Close to pulling the trigger, need advice.

[5dmc1]

Hi Guys,

Its been a long time since I had an excuse to post here. If there are any owners in the Simi Valley, CA area willing to give me a hand I would love it. I have wanted a D since I was 5 years old and saw "the movie" for the first time. The car has somehow always eluded me and always just been barely out of reach financially. However with the market seeming to be returning to normal after the virus boom, I am looking to finally pull the trigger and get my car! But I have been out of the game for a while and I could use some help. Knowing how things are on forums, I know everyone will probably have a separate opinion on this topic and I am probably opening a HUGE can of worms! So please be gentle!

Here is what I am after: Early Build with Gas Flap hood (for convenience), idc about mileage or interior color, and hate me if you want but I plan on repainting the wheels to the brighter color that came later out of personal preference. Ideally I would like the car to already have the stainless fuel lines, upgraded fuel pump/sending unit and stainless expansion tank. R134a or Freon don't care; and no electrical issues or frame/roof box rust. Looking to spend between $40-60k I know that's a large margin, but from what I have seen on bring-a-trailer the market has been between those numbers on decent examples. I plan on daily driving it for half the year (what Hagerty will allow) and then driving my other car the rest of the time.

What I need help on are as follows:

-Who is the best classic car financing company you know of?
-Is Hagerty the best option for full coverage/daily driving or is there a better option?
-Manual Transmission: how stiff is the clutch and is it daily driver friendly? Do you recommend Auto? (car will not be a commuter, I work locally so no stop and go traffic)
-Besides the upgrades I listed above, what else do you consider a MUST-DO for a modern Delorean?
-What is the best Delorean service provider in the Ventura County area? (I live right on the border between Ventura/LA counties.
-Advice on anti-theft systems or precautions?

I am really excited to finally (hopefully) be doing this; my goal is to have it by Q2 next year but I am willing to wait longer for a better deal. Also I already know to avoid a certain "car club" in a certain high-class area of my state, heard the horror stories... I plan on buying either from a private party or from DMC-CA or DMC-Midwest.

[Ethan Rode]

To get a sorted car from one of the vendors, you're going to need to increase the budget. Sorry to say, with one exception, all of the 15 or so cars I've seen that were purchased from vendors have needed considerable additional "sorting".

I'd drop the gas flap hood thing and look for the best enthusiast-owned and driven car you can find. Connect with local owners, educate yourself, and reassess possible deal breakers.

[5dmc1]

To get a sorted car from one of the vendors, you're going to need to increase the budget. Sorry to say, with one exception, all of the 15 or so cars I've seen that were purchased from vendors have needed considerable additional "sorting".

I'd drop the gas flap hood thing and look for the best enthusiast-owned and driven car you can find. Connect with local owners, educate yourself, and reassess possible deal breakers.

I mean, if I had a "compromise" car in mind, it would be as follows:


-stock fuel lines and coolant bottle (easy to replace them)
-interior with cracked dash, binnacle and/or seats
-non-functional AC
-front/rear fascia's need to be repainted and have "eyebrows"
-small dents/ in need of regraining

Deal Breakers:
-Frame Rust beyond simple surface rust/pitting (actual holes)
-Block Rot
-Rodent Evidence (urine, feces, chewed wires, rats nests in AC or storage cubbies)
-non running
-major electrical gremlins (flood car, etc)

Im not looking for a concourse car, or a fully restored to perfection example. I just want a car that runs and drives well, and has all the necessary safety modifications done to it. Cosmetics and creature comforts can come with time (though AC will be high on the list because I live in California)

I agree though, the gas flap thing isn't a must, it is just an ideal. But any Delorean that looks decent and runs well will make me happy.

[Timeless]

Im not looking for a concourse car, or a fully restored to perfection example. I just want a car that runs and drives well, and has all the necessary safety modifications done to it. Cosmetics and creature comforts can come with time (though AC will be high on the list because I live in California)

That took me over 100K. A great low mileage example that sat 20 years + going thorough all the mechanical/electrical to have a great running daily usable car. Also ditched K-Jet for EFI. Today - it's mechanically solid and gets driven anywhere with confidence and ice cold A/C.

[David T]

Your highest priority should be condition. Everything else is secondary unless you want a project. All of your "wants" can be done to any Delorean if you want them bad enough. Your ideal car would be from a club member who drove it at least occasionally, took good care of it and maintained it. Hagerty is not the only game in town. Get quotes from at least 3, the more the better. Google classic car insurance. A 5 speed is more "peppy" than an automatic but either is fine (automatics are rarer and harder to find). A battery master switch is the best and cheapest anti-theft device but there are plenty of after-market alarms you can buy (a 5-speed is now considered an anti-theft device!). Include in your budget to buy the car enough money to do maintenance and repairs. Not the best strategy to have to borrow money to buy your dream car. When it breaks down (and it WILL break down) and you don't have the money to fix it but you still have to pay the monthly bill, you will have put yourself in a very bad spot.

[glockworks21]

To get a sorted car from one of the vendors, you're going to need to increase the budget. Sorry to say, with one exception, all of the 15 or so cars I've seen that were purchased from vendors have needed considerable additional "sorting".

I'd drop the gas flap hood thing and look for the best enthusiast-owned and driven car you can find. Connect with local owners, educate yourself, and reassess possible deal breakers.

Agreed on both topics

Haggerty is best I found and I believe most trustworthy
I put half down on mine about 4 years ago and financed the other half through Lightstream. The nice thing about them is its not a traditional type of car loan. I told them what it was for but they never asked for proof, they just wire the money. I think it was about 5.5 % at the time. Plus you will always have title in hand.
I would plan on keeping at least a few k allocated for the stuff that will need done when you start driving it.

[Helirich]

I mean, if I had a "compromise" car in mind, it would be as follows:


-stock fuel lines and coolant bottle (easy to replace them)
-interior with cracked dash, binnacle and/or seats
-non-functional AC
-front/rear fascia's need to be repainted and have "eyebrows"
-small dents/ in need of regraining

Deal Breakers:
-Frame Rust beyond simple surface rust/pitting (actual holes)
-Block Rot
-Rodent Evidence (urine, feces, chewed wires, rats nests in AC or storage cubbies)
-non running
-major electrical gremlins (flood car, etc)

Im not looking for a concourse car, or a fully restored to perfection example. I just want a car that runs and drives well, and has all the necessary safety modifications done to it. Cosmetics and creature comforts can come with time (though AC will be high on the list because I live in California)

I agree though, the gas flap thing isn't a must, it is just an ideal. But any Delorean that looks decent and runs well will make me happy.

Sounds like you got it figured out. That is assuming you work on cars. If I didn?t work on cars, I don?t know if I would buy a Delorean. Not saying this car is trouble. On the contrary, mine has been pretty problem free after the initial work. But, paying someone to work on it would be iffy.

Also I?m not keen on borrowing money for cars, especially classic ones.

Edit, Hagerty has been good to me, but I’ve never made a claim.

[JRNY13]

You are overestimating the "convenience" of a gas flap hood.

[r00b]

You are overestimating the "convenience" of a gas flap hood.

It can be a huge convenience when your hood release cable snaps.

[Rich]

Adding some advice 3 topics not yet addressed. Clutch effort, safety items, alarm:

1. The stock clutch effort isn't too bad. Advice: Go find a 5-speed someplace. Sit in the parked car and get a feel for the clutch effort, then you'll know what it's like. See if you can find a local owner or ask your "car club" dealer to let you sit in one of their inventoried cars.
2. Must-Dos include safety items such as brakes, steering rack/arms and ball joints, bushings, trailing arm bolts, both horns, fuel leakage, all exterior lights, door latches and the wiper system. Replace old (7+yr) tires. Get a 3rd party car inspection if you can before negotiating the final price.
3. I don't a need for an alarm system. The car does have an anti-theft steering column. The standard inertia switch and an optional battery-cutoff switch can add some security - PM me if you need to know about the inertia switch comment. On the other hand, if you'll feel better having a car alarm then do install one. The goal is to have a car you'll enjoy. Peace of mind can add a lot to that.

Happy hunting.

What I need help on are as follows:

-Manual Transmission: how stiff is the clutch and is it daily driver friendly? Do you recommend Auto? (car will not be a commuter, I work locally so no stop and go traffic)
-Besides the upgrades I listed above, what else do you consider a MUST-DO for a modern Delorean?
-Advice on anti-theft systems or precautions?