Kirby Used Buying Help Please!

[thoth]

Hey all,

After doing quite a bit of research, I'm pretty sure I want a Kirby. It seems like at best other vacuum cleaners are as powerful, but few are as reliable or easy to service and replace parts. The other main vacuum cleaners I'm considering are the Simplicity 7850/Riccar 8955 and Miele S7.

I have medium pile carpet and small dogs that shed some. I'm not really worried about weight or care for convenience features.

How good are Kirbys in terms of filtration and allergies? They seem to be decent with the HEPA bag installed, how does it compare to Simplicity and Miele?

What is the max price you think I should pay for a Kirby? It seems like I should be able to get a G6 or newer for less than $100, should I aim for even lower? Is it worth getting a G4 for maybe $20 less than a G6 or newer? How much is a typical service job for a Kirby to clean it out?

After buying a used Kirby, what are some must dos for cleanliness and to improve performance closer to like new? Is it worth replacing the outer bag, the hose, belt, brush roll, and maybe some other internals? Are there any parts associated with the motor or fan that I should consider replacing? I'm not sure if it's an unfounded fear, I'm afraid of buying a used vacuum cleaner that was used to vacuum up gross stuff like poop/puke.

How difficult would it be for me to work on the Kirby myself? Cleaning it out entirely as a shop would do, replacing the brush roll, etc? I don't have a lot of experience with repairing vacuum cleaners but I am good with electronics in general and tinkering, taking things apart and putting it back together, etc.

I plan to have this Kirby for a very long time, I'm not against replacing parts preemptively to help ensure having a good clean vacuum cleaner.

Thanks in advance, you all really know your stuff!

 

[sptyks]

You can't go wrong with a Kirby!

I would look for a G5 or newer. Kirby started installing the new Amodel fans starting with the G5. This new style of highly durable polycarbonite fan is almost indestructable. You can often find a good deal on a refurbushed G5 thru Sentria on ebay for under $300.00. OR you can buy used - as - is Kirby for much less, but then of course it's Buyer Beware!


 


As for filtration, the new Kirby cloth-like HEPA disposable bags are excellent at filtration down to 0.1Microns which is as good as any HEPA bags on the market for any other brand of vacuum. These bags will fit the G3 thru Sentria.


 


The Kirby is extremely easy to maintain. If you intend buy a used-as-is Kirby then you may need a new Brushroll, belt, and bag to get back to good as new performance. These items are eaisly replaceable by the user. If it was a heavily used machine, then the motor may require new brushes and/or front and rear bearings as well. These are also replaceable by the user if the user is mechanically inclined. If it were me, I would spend the extra money on a seller refurbished Kirby, then you don't have to worry about major repairs and the machine will also be shined up to brand new apperance. You can polish and shine your Kirby yourself with some Mother's aluminum polish, #0000 steel wool, and some clean rags. 


 


Hope this helps. We're here if you have more questions.


 

 

[cuffs054]

Thoth, just got my Ultimate G rebuild from WallyWorld. It looks brand new and does a great job. It will become the daily driver over the Dirt Devil, Progressive, Hoover, Westinghouse, Oreck and others that slip my mind.

 

[thoth]

That is quite helpful, thank you.

When an auction says it's seller refurbished, can I assume they cleaned the vacuum cleaner out entirely or should I not assume that unless they say they did so on the listing?

Any thoughts on these auctions?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KIRBY-ULTIM...121411431967?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item1c44af6e1f
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-Metal...321398159382?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item4ad4d2b816
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-Metal...221425459784?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item338dfc6248
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-G7d-U...281416155556?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item4185b5c1a4

I like the idea of the Diamond one especially as it has the two speed switch iirc.

Nice to hear motor brushes and bearings are not difficult to replace. How can you tell if these need replacing?

I did see that Walmart is selling refbuilt Kirbys. How do you feel about buying a rebuilt vs refurb unit?

 

[matty]

My two cents.

Although I'm new on here, I have had great luck with finding two newer Kirbys on Craigslist. I got a Sentria 2 that was manufactured in November of 2013 for $100 with all the attachments sans the carpet shampooer.

I got a Sentria 1 for $150 with a few extra belts and 36 hepa bags with it. IT needed polishing but seems to be good.

I was able to test the units out at the seller's home, I brought along an old floor mat from my car to test it out. You can find good deals if you look hard enough.

There is a lot of chatter about a new model coming out in the next 10-15 weeks, I'm thinking prices on the Sentria will drop even lower, so if you can wait a few more weeks then it may be wise to do so.

 

[thoth]

I have considered getting a Kirby on CL but I'm very wary about ending up with a cleaner that was used to vacuum dog poop or something gross along those lines!

I don't really use many attachments, is there anything else that the Sentria I/II have that is worth spending more for?

What's expected with the new model?

I could probably wait a few more months...no real rush

 

[sptyks]

Hi Thoth,

As far as I can see, only one of the links you provided includes the attachments which are worth close to $100. If you get a Walmart Kirby, it will include all the attachments and will have had a more thorough refurbishment. Everything will be new including the motor brushes and bearings. It will also have a limited warranty.


 


The G7d has the manual speed switch which was mostly a marketing gimmick and was discontinued the following model year. All Kirby's since the DS50 in 1965 have a 2 speed motor which automatically changes speeds depending if you are vacuuming with the floor nozzle (low speed) or using the hose with attachments (high speed). The manual speed switch actually gave you 4 speeds (2 speeds with floor nozzle and 2 with attachments) which proved to be too confusing to many users, therefore it was discontinued on the next model which was the G10d or Sentria.


 


Hope this helps you make a decision.


 


~Stan

 

[thoth]

That's great to know about the Diamond being gimmicky. It seemed like so, unnecessary.

How much more would you be willing to pay for a Sentria over a G5/G6/G7 assuming similar condition?

I'll consider getting one from Walmart, but I tend to avoid Walmart as much as possible, plenty of vacuum shops around here and on ebay benefit from my business much more than Walmart.

 

[thoth]

Another question, is replacement of the outer bag worth doing when buying a used vacuum cleaner? Can much gross/unwanted stuff collect in the outer bag? I'm hoping not as I would think the inner HEPA bag would take care of all but some dust and hair?

I'm eyeing a G6 from an old lady for about $50-70 that I could then get 'tuned up' for about $60 by a local vac shop.

 

[sptyks]

Hi Thoth,

I bought a seller refurbished Sentria with no warranty on ebay last year for $190.00 and I am extremely pleased with it so far. The machine was in excellent condition. The carpet shampoo system was also included in the sale. That Sentria is a beast, and my carpets have never been cleaner.


 


On a used machine, the outer bag should be fairly clean if the machine was used with a HEPA inner bag, however the outer bag can be removed from the mini emptor and washed on gentle cycle in your washer if you are not satisfied with it's cleanliness. Of course there are those horror stories of Kirby's being used with NO inner bag installed and of course the outer bag would be NASTY and should be replaced.


 


I think a professionally refurbished Sentria with warranty will cost upwards of $500 and should come with a brand new outer bag.

 

[patrick727]

Kirby G7D

Purchased a Kirby G7D at Goodwill for $6.99. Replaced the brush belt and bag. Polished the Aluminum. Wow , I am so happy.

 

[lesinutah]

G7d

Has the three speed motor.
The one for nozzle a slower speed for the nozzle and the hose . It's the only vacuum kirby made like this.

 

[juju93]

over due

Speaking of kirby, I think its about time for a new model to be release. Lets be honest, avalir 2, realistically sentria 4, has been out for a lil while now and its time for something new from Kirby, even if its another color/pattern and name change. And can kirby please come out with some new accessories, optional ones, that can be purchased. Also please come back with the dvd owners videos, or at lease put it out on YouTube instead.