Re: DMC Reliability, relative to a Vega :-)

["Mark Hershey" <dmcinfo@xxxx>]

Interesting points, but I don't see a worthy comparison. I owned a Vega when
they were new, (guess there's no such thing as an old Vega!) -- definately
no marvel of engineering excellence. Compares favorably to several all-time
low spots of American auto history, including Chrysler's Volari. and other
"K" cars. No comparison with the "D" on quality of construction--Vega cheap
and "tinny" with a more-or-less worthless engine (except the Cosworth Vega
engine, which wasn't bad) and really poor construction. Made me yearn for
the '64 Rambler of my youth! Eech!

The DeLorean is in another class altogether, certainly as far as quality of
the parts that it is made of.

Now I don't claim that the "D" is the most reliable car I've ever owned, but
it has served me well. And it is withought a doubt the most RENEWABLE car
I've ever owned, and gets the nod for easiest to repair, too.

My "D" is a daily driver with 150K miles added over the nine years or so
that I've owned it. Total mechanical failures and cosmetic restorations are:
Alternator- replaced original Ducy and replaced one subsequent Delco
Water pump- about the 100K mile mark
Rubber steering rack and CV joint boots- once each
Coolant bottle- replaced w/ metal version
Spark plug wires - once
Seat covers- replaced twice
Binnacle- replaced twice (anyone ever had one successfully re-covered?)
Tie rod ends- replaced once
Disk brake pads - twice
Master cylinder-once
A/C blower motor - once
Steering wheel -once
Tires- several times
Headlamps and misc. marker lamps
Dome Light housing (with HELLA unit from DMC-Houston-nice!)
Door lock mods (added outboard relays, using original lock controller )
Door struts (several times)
Trailing arm bolts
A/C mode switch (was OK, just wanted the newer version that runs the A/C
compressor in DEFROST mode)
Speedometer angle drive (once-- keep fresh lube in it and clean the speedo
cables once every couple years)
Weatherstripping (lasted nearly 20 years!)
A few interior plastic parts that just got baked in Texas sun.

Still has:
Original shocks, steering rack, all other engine parts including spark
plugs, original brake disks, original radiator and all original water hoses
(probably be replacing them this spring), original power steering pump (just
kidding), original A/T transmission governor (repaired twice, now has
hopefully permanent fix)`original muffler, and original sheet metal except
the T-top which I accidentally bent up. And it has the original window
motors (cleaned and lubed every 5 years).

Not bad!

Only repair shop it's ever been in is an alignment and tire specialist--
done everything else myself.

William, as you postulated, once a few known trouble spots are rectified the
car has been very reliable. And with the exception of a few cheapie items
like the rear window defog switch, the speedo angle drive, and the window
regulators the quality of the components is excellent relative to ANY other
car I've owned. Including Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, Audi, Ford, and a couple of
deplorable Oldsmobiles.

My two cents' worth.
\\ Mark



----- Original Message -----
From: "Sternbach, William [IT]" <William_Sternbach@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2000 12:50 PM
Subject: [DML] John Delorean and Reliability.


> [MODERATOR'S NOTE: DeLorean reliability has been discussed on the list in
the past. It's been a while since it was last dicussed, so I'm letting this
thread start again for the newcomers. Please focus reply postings on
facts -- the usual moderating filters will be in place.]
>
>
> Hello,
>
> I just wanted to make a polite comment about John Delorean and
Reliability.
>
> When John Delorean was an executive at General Motors,
> he introduced a new car to compete with the foreign economy cars.
> It was the Chevy Vega. It had a 2.3 Liter Overhead Cam 4 Cylinder engine.
> My sister bought a Chevy Vega brand new.
>
> She constantly had problems with it and after 1 year, she traded it in
> to the dealer and she took a big financial loss.
> The Chevy Vega was GM's least reliable car of all time.
> Most Chevy Vega's never lasted long enough to make it to 50,000 miles.
>
> When John Delorean created the DMC-12,
> I believe that reliability was similar to the Chevy Vega's.
> Most DMC-12's have less than 50,000 miles because it is difficult
> to keep the DMC-12 running continuously for a long period of time
> to accumulate 50,000 miles.
>
> I am a fan of John Delorean and the DMC-12's,
> but I hope it is ok if I make this polite comment that cars that he
designed
> have poor reliability.
>
> It seems the best DMC-12's to buy are the ones with over 30,000 miles,
> because most of the problems have already been fixed by the previous
> owner. Another member of this list told me that if you buy one of these
> "fixed" deloreans, you can expect troublefree operation for a long time.
>
> What do you think?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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