I've got a chance to pick up an older diablo (93). It's a 2wd model. It has a new clutch, tensioner update done, larger wires, stainless sport exhaust and SV decklid (although not hooked up for the air intakes). Has 18K on it, new rubber all around. Water pump has been replaced within the last 6 months. Local car, checks out w/ carfax (which doesn't mean much).
18K and it already has a new clutch? WTF is with these Lambos and their clutches? My Viper clutch has 90K on it an I guarantee I've driven it as hard as any Lambo has been driven.
I love the look of the Diablo and the Murc but I'm getting bad vibes about reliability.
Some Lambo clutches last for years. It's a matter of who is driving the car. They are really stiff clutches and therefore it is very easy to slip the clutch more than normal thus disk wear occurs faster than normal.
What I don't like about the early models?
1- No power steering
2- Windows go down half way and that's it.
3- no A/C (on most)
4- 492 bhp motor has no variable valve timing which makes low rpm driving more of a hassle.
Some Lambo clutches last for years. It's a matter of who is driving the car. They are really stiff clutches and therefore it is very easy to slip the clutch more than normal thus disk wear occurs faster than normal.
What I don't like about the early models?
1- No power steering
2- Windows go down half way and that's it.
3- no A/C (on most)
4- 492 bhp motor has no variable valve timing which makes low rpm driving more of a hassle.
I thought it did have AC. Is the power steering really an isue at low speeds? I've been in a 91, but didn't find it too "truck like" when parking Of course, most of my experience was taking it down the highway a few times, and through a quick neighborhood jaunt on the way back to the garage. The manual box on my lotus was a BITCH though.
Windows didn't bother me much.. I mean, how often do you cruise w/ them down anymore? Now, if it doesn't have AC, I can see the problem.
The clutch was replaced since the car sat for like 2 years. I don't know all the specifics. Allan said a clutch can last up to 70K miles, if you use it regularly and don't drop it and do a 5K RPM burnout at every stop light [img]/images/graemlins/smiles[/img]
The clutch was replaced since the car sat for like 2 years. I don't know all the specifics. Allan said a clutch can last up to 70K miles, if you use it regularly and don't drop it and do a 5K RPM burnout at every stop light [img]/images/graemlins/smiles[/img]
Do you really think thats the case? Ive heard nothing but horror stories about the clutches on early model diablos.
I've only driven one Diablo SV and it was a friend and Viper owner who doesn't frequent this board. His name is Jeff Ellison who lives here in Austin. He sold it quite a while back. I remember it spending much time being shipped to Springfield, Missouri for service a few times and the look on the tech's face when Jeff told him it was to be his daily driver! [img]/images/graemlins/laughing.gif[/img] The guy in the pic is not Jeff, btw. This pic was taken at a Houston Viperclub meeting in Galveston soon after VOI6.
I don't remember what he paid or even the year but here is a pic of it. Got more attention than my Viper. I know the clutch was replaced to the tune of $15K, maybe. The interior leather on the area behind the seat was peeling too.
I used my 99 VT roadster as daily driver with no problem. Put about 6000 miles on it.
Only mishap: the suspension panel system had a connector that came loose and would report errors and stuff. Just had to be tightened.
But that's a more recent model.
The diablo always felt more sluggish at the start than the viper. But as soon as it's rolling, it's a fury that won't quit.
They're sexy, and fast. If you're tall, they're also very uncomfortable. I'm 6'2" and my head was jammed into the roof the whole time I was crusing around in my friend's Diablo.
Some Lambo clutches last for years. It's a matter of who is driving the car. They are really stiff clutches and therefore it is very easy to slip the clutch more than normal thus disk wear occurs faster than normal.
What I don't like about the early models?
1- No power steering
2- Windows go down half way and that's it.
3- no A/C (on most)
4- 492 bhp motor has no variable valve timing which makes low rpm driving more of a hassle.
I thought it did have AC. Is the power steering really an isue at low speeds? I've been in a 91, but didn't find it too "truck like" when parking Of course, most of my experience was taking it down the highway a few times, and through a quick neighborhood jaunt on the way back to the garage. The manual box on my lotus was a BITCH though.
Windows didn't bother me much.. I mean, how often do you cruise w/ them down anymore? Now, if it doesn't have AC, I can see the problem.
The clutch was replaced since the car sat for like 2 years. I don't know all the specifics. Allan said a clutch can last up to 70K miles, if you use it regularly and don't drop it and do a 5K RPM burnout at every stop light [img]/images/graemlins/smiles[/img]
Thanks for the info paul.
MM
I had the Roadster so obviously I liked cruising with the windows down and top off. If it does have A/C, no problem other than it's uncomfortable to cruise with the windows half down. The P/S issue? If you're going to drive it a lot, you'll get tired of the armstrong steering. If you're on the highway a lot, I don't think it'll be a problem. The clutch issue on the Diablo is way overblown. If you abuse ANY clutch by excessive slipping or dumping it at high rpm, there will be problems. Drive it normally and I don't think you'll have a problem.
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