Potential new Delorean owner

[remaker]

Hello DMC enthusiasts.

I have a chance to get a Delorean from amn old friend, and am seriously contemplating it. I even have my wife on board.

I plan to use it as my daily driver car. I don't belive in garage queens, I subscribe to the Carroll Shelby school of "cars are meant to be driven." And the Delorean is such a beautiful car that people should be treated to occassional spottings in the wild. In addition to daily use, I also plan to use it for the occassional 1000+ mile road trip. I may even drive it from it's current east coast home to San Jose, CA.

So, I will be wandering around the forums and teaching myself about the car, but I was hoping to get some tips from people who drive theirs frequently to see what I should be most careful about and attentive to, and also what things I should look for in a DMC-12 purchase from a private party. That is, how do I best assess the value, and what are the big dollar gatchas that are going to bite me?

I am in San Jose California, I have a 15 mile commute each way, and will be able to keep the care in a garage at night and an open lot by day.

I am a hack mechanic; I did work on my old 1975 Eldorado, but it seems that the DMS-12 is a whole other kettle of fish. Recommendations for mechanics in the San Jose area would also be welcomed. The unavailability of competent local service techs could be a dealbreaker for getting a car like this that I plan to drive a lot.

Anyway. I don't have one yet. Please encourage or discourage me from the purchase :-).

Cheers
Phil

[Bitsyncmaster]

The major thing to look for is a good frame. A bad frame is beyond most owners ability and time to repair. Using a vendor for a frame repair would be very costly for labor charges.

Most other things can be fixed by most people that have worked on cars before.

A decent running car can be found for 15 to 20 K$. Non running the price should be less than 10 K$.

[Farrar]

My unsolicited opinion: If you plan on using the car as your daily transportation and driving it year-round you should budget about $5000 per year for repair, maintenance, and -- while you wait for parts -- rentals. ;)

[bikergurl2000]

It's good that you plan to drive the thing but I'd never consider a person a friend if they are willing to curse your life with a Delorean. You obviously did something to make that person mad at you.

[Farrar]

It's good that you plan to drive the thing but I'd never consider a person a friend if they are willing to curse your life with a Delorean. You obviously did something to make that person mad at you.

^Everything this "gurl" says should be taken as sarcasm.

[DeLorean03]

Howdy Phil,

Big things to check - frame as Dave already mentioned. That is the entire "make or break" part of the car - aside from finding oil in your coolant.

After you verify the frame is good, the big ticket items: alternator, if original, should be replaced.

Make sure your brakes are solid.

The car's electrical system was pushed decently close to its max for its 70's electrical technology. You'll want to change all the fuses and relays before really putting some heavy miles in the car.

The coolant system working properly is a big ticket item. If it has an original plastic radiator, that is a possible "waiting to happen" component, as well as the plastic coolant bottle in the back-right area of the engine.

Any clamp that is solid red = dead giveaway that the clamp is original. So if you find coolant hoses with red clamps on them - yep - you more than likely have original coolant hoses. Just something to consider as you put miles on the car.

After changing your alternator, I would highly suggest converting the majority of the car's lights to LEDs. It will take a massive load off of the car's electrical system. Read more as to why here, courtesy of our member here, Ozzie:

http://delorean2109.blogspot.com/2011/07/going-100-leds-on-your-car-is-good-idea.html

The DeLorean is a unique and different vehicle, but it is not a rocket ship. Don't let anyone who doesn't own one of these cars try to sway you away from owning one. I was a COMPLETE newbie when it came to car maintenance way back in 2003. I though I was supposed to put gas in the tires and air in the tank I was so greenhorn to being a DIY mechanic. If I can own one, trust me, you can too!

Don't be shy - ask questions - and we will do our best to answer them and respect your curiosity and desire to learn!

Welcome to DMCTalk!

[Kenny_Z]

I've worked on a little bit of everything and the DeLorean isn't really that different. To be honest, I find it a lot easier. The only thing you should be aware of is possible down time due to ordering parts. A DeLorean isn't something you can get most parts for at the auto store. There's a crossover list but it's short. Bolts are another thing. I was used to classic American so my garage was full of SAE. Then I got this oddball metric car and I don't have anything for it. Thankfully the vendors sell pretty much every nut or bolt.

I can't tell you yes or no on getting the car but I can answer one question you may have. Is the DeLorean a car worth having and putting effort into maintaining? Yes. Very much so.

[Michael]

This thread smells of troll...banned troll at that.

[Exolis]

I'm a bit curious as to why someone feels the need to ask random internet people in a poll to see if they should get a DeLorean...

This is a nice place to talk to owners, but it's not a council where you need permission to buy a DeLorean. My best advice is to judge for yourself how much you like and want the car and then look at the typical cost and time needed for it and then decide if you should get one. My personal opinion is if you need to ask people on the internet if you should buy a car, then it should be a clear indicator you should not.

[thirdmanj]

This thread smells of troll...banned troll at that.

I'm with Michael.

But incase I'm wrong, my advice as a member of this counsel is: Do, or do not. There is no try. But beware, this path leads to the Dark Side of the Force.

[Dangermouse]

I think Michael means the "gurl" in post 4.

(What is "the DeLorean type" anyway. We need a poll to decide.)


OP - if the car in question is structurally sound, frame wise, and your wife is all for it, then go for it.


"The unavailability of competent local service techs could be a dealbreaker for getting a car like this that I plan to drive a lot." - That will be your problem. Even if you find a competent tech, you could easily be faced with a several day delay while parts are shipped out; not what you need for a daily driver. If it will really be your DD, then you need a back-up plan also (relative/friends car, public transport, telecommute, excess vacation days)

[ALEXAKOS]

Sorry Buddy!
I voted NO on the last choice cause if you need a POLL to decide for you if you want a DeLorean or not.... They you are not a DeLorean type.

Most of us here don't have our wifes on board and STILL GOT THE DELOREAN :)

I say, get your self something with more power, less character and modern. Something your wife can even drive when she wants a fun ride with the top down.
A Mazda MX-5 is a fun vehicle as such.

[ccurzio]

I voted NO on the last choice cause if you need a POLL to decide for you if you want a DeLorean or not.... They you are not a DeLorean type.

This is actually a really great point.

[remaker]

Thanks for the welcome and the tips, everyone!

So the consensus seems to be a daily driver status is possible, but backup plans need to be in place to account for part lead times and certain repairs. I may be able to work with that.

The car I have the best chance of getting is moving from CT to CA. Are special considerations for SMOG/CARB? Did the DeLorean come in a California and 49 state flavor? Nothing leaps out in my quick research, so I thought I'd ask. I will ask over on the Northern California Club board if nobody has a readily available answer.

I'm not exactly sure what I did to get tagged as a troll. I have been a fan of the DeLorean since it was first announced and I can assure you that I am indeed seriously looking at owning one. I am grateful to those of you who took time to extend a warm welcome and advice, especially Bitsyncmaster, DeLorean03, and Dangermouse. I also appreciated Farrar's opinion and advice, as well as Kenny_Z's assement of doing work on the car.

The poll was just a whimsical way to introduce myself. I suppose it backfired. Ah, well. Live and learn.

[Dangermouse]

I think the SMOG requirements for a D are the same as any other car in that state, but the cali guys can fill you in. There wasn't a special CA version of the car, if that is what you are asking.

While the poll may not have worked out the way you hoped, don't worry about it. New members are always welcome. As I said, Michael s troll comment wasn't about you (I think).

Good luck in your search

[OverlandMan]

Most of us here don't have our wifes on board and STILL GOT THE DELOREAN :)


My wife has supported my DeLorean project from day 1.

[ALEXAKOS]

My wife has supported my DeLorean project from day 1.
Your wife is awesome ;)
Mine is just smoking hot looking...:bawling:

[Dangermouse]

Mine is just smoking hot looking...:bawling:

I don't believe you !

[Silverbullet]

So.... HOW MUCH is your "friend" looking to sell for? Year, Miles, VIN?

[jawn101]

If you're going to import the car to CA you'd better make sure it's in top running shape before you try. They won't give you tags if it fails smog the first go-round (at least not until it's fixed, which could take time). Make sure the emissions system hasn't been modified too. And it sounds silly, but make sure the "Catalyst" sticker on the drivers side inner door jamb is intact. The DMV will do a visual when you take the car down there to register, and since they will have no idea what they're looking at, that sticker will be their go-to assurance that it was a certified setup originally.

Lots of local owners in the San Jose area, too... But yes, we need more details. Price, VIN, etc. If it's a CT car I can tell you that you'll likely have some rust issues to deal with. There are plenty of cars available in CA already that don't have that problem, won't need to be shipped and already have tags you can start with....

Good luck

[NightFlyer]

1. Take the comments you receive on this thread to heart and know exactly what you're getting into before making the decision.

2. Always remember that no matter how good of condition the car is in, it's still a 30+ year old car, and align your expectations accordingly.

3. Realize that the DeLorean is not as reliable or maintenance free as a fairly new car would be. Much more is required other than the regularly scheduled oil change to keep these cars in a good and reliable running condition.

4. While the DeLorean has many unique attributes, it's still just a car and not above the skills of anyone with the ambition, dedication, and most basic of skills to be able to properly maintain and troubleshoot. And driving the car on a regular basis is probably one of the best things one can do to properly maintain it. And don't forget, there's a great community of owners always willing to help trouble shoot and share their own experiences right here!

5. Only purchase if you have the ability to pay cash for the car, are not currently living paycheck-to-paycheck, and usually maintain a suitable liquid financial cushion - I cannot stress this enough! If you can only afford to make payments towards ownership, then how would you ever be able to deal with major maintenance/repair issues should they arise, especially since you plan on using the car as a DD.

6. Posting the VIN of the car you're considering purchasing could possibly provide you some history on the car if a member is familiar with it. And pictures of the car, including exterior, interior, engine bay, relay/fuse access, and shots of the frame/chassis, would help the members better asses the condition of the car, as well as it's fair market value.

7. Best of luck with the decision!

[remaker]

For those of you still with me, the car in question is here, and should not be a stranger to this board:

http://www.eskin.com/delorean/

I hope it doesn't violate forum rules - I'm not posting "for sale" or trying to sell it, but just providing information about the car. I went to college with Hank, so I trust him. However, I don't trust CARB :-).

Maybe I should look for a California car instead.

I can pay cash and have a sufficient toy budget to absorb quirks within a few grand a year.

My previous fun car was a 1975 Eldorado Convertible, so I know some of the joys of an old car.

[NightFlyer]

Looks like a decent and proven driver level example to me - mechanically sound and 78% there cosmetically. I'm sure that others on the forum probably know / have seen this car personally and can tell you more. Personally, the <1885 VINs are my favorite (early build cars with the grey wheels). And this example has a manual with the black interior, so it's everything one could/would want in a DeLorean (at least in my personal opinion)!

From the pics, it appears as if there was some frame rust-thru previously repaired, in addition to all the work mentioned in the history. However, pics of the under carriage show some surface rust re-establishing on the frame and suspension components as well as corrosion and oxidation of lines/connectors, so expect some preventative maintenance and replacement work being necessary either immediately or in the near future (such as brake lines). Also interesting that he performed some mods, but chose to retain the stove pipe in the engine bay (that's the only thing that I've eliminated from my car).

Even though he dropped the price, the current asking still feels too high to me for what the car is. Personally, I'd put a price range of $17k-19.5k on this car. Then again, my perception may be significantly off, as I was able to snag a concours level mechanically perfect and unmolested example (Hagerty collector insurance stated that it was one of the premier DeLoreans in the nation) for under $18k - although, that was 11 years ago.

Best of luck to you!

[NightFlyer]

However, I don't trust CARB :-).

As long as the cat converters are present (can't tell from the photos, but the exhaust appears to be stock so I'm guessing they are), and it passes an emissions test, I don't see how CARB could prevent this D from being registered in California.