SV5000 - What to look out for?

[GR346]

Came across a Rose Grey SV5000 today on the way home and noticed a piece of paper in the window - turns out its for sale :D

Went round the block and pulled up out front of this house and had a look. Knocked to see if the owner would mind but no one was home.

Only had a quick look over it but it was mint - had the sunroof and full leather interior (so 2 out of the 4 options they had). Paint was still in really good condition and there were no marks on the rims. The price sort of makes me think think that the owner isnt fully aware of the rarity of this model and my wife is happy with the idea of grabbing it if it checks out.

I have called the guy and am going to see it later in the week but am wondering if theres certain things I should look out for?

Any help appreciated

[dnos]

I would definitely check out the VIN and engine number and make sure its not a SS with a bodykit, although I'm sure you'll work this out pretty quick :)

I remember seeing these new when I was a school kid and thinking they were the toughest things going around...

[shaness8]

Should have a HSV build certifiate with the build number.

[white lie]

It will only have a certificate if the previous owners have passed it down the line or requested one from HSV. They're nice to have but don't make it any more or less genuine.

You can easily authenticate it with the VIN on HSV's website. Should be a build plate on the firewall.

Just check over the usual things, looking for rust around windows, in the boot (particularly where the spare sits) and around the sunroof. Oil leaks, common for the rear main on the 5L's to leak.

Most of these things are 'minor' if you're looking at keeping it as an investment as they're easily rectifiable. Provided its at a good price and in reasonable nick, then go for it. Rose grey is certainly a collector's colour.

[Pickles]

What is the asking price, & how many Ks has the car done?
Cheers, Pickles.

[BEARWOOD]

If the below facts are true and you found a good genuine rose grey you've done well as it seems theres only 18 in OZ.


FACTS ABOUT THE SV VN SV5000

359 BUILT

60 Rose Grey (#42 to UK)
291 SV Racing Green (31 to NZ)
4 Ruby Red
3 Imperial Blue
1 Alpine White (went to Sultan of Brunei)

Released Sep 1989
Finished 13 Sep 1991

HSV Dealer Model $52,995
Wheels 16x 8.0J
Engine 200kW/410Nm (4987cc)
Transmission Auto only

[Red CV8 R]

If the below facts are true and you found a good genuine rose grey you've done well as it seems theres only 18 in OZ.


FACTS ABOUT THE SV VN SV5000

359 BUILT

60 Rose Grey (#42 to UK)


That is number 42 that went to the UK, not 42 SV5000 that went to the UK. Number 42 was Tom Walkinshaws personal transport.

[shaness8]

I thought might be my old 1 mine never had leather or sunroof, had a rose grey SV5000 back in the 90's great car, just wished it was manual.

[RAWKUS]

Talked my nephew into buying an SV89 as they are almost the same spec, give for 180kW motor instead of 200 and cloth/leather interior. His runs a VT sequential engine now.
Had the Wheels magazine that featured the SV5000 as a kid and fell in love with them from then on. Great bodykit and the sound of that 'ol 5 litre :drool:
Let us in on how much, promise I won't Hijack it from ya :up2sum:

[mikeyy]

The sv's are a nice car thats for sure. My brother has a sv89 in pretty mint cond but he'll never sell it not even to me!

Good luck with the buy!

[RARASV8]

damm the green ones are a dime a dozen!
can touch one when i feel like it (no it's not mine but could be)

Garry

[planetdavo]

The main (initial) thing is to confirm it's authenticity, something you can easily do on the HSV website- Authenticate my HSV.
Otherwise, the rest is as you would expect of a VN well over 20 years old now. All sorts of driveline and body rust issues could be going on, so a detailed inspection from a reputable and knowledgeable person is a must.

[GR346]

Cheers for the info guys - have had a good read on all I can find about them. Its priced below 15k :D but unsure on any other details as the owner is away at the moment. Was just luck that we went home a different way and saw this thing down a driveway. I have called the guy and am seeing this thing on Thursday so Ill fill you in and grab some pics then

The only thing Im worried about is the price as it could possibly mean 2 things:
He doesnt know just what he is sitting on
OR
There is a bit of work to do

[GR346]

The main (initial) thing is to confirm it's authenticity

One of the first things the guy told me over the phone is that it still has ALL the original paperwork, books, letter and receipt from first purchase
Im hoping this turns out to be the buy its looking like

[white lie]

15k... depending on how close it is to that will be the answer of your question.
If they didn't know what they had then it would be priced like a regular VN V8. Time will tell I guess

[Pickles]

$15K is not a lot of money for one of these, which suggests that it needs work.
As Davo has said, originality is the key to cars like this, well ones that have value anyway.....and you also need to bear in mind that the items needed to make these cars original, things like trim, HSV items, could be difficult, or impossible to obtain, and expensive......also it costs just as much to get work done on these as a much newer & more valuable car.....so, just be wary.
I have seen SV5000s with full history,books etc for between $20-25K......and these cars were a sensation when they were new....200KW was a lot of power in those days.
Cheers, Pickles

[QldKev]

Also have a look on carsales, they seem to vary in price

http://www.carsales.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabID=3012965&base=1216&vertical=Car&eapi=2&find=SV5000|CarAll&keyword=SV5000&silo=Stock&N=1246+1252+1247+1282+4294965530+1216&Range=Price:Min%2CMax~0.5&sort=default

Here's a grey with a couple of mods for $8K
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/hsv-commodore-1990-10966535?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=6&eapi=2&__N=1246%201252%201247%201282%204294965530%201216&find=SV5000|CarAll&silo=Stock&num=15&sort=default

[RAWKUS]

That one for 8k is just a SV enhanced SS.
Big difference between that and an SV5000.

[Mozz]

If you are in sunny Queensland two things to watch out for, more than 1k per year in registration and probable mandatory crushing of your car for 'hoon' offences such as speeding on the second offence in the very near future...oops using a tablet here, so didn't see you were in the ACT....

[VNV8]

Why would his car be imponded under the hoon laws? Buying a car like this I don't think he'll be frying tyres in it!

Personally I love these things, apart from the interior anyway. Im guessing though being that cheap it may be in need of repairs. Then again, maybe he's had it on the market for a while and priced to suit.

[RAWKUS]

15k asking is not necessarily cheap, considering the model it's based on and the age. Higher asking prices are generally put forth by enthusiasts or business people that are trying to capitalise on it's obscurity. A work mate had a green one for sale about 6 years ago, knew exactly what it was, was mint with about 120,000 on the clock and was asking $15k back then. You have to consider the alternatives and what they are worth to gauge any sort of accurate selling price. Good luck to those asking more than they're worth.
BTW My nephew spent $10k on his SV89 and that was over 5 years ago.

[Strick]

what build number is it?

Im chasing number 24 if anyone has it out there!

[shaness8]

Strick
Our cars would have been built together mine was 23

Sold mine for $17000 with 85kms about 12yrs ago , took 1yr to sell it they don't hold their resale unlike VNgroupA

[BanPC]

SV5000 - What to look out for?

Chev badges

[GR346]

what build number is it?

Its number 22 mate - so close ;)
Tomorrows the big day

[GR346]

So I inspected the car today and was pretty impressed - didnt get any pics as it started to rain half way through. It was perhaps the straightest vn era commodore I have ever come across. The spacing round the front and rear bar was consistant, panels gaps were perfect, paint was is good condition for a 20+ year old car, leather needed a bit of TLC but wasnt bad. None of the dash has lifted and the rear seat hasnt split where the sun would be shining on it. Mechanically, its been a daily for the past year and owned by a older mechanic for the past 13 years. He was able to give me a run down on everything thats goen wrong and been replaced, like a small trans leak, water pump etc. Was very up front and had receipts for everything.
Was able to get a positive result through the HSV wensite so its all genuine :)

The only thing thats got me is the km - its clocked up 220k which is still less than 10k a year... it doesnt look like its gone that far though so Im not sure now. While its definately one of the best condition cars I have come across from this era, I keep coming back to the km. On the other hand, I dont want to miss out on a good opportunity to own one of these beasts in rose grey cause they sure dont coem up often. Gonna sit on it over the weekend

[white lie]

All depends what you want to do with it mate. If it's an investment then you could be better off waiting for another one but will likely be double the price if you want half the kms.

If you're going to drive it and enjoy it then the kms shouldn't matter. It's still low for its age.

[Pickles]

All depends what you want to do with it mate. If it's an investment then you could be better off waiting for another one but will likely be double the price if you want half the kms.

If you're going to drive it and enjoy it then the kms shouldn't matter. It's still low for its age.
+1.
Cheers,Pickles.

[FLI355]

Mate don't worry about the kms. I'd still get it.

[macca_779]

Bugger the K's. if its in good nick then get it and drive it

[HRT 8]

An SV 5000 is never going to be an investment that you'll make any money out of. If you like the car then buy it and enjoy it.
If you want an investment saty away from vehicles.