Wanted: DeLorean for Cross Country Roadtrip Tips/Help?

[dedler]

Hi All,

I know this is a big request, but I gotta start somewhere - I am planning a cross-country loop of the USA in a DeLorean for this coming fall and I would appreciate any help or advice about planning this trip and buying a DeLorean for the trip.

I am doing this as a bit of a fantasy trip, I am an artist (you can see some of my DeLorean and BTTF -inspired work on my website www.donedler.com (http://www.donedler.com)), and I will be using the opportunity to do some thinking and writing, it is a straight-up passion project for me. I am not in the position to own a DeLorean, so I am looking to be leasing/renting a DeLorean for this project, I could also buy/re-sell after the project, but if anyone knows of a short term rental or lease for a DeLorean, please let me know!

I am planning on starting in the north east, driving west along the northern states, down the west coast, and back east through the southern states, ending in South Florida. I am guessing I will be driving around 7k-8k miles and I am giving myself 30 days to do the trip...

I know DeLoreans are not known for their reliability, but a few owners that I have spoken with about this project have told me that if I got a good-running D I should be fine, I have worked on cars my whole life, and I will be bringing some tools and parts with me, but any advice would be appreciated - which tools/ parts would you recommend I bring? any parts known to fail regularly?

Are there any well-known mechanics/ dealers I should speak with about this project?

Is anyone willing to rent-out their DeLorean? I would be willing to pay a fair rate for a good-running D.

What do you guys think?

Thank you,
Best,
Don

[dmcerik]

There are so many variables that could possibly come up with a trip / request like this that I can't imagine any Delorean owner offering up their car. I'm very confident in my Delorean but the idea of renting it out to someone and having them put 8k miles on it doesn't seem appealing at all. Most owners I've met in the 15 years of ownership barely let their car out of site.
My suggestions would be to talk to one of the vendors and see if you can work out some type of deal. With that said I can't imagine any of them would go for it. My other suggestion would be to buy a Delorean. When you are done with the project you might find that you love the car and want to keep it. Or, you may decide to sell the car and possibly be out a bit of cash or even break even.

If you do something like this get to know your Delorean vendors and where they are. Coming from the north east you can almost stop at a Delorean vendor every day or two if needed.

Good Luck.

[sdg3205]

Hi don,

I think the only way you're going to get a Delorean for your trip is if you buy one for yourself. I wouldn't rent my ford focus to a stranger to cross the country let one my Delorean.

Deloreans can be pretty reliable, but those cars have been an investment and been cared for properly. That's what you'd want. There is a good thread on buying a Delorean you might want to check out.

I'd love for you to see your situation come to fruition but I'm not optimistic you'll find someone who'll rent you their car. Even if they did I can't imagine setting a good rate would be easy. There's also the whole boondoggle of insurance.

[jackb]

It can absolutely be done. I drove AZ to OH for DCS and got back last night. >4,300 miles with zero issues.
To find one to rent, good luck. I too can't imagine it happening. Well, not for an amount lower than the purchase price anyway. Mine included. I'll rent it to you for... How about 30 grand?

[Flicky]

...I would be willing to pay a fair rate for a good-running D.


I guess this is the big question of what you think a fair rate is? Many cars have under 20K miles on them.

The biggest problem I see is that you cannot drive 8K miles without a fair amount of maintenance. With your trip ending in FL, you may be able to talk to DMC FL in Bonita Springs. They might have some higher mileage driver that they could rent for the trip. You could then coordinate with them for maintenance into their other shops around the US (Midwest, CA, TX). I would expect this is going to cost you $15K just for the car rental.

Good luck...sounds like this would be fun.

[Rich]

Definitely possible in terms of a given D making such a trip without incident.

As far as finding one to buy keep in mind that a lot of the folks on this forum are here because their D is in some state of resurrection or arrested decay.

People who want a reliable, sorted-out DeLorean usually do lots of searching or wait for one to show up here or on eBay - and then hope they got it right - or they step up and buy one of the refurbs or a good consignment car out of the shops/stores that specialize in DeLoreans around the country. It all depends on how much time you have to do the legwork to deal with private sellers vs. buying one from someone who has a reputation to uphold because it's part of their business to make sure you get a good one. Depending on who you deal with they might even offer to buy it back from you after a while. You should expect a transaction cost to get in and out of a good D, but at the end of the day it will be kind of like a long-term rental.

Whatever you get be sure it has a good safety check. No old tires, brakes stop straight and smooth, lighting/horn/signals OK, no blown shocks, same as with any car >30 years old. Beyond that you'll check the cooling system operation, coolant pressure test, charging system, battery condition and, of course, the A/C. Best case you'd want to start with flushing and filling all the fluids, including brake and clutch or auto transm.

Tools? Flashlights, electrical troubleshooting stuff, make sure the spare is good and the jack works, spare fuse assortment, small fire extinguisher, pliers, needlenose, metric combination wrenches 8-15mm. If you have room for the tech manual toss that in someplace. Finding a shop for repairs is one thing but knowing what to do is another.

And have fun! Make up some laminated signs, route maps or spec sheets to leave inside the car when it's parked along the way. Good camera with shutter delay plus a simple tripod for selfies.

[Flash66]

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