Would you own a DeLorean?

[Stainless]

I always enjoy it when the DeLorean comes up as a topic on other car forums. The comments are usually very polarized. Today's example comes from a Ford SVT forum:

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/road-side-pub-17/968532-would-you-own-delorean.html

My favorite hater comment: "NO. I hate to say this, but every time I see a group lined up at a show, I can't help but laugh at the owners. I don't know.. it's just one of those vehicles I look at and think, WHY??" :)

[Dangermouse]

Interesting. I'd say that was about 40/60 for/against, which I think is high considering that forum audience.

[Michael]

I don't give a flying f#$k what others think. If I ever bought a car to please anyone other than myself...shoot me, because I have lost the will to be myself and I have become dependent on little punk kids opinions.

Caring about what other people think flies in the face of everything this car stands for. Outside the box, unconventional thinking, risky gamble, and roll the dice are not phrases associated with someone who wants to fly under the radar and fit in with the "cool kids".

Enjoy your car, period. If others' opinions (good or bad) takes away from that enjoyment, sell it and get something that you can enjoy.

[Kenny_Z]

Yeah...the majority of those comments are from drivers of what I consider one of the ugliest Mustangs ever produced.

[JohnZ]

Ahah that's funny! Do I really read "One of the ugliest cars" or am I dreaming? :confused:

They're like "Fast & furious" guys... what sort of comments would you expect?

:)

[Andy]

A DeLorean is one of those cars you either love or hate ... Sure, a Mustang (some Mustangs?) are faster, but that's not the point of a DeLorean. I bought my DeLorean 13 years ago because I loved the look of the thing, the history it carries, its rareness, the looks it gets ... and I still love al of those things 13 years on. I've had positive comments and I had negative comments on my car. But do I care? HELL NO!! I bought my car for what I feel, not for what the neighbours or anybody else thinks ...

About every carclub in the world has a board that has a topic how they hate the DeLorean ... I don't care, I have one and I love it!

[Josh]

Yeah...the majority of those comments are from drivers of what I consider one of the ugliest Mustangs ever produced.


Ahah that's funny! Do I really read "One of the ugliest cars" or am I dreaming? :confused:

They're like "Fast & furious" guys... what sort of comments would you expect?

:)



Nailed it. Not a fan of late model mustangs, or their owners.

[Jonathan]

I don't give a flying f#$k what others think. If I ever bought a car to please anyone other than myself...shoot me, because I have lost the will to be myself and I have become dependent on little punk kids opinions.

Caring about what other people think flies in the face of everything this car stands for. Outside the box, unconventional thinking, risky gamble, and roll the dice are not phrases associated with someone who wants to fly under the radar and fit in with the "cool kids".

Enjoy your car, period. If others' opinions (good or bad) takes away from that enjoyment, sell it and get something that you can enjoy.

Very much agree.

I heard this about neighbor type gossip or opinions, but it applies here just as well...
"Did you hear what so and so said?"
"No, it's none of my business what someone else thinks of me."

Getting advice or coaching or mentoring is helpful of course, but there's only one opinion that ever matters.

[ALEXAKOS]

Somebody actually mentions not liking the attention it gets....
????
Huh????
Then buy a Prius!

[OverlandMan]

I like how most of the jokers who said they would take one wanted some kind of drive train swap. We should start a thread here that says, "Would you own a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation Mustang?".

Edit: Looks like somhttp://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8298-Would-you-own-a-Ford-Mustang

[ssaleen]

You know I am a total ford guy would't own anything else, but I do love my Delorean. What I think is b.s about the Svt forum is those guys totally bashing deloreans. It is a super cool car with lots of history, that just happened to be in a movie.

[dustybarn]

Yeah, I'm not sure I understand the universal internet-tendency towards bashing things and their admirers whose tastes one doesn't share. It's well to say, "I wouldn't buy a DeLorean because I don't like the styling," or "I wouldn't buy one because I like V8 musclecars, so I bought a Challenger". Both express legitimate automotive preferences, and no one car will suit everybody. It's another thing to say, "I hate DeLoreans, because a Camaro is so much better, and anybody who likes DeLoreans is an idiot,"; and that, unfortunately, appears to be the tone of a lot of message-board discourse.

In real life, peculiarly, I've never met a DeLorean basher, whether at a car show or anywhere else. Maybe I've just been lucky, or maybe the lack of anonymity in the Real World makes people choose their words more carefully. I do think in recent years the public image of the DeLorean has turned a corner and is now mostly favorable.

[Jonathan]

Yeah, I'm not sure I understand the universal internet-tendency towards bashing things and their admirers whose tastes one doesn't share. It's well to say, "I wouldn't buy a DeLorean because I don't like the styling," or "I wouldn't buy one because I like V8 musclecars, so I bought a Challenger". Both express legitimate automotive preferences, and no one car will suit everybody. It's another thing to say, "I hate DeLoreans, because a Camaro is so much better, and anybody who likes DeLoreans is an idiot,"; and that, unfortunately, appears to be the tone of a lot of message-board discourse.

In real life, peculiarly, I've never met a DeLorean basher, whether at a car show or anywhere else. Maybe I've just been lucky, or maybe the lack of anonymity in the Real World makes people choose their words more carefully. I do think in recent years the public image of the DeLorean has turned a corner and is now mostly favorable.

From what I have seen, it's common across much more than just car forums or DeLoreans. Pretty much any comment board out there discussing just about any topic tends to go this way for some reason. The lack of anonymity or "keyboard courage" as you say. Thankfully, when you do meet someone in person, it's usually a totally different scene.

[DMCVegas]

I don't give a flying f#$k what others think. If I ever bought a car to please anyone other than myself...shoot me, because I have lost the will to be myself and I have become dependent on little punk kids opinions.

Yeah, but it's not just punk kids. It's adults too, and even snobs within the same marque. Many, many years ago I spoke with an old DeLorean owner who was sharing some of his experiences with me, and the absolute worst one he ever had was at car shows. Not just regular car shows, but DeLorean expos held by the DOA. It was one thing to have people put down your car, which in turn is really putting down you yourself. But it was even worse when fellow owners would try and constantly one-up you over BS things. His greatest advice to me was to be like him, and just enjoy the car for yourself. Because you're the only one who matters. And he was absolutely right.

I've always believed that the biggest reason that so many hated the DeLorean wasn't looks or even performance. I've always thought that it was because people felt guilty for liking it. It's not a rare car, it's doesn't have a pedigree like many exotics, and it's affordable buy-in and parts prices don't make it exclusive. The performance factor doesn't even equate into it given that plenty of people ignore Bricklins and 80's Corvettes and those are quite wrenchable. But because it's not the fanciest car out there, many snobs out there simply do not like it. Granted of course showing up next to six-figure cars and popping your doors and stealing away all of their attention doesn't help. But the few snobs that don't like it will bully everyone else into not liking it either. And so it goes...



Somebody actually mentions not liking the attention it gets....
????
Huh????
Then buy a Prius!

I can see that, and have experienced people who've ridden with me that were really uncomfortable when a car pulled up next to me gawking or shouting. You cannot be an introvert and own a DeLorean. People WILL come up to you and talk to you. Many people honestly cannot handle that.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

Owning a DeLorean is like being a very beautiful woman. People go mad around you, they can't control themselves.

[DeLorean03]

In real life, peculiarly, I've never met a DeLorean basher, whether at a car show or anywhere else.

It's because they've lost that "keyboard warrior" status. I loathe people that do that.

[ssaleen]

It's because they've lost that "keyboard warrior" status. I loathe people that do that.

Lmao, you know I was gonna say the same thing. Everybody is a tough guy on the Internet!!

[DMCVegas]

Owning a DeLorean is like being a very beautiful woman. People go mad around you, they can't control themselves.

Yes. Some will even try to have sex with it...

http://s3-ak.buzzfeed.com/static/enhanced/web04/2011/5/15/2/enhanced-buzz-8443-1305441865-9.jpg

[Farrar]

It matters not what you are called; it matters to what you answer.

[davidhamblyn]

A DeLorean is one of those cars you either love or hate ... Sure, a Mustang (some Mustangs?) are faster, but that's not the point of a DeLorean. I bought my DeLorean 13 years ago because I loved the look of the thing, the history it carries, its rareness, the looks it gets ... and I still love al of those things 13 years on. I've had positive comments and I had negative comments on my car. But do I care? HELL NO!! I bought my car for what I feel, not for what the neighbours or anybody else thinks ...

About every carclub in the world has a board that has a topic how they hate the DeLorean ... I don't care, I have one and I love it!


My reasons exactly!

Also of the hundreds of people that have seen my car in the flesh, ie that I have spoken to while my car is present, the majority are impressed and think its the coolest machine. Only two persons since I bought the car in 2010 have not liked it and even then I think they were being a bit spiteful (definitely one because that is his character, you say black he says white etc).

The car is undoubtably an an icon and turns heads like no other in this neck of the woods (Ireland).

[Michael]

It matters not what you are called; it matters to what you answer.

Ohhh, good one! I'm going to have to remember that one.

[mluder]

I can't believe there's really that many negative comments. I have owned my car for over 2 years now and I drive it pretty regularly during summer months and on dry days as often as possible the rest of the year. In that time I have never run across a single person who asked, "Why would you want to own a DeLorean?" Most people get a huge kick out of seeing one in person. Some people don't know what it is. Of course a lot think they know everything about them but are rarely correct.

Now it's certainly possible that those who think negatively of the car simply don't say anything but I simply can't understand a negative attitude.

Cheers
Steve

[DMCVegas]

In that time I have never run across a single person who asked, "Why would you want to own a DeLorean?" Most people get a huge kick out of seeing one in person. Some people don't know what it is. Of course a lot think they know everything about them but are rarely correct.

Now it's certainly possible that those who think negatively of the car simply don't say anything but I simply can't understand a negative attitude.

Cheers
Steve

I've ran into lots of negative comments while out and about, and even once had a guy in a BMW next to me at another gas pump actually ask me why if I could afford to buy a DeLorean, why not another car? I pointed at his bimmer and told him, "Well, when was the last time you saw someone point at a BMW and say, 'Wow! Look at that! It's a BMW!'?"

No matter what you drive, there will be some negative comments here and there. Many are backhanded and not everyone deals with confrontation though, so they don't always get recognized.

[Kenny_Z]

I pointed at his bimmer and told him, "Well, when was the last time you saw someone point at a BMW and say, 'Wow! Look at that! It's a BMW!'?"

That made my day. I hope it shut him down.

I feel like my comment was a little too harsh and off what I normally say about other car hobbyists. I had food poisoning and felt lousy so I was grouchy. While I do not like the Mustangs of that generation I don't hold it against anyone for liking them. If we all liked the same kind of car this world would be boring. Any vehicle that someone pours their life into is something to be admired. It could be a DeLorean, Honda, or Yugo for all I care. I may not like the car or style but I'll accept the dedication and person behind it.

Unless that person gets on my bad side. Then I'll only accept the car for what it is, they can go jump.

[DMCVegas]

It did. All he could say after that was an angry "heh-heh", and then walked back around to his car and started pumping again. Other than correcting people when they're wrong (and I WILL), I have mostly pleasant and funny stories about interactions with other people. Most of them happen at gas stations, and I've got a quite a few of them.

The only two other negative interactions I've ever had with other people over my car was a guy in a Corvette that jokingly asked me if I had gotten my rebate in the trunk. This was my first bad interaction ever, so I kinda shockingly replied back, "My what?", to which he replied, "Oh, well, you're probably a little young for that one!" further insulting me. I replied back, "Yeah, I get it, it's a cocaine joke. Say, did YOUR car come with a rebate too?" Now the guy was confused, and said, "Huh?". I told him, "Yeah, you know, that supply of Viagra since they only sell those cars to guys with mid-life crisis', most of whom have trouble gettin' it up!". He yelled Hey and started to say something, but I cut him off and told him not to start shit with other people by making rude comments about their cars. It hurts, doesn't it? Stunned, he just walked away. I feel like I really did hit the guy right where it hurt the most.

That Corvette guy though is an example though of why I hated Corvettes for so long. Started way back when with a douche, coke-dealing neighbor when I was a kid that owned one and was an asshole, and it just seemed like most 'Vette owners were like that. That to me just wasn't something I wanted to associate or be associated with. It took quite a few years as well as some hard-core Corvette enthusiasts (some of whom own DeLoreans as well) for me to finally get past all that. So honestly, I know it sounded a bit harsh, but I don't blame you. I'll probably pick up a cheap Corvette sometime in the future (I prefer those 80's models that everyone else seems to dislike) just to see what it's like. Maybe I'll like it, maybe not. But at least I won't have denied myself the opportunity because of someone else.

[Farrar]

My favorite was when a guy driving a Kia Sorento asked me "A DeLorean? What'd you buy a wreck like that for?"

Oh, the irony.

[DSNW Toby]

We (Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club) were displaying about a dozen DeLoreans inside a large and very fashionable shopping mall many years ago during a Father's Day weekend. I had a crowd of about 20 people around me asking questions and taking pictures of my car. An older woman walked up, scowled a bit, and declared to no one in particular "well, I don't like it!". There was a moment of silence, and then a guy turned to her and told her "lady ... you don't have to!". She stomped off in a huff to the modest applause of the rest of that small crowd. Over the last 25 years of DeLorean ownership, I have received way more than 99% positive feedback on the car. Negative comments have been few and far between, and it is usually somebody who read a magazine article back in the day and never learned about the cars for themselves.

One day a guy walked up to me at an informal car show and made some rude comments about lack of power and poor handling. I invited him to go for a short ride with me right there and then. When I got done with that short romp, he was actually visibly shaken (fun ride!), and didn't have any further comments on either the power or the handling. Sometimes you just have to push back a little bit.

[Michael]

We (Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club) were displaying about a dozen DeLoreans inside a large and very fashionable shopping mall many years ago during a Father's Day weekend. I had a crowd of about 20 people around me asking questions and taking pictures of my car. An older woman walked up, scowled a bit, and declared to no one in particular "well, I don't like it!". There was a moment of silence, and then a guy turned to her and told her "lady ... you don't have to!". She stomped off in a huff to the modest applause of the rest of that small crowd. Over the last 25 years of DeLorean ownership, I have received way more than 99% positive feedback on the car. Negative comments have been few and far between, and it is usually somebody who read a magazine article back in the day and never learned about the cars for themselves.

One day a guy walked up to me at an informal car show and made some rude comments about lack of power and poor handling. I invited him to go for a short ride with me right there and then. When I got done with that short romp, he was actually visibly shaken (fun ride!), and didn't have any further comments on either the power or the handling. Sometimes you just have to push back a little bit.

I decided that the next time someone comes at me with the whole 80mph top speed BS, I'm going to make them a bet. We are going to take a little drive together. For every mile under 100, I will give you 20 bucks...if you believe what you say you stand to make 400.00 dollars, for every mile over 100, you give me 10 dollars....you game?

[DeLorean03]

I decided that the next time someone comes at me with the whole 80mph top speed BS, I'm going to make them a bet. We are going to take a little drive together. For every mile under 100, I will give you 20 bucks...if you believe what you say you stand to make 400.00 dollars, for every mile over 100, you give me 10 dollars....you game?

I would be so willing to do that when Eddie is done with my car. It'd be their fault for opening their mouth and not being situationally aware of a "sleeper" DeLorean :thankyou:.