Anyone having experience with Diablo and Testarossa?

shamile? where has shamile been???

 

I've seen him over on F-Life once or twice. I think he had some issues with a thread (maybe more) in Silver and he left--shame, I miss his contributions, no one was a bigger advocate of the mighty TR.

 

AND the 19yo hotties!!!!

 

I've never driven a Diablo, but I have driven a Countach and I owned a Mondial.

The Testarossa driving experience is NOT very similar to the Mondial. The Testarossa is much more civilized, much quieter in stock form, and has about the same fit and finish as a fine Mercedes. Performance wise, it feels very similar to the Countach. The Testarossa is a torque monster. You can pull off from a light at 1200 RPM without stressing the car whatsoever. It launches with authority at any speed and can be deceivingly and sometimes diabolically fast. People in this country are too fixated on 0-60 times, by that standard the TR may not seem that fast, but its acceleration in gear, from say 40- 100mph and above that really impresses. I've accelerated past friends in modern high performance sports cars and they quipped it felt like they were standing still. I don't know why its so fast or at least seems so fast on an open road, maybe its the tall gearing, the instant torque, or the aero(?), but it absolutely and unequivocally hauls a$$.

IMHO, The testarossa is a true GT. On the highway and on sweepers, there is no more enjoyable Ferrari. Unfortunately, on tight back roads, it is one of my least favorites. Its just too wide and to heavy to be the dance partner a Mondial is.

The Mondial brakes far better and is much more nimble than the testarossa. Whereas the Mondial is flingable, the Testarossa is more "determined" and requires intense concentration and giant stones, to explore its potential on back roads... This can be rewarding, but not necessarily fun. Personally, I tend to just drive her at a leisurely pace.


Unlike the Testarossa, the Mondial is not very powerful by comparison and geared quite low so you can rev it up and enjoy it anywhere without really exceeding the speed limit.
In most driving situations, therefore, it is more entertaining. However, I must concede that I am also a firm believer that it is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

 

What a great write up. +1 for testarossa

 

I have both right now. I am on my 4th Testarossa and 3rd Diablo. Firstly, the Diablo is simply in a league of its own just from a cosmetics standpoint. You simply get noticed just about anywhere you go, I remember once at a gas station, I think I counted 11 cell phones taking pictures all at once. It was like a rock star was in town. Not so much with the Testarossa, much more "civilized".
Now on the driving comparison. They actually have that similar "wide ass" feel. You just know that there is a good amount of car behind you whenever you park or drive it aggressively.
Both have about the same feel on the road as far as comfort although you are in more of a laying down position in the Diablo whereas you are seated in the Testarossa, hence making forward visibility a lot easier in the TR. Rear visibility is about the same with the TR slightly easier again only because of more glass behind you. The Diablo has a stiffer suspension so you feel the bumps a little more than in the TR. On a long distance trip I would take the TR over the Diablo. However if I was going on a straight desert road for 100 miles without any speed limit, the choice would be obvious, the Diablo is simply made for that. Interior noise the Testarossa wins, the Diablo is more difficult to hold a phone conversation on a highway. Steering is about the same as they both have no power assist (My Diablo is the early 2WD).
Performance wise, the Diablo wins, much easier to pass anywhere anytime under any circumstance. The torque and power range of the Diablo is "supercar" like, not many cars can match it even today. The Testarossa is simply more refined and more subtle. I use the Testarossa as my daily driver, the Diablo is like a world class Italian prostitute you only want to take out on special occasions (hope my wife doesn't read this) although I have taken it to the grocery store several times. A plus is the scissor doors, you never have to worry about opening the door into a low curb, wall, etc.
I've always chosen the early Diablos due to their easier maintenance and better performance over the later ones like the VT's etc so I can only speak about the early cars, but as far as I know they are practically bulletproof cars and need very little maintenance if driven regularly, just like the TR's. It all comes down to prior ownership and care. A well maintained Diablo with recent clutch will give you no problems for years to come.

 

I can't speak to the diablo but I have a testarossa. I use it as a daily driver (been driving almost a month) and only stalled it twice in reverse ( think it had to do with the car being cold too) and never other than once when I thought I was in neutral. I thought I would stall it way more since I have never had a stick as a daily but it's really easy for me. I did learn on stick when I first got my license so I have some experience. Sometimes shifting is tough but a little force and it does it other times it shifts smooth, mine seems a bit temperamental, I just figure it's Italian.

 

what a shame. he is a great contributor and was always fun. i hope he returns here.

pcb

 

Actually you will find the clutch use very similar to your Mondial, so yes, the clutch is much easier than the Diablo for sure. This is one of the main reasons why I use the Testarossa as my daily driver, easy to drive. It is red, I will post photos soon.

 

I own both as well. I have posted my personal opinions before, here goes again.

Lamborghini Diablo:
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Ferrari Testarossa:
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