Anyone has information on this car?

[Ryan S.]

I found this car on eBay. I would like to know if anyone has had any experience with this car and there thoughts before I started to pursuit this car further. Links below

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Delorean-DMC-12-/140896055462?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid=111000&algo=REC.CURRENT&ao=1&asc=14&meid=4120178745126848749&pid=100015&prg=1006&rk=1&sd=140896055462&&forcev4exp=true#ht_500wt_1182

I am looking for an automatic that is ready to be a daily driver.
Thanks for your help,

[Michael]

It looks really nice but I'm not too sure if I would believe the plastic still on the carpet story. The text, font, and pattern are exactly the same as what interior vendors use today. It's bought by the roll and most dealer reconditioning shops use it. Think about it, after 30 years this thin piece of plastic is still there with no tears and the adhesive didn't come loose anywhere? I would be suspicious of that. It may seem like a small thing but it gives me insight to the character of the person selling it.....which in turn makes me leary of the whole rebuild story. Complete engine rebuild and still running the original coolant bottle? The pics of that engine do not give any support to that story either as it looks like an untouched bay. He mentions it has a new waterpump and I can't see much of it, but that engine does not look like it has a new anything on it save an ac compressor. You would think if he is so concerned with his car to leave the plastic on the carpet he would want to do a little cosmetic work on the engine and bay if it's already out of the car and apart.

Don't put a lot of stock in my statements, they are based on gut feelings and nothing else. My suspicions go into overdrive whenever buying something off ebay, especially expensive items....ebay does that to people....and this coming from a guy who bought his car off ebay and it was one of the best deals I ever got(but I did have the sense to do a personal inspection first) and I would highly recommend the same for you.

Unless he can provide solid proof of the engine work, price it as a nice(based on your personal assessment)original condition car.

[Dangermouse]

The seller may mean that it has the carpet plastic from the dealer he bought it from in 2004, which is more believable that the "original" dealer of 1981.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

Car looks pretty clean from what you can see from the pics. But the pics are not the greatest, and Like Michael said you have to be suspicious of anything someone says. The only way you will know is by taking a look or having someone look and try it out. With that being said I think it's worth a look.

[LEVY]

This car looks clean, but I would be a little wary of the O.P. as he may also be the seller.

LEVY

[Jimmyvonviggle]

This car looks clean, but I would be a little wary of the O.P. as he may also be the seller.

LEVY

Pretty smart didn't even occur to me.

[DavidProehl]

I live just under an hour's drive away from there. Depending on how serious you are about it I could go out there and take a look at it with you in person if you are looking for a second opinion. Do you live in the area? I'm out of town for the holidays starting next week so it would probably need to happen this weekend.

Edit: I see the auction ends tomorrow. I can't get out there tomorrow. But maybe it won't sell and you'll have more time.

[Shep]

I've got bad news for you: the heads were resurfaced with zero mention of a DeLorean specialty shop. There isn't much tolerance with DeLorean heads to resurface them, and 9 times out of 10, if the shop does not specialize in DeLoreans, they WILL rupture the lower cylinder liner seals, requiring a complete engine rebuild not too far down the road. Ask me how I know -- Volvo dealer resurfaced the heads on mine, making the oil and coolant one solid goop. What I've found is that this is fairly common for shops not familiar with the PRV engine, which based on the parts replaced in the low mile engine and lack of DeLorean-specific work done to it, sounds like is a perfect description of where this engine was serviced. Think about it: when was the last time a DeLorean specialty shop replaced the head gaskets and alternator as preventative maintenance on a 12,880-mile engine? Stuff like that doesn't go bad unless there was a really sketchy storage history, there were major mechanical issues whose symptoms were treated rather than the cause, or some random shop did the work and didn't know what they were doing. Every single one of those does not bode well for the future owner.

If I were you, I'd avoid this one at all costs. It might work good now, but down the road you'll be dumping five figures into it just to get it running again. Not worth the hassle. :thumbdown:

What I can't figure out is why the guy put the starting bid at $23,000, with a "Buy It Now" price of $200 more, yet there is a reserve on it that is not met. If he's looking for $23,200, make that the starting bid, and see where it takes off. Even half-brained dimwits aren't going to bother bidding knowing there's a reserve on it that could be set at any random price, and for $200 more there's a guaranteed sale. I swear, some people do not know how to use eBay :confused0:

[Ryan S.]

Thanks all for some great advices and help. I agree. I don't want to stuck with a damaged car. By the way, if I take this car to a shop for an inspection, can they figure out if the lower cylinder liner will rupture or work was done improperly?

David, thanks for your offer. I live in Sacramento so I plan to make a visit if car is still available. I noticed that it already has a bid. If it's not available, I'll keep looking. Eventually, I will get my dream car...someday.

[Michael]

....I noticed that it already has a bid. If it's not available, I'll keep looking. Eventually, I will get my dream car...someday.

Ha-ha probably someone bid just because they knew it wouldn't meet reserve and since this guy doesn't know much about ebay, he is probably kicking himself for putting a reserve on it. 200 measly dollars or less is the only thing separating him from selling that car and my bet is it will not get another bid.

[Dangermouse]

Even if it doesn't meet reserve, can't the seller offer it to the highest (only) bidder at that highest price?

[Michael]

Even if it doesn't meet reserve, can't the seller offer it to the highest (only) bidder at that highest price?

Yes but my gut tells me the highest bidder is not serious.

[thirdmanj]

23,200, seems fair. But I'm with Michael, I don't get the 200 bullshit. If a buyer is willing to pay 23,000 he's willing to pay 23,200. Likewise, if the seller wants to sell, I'm sure he could fudge is asking price by 200. Just seems kinda silly.

[LEVY]

Even if it doesn't meet reserve, can't the seller offer it to the highest (only) bidder at that highest price?

Yes but bidder doesn't have to accept it.

I'm still believe the OP and seller are the same person. If he is really interested why he posted again to let us know he might not buy it because someone else already posted a bid? If he really want it, just click the buy it now.


LEVY

[Ryan S.]

Gee wiz.:bang: We have some trust issues here. I joined this forum last year to learn as much as about DMC before I make a purchase. I understand your suspicion since I haven't posted anything since I joined. For non-DMC owners, there isn't much to post. All I am trying to do is asking for some expert advice. Like most of you, I belong to various car forums and I enjoy giving advice and tips to new members and potential owners. EMDF posted a comment that gave me a pause about this particular car. I don't know about you but I am not about to waste my $20k on something that will breakdown and cost me more. I am in no rush.

This seller has a unique license plate and owned DMC for a decade. So I am thinking that he or she is a longtime member at DMCtalk and someone here may know about the seller and the car. Guess not.

I'll try to post more stuff here. Really, I am not trying to sell things, I am just trying to buy one and become a DMC owner.

[LEVY]

Gee wiz.:bang: We have some trust issues here. I joined this forum last year to learn as much as about DMC before I make a purchase. I understand your suspicion since I haven't posted anything since I joined. For non-DMC owners, there isn't much to post. All I am trying to do is asking for some expert advice. Like most of you, I belong to various car forums and I enjoy giving advice and tips to new members and potential owners. EMDF posted a comment that gave me a pause about this particular car. I don't know about you but I am not about to waste my $20k on something that will breakdown and cost me more. I am in no rush.

This seller has a unique license plate and owned DMC for a decade. So I am thinking that he or she is a longtime member at DMCtalk and someone here may know about the seller and the car. Guess not.

I'll try to post more stuff here. Really, I am not trying to sell things, I am just trying to buy one and become a DMC owner.

OK, I believe you now! :)

Regarding what EMDF posted, don't take it as a fact, I don't believe one word. The best thing to do is go and inspect it yourself, someone even volunteered to go with you, why don't you accept it?

LEVY

[Mike Z]

The best thing to do is go and inspect it yourself, someone even volunteered to go with you, why don't you accept it?

I'm also very interested in the condition of this car if anyone goes to check it out.

[Ryan S.]

I am waiting for the seller to contact me.
David-I will let you know if the seller calls me back. I would appreciate if you can take a look at the car with me.

[Ron]

I have an early auto on the east coast, PM me...

[DavidProehl]

I am waiting for the seller to contact me.
David-I will let you know if the seller calls me back. I would appreciate if you can take a look at the car with me.

PM me if you get a hold of him and we can hopefully setup a time. As I said earlier, I am traveling for the holidays next week. I could head out there this afternoon or possibly tomorrow afternoon, after that I may not be able to until after the first of the year.

[Ryan S.]

Huge thanks to David. This afternoon, he drove me out to the seller's home in his D, inspected, and test drove the car. Car was very nice and was in very good condition. eBay posting was accurate and car looked better than I expected.

And yes, I bought it. Another bucket list item checked off
I'll post photos soon.

David, I cannot thank you enough.

[LEVY]

Congratulations!

LEVY

[OverlandMan]

Huge thanks to David. This afternoon, he drove me out to the seller's home in his D, inspected, and test drove the car. Car was very nice and was in very good condition. eBay posting was accurate and car looked better than I expected.

And yes, I bought it. Another bucket list item checked off
I'll post photos soon.

David, I cannot thank you enough.

Congrats! :cheers:

[DavidProehl]

Huge thanks to David. This afternoon, he drove me out to the seller's home in his D, inspected, and test drove the car. Car was very nice and was in very good condition. eBay posting was accurate and car looked better than I expected.

And yes, I bought it. Another bucket list item checked off
I'll post photos soon.

David, I cannot thank you enough.

Very happy to be of help! I can't tell you how many times various people in the DeLorean community have and continue to help me. The least I can do is try to pay it forward.

This was a beautiful car. Perfect stainless with a new looking grain, gas flap hood, flawless interior, rust free frame, and smooth shifting auto transmission. The only potential issue was that it has a lot of original parts. It was taken down to the valley by the previous owner, and it is clear it has the new water pump and hoses that was mentioned in the eBay listing. Oil looked clean, but not so clean like it was replaced yesterday, so it didn't look like coolant was mixing in.

There are never any guarantees with these cars, but I think you got a car you'll be very happy with. Hope to see you at Nor Cal DMC events in the future!

Plug for Nor Cal DMC:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/262427293308/?fref=ts
Yahoo Group: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ncdmc/
Website: http://www.ncdmc.org/

[Ron]

Congrats! :thumbup:

[Dangermouse]

HA!

So Levy turned out to be right after all. - You are the CO of the car :biggrin:


Congrats, looks like a nice one.