help for a complete Delorean newbie trying to spend between $35k-$48k

[tommyrich]

Here is an idea...how about one of you sell me your well maintained car and then you get the joy of starting another project!

I tried

[NightFlyer]

all great advice.

I loved the analogy of the 50 year old women. Although, after they have had more cosmetic work done, they are usually more fun to drive. Wait..am I talking about cars? hmm.

If plastic and botox floats your boat, so be it, but I prefer 100% au natural beauty

I agree on the value of the stage 2. I think the total cost is about $6k...and I figured if it was getting a rebuild, might as well do it right. I have a friend that had one done by dmc texas and he really likes it much more than without it. I recognize that it doesn't add a ton of value, if any.

If you're looking at spending that kind of money, IMHO, you'd do yourself a great dis-service if you don't at least test drive both versions first. Case in point - the supposedly high performance Nology ignition system that used to be included in the Stage II packages actually caused a loss of power over the stock low-voltage Bosch ignition system.

I'd love to find a great shape private car and spend the money as I go. I saw dracula's sold a few weeks ago. that would have been perfect. But, I was a little late to the hunt.

I've seen a few for sale, but they were all pretty rough. $25k for one with not much maintenance and loads of oil leaks. I've been keeping my eyes open, but haven't seen anything. If anybody knows of anything, let me know.

And thanks for the offers to check out the car and all the advice. forums like this are what makes owning something like this worthwhile. If any of you ever need any homebuilding or pool building advice, please don't hesitate to reach out to me!

As for pool advice - any tips on how to repair a leaking main drain on a vinyl lined in-ground without taking out the liner?

Here is an idea...how about one of you sell me your well maintained car and then you get the joy of starting another project!

tony

One's currently on the market that you may want to check out if you haven't already:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...69478177&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...60650904&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...46504292&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...68103044&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...52782451&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...42939708&Log=0

http://classiccars.com/listings/view...-florida-32837

http://classiccars.com/listings/view...lifornia-92101

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/4410856221.html This car is right down the road from where I am. If you're serious, I can evaluate it for you. Just PM me. Based on the ad, I think this is very promising for what you're looking for.

http://tradenetclassics.com/vdp.php?...2012-&id=73326

http://vacaville-ca.geebo.com/vehicl...lorean_dmc_12/

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/...d/1639527.html

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...=HA0414-179237

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/...2/1639446.html

http://classiccars.com/listings/view...-indiana-46706

http://www.2buycars.net/Listing.asp?Listing=61371

http://www.webstreetcars.com/anticca...s.php?RID=1162

http://www.oldridetrader.com/listing-detail/?theid=209# Looks like it could be a GREAT deal.

http://www.oldcaronline.com/1981-Del...e-ID620499.htm

http://www.webstreetcars.com/anticca...s.php?RID=1756

http://www.webstreetcars.com/anticca...ls.php?RID=884

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/cl...ationId=762931

And don't forget about the many great cars listed for sale on this forum!

[acaciolo]

tommyrich, you did! and thank you for all the help! I owe you at least a beer or three.

Nightflyer, it is actually silicone, not plastic. thanks for all the amazing advice and links. I've seen some of those ads, but not all. I'll be checking them out.

regarding the drain...I am a concrete guy, not vinyl. so I don't know much about that. but if there is a broken pipe in the main drain (which is usually impossible to fix) there is a pipe that can snake through the existing pipe that works great. It saved my ass once.

http://www.pipesdownunder.com/

gonna check out those links now.

tony

[NightFlyer]

Nightflyer, it is actually silicone, not plastic.

Forgive me - I stand corrected

thanks for all the amazing advice and links. I've seen some of those ads, but not all. I'll be checking them out.

I know that there's at least one Stage II car in there, if not two.

regarding the drain...I am a concrete guy, not vinyl. so I don't know much about that. but if there is a broken pipe in the main drain (which is usually impossible to fix) there is a pipe that can snake through the existing pipe that works great. It saved my ass once.

http://www.pipesdownunder.com/

I'll definitely check that out - thanks!

gonna check out those links now.

tony

Like I said, if you want me to evaluate a car for you that's near me - I'm more than happy to assist. You contact the seller, get all your questions answered up-front, and then tell them that you'd like a local agent to check out the car for you. You can even fly in, I'll pick you up at a local airport, and we can evaluate the car together, if you prefer. Here's an example of a recent assessment that I did (albeit for a tire kicker - ugh, don't remind me):

http://www.dmctoday.com/showthread.p...ull=1#post6027

[Rich_NYS]

He helped me assess my car & I'm very happy with the result.


BTW, Silicone is way oldschool, guys....I think these days it's saline or a mixture of something else so you're both wrong -LOL!

[NightFlyer]

He helped me assess my car & I'm very happy with the result.

Glad I could help

BTW, Silicone is way oldschool, guys....I think these days it's saline or a mixture of something else so you're both wrong -LOL!

[Flicky]

My opinion would be to get a DPI car. The reason for this is that both ways you are looking to drop 10K over 2 to 3 years. I'm going to say there is a 50% chance that you will sell the car after 3 years. If you get the DPI car, you START with the exact car you want and get to use up a nice fresh car over the time that you will most enjoy it (the first 3 years). If more high quality restored D's are out there, it actually helps the value of all cars go up. Selling any cool car privately sucks big time, that is why the owners just give up and sell them for 5 to 10K under the actual value, or sell them to their friends and we never see them on the open market.

Now explore the other option of building up a private car. 1) over pay for the car from the start because even with help there will likely be something bad on the car and you will eventually feel obligated to buy one of the cars you go look at with people. You also probably don't really have the time to hunt a car in the first place. 2) source the parts you need and then get the car to a builder 3) wait 4) get phone call telling you that it needs another 7K worth of work 5) wait 6) get the car back but not really like that something smells funny and water comes in when it rains 7) send car back for new interior and door seals wait 9) get car back, drive it around 250 miles, break down because some hose fell off 10) get pissed off that you had the idea to get the car 11) sell you car for 12K less than what you have into it when some jackass tow-truck operator asks you about your flux capacitor

If you already have considered 45K as an option, then I'd say you don't have the time to do much else than enjoy the car. I remember when I was a kid and I would see a nice car with faded pant and I would say, 'man, if I had that car I'd wash and wax it every week.' Today, I've had and have plenty of cool cars...I don't wax them every week. I expect them to start up and take me where I need to go when I turn the key.

[Rich_NYS]

Cut it out! -lol

(Or should I say: Stop, [while I collaborate] and listen!)

Man I miss the 80's! Vanilla Ice, Poison, and round silicone cantelope titties......

[acaciolo]

flicky, I agree with your suggestion. currently, is seems like the 2 best options are to get a perfect, exactly the way I want it, more headache free, $45k DPI car (in 4 months.) Or I find a well maintained, not near as perfect but still nice $24-$30k and there area few out there now.

The question is...if the 24k-30k car has been properly maintained (which at that price, seems like some of them have been) suits my needs and gives me something fun to drive every once in a while, do I save the $15k-$20k and get this knowing that I'll put some more $$ into over the next few years. I doubt if I'd need to spend $15-$20k, but who knows. It is a pretty big spread to just jump at the $45k, but I do know that DPI will give me the best car and least headaches...at a price.

t

[Iznodmad]

Hi Tony,

I feel like I am in a very good position to give you my impression of my situation as it regards to DeLoreans from DMCFL and DPI. I've been an owner since 1998, and have owned 3 DeLoreans simultaneously all in excellent condition overall (but now down to 2). One of the cars (that I recently sold) was originally found and "refurbed" by DMCFL in roughly 2010. The owner that purchased it kept it about 3 years and sold it to me, only putting about 2,000 miles on the car in 3 years. I had all the paperwork with the car showing work done at DMCFL (including Stage 2/Eibach, etc.), and also 2 visits to DPI afterwards during his ownership. Total receipts were in the $60K dollar range between the two shops. I would say at least 50% of the work done on the car by DMCFL either had to be re-done, or was simply overlooked. This is my opinion after owning the car and using it extensively, and closely comparing the work orders/receipts that I had with the car. I am not aware of another forum member that has owned a car that visited both DMCFL and DPI.

One of my other cars, has been a daily driver since 2009. I purchased it privately with low miles from the original owner. I had DPI go through it a couple years ago and it has held up remarkably well, and believe me....I use the hell out of the car. I told DPI Josh exactly how I wanted it to be and he met my very high expectations with the car. I would guess that I have one of the most actively used cars that has been thru the doors at DPI. The products and services available there are, in my opinion, the best that are available today. That is why I continue to do my business with DPI. Food for thought.....there has to be a reason why DPI has no cars for sale currently and there is a wait for build time, but there are cars available now from other vendors. Based only on what you have revealed in this thread in regards to budget and desires, my advice is to go with DPI. If you would like more detailed information, I would be happy to talk to you individually. Just send me a PM.

BTW, DPI has my first purchased DeLorean currently and is undergoing a project to be officially revealed at DCS. This is a great opportunity to see lots of DeLoreans, serviced by all different vendors and individuals. I would make plans to attend and learn all about DeLoreans.