Lamborghini Diablo

I've owned this 1997 Lamborghini Diablo SV for a little over 6½ years. As of today, it has nearly 84,000 km on it, which is probably one of the highest mileages for a Diablo SV still on the road. And unlike many of these cars that spend their lives in a garage, mine gets driven regularly. I drive it to work, run errands, take it to events, and my wife also drives it whenever she feels like it.

For me, the Diablo is a childhood dream. I was lucky enough to drive one when I was about 18, thanks to a close friend, and I fell in love with the car. When the opportunity to buy this one came up in 2019, I didn’t hesitate for long.

What I like most is that it remains a true, old-school supercar. Every drive is an event. The V12 is fabulous, the intake roars right behind your head, and the driving experience is authentic. Even after all these years, starting this car still puts a smile on my face.

Of course, living with a Diablo isn't always easy. Rear visibility is practically nonexistent, the turning radius is terrible, and parking takes a bit of experience. But honestly, we'll forgive it for everything.

When it comes to maintenance, you have to be realistic: these cars require a significant budget. Annual maintenance is essential, and certain repairs can be very expensive. When I bought mine, I had to replace the cylinder head gaskets as well as a significant portion of the engine. This isn’t a car you can own on a shoestring budget.

Despite the skyrocketing prices in recent years, I still drive it as much as possible. A lot of people ask me if I’m worried about racking up so many kilometers on a car that’s become highly sought after. The answer is no. The joy I get from it is worth far more than its market value. A car like this is meant to be driven, not to sit under a cover in a garage.

If I had to give one piece of advice to someone who dreams of owning a Diablo, it would be simple: if you can reasonably afford it, go for it. Don’t go into debt for a car, but don’t put your dreams on hold either. The memories you’ll make behind the wheel of a car like this are priceless.

I've owned this 1991 Lamborghini Diablo for a few years now, and honestly, it's the car I dreamed of as a kid. Like many car enthusiasts from the '90s, I had a poster of a Diablo on my bedroom wall. When the opportunity arose to buy one, I knew it probably wasn’t the most sensible decision, but I went for it anyway. I’ve never regretted it.

What I particularly love about this model is that it’s one of the very first Diablos. No all-wheel drive, no power steering, no ABS, no airbags. It’s a completely raw car. Some might say it’s trying to kill you; I’d say it forces you to drive. It’s impossible to check your phone or let your mind wander behind the wheel. Every kilometer demands your full attention, and that’s exactly what makes the experience so special.

Mine is white with a beige interior—an absolutely iconic combination. As soon as I saw it in its former owner’s garage, I knew I’d be driving it home. No matter what flaws it had or what people said about its condition, that was the car I wanted.

Contrary to what many people think, owning a Diablo isn't as complicated as you might imagine. Mechanically, they're relatively simple cars. I’m a mechanic by trade, and I do most of the maintenance myself. Once you understand how they work, they’re actually pretty straightforward to maintain.

Of course, it has its flaws. The clutch is extremely heavy, visibility isn't ideal, and the driving position can feel a bit odd at times. But it's precisely these imperfections that give it its character. Modern cars are objectively better in almost every respect, but none of them offer that same mechanical, visceral feeling.

The V12 is simply fantastic. Paired with a Capristo exhaust, it produces an incredible sound without being overly loud. Every time you accelerate, you’re reminded why the Diablo has become a legend.

If I had to sum up the Diablo in one sentence, I'd say it's imperfect in the best possible way. It's a car that demands effort, makes a lot of noise, smells like gas, and turns heads wherever it goes. But that's also why we love it.