Re: Hello fellow DMC enthusiasts!

["captain_hydrogen <captainhydrogen@xxxx>" <captainhydrogen@xxxx>]

Mathew,

I can answer some of your questions, but I do suggest you talk to 
long term DML members concerning "maintenance 81-83".

Practical side answers:

1. Though you can buy a $7,000 DeLorean, expect to spend an 
additional $7,000-$10,000 to get it in daily driver condition and 
visually restored. Reasonably, I think that if you plan to spend 
somewhere in the mid-teens you can find something that is drivable 
and pretty good visually, it will be something that you can enjoy 
while replacing the worn items. With this in mind, there are some 
people who believe that it takes $20,000 to buy a DeLorean and make 
it a daily driver.

2. Though almost mechanically identical, you might want to consult 
the DeLorean Service Providers when it comes to year model 
maintenance differences.

3. The depreciation or appreciation of the DeLorean greatly depends 
of its care and feeding as well as public perception. If you own a 
DeLorean, then you are an ambassador for the car and the community. 
If you are pleasant to admirers and keep the car in an attractive and 
mechanically reliable condition, then the car becomes more desirable 
to the general public. If you are looking for an investment, you 
should speak to a financial planner who will most likely advise you 
to not put your money into "automobile futures". The DeLorean is a 
car you buy out of a love for the vehicle itself. After all these 
years the DeLorean is still the "car of the future" or at least the 
car of "Back to the Future". The DeLorean is a vehicle of passion, 
attracting you with its appearance or the technology and vision, 
which in many ways, is still ahead of cars coming off of assembly 
lines today.

4. Many financial institutions consult the National Automobile 
Dealers Association to determine the amount they are willing to lend 
for a vehicle. Going by the "average low" According to the N.A.D.A. 
Appraisal Guides (www.nadaguides.com) my credit union is willing to 
lend as much as $9,050 toward the purchase of a DeLorean.
1981-83 DeLorean DMC-12 GULLWING 2 Door Sports Coupe
MODELS PROFESSIONALLY RESTORED OR REFURBISHED BY DELOREAN MOTOR 
COMPANY MAY BRING A CONSIDERABLE PREMIUM (UP TO 30%) OVER VALUES 
LISTED.
MSRP Original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price when new:
MY1981-$27,500 - MY1982-$29,825 - MY1983-$34,000
81-83 Low Retail $9,050 - Average Retail $16,600 - High Retail $26,700

Low Retail Value - This vehicle would be in mechanically functional 
condition, needing only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, 
trim, and interior would show normal wear, needing only minor 
reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor 
amateur restoration. Mostly usable "as-is". Note: This value does 
not represent a "parts car".

Average Retail Value - This vehicle would be in good condition 
overall. It could be an older restoration or a well-maintained 
original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, trim, and 
mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out. A "20-
footer".

High Retail Value - This vehicle would be in excellent condition 
overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well 
maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior 
paint, trim, and mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The 
interior would be in excellent condition. Note: This value does not 
represent a "100 Point" or "# 1" vehicle *.

* "100 Point" or "# 1" vehicle is not driven. It would generally be 
in a museum or transported in an enclosed trailer to concourse 
judging and car shows. This type of car would be stored in a climate-
regulated facility.

Passion side answers:

1. The DeLorean is capable of going 125-130 MPH in stock form. Keep 
in mind that the Nation speed limit is 75 MPH (though I am certain 
that many owners have driven to 88 MPH just to see what would 
happen). Now that Montana is no longer supporting unlimited speeding 
and is implementing "Reasonable and Prudent" highway speeds, I 
suggest that you get a radar detector in your DeLorean and "keep it 
between the ditches". The DeLorean will go as fast as is necessary 
and will allow you to arrive in style.

2. That depends of if you have a "hum-drum" life. If you read other 
threads you will find that many owners seem to become minor 
celebrities in their communities. Owning and driving a DeLorean 
won't make you a "supermodel" or "he-man", but you will get noticed, 
probably more than you are now. Your life will become more 
interesting.

3. That depends on what you dream and if that dream is realistic. 
The DeLorean is an attainable dream, put a picture if one on your 
wall and look at it every day. Keep reminding yourself of your 
goal. Focus Mathew san.

Ben Ferguson
Arizona DeLorean Club
American Hydrogen Association


--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "dmc_dream <dmhmail@xxxx>" 
<dmhmail@xxxx> wrote:
> OK! I've joined the list. Now all I need is a DeLorean :-)
> 
> I have loved this car ever since I first saw it. I even got to 
ride in one, which 
> just sealed it for me. 
> 
> It's a dream of mine to actually own a DeLorean, but my passion and 
practical 
> side are feuding over the decision. So, maybe you guys can help me 
out. My 
> practical side wants to know:
> 
> 1) What's a reasonable price for a DeLorean in "good" condition? 
I'm not 
> looking for a showroom model, I'd like a reliable daily driver.
> 
> 2) Does it require more maintenance than any other '81-'83 model 
car?
> 
> 3) Does the value of the car depreciate or appreciate, given 
it's 'classic' status 
> now?
> 
> 4) Is financing easily available for such a unique vehicle? 
> 
> 
> My passion side wants to know:
> 
> 1) How fast can it go?
> 
> 2) Does owning a DeLorean make everything else in life hum-drum?
> 
> 3) Do dreams really come true?
> 
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Mathew H.
> --
> Cool stuff for the DeLorean enthusiast:
> http://www.cafeshops.com/delorean_shop