What questions do I ask a Delorean seller?

[steve852]

Hey again all. Okay, I've been doing some digging and I do now think it's gonna be better to shop from the states. There's a much wider selection and they seem to be in better quality. I can't really afford to go over there to view any car before I buy, so it's really gonna be a case of asking as many questions as possible, and asking for as many photos as necessary to decide whether the car I choose is the right one before I sign on the dotted line!

I'm a little out of my depth here on a techical level, so I'd like your opinion - what should I be asking potential sellers? I know I need to ask for photos of the chassis from different angles to check for rust and the condition, and also photos of the engine, but what else? I'd like to get together a list of questions and, if it's okay, post the answers here for you smart fellas to look at!

Cheers again, much appreciated,
Steve

[tourettes tony]

i would buy one that doesnt run, manual,no corrosion,complete job done TT

[RobvdVeer]

i would buy one that doesnt run, manual,no corrosion,complete job done TT

Sounds a bit boring, Tone.

[mnickels]

If it has been parked up for any length of time it may have fuelling issues so make sure you ask about this.

Interior condition- drivers seat is a better gauge for mileage than odometer tbh, electric windows working, dashboard/binnacle cracks, headliner sagging

Doors sagging, eyebrows on front facia, X on bonnet, panel alignment (try to get interface pictures), focus on chassis in areas around fuel tank, clutch/brake master cylinders, below engine/gearbox and fuel accumulator, photos of plate below T panel between open door and headlining.

[tourettes tony]

well put mat i wish i could put a decent sentence together like that your right tho dont listen to me TT

[Daniel Shane]

Make sure there are no scoth locks fitted

[RobvdVeer]

Might be a good question if he enjoyed his ownership and how long he owned it, maybe even ask if it comes with a documented history.

[steve852]

Well a lot of the ads seem to be from car dealerships, but there are quite a few private ones. Check out the current ads on autotrader, see what you think:

http://tinyurl.com/634j4fe

I was particularly interested in this one - it ticks every box on my preference list, including bonnet, gearbox and interior. No chassis pics, door possibly looks saggy from one photo but other than that looks good. See what ya think:

http://tinyurl.com/6ce5mx6

[Andy]

Depending on where your potential car is located, maybe there would be someone in the area to have and take a look at it. If I where you, I would get registered at dmctalk.com (or other forums) if you haven't allready done that and ask the questions you need to know there; now and then, there are people that ask the same question as you ...

[Dangermouse]

Ask for a Carfax report, or Autocheck report.

With a D, many of these are very sparse, but some have quite a bit of detail, usually those from states that require emissions testing. This may confirm the mileage. It will usually give you the date the car was regestered.

As a side note, however, some D's vin number cannot generate a report at all.