[DML] Re: Fw: Over-valuing our DeLoreans

["JDL" <jdl@xxxx>]

From: JDL
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2000 3:06 AM
Subject: Re: [DML] Re: Over-valuing our DeLoreans


This is really silly. There are lots of reasons for selling a DeLorean, or
any car, for less than what a knowledeable and informed seller and a
knowlegeable buyer is willing to pay. And DeLoreans are particularly
vulnerable targets.

1) Misperception or lack of knowledge as to what the car is worth. It is
not like there is lots of information out there without searching a little
as to determining the true value of the car. You don't see many advertised
in the newspaper for sale. I'm not saying information is not out there or
can't be found, but the information, for a non-specialist (ie, someone who
inherited a DeLorean, fell into one or purchased one new), particualrly one
not internet savvy, is not as easy to find as say for a 65 Mustang or a
Corvette.

2) Misunderstanding of the condition of the car. Our cars can look great
but be really screwed up. On the other hand, there are lots of cars out
there that are mechanically great, but don't run because someone let them
sit for a few years (or perhaps since new) and don't run. That means they
might have lots of gunk on the outside of them, the dashes may be cracked,
the tires might be flat, but they may still be really, really good cars.

When we hosted DMC Joe on his visit to Cleveland, one of the cars he
serviced was a DMC that was picked up that was nearly perfect that was
bought for less than 15K. With a couple grand, it was a fantastic, truly
low milage car without blemish that ran great.

3) There is a lot of original owners out there that are now dying and
passing the cars on. The estates want nothing to do with them- so they go
for what the insurance company or apprasal company says it is worth. And as
we know from past threads, these folks don't know very much about D's in
general. A good example of that is the D now being reassembled by one of
our DMC newsgroup members in Pittsburgh that was bought in parts as part of
a divorce proceeding.

4) Geography: There are probably not many D's in Tulsa (for example) or
other out of the way places, so it is near impossible to really make
comparisons. I bet there are quite a few D's at used car lots and in barns
way out in the middle of nowhere. They may have been sitting there a long
time, not because they are not good or great deal, but because simply there
aren't many people interested in a D in Tulsa (for example) or an easy way
to service them. So a real deal can be had from a dealer wanting to move
sheet metal (or stainless steel, in this case).

The lack of a dealer service network was part of DMC's problem, and that is
why there is a concentration of D's increasingly in cities or areas where a
DMC specialist exists, like Houston, LA, NY and Florida. So there is no one
nearby to service them. So there are no doubt many great bargains out there
to be had, kinda like that perfect D found in the English countryside
recently.

My point is that it is bunk that there are not bargains to be had out there
on DeLoreans. There are lots of bargains. You might have to do a little
work to get them running, but there are loads of D's to be had for very
favorable prices if you know what to look for (what is expensive to
replace), are willing to spend some time and energy looking and are willing
to do a little work to get a car running that has been sitting but is
essentially sound in all of the most important and expensive to repair
areas.

Your friend in Cleveland,

Respectfully,

David Levey

----- Original Message -----
From: <SEDeLorean@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2000 9:09 PM
Subject: [DML] Re: Over-valuing our DeLoreans


> Not too long ago there was a posting on this list that said the difference
between a $15,000 DeLorean and a $20,000 DeLorean is $10,000.
> Whoever said that hit the nail on the head.
> I think the difference is 15k, myself...
>
> But on the subject of what the cars are worth, everyone has mixed
feelings.
> If an owner is trying to sell his/her car and the car is in mint condition
and has all the upgrades, the ONLY way that individual is going to sell that
car for 15k or less is:
> 1) They need $$$ quick, or otherwise they're going to be wearing concrete
shoes.
> 2) See above.
>