1981 DeLorean DMC-12

Tony’s Take: 👍 Farago: “Tony, why thumbs up on so many cars?” Me: “Compared to today’s cars, classic cars are junk. And I love them just the way they are.” For the right price. Enter the 1981 DeLorean DMC-12. Great Scott! Who doesn’t love Back to the Future? But did you know the DeLorean is a POS? The first one I bought – a low-mileage 2007 manual – overheated at every traffic light. The bodywork proved Neil Young right (rust never sleeps). Getting the 2.85-liter Peugeot-Renault-Volvo V6 to 88 mph was a dicey proposition. The doors had issues. And yet the DMC-12 was the most fun I’ve had in a car for $14k.

Flash forward to 2019. A 2k mile automatic DeLorean sold for a record $82k. My buddy TJ laughed when I started singing the only way is up. I ain’t changin’ my tune. C’mon! The DeLorean’s a star – one of only 32 vehicle in the Library of Congress’ National Historic Vehicle Register. You know what else Giorgetto Giugiaro designed? The pre-Pantera DeTomaso Mangusta! And who can forget the John DeLorean’s ignominious downfall at the hands of the FBI? Anyway . . .

The average drivable DeLorean with TMU (True Miles Unknown) currently runs around $50k. This DeLorean spent 30 years doing nothing; savvy buyers factor in the $20k it’ll need to get up to speed. If you can buy this one-family-owned DeLorean DMC-12 for the predicted price – and have the time and money to restore the DeLorean to its former glory (such as it was) – it’s a solid win. Now and into the future. Downside: not for drivers who prefer a low profile.