DeLorean Values

[gullwingD]

Hi -
I know this has been covered before, but figured I'd update the thread. What is a good low mileage DeLorean going for these days from a private seller? I'm considering one that looks almost concours cosmetically, everything works but the AC isn't running cold, and a few minor stainless issues, and the usual black paint issues in the front bonnet area. I saw a low milage (5K) one listed on ebay last week, then was removed because it sold for 35K privately. I know some of the vendors are getting more for the cars, but this is a private seller. Some of the updates on the ebay car included stainless clutch and fuel lines. What would the cost be to service an R-12 AC from a DMC vendor, worse case scenario?

thanks.

[Scootdive]

Hi -
I know this has been covered before, but figured I'd update the thread. What is a good low mileage DeLorean going for these days from a private seller? I'm considering one that looks almost concours cosmetically, everything works but the AC isn't running cold, and a few minor stainless issues, and the usual black paint issues in the front bonnet area. I saw a low milage (5K) one listed on ebay last week, then was removed because it sold for 35K privately. I know some of the vendors are getting more for the cars, but this is a private seller. Some of the updates on the ebay car included stainless clutch and fuel lines. What would the cost be to service an R-12 AC from a DMC vendor, worse case scenario?

thanks.

I got a 14K in fantastic condition for $40K but it was not a private seller so probable take a few thousand off.

[sdg3205]

Hi -
What is a good low mileage DeLorean going for these days from a private seller? I'm considering one that looks almost concours cosmetically, everything works but the AC isn't running cold, and a few minor stainless issues, and the usual black paint issues in the front bonnet area. I saw a low milage (5K) one listed on ebay last week, then was removed because it sold for 35K privately. I know some of the vendors are getting more for the cars, but this is a private seller. Some of the updates on the ebay car included stainless clutch and fuel lines. What would the cost be to service an R-12 AC from a DMC vendor, worse case scenario?

thanks.

Low mileage that ARE actually in great running condition seem to go for $30k to 45k. The trunks are not painted, if thats what you mean, but can be refurbished very nicely. R-12 service is the cost of labour plus the cost of refrigerant, assuming you don't need any parts. I had my R-12 serviced and refilled for around $500 in 2012. If you are close to a DeLorean Franchise, I'd recommend you have the car fully inspected. The cost is around $400, but well worth it.

[DMCMW Dave]

Hi -
I know this has been covered before, but figured I'd update the thread. What is a good low mileage DeLorean going for these days from a private seller? I'm considering one that looks almost concours cosmetically, everything works but the AC isn't running cold, and a few minor stainless issues, and the usual black paint issues in the front bonnet area. I saw a low milage (5K) one listed on ebay last week, then was removed because it sold for 35K privately. I know some of the vendors are getting more for the cars, but this is a private seller. Some of the updates on the ebay car included stainless clutch and fuel lines. What would the cost be to service an R-12 AC from a DMC vendor, worse case scenario?

thanks.

Short answer - whatever someone will pay on a given day. There are good $30K cars and bad $30K cars.

At that price level it shouldn't need much. Assuming it's honestly represented. You are looking for recent hoses, belts, and evidence of fuel, brake, and cooling system (radiator, hoses, pump etc.) work (either paper records or a first hand inspection). A low mile car that's all original is a pile of maintenance waiting to happen.

A/C is impossible to estimate without seeing the car. A simple charge can be $200-$300 for R12, less if R134 (assuming it's already properly converted), but if the car needs a condenser, evap, compressor, or hoses it goes up real fast. You never just want to charge an empty system without a pressure test, or you can go thru some expensive R12 pretty quickly.

[gullwingD]

38169

Anything of interest that stands out from this engine bay picture?



Short answer - whatever someone will pay on a given day. There are good $30K cars and bad $30K cars.

At that price level it shouldn't need much. Assuming it's honestly represented. You are looking for recent hoses, belts, and evidence of fuel, brake, and cooling system (radiator, hoses, pump etc.) work (either paper records or a first hand inspection). A low mile car that's all original is a pile of maintenance waiting to happen.

A/C is impossible to estimate without seeing the car. A simple charge can be $200-$300 for R12, less if R134 (assuming it's already properly converted), but if the car needs a condenser, evap, compressor, or hoses it goes up real fast. You never just want to charge an empty system without a pressure test, or you can go thru some expensive R12 pretty quickly.

[Jonathan]

38169

Anything of interest that stands out from this engine bay picture?

Yea, there looks to be lots of new stuff.

- fuel hoses look new
- water pump looks new
- many of the brackets look shiny and new enough to think they've been off and re-plated
- alternator belt looks new

- throttle spool recall appears to have been completed in spite of the deice shield not being fitted.

- original plastic coolant bottle (not a problem necessarily, just noting it)
- that black cover over the ballast resistor may cause overheating of said ballast resistor. Maybe, maybe not. Those nice looking, cosmetic covers got a lot of discussion about not letting enough heat dissipate. Keep an eye on it at the very least.

Overall, that's a real nice looking, stock looking, engine bay.

[DMCMW Dave]

Overall, that's a real nice looking, stock looking, engine bay.

Yeah looks nice. The still-white header bottle is a good sign of a genuine low mile car not stored outdoors.

[Rich_NYS]

No paint dots on the firewall...Dave, that means the front end recall wasn't done right?

I'll look for a pic to illustrate for the OP.

Sure does look nice!

[DMCMW Dave]

No paint dots on the firewall...Dave, that means the front end recall wasn't done right?
!

Not necessarily. If someone over-detailed the engine compartment they could have washed them off. OR the dealer that did the recalls was lazy. OR they didn't get done at all.

[Rich_NYS]

Here's a pic that shows the paint dots Dave & I are referring to, they're easily seen between the engine cover stay and ballast resistor. Just posting for reference, note Dave's comment above.

38173

[gullwingD]

Owner says front end recall was never done. How much is this usually to have done? It looked pretty simple in a DMC video on you tube... but as someone without a lift and zero mechanic ability, I'll be paying a shop to do it.



Here's a pic that shows the paint dots Dave & I are referring to, they're easily seen between the engine cover stay and ballast resistor. Just posting for reference, note Dave's comment above.

38173

[Michael]

Not with any other marque have I seen people so eager to pay up for a resto project and yet beat an immaculate car's asking price down to the level of a "edgy" car.

With that said, a lot of edgy or fair cars photograph extremely well if you have someone who knows what he is doing and a buyer who is more excited than logical. All of this can affect the overall values we assign to DeLoreans in general since around half of Deloreans sold are done so sight unseen online.

I once saw pictures of a local car at a dealership and since I thought I had the only one around my area I was interested to see it in person. I went by to give it a once over. Let me say that had I bought that car based on the pictures and had it shipped across the country to me I would have been pretty disappointed.

The way to make real money selling DeLoreans is to buy wrecks or parts cars and sell them to unsuspecting buyers who want a resto project. I doubt I would have the conscience to do that without full disosure of the resto costs. These project cars seem to attract a lot more attention than a perfect example as well. I see bidding activity on a resto vs. a nice example and it's like setting out two bowls of cany at Halloween, the apples and bananas gets shunned while the Snickers fun sizes last abiut 10 minutes.

[gullwingD]

Just for the record, I'm not trying to beat this guy's price down... I'm trying to figure out if I can afford to fix things like the ac, and the front end recall IMMEDIATELY , so I can at least drive the car occasionally. I can't drive the car in my climate without AC.



Not with any other marque have I seen people so eager to pay up for a resto project and yet beat an immaculate car's asking price down to the level of a "edgy" car.

With that said, a lot of edgy or fair cars photograph extremely well if you have someone who knows what he is doing and a buyer who is more excited than logical. All of this can affect the overall values we assign to DeLoreans in general since around half of Deloreans sold are done so sight unseen online.

I once saw pictures of a local car at a dealership and since I thought I had the only one around my area I was interested to see it in person. I went by to give it a once over. Let me say that had I bought that car based on the pictures and had it shipped across the country to me I would have been pretty disappointed.

The way to make real money selling DeLoreans is to buy wrecks or parts cars and sell them to unsuspecting buyers who want a resto project. I doubt I would have the conscience to do that without full disosure of the resto costs. These project cars seem to attract a lot more attention than a perfect example as well. I see bidding activity on a resto vs. a nice example and it's like setting out two bowls of cany at Halloween, the apples and bananas gets shunned while the Snickers fun sizes last abiut 10 minutes.

[Michael]

Oh I wasn't directing that at any one specifically. I just meant in general.

[DMCMW Dave]

Just for the record, I'm not trying to beat this guy's price down... I'm trying to figure out if I can afford to fix things like the ac, and the front end recall IMMEDIATELY , so I can at least drive the car occasionally. I can't drive the car in my climate without AC.

The recall kit hasn't been there for 30 years, another 6 months won't hurt anything, just don't run into parking stops. The overall maintenance condition is much more important.

Nonworking A/C will, however, drive you nuts.

[Jonathan]

- throttle spool recall appears to have been completed in spite of the deice shield not being fitted.

What made me think the throttle spool/deice recall had been completed in spite of not seeing the shield itself in place was noticing the stop post clips look like they are on there.

http://store.delorean.com/p-10174-clip-spring.aspx

Good point on the paint dots. Not sure about the front end recall or others. A quick inspection will tell you that. Not much to see for those from the engine bay picture.

What was the cut-off for those recalls getting done by the factory? Pretty late wasn't it? And the order they came out in were front end recall, throttle spool recall, inertia switch recall, right?

[DMCVegas]

Nonworking A/C will, however, drive you nuts.

I've never had a working A/C in my car. In Las Vegas. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't all that bad. Now if I hadn't have had my upgraded radio and sound system however, that would have been rolling hell on earth. If I had instead spent the cash on rebuilding the A/C, it might have been a different story. But hey, priorities.



Not with any other marque have I seen people so eager to pay up for a resto project and yet beat an immaculate car's asking price down to the level of a "edgy" car.

It's done with other cars, but it's just more blatant within our marque. But I get it. If I were to go out and buy some low mileage, concourse car, no matter what the marque, people look down on you for "ruining" the car. But if you start out with a craptastic derelict car, then the opposite happens where you get praised for "saving" a car. If you customize it, well... it's no big loss. I mean the car was already a basket case anyway. But holy hell, you dare to even consider hanging a pine tree air freshener in one of those immaculate cars, let alone swapping the radio, and people will flip the hell out on you.

But I get it. It's why the basket cases always get praised, and the super nice cars get avoided like the plague. If I had a concourse car that I wanted to sell, I'd drive the thing, let it get a couple of scratches, swap the radio, and THEN sell it. I guarantee that a blemished car with higher miles will be an easier, more profitable sell.

[uhhair]

I know of two new DMA members who've bought running D's in good condition for between $16-$22k. They need work sure, but ran and drove at time of sale and were without serious cosmetic issues. So for $30k I'd hope you're getting something that needs little to no work.

[gullwingD]

I can't remember the last time I've seen a DeLorean sell for 22k that didn't look a bit beat up let alone needed mechanical work... Maybe in the 90s? I'd love to see images of these cars... Maybe I'm too critical.



I know of two new DMA members who've bought running D's in good condition for between $16-$22k. They need work sure, but ran and drove at time of sale and were without serious cosmetic issues. So for $30k I'd hope you're getting something that needs little to no work.

[dtavres]

I just bought 10515 which was bought in California and parked/garaged in California since 1988. Has 16k miles and I paid 16k. It's at DMC CA right now for a make-run and to see what else needs done.

But, it's in good shape, good interior, good body. Will know more in the coming weeks.

[mluder]

I bought my car in 2011 for $22K and it had 8000 miles on it.
Cosmetically it needed some work - couple of dings, driver door is warped a bit, rims needed repaint, engine bay looked like a 30 year old car but I drove it just fine for months until I took it apart to start rehabbing the engine bay.

Now the seller put over $15K into the car to get it to the point he could put it up far sale. You see low mile cars aren't driven. Because of this things go south. The brakes, cooling system, and fuel delivery all had to be re-built.
Since then I've had to replace the steering rack, water pump, alternator, and even a new clutch. I figure these are all items that would have been replaced previously on a 30 year old car that was regularly driven so I have no complaints. It was bound to happen and because I'm driving it regularly it now is.

The lesson - Low mileage affordable cars can be found. The less they are driven the more that could go wrong as you start putting miles on it. That being said any 30 year old car - even one from a DMC shop (and this is not their fault by any means, just a fact of life) - can and will have issues that come up. Maybe even in the first 6 months of ownership.

A DeLorean is an investment of time, money, and patience. You don't buy one because it will be a perfectly reliable car. You buy one because it's a DeLorean and it makes you smile... Until it makes you mad. But, you fix it and forgive it, and it makes you smile again.

Cheers
Steven

[Silverbullet]

I just bought 10515 which was bought in California and parked/garaged in California since 1988. Has 16k miles and I paid 16k. It's at DMC CA right now for a make-run and to see what else needs done.

But, it's in good shape, good interior, good body. Will know more in the coming weeks.

Been there done that.... The $1000 per year stored rule comes close... If you can get out for 1/2 that you will be lucky....

Ok, Did Wings-a-loft, Stainless Steel Headers, All new fuel system, Brake system, Clutch master, slave, Cooling hoses... and more... Runs great, no issues...

Craig

[kings1527]

I just bought 10515 which was bought in California and parked/garaged in California since 1988. Has 16k miles and I paid 16k. It's at DMC CA right now for a make-run and to see what else needs done.

But, it's in good shape, good interior, good body. Will know more in the coming weeks.

Looks like you picked up a very nice car. Great blog, too. I used to live in Hermosa but moved a few months ago. If I knew that car was being stored in Torrance before I bought mine, I'd have definitely been interested in it too. Welcome to the club!

[88KPH]

I like Deloreans, I bought one for Christ sake, and I think they make an interesting DIY classic.
You get all the fun and stares of an exotic (Insert some wonderful European marque), it's maybe not quite the glamour, however you don't need specialist garages (ie $200 per hour), & spares are readily available.
But would you really spend $45/50K on one? I wouldn't. Maybe that's why the cheaper/used cars are more in favour?

[Rich_NYS]

I just bought 10515 which was bought in California and parked/garaged in California since 1988. Has 16k miles and I paid 16k. It's at DMC CA right now for a make-run and to see what else needs done.

But, it's in good shape, good interior, good body. Will know more in the coming weeks.


Looks good...congratulations!

[uhhair]

I can't remember the last time I've seen a DeLorean sell for 22k that didn't look a bit beat up let alone needed mechanical work... Maybe in the 90s? I'd love to see images of these cars... Maybe I'm too critical.

I'll post pictures of the one that sold for $22k tonight, since I was the seller...

[Michael]

I'll post pictures of the one that sold for $22k tonight, since I was the seller...

Is it red?

[Lwanmtr]

I do agree that the pristine cars get overlooked more. I found mine on ebay and while there were some others that had better pictures, looked better, and had delorean savvy sellers, I actually liked the picture of the car with the nice warm winter coat of dust on it.. I paid 13k for it..didnt run, interior was mostly disassembled. Still not quite drivable..but Im not at all disapointed in it.....I could imagined paying 20K or more on one that looked much better and then having the engine blow up or something.

So its all in how much you really think its worth..and if you trust the seller

[88KPH]

I got mine from US Ebay as well. Really bad advert, not even a picture of the car!
The seller had just posted 6 close-up pics of the problem areas (Dings, rips, cracks, rusty nut heads etc)
But he did list things he'd done and all the bits that need doing.
I thought this is the kinda seller for me......... Buy it now!
Only saw picture of car when it was being collected for transport. Haha.

It's really scary for over-seas buyers. You have to transfer all this money to some town/bank you've never heard of, have no car & just hope the ad is genuine! Scary stuff! :eek5:

[16949]

A DeLorean is an investment of time, money, and patience. You don't buy one because it will be a perfectly reliable car. You buy one because it's a DeLorean and it makes you smile... Until it makes you mad. But, you fix it and forgive it, and it makes you smile again.


I had a (well meaning) neighbor ask me the other day whether a Delorean was reliable enough (for me to be driving). He meant well. But my easy answer was "You don't buy a 32 year old car and think it will always run perfectly everytime you drive it. That's why I upped my AAA and I only drive it on nice days when I'm not in a time crunch, in case something does act up." Like most relationships, I expect not every day will be problem free but that the good will outweigh the hassles.

I also mistakenly thought that since I bought a running vehicle that had been serviced as needed, that I could have an action plan for future repairs that would be mapped out, and methodically improve over time with a linear cost. But I didn't know that when you touch one thing, three other things that were nearby will be impacted, and then you have 4 things that may or may not be the cause of that noise or symptom that seems new. (And I've been lucky that nothing significant has shown up despite putting 400+ miles on it in 6 weeks). And I also am realizing that the learning curve on THIS car is not much easier for those with more experience and therefore fixing it myself sometimes will be the right decision: just because someone knows more about cars, doesn't meant they are better to fix this car. And I'm still having the exact decision dilemma described earlier: do I take a pretty pristine car and keep it original for future value and belief in the value of history, or do I modify it for today instead of designing around yesterday and tomorrow.

There's so much that is unknowable that the value of *a* specific Delorean I think is not measurable until you've had it for 12 months and the gremlins have started to show their faces or not. But unless you find someone willing to sell under those terms, I think the initial margin of error for price:value is probably 15% for even experts. At least that's my opinion a few months in from watching and evaluating the markets for these.

[Lwanmtr]

For me, resale value isnt part of my thinking...I knew what I was buying needed to be brought back to life..and I made my decision on how much id pay on that..as well as my plans...1 get it running and as reliable as an old car can be..as well as getting the inside all nice and comfy...then 2 work on updating what Im able to as money allows...im not a purist on originality and any modern systems and comforts I can squeeze in, I will (if I can afford it).

[Rich]

From the latest Hagerty weekly blog: LINK: 10-year Predictions for 5 Pop Culture Icons of the '80s (https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/Articles/2017/05/24/predictions?utm_source=MagnetMail&utm_medium=email&[email protected]&utm_content=17%2DHagerty%20Weekly%20News%2005%2D31&utm_campaign=American%20Pickers%27%20top%2011%20ca r%20picks%2C%20and%2010%2Dyear%20valuation%20predi ctions)

The DeLorean is listed among such cars as the Ferrari 308GTS and....the Toyota Hilux Pickup. How's that for variety?

Enjoy and post up your guess for 2027!


DeLorean DMC-12 - Everyone knows (or thinks they know) the DeLorean's story. Rushed into production with a limp 130 hp Renault-Peugeot-Volvo V-6, it had the looks of an exotic supercar but a Toyota Celica’s performance. For years, the DeLorean was the butt of bad cocaine (due to the company founder and CEO’s legal issues) and flux capacitor jokes (watch Back to the Future and you'll understand), nobody thought much about its innovative construction, with engineering expertise provided by Lotus. And in the era of 700 hp plus production cars, everything old is slow in comparison to what you can walk into a showroom and buy, so who really cares if the DeLorean won’t get out of its own way? Thanks to the Back to the Future trilogy, it’s a certified pop culture icon.

PRICE TODAY- Around $35,000 in any color as long as it’s brushed stainless steel.
PRICE IN TEN YEARS- $50,000 to $65,000

[Rich]

Moderators, feel free to merge the previous post of this thread 12832 with thread 15287 or vice versa.

My mistake to not look elsewhere before posting the Hagerty article link to this DeLorean Values thread, not seeing it had a new thread start of its own since yesterday.