John Cena, famous for his wrestling career and acting, also has a big love for cars. But like many car enthusiasts, not every purchase he made turned out to be gold standard. During an interview on the podcast “Club Shay Shay,” Cena opened up about what he calls his worst purchase ever – a replica Lamborghini Diablo. What followed was a two-decade-long headache that taught him some valuable lessons about cars, money, and taking shortcuts.
Why John Cena Bought A Lamborghini Diablo Replica?
Cena’s love for cars is well-known, but the story behind his decision to buy a Lamborghini Diablo replica instead of the real thing is a bit surprising.
Back in the early 2000s, Cena was just starting to make a name for himself in WWE, and while he was earning more money than before, he wasn’t ready to splurge on a genuine Lamborghini. “I didn’t want to spring for a Lamborghini,” Cena explained in the podcast, so he opted for a cheaper alternative. He found a company that could build him a Diablo replica, a car that would look like a Lamborghini but cost a lot less.
The replica Lamborghini Diablo Cena bought wasn’t a typical imitation. It was more like a patchwork project, with a body designed to resemble the sleek, sporty look of a Diablo but powered by a BMW V12 engine. However, this wasn’t just a straightforward engine swap. Cena revealed that the engine was put together using parts from two Chevy V6 engines, which created a whole host of mechanical problems that would haunt him for years.
Bad engine choice for John Cena’s Replica Lamborghini Diablo?
The engine choice itself is quite interesting. The BMW V12, probably an M70 or M73, is a 5.0 to 5.4-liter engine that was used in BMW’s luxury models like the 7 Series and 8 Series back in the late 80s and 90s.
While it’s a powerful and smooth engine, it wasn’t a good fit for a Lamborghini replica. The original Diablo came with a high-revving V12 engine designed by Lamborghini, known for its unique sound and performance. The BMW V12, although strong, didn’t have the same characteristics, and with the addition of random Chevy parts, the car became an unreliable mess.
When Cena ordered the car, he thought he’d get it in a reasonable amount of time, but things quickly turned into a nightmare. The car took over two years to be delivered, and even when it finally arrived, it was far from ready to drive. It wouldn’t go into gear, and the mismatched engine setup caused endless confusion and dysfunction. Cena described the car as a disaster, saying it wasn’t even safe to take on the road.
A 20-Year Quest to Make the Car Work
After receiving the car, Cena embarked on what would become a 20-year journey to make it drivable. Right from the start, it was clear he had been swindled. The replica wasn’t just a cheap alternative; it was a fundamentally flawed vehicle. Over the years, Cena sent the car to ten different shops, each trying and failing to fix its numerous problems.
The car’s issues weren’t only mechanical. Cena also had trouble getting it registered because it wasn’t clear what kind of vehicle it was. It looked like a Lamborghini, but under the hood, it was a strange mix of parts from different cars. He even had to rely on friends with connections just to get it legally titled.
The High Cost of a Cheap Car
By the time Cena finally got the car working, he had spent more money than the cost of an actual Lamborghini Diablo. “I have the cost of about a real Roadster and a half into this kit car,” Cena said, reflecting on his expensive mistake. This experience taught him a big lesson about trying to cut corners: “If you take shortcuts, you’re going to get what you pay for.”
Despite the huge financial loss, Cena doesn’t see the purchase as a complete regret. He views it as a learning experience and a journey that introduced him to all kinds of people in the car repair world, from shady mechanics to genuinely skilled and honest ones. He now has a greater appreciation for good mechanics and honest work because of what he went through.
After He Received The Final Product: Was It Worth It?
Image source: johncena / Instagram
After nearly 20 years, Cena’s Lamborghini Diablo replica is finally in working condition. According to him, the car now looks and runs great, thanks to the efforts of the last shop that worked on it. It’s a testament to his persistence and passion, but whether it was worth all the hassle and expense is another question entirely.
For car enthusiasts, Cena’s story serves as a warning. Authenticity in car collecting and driving isn’t just about how a car looks. The feel, the sound, and the engineering are just as important. A Lamborghini isn’t just a shape; it’s a finely tuned machine built with precision. Cena’s replica, while it may look like a Diablo, lacked the true essence of what makes a Lamborghini special for many years.
John Cena’s Replica Lamborghini Diablo: Our take
John Cena’s experience with his Lamborghini Diablo replica is a story full of frustration, financial loss, and ultimately, learning. It highlights the dangers of cutting corners, especially in the world of cars where quality and authenticity often come at a high price.
For Cena, this car is a reminder of his passion for automobiles and the lengths he’s willing to go to indulge that passion, even if it means enduring a 20-year ordeal. As he sees it, there are valuable lessons in every experience, even the costly ones. For car lovers, Cena’s tale is a powerful reminder to value the real deal and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as they might end up costing more than they’re worth in the long run.
