# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/41 "2014-06-23T20:32:16Z")
No matter what the car, a 1976 Ford has to rip though it like it was tinfoil. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/42 "2014-06-23T20:32:30Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > I always assumed the reason for using the Delorean (the filmmakers’ reason, I mean, not Doc Brown’s) was the gullwing doors, which made it more plausible as a UFO and more generally “futuristic” as opposed to just a custom hot-rod made by a 50s car guy with a wild imagination. The way the car was parked in the barn with the headlights pointing out and the open gullwing door matched the illustration of the UFO on the comic book the farmboy showed his father. BTW, how about a roadable plane like [this one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrafugia_Transition#mediaviewer/File:Terrafugia_--_2012_NYIAS_cropped.jpg)? Exotic looking enough. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/43 "2014-06-23T20:57:49Z")
Segway ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/44 "2014-06-23T21:51:17Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > 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). I came here to post that. “You built a time machine out of Pontiac Aztec?” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/45 "2014-06-23T22:18:09Z")
I’m thinking [a modified F-350 truck](http://i48.servimg.com/u/f48/17/08/19/20/imgp7111.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/46 "2014-06-23T22:19:41Z")
Chevy Volt. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/47 "2014-06-23T22:41:25Z")
Sadly but realistically, if they remade that movie, the car would be whichever one offered the most in product placement fees. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/48 "2014-06-23T22:57:50Z")
Maybe a [Hummer H1](https://www.google.com/search?q=Hummer&safe=off&rlz=1C1FDUM_enUS487US487&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=R7CoU_2HM6af8QGT74G4AQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=632#q=hummer%20h1&revid=867249085&safe=off&tbm=isch&imgdii=_)? ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/49 "2014-06-23T23:00:27Z")
You either use a brand new 1929 Duesenberg Model J or a 2038 Corvette. That’s how you prove your time machine is legit. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/50 "2014-06-24T00:37:43Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > 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). Holy cow. I thought I was so clever to come up with that and it was already said… ETA: Twice! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/51 "2014-06-24T04:39:13Z")
Problem with the Pontiac Aztec lies in the fact that it was an aesthetic nightmare. The DeLorean was unique, aesthetically pleasing and sort of desirable to some. The Aztec was just a big bundle of ugliness that interested very few and died quietly. No one would want that thing for a time machine, especially not movie-goers. ---
**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 24, 2014, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/52 "2014-06-24T12:40:03Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Segway 80 mph. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/53 "2014-06-24T14:08:42Z")
I dunno. The company owner who drove his Segway off a cliff might have reached 88 mph… ---
**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 24, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/54 "2014-06-24T14:17:22Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > I dunno. The company owner who drove his Segway off a cliff might have reached 88 mph… [It was only 30 ft](http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/segway-owner-dies-in-segway-crash/). He would have reached about 29.7 mph [in freefall.](http://www.angio.net/personal/climb/speed) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/55 "2014-06-24T14:40:16Z")
The car’s name is spelled “Aztek”. ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/56 "2014-06-24T15:17:06Z")
Just a side note: A few years ago, when I actually Followed people on Twitter (or even paid attention to my account), my favorite (Followed) celebrity was Nathan Fillion. At one point, for a period of time measured at least in weeks (don’t really remember), he was really revved up over this tiny car company called [Arcimoto](http://www.arcimoto.com/), and their electric two-seater (one in front, one behind). Watched a few videos of him and his _Castle_ co-star, Jon Huertas (plays Esposito on the show), taking turns driving it around. What’s funny to me is this thread made me think of that “car,” so I went looking for it. I find it mildly amusing that there’s no sign of Fillion that I saw on the company’s website, or of Huertas, but their co-star on _Castle_, Stana Katic, is shown in a video driving the two-seater I remember. Guess she was a more desirable view for the video. _heh_ And I see now that it’s advertising itself as a three-wheeled motorcycle, although the two seats are now side-by-side and it’s sporting a traditional steering wheel. And further search of the site turns up [this page](http://www.arcimoto.com/journey/shark-week-arcimoto-starring-nathan-fillion-and-jon-huertas) of Fillion and Huertas having fun. Carry on. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/57 "2014-06-24T17:23:36Z")
Fighting my own ignorance: the two seats are still tandem – one in front, one behind. Picture fooled my old eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/58 "2014-06-24T17:38:49Z")
> [@tripthicket](#): > > Stana Katic, is shown in a video driving the two-seater I remember. -watches video- I want that _so_ much! Oh, and the vehicle is nice, too. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/59 "2014-06-24T19:06:31Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > The car’s name is spelled “Aztek”. To quote the Bard: …by any other name, it would still smell like shit. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436/60 "2014-06-24T19:29:47Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Problem with the Pontiac Aztec lies in the fact that it was an aesthetic nightmare. The DeLorean was unique, aesthetically pleasing and sort of desirable to some. The Aztec was just a big bundle of ugliness that interested very few and died quietly. No one would want that thing for a time machine, especially not movie-goers. But at least you’d have the built in tent to sleep in wherever (when ever) you end up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-todays-equivalent-of-the-delorean/691436.md?page=4)