You may try and talk me out of getting a DeLorean

[MrChocky]

I know, I know. I'm prone to flights of fancy about wanting certain things. I'm definitely going to sit on this for a long time, to see how much reality sinks in. And for practical purposes, I'm a least a year out.

So, some background. I'm in the Bay Area - in fact, that guy in Alameda with the black one is really really close. This is most definitely, (at least in some of the cities), Tesla country. In fact, I have some very strong (if indirect links) to Tesla that I won't go into here. For a lot of reasons, it's not practical for me to own one here, so if this happens, it's going to be after a move elsewhere.

So some background. I'm not, by any stretch, a "car guy" - despite watching numerous Netflix shows. I'm probably not going to be doing traditional mechanical work - I'm much more at home with an screwdriver than a wrench. So that means buddying up with someone to coerce/pay to do the major work, or find a shop close by that knows how to work on such things.

In the meantime, I'm slowly trying to read the accumulated wisdom here - well noted things about "paying up", issues with the originals, and in general things you expect to go wrong with a 40 year old car. I also spotted today the buying guide. I'm also painfully aware of how difficult it can be to buy a "regular" car,

My present car is a VW Eos, which has a fantastically complex hard top convertible roof - which was amazing until it broke. I spent 6 months trying to research, fix and generally poke at it. I found out a number of things that hadn't be published anywhere, and got a lot of abuse from a forum. I couldn't find anyone locally who'd even want to touch it - realistically it needs 2 or maybe even 3 people to work on it! And probably the repair would be more than the car is now worth - so that all left a bad taste. The current plan is to drive that until it gives up. The other car is a much more practical Subaru Outback.

So some practical questions (I'm sure I'll have more):

- What's rear visibility like when backing? I never got around to fitting a reversing camera, and the EOS's rear is high and rear window is small.

- Is it a "compact". I know the doors much it much easier to park in confined spaces.

- Can a booster seat be stowed in the area behind the seats (small child)

- There's no computer/ECU as such is there? I think this ought to be obvious from 1981, but I have to ask.

- Non leather interiors - I'm vegan, so any rework here is gonna be fabric or faux. Has anyone done this?

- My final concern here with the car is that it's gonna attract a huge amount of attention, especially as a DD. It's not really a car you'd want to leave unattended for a long, is it?


And to cap it off, some more about me:

I'm a software engineer, in fact, an exceptional one. I have a ton of knowledge, but something which is relevant here is control and network systems - for my day job, I wrote software for robots. Slightly less relevant on an older car, but still - and yes, I saw the digital dashboard project.

Also, I happen to be an accomplished technical writer - I'm great at gathering stuff, and presenting it in complete and thorough form.

Thanks! Appreciate any feedback.

[Michael]

- Non leather interiors - I'm vegan, so any rework here is gonna be fabric or faux.


Well you are going to have to remove the seats and recover and don't forget the steering wheel cow parts removed and recovered with non cow parts lest you bee wrapping your hands around a dead cow part and don't forget if you get a 5 speed, your hand may graze the dead cow part of the shifter boot, so that will have to be removed as well. You will also have to replace the tires with tires that do not contain stearic acid which can be taken from animal products. A lot of the glues used also contain animal products, so you will have to completely disassemble the car and reglue with ??
ummmm, you know what, never mind. :confused0:

[L3V3L1]

I know, I know. I'm prone to flights of fancy about wanting certain things. I'm definitely going to sit on this for a long time, to see how much reality sinks in. And for practical purposes, I'm a least a year out.

So, some background. I'm in the Bay Area - in fact, that guy in Alameda with the black one is really really close. This is most definitely, (at least in some of the cities), Tesla country. In fact, I have some very strong (if indirect links) to Tesla that I won't go into here. For a lot of reasons, it's not practical for me to own one here, so if this happens, it's going to be after a move elsewhere.

So some background. I'm not, by any stretch, a "car guy" - despite watching numerous Netflix shows. I'm probably not going to be doing traditional mechanical work - I'm much more at home with an screwdriver than a wrench. So that means buddying up with someone to coerce/pay to do the major work, or find a shop close by that knows how to work on such things.

In the meantime, I'm slowly trying to read the accumulated wisdom here - well noted things about "paying up", issues with the originals, and in general things you expect to go wrong with a 40 year old car. I also spotted today the buying guide. I'm also painfully aware of how difficult it can be to buy a "regular" car,

My present car is a VW Eos, which has a fantastically complex hard top convertible roof - which was amazing until it broke. I spent 6 months trying to research, fix and generally poke at it. I found out a number of things that hadn't be published anywhere, and got a lot of abuse from a forum. I couldn't find anyone locally who'd even want to touch it - realistically it needs 2 or maybe even 3 people to work on it! And probably the repair would be more than the car is now worth - so that all left a bad taste. The current plan is to drive that until it gives up. The other car is a much more practical Subaru Outback.

So some practical questions (I'm sure I'll have more):

- What's rear visibility like when backing? I never got around to fitting a reversing camera, and the EOS's rear is high and rear window is small.

- Is it a "compact". I know the doors much it much easier to park in confined spaces.

- Can a booster seat be stowed in the area behind the seats (small child)

- There's no computer/ECU as such is there? I think this ought to be obvious from 1981, but I have to ask.

- Non leather interiors - I'm vegan, so any rework here is gonna be fabric or faux. Has anyone done this?

- My final concern here with the car is that it's gonna attract a huge amount of attention, especially as a DD. It's not really a car you'd want to leave unattended for a long, is it?


And to cap it off, some more about me:

I'm a software engineer, in fact, an exceptional one. I have a ton of knowledge, but something which is relevant here is control and network systems - for my day job, I wrote software for robots. Slightly less relevant on an older car, but still - and yes, I saw the digital dashboard project.

Also, I happen to be an accomplished technical writer - I'm great at gathering stuff, and presenting it in complete and thorough form.

Thanks! Appreciate any feedback.
The car may have been assembled by a mutton fed Irishman. Does this matter? 🤔

[jangell]

So some background. I'm not, by any stretch, a "car guy" - despite watching numerous Netflix shows. I'm probably not going to be doing traditional mechanical work - I'm much more at home with an screwdriver than a wrench.

I'm not either, but shops can be expensive and take a lot of time, and I'm impatient. Over the last 15+ of DeLorean ownership I've gone from "I'll let someone else do it" to "I can replace an engine". As long as you're willing to learn, it's not to hard to do a lot of the work yourself. But it's good to know a mechanic how you can have it towed to if you get in over your head.


- What's rear visibility like when backing? I never got around to fitting a reversing camera, and the EOS's rear is high and rear window is small.

Backing up isn't really a problem, thanks to the fact that the car isn't very long. I did install a backup camera when I did a double-DIN radio recently, and it makes it even easier. You do have significant blind spots between the side and quarter panel windows, though, and the latter will fog up on you, which can be annoying.


- Is it a "compact". I know the doors much it much easier to park in confined spaces.

It's short, but wide. But not super wide. I never tried to park in a compact space when I lived in CA, and we don't seem to really have those in the northeast, so I can't speak to that. But you're so low and the hood is so visible that it took me a week or so to get used to parking next to other cars without worrying about hitting them. Now it's no problem.


- Can a booster seat be stowed in the area behind the seats (small child)

Someone has done this, but I wouldn't recommend it. It's not designed for that, and it will block your rear view visibility. It really is a two seater.


- There's no computer/ECU as such is there? I think this ought to be obvious from 1981, but I have to ask.

There are "computers", but we'd think of them as Radio Shack kits by modern standards. There are a couple behind the driver's seat for the Lambda and ignition system, and the automatic transmission computer, but that's about it. If you want to hook up your own computers, you'll be using Pis and Arduinos to read voltages from wires, not plugging into a serial port or CAN bus. You can convert to EFI if you want information from the engine, but that's its own project.


- Non leather interiors - I'm vegan, so any rework here is gonna be fabric or faux. Has anyone done this?

Not that I'm aware of, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been done. It'll probably have to be custom, which means expensive. In my view, those cows have been dead for 40 years, and you buying a DeLorean now didn't contribute to that, so your hands are clean, so to speak. Unless you have a significant aversion to being in contact with leather, I'd say to wait until the interior wears out and then replace it with more animal-friendly products them.


- My final concern here with the car is that it's gonna attract a huge amount of attention, especially as a DD. It's not really a car you'd want to leave unattended for a long, is it?

Mine had been off the road for about 6 years as I slowly did a 3.0L engine swap due to a hole in the 2.8L engine block, and I had forgotten just how much attention it gets. I drive it whenever I can, and will routinely leave it at movie theaters, shopping centers, etc. I've seen people taking pictures of the car from across the parking lot, that sort of thing, but no one has ever messed with it that I'm aware of.

-- Joe

[Bitsyncmaster]

None of the stock ECUs use a microprocessor. They are all discrete components and standard ICs.

[mr_maxime]

Does a vegan interior really matter? If you're buying something with animal products in it, what difference does it make? Seems like buying a steak just to throw it in the garbage, then ordering something vegan. Why not just buy a vegan friendly car to begin with?

[David T]

A Delorean is really not a good candidate for daily driver. It does not have many of the newer, more modern safety features like airbags, power steering, lane departure warning, collision avoidance etc. Visibility is limited. Putting a child seat behind the seats would not be legal, there are no tethers or seat belts to attach it to. As for reliability, which would be necessary for a daily driver, very few shops will service the car and many of the parts are not quickly available the same day. That said you can make the car reliable but it will take a lot of work to make it so and keep it reliable. Expect a lot of attention, no getting around that. The car is pre-OBD so there are no "computers" per se, just some discreet electric controllers for some of the systems. It will cost a lot to remove the leather and fabricate cloth or plastic to replace it (is it really that important to do that?). The animals that were killed to get that leather died over 35 years ago.The car will still burn fossil fuel, will that be OK? For backing up, some owners have installed back-up cameras. Most owners just open the door and look back for the rare times you have to back up. In an area of the country as populated as the Bay area, driving a Delorean can be dangerous because a Delorean can be difficult to see, being so low and under the wrong lighting conditions it can "blend in" and be hard to spot. Then there is the problem of insurance. Most insurance companies will just insure it like any 35 year old car and Blue Book it. If it gets totaled they will hand you $1,000 and you're done. You would need to find a company that will insure it for "Agreed Value" but of course that will cost a lot more (if you can get it). Finally, in California you have to deal with inspections. Probably the toughest in the country and always getting tougher. Currently you should pass if the car is in good tune but with the rules getting tougher and tougher every year it is just a matter of time before it will be impossible to use a Delorean as a daily driver in California. The "pro" argument is that is one of the coolest cars on the planet. So much so that Tesla is going to make a pick-up that, arguably, looks a lot like a Delorean!

[louielouie2000]

When Special T Auto/DeLorean Auto Parts was still open they offered vinyl replacement seat covers. There might be a set or two floating around somewhere that hasn’t been installed yet. I’ve seen a number of DeLoreans over the years that have had their original seats reupholstered in cloth, too. Robert/DMCVegas on here has cloth seats, I believe.

As far as back up visibility, that’s somewhat overblown this day & age. So many modern cars have rising window belt lines with sloping “coupe” roofs & massively thick roof pillars. When viewed in that light, DeLoreans aren’t so bad. Since I’m very tall and my head sticks up into the concave section of the door headliner, I always found it easiest to simply keep the door open while backing up my DeLoreans.

DeLoreans can in fact be daily drivers... several members on here do just that. I was t-boned by a 4,500 pound Cadillac in one of my DeLoreans and walked away with only glass cuts... so considering what they are, they’re probably safer than you would think. I think the biggest issue with DeLoreans being daily driven is the current state of the American automobile. Everyone drives massive trucks, SUVs, & crossovers now. A DeLorean is so short it is about door handle height on a Camry. Point being, you’re practically invisible to all the massive vehicles around you. The other issue with daily driving is reliability. Almost any DeLorean thrown into daily service will have issues arise. Until you flush all of those out, your car will take a lot of trips on a flatbed.

[Jonathan]

A thought considering your comments of "not being a car guy", "does it get a lot of attention?" and "is it okay to leave parked somewhere?"

I am of the opinion that it is better to be someone who loves attention than someone who is a car guy. And not just loves the attention, but thrives in it. Goes looking for it in fact. Someone that feeds off being noticed and can't get enough of it.

Because this is what owning this car is about.

Tending towards being thin-skinned, introverted, loving your own time and space and peace and quiet, and generally not being in the mood for people 24/7 are poor choices for character traits for life with a DMC. I wish it weren't that way, but it is. You can't turn the attention off and it will come to you whether you want it or not. That sounds fun and exciting and novel and it will be, right up until you've had enough of it and then, surprise, it keeps coming. Relentlessly. Say goodbye to minding your own business. So long to the days where you could have your garage door open and be in the backyard without feeling anxious about who is lurking around the driveway trying to check out the car. And adios to those times where you go for a drive to just chill out and unwind. Because if the take-offs and landings aren't bad enough for you, wait until your first speed-matcher scares the crap out of you because that cool photo for his Facebook buddies is more important than your safety and getting to your off-ramp in time.

The car guy stuff is pretty easy all things considered. Start with simple stuff and add more complicated things as you get experience. Buy some tools, find a place to work on the car. Don't park it out somewhere public like a common area for your building. Have your own garage with the ability to close and lock the door. That's an insurance thing mostly, but it's also a peace of mind audience thing too. You ever put together some IKEA furniture and it's not going so well? How about when you've got an audience, like your wife or mother-in-law chirping you about dinner's almost ready and you said you would be done that thing an hour ago? Expect crap to break or not work right on your car at precisely the moment when your audience arrives. And the bigger the number of onlookers the bigger your break down problems will be.

You mention doing technical writing. Whatever your field may be, do you find it is easier to teach someone the technical skills first or the writing skills? Teach them to be the engineer first or teach them gooder English (kidding)? If your trip to Mars aboard the good ship Tesla needs scientific astronauts, do you start with a physicist first or a pilot? The car stuff is a joke on our cars compared to the people skills. And the most amazing mechanic in the world will still come to hate the cars if he doesn't realize what else is in store.

[Riley88]

Well you are going to have to remove the seats and recover and don't forget the steering wheel cow parts removed and recovered with non cow parts lest you bee wrapping your hands around a dead cow part and don't forget if you get a 5 speed, your hand may graze the dead cow part of the shifter boot, so that will have to be removed as well. You will also have to replace the tires with tires that do not contain stearic acid which can be taken from animal products. A lot of the glues used also contain animal products, so you will have to completely disassemble the car and reglue with ??
ummmm, you know what, never mind. :confused0:
Was waiting for it, bwuahaha

[Ron]

And to cap it off, some more about me:

I'm a software engineer, in fact, an exceptional one. I have a ton of knowledge, but something which is relevant here is control and network systems - for my day job, I wrote software for robots. Slightly less relevant on an older car, but still - and yes, I saw the digital dashboard project.

Also, I happen to be an accomplished technical writer - I'm great at gathering stuff, and presenting it in complete and thorough form.

Thanks! Appreciate any feedback.I nominate you to be the first to offer a functioning power source unit BTTF guys can chock veggies into.

[CFI]

1) I find it difficult to back up with precision unless I open the door and peak backwards out the side. Backing into a parking spot is the only time I do this.

2) It is a very small car, but wide. It will fit in compact parking spaces.

3) I’m assuming the booster seat question was for storage only? Yes, I store my sons booster seat on the rear parcel shelf and secure it with the net when not in use. Fits great.

4) There are 3 computers behind the drivers seat. Emission, idle, engine.

5) You’d probably have to have custom seat covers made

6) I drive mine frequently. About the only thing I won’t do is park it in a big, busy parking lot. Mostly because I don’t want door dings, not because I think someone will mess with it.

[MrChocky]

The car may have been assembled by a mutton fed Irishman. Does this matter? 🤔

I'm part Irish and have mutton chops. Does that help?

[MrChocky]

I nominate you to be the first to offer a functioning power source unit BTTF guys can chock veggies into.

There's a guy for everything. That's why I'm MrChocky.

[MrChocky]

Not that I'm aware of, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been done. It'll probably have to be custom, which means expensive. In my view, those cows have been dead for 40 years, and you buying a DeLorean now didn't contribute to that, so your hands are clean, so to speak. Unless you have a significant aversion to being in contact with leather, I'd say to wait until the interior wears out and then replace it with more animal-friendly products them.

That's really all I'm getting at. I'm assuming that some cars have a lot of wear at that age. But perhaps there's enough spares that it doesn't matter so much. But if say, the seats wore out
and have to be custom-covered or something, I'd want to look at non-leather options.

[MrChocky]

Thanks for even the replies - even the vegan trolling. I get that a lot; most vegans do. I didn't come here to debate that - there are numerous forums where you'll find plenty of people to engage you. In any case, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't a little bit eccentric, and I don't think anyone else would be either ;-)

I agree California sucks for driving. That's why even considering having one here is a problem, and also why such a decision is a way off. But here's some questions I forgot:

What's it like in foul weather? I once drove a Mustang on an icy freeway, and it was a little too exciting. And I have first hand experience of water ingress - again, I see the roof box chatter.
The traction control facilities are going to be limited/non-existent, surely? And really for a whole lot of non-weather reasons, it ought to be kept indoors. (I don't have such a location
at present).

Also roof racks - I couldn't find a picture, but there was some mention of a kayak. But how about a surfboard? (Actually, windsurfing board in my case).

Finally, I've seen cars sold with no title - this seems like a PITA. My experience was dealing with an out of state vehicle with a lien on it, and that was quite bad enough.

[Riley88]

IMO id be worried about daily driving. I daily drove mine for 3 months in Portland, Oregon, its stressful due to many factors. Other drivers following you, cutting you off to get photos, visibility, rain, parking brakes which even when set and good working still arent as up to snuff as modern units, always worrying about the panels getting dinged by either people who could care less or people who go out of thier way to be assholes, the sun ruining the interior etc. As a weekend fun treat car it is the perfect car, daily driver I would not ever consider it again, me personally.

[David T]

The car is OK in wet weather and the traction is decent unless there is ice. You can get a luggage rack for a surfboard. The car can be made watertight if it leaks. Never buy an old car (or any car unless you are buying it for parts) without a title. One great advantage of the doors is that when they open they cover you so you don't get wet as you get in and out.

[jangell]

Thanks for even the replies - even the vegan trolling. I get that a lot; most vegans do. I didn't come here to debate that - there are numerous forums where you'll find plenty of people to engage you. In any case, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't a little bit eccentric, and I don't think anyone else would be either ;-)

I think the problem was just that people read it as wanting to change it for the sake of changing it out, not that you just want to replace worn parts with more sustainable ones. I wasn't sure which way you meant when I first read it.


I agree California sucks for driving.

I lived in southern California (Burbank area) with my DeLorean for about a year. That was almost two decades ago, but I didn't find it too bad. But that's me. I didn't live directly in the cities (I don't like cities). I don't like driving it in Boston either, but I don't like driving in Boston period. San Francisco is similar, as I recall.



What's it like in foul weather? I once drove a Mustang on an icy freeway, and it was a little too exciting. ... The traction control facilities are going to be limited/non-existent, surely?

It's fine. I drove it in the rain yesterday, both highway and surface streets. I just got new tires, too (mostly my old ones aged out; the treads were fine). I just take the sharp corners a little slower. You have to remember that 60% of the weight is in the back, too.

It predates the concept of traction control and antilock brakes, so you'll need to be aware of that. I upgraded to the DMC UK Big Brake system earlier this year, which definitely helps with braking, but you're still in full manual mode -- tires can lock, and you can lose traction entirely. I've driven stupid a few times and had minor issues:
- Intentionally turning too fast onto a road with dirt on the ground; kicked the back out, but I expected it to happen, and was only going 20 MPH.
- Going too fast up a recently plowed road, lost control but recovered before hitting a snow bank
- Going too fast around a corner and kicked the back out a little. That was with my new tires, but the tire pressure was lower in the back than it should have been (I feel like it should have been able to take the corner).
- Spun off a highway late at night at 60 MPH at the edge of freezing temperatures going around a gentle curve. I actually wasn't doing anything wrong this time -- it was just bad luck. The car around backwards for a bit, which stalled the engine. There was no guard rail and the nearby ground was fairly level with the road, so I just slide off and came to a stop. Car started right back up and I got back on the highway, no problem.

Any of those could have been a lot worse. Once I slip I just take my foot off the gas and try to get the wheels aligned, but you have to worry about driver-induced oscillation as you over-correct and can't react as fast as the tire grip changes. That's why modern cars have traction control. For the record, I've never lost traction in my Subaru Outback or my wife's old Hyundai Sonata.


And I have first hand experience of water ingress - again, I see the roof box chatter.
... And really for a whole lot of non-weather reasons, it ought to be kept indoors. (I don't have such a location)

I kept mine outside for a few years, but it's mostly been garaged. One summer outdoors in the northeast was enough to crack my binnacle and dashboard, which had survived for 25 years prior. Also, stainless steel gets really hot in the sun, as does the black interior.

My car is pretty much water-tight, but if I do leave it outside in a heavy rain storm, I'll get a few drips from the front of the driver's side headliner, towards the center of the car. I need to look at that someday, but now that it's garaged it's less of a concern to me. I have no issues driving in the rain.


Also roof racks - I couldn't find a picture, but there was some mention of a kayak. But how about a surfboard? (Actually, windsurfing board in my case).

An optional luggage rack mounts over the engine bay. There was a ski rack adaptor sold, but that's pretty rare. You could probably fabricate other kinds of racks that mount to the luggage rack or in the same place it mounts. The main restriction for a surfboard, snow board or wind surfer is just making sure the everything fits between the open doors, and that you can sufficiently anchor it just one the engine compartment, since you won't have any place to tie it down forward of that.

-- Joe

[gluaisrothaii]

How close do you live to Alameda? PM if you want to stop by and check out my progress. pres@alameda-aero dot com will get me.

Ken

[crbritt83]

- What's rear visibility like when backing?
Having driven many cars, the Delorean rear visibility is not a problem at all. Backup cameras are a nice luxury for extra insurance, but this car suffers no more backing up visibility problems than any other car modern or old. The real visibility issue is other cars hanging out in your blind spot taking pictures and recording your car on video. Makes it hard to change lanes! But no less, the visibility to check in the lane is great... just have to watch out for those paparazzi!

- Is it a "compact". I know the doors much it much easier to park in confined spaces.
It is definitely a small car. While several folks have commented on it being wide, once again, compared to modern cars, it is far from wide. And as noted, the clearance to open the doors is remarkable.


- Can a booster seat be stowed in the area behind the seats (small child)
The space back there is big enough to stow it depending on the size of the booster. But as others have said, it's not a seat back there.


- There's no computer/ECU as such is there? I think this ought to be obvious from 1981, but I have to ask.
Nothing fancy.


- Non leather interiors - I'm vegan, so any rework here is gonna be fabric or faux. Has anyone done this?
I get it, but depending on the state of the leather seats on the car you purchase, this is a great way to immediately devalue the car. I'd strongly consider whether you really want to do that or not.


- My final concern here with the car is that it's gonna attract a huge amount of attention, especially as a DD. It's not really a car you'd want to leave unattended for a long, is it?
Yes, it feels unmatched to anything else I've seen or owned. You always run the risk of folks checking it out unsolicited. But what's really the worst that can happen? They are meant to be enjoyed.

[mr_maxime]

I find it harder to park than any of my other cars due to the wide turn radius and lack of power steering. It's trickier to maneuver, but small enough that you're not really worried about hitting other cars

[MrChocky]

I lived in southern California (Burbank area) with my DeLorean for about a year. That was almost two decades ago, but I didn't find it too bad. But that's me. I didn't live directly in the cities (I don't like cities). I don't like driving it in Boston either, but I don't like driving in Boston period. San Francisco is similar, as I recall.



I've driven all over the country and even overseas. CA is definitely the most aggressive, by a long way. I used to live in San Diego county and it's gone from busy much of the time to busy all of the time.

The Bay Area is bad - people driving too fast, always in a hurry, and the street I live just off, people like to drive down the middle turn section, and once in a while, set cars on fire. This is also the
home of the "Sideshow", and not far from where I live is the notorious "Pit".

San Francisco itself is a whole other thing - the number of personal modes of travel now is mind-boggling - like something out of the Jetsons. Driving there takes a lot of patience - endless
construction, expensive/impossible to find parking. I avoid driving if at all possible there. Probably not as bad as London or Manhattan, but still.

[DMCVegas]

Long story short, you are not classic car owner material. I'm sorry, but that's just the truth from what I've read. Can that change for you? I don''t know. But at this stage of the game, I wouldn't even recommend a VW bug for you, let alone anything without a warranty.

If you really want to take on classic car ownership, you need to get your ass in gear and get some grit into you to become a car guy. Now if money for instance is a concern, that's a different story. I don't look down on anyone for not having the cash to complete a repair. But if you're refusing to repair a vehicle because the cost is too much, let alone refuse to complete the repair if it is something you can do yourself, then you don't have the necessary passion for this lifestyle. And passion is exactly what you need to keep you going through those rough times.

Make no mistake, I spent almost 4 years prior studying the workshop manual and a parts guide. I also asked questions too as you did, which is good, but that's not everything. It's about the kind of questions you ask. You want to know how it handles in bad weather? Um, okay... I never asked that because I didn't care. I knew I was a good enough driver to handle this car. But yeah, with the right tires with a B temperature rating and factory spec sizes (to hell with matching looks), she's fine by my standards. She splashes through floodwater with just a little high-revving after to puke the water out of the alternator. She did well enough in the snow & rain, and even held her own through waste spills on the highway and on gravel roads to boot. A/C is icy cold in the summer, and the heater is as cozy as a swaddled baby in the winter.

I had a great experience because I had confidence in myself, and no illusions about the car. It was back then an 18 year old used car when I got her. I knew she'd have problems. Didn't know what to expect, but I sure knew I'd deal with whatever she threw at me when the time came. Oh sure, the DeLorean handles well enough...if you're a capable driver. If you're the kind of person who locks up with fear and only knows to slam on the brake pedal, you're gonna be so screwed...with any old car, not just this one. Your common sense and your skill set are the traction control & collision avoidance systems. So no offense, but if you're asking how the car handles in bad weather, or even how difficult it is to backup without a camera, you should probably be more concerned about yourself than any car you might consider buying.

How is rear visibility? Franco Bertollini says it best:


https://youtu.be/wTVDpOaTGsc
https://youtu.be/wTVDpOaTGsc

Now you said you own an Eos that has a problem with the convertible roof. Yep, I checked out that forum and read up on your problem there, and others you posted about. I'm sorry, but, damn, this isn't the hobby for you. You can't get instant answers to just fix any little problem that comes along. Many fixes themselves are indeed quite simple, and easily completed by most shade tree mechanics. But it is the methodical troubleshooting that costs you. If you're not up to that, which I don't believe that you are given what I've read, then none of this is for you. Which confounds the living shit out of me. How the hell can you compile code, and yet not understand schematics & operational functions & orders by electromechanical systems? Troubleshooting a car is just simple algebra for the most part and is far simpler than coding.

Anyways, a better question for you here is this: why are you not a "Car guy"? Do cars genuinely not interest you? Is there a negative stereotype about being a "car guy" that you're afraid of being associated with? Are your friends suddenly going to look down upon you? Are you afraid that you're not capable of performing repairs? Now that can possibly all change. You need to study up on the car first. Find a mentor or two, and learn car repair. Starting with what you already have. But are you willing to make that change? I gotta be honest, I once knew another DeLorean owner whom you remind me of very much. His ownership experience was not a pleasant one. More than the DeLorean, you need to ask yourself some serious questions first.

P.S. On a personal note, I despise leather as an upholstery. Particularly in vehicles. I slide around too much. Cloth grips and hugs me close. I have my seats reupholstered in a nice durable cloth with factory stitching.

[Michael]

Long story short...


Glad we got the "short" version!


You know I'm kidding. I love your posts.

[DaraSue]

- time
- money
- patience
- mechanical skills
- a willingness to learn mechanical skills

If you don't have at least two or three of the above, owning a DeLorean or any other 30+ year old car is unlikely to be a a very satisfying experience.

When I bought mine, I'd had a 1987 CRX as a daily driver for my entire adult life. I took it for granted that 30 year old cars could be as reliable as anything else. And they can be, if you're willing to either spend a ton of money up front or spend a ton of money and/or time fixing everything that previous owners have neglected or half-assed. I've driven my DeLorean from one side of the country to the other, and haven't had to call a tow truck by the side of the interstate in 3 years. But I've spent over $20k on top of the original purchase price and a whole lot of my own time and various shops' to get it to that point. Is it worth it? Yeah, but if I had a mortgage payment on a house full of mouths to feed, I would probably feel differently.

To go along with what Rob said, it does sound like you're used to modern cars. A stock DeLorean lacks many of the conveniences of modern cars. It corners like an SR-71, shifts like a tank and brakes like the Titanic. If you aren't prepared for that, you can get yourself in trouble pretty fast. I've had mine out in supercell thunderstorms and blizzards and it performed adequately but are you willing to risk a $30-50k investment on a road full of dumbasses who think having 4wd means they can and should do 90 in a snowstorm? Are you willing to spend $1000+ per year on insurance that will cover a classic car for a total loss as a daily driver? Are you willing to get your hands dirty troubleshooting problems and/or do you have a trustworthy shop that knows these cars or has mechanics willing to learn (and bear in mind that these cars have been known to develop gremlins that can have even experienced DeLorean mechanics tearing their hair out)?

You're the only one who can decide what's right for you. But it does sound like you might be better off buying a Honda. Or pretty much any other car manufactured this century.

[MrChocky]

- time
- money
- patience
- mechanical skills
- a willingness to learn mechanical skills

If you don't have at least two or three of the above, owning a DeLorean or any other 30+ year old car is unlikely to be a a very satisfying experience.


I'd probably add a degree of stubbornness. The money is a way off, but otherwise yes.

Anyway, yes. Very well put. The answers to date have been extremely informative, and I thank you all. The subtext here is certain philosophy in owning one;
I get that too.



But it does sound like you might be better off buying a Honda. Or pretty much any other car manufactured this century.


Right now, that's unquestionably true. For me, this is a journey in which I get to learn a ton of stuff.

In the meantime, I'm here, I going to continue to answer questions - perhaps awkward ones to which people think are "obvious". I'd be gladly pointed
at things which I should read, research etc before I even go near one - and yes, I hope also to be able to help someone work on theirs.
I may eventually decide this isn't an appropriate choice for me; I asked the questions in order that I might be scared off. That time hasn't come yet.

[DaraSue]

I'd probably add a degree of stubbornness. The money is a way off, but otherwise yes.

I want to make sure I'm parsing you correctly - you mean that it's going to be a while before you have the money for the car? I'd definitely recommend waiting until you have a nice savings cushion before buying (if you decide to). Opinions vary as far as financing vs. saving up and paying cash (maybe you've seen the threads on here about that subject) but "this kid is more expensive than I thought/I got downsized/I want to make a downpayment on a house" are frequent refrains in the For Sale section of any classic car forum. The good thing about these cars is that as long as you take care of it and there isn't another financial system meltdown, you'll probably be able to sell it for as much or more than you paid for it if it's no longer feasible to keep it. You seem like you want to consider all the variables, so that's good. I'd recommend budgeting another 60-100% of your purchase price for repairs, just in case (maybe 200% or more if it's a "barn find" that's been sitting for years and needs a ton of work).


In the meantime, I'm here, I going to continue to answer questions - perhaps awkward ones to which people think are "obvious". I'd be gladly pointed
at things which I should read, research etc before I even go near one - and yes, I hope also to be able to help someone work on theirs.
I may eventually decide this isn't an appropriate choice for me; I asked the questions in order that I might be scared off. That time hasn't come yet.

It's good that you're not rushing into it. I'd definitely recommend getting in touch with owners from this forum or from your local owner's club and attending tech sessions. That could give you a better idea what kinds of work you can expect to do, and an opportunity to do some work yourself with supervision and see if it's something you'd enjoy. Personally I find that there is something intensely satisfying about fixing something yourself and knowing that you've got that problem solved for the foreseeable future. But... it can be intensely frustrating when you can't fix something and end up having to take the Flatbed Ride of Shame. Perseverance (or stubbornness :) ) to stick with it through all the aggravation is indeed one of the near-universal qualities of a long-term DeLorean owner.

Good luck with your decision!

[MrChocky]

I want to make sure I'm parsing you correctly - you mean that it's going to be a while before you have the money for the car? I'd definitely recommend waiting until you have a nice savings cushion before buying (if you decide to). Opinions vary as far as financing vs. saving up and paying cash (maybe you've seen the threads on here about that subject) but "this kid is more expensive than I thought/I got downsized/I want to make a downpayment on a house" are frequent refrains in the For Sale section of any classic car forum. The good thing about these cars is that as long as you take care of it and there isn't another financial system meltdown, you'll probably be able to sell it for as much or more than you paid for it if it's no longer feasible to keep it. You seem like you want to consider all the variables, so that's good. I'd recommend budgeting another 60-100% of your purchase price for repairs, just in case (maybe 200% or more if it's a "barn find" that's been sitting for years and needs a ton of work).


Yeah. Well and truly noted. Personal finance happens to be another area of interest of mine, and I know it's foolish to make personal financial predictions, but I have an idea
of what's coming and I think I can make this work. I know also that it's easy to drop $1-2K on service of a modern car (assuming you get someone else to do it); I think many
people don't really know the true cost of owning a car of any age.

I think my goal will be a car at the higher end of the range; that's "sorted" for the major work. But I think patience is going to be my biggest ally here, on both matters.

[SamHill]

Modern cars are forgiving to inattention; this one is not. The vegan thing is stupid. The cows died in 1980. Rumor has it they were drunk on Guiness at the time they were slaughtered.

[Rich_NYS]

- time
- money
- patience
- mechanical skills
- a willingness to learn mechanical skills

If you don't have at least two or three of the above, owning a DeLorean or any other 30+ year old car is unlikely to be a a very satisfying experience.

When I bought mine, I'd had a 1987 CRX as a daily driver for my entire adult life. I took it for granted that 30 year old cars could be as reliable as anything else. And they can be, if you're willing to either spend a ton of money up front or spend a ton of money and/or time fixing everything that previous owners have neglected or half-assed. I've driven my DeLorean from one side of the country to the other, and haven't had to call a tow truck by the side of the interstate in 3 years. But I've spent over $20k on top of the original purchase price and a whole lot of my own time and various shops' to get it to that point. Is it worth it? Yeah, but if I had a mortgage payment on a house full of mouths to feed, I would probably feel differently.

To go along with what Rob said, it does sound like you're used to modern cars. A stock DeLorean lacks many of the conveniences of modern cars. It corners like an SR-71, shifts like a tank and brakes like the Titanic. If you aren't prepared for that, you can get yourself in trouble pretty fast. I've had mine out in supercell thunderstorms and blizzards and it performed adequately but are you willing to risk a $30-50k investment on a road full of dumbasses who think having 4wd means they can and should do 90 in a snowstorm? Are you willing to spend $1000+ per year on insurance that will cover a classic car for a total loss as a daily driver? Are you willing to get your hands dirty troubleshooting problems and/or do you have a trustworthy shop that knows these cars or has mechanics willing to learn (and bear in mind that these cars have been known to develop gremlins that can have even experienced DeLorean mechanics tearing their hair out)?

You're the only one who can decide what's right for you. But it does sound like you might be better off buying a Honda. Or pretty much any other car manufactured this century.

+1

Excellent post.



Modern cars are forgiving to inattention; this one is not. The vegan thing is stupid. The cows died in 1980. Rumor has it they were drunk on Guiness at the time they were slaughtered.

Best response ever! Pure wisdom right there, Mr. Chocky!

[Mark D]

Well you are going to have to remove the seats and recover and don't forget the steering wheel cow parts removed and recovered with non cow parts lest you bee wrapping your hands around a dead cow part and don't forget if you get a 5 speed, your hand may graze the dead cow part of the shifter boot, so that will have to be removed as well. You will also have to replace the tires with tires that do not contain stearic acid which can be taken from animal products. A lot of the glues used also contain animal products, so you will have to completely disassemble the car and reglue with ??
ummmm, you know what, never mind. :confused0:


The car may have been assembled by a mutton fed Irishman. Does this matter? 🤔


Does a vegan interior really matter? If you're buying something with animal products in it, what difference does it make? Seems like buying a steak just to throw it in the garbage, then ordering something vegan. Why not just buy a vegan friendly car to begin with?


The vegan thing is stupid. The cows died in 1980. Rumor has it they were drunk on Guiness at the time they were slaughtered.

I was going to comment on the vegan interior thing but seeing how there are already a lot of responses, I didn't want to beat a dead horse. :giggle:

[L3V3L1]

I was going to comment on the vegan interior thing but seeing how there are already a lot of responses, I didn't want to beat a dead horse. :giggle:

Hahahaha. I see what you did there. Lol

[MrChocky]

Hahahaha. I see what you did there. Lol

I seat what you did there.

Just so we're clear - no one gets to outpun me. No one.

[JETS 81 DMC]

I seat what you did there.

Just so we're clear - no one gets to outpun me. No one.

I think you are trying to "HIDE" the issue. :dunno::cheers:

[Rich_NYS]

I think you are trying to "HIDE" the issue. :dunno::cheers:


I was going to comment on the vegan interior thing but seeing how there are already a lot of responses, I didn't want to beat a dead horse. :giggle:


LMAO....you guys are awesome!

[Riley88]

Bud i bought my car for 23k before they started shooting up. WOW what a deal! Did all my research etc, and still after buying i ended spending 8.5k the first 3 months for work to be done. Another 3k a month later for modern upgrades, and the list goes on. If you are ocd as well this car will irritate you, you will notice every imperfection. Trust me when i say these cars were built in ireland, and every one is a little bit diffferent. The doors close feel is different in every car, some seem to handle better than others, Ive driven 5 and each one has been... quite a bit different. If you are buying a K jet car, be prepared to read on the fuel system, understanding how it works on a basic level, and know that you cannot skip on maintenance or worse let the car sit for a few months and not start it. I know alot of people are saying the negatives, and i think the positives far out weight them, but they are needing to be acknowledged. Go read the general section and read peples threads who are having issues with thier cars. Like others have said, MOST issues can be solved quite easily if you have them, some , no amount of googling will help, but I will say this community is VERY big on helping other owners. the best thing youc an do, is buy the best possible car you can, not one that will need extensive work, just to save yourself 10 or 15k as you will spend double that plus time and headache. Wish you best of luck man.

[Mark D]

I was reading through this thread more thoroughly and found myself thinking of how it's basically a microcosm of DMCTalk in general. Lots of genuinely helpful information mixed in with a good dose of sarcasm and humor.

MrChocky, from your questions it seems like you have put a great deal of thought into purchasing a DeLorean. Rather than going line by line and rehashing all the other posts, I'll simply say this: If you really want a DeLorean (and can afford one) get one! It sounds like it's something you're passionate about and that makes a big difference vs someone who is casually interested in owning one. All of the other details are important but I wouldn't call any of your concerns deal breakers. You seem like you're willing to learn as you go which also helps a lot. There will be unexpected issues that come up that you'll need to research and troubleshoot. Luckily for all of us, there is a great community of owners who are willing to go out of their way to help each other out.

[Rich]

I've driven all over the country and even overseas. CA is definitely the most aggressive, by a long way. I used to live in San Diego county and it's gone from busy much of the time to busy all of the time.

The Bay Area is bad - people driving too fast, always in a hurry, and the street I live just off, people like to drive down the middle turn section, and once in a while, set cars on fire.

San Francisco itself is a whole other thing - the number of personal modes of travel now is mind-boggling - like something out of the Jetsons. Driving there takes a lot of patience - endless
construction, expensive/impossible to find parking. I avoid driving if at all possible there. Probably not as bad as London or Manhattan, but still.

So opinions of course will differ about the SF Bay Area and The City in particular. I've driven our D all over the West Coast. We take it to San Francisco several times a year, sometimes monthly. There's never been a problem, even on the hills.

Yes, there are neighborhoods and areas around here with rutted/busted pavement that a DeLorean isn't happy to be on. Some of them are certainly in your area.

There are lots of long-time D owners in the NCDMC club who can perhaps add their views on the Bay Area scene. Feel free to drop me a PM if you want to discuss the local aspects further.

[opethmike]

Yes, get a DeLorean. Then put a real engine in it.

[MrChocky]

Yes, get a DeLorean. Then put a real engine in it.Clockwork or rubberband?

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[DMCVegas]

Glad we got the "short" version!


You know I'm kidding. I love your posts.

You know there are two main rights of passage for every DeLorean owner: working in the Valley of Death, and reading my posts until the end.

Doesn't matter what I say though. Or anyone else for that matter in this case. The original intent of OP wasn't self-education or fact finding. It was nothing more than a call for attention. From the unnecessary inclusion of pointless personal facts, to the name of this thread itself: everything here is meant to be antagonizing to get a response back from people.

Attention was the goal here, not fact finding.

[Michael]

You know there are two main rights of passage for every DeLorean owner: working in the Valley of Death, and reading my posts until the end.

Doesn't matter what I say though. Or anyone else for that matter in this case. The original intent of OP wasn't self-education or fact finding. It was nothing more than a call for attention. From the unnecessary inclusion of pointless personal facts, to the name of this thread itself: everything here is meant to be antagonizing to get a response back from people.

Attention was the goal here, not fact finding.

I hear ya. I feel the same about posts like these which is why my responses to these type of questions get answered with a certain zeal. Long story short, you either want one of these cars or you don't. If you do want one, little crap like rear view visibility, parking ease and being haunted by dead cow ghosts should not even be on your radar because if that stuff does cause problems or even concern, the REAL idiosyncrasies will put you on your azz and the entire experience will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth(similar to soy burgers).

Do cow ghosts say "boo" or "moo"?

[DMCVegas]

I hear ya. I feel the same about posts like these which is why my responses to these type of questions get answered with a certain zeal. Long story short, you either want one of these cars or you don't. If you do want one, little crap like rear view visibility, parking ease and being haunted by dead cow ghosts should not even be on your radar because if that stuff does cause problems or even concern, the REAL idiosyncrasies will put you on your and the entire experience will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth(similar to soy burgers).

Yup. People who are serious about ownership take a completely different path than this.



Do cow ghosts say "boo" or "moo"?

Hell, can we even call them ghosts now? Perhaps they're non-binary interdenominational entities that we're no longer allowed to call dead because they *identify* as "living".

[Hill Valley PD]

Buy a BMW i3. That car seems to be more up your alley, or if you must have unusual doors and can afford one, a used i8. You're welcome.

[Rich_NYS]

You know there are two main rights of passage for every DeLorean owner: working in the Valley of Death, and reading my posts until the end.

Doesn't matter what I say though. Or anyone else for that matter in this case. The original intent of OP wasn't self-education or fact finding. It was nothing more than a call for attention. From the unnecessary inclusion of pointless personal facts, to the name of this thread itself: everything here is meant to be antagonizing to get a response back from people.

Attention was the goal here, not fact finding.

That is a valid point, (and I agree,) but at the same time it reminds me to think of when I was new and made my first post. It's fun to look back and compare "then vs. now." I don't recall ever being "DMCVegas-ed," so I must've been a good new owner & a model poster....lol. I got a very good reception and a lot of help on my first post: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8630-82-DMC-12-assessment&p=126308&viewfull=1#post126308

I agree the OP has an odd opener, but sometimes things are lost in translation online (sometimes, not -lol.) NightFlyer Josh got on me a little bit when I was new, but we soon became very good friends and he has helped me alot.
Sometimes a first impression is the toughest one.

[mr_maxime]

When I decided I wanted a delorean, almost nothing would have stopped me from getting one unless there was a SERIOUS reliability problem or danger. I even had a friend who did his best to convince me not to buy the car and he came to the realization that it was not objectively a bad car. As far as issues go, something that would have stopped me is something like what stopped me from wanting an early 2000s boxster. I learned about the IMS bearing failures and didnt want a car with a self destructing engine or having to pay $2k+ to fix some seriously poor engineering.

[Michael]

That is a valid point, (and I agree,) but at the same time it reminds me to think of when I was new and made my first post. It's fun to look back and compare "then vs. now." I don't recall ever being "DMCVegas-ed," so I must've been a good new owner & a model poster....lol. I got a very good reception and a lot of help on my first post: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8630-82-DMC-12-assessment&p=126308&viewfull=1#post126308

I agree the OP has an odd opener, but sometimes things are lost in translation online (sometimes, not -lol.) NightFlyer Josh got on me a little bit when I was new, but we soon became very good friends and he has helped me alot.
Sometimes a first impression is the toughest one.

My first post was 11 years ago on the old site and most were encouraging although I made my mind up and wasn't asking any questions as if I were dipping my toe in the water to check the temp. A user named "JimJam" was on me like a pit bull on a poodle, doing his best to tell me how I would be cursed in the fiery pits of hell if I were to buy a DeLorean and what a disappoint it would be. My wife was scared but I wasn't phased and in less than 2 months after my first post I bought one. Still have it, still love it. You hear me Jim Jam? Just because you had a troublesome car doesn't mean they all are.

Some people come here mind made up cash in hand, some come looking to be sold, like wondering in a car showroom waiting for a salesman to pump them full of the warm fuzzies. They have either pondered the decision and want someone to push them across the line or they are just curious about it and want an informed person to give them the lay of the land before they go any further with the decision process. It's all good. I sometimes forget that and I need to realize everyone is different in their "journey".

[Bitsyncmaster]

Jim Jam had a lot of hard to fix problems early with his car. I think he got most of them fixed and still owns the car.

[David T]

I see it a little differently. Yes he posted to get everyone's attention but that is the point of posting in the first place. Young people think differently and those in La La land think even more differently. Especially the ones that don't eat meat. To them it isn't just about diet, it is a way of life, kind of like a religion. He has friends and wants to impress them with his commitment to being vegan. It is not about the car as much. Anyone buying a Delorean that has a young family and asks if he can put a child seat in the car knows what he is doing is highly impractical in the first place. But this is how they think. At least this is how I see it.

[MrChocky]

I see it a little differently. Yes he posted to get everyone's attention but that is the point of posting in the first place.

True.


Young people think differently and those in La La land think even more differently.

I'm Gen X. Does that make me young? I don't know. Depends on your age, I guess.



Especially the ones that don't eat meat. To them it isn't just about diet, it is a way of life, kind of like a religion.


Not entirely true, but close enough.



He has friends and wants to impress them with his commitment to being vegan.


For better or worse, not true.



It is not about the car as much. Anyone buying a Delorean that has a young family and asks if he can put a child seat in the car knows what he is doing is highly impractical in the first place. But this is how they think. At least this is how I see it.

It's about the car. For those who've missed it, my assumption had been that 40 year old seats would have suffered a lot of wear and tear and might need recovering. This seems to be at least partially true in some cases, and I'd only be looking for options in this particular case. I won't subject anyone here to my opinions about what I choose to consume; it's not the forum, and I'm not that person.

As for the car seat - indeed, the laws about this are quite strong and complex. For good reasons (as an aside, I did see the 4 seater D) - the question was only about stowage when not in use.

To some extent, I had expected this kind of razzing. I am atypical in many respects, and that's sometimes objectionable to people; and every hobby has gatekeepers. So be it.

In the meantime, 2 local owners have kindly offered to show me and talk about their car. I have a lot of reading to do.

[David T]

Thanks for clarifying things. Everyone has their reasons for owning an old car. Trying to read your thoughts by reading your posts is a stretch and I gave it try. Yes, you are young from my prospective. I am not trying to talk you out of your decision, I only try to give you some facts to help you make a better informed choice. Seeing some Deloreans and talking to the owners is an excellent idea. Just be aware that their cars may not be pristine examples of the Marque. In any case you will get useful information. BTW. the leather that was used in the car was premium leather and if it was not abused it can be in very good condition and if it isn't there are ways to repair and dye it to make it look like new. Worst case you can buy new leather covers or you can go to an upholstery shop and have them custom made out of vinyl or cloth. You can also get seat covers to just cover it up (a lot less expensive). The bigger problem, if the leather is bad, the binnacle will probably also be bad. That also suffers from the same sun damage and is a lot of money to fix. Then there are the headliners. Heat and age damages the foam that binds the cloth to the backers and needs to be replaced. A lot depends on your budget. The more you can afford to spend the better the car you will get, the less repairs you will need to do. Always try to buy the best car you can afford. It is cheaper in the end (and faster to enjoy too). Besides, (reading your mind again) it sounds like you aren't buying the car because you are handy at fixing things. But there is no reason you can't learn to do some of the more simple things. That is what this forum is all about.

[Michael]

Rumor has it, when a DeLorean owner passes, they are reunited with their cow on the rainbow Bridge of Weir.

[MrChocky]

Thanks for clarifying things. Everyone has their reasons for owning an old car. Trying to read your thoughts by reading your posts is a stretch and I gave it try. Yes, you are young from my prospective.


Moving off your lawn, sir!



Besides, (reading your mind again) it sounds like you aren't buying the car because you are handy at fixing things. But there is no reason you can't learn to do some of the more simple things. That is what this forum is all about.


I am handy. Interiors and electronics and the dash for that matter are probably right up my alley. What I haven't done is any of the things we traditionally associated with a mechanic - any kind of engine work, or most of the types of things people in these forums are listing to do on their cars. It doesn't worry me, but it's a great deal to learn.

But thank you, I appreciate the continued input.

[opethmike]

I see it a little differently. Yes he posted to get everyone's attention but that is the point of posting in the first place. Young people think differently and those in La La land think even more differently. Especially the ones that don't eat meat. To them it isn't just about diet, it is a way of life, kind of like a religion. He has friends and wants to impress them with his commitment to being vegan. It is not about the car as much. Anyone buying a Delorean that has a young family and asks if he can put a child seat in the car knows what he is doing is highly impractical in the first place. But this is how they think. At least this is how I see it.

Wow. What a boat load of presumptive, ignorant, and condescending tripe. You well and truly are one of the most self-absorbed jerks that I have ever met.

[Ron]

I am handy. Interiors and electronics and the dash for that matter are probably right up my alley. What I haven't done is any of the things we traditionally associated with a mechanic - any kind of engine work, or most of the types of things people in these forums are listing to do on their cars. It doesn't worry me, but it's a great deal to learn. There is no real difference in what you are used to, except for the messy petroleum products...and maybe the bulk/weight sometimes. Just puzzles to play with.
I sense you are probably hooked already and that you will know for sure after you meet up with the two local owners...

(One tip on reading the manual- A control pressure regulator (CPR) and a warm up regulator (WUR) are the same thing. And some of it covers K-Jet Basic, which does not have the DeLorean's Lambda system... If something seems wrong, it probably is -- Ask.)

[Rich_NYS]

My first post was 11 years ago on the old site and most were encouraging although I made my mind up and wasn't asking any questions as if I were dipping my toe in the water to check the temp. A user named "JimJam" was on me like a pit bull on a poodle, doing his best to tell me how I would be cursed in the fiery pits of hell if I were to buy a DeLorean and what a disappoint it would be. My wife was scared but I wasn't phased and in less than 2 months after my first post I bought one. Still have it, still love it. You hear me Jim Jam? Just because you had a troublesome car doesn't mean they all are.

Some people come here mind made up cash in hand, some come looking to be sold, like wondering in a car showroom waiting for a salesman to pump them full of the warm fuzzies. They have either pondered the decision and want someone to push them across the line or they are just curious about it and want an informed person to give them the lay of the land before they go any further with the decision process. It's all good. I sometimes forget that and I need to realize everyone is different in their "journey".

I haven't been around long enough to have witnessed your beginning posts, but it's really hard to imagine anyone giving you crap about becoming an owner. The first thing I saw wasn't your car, it was your Millennium Falcon(....holy wow!) Not surprised when I saw pics of your car, it's super awesome.

[Ron]

I haven't been around long enough to have witnessed your beginning posts, but it's really hard to imagine anyone giving you crap about becoming an owner. The first thing I saw wasn't your car, it was your Millennium Falcon(....holy wow!) Not surprised when I saw pics of your car, it's super awesome.I don't think he knew how to take Jim Jam... He must of missed his sig saying something like, "Working on a DeLorean is like frying bacon naked!" -- Says a lot.
Or perhaps...a bit too quick to judge??

[Rich_NYS]

I don't think he knew how to take Jim Jam... He must of missed his sig saying something like, "Working on a DeLorean is like frying bacon naked!" -- Says a lot.
Or perhaps...a bit too quick to judge??

Michael is witty & handsome....that totally trumps a dude who fries bacon while naked.

[Ron]

Michael is witty & handsome....that totally trumps a dude who fries bacon while naked.OK, I guess it depends on what you are searching for...

[Michael]

OK, I guess it depends on what you are searching for...

I detect a note of curiosity from our administrator. It's OK to want a piece but you Must include price and location

Please refer to the rules section. This is your last warning!

[Ron]

I detect a note of curiosity from our administrator. It's OK to want a piece but you Must include price and location

Please refer to the rules section. This is your last warning!A price is not required here in the the General section.

If you are the item here, would you cook the bacon naked in the morning??

[Rich_NYS]

Michael is witty & handsome....that totally trumps a dude who fries bacon while naked.


I detect a note of curiosity from our administrator. It's OK to want a piece but you Must include price and location

Please refer to the rules section. This is your last warning!

"Any further comment from me would be redundant." -BR




A price is not required here in the the General section.

If you are the item here, would you cook the bacon naked in the morning?

lmao

[Michael]

A price is not required here in the the General section.

If you are the item here, would you cook the bacon naked in the morning??

How dare you! I'm vegan!

[Ron]

How dare you! I'm vegan!What? I didn't say anything about you eating the bacon?

[MrChocky]

What? I didn't say anything about you eating the bacon?You guys asked for this. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191202/0f38f7d932f6c6fb81de52d3100d2c64.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[Ron]

lol...And I was concerned about the OT in your thread.

[mhanch]

Wow. What a boat load of presumptive, ignorant, and condescending tripe. You well and truly are one of the most self-absorbed jerks that I have ever met.

you really need to get out more...

[DMCVegas]

It's about the car. For those who've missed it, my assumption had been that 40 year old seats would have suffered a lot of wear and tear and might need recovering. This seems to be at least partially true in some cases, and I'd only be looking for options in this particular case. I won't subject anyone here to my opinions about what I choose to consume; it's not the forum, and I'm not that person.

As for the car seat - indeed, the laws about this are quite strong and complex. For good reasons (as an aside, I did see the 4 seater D) - the question was only about stowage when not in use.

Why in the hell didn't you just start the conversation like this instead?!

Example: Interiors are easy, particularly the seats. If you don't want off the shelf leather skins from a vendor, any good upholstery shop worth their salt can remove the old leather, cut new pieces from cloth, and then sew them together using factory stitching to maintain an OEM style look. I know this, because I have cloth seats.



To some extent, I had expected this kind of razzing. I am atypical in many respects, and that's sometimes objectionable to people; and every hobby has gatekeepers. So be it.

Perhaps it's a cultural thing where you live to state such personal facts upfront in order to avoid potential future social confrontations? I've no idea, and I'm not about to start guessing why. Learn from mistakes and move on.

I will tell you this though. I don't know what you consider "atypical" per se, but I can absolutely assure you that the common factor with DeLorean owners is that we're eccentric. Granted now it is varying degrees of eccentricity, but if there were to be a stereotype for the typical DeLorean owner, the atypical eccentric would be it. And in such a case if you were to become and owner, you'd be in good company.

Honestly though, it isn't a difficult car to work on in the least. You can do it.

[mr_maxime]

Honestly though, it isn't a difficult car to work on in the least. You can do it.

Before owning a delorean, I had only changed an oil pan gasket and some done oil changes. Less than 5 years later, I've pulled the engine out and separated the frame the body

[Victor]

Similarly, only done oil changes before owning the D, now done the clutch using floor jack, and now changing the fuel lines and plugs & wires...

It is a great chance that almost all the parts are available stock or improved/modified. If not, then there are people who will make them at some point, talented machinist or talented passionate owners...

[Giamanut]

Yup. People who are serious about ownership take a completely different path than this.




Hell, can we even call them ghosts now? Perhaps they're non-binary interdenominational entities that we're no longer allowed to call dead because they *identify* as "living".

Now that is some funny bull *(&^ right there!

[valdez]

I'm not, by any stretch, a "car guy" - despite watching numerous Netflix shows. I'm probably not going to be doing traditional mechanical work

If this is true why would you want a Delorean?

If you don't really appreciate cars or know how to work on them, why get an old classic?
Sounds like a modern mini van or typical 4-door would be much more convenient and easier.
If you are not into cars get something normal and save a lot of cash. That is just my 2 cents.

[Michael]

If this is true why would you want a Delorean?

If you don't really appreciate cars or know how to work on them, why get an old classic?
Sounds like a modern mini van or typical 4-door would be much more convenient and easier.
If you are not into cars get something normal and save a lot of cash. That is just my 2 cents.
Maybe he doesn't have the time. I sure as hell don't have time to do major work on my car. I suppose I could leave my business for a day and fix it myself but why sacrifice a lot of money to save a little? It is possible to be a car guy and pay a shop to work on your car. I have been doing this very thing with my DeLorean for almost 11 years now and considering there are a half dozen Delorean shops that do nothing but DeLoreans I have to assume I am not alone.

[Mark D]

You guys asked for this. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191202/0f38f7d932f6c6fb81de52d3100d2c64.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Is it really bacon if it's not made from meat?

Is almond milk really milk if it doesn't get squeezed from a teat? Wouldn't that technically make it nut juice?

Does the pointy end of the almond count as being a nipple? If so, would that allow almond milk to be classified as real milk? Or since the nipple itself is being ground up and consumed, would that make it almond nipple juice?

These are the important questions we need answers to.

[Pietruck]

Get One! You won't regret it.

So some practical questions (I'm sure I'll have more):

- What's rear visibility like when backing? I never got around to fitting a reversing camera, and the EOS's rear is high and rear window is small.
PIETRUCK:>I installed a backup cam in mine and it works fantastic. I was able to find a model that fit into the standard radio slot so it didn't deter from classic look of dashboard.

- Is it a "compact". I know the doors much it much easier to park in confined spaces.
PIETRUCK:>Easy to park. It's not a Smart car though - LOL

- Can a booster seat be stowed in the area behind the seats (small child)
PIETRUCK:>Definitely NOT. Unless your small child is a set of golf clubs.

- There's no computer/ECU as such is there? I think this ought to be obvious from 1981, but I have to ask.

- Non leather interiors - I'm vegan, so any rework here is gonna be fabric or faux. Has anyone done this?
PIETRUCK:>I haven't see any, but should be easy enough to make in cloth. Nothing special about the seats. Any place should be able to reupholster.

- My final concern here with the car is that it's gonna attract a huge amount of attention, especially as a DD. It's not really a car you'd want to leave unattended for a long, is it?
PIETRUCK:>If you are into tech, use tech to solve your issue. There are lots of security systems you can integrate in with the Delorean if you are worried about people bothering it. I never had any issues personally. People like to look at it, but nobody has tried liberating it from my possession....yet.

[valdez]

Maybe he doesn't have the time. I sure as hell don't have time to do major work on my car. I suppose I could leave my business for a day and fix it myself but why sacrifice a lot of money to save a little? It is possible to be a car guy and pay a shop to work on your car. I have been doing this very thing with my DeLorean for almost 11 years now and considering there are a half dozen Delorean shops that do nothing but DeLoreans I have to assume I am not alone.

Not really what I meant. Doesn't sound like he has tons of cash to throw at it for someone else to fix.
Besides if someone is not interested in cars, probably less interested in the hassle of broken cars no matter who is fixing them.
If I wasn't into something, I wouldn't slave over fixing it or pay someone to fix it.
This is why I am not bothering to deal with the leather seats on my seats - no real interest in a vegan car or the troubles to make one happen.

[Michael]

Not really what I meant. Doesn't sound like he has tons of cash to throw at it for someone else to fix.
Besides if someone is not interested in cars, probably less interested in the hassle of broken cars no matter who is fixing them.
If I wasn't into something, I wouldn't slave over fixing it or pay someone to fix it.
This is why I am not bothering to deal with the leather seats on my seats - no real interest in a vegan car or the troubles to make one happen.

I didn't realize the typical DeLorean was in a constant state of needing repair. Maybe I got a bad one?

Also it's a pretty big jump to assume someone who is considering a 35-40k car couldn't afford to pay 5 or 6 hours labor and parts to replace a waterpump or do a major service.

[Spittybug]

Modern cars are forgiving to inattention; this one is not. The vegan thing is stupid. The cows died in 1980. Rumor has it they were drunk on Guiness at the time they were slaughtered.

Deep man, deep. :cheers:

[AirmanPika]

This is a troll thread so...

The car is the most inefficient POS you can get...and there are no hemp interiors for this smogbucket. You can't use synthetic oil if you properly want to care for the engine. Straight petroleum (which is amusing since crude oil is squished plants).

PS: There is no cat on my car. Straight smog.