A Few Questions

[Shutter Speed]

Hey, this is my first post here. There's a DeLorean near my house which hasn't moved since I've lived here. I talked to my dad and we decided we would go and see if it is for sale.

Before we go ahead with this, I have a few questions. First off, what do you guys think would be a good amount to offer? The owner of the house has many abandoned cars in his yard, and as I said the DeLorean hasn't moved it years. Because of this, it seems to me the owner doesn't have much use for the car, so I think he'd move a bit on the price.

Secondly, if the engine is choked up, how expensive would this be to fix or replace?

Thanks for the help.

[Chris Burns]

Hey, this is my first post here. There's a DeLorean near my house which hasn't moved since I've lived here. I talked to my dad and we decided we would go and see if it is for sale.

Before we go ahead with this, I have a few questions. First off, what do you guys think would be a good amount to offer? The owner of the house has many abandoned cars in his yard, and as I said the DeLorean hasn't moved it years. Because of this, it seems to me the owner doesn't have much use for the car, so I think he'd move a bit on the price.

Secondly, if the engine is choked up, how expensive would this be to fix or replace?

Thanks for the help.

First of all welcome to the Stainless Community!

When you see the car pics would be great, but from what you describe could be an 5k to 8k car.

An engine rebuild or replacement can cost up to 5k-7k range. The transmission should be checked also and the entire fuel system.

And check the frame for rust! The frame on a Delorean isn't stainless and can rust.

[Bitsyncmaster]

If it's been siting on grass all that time, the frame is probably bad. A non-running D with a bad frame would not be worth much above $5000.

[vwdmc16]

Welcome to the forum and hopefully you become an owner soon. I have a bit of experience in attempting to purchase a vehicle from a place that looks over run with old and or abandoned cars. Usually there is some reason this person has collected so many cars. unfortunately they usually do not want to loose any of these possessions. These people can be very hard to deal with or be quite mean, dont take it personally, its just their addiction. You may get lucky and the owner is getting older and actually realizes that they wont finish rebuilding the dozen cars on the property in the next few years.

As for the car, there is alot more to it that a blown engine to determine the cost, Body damage on a DMC is alot more value damaging than on a regular steel body. Frames are not stainless on these cars and they do rust, quite badly in some parts of the country. take a hard look at the frame. Interior pieces are not cheap too but cracked dashes, binnicales, and seats are to be expected so do discount the car for that. Th fuel system is likely in need of an overhaul after sitting for so long, this is a big weak point of these cars that few people know.

probaby most importantly, is ist complete? some parts are still no longer available (NLA) or extra expensive to find even a used one.

Try to get your foot in the door with the guy and get some pictures find out the last 5 digits of the VIN # ( important!), consult with us. LOTS of knowledge on this forum.


Oh and you will hear this alot, if its been sitting for years DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START IT without a proper cleaning of the fuel system or else you will add about $900 to the repair of the fuel injection.

[DMC5180]

I think you should do a general inquiry about the car first. Just the basic stuff. like was driving by saw the Delorean and was curious about the history. General stuff like what can you tell me about it? When was the last time it ran? How come you quit driving it? ETC.


From a purchase standpoint you'd what to see the frame condition, Interior will likely be toast if the car was never covered. the engine will should signs of excess surface corrosion. The fuel system Will like need going through. The biggest thing is to find out why the car sat for so long. And for every year it sat multiply X $300 parts only ($1000) if shop labor is involved. Start at 25K and subtract your total see what you come up with. Also look for dings in the stainless

Its fairly certain the car won't be going anywhere any time soon ..... Beware of Delorean got have it syndrome.

Also What is your Location City, state? That is an indicator of potential condition too. As in the climate the car has exposed too for years.

[Shutter Speed]

Thanks for the help guys! I just ran out and tried to get a photo of it, unfortunately this was the best I could manage.

As for my location, I live in Connecticut, so rust is probably going to be an issue, however, it is on Illinois plates, so maybe it has spent some of its life there.

[DMCMW Dave]

Thanks for the help guys! I just ran out and tried to get a photo of it, unfortunately this was the best I could manage.

As for my location, I live in Connecticut, so rust is probably going to be an issue, however, it is on Illinois plates, so maybe it has spent some of its life there.

Illinois can be just as bad. Road Salt.

[stevedmc]

There are a few scenarios you might encounter when you ask him about selling the car. First, I wouldn't immediately ask about buying the car. Just ask him if you can take some pictures and strike up a conversation. You should be able to get a feel if he has any interest in keeping the car or not.

You are likely to to face one of two situations. Either he has no interest in the car and will offer to sell it to you at a reasonable price or he will think he is sitting on top of a gold mine and will offer it to you for a ridiculous price.

[DMCMW Dave]

You are likely to to face one of two situations. Either he has no interest in the car and will offer to sell it to you at a reasonable price or he will think he is sitting on top of a gold mine and will offer it to you for a ridiculous price.

#2 happens way more often than not! But it would certainly be worth the try as long as you understand what you are getting in to.

[jawn101]

Nothing we like to see more than another D back from the dead. But you should definitely read this link before talking to the owner:

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

It outlines all the "gotchas" and things to look for when negotiating a price. Depending on your skill level you may find this particular car is over your head, too expensive - or maybe, just what you're looking for. No matter what we're all here to help. But it really sucks to see the dream purchase turn into a nightmare because the buyer wasn't prepared. The DeLorean's greatest feature is the stainless - but its timelessness can hide a real mechanical disaster.

[DMC5180]

[QUOTE=jawn101;

The DeLorean's greatest feature is the stainless - but its timelessness can hide a real mechanical disaster.[/QUOTE]

+1

Can you tell from the Plate tag when it expired? It also appears the owner was an enthusiast at some point. Hence the Bumper letters. DELOREAN You generally don't see those on cars that were parked 20 years ago.

[dvonk]

Nothing we like to see more than another D back from the dead. But you should definitely read this link (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) before talking to the owner...

+1, a well written guide of what to expect.

welcome to the forum! :wave:

[Dangermouse]

When you say that the car hasn't run "since you lived here", how long are we talking about?

A month, a year, 10 years?

[Spittybug]

Go in with balls. Tell him you will remove the scourge from his property for no charge. Tell him how the Delorean was a piece of sh#t that never run right, needs tons of work, always breaks down and etc, etc, etc. Ask him if HE intends to make it running? Has HE looked at the cost? Does HE have the time or skill to fix it? That's how you'll buy it for $2K.