1983 DeLorean DMC-12 from North America - Comments

Upon delivery several problems existed:

- Passenger power window inoperative

- Passenger power door lock inoperative

- Rough idle

- Worn steering column bushing

Nothing uncommon for a 22 year old car. Overall, however, the car was in excellent condition - no rust, dings/scratches, and the interior looked practically new - indicating that the car was manufactured with quality materials that will last (if properly maintained).

I am writing this review on day 3 of Delorean ownership. In this short time I have learned a few things, good and bad:

GOOD:

- In Los Angeles (where Porsches and Jaguars are as common as Miatas and Accords) this car attracts an amazing amount of attention.

- Photos cannot do this car justice. This car appears sleeker, lower, and more sophisticated in the flesh than can ever be captured on film.

- The interior is comfortable and visibility seems quite acceptable to me (though some not used to low slung sports cars may not agree).

- Acceleration, while not stunning, is quite acceptable. Handling, at real-world speeds, is rewarding. Finally, steering is communicative and direct at speed.

BAD:

- With all the attention it attracts, everyone will want to touch this car... leaving unsightly finger prints behind.

- Road/wind noise is excessive, and creaks from the body are common. However, as this car is 22 years old, some noise is expected.

- Steering is extremely heavy at parking lot speeds.

Can't comment on reliability yet, but have read that with proper care, these cars are very dependable.

A car that looks like the DMC-12 needs more than "acceptable" acceleration.

Exotic looks were not enough, as John Z. found out.

" Photos cannot do this car justice. This car appears sleeker, lower, and more sophisticated in the flesh than can ever be captured on film. "

I completely agree. I test drove one I saw in the paper several years ago and was stunned at how it looked 1000x times better in person.

Actually, it really has to do with certain designs. For example, there are many cars today (Porsche Cayman) that simply look unattractive in photos, but are quite different in person. I wasn't thrilled by the Cayman's looks until I saw it at the Detroit Auto Show in person. The Delorean was unique in its looks, but never photographed the way a Ferrari photographs. Yet in person it is quite attractive and a head turner.

This car was actually based on a lotus design. You would be better off buying the lotus in the first place. Its much lighter due to fibreglass body therefore quicker. Also less troublesome.

Does LOTUS not transform into Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious?

But as the fiberglass fades and gets brittle, and the cheap metal in the newer cars rusts out, the delorean will still be there with the stainless-steel body and time-less looks.

Man, if the car corporations were smart, they would start making cars like this.

Funnyman141.

As a Delorean owner for the past 15 years I have had issue with the car as would any car that is this old BUT... if you maintain the car as it should be maintained you will have a Delorean that runs well and will last. Bad cars are usually born from little or no care to their routine maintenance.

Low mileage Deloreans are a joke as the speedometer angle drive on most all cars have failed at one point or another. Some owners are slow to fix it, racking up miles and then claiming "low miles"...

I've got almost 100K documented miles on my car with full repair history. Any sports car from Europe (Delorean included... Northern Ireland) with Lucas electronics etc... will have issues.

This car was developed and put into production very quickly and yes, the engine is anemic, but very reliable.

Sure, I'd like a Corvette with a 300hp motor and kick-butt speed but what's the point? The Delorean was always marketed as a "gentleman's sportscar"...not a tire screeching hot rod...

The Delorean lives because of it's timeless look, corrosion proof body and it's iconic place in automotive history. Sure it had it's faults... but over the years most owners have fixed or replaced the questionable parts.

Tom.

Here's a few sayings I've come across, including one of the previous commenters'.

Lotus- Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious

Ford- Fix Often Repair Daily

Edsel- Every Day Something Else Leaks

Not terribly relevant to the DeLorean, I know, but one of the previous commenters' sayings caused me to think of writing this down.

I own a Delorean in the UK (Vin #5706). I was fortunate in buying it from DMC Texas. It was a tip-top condition when I got it and it's remained that way.

It's lovely to drive, but it's no sports car - a grand tourer perhaps.

The visibility is not great, but it's no worse than a Lotus.

It's a great car because it's rare and it's steel - something about those panels makes everyone touch the damn things.

It's also lots and lots of fun and the reaction you get is great - not envy or jealously, just enjoyment and good natured banter.

The owners club is good too.

Having driven a Countach for the day as a swap, I'd have the Delorean every time - and it's at least 50% of the cost.

I owned one of these cars for about 4 years. It's very poorly designed and built, but as long as one is skilled in the mechanical and electrical disciplines, it's a simple machine to work on and can be made fairly reliable.

What drove me away was the obsessed weenies among owners who 1) think the car is the best ever built and 2) their justification for owning based entirely on what appears to be massive insecurity and the need for attention. Put another way, most Delorean owners are pretty whacked out people. The normal among us will find the car boring to own.

Prior to IRS rule changes, I ended up taking a handsome tax write off by donating the car to a charity that later dropped it from a helicopter during an air show. The video can be found on the internet if one knows where to look.