Probably selling Christine. Thoughts on its value?

[AdmiralSenn]

Hey everyone. I've just had Life's Great Hammer drop on me all at once and it looks like my participation in this dream is going to have to come to a close.

Some of you are familiar with my basket case of a car. I realize that its current condition is not exactly a highly marketable one. I also realize that some of you have been quietly chanting "gonna see that one for sale soon" for the past four years or so. Here's your chance: you were right.

Realistically (and I mean realistically, please don't console me with pie in the sky value) what could I get for it?

Here's the status.

August 1981 manual grooved hood gray interior, ~36,000 miles.
Engine modified for 3.0L slightly higher compression pistons on odd-fire crank and block
EFI conversion 80% complete. No throttle position sensor or idle, and no ignition control (stock ignition in place). Not completely tuned to the level of a modern car, but less quirky than K-Jet. Realistically it might be easier for the end user to swap for a carb or go back to K-Jet. I was not planning to sell this car this soon and my documentation of the modifications is nonexistant, although if the buyer wants to retain MegaSquirt I'd be happy to detail everything I know for them.
Engine currently not running due to a tap broken off in the cylinder head in one of the manifold bolt holes. The most economical method to fix this is to replace the driver's side cylinder head and/or have the head professionally milled out and either carefully helicoiled (the tap was to helicoil an already damaged thread) or weld a stud in. The engine was running beautifully before I decided to chase that thread.
Old Yokohama AVS tires on the front, need replacing
Interior is about 60%. Headliners are slightly stained, both seats need recovers along with the rear speaker panels, binnacle is cracked and there is some miscellaneous wear here and there.
Wiring... the wiring on this car is a mess. Much of the original harness was lost when I bought it and there's a lot of EFI wiring in place. Easily removed if necessary (I think there are two or three connectors into the factory harness) but if someone wants to go back to K-Jet it'll need basically all new harnesses.
Carpets are acceptable, floor mats are not.
Converted to R134a, compressor leaks slightly and could use a professional rebuild. All new hoses, accumulator only a few years old and barely run, VOV installed, evaporator box rebuilt and the entire system thoroughly flushed at the time.

Given all of this (and I could probably write a novel on the million tiny things wrong with it) I know the value isn't great. Here's the good:
Frame condition is good. Minor non-structural rust but the plating is mostly intact.
New (zero mile) Kumho Ecsta ASX rear tires, 225/60/R15
Shift linkage recently updated with new bushings and shift cable, shifts beautifully
Fascias recently repainted
Engine covers recently repainted
Tail lights unfaded
Engine bay completely repainted. The fiberglass of the engine bay is probably the nicest feature on the car.
Lots of incidentals, e.g. stainless engine cover inserts, Wings-a-Loft door launchers and locks, comes with new in the box DPI door seals, Motorola alternator in box (needs factory pulley but comes with the new alternator adjuster linkage design)
Comes with original window sticker, warranty card, owner's manual, literally every piece of paper it came with
Doors work really well, minor adjustment needed on driver's door

I will also be selling any and all of my DeLorean related paraphernalia including some posters, a Covercraft car cover, any parts I have of value, some books, T-shirts if anyone wants them, DCS 2012 merchandise (group photo, T-shirt, VIN plate), and anything else I can dredge up. Whoever gets the car will get the Full Owner Experience starter kit of everything I've ever accumulated.

Given the history of the car and its current state, I'd consider it slightly above a parts car or a moderately involved (i.e. not a frame-off but not easy) restoration. It could go either way. I have a figure in mind but I'm hoping it's low. The main problem is the engine not being able to be reassembled. If I could bolt it back together it would fire up on the first try.

My expectation is that I'll probably end up selling it to DMC Florida for them to tear down and rebuild eventually, or scrap it for the left fender and torsion bars and such. I'd prefer it to go to a good home but it'll take someone with Chris Burns' enthusiasm and Tony Ierardi's resources to make it what it should have been.

[Ryan King]

Sell it to chris burns

[ccurzio]

If I were you, I'd toss it up on some For Sale areas with a price of what you would REALISTICALLY like to get for it. See if you get any bites. If you do, hooray, you got what you wanted. If you don't, adjust the price from there. Either way it's a good starting point.

You could also make a good bit more money if you parted it out, but that's over a much longer period of time and your timeframe for sale doesn't look like it would allow for that.


Sell it to chris burns

Time wasted. He'd never actually buy it. :)

[AdmiralSenn]

I would love to sell it to Chris, but unless he has WAY more money than I do to sink into this, it's a bad idea. I don't want what's happened to me to happen to someone else. I managed to retain my enthusiasm, but I'm a glutton for punishment I guess.

It needs to go to someone with the understanding that it's going to be an arduous restoration.

Also, Ron, yes you are correct. I cannot sustain the timeframe involved in parting it. It's more that it has to LEAVE than that I need to make money on it. Also I'm going to be selling even the few tools I have shortly, so disassembly would be nearly impossible.

I'm just not sure what it's worth. I'm honestly pretty well crushed by what's going on in my life and I can't figure an accurate asking cost at the moment. I just need to have an idea if I'm looking at $5, $100, $3,000, etc. It'll be listed as a best offer listing when I'm at that point, probably within the next two weeks.

[Silverbullet]

What is it... price wise... that you would part... yes really tuff question.. if the number is low enough.. it is sold!:thumbup:

[Dangermouse]

Adam,

sorry to hear about the "Hammer". Life sucks sometimes.

To help your case, in determining a price, how about posting some pics of how the car looks today. I looked through your albums and its not always clear which are the current photos. Some pics of the frame obviously would be good.

good luck.

[ccurzio]

Also, Ron

Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa... Whoa... Whoa.

Whoa.

[AdmiralSenn]

That's the problem, I don't know what a car in this condition is worth. It's technically not running, but easily fixable for anyone with resources.

As long as what I get for it is a fair price I don't care what it is. I just don't have the first idea what a fair price for it is.

[uhhair]

From what it sounds like, all you have is some minor engine repairs to make the car runnable? Why don't you spend a little bit of time to get the car running again, and then sell it? You'd have a MUCH easier time unloading it, and could fetch a price closer to it's true value.

In terms of value, since the car hasn't been sitting for ages, and the frame + stainless is in good shape, I think you're looking at the $5-$10k price range if the car isn't running. Detailed pictures of the cosmetics would help to give a more accurate assessment. If the car was running I think you're in much better shape though.

[justlooking]

Sell it to chris burns

Cannot, for the life of me, figure out why this continues to appear. "Sell it to Chris Burns", "Let's all buy Chris Burns a DeLorean", "Chris Burns deserves a DeLorean!"

By his own admission, Chris is unemployed. Chris has also admitted he can't afford a DeLorean (indicating that he also does not have a pile of cash sitting somewhere which would obviate his need for employment).

Trying to keep these two facts in mind, how exactly would Chris be able to afford DeLorean ownership, or even the gas? How could the consequence of Chris somehow getting a DeLorean be anything but a catastrophic train wreck, financially? What happens to cars that are owned by folks with no money? They end up on eBay...not running...and with no LFF and no LH torsion bar.

I like my DeLorean, but it is a SERIOUS money pit if you want to keep it looking nice.

Chris will work out his situation on his own. We don't have to "help" him.

[Chris Burns]

Cannot, for the life of me, figure out why this continues to appear. "Sell it to Chris Burns", "Let's all buy Chris Burns a DeLorean", "Chris Burns deserves a DeLorean!"

By his own admission, Chris is unemployed. Chris has also admitted he can't afford a DeLorean (indicating that he also does not have a pile of cash sitting somewhere which would obviate his need for employment).

Trying to keep these two facts in mind, how exactly would Chris be able to afford DeLorean ownership, or even the gas? How could the consequence of Chris somehow getting a DeLorean be anything but a catastrophic train wreck, financially? What happens to cars that are owned by folks with no money? They end up on eBay...not running...and with no LFF and no LH torsion bar.

I like my DeLorean, but it is a SERIOUS money pit if you want to keep it looking nice.

Chris will work out his situation on his own. We don't have to "help" him.

+ 1

You know there is a part of me that would love to have one right now, especially after driving several of them!:rollin:
During DCS our car was totaled by a large truck at a stop light. No one was hurt thankfully. Our car had 246k miles so we didn't get much for it. We have 2 other vehicles, but we are going to have to share one for awhile. Money is tight. I wish that I had won the raffle car now!!

I do appreciate all the kindness that everyone has shown me, but as the above poster said, "unless you have a job owning a Delorean is not a good idea". I have to remind myself that everytime I see a low priced Delorean come up for sale. I owned a 1982 BMW 320i in HS that we bought for 1500 bucks and had a taste of what it's like to own a vintage car (course it wasn't vintage then!).

Don't get me wrong though, before I die I will at least will have owned 1 Delorean in my life. I still want to be part of this awesome community. I'm still having a blast hanging out with my Delorean owner friends and still learning new things about Deloreans everyday. This in turn will prepare me for ownership hopefully. The Delorean is still my Holy Grail and I still LOVE them!!

[AdmiralSenn]

From what it sounds like, all you have is some minor engine repairs to make the car runnable? Why don't you spend a little bit of time to get the car running again, and then sell it? You'd have a MUCH easier time unloading it, and could fetch a price closer to it's true value.

In terms of value, since the car hasn't been sitting for ages, and the frame + stainless is in good shape, I think you're looking at the $5-$10k price range if the car isn't running. Detailed pictures of the cosmetics would help to give a more accurate assessment. If the car was running I think you're in much better shape though.

I lack the resources to do ANYTHING further with the car. I am struggling paycheck to paycheck. I can't even afford to have the cylinder head repaired. I can't afford to replace the parts I'll inevitable have to replace just from taking the head off the car. I have zero, read ZERO, money available. I've been trying since April to fix this particular issue and it has not happened.

Believe me I'd love to sell the car for something approaching its proper worth. It's just not possible for me to do it. If I'd been in this position a few years ago I would never have even CONSIDERED buying this car.

I'll try to get some pictures up soon that reflect its current state. I'm notoriously bad at remembering to do this kind of thing and this weekend is going to be hell for some other reasons but I'll see what I can do.

[82DMC12]

Please post pics especially of the frame. Is there any body damage? I might be interested in buying the car as is.

[David T]

To realistically value the car you have to compare it to what other non-running cars are going for. A lot of the "extra" things you are including do not really add much value to the car as a basket case/parts car. You might be better off trying to sell them separately. Non-runners go for between $3-5K assuming you have a clean Title, no broken glass, the S/S panels are not dented, and all of the parts (ie, it is a complete car). If there was ANY way you could get the motor to run you could increase it's value to as much as $15K. It doesn't pay to part it out. When you figure your labor to disassemble it and that you will have to junk most of it, it doesn't make sense. There are only a few really desirable used parts that you would sell for decent money, the transmission, the S/S panels, the glass, the torsion bars. Most of the rest you will not get much for or never sell. This would be a big project for anyone to get finished, especially if they do not know Deloreans. Check with the venders and if they won't offer you what you want, your best bet may be E-Bay. You might get someone who doesn't appreciate the magnitude of the project and overpay for this. At least it will get you some cash in a week!
David Teitelbaum

[jawn101]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, Adam. You're a good guy and I wish you the best with the sale, though I wish even more that you didn't have to sell it.

Good luck!

[DMC3165]

Since almost no one is putting a dollar value on what you have I'd say $8500. firm is a good asking price. If your desperate for cash $5000 sounds realistic for a quick (30-60 day) sale.

Sorry to hear about your troubles I've been there myself. I too live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. I work 2 jobs seven days a week to support my wife and 2 kids as well as support my Delorean hobby. As I type this now I am sitting here at work at 1:30 am. It's not easy believe me I know. I hope you get what you need for your car. I plan to hold on to mine for as long as I can although for reasons other then financial I may be putting it up for sale soon but if I do I'm gonna shoot for the stars and ask around $28000. Mainly because i don't really want to sell it. Maybe you might want to do the same.

[thirdmanj]

Most sorry too see this. But, call me faaaar out, what about putting a carb on it? Take off the EFI stuff, sell it "included" or separate. But, get it running with the carb (super easy to set up) then you'll have more bargaining power. Is that an option? I know you said you've got ZERO money, but I'd be willing to bet someone here would've willing to workout a loan for ya. It's not too expensive to get a carb set up going I don't think.

[Spittybug]

The EFI isn't his problem. The broken stud is. The EFI hard part has been done and only the cosmetics of cleaning up the wiring is left.

[Kenny_Z]

I was almost in the same boat as you Adam but with a running car. I was going to have to sell Red because I'd have to chose between my house payment and my Delorean payment if I lost my job. If you have to sell her to keep yourself afloat or because you don't have the room for her then do it. If you can store her and you feel you can ride this out for awhile then do that.

I wish you luck, I hope you get the most out of the car.

[uhhair]

I lack the resources to do ANYTHING further with the car. I am struggling paycheck to paycheck. I can't even afford to have the cylinder head repaired. I can't afford to replace the parts I'll inevitable have to replace just from taking the head off the car. I have zero, read ZERO, money available. I've been trying since April to fix this particular issue and it has not happened.

Believe me I'd love to sell the car for something approaching its proper worth. It's just not possible for me to do it. If I'd been in this position a few years ago I would never have even CONSIDERED buying this car.

I'll try to get some pictures up soon that reflect its current state. I'm notoriously bad at remembering to do this kind of thing and this weekend is going to be hell for some other reasons but I'll see what I can do.

I hear ya dude, didn't realize things were quite that tight for you, I was just trying to suggest the easiest way to get maximum value for the vehicles.

Like I said anywhere from $5-$10k is a reasonable price, but I'd have to see the car in much more detail to give a more accurate estimate.

Good luck with the sale though, and I hope you get a fair price for it.

[Ryan King]

Pictures?

[AdmiralSenn]

Not yet. Still trying to figure things out. I'm literally swinging between possibly being homeless/living in projects-level housing and taking a shot at buying a place. Things are completely insane right now and I have no idea what is going on.

I might even get to keep her.

[DMC5180]

Adam, Sorry to here about your circumstances.

Should you be able to keep the car, you might want to try getting one of these tools http://www.waltontools.com/catpdfs/Walton-Extractors.pdf Can you post a pic of the broken tap in the hole? For these extractors to work the slots in the tap must be clean as possible in order to slide the finger pins in place. They have single extractors available for M7-M8 taps 4,3 or 2 flute options depending on what you have.

[jawn101]

Hey Adam, not to pry; but what did you end up doing with Christine? I hope you were able to figure things out. Just checking, I'm sure I'm not the only one pulling for you.

[Morpheus]

+1, I would like to see an update on your situation.