Posts: 269
My VIN: 6272 10638 17158
Location: Atlanta OTP GA
Posts: 7,084
My VIN: 2743
Club(s): (SEDOC) (DCH) (DCUK) (DOC-UK)
The real "trouble free" ones, are the ones parked in the garage 10 years ago and haven't given a minute of trouble since.
Dermot
VIN 2743, B/A, Frame 2227, engine 2320
I don't always drive cars, but when I do, I prefer DeLoreans
http://www.will-to-live.org
No-one is to stone anyone, even, and I want to make this absolutely clear, even if they do say "carburetor"
I haven't had any trouble with mine since selling it. But I must love trouble because I'm still looking for my second....Ah, the addiction is real
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 490
My VIN: 04194: 5-Speed, Black Int, 79 Peugeot 604 Manifold, 05052: 5-Speed, Gray Int, 78 Peugeot 604 manifol
With proper maintenance and routine inspection a DeLorean can be a trouble-free car. During driving season, I make it a point to check the fluids and tire pressures every week. I also do a visual check of belts and engine compartment hoses every fill-up. At each oil change I do a visual check under the car and a shake down of the front end. It's amazing how a simple inspection can identify potential problems before they begin. I've also noticed that my Delorean's reliability has an inverse relationship with the number of spare parts and tools that I carry. Hence, a trunkful of spare parts and tools results in a more reliable Delorean. In contrast, if I leave my spare alternator in my other DeLorean, the alternator will likely fail 50 miles from home ;-)
Andrew
4194 Since 7/98
5052 Since 7/14
1972 Buick Riviera
1974 Bricklin SV-1 177
1982 AMC Eagle SX/4 (4.2 I6, 4 Speed)
1983 Pontiac Trans Am (Knight Rider Conversion in progress)
1985 Oldsmobile Toronado (daily driver)
Solex carb and antenna television guru.
"My carbon footprint is bigger than yours!" :-)
Posts: 4,807
My VIN: 3937
Completely agree with what Michael and Andrew (and Dermot!) said about trouble free and reliability.
The cars get more reliable the more you use them, most of us understand this. What can get new owners in trouble (pardon the pun) is when they don't understand or "know" their car, because of no time behind the wheel, or no time doing the repairs themselves, and they don't pick up on small and subtle changes in the way things sound or feel.
It is just a car, but the better you know your own, the more likely I think it is that any trouble you might have is of the minor variety. Big problems generally come to those that just write a cheque for the best car they can find and then hand it off to a mechanic they know to sort it out.
That kind of "recipe for disaster" (and this is just my opinion) is what happens when someone shows up new, gets a car, and then just as promptly disappears. Catch 22 of sorts in that in order to have some luck with these cars long term, you have to have some long term experience with them, and specifically the one you drive yourself.
Patience, time, money, minimal nagging from your peanut gallery and a substantial vocabulary of swear words is what I think the winning recipe is with these cars.
Sept. 81, auto, black interior
Posts: 269
My VIN: 6272 10638 17158
I never said they aren't reliable cars, none of mine have ever left me stranded. I also never said major break down, but a delorean (like any old car) always seems to want something, even if you just want to tinker or adjust something. Thus imo never "trouble free"
Location: Taylors SC
Posts: 5,326
My VIN: (former)05429
Club(s): (DMWC) (DCUK)
The trouble is free. It's fixing the trouble that costs money.
Dave S
DMC Midwest - retired but helping
Greenville SC
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 3,385
My VIN: thirty two 'o five
Club(s): (PNDC)
All cars are money pits.
Dave
Here, somewhere.
Location: Florida
Posts: 32
My VIN: Proto 1 and many other amazing Deloreans
Club(s): (DCF)
Mike Fiore
Gulfcoast Motorworks, Delorean Division
www.gulfcoastmotorworks.com
28701 Trails Edge Blvd
Bonita Springs, FL. 34134
239-495-8550
239-405-7253