Hi all, A year ago today I flew to Albany, NY and purchased my dream car, #5968, and embarked on the 1200 mile maiden voyage drive back home. My DeLorean is my ONLY car, and in the last year I've only had to bum a ride to work from a friend once. She's been almost as dependable as a new car, keeping me mobile for 1 year and almost 12,000 miles--with about 7 "cross-country" drives ranging from 4 to 18 hours each way. I've of course had my share of problems, but I've been able to work around them and the car has stayed operational. There's 2 reasons I'm posting this message. One is to say thank you to all the experts on this list without who's technical knowledge and advice I would NEVER have made it through the last year. So, thank you David Teitlebaum, Bill Robertson, John Hervey, Toby Peterson, and everyone else out there, whose names would take too long to list obviously, that I've collected wisdom from while lurking! The second reason is that a few weeks ago I was catching up on old messages and came across message #47877 from Tom Porter in Maine. Basically he says that he's been saving for a D for 10 years and is now at the point where he could purchase one, but is having second thoughts because of driveability, repair costs, and general sensibility. His message was posted almost 2 months ago, so this reply is more for all the other Tom Porters out there in lurking. In replies to that posting, people have already hit on the fact that DeLoreans can be reliable daily drivers, as mine is a prime example. Basically, if you're looking to go the smart route, you should definitely not buy a D as your first or only car. You should learn more about them, lurk on the list for a while, budget extra cash for repairs, and have a newer daily driver car for when the D can't get you around. That is definitely the smart way. I, however, and I'm sure there are others out there like me, generally in life prefer the cavalier and somewhat foolish route, as I find it more fun. By being a member of this list you already have done more prepwork and learned more about DeLorean repair and technical knowledge than I had before I bought the car. I've definitely had my share of problems in the past year but with the help of the list and the willingness to put time and effort into the car I've gotten through them all. Basically mine is a slow and ongoing project, updating the car here and there and replacing what needs to be replaced to stay on the road and as budget permits. It is very possible, you just need to be okay with the fact that you won't be able to go crazy on the car and fix everything all at once and have a mint condition show car. Sure, I get jealous when I read these posts about people doing the frame-off restorations and everything--I would love to take my car completely apart for a few months and go over EVERYTHING. But I like owning and driving the car now, and putting off doing stuff like that for a handful of years, more than not having one at all for years to come and then being able to buy one and do that right away. You just have to be comfortable pacing yourself. Basically there is no right or wrong answer, it all boils down to what type of person you are and what your goal with the car is. If you're the type of person that needs to have your fears assuaged or likes to do things the sensible way, then by God wait and do it the sensible way! For those of you that embrace the young and foolish attitude at any age and when faced with situations like this always figure (like Doc Brown) "What the hell?", then go for it! The only thing I have left to say is, I love living the dream!! Dave #5968 To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/