Best way to pay for a car found online?

[Darky]

Based on the prices I've seen those fetching, another grand to fly out and ensure you're getting what is described would seem an easy decision. It's not like they're easy/cheap to find parts for...

 

[jeeperguy21]

Given the car involved, escrow sounds like the best way to go and the seller's wariness makes a little more sense.

Let me know if you need any help with the PRV V6 - it's been quite a while since I've tinkered with one, but still have some of that info rattling around in print or my head. My recollection is that the DMC-12s used the Renault version of that engine, though, and most of my experience with them was on the Peugeot side. They're similar, but not entirely the same, and that applies to their use in Volvos and Eagles as well.

Is this one a manual or automatic?

Thanks for the offer. You're one of the few that talk about the car/engine that actually knows the correct info! I wouldn't be buying this one unless it was a 5-speed. With little power it already has, a manual will at least make driving it a bit more fun.

 

[casm]

Thanks for the offer. You're one of the few that talk about the car/engine that actually knows the correct info!

My past involves way too much time with French cars

I wouldn't be buying this one unless it was a 5-speed.

OK, so it's the manual 'box out of the Renault 30. Good; I seem to recall those being fairly robust if not abused or neglected. Automatics were (IIRC) a Borg-Warner type 35 in a Renault transaxle. They weren't really bad, but were never particularly great, either.

With little power it already has, a manual will at least make driving it a bit more fun.

For a bit more power (figure on somewhere of the order of 20-30bhp and about the same or slightly more ft./lbs. of torque), take a look into either grafting on the MPFI setup from an Eagle Premier or Peugeot 505 or swapping engines. Not sure what exactly would be involved with the ins & outs of doing that, but the Premier was good for around 150-160bhp and about the same or slightly higher for the 505.

My recollection is that this was actually what one of the DMC performance suppliers was doing a few years back, but I'm kinda hazy on the specifics of that one.

 

[Talyn]

I've heard of a GM Northstar behind swapped into them. I like the car..... but that engine leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[AIbandit]

For shipping you can try Uship.com I shipped my tires through them and got a really good deal.

Shipping companies bid on your shipment. Hold out for a good deal. bids started at 300$+ for my 4 100lbs 41" iroks then eventually went down to 130$.

Shippers on there specialize in anything, car transports included.

 

[H8PVMT]

good luck with everything, and don't forget to check behind the body panels for free cocaine =)

 

[jeeperguy21]

good luck with everything, and don't forget to check behind the body panels for free cocaine =)

Already another joke

http://weasel.brazi.net/webstuff/stuff/Certificate.jpg

I should keep a stash of these in my car once I start driving it... haha

 

[AIbandit]

Already another joke

And this is only the beginning lol

 

[jeeperguy21]

Yeah. On the DMC forum that I'm on, I am amazed at how mad some owners get when people joke about their car with them. They had to realize that it was going to be part of owning that type of car. I was just giving you a hard time with that certificate, btw

 

[kastein]

You know you have to buy a VW minibus with a camper top and a couple of AK47s now, right? And park them side by side?

That joke isn't covered by the certificate :moon:

 

[Darky]

Would the VW be the high speed getaway car?



Y'know, because Deloreans are so slow...

 

[H8PVMT]

THE LEBANESE MARTY

(is the vw reference I believe)

I actually think it's an awesome car though, always wanted to ride in one, it's just not often you hear people talk about them

certificate accepted framed and polished!

 

[ChiXJeff]

A company that I worked for 20 years ago had a DMC as a company car.

 

[kastein]

THE LEBANESE MARTY

(is the vw reference I believe)

I actually think it's an awesome car though, always wanted to ride in one, it's just not often you hear people talk about them

certificate accepted framed and polished!

It was the Libyans... maybe we can get some current events worked in here too.

 

[sam24th]

Ah I love deloreans. Driving any car that has ever been in a major movie or show will get you those movie jokes. People used to call my firebird kitt and ask me if it talks....

 

[jeeperguy21]

For those of you that wanted a follow-up story for this, here it is. After talking to the seller a bunch of times back in March, I decided to just send him a cashier's check. He was a super nice guy that just needed money following a nasty divorce. He sent the title to me overnight, and I was the proud new owner of a DMC-12.

I had it insured and all that jazz, but the real nightmare came when I wanted to have it shipped to me. After three shipping companies and a month of waiting for a pick-up date, I said, "Screw it," and I bought a one-way plane ticket to drive it home. The seller picked me up at the airport, and I then drove 25 hours, 1613 miles over the weekend and made it home without any problems on a 30 year old car.

Today a new brake master cylinder arrived via FedEx, so after this weekend, it will much safer to drive. The coolness and excitement sure died in a hurry, but I definitely don't have any regrets in the purchase. Before I bought it, I thought that shipping the car would have been one of the easiest parts of this whole ordeal, but was horribly mistaken. I was originally going to pay $950ish to have it shipped, but because nobody was driving that route, I was prepared to pay as much as $1600, but it still did no good in getting it moved.

I ended up paying about $980 in total costs (plane ticket, gas, hotel, food) for the trip, so I say that I came out pretty good, not to mention I got to get to know the car really well. The worst part about the trip: no cruise control, which required me stopping every 140 or so miles to stretch my right leg out. Who knew that pressing the gas got your leg so tired? Here are some pics for those that requested them:

 

[r33pwrd]

car looks super clean!

 

[Talyn]

Do want!

 

[H8PVMT]

looks like new except that small bit of body molding on the side, great buy

 

[OverlandZJ]

Congrats! Enjoy your new toy..