Shark01

Check your PM please

I would disagree to a point, having a lot in common with Doc. I think Ian is doing a lot of the right things on his journey. He is getting to know the cars and the people who own them. I think a topic like this is just another forward step. I asked maintenance cost information during my journey too. Its just part of running after the dangling carrot. My concern about Ian’s journey is the car he chose, for the same reasons I abandoned my thoughts of a Boxer. In 2-3 years, a rough driver Countach may be $500k, which is a TON of cash for regular working people. And its not just the purchase price, for people of regular means it might be their largest asset which creates its own issues. We already see less of them at car shows…..5 years ago there was always a Countach or two around, now they’re just garaged out of sight around here. At the Lamborghini experience last year, there was one Miura, one Countach, two Diablos…..and 100 or so Audi generation cars. I think the people recommending a Diablo are on the right track as they are still priced where regular working people can stretch and purchase one. And there is a lot to love about them. You can go from an early car that has similar driving characteristics to a Countach, or get a later car which has so many improvements but still has that classic Italian personality that was lost in the next generation. Plus the ability to get an open air car adds a level of fun that even Countach and Miura don’t have.

As a fellow poor Lamborghini owner (as you know) here is my philosophy: All these cars have needs that we can identify during a PPI or through observation. I put all these things on a list (my list has like $25k worth of stuff on it) and prioritize by need (as agreed to with my mechanic). I’m working to commit to spending $5k per year on these known issues, plus regular maintenance to pare the list down. Here is where I’m at now: 2014: $7,500 2015 (so far): $3,900 So then I’m left with gotchas and unknowns. I have a single “car” fund, that takes care of these unexpected repairs plus saving for new vehicles (DD and weekend). So any unexpected repairs will extend the purchase horizon for the next car. Hey look, worst case you can always park the car while saving for repair money…. So for all you guys that can pay a 5 figure service bill(s) without blinking an eye, pat yourselves on the back, you’ve made life your little biotch. You are the guys all of us aspire to be.

Not real fair at this point to ask Doc to put up or shut up based on his rate of funds accumulation versus the price escalation of a Countach. I think most of us realize he only has a punchers chance if prices remain as current, when a project car gets $250k or more that needs $150k in work. I really feel for the guy…..I have the same conundrum with a Ferrari Boxer. I’ll never get close at current prices and my saving rate. It will be cheaper to drown my sorrows in a 458 for $150k in a couple of years. I’m fortunate though that I like Diablos more than Countach, so don’t have Doc’s issue.

Glen at AMH.....think I paid about $400 for the pair. They come already coded for your car which is great

Yes I changed the batteries last year using those instructions.....takes 10 minutes going slowly. But I also bought 2 new fobs at the same time......HIGHLY recommend you have a spare

I know who Ian is referring to, and he is correct...definate expert and that is his opinion. Ian, You owe it to yourself to jump through as many hoops as you need to in order to vet this out.....as you know, cars CLOSE to your price range are few and far between. Hop on a plane tomorrow with a cashiers check for $100k (and maybe a $20k backup). Money will talk when you're in front of them with cash. look the car over when there and if its viable close the deal. Don't BS around...go see it yourself.

Wait, you're not all bitter? Look at the name calling....including the mis-spelling.

LOL....bitter much? Marcello Gandini designed the Diablo, and Tom Gale smoothed some rough edges....thats it...and the result was spactacular, a beautiful design that has great curves. And yes, the Murcielago design is bland and looks too much like a Gallardo And what's wrong with a Belgian designer? Name other famous Belgian car designers. And he wasn't kept employed for the Aventador design, which was much improved.

Definate swing and miss for alot of us.....Audi's first try at supercar design, using a Belgian designer, resulted in sleek but bland designs.....with a major WTF on the roadster top. Yes, they sold alot of cars (goodbye exclusivity), and yes saved the company name but lost alot of the Italian DNA.

Don't know about everyone but the guys I've assisted are buying them for the right reasons. Its more a matter that they buy the cars now before they escalate past what normal guys can pull together. One guy said very wisely that the market for a $100k car is quite different than that for a $200k one..... I'm a regular guy, work a 9-5 for an employer, etc. I find most years I can put away $15k in a car fund that doesn't interfere with family obligations. So I 'm willing to save for 6-7 years for a $100k car......and cannot even consider in my wildest dreams a $300k car.

The rise is WAY more dramatic than that. In January 2014 I ran a PPI on a '98 roadster with higher miles (27k), and the negotiated price was $100k flat. Good car too. What has fueled it is how well vintage Ferraris have done (every media market reports on it), and the smart people are looking for what's next. And roadsters are very rare, less than 500 worldwide. And what's not to like? Hand built, modern power, vintage feel, well received by the public, and the top comes off!!!

There have been in excess of 10 confimed roadster sales in the past 2-3 months, one week saw 5 sold....and I participated in a couple as mentor for new owners. The best buy I've seen during that timeframe was a Millenium car for $180k. Sold in 3 days. You better be prepared to pay $175k for a good '97 or '98 roadster and around $200k for a '99. That was the market 6 weeks ago, I'm hearing there has been additional movement since but you might be able to secure a car for those figures even now. You throw up a wanted thread for those prices and I bet you get nibbles. Just got back from a drive in my '99......top off, 50 degrees and sunny. Every drive is an occasion, can't beat it.

When I read your posts its a shame because its clear you have so much passion for this model. I know you have been looking for a wrecked one, and you said once your budget was like $175k.....are you making any financial headway towards maybe a needy driver level car instead? What would it take to acquire a needy driver car? Maybe $300k? Maybe Joe Sackey can help you find one?

You're off a digit on Diablo production.....more like 2,883