[DML] Re: test drive-is this 'normal' for deloreans?!?!

["Louie" <louie@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Compared with any modern car, the DeLorean is going to have an
extraoridinarily stiff clutch. I test drove a Nissan 350z not too long
back and I was astonished at the difference between the clutch
pressure between my two DeLoreans and the Nissan. It felt like I could
have pushed down the clutch with my pinky in the Nissan, where it
always took a fairly good foot to get my DeLoreans clutches to depress
haha! Like the other guys said, replacement and lubrication in the
clutch system will help... but expect no miracles.

Regarding the ride, the car likely has it's original shocks, bushings,
and possibly ancient tires, all of which will will contribute to the
hard ride. Not to mention the typical ride of any '80s sports car is
going to be extremely hard compared to about any new car. That was the
method of getting cars to handle in those days lol.

Rough/wandering/high idle is rampant in DeLoreans. Whenever you get a
group of DeLoreans together you'll be hard pressed to be able to point
at one and say "that one idles right!" It took nearly 2 years of
ownership and replacing about ever dang thing under the hood of my
last DeLorean to finally get the damn thing to idle right lol. If you
end up getting this car, I'd suggest what I call my little upper
engine overhaul. Basically replace the spark plugs, spark plug wires,
cap and rotor, coil, microswitch, o-rings, vacuum hoses, vacuum
solonoid, thermal vacuum switch, and while you're at it replace the
water pump, and all the water hoses under the intake manifold. Prolly
costs about a grand to do, but I did it to both my DeLoreans and it
made them perform and purr like I never knew they could. 

Regarding the soreness after riding in the DeLorean, again that kinda
goes with the territory. They have firm seats to begin with, but aging
does not help. DeLorean leather gets stiff as a board over time and
makes the seats uncomfortable. New seatcovers from one of the vendors
does miracles. Plus the seats just aren't that great to begin with,
they're narrow and firm new. Plus in a DeLorean they're probably
closer to the floor than about any other car, and your legs are
straight out in front of you. Not the comfiest driving position. But
after a period of ownership you get used to all this. And you learn to
love all these little quirks and imperfections. In fact even when I'd
drive my Mustang when I owned my DeLoreans I felt like that the
Mustang was a bulky unwieldy car. Once you get used to it, a DeLorean
is actually a fun and nimble little car to drive.

It's just hard to remember sometimes that tho the DeLorean still looks
very modern, it was built more than a quarter of a century ago on
already dated technology. It will not ride, handle, accelerate, brake,
or do anything as good as even your average family sedan today. You
have to get into these cars because you love the car... not what the
car does.

Louie Golden
Charlotte, NC
DeLorean #3 in the works :-)


> --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "johntaylorny" <johntaylorny@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > Last week I test drove a Delorean for the first time. It was a 
> 1982 
> > model with 18k miles on it. I've always liked the look for 
> Deloreans 
> > and for me it was a treat. But what an aweful ride! No power 
> steering, 
> > break and clutch were as hard as cement to push down.  Very rough 
> > idle. No pick up.  It wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't for 
> the 
> > stiffness of the brake and clutch.  After a 30 minute ride my legs 
> > were actually soar and cramped.
> > 
> > Is this normal, as in how the cars ride?
> > 
> > Also, can the interiors (door leather, buttons, gauge cluster, 
> etc) be 
> > replaced with new material? Even with low miles this car really 
> showed 
> > its age.  The interior was worn, things broken, stiff, loose, etc.
> >
>






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