Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/19*

[hatrik8]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

Here's my :2cents:

I'm surprised you didn't run out of gas. If my truck is on E it's empty. Forget about stepping on the gas too, it will just sputter because the gas sloshes around in the tank. I try to keep my truck about 1/4 at all times.

The rattles might be the jack not secured properly if that is inside the cab.

I would definitely get it filled up with gas and take it to your buddy w/ the lift.

I saw your original post 54k is pretty good mileage. I doubt they would take $6000 if they are asking double that. How did it shift?

 

[DEMonte1997]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

It shifted pretty strong but I couldn't bring the rpms past 2500 without some bucking so I'll wait to see what it feels like when they put gas in. There was some interest in a trade for my car after they had a chance to see it and hear it so that's a possibility at this point. This truck is going to need a LOT of work though.

 

[phoonTy]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

"getting on it" with no gas is a bad idea. The SyTy's fuel pickup is at the front of the tank... anything under a 1/4 tank and you'll go lean when you get on it because the fuel moves away from the pickup.

Steering slop could be a lot of things. Bad bearing where the shaft in the engine bay meets the shaft from the column, bushings, pitman arm... etc.

I would stay away from this truck. Sounds like it's been pretty abused and could cost you another $2-3k easy by the time it's where it should be. :dunno:

Edit: forgot to ask, did you get the Vin? What truck number is it? There might be people here that know more about the truck. :tup:

 

[SY1616]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

PM'ed you. A local guy to me emailed me today letting me know his Sy is going up for sale. Once I get the specs i will let you know!

 

[Maxtor]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

The Sy has a variable ratio steering gear; 16-13:1. This will make it softer in the center. Desirable for a luxury vehicle, not so much for a performance car/truck. A popular upgrade is the 12.7:1 gear used in several GM vehicles. Hard to say if what you felt was normal or not but if you're used to a newer car with quick ratio rack-and-pinion steering the Sy will feel like crap.

Rattles aren't only possible but probable in a 17 yr. old vehicle based on an early 80's design. Depends; but I generally wouldn't call a rattle a "major" problem unless it's coming from the engine.

Getting into the throttle with less than 1/4 tank of gas while driving or 1/2 tank of gas when taking off (launching) generally will cause fuel starvation which will cause (lots of) detonation. Not a good idea. Stock rods/pistons can't handle the abuse.

Lastly, if an ebrake light on is a concern then SyTy's probably aren't the right vehicle for you.

I don't see anything in your post that would concern me (other than the owner was too stupid to put gas in before a test drive); but then again I wasn't there. It may be a good idea for you to experience more than one to get a better feeling for what "normal" is.

Good luck.

 

[DEMonte1997]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/12*

PM'ed you. A local guy to me emailed me today letting me know his Sy is going up for sale. Once I get the specs i will let you know!

Keep me posted.

 

[DEMonte1997]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/19*

Took it for a spin tonight with half a tank of gas. It didn't hesitate. The shifts were very strong and quick. Seemed as though the idle was surging just the slightest bit but the truck felt healthy otherwise.

The body looks a little uglier everytime I see it. The cladding that goes around the rear bumper has big cracks where it wraps on each side. Does this mean the rear cladding is shot or can it be repaired by a bodyshop?

My biggest worry about the truck is the frame. I want to make sure the truck isn't completely rusted out underneath. It looked pretty ratty when I climbed underneath tonight and I'll know more when I get it on a lift this weekend. Are there any spots that these customarily rot out at?

He said $10,000 was as low as they'd go. This was after I offered $8,500. Not sure I want to spend that much. We'll see how my checkbook looks.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/19*

He said $10,000 was as low as they'd go. This was after I offered $8,500. Not sure I want to spend that much. We'll see how my checkbook looks.

IMO I would much rather spend 14K on mint Syclone (ie Sy 1616) vs buying one for 10K or even 8,500 with rust.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/19*

The body looks a little uglier everytime I see it. The cladding that goes around the rear bumper has big cracks where it wraps on each side. Does this mean the rear cladding is shot or can it be repaired by a bodyshop?

My biggest worry about the truck is the frame. I want to make sure the truck isn't completely rusted out underneath. It looked pretty ratty when I climbed underneath tonight and I'll know more when I get it on a lift this weekend. Are there any spots that these customarily rot out at?

The rear pieces can be repair, figure on spending $250/per side for Syclone rear corners, if you replace them.

Typically for Syclone rust problems, I have not seen any with frame rot problems, usually everything else gets pretty bad first. From what I have seen is doors/tailgate seam edges get rust first, then the cladding rubs through and rusts. I have seen some body mount rust threw issues and in extreme cases the cladding rust spots rust through. Most Syclone rust issue can be dealt with by panel replacement.

 

[DEMonte1997]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/19*

The rear pieces can be repair, figure on spending $250/per side for Syclone rear corners, if you replace them.

Typically for Syclone rust problems, I have not seen any with frame rot problems, usually everything else gets pretty bad first. From what I have seen is doors/tailgate seam edges get rust first, then the cladding rubs through and rusts. I have seen some body mount rust threw issues and in extreme cases the cladding rust spots rust through. Most Syclone rust issue can be dealt with by panel replacement.

That's good news about the rust in that it should be repairable. I don't see much rust on the outside of the truck but I couldn't get a great look underneath it. My body guy said he's going to stop down and give the truck a full run through before I buy it so him and I know what we're up against. We'll throw it up on the lift and look through the entire thing.

Thanks again for the info. I appreciate all the help this forum has given me. This has been long and drawn out but hopefully an end is near.

 

[hatrik8]

Re: Getting closer to buying a Sy*UPDATE 8/19*

$10k seems high, but if it is in good mechanical shape and doesn't need much body repair it might be worth it. Think long and hard about your decision is all I can say. If you really want the truck and are tired of searching for one and you think the price is fair, then thats what matters the most.

I have regrets about buying my truck sometimes, but I am optimistic that I can make it how I want it and enjoy working on it. Then I can be proud of accomplishing something, if I ever accomplish anyting :rotf: My truck has a couple rust spots and scratches here and there, but I don't mind driving it around that way because when it is cleane and rips down the road nobody can tell the difference. Hopefully someday I can get it painted/fixed.