Lamborghini Aventador

I've owned this 2021 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster for just one month, and even though it might come as a surprise, I'm already thinking about selling it.

Let's be clear: this is an incredible car. The design is spectacular, the butterfly doors always turn heads, and the naturally aspirated V12 is probably one of the best things Lamborghini has ever produced. Every time you start it up is an event. But owning a car and enjoying driving it are sometimes two different things.

The main reason I bought it? The color. I literally bought this SVJ because I fell in love with that Verde Hermes shade. I hadn't specifically planned on buying an Aventador, but when I saw this configuration, I couldn't resist.

After a month of driving it, I’ve realized that this is probably the car that attracts the most attention out of my entire collection—more than my Ferraris, more than my Porsches. As soon as I drive it, everyone stares, takes pictures, or asks questions. If you’re looking for the supercar that turns the most heads, it’s hard to find a better one.

Where things get complicated is behind the wheel. Unlike many enthusiasts, I generally prefer mid-engine Ferraris or Lamborghini Huracáns. I’ve owned a supercharged Huracán 610-4 and a Huracán STO, and I find these cars more enjoyable to drive on a daily basis. They’re more compact, lighter, and more intuitive.

The Aventador SVJ is incredibly spectacular, but it demands more from the driver. The single-clutch automatic transmission remains rough, even if that’s part of its character. You also feel the car’s weight more. Compared to a Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta or even a Huracán, it feels less agile and more imposing.

That's probably the best way I can sum it up: I love looking at it, I love its engine and its style, but it's not necessarily the car I'd instinctively choose when I feel like going for a fun drive. It offers more of an experience than a true driving pleasure, at least according to my personal tastes.

That doesn't mean it's a bad car—quite the opposite. I even think the SVJs will continue to appreciate in value thanks to their naturally aspirated V12 engine, which has become a rarity in today's automotive industry. For a collector, it's probably an excellent purchase.

But personally, I prefer to own cars that I’m constantly eager to take out of the garage. And right now, even though the SVJ is fascinating, it doesn’t make me want to get behind the wheel as much as some of the other cars in my collection. That’s probably why it won’t be staying with me for long.

I’ve owned this 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 for just a short while, and honestly, I still can’t quite believe it’s in my garage. Ten years ago, I spent my days on the streets of London photographing cars like this. Now, I own one.

The funny thing is, I wasn't even looking for an Aventador. I was actually after a Mercedes SLS AMG, or maybe even a Ferrari F12. Then this one popped up at an online auction. I was in the bath when the auction was ending, and a few minutes later, I was shouting to my fiancée that I’d just bought a Lamborghini. It was completely crazy.

The car is a first-generation LP700-4 in its stunning Arancio Argos orange. To me, it’s the perfect configuration. It’s the Aventador you saw everywhere in the 2010s, the one featured on posters and wallpapers.

Behind the wheel, the naturally aspirated V12 is absolutely exceptional. Even today, few cars offer such a dramatic driving experience. Acceleration is fierce, and the sound is incredible. I recently clocked a 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds on a track, and the car continues to accelerate with disconcerting ease well beyond the speed limit.

Contrary to some rumors, reliability has been excellent so far. I’ve only encountered one faulty exhaust sensor, a known issue with these models. Other than that, the car has required only routine maintenance. I had expected hefty bills when I bought a Lamborghini that was over ten years old, but it has turned out to be much less expensive than I imagined.

I also appreciate the fact that it’s completely stock. No flashy exhaust, no body kit, no excessive modifications. The Aventador doesn’t need any of that. Even with the stock exhaust, it already attracts all the attention it can get.

What strikes me most are people's reactions. Children press their faces against car windows to look at it, passersby ask to take photos, and every gas station turns into an impromptu gathering. It evokes a special feeling that few modern cars still manage to provide.

Of course, it's not perfect. The ISR automated transmission can be a bit jerky at times, and London’s narrow streets require careful driving. But it’s also these little quirks that give the car its character. You don’t drive an Aventador for its practicality. You drive it because it delivers a thrill every time you start it up.

I realize just how lucky I am to own a car like this. It represents years of hard work, passion, and dedication to my career. Every time the butterfly doors open, I still feel like I'm living a dream.