Help me pick a car

[08087]

In my quest to buy a Delorean I have reconsidered my choice many times over and to this point have always come back to wanting the Delorean.

My question to you all is this, if it were to be another car what would you pick? Keep in mind it has to be something rare so a Mustang or Vette of any year won't do. The budget will still be the same 30K or less etc..

A couple of options I've thought of have been the Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler, top down fun, looks that will always catch an eye, fast enough in stock form for me (253 HP V6), it's fairly modern by Delorean standards and dealers can be found for service if I ever needed it. It only comes in an AUTO with the option to up/down shift. Price line is 25K middle of the road. 11,700 made.

The other option is the Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice, again top down fun, modern, the "Red Line" edition puts out 260 HP from a turbo 4 banger, comes in both Man. and auto. trans. GM still has dealers (for now). Priceline is 17-20K middle of the road.

No doubt the Prowler has more looks than the Sky/Solstice option but it would still be fun to drive and is fairly unique.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on these options to the Delorean or any other car you find would fit the bill.

[PlutonimicX]

A nice driveable Series II or III E-type or a Lamborghini Jalpa can be had within that budget I believe. There's also the Lotus Esprit of course. There's just a whole lot of choices out there for that much money.:cool1:

[robvanderveer]

I fail to see your argument. You say you would like to buy a DeLorean, yet you seem to be contemplating on another car.. If you want a DeLorean, by all means get a DeLorean. If you settle for something else, that's alright, but it will never be the same thing.

[Michael]

I had 4 to choose from, the Delorean won. The runners up in order were:

1st gen Dodge Viper...If I ever decide to sell my D, I will probably still get one. Although future Vipers were more refined(with actual side windows), I like the first gen for the same reason. They were just pure animal, side pipes that burnt your leg when getting out, and a complete lack of civility.

95- Acura NSX-T..couldnt bring myself to pay 25k+ for a 20 year old Honda...still probably the best road machine Honda ever made.

1978-85 Ferrari 308 GTS...In the words of Jeremy Clarkson..."A proper Ferrari"

[PlutonimicX]

Better yet, if you want something really unique $30k is a good budget to have a cool car that was never sold in the U.S. imported as long as it's at least 25 years old(I believe that's the rule).

[stevedmc]

Do you want something that looks cool or something that is reliable?

[PlutonimicX]

I'm guessing he's looking for a "toy", not something to get him back and forth to work or haul a family around. I don't forsee reliability being an issue if he can keep up with maintenance anyhow.

[stevedmc]

I'm guessing he's looking for a "toy", not something to get him back and forth to work or haul a family around. I don't forsee reliability being an issue if he can keep up with maintenance anyhow.

If reliability isn't a concern, I'd get a Delorean.

[robvanderveer]

What made me reply is the issue of reliability. What makes a 30 years old DeLorean less (or more) reliable than a 30 year old Ferrari 308? It's all down to proper maintenance. My D was as reliable as a casino, but after two years of proper maintenance I will gladly take it anywhere with the same comfort (or better) as my 2009 company car.

[Rich W]

As a related side note...

I have never seen the rear part of the soft top on a Solstice fit properly, when up.

I have seen several in person (in the lot at work, during the Summer), plenty on
dealership lots or just driving out on the roads and dozens in photos on the web.

None of the tops, regardless of age/miles, fits worth a damn on the "side spats" of
the rear portion of the convertible top, when the top is up.

One would think a production convertible top should fit better that this one.

Later,
Rich W.

[stevedmc]

What makes a 30 years old DeLorean less (or more) reliable than a 30 year old Ferrari 308? Nothing. They both feature Bosch K-Jet.

[08087]

One "turn off" if you will with the Delorean is reliability. My wife would like to be able to drive this "toy" car once in awhile and I'd hate to see her break down on the highway.

So I am contemplating something more modern with greater availability in the parts dept. I understand parts are avail. for the Delorean but sometimes you need to wait for the mail and a mech. good enough to install them, not always practical.

Something from across the pond does not thrill me nor do Italian/German/ French/British cars. I'm not knocking any of your recommendations cause they all have their own appeal, I'd just rather stick with something readily available here in the US that won't break the bank to fix, i.e. (Porsche trans. 30K).

I'm surprised at all the responses so far, thanks!

[stevedmc]

So I am contemplating something more modern with greater availability in the parts dept. I understand parts are avail. for the Delorean but sometimes you need to wait for the mail and a mech. good enough to install them, not always practical.

Parts are never a problem. I get most of my mechanical parts from Autozone, but when I need something special I call DMCMW and I have the part two days later.

You don't need a special mechanic either. I am my own mechanic.

[Ron]

I kinda see leaving out the Vetts and Mustangs, since the "rare" ones are pricey. What about something in between like a GTO or GTX? I'm seeing a lot of people selling off their toys...and a lot are not turning loose a dime!

[08087]

Parts are never a problem. I get most of my mechanical parts from Autozone, but when I need something special I call DMCMW and I have the part two days later.

You don't need a special mechanic either. I am my own mechanic.

I can tinker but I'm not a mech. or even close in the real world of handy people. Couple that with a time issue and it compounds the problem. When you can do something on an unlimited time frame it's OK but when you have constraints it exasperates the issue sometimes.

This by no means, means I'm giving up on the Delorean but with a couple of years left of saving my mind flips from time to time.

About the GTO's etc, nice cars no doubt but it's older tech. and if I were to go that time frame I'd grab a Mustang. Don't get discouraged, keep popping out ideas. And please no AMC Pacers! LOL!

[mluder]

Alright... I'm going outside the box here.

How about one of the new Mini Coopers. The sport ones in a manual transmission are pretty zippy and they are fun to drive. My boss had one for a while and I drove it a few times.

Of course you could always try to find an original Austin Mini if you wanna go retro...

Steve

[08087]

Alright... I'm going outside the box here.

How about one of the new Mini Coopers. The sport ones in a manual transmission are pretty zippy and they are fun to drive. My boss had one for a while and I drove it a few times.

Of course you could always try to find an original Austin Mini if you wanna go retro...

Steve

Something I've thought about, I don't think it has the look/gets the looks of the others I mentioned but it would be a fun car. I have to check into things like the cost of brake repairs, new trans. etc just to get an idea of if it's American car expensive or European car expensive.

[SoCalDMC12]

Something I've thought about, I don't think it has the look/gets the looks of the others I mentioned but it would be a fun car. I have to check into things like the cost of brake repairs, new trans. etc just to get an idea of if it's American car expensive or European car expensive.


Something I've thought about, I don't think it has the look/gets the looks of the others I mentioned but it would be a fun car. I have to check into things like the cost of brake repairs, new trans. etc just to get an idea of if it's American car expensive or European car expensive.

I've got a Mini with the John Cooper Works engine upgrade.

Pros:
- Great fun
- Good MPG
- Nice design (for a new car)

Cons:
- There is a know timing chain problem (a lot of info is out there, just google)
- Clutches supposedly wear early (I've heard @ 50k)
- burns oil (turbo)

Despite its negatives, I really like the Mini. But I don't think it would meet your "rare" criterion. If not a Delorean, I'd go with a Prowler.

[TTait]

I just opened another thread here in the open section - the other car I love is available for 50k obo...

Detomaso Mangusta

Ohhhhhh baby - that's a gorgeous car (in good condition and a good color). Double your budget and get that, or make an offer.

[Rhsxo]

A Renault Robin is rare in the US. To see this beast in action, look for the Top Gear episode that features it. :)

[Dangermouse]

A Reliant Robin is rare in the US. :)

Fixed.

Not that Renault couldn't have built such an awesome car. An R4 has similar properties but has that all important 4th wheel.

[yellowmxwheels23]

68-70 charger
NXS T
91 Lotus Elan

[Kenny_Z]

If I had 30k to burn and had to buy (not build) a car I'd pick first gen Viper. That's my second dream car after the Delorean.

I'm not a fan of the Prowler so I'd pick a Sky hands down. The Sky is a beautifully done car.

However, if I got to build one I'd take a page from Stacey David's book and build a Miata with a Ford engine upwards of 500hp and then do a fiberglass body kit in the style of a European roadster (http://staceydavid.com/projects/banshee). That's if I wanted something unique. If I wanted a kit car I'd pick up something from Factory 5.