Update, 9/15/2020:
So when I first posted this, I got beat up in the comments by DeLorean fans for suggesting that this car was unreliable. Let's see what some automotive enthusiasts said:
Motor-vision.co.uk: "only 9,200 were made in total made by employees that were poorly trained in the assembling of cars, which led to the well-known quality control issues of the famous car. Failing electrical systems, sticking throttles, suspension issues, instruments playing up, batteries dying prematurely, leaky doors as mentioned before, incorrect wheel alignments."
hotcars.com:
* "it wasn't uncommon for a DeLorean to get an electrical or fuel fire. Electrical fires were usually contained to the fuse box area. DeLorean's were known to have fuse box to meltdowns." "Fuel leaks near the engine fuel distributor or fuel accumulator under the car... have led to massive fuel fires" "Fuse boxes are notorious for melting down in these cars as well as some of the relays"
* "A series of chassis grounds that run in both the front and rear of the car can be a source of major headaches for DeLorean owners. Over time these grounds become corroded and this causes all kinds of electrical gremlins. These gremlins have been known to produce all kinds of fun stuff. From overcharging alternators blowing up batteries (which are behind the passenger seat) to cars dying in the middle of traffic. If you don't know much about electronics, it's best to have it checked by a professional."
* "When it came time for DeLorean to buy his version of the PRV, he specced out the cheapest version he could. The Aluminum alloy for the engine block has the most amount of filler PRV would allow in order to cut down on the price of aluminum. This, unfortunately, would lead to "block rot" in later years whereas the degraded purity of an aluminum alloy will oxidize and eventually rot. Other cost-cutting, included paper gaskets at the bottom of the cylinder liners where Volvo specified steel in the exact same location in their engine."
Should be rules against people blogging when they have zero clue what they are talking about
ReplyDeleteHmm, could you elaborate? I think I identified the make and model of the car correctly. And as for the accuracy my editorial comments, jalopnik.com recently said, "DeLoreans are undeniably beautiful and unique cars, but between their awful reliability, terrible quality, low power output and lack of available replacement parts (though that’s gotten better recently) it’s one of the worst cars one could choose to buy."
DeleteI also see that your profile describes you as, "On Blogger since April 2019". That's this month. Have you been blogging somewhere else, and that's how you became a expert on who should and should not be writing a blog?
DeleteNot a blogger one bit, won’t be and never intend to be. Just a person annoyed by the constant passing around of false info.
Deletefirst off you can see several aftermarket parts on this car. Hardly “unrestored”
Your information &, jalopnik’s has no actual facts regarding this car. People need to do real research rather than hear say on the internet, passing along rumors with no facts to back it up, it is the worse part of Delorean ownership
If you would like to provide with your reasons they “couldn’t be kept running when new” I’d glady clear the information up for you. Jalopnik said isn’t a valid point tho
ReplyDeleteAh so you're offended by the expression, "apparently unrestored". What denotes this car as unquestionably, "restored"?
ReplyDelete"Your information &, jalopnik’s has no actual facts regarding this car".
False. I have the make and model of the car correct. As for the car's notorious poor build quality and unreliability, there are many sources you can consult. I recommend this BBC documentary on the history of the car. It points out that build quality of the first few hundred cars off the line was embarrassingly shoddy; most had to be extensively rebuilt in the U.S. at great cost. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMUXZaROJKM
"the DMC-12’s original build quality was pretty shocking. The deal between the company and dealers meant that warranty work was handled very badly (if at all) and the lack of experience on the factory floor meant that nearly all cars left the factory in a far from satisfactory condition. DeLorean originally intended the car to have 200 BHP, a fairly modest figure for a sports coupe even then, yet the car ended up with a paltry 130 BHP – giving lethargic performance. The gullwing doors looked great, but the interiors shed trim, there were electrical issues aplenty"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.motorpunk.co.uk/articles/delorean-factory-visit/
"it wasn't uncommon for a DeLorean to get an electrical or fuel fire. Electrical fires were usually contained to the fuse box area. DeLorean's were known to have fuse box to meltdowns."
ReplyDeletehttps://www.hotcars.com/10-reasons-why-you-should-own-a-delorean-in-2018-and-10-reasons-you-shouldnt/
I honestly don’t much care about about the un restored part, how ever as I mentioned you can see several aftermarket parts and re finished touches showing the car has had a good amount of work done.
ReplyDeleteNever claimed you to have the make and model wrong. The rest, incorrect yes.
You had a brand new factory, with a completely new and rushed car being built by people who have never built cars before. Hell ya your going to have problems. The first shipment of cars needed one heck of a lot of work. Judging 9200 cars off the first 500 is slightly silly tho.
But yes, Delorean had qac shops in the states (quality assurance) and they spent a good clunky of money on that. Even if the car left the factory sub par, it never made it to the buyer as such.
Many again judge the car off the first batch, alternator being to small was the first blow, sure looked shitty with big name celebs sitting at the side of the road. But again, recalled, fixed, first batch. New cars still have recalls, we aren’t perfect
More power be nice? You bet! But a 5 speed Delorean is no slug, zero problems getting out of its own way unlike what most of the internet would tell you. (Auto being slightly lame). It shouldn’t be called slow (certainly not fast) but keep in mind this is 81’, what did a mustang make at the wheel? 100hp on a good day? Corvette wasn’t much far ahead. Now can you agrue a much quicker refined car could have been purchased in 81’ for that kinda money, most certainly, that make the Delorean shit? No.
Btw - countless delorean parts suppliers and aftermarket parts dealers scattered acrossed several country’s. I’d be willing to bet I can buy a brand new door for my delorean quicker and cheaper then I can from gm for my new Silverado. Just about everything is easily available, which the exception of a few hard to gets example - left front fender & early style hood.
Also haggarty recently had it on the list of the best investment cars. Prices have almost doubled in the last 5 years. Hardly a bad car to be buying into
Fuel fires weren’t a thing back in the day. They have started to pop up recently, I wouldn’t yet call it common. Most ooperator error, the original fuel lines (car has many and high pressure) are starting to get old after 30+ years and don’t like to be handled ruff and people try and service lines and don’t replace the crush washers . At this point, anyone with one would be stilly not to spend the $200 on a new set of stainless limes.
ReplyDeleteNew updated relay parts are available and a common upgrade, again 30+ years old, new tech, can’t fault the car.
I don’t think you’d be able to find a credible example of one burning up for either reason back in the day
Crimps holding the fuses in the boxes on some has not been a unheard of problem. Fuse often melts (not taking the car with it). Again I stress, it’s getting old lol. Ideal engineering today? No, I’d love to go back in time and give my opinion to a few of them on some things. Bad car like the internet would say? Also no.
ReplyDeleteCar catches a lot of its unreliable rumors from the fuel injection imo. The engine itself is more of less built proof. It’s a car that likes to be driven daily, and hard. If it’s left to sit and gum up the kjet can get finicky. Given most mechanics in North American know nothing about it/how to fix, simply just gets called junk
All very interesting stuff. Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWow, this discussion was wonderful to read. @Thatmustangguy, I need to give you major props for your response. Full of facts and data, and willing to to engage in spite of the fact that tha author was pretty testy with you and even insulted you with ad hominem insults by questioning your worth as a member of the community. For the author, although you came across quite brittle and defensively, in the end you were willing to acknowledge @Thatmustangguy for the information provided, and that needs to count for something. Sorry for the editorialization and commentary, but it was a fascinating exchange, on many levels.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am friends with the person who owns this car. The car was purchased fully restored, and even the most trivial items are maintained the moment they are noticed. For example, something as simple as a light bulb leads to a replacement. I only wish most car owners took this much care with their autos.
ReplyDelete