Re: [DML] DeLorean for 17year old

[Soma576@xxxx]

In a message dated 5/6/02 6:41:38 PM Central Daylight Time, 
Senatorpack@xxxx writes:


> To restore the car, work on it, spend lots of money, spend lots of time, 
> 
> really get to know what you are capable of mechanically, emotionally, and 
> last but not least financially.
> 
> If you buy a machine that has been completely restored from the ground 
> up...you will work on it, spend lots of money, spend lots of time, really 
> get 
> to know what you are capable of mechanically, emotionally, and last but not 
> 
> least financially.
> 

Mike, 

i'm not really sure who you are speaking to (maybe i just didn't get the 
original message yet) but i'd like to add to this conversation.

i was 18 years old when i bought my DeLorean. i looked at a few of them 
(mostly on ebay) but then i contacted a DML'er and eventually bought his. i 
was impressed by the condition of the car and the work that had already been 
done. the car looked like it was almost perfect - i knew it needed lockzilla 
and new window regulators and the temp gauge didn't work - but that was about 
it, or so i thought. since then (Nov '00) i have done the following to what 
i thought was an excellent car:

lockzilla, fixed tank sender, new fuel pump and all other tank parts, sent my 
entire fuel injection to Grady for service and cleaning, replaced the 
waterpump and all flexible hoses, replaced both oil senders, fixed my T/A 
dust shields, replaced my temp gauge and temp sender, replaced my pivot bolt, 
replaced window regulators, fixed my seat backs, replaced my angle drive, 
replaced LOTS of rusty hardware, replaced all my injectors, clips, hollow 
bolts, spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, plug wires, coil wire, ignition 
coil, mode switch, fan switch, alternator, belts and bearings, A/C blower 
fan, recharged the A/C, rear headliner and outer door seals, stainless bumper 
letters, new centerforce clutch kit w/ tranny removal and service, new 
steering column bushing, and done COUNTLESS hours of cleaning things and 
making things show-car quality such as shampooing the carpets, steam cleaning 
the underbody and engine, rebrushing the stainless.... and i'm sure i left 
out about $1000 worth of little things, not to mention a new stereo.

i paid $16,000 for my car, and i'm sure i've put at least $5,000 into it. in 
two weeks i'm putting a new radiator and cooling fans in, and this winter 
i'll need new tie rod ends, steering rack, and intermediate shaft with 
U-joints. and THEN i THINK i'll be done..... but you know how it is - as 
soon as you think you are done, you find something else. my dad accuses me 
of looking for things to fix, and it's the truth. when you have a car this 
cool, you can't stand to let it be anything less than perfect. 

what i'm trying to say is, just like Mr. Pack mentioned, no matter how 
perfect your prospective car seems to be..... expect to put some hardcore 
cash into it unless you can live with a less than perfect car (i can't). 

in fact, thru all of this, i still feel like i got a hell of a deal on my 
car. sure i've done lots of work to it, but when i see a lot of the cars out 
there, i KNOW that mine is in better shape and more reliable. but it hasn't 
come cheaply.... i've seen a couple of cheaper cars, and i'm glad i didn't 
get stuck with one of them. if you don't mind spending all of your extra cash 
and then the cash you don't have yet, then get a DeLorean. if you can't live 
like that, you should probably wait until you can afford to throw money 
around!!!

Good Luck,
Andy

Soma576@xxxx
1982 DeLorean DMC-12 VIN#11596
Fargo, ND 58102


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]