Questions about buying an svo

[Jose O]

Hello eveyone Im in the process in buying an 85 svo but I have a few questions, the car has not been in the streets or been register for about 7-10 years. I went to the dmv and ask them for a history of the car and they found no record of the car. they said that I had to take the car to the dmv so they could do an inspection on it. first question, Has any one had a situation like this? What does the dmv look for? What will I need to do to get the car to start since its been seating for some time? I think Im going to close the deal next weekend the owner is not in town but he'll be back on wednesday, I'm going to make a deposit that day and pick up the car on saturday. The car is in a really nice condition both inside and outside, his asking $3000. I'll tried to post some pick on the weekend. I will appreciate anyones help thank you.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

I would find out what past due fees are needed to bring the car back to current status with the CA DMV. Although it's the current owner's responsibility, the next owner usually pays for the privelage. $3k is too much for a car unless lein and title issues are clean and understood that the seller may be responsible for some of the burden. Find out the hidden costs before you buy. Ask me how I know.

[chalkys_explorer]

Hi Jose,
well, what I can tell you for a start is expect to to have to do a fair amount of work. You will have to change all the fluids, including the gearbox, motor,brake system and rear end, I would expect you'll have to remove and flush the fuel tank, all the rubber parts, coolant hoses, v-belts etc will need changing and you'll want to pour a small amount of oil down the spark plug holes and turn it over without running it to make sure the bores don't score if they're a little rusty. It may also need some electrical work. Check with some of the club vendors (gyrhead, SVPU, Forced 4) for what some of these parts will cost you.

If you're in the LA area, which should mean it's pretty rust free, I'm sure one of the boys down there would be willing to have a look at it for you and be able to offer some more advice. If you don't know much about SVO's it a good idea to consult with someone who does. The only other thing i can suggest is post the VIN and someone may be able to do a quick registry search for you.

Alternatively, become a member and do it yourself!!! Trust me, you'll save the $30 on that first service you'll have to do!!!

Post some pics so someone with a little more knowledge than me can give you an estimate of the value. For my money I'd say $3000 is pretty high, unless it's got VERY few miles and is a one owner in VERY good condition or it's a rarity like a Comp Prep or option delete. For that sort of price i'd want it to have sat under a cover for the last 10 years!!!! Check some of the cars that are for sale here to get a better idea.

Hope that hepls.

Chris

[DAVEZ84SVO]

All I can say is that $3000 for an svo that does not even run.. I know that it is probably a rust free svo, I'd like for you to get the svo & join the club.. I would contact a few of the svo guys that are by you & have them look at it before you plunk down the green's for a non-running car..

Please don't get me wrong, I'm looking more at the investment part of the deal.. I would love to see another SVO that is going to be put back on the road/track.. Do some reaserch before you buy.. I'm not trying to discurage you in buying the car, just trying to help..

Dave

[GAboySVO]

Has any one had a situation like this? What does the dmv look for?

Yes. They look for matching vin numbers on the engine, tranny, etc. They put it on a rack and check the numbers to make sure it wasn't put back together with some stolen stuff.

[Jose O]

I'll like to thank every one who haved reply to my message. I did a carfax report on the 85svo VIN# 1FABP28T9FF153017 and it came out as a clean title. Car doesn't seam to have any rust, the interior doesn't have any rips it just needs to be wash compleatly and to get it back on the road. I tried to contact the owner but his not back from his trip I was told he will now be back untill nex week so now I have to for him. I just can't wait to have the car on my garage I really want to own an svo.

[chalkys_explorer]

Hi Jose,
it doesn't appear to have been entered in the registry so when you get it be sure to do that. Get some pics when you can. We love to see before and after pics so snap away.

Spend plenty of time searching through the forum. just about every question you can think of has been answered already. Before I got my SVO all i did was research for like a week. Seems crazy but it paid off. I now have a note book with just about every bit of info i'll ever need.

HTH

Chris

[SVOBart]

If it hasn't been registered for that long, even CarFax may not have very accurate information on the car. The earliest event shown for my 86, apart from when it was originally sold to the dealership, was 1999. Just be aware of that before putting too much faith in a CarFax report.