According to a motoring expert, the iconic DeLorean from “Back to the Future” (1982) and Bumblebee from the “Transformers” movie series would be the most expensive on-screen cars to operate in real life. Both vehicles would set drivers back millions of pounds annually, with insurance alone on the 2008 Chevrolet Camaro, featured in the live-action Transformers films, costing a staggering £1,000,000 per year.
While insurance on Doc Brown’s DeLorean would be a comparatively modest £50,000 annually, the real financial burden lies in the Plutonium required to power the time-traveling car. This would set you back an eye-watering £5 million. Additionally, operating the DeLorean would necessitate a pilot’s license, costing £15,000, and a tedious 45 days per year would be spent on road-related administrative tasks, such as signing contracts, non-disclosure agreements, hiring lawyers, and even completing government paperwork at MI6.
Other extravagant machines featured on the big screen include the 1976 Lotus Esprit, seen in the Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977). Running this car would cost approximately £370,000 per year, including an insurance premium of £270,000. Given the modifications made to enable underwater operation, as depicted in the film, 30 days each year would be dedicated to the associated paperwork and administration.
Meanwhile, the car that movie enthusiasts would most like to get behind the wheel of is KITT, from the Knight Rider series (1982-1986). Operating KITT would cost a hefty £605,000 annually and consume 60 precious days in administrative tasks.
A poll of 1,000 drivers revealed that three in ten have fantasized about owning one of their favorite fantasy cars. However, a spokesperson for SIXT+, which conducted the research in partnership with Stuart Masson, cautions that the novelty of owning these incredible vehicles may wear off quickly due to the real-world strain they impose. The study also found that many drivers struggle to keep up with the maintenance required for their own cars, with an average of ten life admin tasks per month and two tasks postponed each day, such as paying bills or filing important documents.
Stuart Masson, an automotive expert, has estimated the annual running costs of some of the most iconic movie and TV fantasy cars:
1. Knight Rider: KITT (1982 Pontiac Trans-Am)
– Running: Low – £5,000
– Insurance: Very high – £100,000
– Maintenance: High – £500,000
– Admin time: Very high – 60 days a year
– Total annual running cost: £605,000
2. Back To The Future: Time Machine (1982 DeLorean)
– Running: Enormous – £5,000,000
– Insurance: High – £50,000
– Maintenance: Low – £5,000
– Admin time: High – 45 days a year
– Total annual running cost: £5,055,000
3. 007: Submarine from The Spy Who Loved Me (1976 Lotus Esprit)
– Running: High – £20,000
– Insurance: Very high – £250,000
– Maintenance: Very high – £100,000
– Admin time: High – 30 days a year
– Total annual running cost: £370,000
4. Batman Begins: Batmobile (Tumbler)
– Running: Very high – £50,000
– Insurance: Very high – £100,000
– Maintenance: High – £50,000
– Admin time: High – 30 days a year
– Total annual running cost: £200,000
5. The Dukes of Hazzard: General Lee (1969 Dodge Charger)
– Running: High – £10,000
– Insurance: Very high – £100,000
– Maintenance: High – £50,000
– Admin time: Low – three days a year
– Total annual running cost: £160,000
6. Transformers: Bumblebee (2008 Chevrolet Camaro/Volkswagen Beetle)
– Running: Very high – £100,000
– Insurance: Enormous – £1,000,000
– Maintenance: Very high – £250,000
– Admin time: High – 45 days a year
– Total annual running cost: £1,350,000
7. Fast & Furious: Dom’s Charger (1970 Dodge Charger)
– Running: Very high – £50,000
– Insurance: Very high – £150,000
– Maintenance: High – £100,000
– Admin time: Low – three days a year
– Total annual running cost: £300,000
8. Thunderbirds: FAB1 (Rolls-Royce)
– Running: Very high – £100,000
– Insurance: High – £50,000
– Maintenance: High – £50,000
– Admin time: High – 30 days a year
– Total annual running cost: £200,000
9. Ghostbusters: Ecto-1 (1959 Cadillac)
– Running: Medium – £10,000
– Insurance: Very high – £100,000
– Maintenance: Low – £5,000
– Admin time: Low – three days a year
– Total annual running cost: £115,000
10. Rain Man: 1949 Buick Roadster
– Running: Very low – £2,000
– Insurance: Very low – £1,000
– Maintenance: Low – £1,000
– Admin time: Low – five days a year
– Total annual running cost: £4,000
While these fantasy cars may captivate us on screen, the financial burden of owning and maintaining them in the real world is substantial. The allure of these vehicles may dwindle quickly when faced with the reality of exorbitant running costs, time-consuming paperwork, and specialized maintenance requirements.
