What would be a great first kirby?

[kirbyg3fan]

Hello y'all,
I just found this website an hour ago and I'm glad to find out there are more like me. Anyways I just started a new job at my workplace and at the end of each night we are supposed to vacuum. On my first day I was predicting some cheap Bissell but when I opened that closet I realized they had a Kirby Generation 3 in really good condition! That thing was a dream to use and I'm now in thought about purchasing a pre-owed Kirby. There are so many models out there and I just want to make sure I make the right decision. Sorry if this is put in the wrong place but I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Thanks
~Caleb

 

[hoover300]

Although you can't go wrong with a later 500 series, The Classic and Heritage series are pretty good. Just make sure any Kirbys have the newer Nasa designed white fan or metal fan, not the grey plastic one as they are prone to exploding. That includes the G3. Keep in mind, every model before the G3 did not have Tech Drive. Some, like the Classics and Heritages are heavier yet more advanced, but ones like the 500 series and Sanitronics are quite a bit lighter and just look cooler. It really depends on what you want (tech drive, disposable bags, etc).

 

[hoover300]

Also,

Welcome!

 

[kirbyg3fan]

Yay!

Hello,
I just went to my local vacuum shop just to look at what Kirby's they had in stock and they had a really nice G5 at a price of $70. It doesn't have any attachments but it has the better white fan and new components (Brushroll and belt). I'm definately thinking on it

 

[vac-o-matic]

I sent you an email...

 

[kirbyg3fan]

Vac-o-matic

Heya!
Sorry about not responding to your email as I'm actually out of state for college right now (I'm currently at Alabama state). I also ment to reply back but for some reason my email is acting up.

 

[human]

Not a bad deal...

As far as I'm concerned, you really can't go wrong with anything Heritage or newer. Pre-Heritage machines have shakeout bags, of which I am very much not a fan, but some of them can be converted to use filter bags. The G5 you're considering is not a bad deal for $70 since it's in good shape, having recently been serviced and updated. I've bought Kirbys for less and ended up spending a bundle fixing them up. It's fun but costs can spiral, if you're not careful. I bought a Legacy II off of eBay last fall for $50 with free shipping (pretty lucky since shipping charges are usually pretty outrageous) and ended up spending at least that much more on parts before it was all said and done. Except for the colors, G series tool sets are all essentially the same for all G series models. You might even see if he's got a Kirby toolset of some sort, even if it isn't the the G5's distinctive wine color, that he would be willing to bundle with it for a nominal price.

 

[kirbyg3fan]

Went back...

I went back to grab the G5 only to find out that it had been traded out for a older Hoover elite. I should've gotten it while I had the chance.

 

[human]

They say the time to buy something like that is when you see it. I've hesitated a couple of times and gone back only to be disappointed. But don't worry too much about it. You'll find the Kirby that's meant for you.

 

[dandagreer]

Sources

Nowadays, it’s pretty easy to find even a Sentria I for under $100. All the G series are very similar, though others here have proven they have incrementally improved performance with each model. Personally, of all the G-series, I like the Ultimate G Diamond because it has a low-speed switch, which gives you some flexibility with rugs and things that a Kirby at full power would just eat.

One of the wear parts on the G series is the transmission selector. It eventually wears to the point where the finger that disengages the tech drive breaks off. It’s a fairly easy fix, but it’s something to consider.

Personally, my favorite Kirby’s to use are my Gen 1 Kirbys (505–D80 Sanitronic). They’re smaller, lighter, easy to work on, parts are still readily available, and they’re easily convertible to use HEPA disposable bags.

 

[lesinutah]

Ya

I'm listing what I've found in 2 years.
Sentria $50 all attachments and shampooer
Sentria $60 all attachments and shampooer
Sentria free all attachments and shampooer (my mother's friend gave it to me).
G6 vacuum only $15
G6 vacuum only good shape $15.
G5 I didn't buy because I don't like the color $30
G4 vacuum only $15
Non g series
509 all original except bag $12
Sanitronic 7 vacuum only $15
Tradition vacuum only $15
Classic 3 $10
That's only at the thrift store.
There out there try Craiglist.
Les

 

[human]

Daaaaaaang....

....Kirbys are dirt cheap in your neck of the woods, Les. If I even see one in a thrift store around here, it's usually priced around $50 or so, with or without tools. Sometimes they even sell the tools separately. I even once saw an absolutely beaten down Classic III priced at $110. That was beyond ridiculous. Of course, there have been the occasional outliers like the G5 I passed up—and regretted—for $19 and the Heritage II Legend that I bought last fall for $15 without a cord, which set me back another $20 for a total outlay of $35. I'm certainly not complaining; it was still a bargain.

 

[huskyvacs]

I have only seen a Kirby at Goodwill here once in 2010-ish...and I bought it for $8 (1CR).

I never seen another one since. I did find a hose to one and got that for $2.

I was getting my Kirby fix from whatever $40 or less would get me on eBay for the last couple years. Then USPS and every one of the couriers jacked up their dimensional rates and now it costs $40 to ship a Kirby alone at the cheapest, they can get up to $85 to ship. People don't even bother listing them anymore most of the time.

I have been slowly building up a Kirby collection. I just bought a Kirby last week that I believe is a 1949 or so Kirby from further away in my state but they have not shipped it yet, and I have no idea why, I hope they do today.

I think the 1CR or 500 series Kirbys will be good for a beginner because they are common and not collected too seriously to have them be worth $$$, and they do not have the techdrive transmission that usually is broken on thrift store kirbies. They are really simple and basic to learn on.

If you want a self propelled kirby, try searching pawn shops - they are all over in most pawn shops because people get stuck buying it from kirby salesmen and then can't afford it and pawn it off.