Re: [DML] Delorean for sale - low oil pressure

[Jack Janney <fastride@xxxx>]

Gus,
thanks very much for the reply. There's alot of usefull information.
I'll put your e-mail aside for future reference. I did go back and look at
some of the archives, but to do like you did would be pretty much a full
time weekend deal for the next month. I did go through this web site FAQ
and other information. Also visited a couple of other good Delorean web
sites, enough to realize that maintaining these cars is not a problem and
there is an excellent network of owners out there willing to exchange
information on parts and maintenance. I'm now convinced that I want to buy
one. I love the looks of the Delorean. I also own a Subaru SVX, so it must
be the Guigairo stying.
You're not far from Colorado Springs, hopefully we'll run into each other at
a future Delorean event.
Let the adventure begin......

Jack

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gus Schlachter" <gus@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2000 5:59 PM
Subject: RE: [DML] Delorean for sale - low oil pressure


> Jack,
>
> When I was considering a Delorean purchase, I found this mailing list and
> read the archives. All of them. Perhaps you're not that serious and/or
> crazy but I'll share what I learned.
>
> First, there are a number of things that were defective on the car when it
> shipped in 1981, all of which will need replacement if not already done.
> The window regulators are one such item. This is likely the problem with
> the passenger window and the driver's side is probably not far behind.
The
> door lock module was under engineered and, in the worst case, will lock
you
> inside the car and burn up the solenoids in the doors. The "Fan Fail"
> module was aptly named, as it made your fans fail and caused overheating.
> There are also trailing arm bolts that could shear, faulty inertia
switches
> that could leave you stranded, etc. (The last three items, among others,
> prompted factory recalls and should have been fixed under warranty by a
> diligent original owner.)
>
> Don't let these things scare you though. The point I'm making is that
these
> things will need to be attended to, no matter what Delorean you buy,
unless
> they've already been fixed. That's my worry with buying a low-miles
> Delorean: the previous owners could have owned the car for 20 years
without
> addressing these items. Fortunately, since these problems were pervasive
> the fixes are well documented, and modern replacement parts are readily
> available.
>
> There are also problems can can crop up from neglect, such as sun damage,
> but these thing will happen to any neglected 20-year-old car. Again,
> replacements are available for things like seats and steering wheels.
>
> As for the oil pressure, the value you observed is low for a Delorean.
But
> the PRV engine is the most reliable part of the car. It is more likely to
> be a bad electrical connection. The broken radio is only important if
> you're trying to keep the car original and NOS replacements are still
> available.
>
> Keep in mind "Rule of Twenty," which dictates that, on average, the cost
of
> the car PLUS the cost of repairs/updates is about $20,000. Your actual
> milage may vary, but if you get a daily driver for under that amount for
are
> more fortunate than most.
>
> Sorry about the bike. Glad you weren't hurt too bad!
>
>
> Gus Schlachter
> Austin, TX
> VIN# 4695
>
>
> P.S. Get a buyer's checklist at
> http://www.delorean.com/english/more/Downloads/downloads.asp
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Jack Janney [mailto:fastride@xxxx]
> > Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 5:45 PM
> > Subject: [DML] Delorean for sale - low oil pressure
> >
> >
> > Hi there. I am new to the Delorean world. I recently crashed my
> > Buell S2T (motorcycle) and have decided it's maybe time to get
> > off two wheels and into four. I've owned a variety of
> > 60s/70s/80s muscle and sports cars. I started looking at
> > Deloreans because they seem to be a very good value right now - I
> > love the looks, and based on inflation, etc, in todays dollars
> > new ones would be selling for about the cost of a Dodge Viper.
> > Good condition 20K to 30K mile examples seem to be trading in the
> > low to mid teens.
> > There is an '81 for sale in my area that I'm considering. It's a
> > two owner car. The twenty-something year old owners' father
> > bought it new. He's had it about 5 years and doesn't look like
> > he's treated it exceptionaly well although claims it has always
> > been garaged. It's a fairly early car, build date is June 81 and
> > vin is 2044, mileage is 32K. He started out asking $14,000 but
> > is now down to $12,000. Stainless steel is very good, original
> > wheels are good. Leather on seats are as good as can be expected
> > for being 20 years old. Transmission shifts well in all gears,
> > but clutch is very stiff, which leads me to believe it needs to
> > be replaced? There is some general wear and tear on the steering
> > wheel hub, the leather piece on the drivers side that everyone
> > seems to rub getting in and out. General condition just looks
> > like it has been neglected in recent years. Oh, two things are
> > broken. The radio doesn't work, and the passenger window won't roll up.
> > Here's the thing that has me questioning if I should even make an
> > offer (I am thinking of offering $10,500). The oil pressure at
> > idle is half way between 0 and the first hash mark (10 psi?).
> > Above idle it goes to about the third hash mark (60 psi?).
> >
> > So two questions for you owners out there. Would the oil
> > pressure at idle scare you away? Is ~$11K a fair price for a car
> > of this mileage and condition?
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
> >
> > Jack Janney
>
>
>
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