Re: [DML] Follow up! Sad DeLorean Story.....

["Walter" <Whalt@xxxx>]

[Note to moderator -- this may be a bit long and personal sounding, but I
think that many other young guys on the list wanting to get a DeLorean would
benefit from reading it.]

Dear Mr. DMC delorean 2000,

For starters, start using a real name!

Here is my theory about you: From the way you describe your situation, it
sounds like you are dealing with your car in a passive/observational
capacity. Your father is in charge of repairs and tells you his
interpretation of what mechanics tell him. You then post this information
(third person) to the DML, and by the time we read it (being interpreted a
4th time), much of it sounds way off base which makes some of us question
whether or not you really even have a DeLorean and just making this stuff
up. It reminds me of a "3rd Rock from the Sun" episode.

About your transmission: It sounds like you have an automatic with a bad
shift computer. So naturally it would make sense to a layman to bring it to
AAMCO -- a transmission specialist. However, as you are learning, the
DeLorean is a pretty unique car, and few 'professional' mechanics are cool
enough to say that they are not knowledgeable enough to take on a repair --
especially when they have a chance to tinker with something that looks like
a lot of fun while getting paid for it.

There were no other cars marketed in the U.S. that use the same transmission
as the DeLorean. Consequently, transmission gaskets and filters are just
about impossible to find except from a DeLorean specialist. Likewise, the
shift computer is also unusual, and even a 'professional' could have trouble
understanding it. The mechanic at AAMCO is probably motivated by wanting to
prove that he can fix it and thus earn what he has already charged you for.
Unfortunately, this guy is so stupid that he is proposing to convert your
automatic transmission into a half-ass manual. Is this the same guy who
wants to swap out your engine? Tell him you want to swap out your mechanic.
I doubt that anything good can come from having guys like this work on your
car. If you continue to deal with these guys, I suggest only letting them
do things that a DeLorean specialist would direct them to do over the phone.
If necessary, I would arrange to pay a specialist consultation fees to talk
your mechanic through the proper procedures.

About the key broke off in your lock: According to your VIN, your car
should have the all black early '81 style two-key system door locks. This
means that the key that fits your doors only fits your doors and no other
locks on your car. These locks are fragile and break easily. It would not
be unlikely that one of these locks could break while your car was at PJ
Grady. A more likely scenario would be that the lock jammed rather than a
key breaking off in it. But once jammed, the key won't go in anymore. This
could make you think that someone left a piece of a key broke off inside.
These locks are difficult (if not impossible) to repair the internal parts.
While DMC was in business, the authorized warranty repair procedure was to
simply replace the locks with those used on the later model cars (the
one-key system). Since so many of these locks break, the supply of OEM
upgrade replacements ran low and became pricey. Now the vendors are selling
custom made reproductions which are still expensive, but they earn it going
to the trouble to have these made for us. Installing these locks is time
consuming since part of the door skin needs to have notches cut. Also the
locks need to be keyed to match the rest of your car. I imagine that a
vendor would want well over $300 for this repair.

To quote your recent post, Rob Grady said your car is "the worst car hes
ever seen and that its not worth anything." I assume that this is a loose
paraphrase at best. Every DeLorean is worth a lot of money in parts. I
recently paid $500 for one that was missing the body and was left for years
partially buried with vines growing all over it. I have since made my money
back out of it: angle drive, steering rack, suspension pieces, etc. Back to
your car: If you continue to allow a 'professional' mechanic to work on this
car, and his only resources are his basic knowledge of common cars and the
parts he can find at a local auto parts store -- then add the determination
to make it work -- you will end up with a car that is hacked to pieces.
Many people enjoy this type of challenge, and I am guilty of doing similar
things to my car to a small extent. But I try to make my modifications
reversible and only do things that rectify a factory weak spot or defect
while still looking properly done. It can be very time consuming &
expensive to deal with someone else's hacking. It sounds natural that a guy
like this would want to replace your engine with something more common --
something that he can find parts for.

You are young and sound like you could learn to be your own mechanic if you
put your mind to it. If you are this sort of person, then I suggest you ask
your father for a nice set of mechanic's tools & manuals to go along with
this car. Tell him it is for your education and to help you become more
self-sufficient. I would do this for any son of mine before I would buy him
an unusual car. You could become more proficient at writing technical
letters asking for advice online and develop your communication skills.
Once you are experienced with a particular repair on these cars, then you
can write technical letters for others giving advice. That sort of
education is hard to learn in school.

Granted that I haven't seen your car, (and assuming that it is a bit hacked
up), I would assume that the highest and best use for it would be for
someone with time on his hands to take the time necessary to learn the
peculiarities of the car and repair/restore it himself. This may or may not
describe you. Guys who use these cars on a regular basis are either good
mechanics or have a close relationship with a specialist. Once the major
weak spots & factory defects are worked out, your problems should be no
worse (really even fewer) than most other cars. If this doesn't describe
you, then either have the car restored by a vendor or sell it for what you
can.

As you said yourself, communication is a problem. Make sure your father
understands what you want and what your motivations are before he (or anyone
else) makes decisions for you. You can start by showing him your posts and
replies you get on the DML. I think he would be proud and eager to help.

Let us know how it turns out.
Walt Tampa, FL