Close to pulling the trigger, need advice.

[OverlandMan]

[

[David T]

Appreciate all the input guys! I understand why some of you might think financing a classic is a bad idea due to repair costs. Rest assured, I am doing this because I just don't want to drop the full price of the car. At the rate I currently make money I could have the price of the car saved up in about 6-10 months. I am financing it so I can keep building my savings while also having my dream car, so repair costs wouldn't be an issue. I also am very mechanically inclined and have done a lot of work on my 1970 Camaro's restoration myself. Only things I would need a mechanic to do would be under-car work and stuff to do with fluids. Any basic engine work I can easily do myself especially being that Deloreans have a spacious engine compartment. A car that overheats isn't a huge issue unless we are talking about possible head gasket failure, in which case I would bring a test kit with me to the deal and ask to test for a leak. If it tests clean, its most likely a clogged radiator/cooling system or a bad thermostat which are both relatively easy fixes.

I was contemplating a 5-spd but I am worried about how reliable the UN-1 will be. I have syncro issues on my 2017 Focus ST and being how new that is, I worry that old 1980s designs might have more issues. Plus I hear the car has a stiff clutch and I live just north of LA and deal with a lot of bumper to bumper traffic, so this would not be ideal unless the bite point is not at the bottom. (can someone confirm where the bite point is in pedal travel pls?)

To the gentleman that commented on Bring-A-Trailer pricing, that is what I am using as my reference. I think one of the running cars around 40-50k would be ideal for me. Fuel lines and coolant bottle are easy replacements I can do in an afternoon, bigger issues like leaking radiator hoses under the car, worn radiator or fueling issues would not be ideal.. hot start or cold start issues are easily fixed with the fuel accumulator or Hot Start solenoid being replaced. I also am aware I would need to set aside around 800 bucks to replace all the old fuses and relays behind the passenger seat if it is having electrical gremlins.

Overall, as long as she doesnt have rot in the frame, roof box or engine block; doesnt have any major dings/creases in the bodywork, or any major mechanical issues (basically a club car driven once or twice a week) I think I would make out well between 40-55k. I have all the service manuals and the Delorean Buyers Guide. I have the guide basically memorized at this point lol. But from what I can tell these cars are super simple to work on, maybe even more so than my Camaro aside from the timing chain/overhead cam setup vs the push-rod style engine in my camaro.

Mike over at DMC Midwest was going to key-swap me a D for my Camaro last year but I couldn't part with her, she's a family heirloom. Sorry Mike, hope there's no hard feelings!

A 5-speed is not the best choice if you are going to doing a lot of driving in traffic but narrowing your choices down to an automatic greatly limits your choices, there just aren't as many automatics as there are 5-speeds. Figure on replacing every coolant hose unless they were recently replaced. Not a big deal, there are just a lot of them. If you find a running car you should not have a lot of major issues with the fuel system but it will probably need something done. Same with the electrical system and basically all of the other systems on the car. Plan on changing all of the fluids and filters and doing a tune-up. Also plan on replacing the battery and the tires because of their age (most owners will drive on tires older than 7 years and that is "pushing" it). Basically you need to do all of the maintenance a 45 year old car requires. I would concentrate on making the car reliable before spending a lot of time and money making it look nice. Use the fact that you will have to do a LOT of maintenance on the car to try to negotiate the price and parts are expensive. Try to have the cash in hand so you can close the deal, saying, wait, I have to go to the bank to get a loan, is not going to get the deal closed. Have a plan on how you are going to get the car home, do not figure on driving it. For one thing you won't have plates or insurance and the other thing is you do not want to break down.

[David T]

There is one on Facebook Marketplace that just came up for $35K. It is a bit rough but well within your budget. It is currently at PJ Grady's for an estimate and possible repair work.Contact Rob Grady for more details.

[Patrick C]

I was contemplating a 5-spd but I am worried about how reliable the UN-1 will be. I have syncro issues on my 2017 Focus ST and being how new that is, I worry that old 1980s designs might have more issues.

I’d say the 5 speed is very reliable, and you’ll have more pep when driving than with the 3 speed automatic.