, it's pretty special to see a GT keep up with a Supercar.

Can't wait for the next drive when he'll have a sports exhaust fitted.

BTW, if you buy a Diablo be prepared for attention WHEREVER you go. My friend can't even get out of the car before the crowd has gathered. It would be too much for me, as much as I love the Diablo.


Onno

 

Had a 512TR, can say that it is truly a great car, very easy to drive. I have not driven an earlier TR, but the 512 is said to be a pretty big jump. My bias will come from not liking the look of the 512M.

The 512 may be the "better" car. The diablo is more exotic. I would choose the diablo every time, hands down. Unless you are planning to use it daily (which neither is good for) the diablo is just going to be an occasion every time you turn the key.

 

Yep, that's me. I took it on the 2002 Gumball.

Keith

 

I can't comment on the actual results of a 550 keeping up with a 6.0, but that seems highly unlikely. Read the Motortrend article back from 2001. The diablo was in the 3s 0-60, 1/4 in 11.8 or 11.8. 550 did 0-60 in the 4s and 1/2 in the mid to hi 12s. Based on that, a diablo 6.0 will eat a 550 for lunch. I had an exhaust put on mine and against 996 turbo, it is just silly even at high altitude.

But then again, who really races these cars? I know you will be in jail instantly if you get pulled over. Doesn't take long to be in the illegal zone.

Cheers.

Alex

 

Dear Ferraristi,

B512M,

Such a dilemma.....

As y'all know, I drive a 91 Testarossa and a 97.5 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster. Both are driven as everyday daily drivers ( work groceries etc ) regardless of the weather. I love both cars passionately and would have a hard time choosing one over the other.


Testarossa ( M in your case )

-smooth acceleration ( power at all rpm )

-Ferrari Heritage

-Miami Vice affialiation ( yes, it matters to some...me )

-most extravagant regular production Ferrari

-reliable

-excellent eronomics

-large trunk

-great daily driver


Lamborghini Diablo

-the doors ! ( no, the novelity never wears off )

- most insane exotic on planet

-interior matches exterior exotic nature

-good switchgear (VDO)

- super wide tires

-cocky wing

- realiable....at a very high price


The Testarossa is a very well engineered car. In FL. where it gets hot, the oil and coolant temps never get past operating temp. All the accessory items like starter alt. and Ac are mounted away from high heat areas and last longer. The headers are well built and you'll never need to address them. The car was designed to alleviate heat....they really put alot of effort in getting heat out of the engine bay = reliability. The only time you'll do an engine out is pretty much for the timing belts and water pump. Most everything else is accessible without pulling the engine including the clutch.

Some say the styling is dated....but it was an icon for it's time and to me is why I love the car....grew up on Miami Vice ( I know, I know, you've all heard me say it a million times ) Honestly, It's why I drive the car. If I didn't have my TR, I would buy another Lamborghini....no other F car interests me. I love over-the-top styling and no other Ferrari can touch the Testarossa in that regard.

Over the top you say???

Ok, for that, nothing can touch a Lamborghini Diablo. The wild and wide body style just makes your jaw drop. The Diablo is 2" wider than a TR + tires to match. Out of the back sticks out a big exhaust, exposed pipes and all and to top it off, a big a$$ wing to say if you're not looking at me....you're blind!

The car is all angles and brutal in definition. It doesn't please you with graceful curves but screams at you with it's harshness. This car is like no other on the road...and everyone else knows it. Open the doors and pandimonium ! Just try getting out of the gas station.

The car is reliable but will cost you. Even though you don't have timing belts to constantly chase after, all the other maintenance costs will come to about the same of a TR.....read expensive. But if you can bear the cost, the car will reward you with neck snapping acceleration and the feel of a rocket. Driving the Diablo is an occasion. I've never driven anything like it. Yes, I drive mine everyday regardless of weather....again errands, work groceries etc. I will say, the Diablo is better for picking up chicks....they just want to say they sat in a " Lamborghini"

Are you sure you want a 6.0? I drive a roadster which is more rare and is more "bling" . The 6.0 started removing all the angles and started smoothing off all the body work. I prefer the "jetfighter" dash and more "Italian" look of the pre 6.0 . Yes, I agree, the 6.0 is probably more reliable, but I know of Kev99SV on the Lambo boards who had an SV and a 6.0. He sold the 6.0 just because he prefered his SV.

If I had to choose....I'd go with the Lamborghini. Both can be used as daily drivers and both cars are almost exactly the same overall size. It just depends on your personality. If you don't mind showing the car to people everywhere you stop, the Lambo will test your patience. Don't expect good gas mileage...the lambo gets 9/13 mpg while the TR gets 10/19 mpg......but 500 hp in the lambo is going to cost you somewhere.

Good luck in your dilemma !


If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post them.


Shamile

Freeze....Miami Vice !
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Hey shamile,

I don't know the #2 b/w roadster and 6.0 offhand, but I think it's personal taste and that the 6.0 may be more highly regarded in the Lambo world. The 6.0 to me, is so much more refined and makes for a much more reliable and fun factor experience. Hey, but that's just me. We are allowed to disagree on the particular model, but in the end, at least, you and I do agree that a TR just can't stand up to a Diablo, period.

Alex

 

Cafebisque,

I think you misunderstood my post. I wasn't bashing the 6.0...just offering an alternative. A VT Roadster is in the same price range if not more than a 6.0 so price isn't a factor. I agree with you that it is just a matter of taste. I just like the bodystyle of the roadster....a little more outrageous.


Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !

 

Shamile,

I didn't take it personally. Hey you and I are fairly few that have both and can provide a personal view from our experience. Price points, however I think that a clean, maintained, and serviced 6.0 will run higher than a similiar condition roadster based on my experience. I was just led towards staying away from the roadster because our roads truly suck, and the roof is not all that solid once mounted over the hood. But, I never had a chance to see for myself.

 

wow,

you actually know how many exotics are in your country.....very small group. I guess the whole country of owners could go for a drive together.



Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !

 

Dear Ferraristi,

Not to beat the dead horse....

I've seen 6.0's ( not special editions ) go from 150k to about 205K. I've seen roadsters go from 160K to 230K . Ok, this is asking...what they sold for is another story.

On the roadster roof:

The roof once on the back of the car is held by two front steel pins and locks into the rear portion of the engine cover by vacuum activated locks. The lock is prepositioned closed and uses a vacuum actuators to release the hood. You cannot pull it off ( no matter how hard you pull ) with out releasing the lock.

The roof on the car has a good seal and clamps down with a very snug fit. Going over railroad tracks or uneven roads, the roof will creek and groan.

BTW, cafebisque, this post is being written without an attitude and in good fun.


Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !

 

Hey shamile,

I hear you completely. You were the one who pushed me over the edge to buy the diablo anyway. And thanks by the way. Best car experience in my life. Although driving the Carrera GT was pretty awesome. I just don't think I can deal with that damn clutch in traffic. It's all or nothing, PITA!! But never say never, right. Some day, maybe!! Got to get a bigger garage first, but then, kids to need to go to college eventually, right??

Cheers.