1981 DeLorean DMC-12 V6 from North America

Summary:

Cool, rare, interesting car

Faults:

It has never ran right ever since I bought it. Always had issues with how it ran. It sat in our garage for some years. It needed new injectors, the stainless steel polished, driver's seat stitched in a spot, surged like crazy, and some other engine things.

General Comments:

Cool car! I have always liked Deloreans. We've got it in great shape now and running good. Sent it to another man who owns a Delorean and he kept it for a year and got it shined up and running good. Put new injectors on it and just some other engine parts so it will run right. Runs good now, better than ever!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th October, 2017

16th Oct 2017, 13:11

Maybe you have a malfunctioning flux capacitor causing these problems.

16th Oct 2017, 21:16

No, headaches come as standard with that PRV V6.

1981 DeLorean DMC-12 N/A PRV V6 from North America

Summary:

The Best Car I have ever owned or driven

Faults:

CV boot on half axle popped open, replaced it, no big deal.

Switch for the right hand side window is broken.

Rear defrost switch is broken.

Battery went bad... Happens to most cars anyways along the line.

And the windshield washer pump is broken.

It is hard as heck to clean the stainless.

And the horn is really wimpy, I want to replace it, but I haven't had the time.

General Comments:

The Delorean is really an awesome car, Mine has proven to be really reliable, despite the minor repairs needed that have been listed above.

It is not the fastest car on the road, but who cares?

Once you get used the 5 speed Manual transmission, it gets really fun.

I would recommend this car to anyone, who can afford it. Most of the negative reviews seen from people on the net, are from people that bought cheap Deloreans that were not well maintained.

It has horrible steering at slow speeds, since it does not have power-steering, But when she flies she handles like a dream.

Everybody nearly breaks their necks trying to look at this car, You really feel important driving it. It's a chick magnet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th December, 2006

2nd Feb 2007, 14:54

Excellent article because it is the first genuine review of a Delorean EVER! I own a 1981 Deloran and I've had some major problems with her, but once fixed, she ran like a charm. I've read one too many negative articles on the Delorean by many different owners and after reading these "ignorant" reviews, I always ask myself, "then why did this person buy a Delorean in the first place?"

The quality of the Delorean is evident in her intrinsic value which can be found on the 2007 NADA guide. Furthermore, she's a beauty to regard on the road and anywhere else.

Regards,

G. Daly (proud owner of Vin 1632)

1982 DeLorean DMC-12 4.0L northstar V8 from North America

Summary:

New guts and she's a rocket!

Faults:

Well, when I bought it from a fellow last year, it had some very bad body damage, and the engine was blown. The damage was from him and his neighbor backing out at the same time and wrecking, or so he says. The engine apparently over-heated and was destroyed, this being AFTER the body damage, which I find strange.

General Comments:

When I bought this car, it was a wreck.. i longed for one and this seemed to be the opportune moment for the project I always wanted, so I took it. I never got to drive this car with the original engine in it, I took his word on it being slow. After I got it back from some specialists in Detroit for the body work, I took the engine from my wrecked Aurora, the 4.0L Northstar V-8 and installed it. However, this was NOT an easy task. First, out came the original engine, which was caked in old oil and water and all sorts of junk. Then the transmission was removed. The car without engine and transmission was sent to a welding specialist and with the measurments, mounts and brackets was fitted for the V-8. Once back to my shop, in goes the Aurora engine, transversly mounted, which was a hard one. Then after that, I replaced EVERYTHING, belts, alternator, brakes, and such.

It was an interesting feat, but it all worked out and the ride now is extremely rewarding. However, just for comparison purposes, I really would have liked to drive the original car. As it is, with the V-8, THIS THING IS FAST! At the track I got a time of 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which in my opinion is fast.

The handling is very precise for an old car, and I do not see where people are getting that this car "wanders"...it does not. It drives straight, however it feels very heavy when trying to park.

On the inside, everything is in working order, the leather isn't bad, and some of the lights in the dash are no longer lit. That is my next project.

The exterior is also very good, once I got it fixed. Its interesting though, because the new rear panel is much shinier and not at all faded like the original ones. Does anyone know of any product that can shine this up?? I really am afraid to use anything powerful because I'm not sure of what it would do.

Now, I do feel bad for ruining the originality of this beauty, but given the circumstances, I saw no reason to find an original replacement engine, when I had another that would fit sitting in my driveway!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th December, 2006

6th Dec 2006, 16:44

I am debating whether or not I actually believe him. The only reason I can think of why I wouldn't, is because well, he stuffed a V8 in one, but I guess with enough money it is possible.

How much did you pay for the car to begin with, and how much did the total end cost end up to be, these are not being asked to nag or anything, I am just wondering because I feat like this must not have been cheap.