Price?

[Timboland]

I am looking to buy a 2003 Sea-Doo Sportster 4-TEC. It currently has only 17 hours on it, and is owned by the original owner. It was properly stored under a cover in a garage and drained of fluids before it went into storage. It has been recently serviced and taken out on the water with no problems. It looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor inside and out. It has a Sea-Doo cover and a bimini top also. And last but not least, it's sitting on it's original Sea-Doo trailer. Being new to the boating community, I'm not really comfortable pricing a used boat. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Sky-Guy]

Go to nada.com and plug-in the boats specs to get an idea... You can usually get deals that favor the low end of the range they give.

 

[thor7000]

NADA is crap because there are so many things especially on a boat that it does not take into effect!! Best way to average a price is search www.searchtempest.com and see what's out there currently for sale. I would estimate your boat at $6,000- $6,500......reason being it's nearing the end of the season and it's almost 10 years old, to be honest such low hours would be a negative for me, that's just under 2 hrs per year or the boat's been sitting for a very long time. Whatever you do spend the $100 and have a Seadoo dealer confirm the hours and do a complete inspection. Good luck!!

 

[Nscar8lejr]

Hey Timboland, just curious, I have a 2008 Speedster for sale, maybe you might be interested in looking at? Its on the Classified area.

 

[Sky-Guy]

NADA is crap because there are so many things especially on a boat that it does not take into effect!! Best way to average a price is search www.searchtempest.com and see what's out there currently for sale. I would estimate your boat at $6,000- $6,500......reason being it's nearing the end of the season and it's almost 10 years old, to be honest such low hours would be a negative for me, that's just under 2 hrs per year or the boat's been sitting for a very long time. Whatever you do spend the $100 and have a Seadoo dealer confirm the hours and do a complete inspection. Good luck!!

Nada is crap, eh? LOL... Your price estimate is Pretty much right on the money with what nada says... Where do you think those listing prices come from?
I do agree tho, that the low hours would be a serious concern... $100 bucks is cheap insurance to ensure all is well.

 

[camelpak]

I bought the same boat as u 1 1/2 yrs ago w/ 12 hrs on it & it's been a great boat. I got mine cheap ($4300) because I know the guy selling it & he didn't need the money - just got sick of watching the boat sit not being used.

 

[MNSam]

I bought the same boat as u 1 1/2 yrs ago w/ 12 hrs on it & it's been a great boat. I got mine cheap ($4300) because I know the guy selling it & he didn't need the money - just got sick of watching the boat sit not being used.

WOW... the cheapest I can find near me is $8900 for a 2004. Makes me jealous!

 

[thor7000]

Nada is crap, eh? LOL... Your price estimate is Pretty much right on the money with what nada says... Where do you think those listing prices come from?
I do agree tho, that the low hours would be a serious concern... $100 bucks is cheap insurance to ensure all is well.

Yup...it is crap!!! May be right on as to what I estimated but I've seen boats that the seller was using NADA prices and the actual condition of the boat was far worse to even justify a selling price anywhere near it. There are so many variables that come into play when pricing a boat such as salt water/fresh water use, gelcoat condition, hours, interior ect. ect. ect.......very long list and NADA does not take any of that into account.

 

[thor7000]

WOW... the cheapest I can find near me is $8900 for a 2004. Makes me jealous!

probably because of your location....search the whole U.S, there are deals out there especially before winter. I purchased a boat in Chicago and used USHIP to pick it up and deliver it to me.

 

[Sky-Guy]

Yup...it is crap!!! May be right on as to what I estimated but I've seen boats that the seller was using NADA prices and the actual condition of the boat was far worse to even justify a selling price anywhere near it. There are so many variables that come into play when pricing a boat such as salt water/fresh water use, gelcoat condition, hours, interior ect. ect. ect.......very long list and NADA does not take any of that into account.

You know what else doesn't take into consideration all the variables you listed? ...Your 'scan the listing prices of boats for sale' method.
You gave a price range opinion that made no reference to condition. At least nada does outline the condition they are valuing.
Just because some moron tries to over price a junk boat using nada.com as justification, doesn't make nada a useless tool. In fact, that same listing is reflecting an unreasonable price for one to consider using the scan method. Nada clearly explains their valuation as per condition AND saltwater use (read the text below the values). Bottom line is condition of the boat greatly effects the resale value... Nada gives one a reasonable range to base their purchase decision on.

I second the advice to shop the entire country, bought my Challenger in Atlanta and used uShip to deliver to Port Everglades... 650 miles for $500 total... Good deal!

 

[sgoyal]

I drove to Arkansas from Atlanta to get my boat...if you want a good deal then you need to increase your range area.

I used Nada and searched for 2_3 months before I set my average price. I have seen some price range all over the place but be patient and don't fall in love at first sight

Also, you should be able to find good deal in Chicago, Ohio,Michigan or any cold place since their boating season is much shorter than south side.