Do you park your DMC in popular places with lots of foot traffic?

[AgentDL]

So I'm still less than a week into DeLorean ownership. Last night I took my car out to a very high foot traffic nighttime spot and parked it on the street. Needless to say, it got tons of attention the minute I rolled up, and as I walked away from the car, I unexpectedly had a little bout of paranoia because I was worried about people molesting it. As we walked around the area, I did pass by the car numerous times and every single time I saw people taking pictures of it, but once I had to shoo a girl away for leaning on the car while someone took a picture of her.

I really like making people happy, so it's gratifying to see people enjoying admiring it and taking pictures of it. Should I just bear all the attention with a :paranoid: smile, and wipe the fingerprints away the next morning? Or do you folks have a bunch of horror stories about people screwing with your car while it's parked somewhere?

[Iznodmad]

It is a risk you take leaving the car unattended, especially in a high traffic area. It seems to me the Delorean is a car that begs people to "molest" It, especially with the doors open. There have been a few reports of vandalism over the years. In one case, the car was parked near a college campus and someone walked over the car, smashing the louvers in the process. Be careful out there!

[John U]

I avoid leaving my delorean unattended...eventually you return to some dickhead lying across the hood while his buddy takes a photo!

[Jonathan]

No.



.... I could write a lot more on why, but it will always circle back to the same answer.

I thought one day recently about how sometimes we're asked the question "Do you enjoy driving your DeLorean?"

And I can honestly say my answer is definitely 'yes.'

The catch is, I'll follow that answer up with saying that I enjoy driving the car, but I do not enjoy the part where you need to stop and park it somewhere. Coffee shop, gas station, busy downtown street while going for lunch, etc. The only place I enjoy parking my car is back home in the garage with the door closed. Everywhere else for me is a recipe for feeling anxious, and that's not enjoyable.

So, drive the car and park it at home. That's the extent of my DeLorean's life and it's what works best for me at the moment.

Selfish? Perhaps. But I bought this car for me and if I'm in a good frame of mind to enjoy it with others, than so be it. My enjoyment comes first though. This can be hard for many to understand, especially non-DeLorean people. Thankfully there's only ever one person that needs to be okay with the justification.

There are many previous owners that no longer own their cars because they couldn't find a way to put themselves first in this context. These are tricky cars to learn how to own and enjoy them and no one solution is going to work for everyone. Hopefully reading about other people's experiences helps you figure out how to enjoy yours.

[vwdmc16]

I used to, but I found it would be very easy for some ignorant person easily cause thousands and thousands of dollars damage to the body. do you think they would pay for it? No they would probably just runaway and leaving you what a horrible dents in your car and wallet.

[refugeefromcalif]

I tend to use my D as a DD so, it's a gimme that it's going to be parked in and around the places I shop at.
So Far, (Knock on Stainless), I haven't had any issues with damage caused by the average spectator. People around here have been very respectful, (In my sight of them and my car).

While I DO worry about what people might do in a parking lot, I worry More about them when I'm driving.
You know the ones I mean. That Idiot you see in the rearview driving in a very unsafe manner just to catch up behind you, (or beside), for a picture. (Don't even start me on the people that Slow Down just so you'll catch up with them)...
These people scare the Hell out of me because they're not only putting me, (and my car), in jeopardy, they're also risking others around them.

The first weekend I had my car, I was stopped at a red light. Next thing I know, the car beside me, (neither of us had cars behind us), was hit Hard from behind by a pickup truck. Was the driver of the truck looking at my D instead of the stopped car in front of him? I don't know. I wasn't involved so I left.

Yes, I worry about leaving my car unattended in a public place but, it's just a Car, and I intend on driving it.

George

(OK, I admit it, I've even parked at Wally World numerious times only because I had too)... :eek:

[DL4567]

AgentDL, I can tell you're new here, and to DeLorean ownership, so I'm gonna cut you a break, today. (just kidding, hope you get the reference. There will be plenty more of those headed your way)

It's a great question, and there will be many different opinions. People's personalities range from "it's just a car" to more OCD protective types, who will go out of their way to make sure it's never in a situation where something might happen to it (other than driving it, of course). There are guys who post pictures of their Ferrari with women on the hood wearing high heels, and when others scold them, they say "it's just a car". I guess those guys have money to burn and probably don't keep any car for very long.

Anyway, in a perfect world it would be the best fun for everyone if we were able to park our DeLoreans in a heavy foot traffic area, leave it unattended and not worry about it -- most people will be respectful and just take a picture of the car or stand *next* to it while someone takes a picture of them. But we don't live in a perfect world, and unfortunately lots of people are stupid. Too often their parents didn't teach them to respect other people's things, or they are jealous. Eventually some idiot will come along and sit on the front fascia or worse - on the hood, and then get their picture. It is because of this small percentage of idiots that abound in all places, that you can never be sure your car is 100% safe.

I'm more in the OCD protective mindset with my car, and try to park it only at friends' houses driveways, or somewhere where I can keep an eye on it (like sitting outside at a restaurant). Occasionally I'll do a retail store parking lot that is not very busy, for a short period of time. A busy Walmart would be the last place I'd leave it unattended.

[ccurzio]

AgentDL, I can tell you're new here, and to DeLorean ownership, so I'm gonna cut you a break, today.

You sound like a damn fool when you say it wrong.

[jwrayth]

Well, not to make your paranoia worse but if people really want to get at your car they will. I live in the city and this was in my previous "secure" storage;

31145

I've found a safer place to keep her now, and replaced the lock (fortunately they never actually got in the car). I think the DeLorean will always attract attention and you just have to weigh up the risks of each individual place. Most of the time it's fine, but there are assholes' all round the world who do not respect personal property.

[John U]

You sound like a damn fool when you say it wrong.

Hahahahahahhahaha :hysterical::rofl:

[SIMid]

If I had to park my car on the street, it will have to be close to where I will be eating/dining to which I can sit outside and watch the car. If I'm popping into the shop, I try and find the best spot that's wide enough and has to be close to the main door or away from the herd, but highly visible so everyone driving past can see it. If most people see it, the less chance some opportunist arsehat will do something to it with no one looking. Like jumping on the car or trying to get into it.

But like someone else has said, if there is no safe parking, take it home or don't take it out and take your daily ride instead.

I soley use mine as a weekend car. Can't bare the thought of using as a daily, putting it at high risk than anything else. I would not enjoy my day if I leave it unattended for an extended period of time worrying than to enjoy whatever I'm up to.

[JRNY13]

I have never parked and walked away from my car. It doesn't go out to the restaurant, grocery store, CVS--nothing. I simply don't trust people. For me, it's just not that kind of car. A part of me wishes I was more comfortable taking out to a restaurant but all I would be thinking about at dinner would be the car. I take it to car shows and see people doing disrespectful things to it with me standing right there. What will happen when I'm not there? Maybe I'm just too OCD. The other day I saw a Ford GT parked on the street right around the corner from my house. Of course, the GT is a much more expensive and "flashier," car than the D and the owner seemed perfectly comfortable with walking away from it. That's just something I wouldn't do.

[AgentDL]

AgentDL, I can tell you're new here, and to DeLorean ownership, so I'm gonna cut you a break, today. (just kidding, hope you get the reference. There will be plenty more of those headed your way)

Reference gotten, and thanks for your insight! :thumbup:

I'm more of the school of thought that I bought the car to drive the hell out of it and enjoy it as much as possible, and I'm also happy when other people enjoy seeing it too. I'll probably continue leaving it in parking lots and high-traffic places until my own experiences prove that I shouldn't. I'm not going to worry about fingerprints, and I'll just have to hope that nobody really screws it up, either on accident or on purpose.

[Kozmatic]

I can't even imagine being so worried about the car I can't leave it behind to walk into a store!! WTF is that? Why bother even driving it? Geez guys....don't you have insurance? I want to drive it every chance I get. Oh, forgot milk for the kids? No worries honey, I'll pick it up!

[SIMid]

Geez guys....don't you have insurance?

i) We all should have insurance, but it's eliminating the headaches of someone damaging it. Seen too many pics of people sitting on the roof, lying on the bonnet, seeing people touching it with rings on their fingers, etc. Usually from owners thinking "she'll be right, nothing to worry about".

ii) To me, insurance is for theft, fire or an accident. Small damages is not worth the cost in repairing through insurance as it will be pushing your premium higher and higher every year. It's not a car that you can pop down to the wreckers and pick up a secondhand panel, swap them and add a splash of paint.

iii) I'm not afraid to drive mine, just cautious where it may end up parking at an unsecured location.

iv) Seems like Delorean owners tend to buy their car if they can scrape up the money for one. Supercar buyers buy theirs as they have loose change to throw around. So care factor is not an issue and they will probably upgrade their car in 2-3 years (not classic cars).

[Kozmatic]

i) We all should have insurance, but it's eliminating the headaches of someone damaging it. Seen too many pics of people sitting on the roof, lying on the bonnet, seeing people touching it with rings on their fingers, etc. Usually from owners thinking "she'll be right, nothing to worry about".

ii) To me, insurance is for theft, fire or an accident. Small damages is not worth the cost in repairing through insurance as it will be pushing your premium higher and higher every year. It's not a car that you can pop down to the wreckers and pick up a secondhand panel, swap them and add a splash of paint.

iii) I'm not afraid to drive mine, just cautious where it may end up parking at an unsecured location.

iv) Seems like Delorean owners tend to buy their car if they can scrape up the money for one. Supercar buyers buy theirs as they have loose change to throw around. So care factor is not an issue and they will probably upgrade their car in 2-3 years (not classic cars).

I'm with ya on all that. I guess maybe I'm just naive on the insurance safety net fallback if something goes wrong. I've got about a total of 2.5 years of Delorean ownership under my belt with 3849 and previously 4117. I never really had any issues. Now, I am thoughtful about where in the lot I park... I'm not looking to squeeze between Bubba's 4x4 and mom's mini van at Walmart, but so far so good. One thing I do look for if I can't find several empty spaces together, is to see if I can park with at least a curb on one side... understanding that doesn't stop stupid...

[papanoel]

I live in new york city and often park my car on the street for a few hours. it gets tons of attention. If i can i park it where i can keep an eye on it from a distance.

No matter what though i see fingerprints when i get back to the car. But i havent' had any issues so far and sometimes its just fun to see how surprised people get.

[Jonathan]

Sometimes the hesitancy of parking it places is not related to worrying about damage as much as it is not wanting the attention.

Some days you want to just go out and do your own thing and be left alone while doing it. Sure we have the gas station circus, but if you wanted to just go for a drive somewhere and stop for lunch or coffee or take a break for whatever reason, it can get tiresome dealing with the public all the time.

They might not be out to damage your car, but simply just to ask you all about it. That's great and there's lots of times it's fun to field the questions. Other times we aren't in the mood. It's those times people often say to then take your DD if you're not ready to be nice to people (and I agree you shouldn't be a dick to people about your car as it's a privilege to own one and most people are just excited about it with you).

For me, there are just times where I do want to enjoy driving the car but not deal with the attention. This is what the concept of "enjoy driving it but not parking it" meant.

[Denverdelorean]

I love when people take pictures of it. I love when they crowd around it. That's why i bought it. I trust that people are not being malicious.

The only time the attention gets slightly irritating is if the car is doing something unflattering like overheating or something. Maybe when gawkers get in the way or race through traffic to get to you. But overall, i have no problem leaving it to go to the store or to work. If you're so nervous that you won't even leave the car to get milk, you should get a different car. The stress isn't worth it. It's just a thing.

[Jonathan]

I love when people take pictures of it. I love when they crowd around it. That's why i bought it. I trust that people are not being malicious.

The only time the attention gets slightly irritating is if the car is doing something unflattering like overheating or something. Maybe when gawkers get in the way or race through traffic to get to you. But overall, i have no problem leaving it to go to the store or to work. If you're so nervous that you won't even leave the car to get milk, you should get a different car. The stress isn't worth it. It's just a thing.

Hold that thought young Jedi...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUoBkhTFdWA

[David T]

I live in new york city and often park my car on the street for a few hours. it gets tons of attention. If i can i park it where i can keep an eye on it from a distance.

No matter what though i see fingerprints when i get back to the car. But i havent' had any issues so far and sometimes its just fun to see how surprised people get.

Not too long ago my car was used on GMA and it was parked outside the studio just off Times Square. I stood by it watching it and even with me and a security guard there were people coming up to it to touch it and some even tried to open the doors! There are those who do not respect other people's private property. If you really care about your car you will be careful where you park it. Heck, even my DD, when I am in a parking lot other cars park close and when they fling their doors open they will dent your car. Shopping carts will roll and all sorts of other things can happen. There are those who just have to have a souvenir. Whatever they can remove, tire valve caps, emblems. etc. At a DMA event one year someone just had to have a gearshift knob.
Be Careful Out There!

[papanoel]

Not too long ago my car was used on GMA and it was parked outside the studio just off Times Square. I stood by it watching it and even with me and a security guard there were people coming up to it to touch it and some even tried to open the doors! There are those who do not respect other people's private property. If you really care about your car you will be careful where you park it. Heck, even my DD, when I am in a parking lot other cars park close and when they fling their doors open they will dent your car. Shopping carts will roll and all sorts of other things can happen. There are those who just have to have a souvenir. Whatever they can remove, tire valve caps, emblems. etc. At a DMA event one year someone just had to have a gearshift knob.
Be Careful Out There!

I mentioned it in another thread. Someone tried to open my door in manhattan WHILE I WAS SITTING INSIDE.
I am somewhat tall and can be imposing. I got out of my car and gave him a piece of my mind. I think he didn't realize i was in it and didn't expect it to open. He shat his pants but he left which is all i wanted.

[Josh]

in contrast to most people in this thread:

I daily drive my car. During the summer months my truck sits. I do not have a garage at my house so the car is parked outside for anyone to see. It gets rained on, etc.

Being that it is my daily driver I drive it everywhere and leave it unattended without much worry. Sure, people stop and take pictures and wait to talk to me about it, but always friendly in nature.
I think the biggest concern is driving it. There is defensive driving, and there is delorean defensive driving. There are often people camping out in your blind spot taking pictures. You have to be very careful switching lanes. The car is very low and small, it can often not be seen by bigger vehicles or pulling out of an intersection or a parking spot.

Id definitely concern yourself with it more than a regular car, but I think being scared to leave it out of your sight is a bit overboard.

[Timebender]

I mentioned it in another thread. Someone tried to open my door in manhattan WHILE I WAS SITTING INSIDE.
I am somewhat tall and can be imposing. I got out of my car and gave him a piece of my mind. I think he didn't realize i was in it and didn't expect it to open. He shat his pants but he left which is all i wanted.
So how tall are you? I'm 6' 7" and just fit in a D with manual trans.

[Nicholas R]

in contrast to most people in this thread:

I daily drive my car. During the summer months my truck sits. I do not have a garage at my house so the car is parked outside for anyone to see. It gets rained on, etc.

Being that it is my daily driver I drive it everywhere and leave it unattended without much worry. Sure, people stop and take pictures and wait to talk to me about it, but always friendly in nature.
I think the biggest concern is driving it. There is defensive driving, and there is delorean defensive driving. There are often people camping out in your blind spot taking pictures. You have to be very careful switching lanes. The car is very low and small, it can often not be seen by bigger vehicles or pulling out of an intersection or a parking spot.

Id definitely concern yourself with it more than a regular car, but I think being scared to leave it out of your sight is a bit overboard.

Yea but you live in Canada, everyone is nice there. :wink: :biggrin: Down here we have jerks.

[sdg3205]

Yea but you live in Canada, everyone is nice there. :wink: :biggrin: Down here we have jerks.

Josh is a jerk.

:)

[papanoel]

So how tall are you? I'm 6' 7" and just fit in a D with manual trans.

I'm only 6'2. I'm shocked 6'7" fits in a delorean!

[SIMid]

There are those who just have to have a souvenir. Whatever they can remove, tire valve caps, emblems. etc. At a DMA event one year someone just had to have a gearshift knob.
Be Careful Out There!

That too!

Deloreans are very rare here, so there are always opportunists out there.

[Sidaries]

My Delorean is my holiday car, so every summer when I go abroad, I go with my Delorean. And because of this, I usually leave my car here and there. In a city center, in front of a restaurant or in a hotel parking lot. I never had any problem with this. My experience shows that people love the Delorean, but very rare that they touch it. So it seems that people in Europe are a bit more well behaved. If I am with the car or it is a car show, that is another issue however.
Once, I left the car in a parking lot and when I got back, about 15 gypsies were around the car. They were looking, but they did not touch it! I was amazed.

[Mike C.]

When i first got the car, I started parking away from others... but then I noticed I was getting MORE attention that way and found more people standing/leaning on it that way. I started parking in regular spaces and noticed that picture takers would be more careful walking around it snapping pics and since it was next to another vehicle, it seemed to deter people from leaning all over the car. Sure i was worried about other drivers, but with the car out in the open there were more people pulling up to it than if I were in a regular spot.

The one thing that always bugged me was watching people pull up on my door handles. That upset me more than anything.

[STAINLS]

You are very brave.

I never leave mine intentionally unattended and if something forces me to do so, it's not for very long.


About a month in with my last DeLorean, I drove it down to Branson MO to see my fiancé who at the time was going to college down there. It was about a 4 hour drive for me. Always enjoyed taking the DeLorean. Plus it was summertime. We went out the evening I arrived and ate at the Cracker Barrel there on the far end of the strip for dinner. I parked it near the back of the lot and we were sure to get seats right by the windows that overlooked the parking lot. Perfect view of the car. We had a great evening and laughed at all the people driving through and snapping their necks for a double take when they saw it. About 30 or so minutes in, I noticed a group of guys walking up to it. We watched them for a few minutes and they seemed mostly harmless. Then one of them proceeds to open the driver's door. I couldn't have run out there fast enough. I slammed the door and about punched the guy in the face. He expressed that it was the first time he'd ever seen one and just wanted to see how the doors worked. All three smelled of alcohol. I explained to him what breaking and entering is and that he'd have to find another DeLorean to "check out". I was very prepared to get in a fight right there in the parking lot. Some people are just that dense.....and alcohol always compounds the problem several fold.

From that point on, I've never left either of my DeLoreans unattended in public areas. We don't drive it to outings we weren't intending to be car oriented because I end up spending the majority of the time worrying and checking on the car if we inevitably park somewhere. It's better peace of mind to just leave it at home. People CAN ruin a good thing.

The thing that's always really worried me the most is if I leave it somewhere locked, some meathead will over extend the door handle and snap it off. I still have plastic ones on my current D. That will be changing soon.

[AgentDL]

From that point on, I've never left either of my DeLoreans unattended in public areas. We don't drive it to outings we weren't intending to be car oriented because I end up spending the majority of the time worrying and checking on the car if we inevitably park somewhere. It's better peace of mind to just leave it at home.

This is like saying, "I'm just going to stay home from now on" because you almost suffered a minor injury outside once.

Different strokes, I guess.

[STAINLS]

This is like saying, "I'm just going to stay home from now on" because you almost suffered a minor injury outside once.

Different strokes, I guess.

Miscommunicated my point.

This was not to say that I specifically never take the DeLorean out anymore because I'm afraid of something happening to it. Far from it. The thing is always out doing something. I park it in a car port next to our house when not in use no less.

I meant that if we are going out somewhere that isn't car oriented and it's going to be parked the whole time or an extended amount of time, i.e. movies, groceries, date night, etc...we typically take another car. We don't want the added stress of worrying what fruit cake is going to be messing with it while we're gone/away if we don't have to. It drives my wife nuts and I don't enjoy it myself. My first DeLorean was my daily driver. We used to be pretty nonchalant about it and parked it anywhere. I gave people rope in my early ownership days. A lot of rope. They hung me with it almost every time. I have pictures from '5444 of the dents and dings, scratches, spilled soda on the interior, that are a constant reminder of why I don't trust the public around these cars. It even got hailed on once after a freak thunderstorm at a car show. Clear weather all day and then poof. In 30 seconds, not one not one single body panel was untouched by it. You don't want to know the cost of having every single panel replaced, but I have the quote from Dave to show you if you want. I've just seen it too many times to not just my car, but others as well. The bad thing is that, at least in our area, it's getting worse. My wife and I are blessed enough have multiple cars. My point is, if we aren't going to be specifically taking out to be driven in and enjoyed, we just don't take it. If you never have something happen to yours then right on DMC brother and more power to you!! :thumbup2:

[? ? ? ?]

I'm amazed at the number of reports of people just coming up to the car and trying to open the door. I know people can be inconsiderate by touching it, but trying to open the door is straight up breaking and entering. If I caught someone doing that I'd have no problem introducing them to my bat that I keep in the front.

As for me, I try to take the car out and use it when I can. If it's raining out (super rare now in CA) I'll leave it at home, or if I'm heading to a somewhat "shady" area, or someplace where parking isn't great, again I'll just leave it at home. But I did buy it to drive it and not sit, so I try to drive it to work daily and take it to dinners and Sunday drives and what not. If I can prevent something from happening to it then I'm going to try my best, but if something does happen to it that's outside my control, then ya that sucks, but at the end of the day it can be fixed, and I'll still have my dream car, and I'll still be enjoying it.

[Jonathan]

I think we need to have a "holy can of worms! thread topic of the month" award. (j/k) There are some subjects that touch a nerve, like what kind of oil you use, or opinions on time machine conversions, etc. and this seems to be another good one.


I'm amazed at the number of reports of people just coming up to the car and trying to open the door. I know people can be inconsiderate by touching it, but trying to open the door is straight up breaking and entering. If I caught someone doing that I'd have no problem introducing them to my bat that I keep in the front.

Think of what happens to your car when you are actually in view (but at a distance). Now think of what happens when you aren't around and never know (unless something is broken when you get there).

Like the saying goes about people talking behind another's back. "Listen to how they talk about others when you're there, for that is how they'll talk about you when you're not." You take a small sample size of certain things and it'll often indicate what goes on in the majority.

I had the "try opening the doors" routine once at a local car show. And I was just getting back to the car after grabbing a coffee or something. You can come back saying WTF? to the person and sometimes they still give you a "well, I just thought I'd see if it was open and watch the doors go up." They'll say it like it's completely understandable why they tried to open your doors even though if you take the silly DeLorean specific part out of the equation, it's downright odd and not right at all.

Case in point one day coming home from somewhere in the car. Some guy had followed me from somewhere nearby, came onto my street, parked at the end of my driveway and was walking into my garage as I got out of the car. I asked him what exactly he was doing and he quite matter of factly told me how glad he was I finally stopped because he was afraid he was going to need to force me off the road so he could see the car. I've never seen one of these you know, he said.

Oh, sounds completely normal, great. Thanks for coming. Can I offer you lunch or a drink while you're here? It never dawned on him that if you take away the DMC part, this guy followed me home, came into my garage and even explained how he was happy I live here and not far away so his stalking was easier. Would he have been shocked if I proceeded to grab a yard tool and bash his brains in? How would that read on the police report? "Home owner admits killing victim with shovel in self defense because dead guy followed him home and came upon him inside his own garage." The story somehow takes on a different life as soon as you insert DeLorean into it.

I'll take the "Canadians are all nice" compliment, but it's still less than 100% of the population. The Jerk Store here in Canada has lots of models for sale too, just like in every other corner of the world. Come to think of it, if that guy coming into my garage happens in a place with the US style gun laws... I think you all know how it would have ended. Or maybe never would have happened in the first place. Is there a DMC-themed face palm emoticon yet?

[Rich_NYS]

I've been very fortunate with no problems to report....everyone near where I live so far has been very nice & respectful. As long as I can most often see the car, I'll park with the doors open for the passerbys to enjoy. I buckle both seatbelts as a psychological deterrent to keep people out of the seats (credit: Delorean03) I totally think that works.

I often take my kids to ice cream with it, and I've had multiple people approach me near the seating area to ask if I mind if they look at the car (before going into the parking lot.) I think I've lost count of the number of times in general someone asked first if they could look at or take a pic of my car.

Augustneverends once mentioned upstate NY having a lot of polite people; never would've said that myself, but it appears he's right. Everything's been good in this 'hood.

Also, when I don't have my kids with me, I usually shout "don't fuck with it" as I walk away from the car.....maybe that helps?

Jonathan, FWIW: you, Josh from Canada, Justin and all other Canadians I've met seem really nice. (But the Jerk store comment is pricelesss...lol!)

[John U]

Imagine how Michael J Fox feels. How many times has some dickhead approached him with his best Biff impersonation!

[Timebender]

I'm only 6'2. I'm shocked 6'7" fits in a delorean!
From my understanding, DeLorean designed the car to fit tall folks, as he was something like 6'4" - at least that's what I heard. So to test it I asked YellowMXWheels if I could sit in his D, and it was just right - actually more leg and headroom than my son's 1970 Camaro.
The D to me is a very comfy car.

[Tillsy]

?..Then one of them proceeds to open the driver's door. I couldn't have run out there fast enough. I slammed the door...

Why was the car unlocked?

[Shep]

I seem to be in a minority here, but I love ALL the attention my DeLorean gets. From when I drive it to when it's parked, I wish I had a motion-activated 360-degree camera so I could capture everyone's reactions to seeing it (well, and the time to actually view it all, but still). Yes I've had a few close calls, and have honked my horn a few times at guys that would've otherwise collided with me, but overall it's the attention I get that keeps me an owner. Half the time (not even 100%, it's more or less half) when I fill up with gas, I get people that talk to me about it, or ask to take pictures, I've even had a few guys who asked, then when I said "sure", proceeded to put their hands on her. Did I cringe? No, but I would have if he wanted to shake my hand afterwards since I knew how badly she needed to be washed :hihi2:

The best reactions I get are when I park in my front lawn of my fiancee's house (well, former house, now that she's moved in, but I still go there since her family's there). I intentionally leave it unlocked in the event that someone wants to see the inside (or, if someone is ballsy enough to open the door and take a selfie, but they won't get far hotwiring it since it's loud as hell and takes some finessing to start! :biggrin: ). It's a VERY busy street, so I witness things from people honking and shouting, to people pulling in the driveway to take pictures, turning around, blocking traffic, I've even had a handful of individuals that will park in the driveway, come up to and knock on the door to ask questions and see if they can take pictures. In fact, I wish more people would knock and ask about it when I park it there. It's like a win-win addiction -- I love the attention, it makes spectators happy and giddy, what's NOT to like??? :biggrin:

It seems a lot of guys are afraid of people "molesting" their cars. In my scenario, not only is it considered a "safe" town (and being in two of their parades, I'm on the cops' "very good side"), but the more attention you get, the more witnesses there are to who did what, and the less likely someone will do something. From all the things I've read (and even reading through this thread too!), the only instances of bad things happening were either accidental, in low-foot-traffic yet shady areas (which is a concern with ANY car, but not what this thread is asking about), or done in entirely isolated areas like a storage unit. Then the fear carries over to the places where chances are it won't happen. Since I don't take risks when I park, I'm not scared of what would happen.

Besides, it's a well-known DeLorean, do you really think it'd be that hard to spot if it got stolen? I don't even have a radio, so the interior is useless to a "grab-and-dash" type thief :)

I mean, the bag I carry to work with $100,000 in gold inside of it is another story ;) (kidding, of course!)

[Nicholas R]

My love for driving the car far outweighs my fear of people hurting it. I drive it everywhere and park it just about anywhere. It's been parked on the streets of Cincinnati and Orlando, parking garages of stadiums and colleges, theme park parking lots, and countless grocery stores and restaurants. I just make sure the doors are locked when I leave.

Truthfully, I get far more discouraged by rain than I do people. I hate driving in the rain...

I've certainly seen my fair share of gawkers, touchers, and drunk people getting into my car at the end of a parade, but it won't discourage me. As far as I'm concerned, it's all part of driving it. I can either hide it away in my garage, or drive it all over and deal with it. I'll always choose the latter. After all; why do we put so much work into these cars if not to drive them?! :wrenchin::burnout:

[STAINLS]

Why was the car unlocked?

Because I'd rather the door open than someone snap a door handle off. I was in view of the car.

[Kenny_Z]

I've left mine in many parking lots. Mostly the local Walmart. The buggy pushers usually ask me where the car is if I pull up in one of my other cars. When I stripped the paint I kept telling them she was broken down. It was amusing when I finally saw one of them after she was stainless again.

I worry about all my cars in parking lots and the DeLorean is no different. I park in a specific area on a hill so even a wind blown buggy would have a hard time getting to a car. It's very visible to everyone in the lot and the parking lot cameras they have. Every once in awhile a large vehicle will get between the car and the store though. That's annoying. I usually have a spot picked out in my regular lots and if it's a new lot I try to put the car in the most viewable area. I figure the more eyes that are on her the less people will actually mess with the car.

[Nicholas R]

Because I'd rather the door open than someone snap a door handle off. I was in view of the car.

Is that a common thing? I mean I know people occasionally break a handle but it's pretty rare. If you're really worried you could always buy metal handles. At least then you could feel comfortable locking it.

[STAINLS]

Is that a common thing? I mean I know people occasionally break a handle but it's pretty rare. If you're really worried you could always buy metal handles. At least then you could feel comfortable locking it.

I see your point and that's true but those are very low on my list right now. Besides, other people shouldn't need to be the reason or point to replace them. My concern isn't me breaking a handle. It's a random person walking up and with force, yanking on it and breaking it, and then just walking away. People will never be as careful as the owner will be. The general looky-loo isn't going to know to take it easy on the door handles among other things. Trusting the average "where's the flux capacitor" herpa derps around here to be mindful of what they're doing is just too much I've found. I'd just rather be proactive as much as possible. It costs nothing to be cautious. If people refuse to understand look but don't touch then it behooves owners to be mindful of such and adjust accordingly. Door handles aren't the only reason, it's just one of them. What should be asked is, whatever happened to mutual respect? Again, to each his own and it's still the best car(s) I've ever owned. Just tries my patience a little harder than the others I've had. :thumbup:

[refugeefromcalif]

I didn't see any comments so, How many owners have alarm systems on their cars?
It seems to me, an alarm system would at least bring attention to someone trying to open the door, lean on the car or, sit on the hood for the purpose of getting pictures.?

The alarm installed on my D is Loud. It has 10 sensitivity settings, 1 being the most sensitive. Mine is set at 2. In a hard rain, or loud exhaust in the vicinity, it goes off. (I've set it off just trying to open the door).
I admit it can't/won't stop someone from doing quick damage to the car but, it IS a deterrent for continued/further damage.
I know we all hear horn alarms going off in parking lots and do Nothing but we, (well I), look and see where it's coming from.

George

[AgentDL]

It seems to me, an alarm system would at least bring attention to someone trying to open the door, lean on the car or, sit on the hood for the purpose of getting pictures.?

Hey man, get outta here with your... uh... logic. :rolleyes1:

[Nicholas R]

I didn't see any comments so, How many owners have alarm systems on their cars?
It seems to me, an alarm system would at least bring attention to someone trying to open the door, lean on the car or, sit on the hood for the purpose of getting pictures.?

The alarm installed on my D is Loud. It has 10 sensitivity settings, 1 being the most sensitive. Mine is set at 2. In a hard rain, or loud exhaust in the vicinity, it goes off. (I've set it off just trying to open the door).
I admit it can't/won't stop someone from doing quick damage to the car but, it IS a deterrent for continued/further damage.

I know we all hear horn alarms going off in parking lots and do Nothing but we, (well I), look and see where it's coming from.

George

I definitely respect trying to keep your car protected, but man, I hate car alarms that are that sensitive (and loud).

When I first did my engine swap, a high school kid with a Hyundai Tiburon down the street from me had an aftermarket system exactly like that. Every time I drove by in my car it set it off. Yea, the first time through maybe the 5th time I thought it was badass that my car was setting off car alarms, but approaching the 50th time or so that I set it off, it was pretty damn annoying. Everyone in our neighborhood hated it and truthfully, I hated the fact that I couldn't drive by without setting it off; especially at night. I wasn't the only one that would set it off either. I got woken up by that damn thing so many times... :angry:

Like I said, I understand that it's your DeLorean and wanting to protect it, but if it's anywhere near as sensitive as this guys (sensitive and loud), there are probably a lot of folks that don't like you, lol :wink:

[David T]

I definitely respect trying to keep your car protected, but man, I hate car alarms that are that sensitive (and loud).

When I first did my engine swap, a high school kid with a Hyundai Tiburon down the street from me had an aftermarket system exactly like that. Every time I drove by in my car it set it off. Yea, the first time through maybe the 5th time I thought it was badass that my car was setting off car alarms, but approaching the 50th time or so that I set it off, it was pretty damn annoying. Everyone in our neighborhood hated it and truthfully, I hated the fact that I couldn't drive by without setting it off; especially at night. I wasn't the only one that would set it off either. I got woken up by that damn thing so many times... :angry:

Like I said, I understand that it's your DeLorean and wanting to protect it, but if it's anywhere near as sensitive as this guys (sensitive and loud), there are probably a lot of folks that don't like you, lol :wink:

If you get too many false alarms pretty soon everyone will start to ignore it and that defeats the purpose of an alarm. Not only should it scare anyone who tampers with the car and make them leave, it should also make anyone nearby look and maybe see who was messing with the car. The best alarm I ever had used a remote beeper (no siren). When it went off I went running to the car and did catch someone who tried to steal my radio (not a Delorean). Wow, where they ever surprised!

[refugeefromcalif]

I definitely respect trying to keep your car protected, but man, I hate car alarms that are that sensitive (and loud).

I understand that it's your DeLorean and wanting to protect it, but if it's anywhere near as sensitive as this guys (sensitive and loud), there are probably a lot of folks that don't like you, lol :wink:


DMCFlorida installed the alarm and set the sensitivity. (I haven't Dialed it down because I haven't needed too).
I guess I should explain. I've had my DeLorean just over 2 years. In that time the alarm has only gone off 5 times. (I don't know how many times it's just Chirped a Warning).

1) Me testing the system by trying to open the door the first day I had it home.
2) A big thunderstorm at home with Heavy rain, I turned it off within 10 seconds. I live in a rural area, nobody complained...
3) A co-worker has a Loud exhaust on his truck and we did a test. He pulled his truck next to my car and reved it up. The first couple of times the alarm just chirped, the third time, Siren.
4) An Accident. I was walking back to the car from a store and accidently hit the Wings-A-Loft button trying to get the fob out of my pocket. :blush: Because I hadn't deactivated the alarm first, the driver door opened and the alarm went off.
It was a game day in town and the parking lot was full of Bama fans around the local radio station van. I shrugged my shoulders to apologize, they gave me a Thumbs up.
5) ??? I deactivated the alarm after work one Very Hot day and it chirped 4 times to tell me the alarm had gone off. Nobody in the shop or office actually heard it? :headscratch:
My del Sol has an alarm system very like this one, and it doesn't like 100 degree+ days. (As often as it used to go off, my neighbor never complained). :D

George