New here and need advice on a purchase please

[twinvipers]

I am an avid car collector and have always wanted a DeLorean. I have the opportunity to purchase a 5k mile 1983 DMC-12

What should I be looking for? Any special options or quirks to look for?

Thoughts on a fair price?

Thanks for any help and look forward to joining your community.

[ccurzio]

That's not much information to go on at all. You've not really said much of anything regarding the car itself or what you're looking for.

Here's what I'd look for: Does it run? Does everything work?

You also can't really expect anyone to give you an idea of a "fair price" without knowing anything about the condition of the car. If it's a pile of parts then $2000 is a fair price. If it's in pristine shape and everything is mint and it's mechanically perfect, then $28,000 is a fair price.

There's a good guide of what you can expect to pay here:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?371-Please-read-before-posting-%E2%80%9CI-want-a-cheap-DeLorean%E2%80%9D-or-%E2%80%9CProject-Car-Wanted%E2%80%9D-threads

[twinvipers]

The car is mint in every way. Runs and drives perfect.

Are there any options or anything special to look for on a 83 car?

[dvonk]

welcome to the forum! :wave2:

youve come to the right place, this forum is full of information and the members are more than willing to share knowledge.

while i know about some of the common issues of low-mileage DeLoreans, i will default to letting those with actual experience help you there. :wink:

[ccurzio]

In that case, if you have the cash then there's no real reason not to buy it if the price is right.

Find out if there's good service records that come with it. Check the wear parts - brakes, clutch, etc. Then look at the condition of the rubber parts on the car from front to back - door seals, belts on the engine, things like that.

Ultra-low mileage cars that are 30 years old may also mean that a lot of parts are still original. Parts of the shocks/suspension, for example; some of the materials will wear out over time whether the vehicle is used or not. Something to consider.

[twinvipers]

welcome to the forum! :wave2:

youve come to the right place, this forum is full of information and the members are more than willing to share knowledge.

while i know about some of the common issues of low-mileage DeLoreans, i will default to letting those with actual experience help you there. :wink:

Thanks and please let me know your thoughts on the common issues.

The car was also originally from Canada. What are the grooves and flaps people speak of?

[ccurzio]

What are the grooves and flaps people speak of?

The hood. Early DMCs had grooves along the sides of the hood and a flap over the gas fill receptacle. Later in 1981 the gas flap was removed, but the hood grooves remained.

1983 models had a completely flat hood, no gas flap, and a small raised "DeLorean" emblem on the front corner.

[twinvipers]

The hood. Early DMCs had grooves along the sides of the hood and a flap over the gas fill receptacle. Later in 1981 the gas flap was removed, but the hood grooves remained.

1983 models had a completely flat hood, no gas flap, and a small raised "DeLorean" emblem on the front corner.

OK
Thank you

[twinvipers]

On my way to go look at and hopefully purchase today.

Being originally from Canada,does that hurt the value at all?

[ccurzio]

Being originally from Canada,does that hurt the value at all?

I hope this is a joke. It's kind of a silly question.

If you're serious, no. All DMC-12s were built in Ireland and there were no regional models. A 1983 DMC-12 shipped to Canada is identical to a 1983 DMC-12 shipped to the US.

[twinvipers]

I hope this is a joke. It's kind of a silly question.

If you're serious, no. All DMC-12s were built in Ireland and there were no regional models. A 1983 DMC-12 shipped to Canada is identical to a 1983 DMC-12 shipped to the US.

Not a joke
Learning as I go here:)

Is there a good page or book on the history of these cars so I dont ask anymore dumb questions:)

[dmc6960]

A 1983 DMC-12 shipped to Canada is identical to a 1983 DMC-12 shipped to the US.

Not true. There was a block of '83 cars that went to Canada with METRIC instrument clusters. Replacement US instrument clusters are available though.

[ccurzio]

Not true. There was a block of '83 cars that went to Canada with METRIC instrument clusters. Replacement US instrument clusters are available though.

Very true. Forgot about that minor bit.

The standard cluster replacement will run about $350.

[twinvipers]

Not true. There was a block of '83 cars that went to Canada with METRIC instrument clusters. Replacement US instrument clusters are available though.

I would just leave the Canadian cluster.

Thanks for that clarification.

Hopefully if all goes well I will own one in about 8 hours from now:)

[ccurzio]

Hopefully if all goes well I will own one in about 8 hours from now:)

Good luck.

[twinvipers]

Good luck.

Thank you

[nullset]

Be sure to look underneath the car for rust. A rusted frame will make the car very dangerous.

I would budget to completely rebuild the fuel system, if it really has that little mileage on it.

Has it been stored properly? Were the fluids drained?

Are you planning to turn it into a daily driver, or park it?

--buddy

[twinvipers]

Be sure to look underneath the car for rust. A rusted frame will make the car very dangerous.

I would budget to completely rebuild the fuel system, if it really has that little mileage on it.

Has it been stored properly? Were the fluids drained?

Are you planning to turn it into a daily driver, or park it?

--buddy

It is collector owned with all service records up to date. It will be used for cruise-ins once in a while.

[nullset]

It is collector owned with all service records up to date. It will be used for cruise-ins once in a while.

What has been done to it?

Where has it been stored?

If it's an auction, you could post the link or some photos here.

--buddy

[Cory W]

Welcome to the forum!

As a Canadian, if you ever decided you were tired of your Canadian Instrument cluster, I'd happily swap you for a factory original 85 MPH unit ;)

Seriously, though, it's funny. A lot of us brought ours over from the US. Rarely do you hear of one going Stateside from Canada...at least in comparison.

[Ron]

I hope this is a joke. It's kind of a silly question.
Road salt, sodium chloride, and calcium chloride...

[DMCVegas]

Pull the oil filler and check the plastic screen inside. If it's intact, the engine is OK. If it's melted or missing, it's overheated at some point in the past and the life of the head gaskets has been greatly reduced.

[twinvipers]

Welcome to the forum!

As a Canadian, if you ever decided you were tired of your Canadian Instrument cluster, I'd happily swap you for a factory original 85 MPH unit ;)

Seriously, though, it's funny. A lot of us brought ours over from the US. Rarely do you hear of one going Stateside from Canada...at least in comparison.

Thanks for the welcome and I will let you know if I want to swap


Pull the oil filler and check the plastic screen inside. If it's intact, the engine is OK. If it's melted or missing, it's overheated at some point in the past and the life of the head gaskets has been greatly reduced.

Will do that

thanks

[Jonathan]

Road salt, sodium chloride, and calcium chloride...

Also make sure you get all the maple syrup cleaned up from off the steering wheel. It's very common for us Canadians to eat a lot of pancakes and syrup while we drive.

There are a ton of things that you should be checking and have a handle on BEFORE you buy it. The single biggest thing that scares me in this thread is the timing of when you joined here and the part about owning one "in 8 hours". Not to say this couldn't be the world's greatest condition car for the best price, but I would strongly recommend you step back a moment and make darn sure you know what you're getting into. It can be surprises related to safety and reliability, some corrected by time, some by money, some by both and some by neither.

Learning from my own mistakes a few years ago, the best thing to do is learn learn learn FIRST and then go pursue buying one. Biggest indicator is what your join date on a forum like this is compared to the date you bought your car. Do your best to take the emotion out of the equation. At least for the moment.

Good luck fella. If you're going through these steps quick, the next best thing would be to post a pile of photos here on the forum and in mere moments, you'll get quite a sampling of critiques on where things stand with your future car.

[nullset]

Learning from my own mistakes a few years ago, the best thing to do is learn learn learn FIRST and then go pursue buying one. Biggest indicator is what your join date on a forum like this is compared to the date you bought your car. Do your best to take the emotion out of the equation. At least for the moment.


Ha. I wish we still had posts from the old forum. I remember my "Curse you, buy it now". I could've sworn I had something posted before that, to the tune of "Should I buy it now".

Either way, it worked out well for me. I did post a link to the auction here and asked for opinions/feedback.

--buddy

[twinvipers]

Well
It was exactly as described and more. Complete paperwork,records,magazine articles and more. Everything works as it should. The car is absolutely beautiful.

As you can see I work fast when I want something:)

Here it is in my trailer coming home. More pics in the coming days.

I was told and have paperwork that it came from John Scotti Automotive in St.Leonard,Quebec. Supposedly the owner has or had a very large private collection/museum and this was part of it.

Very glad to finally have one of these and can't wait to bring it to Cars and Coffee this Saturday.

Thanks to the guys that chimed in with help. Great forum here.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc208/4r2wins/IMG959065.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc208/4r2wins/IMG9510332.jpg

[ccurzio]

Looks to be in really nice shape. Congratulations!

What'd you pay for it?

Two things: 1, you should now change your signature since you've got your first DMC. 2, that truck had damn well better say "Dr. E. Brown Enterprises" on the side of it. ;)

[twinvipers]

This is in the garage of the guy I bought it from.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc208/4r2wins/IMG954060.jpg

[MartyP]

Hi Twinviper.

I' just wondering where was this car in Quebec ?

Since I'm there and not far from John Scotty.

Do you have the Vin also ?

I think it's the car hat was in a museum here in Quebec until a couple years ago.

Thanks !

[twinvipers]

Hi Twinviper.

I' just wondering where was this car in Quebec ?

Since I'm there and not far from John Scotty.

Do you have the Vin also ?

I think it's the car hat was in a museum here in Quebec until a couple years ago.

Thanks !


I have all the paperwork at my office and will get that all to you tomorrow. Pretty sure this is that car from the museum.

[MartyP]

So the car was still in Quebec ?

Nice

[twinvipers]

So the car was still in Quebec ?

Nice

No
It was brought into the US a few years back and I bought it right here in NC. 5 hours from my house.

[Rich]

Is there a good page or book on the history of these cars...Thanks and please let me know your thoughts on the common issues.....

Combining a couple of your questions now that you are a proud new owner. Congrats.

Yes, there are books, one of the best being "DeLorean - Stainless Steel Illusion" by John Lamm, he of Road & Track fame. It will not carry much of the "how to keep it running well" info you might be curious about, just lots of solid history of the rise, run and fall of JZD's venture and the car itself. No longer in print.

As for things to check out, some of the main ones already have been mentioned, maybe not all of these, starting with safety items:
1. Brake system, including the e-brake. Check the pads, rotors, hoses. If the brake fluid is >3yrs old then flush and fill. Same as any old car.
2. Tires: Some hardly-driven cars are still on their original NCT's. Fine for around-town and low-speed cruises. Stay off the freeway or twisty roads if the tires are originals. Again, not a peculiar D. problem
3. Cooling system hoses. If the PO was thorough then they won't need renewing. Do a standard pressure-check on it and have the hoses looked at. Or just check the records to see when they were ALL replaced last. Including the hose you can't see underneath the intake manifold behind the water pump. Hose kits are readily available.
4. Door torsion bars. Many owners and even some of the original dealer service techs adjusted the door torsion bars a click or three to compensate for the inevitable and normal aging of the door lift struts. This results in at least a door that is hard to close and also flies open with a bounce at the end of its travel once the struts are renewed. At worst the excess torque from leads to a delaminated roof. If your doors bounce at the top of their travel then de-torque them.
5. TABs. A car with so little mileage probably has good Trailing Arm Bolts. Too detailed to get into here. Have somebody get a wrench on each of the two bolts at the rear trailing arm pivots, spin them in place and see if they are bent by looking at the nut when the bolt turns. If the bolt is still straight the nut won't wobble.

It's not the entire list of watch-outs but it will keep you from having too many expensive surprises like not stopping, toasting the motor or suffering a blowout. These cars are ~30 years old. When a D. is set up right it's a real joy. You are off to a good start based on those pictures. Live The Dream.

[Mark D]

Congrats on the new purchase! There are some good threads in the FAQ section of the forum that should give you plenty to read through and learn about your new ride.

Sounds like the car has been kept up very well in recent years so you've avoided the dreaded fuel system problems that plague cars that have sat untouched for years.

Lots of good info can be found here too, including the workshop manuals and service bulletins:

http://www.dmcnews.com/files.html

Since your car is an 83 it should have all of the early recall/campaign items completed like the front ball joint nuts and crumple tube supports.

Keep posting with any new questions you have too!

[john 05141]

Very nice looking car. Still running well with only 5K miles on it is rare.
Hope to see more pictures soon!

Congrats on your purchase, and welcome!
John

[DMC_PRIME]

Congrats! Enjoy the ride!

[Rich W]

Curious...does this DeLorean have the metric gauge cluster or not?

If it does, you have a 5,000 KM car.

If it does not, you have a 5,000 Mile car.

I happen to own VIN..17063 and it has the metric gauge cluster.

Mine was a project car, brought into the US from Canada.

Thanks,
Rich W.

[David T]

One of the very first things you should do is check ALL of the fluids. If you do not know exactly what the fluid is and when it was last changed then it should be removed and replaced. Battery if over 5 years old or fails a load test, tires over 7 years old. Remove the fuel and clean the fuel tank. This is just for starters. Once you get it running there will be a lot more.
David Teitelbaum