[DMCForum] Delorean vs. Ferrari (long)

["dom1172" <dom_diaz@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well it's been almost 3 yrs since I sold my Delorean and bought a 
Ferrari 308 QV. Now that I have a decent amount of time with both I 
thought I'd post a couple of points about them (in no particular 
order), for those that are interested:

Design (aesthetic) - I would have to say this is a tie. I like the 
rear end on both cars. The Delorean appears more wide and low are the 
rear (even more muscular?) but I like the front of the Ferrari more 
and the side intakes.

Design (engineering) - The Ferrari is more complex mechanically with 
it's dual overhead cams (on each bank), V-8, all aluminum 
construction (including transmission). This can be a bad thing, 
especially since they wedged the engine in and have made it very 
difficult to get to most things. In body composition materials, MAN 
do I miss the Delorean. Paint is a PAIN to take care of and the 
Delorean was MUCH EASIER to keep clean. The only place you had to 
worry about rust on the Delorean was in the frame (though my 308 is 
galvanized steel, so this has not been an issue for me).
   
Interior - Interior on the Delorean is much more modern. A/C, stereo, 
and switches generally work better. However, even though the Delorean 
has a more spacious interior, it still made me feel claustrophic 
having just that small toll booth window. Taking the targa top off of 
the Ferrari makes it feel extremely open. Suprisingly, tall people 
would be happier in the Delorean. Delorean has TONS more usable space 
for storing things.
  
Materials used - Quality of material is generally better on the 
Delorean. Interior seems to last longer. Ferrari supposedly used the 
same connelly leather found on Rolls Royces but it seems to hold up 
better on the Delorean, maybe because the Delorean is less open to 
the sun?

Shadetree mechanic experience - Nothing I EVER experienced on the 
Delorean was as tough as some of the items in the Ferrari. The engine 
is mounted sideways so the rear bank of plugs is a b@#$h to get to. 
The valves and belts require maintenance every 15000 miles (to get to 
the front of the engine you need to take the right rear wheel off and 
remove the inner lining. Don't even get me started on getting to the 
alternator or A/C compressor. I did like how both have the Bosch K-
jetronic so I already had experience working on it. Delorean was easy 
to work on in comparison.
 
Public attention - Delorean, hands down. The Ferrari has more of the 
mystique attached to it but on the road, nothing beats the Delorean 
for wow factor.

Cost of ownership - Delorean, the parts are mostly easy to get and 
the car requires very little maintenance after the mandatory updates 
are done. Both were VERY reliable for me, but the Ferrari's repair 
costs are so high and that's what kills it. Doing your own work makes 
it much more reasonable

Driving experience - Here's where the Delorean has nothing on the 
Ferrari (I know I'll get comments on this but I think I've been very 
complimentary to the Delorean). By today's accounts neither car is 
fast but with most reputable sports magazines of the time putting the 
Delorean at 9-10s for 0-60 (I know, I know, time and active 
imaginations have crept this number down into the 7s over the past 
few years but reality is what it is), the Ferrari QV (recorded at the 
time in the high 6s is MUCH faster). The handling is good on the 
Delorean but Phenomenal in the Ferrari plus the open top experience 
make it even more fun. On a final note in the driving experience, the 
rumble of that V-8 starting up and howl as it approaches 8000 RPM in 
un-paralleled.

Anyway, this just my opinion that I thought some people would enjoy 
getting a comparison. I still have a lot of respect for the Delorean 
and genuinely miss having one. I know there will probably be a lot of 
posts slamming the 308 but most negative experiences with them come 
from either people that had the early injected models (2v per 
cylinder ones) or ones that have been purchased at a bargain with 
deferred maintenance. With NO maintenance done to either car, the 
Delorean will last much longer (In BTTF III I think Marty and Doc 
would have found flakes of rusted steel, an engine/tranny, and 4 rims 
if they had buried the Ferrari for 70 years). 

Dom



 
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