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Wow, it's ages since I stuck my head in here!
I may be in a position to get a Delorean at last! Budget around £15K, maybe £20K - too low these days? I don't mind a bit of wiring or trim work, or not-too-complex mechanical overhaul like seals, servicing, bushes - but bodywork and welding are not strong points for me.
Richard - car obsessive, musician, writer, photographer. 149 cars since 1992.
Current: 300C Hemi Touring, SLK 230K, A170 CDi, Xantia
Can also be seen anywhere the 80s can be found, near old computers, and around Market Harborough
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RichardKC6 Wrote:I may be in a position to get a Delorean at last! Budget around £15K, maybe £20K - too low these days? I don't mind a bit of wiring or trim work, or not-too-complex mechanical overhaul like seals, servicing, bushes - but bodywork and welding are not strong points for me.
Are you looking in the UK or planning to import from the US? 15K GBP is about 21K USD + shipping & import costs, which should match what you're looking for (car that runs but needs some work). I think it would be hard to find a DMC-12 under 20K in the UK these days.
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Quote:Are you looking in the UK or planning to import from the US? 15K GBP is about 21K USD + shipping & import costs, which should match what you're looking for (car that runs but needs some work). I think it would be hard to find a DMC-12 under 20K in the UK these days.
Sums it up really 8) US imports are certinally the best option at the moment.
Chris
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I'd prefer not to import from the US, as it's a lot of risk - a trip to the states to inspect a car is going to take a chunk that may as well be put towards a car already in the UK, after all. I am unfamiliar with the prices these days, with Chris P saying a painted one is £9K's worth down the page, and watching one on eBay last year that I think finished around £13 (parked up a long time, though).
Richard - car obsessive, musician, writer, photographer. 149 cars since 1992.
Current: 300C Hemi Touring, SLK 230K, A170 CDi, Xantia
Can also be seen anywhere the 80s can be found, near old computers, and around Market Harborough
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In fairness any 32 yr old car is a risk :wink: but it nice to be able to see what you are buying. The vendors over in the US would inspect any potential purchase for you to save you a trip, might cost a few hundred $ but still may be a cheaper option.
Chris
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RichardKC6 Wrote:Chris P saying a painted one is £9K's worth down the page, and watching one on eBay last year that I think finished around £13 (parked up a long time, though).
Sadly, anything that cheap is going to need a lot of work and most likely a lot of new parts.
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I should be clear, I'm not expecting something perfect. I just have to risk-manage what I can and can't do; a project is fine if the price is right and the project bits are within my abilities. OTOH, I've been here before and asked about Deloreans when the budget has been around, and somehow the DOC always manages to put me off :/
Richard - car obsessive, musician, writer, photographer. 149 cars since 1992.
Current: 300C Hemi Touring, SLK 230K, A170 CDi, Xantia
Can also be seen anywhere the 80s can be found, near old computers, and around Market Harborough
Posts: 695
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Joined: Jul 2006
The advice so far is realistic. I don't think anyone is trying to put you off
You'll probably fair better in the US for your budget, but if you're not keen on importing that does limit your options. You're simply not going to pick up a £9K - £13K car in the UK (or anywhere for that matter) that isn't going to need a serious chunk of work.
Bushes, seals, wiring, and interior trim are almost ongoing maintenance issues. :lol: Unless the interior is utterly trashed, the electrics shot, and the wheels pointing in opposite directions, those sorts of things will not have much impact on an £18K - £20K car these days.
Aside from serious structural work, nothing should put you off. I had a front drive and a bag of spanners (both the car and the tools!) the rest is common sense and commitment.
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The DeLorean Service Center in Bruges ( Belgium ) has one or two for sale at the moment. Don't know about price though .... OK, it's not in the UK, but it's a lot closer than the US, isn't it?
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Quote:and somehow the DOC always manages to put me off :/
Certinally not intended to be the case, just being realistic. Project cars are very few and far between in the UK (does happen though) but because of the rarity these tend to fetch a fair bit of money, my guess is less than one a year. It's possible some may come to light as a few major projects have been brought over from the US in the last few years and sometimes people run out of time/money to finish them so they may surface as well. Whilst I know your not that keen on importing a lot of people on the forums have done it and you really can get a better car for your money that way, that's all anyone is trying to point out. However you will be given loads of support however you decide to do it. Any UK car for sale is usually listed in the for sale section on hear, there was a black one listed in (I Think) CCW recently perhaps it would be worth checking to see if that one sold?
Chris
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RichH Wrote:The advice so far is realistic. I don't think anyone is trying to put you off
You'll probably fair better in the US for your budget, but if you're not keen on importing that does limit your options. You're simply not going to pick up a £9K - £13K car in the UK (or anywhere for that matter) that isn't going to need a serious chunk of work. .
I said £15K to £20K... I'd happily take on a £9-13K that that needed a serious chunk of work IF I knew I could realistically do the work, which puts chassis welding and comprehensive engine rebuild off the list and makes bodywork a tricky proposition if it's not "throw money at it and bolt it on". There's one in Galway for £20K which I may enquire about.
A full rewire is entirely within my abilities. Putting a part stripped car together as long as the chassis is good, that'd be fine. I'd take on an engine rebuild, too, if the price on the car was right and I could find a specialist I trust - the biggest issue I have is many bad experiences with garages, mechanics and specialists who take on the work and don't complete it, or worse, bodge it. If I can stand back and go "I couldn't have done that" - then I'm happy, and some mechanics have done that particularly with regard to steel bodywork, but it's maybe 2 good to 5 bad in my experience :/
When I say "put me off", I mean... well, there seems to be an air of "you can't afford the price of entry", even when that is a movable feast (four years ago). I've wanted a Delorean for as long as Deloreans have existed... please, help? Maybe tell me what is and isn't a showstoppper in terms of prices?
I do appreciate the argument for US shipping, but I've never done anything like that before and have real worries about unexpected cost and damage in the process, rather than distrusting the car I buy. The first thing I bought on eBay was a car - in Tulsa - unseen, but I was going to America and it was cheaper than renting!
If £20K really wouldn't get a roadworthy, presentable example, then yes - the price of entry is too high again, I'm always going to be behind the curve on this and regretting not buying the £9K red one way back when. C'est la vie.
Richard - car obsessive, musician, writer, photographer. 149 cars since 1992.
Current: 300C Hemi Touring, SLK 230K, A170 CDi, Xantia
Can also be seen anywhere the 80s can be found, near old computers, and around Market Harborough
Posts: 25
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Joined: May 2009
Andy Wrote:The DeLorean Service Center in Bruges ( Belgium ) has one or two for sale at the moment. Don't know about price though .... OK, it's not in the UK, but it's a lot closer than the US, isn't it?
I think from past experience they've been at the higher end of the price range, but importing from Europe - I can do. I can get a trailer, a suitable vehicle, and drive it, so I am in control of the whole process rather than entrusting it to shippers and dockyard workers...
Richard - car obsessive, musician, writer, photographer. 149 cars since 1992.
Current: 300C Hemi Touring, SLK 230K, A170 CDi, Xantia
Can also be seen anywhere the 80s can be found, near old computers, and around Market Harborough
Posts: 25
Threads: 4
Joined: May 2009
You know, the more I think about the ability to get welding done, vs. bodywork, I may be unreasonably discounting chassis welding. Welding is the main area I see some excellent work done by enthusiasts...
Richard - car obsessive, musician, writer, photographer. 149 cars since 1992.
Current: 300C Hemi Touring, SLK 230K, A170 CDi, Xantia
Can also be seen anywhere the 80s can be found, near old computers, and around Market Harborough
Posts: 597
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Joined: Dec 2008
I would encourage you to sign up at dmctalk.org (though there is a bit of a delay at the moment to get approved, due to bots), make a few posts and explain what you are after. Ideally you will find a known forum member selling his car - failing that there may be a forum member close to a prospective car that would be willing to check it out for you.
Dermot
ex-Dunmurryite
vin 2743
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RichardKC6 Wrote:I think from past experience they've been at the higher end of the price range, but importing from Europe - I can do. I can get a trailer, a suitable vehicle, and drive it, so I am in control of the whole process rather than entrusting it to shippers and dockyard workers...
If it helps I can lend you a flatbed trailer 
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