# What would be todays equivalent of the DeLorean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 23, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436 "2014-06-23T12:34:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/1 "2014-06-23T12:34:00Z")
If quantum fluctuations in the space-time continuum meant that the _Back to the Future_ movies were set in the present day, what vehicle would they use for the time machine? It’s got to be; 1. Available commercially and affordable, so no concept cars. 2. Look weird enough to stand out 30 years ago - so old man Peabody can mistake Marty for an alien. 3. Able to conceivably reach 88 miles per hour so you can see some serious shit. 4. Big enough to fit a flux capacitor, nuclear reactor and vents. Here are my two suggestions but I’m sure you can better them - first thing that came to mind was the [Nissan Cube](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Cube#mediaviewer/File:NISSAN_cube_Z12_rear.jpg) for its aesthetics; then the bulbous [Fiat Multipla](http://www.motorstown.com/images/fiat-multipla-bi-power-07.jpg) which would make anyone in 1984 double-take. Whaddya reckon? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/2 "2014-06-23T13:00:19Z")
Smart cars look both stupid and futuristic at the same time. I’m sure someone has stuck a gigantic wind up key on the back of theirs somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/3 "2014-06-23T13:02:01Z")
[It didn’t take two seconds on GIS to find one.](http://www.bitrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Wind-Up-Smart-Car-9.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/4 "2014-06-23T13:10:42Z")
Huh. No concept cars? Guess the Lamborghini Egoista’s out… how about an Audi? [http://www.newautomodels.org/2014-audi-cars/2014-audi-cars-3/](http://www.newautomodels.org/2014-audi-cars/2014-audi-cars-3/) ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/5 "2014-06-23T13:17:45Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Huh. No concept cars? Guess the Lamborghini Egoista’s out… how about an Audi? > > [http://www.newautomodels.org/2014-audi-cars/2014-audi-cars-3/](http://www.newautomodels.org/2014-audi-cars/2014-audi-cars-3/) That is so cool, I just can’t imagine how it turns. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/6 "2014-06-23T13:20:37Z")
Depending on your age you might miss the joke due to context. It wasn’t just that the car looked weird and was easily recognizable. It was already a failed company and concept. The company went bankrupt in 82. John DeLorean was arrested for trying the smuggle cocaine to finance the company in October of 82. The first movie came out in 1985. So the reaction that Marty gave was not just because it was an odd looking car. The name DeLorean was a joke at the time. I’m sure by then there were three years of Carson punchlines involving the company and the man. I don’t think there is a car with anything like that backstory to be equivalent in a remake. But give Tesla a few years and see where it goes. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/7 "2014-06-23T13:21:02Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > That is so cool, I just can’t imagine how it turns. Hovercraft. The things that look like wheel covers are actually maneuvering thrusters. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/8 "2014-06-23T13:34:48Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Depending on your age you might miss the joke due to context. It wasn’t just that the car looked weird and was easily recognizable. It was already a failed company and concept. The company went bankrupt in 82. John DeLorean was arrested for trying the smuggle cocaine to finance the company in October of 82. The first movie came out in 1985. So the reaction that Marty gave was not just because it was an odd looking car. The name DeLorean was a joke at the time. I’m sure by then there were three years of Carson punchlines involving the company and the man. I don’t think there is a car with anything like that backstory to be equivalent in a remake. But give Tesla a few years and see where it goes. On the weird looking, I was thinking to people in the past not to Marty - [this scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWQzBX6BGd4) in particular, “you mutated son of a bitch!” Although I did miss the context of the name being a joke in itself, I don’t think it’s a big thing in the movie although there is [this scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sLnnjHjDgE) which no doubt is a nod and wink to the audience. ETA: That Audi is the coolest looking thing I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/9 "2014-06-23T14:07:59Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > Although I did miss the context of the name being a joke in itself, I don’t think it’s a big thing in the movie although there is [this scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sLnnjHjDgE) which no doubt is a nod and wink to the audience. Its not a big thing in that you can certainly watch the movie without being confused if you don’t know the history. But I’m pretty sure the baggage that came with the car and name was the main reason why it was used. For the same reason why you would use an Edsel or Corvair for their backstory and not just looks. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/10 "2014-06-23T14:13:33Z")
Plymouth Prowler? PT Cruiser? A hummer? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/11 "2014-06-23T14:19:51Z")
While I don’t know if it necessarily fits your criteria for affordability and space, I’d nominate the [Ariel Atom](http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Ariel-Atom-500-V8-11.jpg) as the car that would look the most bizarre to someone used to the boxy excess of 1984. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/12 "2014-06-23T14:23:36Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Its not a big thing in that you can certainly watch the movie without being confused if you don’t know the history. But I’m pretty sure the baggage that came with the car and name was the main reason why it was used. For the same reason why you would use an Edsel or Corvair for their backstory and not just looks. Don’t forget the stainless steel construction was crucial. [From here.](http://backtothefuture.wikia.com/wiki/DeLorean_time_machine) > [@](#): > > Doc explained that it needed some style and implied that the stainless steel construction of the car helped it in temporal displacement. > > ``` > Marty: "Wait a minute. Wait a minute Doc, are you telling me you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean?" > Doc: "The way I see it, if you're going to build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style? Besides, the stainless steel construction made the flux disperal... Watch Out!!" > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/13 "2014-06-23T14:27:06Z")
I agree that the car would have to be not only unusual, but a commercial flop. My nomination: the [Pontiac Aztec](http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/50_cars/pontiac_aztec.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/14 "2014-06-23T14:28:55Z")
Oh. Well, in that case, I guess you’ll have to use a Delorean… [http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/4508192012.html](http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/4508192012.html) ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/15 "2014-06-23T14:31:54Z")
If you’re going into the past far enough that there are no paved roads and no gasoline, Id use a 4x4 with a diesel…fueled with lard or vegetable oil. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/16 "2014-06-23T14:41:36Z")
[MonoTracer.](http://peraves.wordpress.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/17 "2014-06-23T15:20:09Z")
[Renault Twizy.](http://www.renault.com/en/vehicules/aujourd-hui/renault-vehicules-electriques/pages/twizy.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/18 "2014-06-23T15:32:12Z")
[Tesla Model S](http://www.teslamotors.com/models). It’s roughly the same inflation adjusted price. It’s the only model from the company (so far). And it certainly stands out compared to other cars, especially most of the boxy mid 80s cars. The “can be mistaken for a UFO” thing wouldn’t really work anymore. We’ve had cars for too long now and seen too many concept cars, unlike the 50s when an older person could easily remember a time when automobiles weren’t common. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/19 "2014-06-23T15:36:26Z")
I wanted a [Carver](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carver_%28automobile%29) when they were being promoted, sadly they went bankrupt. Do a GIS for “Carver 3 wheel” for good examples. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/20 "2014-06-23T16:11:58Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Smart cars look both stupid and futuristic at the same time. I’m sure someone has stuck a **gigantic wind up key** on the back of theirs somewhere. Tons of people have - it’s like, a thing. My first thought was the Smart ForTwo as well. The real-life parallels to a DeLorean are there (doomed concept using innovative construction), it would look weird in 1985 when Marty goes back to fix up his parents and getting one to 88mph is indeed a challenge (top indicated speed is ~90). And you could add a gag line about it being developed by Swatch, which was big in the 80s. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436.md?page=2)