Vanity plate question (Don't ask).

[About time]

If I am able to land the Delorean I'm after I'm thinking about getting a vanity plate "DON'T ASK".

I hate all the stupid questions and comments about "Where's the flux capacitor", "You know there were drugs in the doors right?" "What happens at 88 MPH" etc.

Any chance it will deter even one person from asking, or should I just get regular tags on the car if it becomes mine?

(I'm thinking it would be a fruitless undertaking, change my mind.)

[dn010]

I think no matter what tag you have, you’ll still get questions and comments. I’ve learned to enjoy those who enjoy the car and ignore those who don’t.

[Col Bennett]

I think no matter what tag you have, you’ll still get questions and comments. I’ve learned to enjoy those who enjoy the car and ignore those who don’t.

Totally agree. It's something you just need to get used to - and get used to it quick!

After nearly two and a half years of DeLorean ownership, the inane BTTF comments just keep coming and coming at any gas station or cars and coffee event. I love the movie and it's the reason the DeLorean became my dream car. I didn't think the variety of comments would bother me at all but I've got to admit that they do become a little tiresome after a while. Every time I get a snarky Coke comment or brain-dead BTTF reference I have to go through a quick composure check just to make sure I don't snark back. I've caught myself a few times but like Dan said, you've got to get used to them.

I think a DONTASK plate might have the inverse effect. It might make people want to ask you even more. It almost invites the questions you're trying to avoid, so I'm not sure it's going to have impact you think.

G-luck with the purchase!

[Ron]

+1

That might avoid a few of those questions. But I bet they would be replaced with a much greater number of, "Don't ask, what?" :)

[Josh]

If you dont want people talking to you, dont buy a delorean and stay in your home.

Pretty simple!

[bytes311]

As an owner you're just gonna have to embrace it. People get excited when they see a DeLorean.

[micmak]

It might result in the opposite reaction to what you desire. I was at a show last year and I made up a sign titled Answers To Questions You Probably Have. I had the answers listed like so:

I don’t have one
He was acquitted
They open just fine
They’re not aluminum
Etc etc

I had several types of reactions. One reaction was confusion, as to what I was trying to say. This caused people to ask for clarification and they ended up walking away more confused than when they arrived. Another reaction was silence and then muttering to their buddies about the sign. And a very small percentage laughed out loud, and understood exactly what it all meant. But by far the reaction was not positive.

[About time]

I currently drive a Plymouth Prowler, the number of photos that get taken when I'm cruising down the highway is insane, and I have no problem giving a thumps up, or if I'm grabbing a bite I enjoy people asking me all the questions they do, I keep little match box cars with me to hand out to the kids, they love it! So do I, my 9 yr old daughter loves it.

Driving the Delorean brings out so many insanely dumb questions/comments that it's the one thing I hatted about using the car. Is there coke still in the doors? Just shoot me now!

[dn010]

Well, perhaps it is just me, but a great majority of the contact I've had with people who walked up to me/my car has been positive. Few instances did I get any kind of coke jokes, car weight, slow, etc comments. And I've owned mine for 17 years now. Most of the jokes came when I lived in small town in upstate NY. In Florida I can't remember one instance of any negativity. Those who are completely stunned they're actually looking at 'the real thing' or all the times parents with kids who cautiously walked up and asked if they can look at the car and are blown away when I allow them to sit in it make up for those few instances.

What I've found, is that no matter what classic or exotic etc car you drive, there will always be that one guy driving a shitbox with thrush stickers all over it who thinks what you've got is garbage and will try to give you a bad time about it.

[About time]

Well, perhaps it is just me, but a great majority of the contact I've had with people who walked up to me/my car has been positive. Few instances did I get any kind of coke jokes, car weight, slow, etc comments. And I've owned mine for 17 years now. Most of the jokes came when I lived in small town in upstate NY. In Florida I can't remember one instance of any negativity. Those who are completely stunned they're actually looking at 'the real thing' or all the times parents with kids who cautiously walked up and asked if they can look at the car and are blown away when I allow them to sit in it make up for those few instances.

What I've found, is that no matter what classic or exotic etc car you drive, there will always be that one guy driving a shitbox with thrush stickers all over it who thinks what you've got is garbage and will try to give you a bad time about it.

I hope you're right, my experience came while driving a friends 81 up the Pacific coast highway in Ca. At every stop for gas, scenic overlook, or rest stop I was met with the Flux this, 88 MPH that, or the drug crap. I wished some real questions would have been presented, those I look forward to, I hate know-it-alls that think they know more about your car then you do or are just being stupid for the sake of doing so.

I'm in Jersey and am hoping if I win the bid on this car that the fine people of Jersey are better informed or more polite then those I've come across in Ca. I have to say I was shocked on my drives in Ca.

I look forward to the photo ops, will gladly allow someone to sit inside for a photo etc, just keep the mind numbing comments please.

[eight8toy]

I have a vanity plate, it's almost a must with a delorean. That being said, if I saw one with DONTASK I would figure the owner is a jerk/unfriendly and is trying to say how much the car is worth and to dont ask the price. Not necessarily meaning dont ask about flux capacitor, bttf etc...

Just my thoughts :)

The positive reactions you get with the car outweigh any negative stupid comments so it's worth it!

[dmcnc]

It's almost become noise to me. The F word I mean...(Flux...)

[Rich]

It goes with the territory.

For one thing consider there's a thread running on this forum called Stupid-Delorean-Comment-Of-the-Day (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?271-Stupid-Delorean-Comment-Of-the-Day/page171&highlight=list+questions) with over 1700 posts so far.

As a fellow owner in California whose taken the car to 3 other states so far I'd say the questions come at about the same rate here as elsewhere.

[David T]

I can't see giving the State of NJ even an extra nickel to be able to drive my car so I won't spend for the vanity plates. My choice. With all of the rules and few available choices kind of hard to come up with a good vanity plate. If you go with Historical you only pay for the first year and after that renewal is free. I would not get too involved with this minor thing till you know you got the car. If you do get it you do not have to plate it right away. You can Title it now and plate it later in the Spring.

[TGGreene]

Just bought mine. On the 1st trip down the road (2 miles to the gas station), two people honked at me, one pulled up beside me and gave me the thumbs up, and two stopped and took a picture of the car at the gas station. I kid you not. Few people around here have ever seen one, other than in the movies. I think it's a lot of fun, personally.

[DMC-81]

Here in Florida a vanity plate is not that much extra, compared to the high tax region that I used to live in. I chose an option that is not BTTF related, as I found you don't need to draw extra attention to the movies. That automatically comes with the territory. I have a miniature ThinkGeek flux capacitor in the glove box for the inevitable question "Does it have a FC"? My response usually elicits laughter.

My advice is to craft and hone your own responses to the common questions so you are prepared. Keep it light and remember most of the people are just as nervous to approach you. Embrace the attention and have fun with the fans.

[Jonathan]

Keep in mind also that you don't owe anyone out there a response to their interest or questions. Not saying to be rude or flat out ignore them, but you don't need to engage them if you aren't in the mood.

How you enjoy the car is up to you and only you. Some days you might feel like chatting it up with anyone and everyone and other days you don't. Try not to feel obligated by any of this. You bought the car for your own enjoyment first, everything and everyone else is a distant second.

The way you enjoy your car will also change over time. Don't feel bad about it or that you're letting anyone down by not going to all kinds of get togethers and events. Go to the ones you feel like going to and don't feel like you have to explain why you didn't go to any of the others. Life will change and so will how you feel about the car. Sometimes these are good things and sometimes they aren't.

Solicit input from other owners on how they do various things with their car if you want to, but ultimately make up your own mind on how you're going to do stuff with your car. Personally, after ten+ years of having my car, I tend to really enjoy getting out for an evening 'lap' with the car on a loop I know well and one that isn't very busy with other traffic. I still stop and get gas or coffee and chat, but I prefer the driving more than the 'take off and landing' portions. As Michael coined not long ago, 'windows up, music up' when you come to a red light and don't feel like dealing with the guy beside you. That one needs the A/C to be working though, lol.

Best advice I can give you is to run your own race, and if people don't like it, tell them to go jump in a lake.

[About time]

I can't see giving the State of NJ even an extra nickel to be able to drive my car so I won't spend for the vanity plates. My choice. With all of the rules and few available choices kind of hard to come up with a good vanity plate. If you go with Historical you only pay for the first year and after that renewal is free. I would not get too involved with this minor thing till you know you got the car. If you do get it you do not have to plate it right away. You can Title it now and plate it later in the Spring.

I fully agree with the taxes here in NJ, I don't want them getting a penny more from me. I didn't realize an 81 qualified for "Historic" plates, if that's the case I will go that route for sure. I think the Historic plate looks pretty ice IMO.

As for worrying about it, I'm just making conversation with my thoughts while I wait this one out. I feel like a kid at Christmas with anticipation.

[About time]

Some good advice up above. I go to a few shows with my Plymouth, the normal questions from the heart are always welcome, it's those that think they know more then you do about your car that drives me nuts. Or the guy that is trying to make fun of your choice in classic car.

[David T]

Part of it is that people need a way to strike up a conversation so they say something like "Where's the Flux Capacitor"? I take it as a sign of interest and see how far they want to take it. It is a way for them to show that they know something about the car and it is always innocent. Never mind they don't realize you have heard that line before. Take it like a form of flattery, like trying to say hello to a pretty girl. 99% of the people that have come up to me are genuinely thrilled to see the car and are friendly and happy that you let them close to the car. Let's not talk about the 1%. If you don't like the attention maybe you should have gotten a different car.

[Michael]

Maybe get one that reads "I'm a stuck up jerk that doesn't have the time to engage your interest in my car, if the tables were reversed however, I would want you to indulge my interest" There must be a way to fit that into 7 letters....that is of course if they take the time to read your tag for etiquette instructions before approaching you (I know that's the first place I check).

Sounds to me like a DeLorean is not your cup of tea, nor would you make a good ambassador to the marque. If you don't want people talking to you, don't get a DeLorean because you don't get to pick and choose what kind of people approach you and you don't get to control what they say no matter what your clever tag says they should do.

[Dangermouse]

I think a DONTASK plate might have the inverse effect.

They'll just assume your name is Donald Task

[Mark D]

They'll just assume your name is Donald Task

D On Task

Do N Task

Donta SK

Donta's K

Always gotta consider alternate interpretations of your personal plate.

58980

In WI we get 7 characters and two half-spaces. Those half spaces can be the difference between "A New Start" and "Anus Tart"

[About time]

Maybe get one that reads "I'm a stuck up jerk that doesn't have the time to engage your interest in my car, if the tables were reversed however, I would want you to indulge my interest" There must be a way to fit that into 7 letters....that is of course if they take the time to read your tag for etiquette instructions before approaching you (I know that's the first place I check).

Sounds to me like a DeLorean is not your cup of tea, nor would you make a good ambassador to the marque. If you don't want people talking to you, don't get a DeLorean because you don't get to pick and choose what kind of people approach you and you don't get to control what they say no matter what your clever tag says they should do.

You must not be the site ambassador. I'll assume what I was trying to convey got lost in translation. Some people came off as real jerks in my time driving the car. When I say some you should read that as 70% of them, sort of know it all types. I drive an attention getter now, I always get, "That's a sharp car, what kind is it?" Or something like that, conversation is always welcome, just not the stupid Delorean comment of the day type comment. Being there is a thread justly named I am certainly not standing alone on this one.

You go ambassador.

[Michael]

I never claimed to be the site ambassador, I'm more of the security to run off half hearted fanboys with pipe dreams about what ownership entails.
If you ever do get your car, you will be sick of it in less than a year.

[Josh]

I never claimed to be the site ambassador, I'm more of the security to run off half hearted fanboys with pipe dreams about what ownership entails.
If you ever do get your car, you will be sick of it in less than a year.

Michael is indeed the DMCTalk ambassador.
He is just being humble.


Or maybe he is the DMCTalk Ass. One of the two :neener:

[Michael]

Michael is indeed the DMCTalk ambassador.
He is just being humble.


Or maybe he is the DMCTalk Ass. One of the two :neener:

I proclaim a new title;

Assbassador

[Josh]

I proclaim a new title;

Assbassador

AND SO IT IS!

Expect your paperwork in the mail shortly.

[Michael]

<<<<<So it is written, so shall it be done.

[Ron]

They'll just assume your name is Donald Task
:rofl:

[Ron]

Maybe get one that reads "I'm a stuck up jerk that doesn't have the time to engage your interest in my car, if the tables were reversed however, I would want you to indulge my interest" There must be a way to fit that into 7 letters....

M-I-C-H-A-E-L :deviltail:

[Michael]

M-I-C-H-A-E-L :deviltail:

:hysterical:

[About time]

:hysterical:

Well since it has been proclaimed that you are now the ambassador here you don't have to worry about me being one for the car, who in the hell actually thinks of this stuff, oh, yeah, a fan boy with his head so far up his ass he can't control himself.

So now that we've both pissed on one another's leg twice, let's leave it at that, It's not good for the site and the 2 of us most likely have enough internet experience to light the world on fire, so let's not. Peace.

[David T]

Getting back to the topic of this thread in NJ you must offer up 3 different choices. There are also some rules and then they have the final say if they don't like your choices, too vulgar, too controversial, if someone already got it, etc. I think you can get historical personalized plates. Read the rules carefully and try and figure out something creative. You have to get regular plates first and then they send you the personalized plate later.

[Michael]

Well since it has been proclaimed that you are now the ambassador here you don't have to worry about me being one for the car, who in the hell actually thinks of this stuff, oh, yeah, a fan boy with his head so far up his ass he can't control himself.

So now that we've both pissed on one another's leg twice, let's leave it at that, It's not good for the site and the 2 of us most likely have enough internet experience to light the world on fire, so let's not. Peace.

:cheers:

[Josh]

Well since it has been proclaimed that you are now the ambassador here you don't have to worry about me being one for the car, who in the hell actually thinks of this stuff, oh, yeah, a fan boy with his head so far up his ass he can't control himself.

So now that we've both pissed on one another's leg twice, let's leave it at that, It's not good for the site and the 2 of us most likely have enough internet experience to light the world on fire, so let's not. Peace.

You joined the forum merely a month ago, but here you are already arguing with senior members of the community.
I will admit Michael can be a little course, but he does know a thing or two.

Just waiting for this to play out, will you still be here this time next year? Ill place my bets with no.

[SamHill]

You joined the forum merely a month ago, but here you are already arguing with senior members of the community.
I will admit Michael can be a little course, but he does know a thing or two.

Just waiting for this to play out, will you still be here this time next year? Ill place my bets with no.

Michael is.... very senior.

[Michael]

Michael is.... very senior.

Things have never been the same since the prostate exam. He seemed professional enough and his craigslist ad was well written but something was off about him.

For the record I never considered us to be arguing. I'm just old school which means my skin is so thick that Hannibal would be like "it's not worth the effort".

[Michael]

I would assume it meant he was in the military "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Normally my mind wouldn't go to sexual orientation but seeing it on the back of a DeLorean would pretty much seal the deal.

[About time]

You joined the forum merely a month ago, but here you are already arguing with senior members of the community.
I will admit Michael can be a little course, but he does know a thing or two.

Just waiting for this to play out, will you still be here this time next year? Ill place my bets with no.

Well if you look at the post just above yours you'll see it's been put to bed, yet you want to stir the pot, tisk tisk. As for me being here in 1 year, well if I get the car I can pretty much say I will be here, if I don't I don't see much reason to be here.

[SamHill]

Things have never been the same since the prostate exam. He seemed professional enough and his craigslist ad was well written but something was off about him.


Doctors don't normally throw a wrinkled up stack of five and tens at you and hastily leave the room.