How much would you pay for this delorean?

[The_J]

Hey guys, I'm new here, I had a question, and I'm sorry if this is the wrong section for this. I have the opportunity to buy a Delorean from a friend, it needs a little work, I'm wondering if its worth buying, fixing, and selling again because its not the Delorean I want, one of these days I want to get a manual trans D, but being a mechanic, and a general car lover, It kills me to see any car rot. My friend is the original owner, its got 13k miles, its an 83, not sure of exact vin, automatic transmission. I dont have any pictures, which I do apologize for, but It has all updates performed, been in storage since the early 90's. If you were delorean shopping, what would you pay for a Delorean in this shape? Im curious if I can buy it, fix the few problems it has, and sell it still making a little money for my time.

[DeLorean03]

... It has all updates performed.....

While I know you mean well, this is a VERY generic statement. What updates? Fan/Lock/TankZilla? All of the updates in all of the service bulletins? DMC's new lock module, and fuel pump/sender combo?

Just trying to be honest with you - when saying things like this - you need to be specific. Ambiguous statements don't help us give you a fair and honest answer.

[DMC3165]

If it hasn't been run since the early 90's it's bound to need a ton of work no matter how well it was stored. Lots of hoses, all the hydraulic components, tires probablly some electrical components too. I'd say sight unseen if the body and interior is in immaculate condition 10K is a realistic number. If it runs and drives 15-16K. If you go all out and get it in shape for daily driving....20-25K on a good day. Condition is everything and most DeLorean owners like to use their cars not just keep them as garage queens. Keep in mind James Espey from DMC said it costs around $1000. for every year a DeLorean sits to get it back in shape. From firsthand experience I can tell you that number is pretty dead on accurate.

Best of luck with the car.
:wrenchin:

[The_J]

Im sorry I should have clarified, hes started it and driven it around from time to time, mainly just moving around his property, its just been in storage since the early 90's, currently the fuel pump doesnt work, which doesnt surprise me. But he had it running just the other day from a fuel can, He was an electrical engineer of somesort, and mentioned he has all the shop manuals, (updates, service, tsb, etc) and said "dmc back in the day came out with a bunch of updates to do to these cars and i performed them all" he also said he put brand new tires on it a few months ago because the original tires to the car (hes the original owner) had a lot of cracking on them. Also ill try to quote him, hes very sarcastic, he said "this things in pretty bad shape, the dashboard is a little warped, and the paint on the rear bumper is peeling, i drove the heck out of this thing, its got about 13k miles on it, the problem is every time you go somewhere, you have to talk to someone about the car, so i just always drove my corvette"

[skynet]

If it kills you to see this D rot because you're a car lover then just put the car on ebay. I don't think you can make a good money on buying and selling it.

[Jonathan]

Hi J,

As others mentioned, a little too much left to our imaginations at this point. What you might think is in good/bad shape versus what a number of people on this forum think could be two very different things. That goes for frame condition, updates, electrical or mechanical systems, etc. Not to mention, the guys here on the forum have no reason to be biased, where you perhaps might look at the car "hoping" the answer is a good one, and look past something that is actually a pretty big concern. And what a previous owner thinks about his "baby/prize/gold bullion" that has sat for 20 years, is usually much worse than what he describes it to be.

Best solution is to post photos. Let the guys here see with their eyes how the car looks. Or perhaps even find a local owner to come with you to the car and see it in person. I would say then you'll have a much better idea what to think.

Or, maybe, an analogy from the world of online dating sites, what do you think are the chances of her (your car) being as awesome as she described when you get to meet her in person, if all you had to go on was a quick write-up and no pictures? Not very good usually and not nearly as awesome as you were hoping.

[SamHill]

, i drove the heck out of this thing, its got about 13k miles on it, "

I'm guessing that was the sarcasm you mentioned? Low mileage is not really a good thing on a D.

[dmc6960]

fuel pump doesnt work.....But he had it running just the other day from a fuel can

I question the validity of this statement. This is something you can do with a carburetor, not a high-pressure mechanical fuel injection system. Either this car has been significantly modified (which will also complicate repairing it), or your being fed a load of BS.

[David T]

Assuming the frame, S/S panels, and interior is in good shape it is worth between $10K-$15K. Figure it will cost a minimum of $10K just in parts to get it going. All round #'s without being able to see the car and what else goes along with it.
David Teitelbaum

[dmc6960]

Also, see this thread for the amount of work done on a car also stored since the early 90's....

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?3514-Raising-VIN-11114-back-from-the-dead

[LEVY]

+1.

This is just BS to say the best!



I question the validity of this statement. This is something you can do with a carburetor, not a high-pressure mechanical fuel injection system. Either this car has been significantly modified (which will also complicate repairing it), or your being fed a load of BS.

[The_J]

I'm guessing that was the sarcasm you mentioned? Low mileage is not really a good thing on a D.
yea this was sarcasm, his next statement was, "whens the last time you have seen a D with this low a mileage?"


I question the validity of this statement. This is something you can do with a carburetor, not a high-pressure mechanical fuel injection system. Either this car has been significantly modified (which will also complicate repairing it), or your being fed a load of BS.
I didnt explain well enough, he had a high pressure pump submerged in a gas can, connected to the fuel system on the car, due to the fact that the pump in the tank seized up


Assuming the frame, S/S panels, and interior is in good shape it is worth between $10K-$15K. Figure it will cost a minimum of $10K just in parts to get it going. All round #'s without being able to see the car and what else goes along with it.
David Teitelbaum
I agree, the issue is I have to drive to Idaho to see it, its about 8 hours away, im about to drive over just for the sake of being able to see it and take pictures. car is originally from california, and was stored until he moved to idaho, where its been stored.

On the other hand, I really appreciate all the info you guys have bestowed upon me at this juncture, I know its hard without pictures, and unfortunately the owner isn't too handy with emailing pictures, that and email itself. I apreciate how honest you guys are, im a learner like I said, Ive never owned a D, its starting to sound like if I want a manual trans D, i need to start buy just getting a manual trans D because it really turns into a labor of love haha.

[Dangermouse]

I didnt explain well enough, he had a high pressure pump submerged in a gas can, connected to the fuel system on the car, due to the fact that the pump in the tank seized up
.

Well that sounds safe enough :)

http://i49.tinypic.com/2urm59z.jpg

[lazabby]

Can you get the VIN number?

[Silverbullet]

As everyone here knows... You can make a small fortune restoring a Delorean.... Only if you start with a large fortune....